Chapter 161

The day our reliable(?) party members assembled for the first time.

An awkward atmosphere immediately enveloped us.

“Eh…?”

Annette blinked blankly, letting out a strange sound.

“…”

Camian, apparently shocked by the unexpectedly small number of people, was speechless, frozen like a statue.

“Th-These are our reliable juniors. And everyone else…”

Allen stammered, his eyes darting around as he uttered empty words.

”These are the students of the top academy? They all look like kids.”

Godwin expressed his disappointment directly.

“Well, isn’t it nice? Being with young friends like this, I can feel the youthful energy, it’s great.”

Dan said with an amused smile.

“I merely follow the Master’s will.”

Dolph remained loyal as always.

“Sniff, sniff.”

White, the loyal hound, sniffed the air with his nose twitching.

He seemed to be trying to memorize the new human scents.

That was the end of everyone’s first impressions.

I clapped my hands once to get their attention.

“Why the long faces? These are trustworthy allies.”

To be honest, it was a bit of an exaggeration.

But I was confident.

That this was a decent group of party members with their own unique specialties.

“Um…”

Annette raised her hand timidly.

“Oh, our precious Healer junior, what’s up?”

“I was wondering if…everyone’s here…”

“You’re looking at everyone.”

Annette’s eyes wavered at my reply.

“Isn’t our number…a bit insufficient?”

Camian chimed in, looking doubtful.

“Nope, it’s enough.”

I immediately replied, as if it wasn’t even worth considering.

“You’re saying it’s enough?”

“Right, my calculations are flawless.”

I said, tapping my head with my finger.

The confidence of a mastermind, acknowledged even by the Empress, emanated from me.

Overwhelmed, Camian flinched and closed his mouth.

“Wait a minute. The young miss over there is a Healer, fine. But what about the other two? Are you sure they’re useful?”

Godwin asked in his characteristic gruff voice.

“Of course.”

“Explain it to me in more detail.”

“Fine. That’s Allen Benesse, the eldest son of the Benesse family. No need to explain the Benesse spear technique, am I right?”

Godwin was a former executioner from the Kingdom of Parene.

He would be well aware of the renown of the Benesse spear technique from the Kingdom’s prestigious martial family.

But apparently, he knew it too well.

“What? The eldest, not the youngest? The younger son is the real deal. I heard the eldest was a dud.”

“The rumors spread because of his timid personality. Skill isn’t dictated by personality. I guarantee he’s at least competent.”

I defended him with all my might.

I wasn’t entirely lying.

Allen had indeed grown to be competent.

He pulled his weight, both in the Infinite Tower and in mock battles.

Allen’s eyes sparkled, touched by my words.

…Stop with that burdensome expression.

“Hmm, I’ll trust you, seeing as you’re going this far.”

Godwin turned his gaze to Camian.

A silent demand for an explanation.

“This is Camian Croycher. A junior that I cherish dearly.”

Camian, his body trembling with awkwardness, looked extremely uncomfortable, as if he wanted to disappear.

It seems my words were making him cringe.

I grinned and continued,

“He contributes a lot now, but this kid has huge potential, at least that’s what I think.”

High praise.

Annette’s eyes widened, and Camian fidgeted even more.

Allen was staring at me with a shocked expression, as if to say, ‘Did those words actually come out of Team Leader’s mouth?’

“Hmm.”

Godwin looked at Camian with interest.

He was intrigued because I, someone who he acknowledged, praised him so highly.

That was my intention all along.

Camian had mastered the eight basic forms of the Empire, taught by Master Turk, a fortnight ago.

Next up for him were Godwin’s Strong Sword and Dan’s Illusion Sword.

It would be efficient for him to learn both sword techniques simultaneously.

However, Dan owed me a favor, so he would readily teach him, but Godwin wasn’t the type to teach his skills to just anyone.

That’s why I piqued his interest.

“That’s enough, right? Let’s get going. We can talk on the way.”

Four in the carriage, two on the driver’s seat and next to it.

One person remained.

I had prepared a fine steed for that person.

For Godwin, whose massive physique would be uncomfortable in the carriage.

“You ride this.”

And so, we set off on our long journey.

* * *

The central continent.

A region strategically located between the Empire, the Kingdom, and the territories of the Church.

It served as both a neutral zone and a buffer zone.

It should be a peaceful place considering its circumstances.

However, there’s one problem.

It’s divided into too many countries.

Because of this, each country was weak.

There are even several that are more like city-states, barely deserving to be called countries.

Their weaknesses limited their ability to maintain law and order.

Naturally, packs of wolves flocked to this place.

This is why bandits, mountain bandits, pirates…all kinds of scoundrels are rampant.

If the countries could cooperate, the situation might improve, but the complex interplay of interests between so many nations prevented that.

“…That’s the gist of it.”

Camian, Annette, and Allen nodded with “I see” expressions at my explanation.

Are these guys telling me they know even less about this world than I do?

Do they have no interest in weak countries?

…These great power folks.

“So you’re saying there are a lot of bastards to beat up?

Godwin summed it up neatly.

“That’s right.”

I grinned.

“Then let’s get moving. I’m itching to get my hands dirty.”

Crack.

Godwin cracked his knuckles, his wrists as thick as logs.

He must have been bored stiff, staying in the peaceful Holy City.

“I understand your enthusiasm, but we can’t just rush into it recklessly.”

I said calmly, taking a sip of my beer.

Yes.

We were at a tavern in broad daylight.

I was the only one who knew the reason.

“What?”

Godwin frowned.

“What ‘what’? Do you know anything? Where their hideouts are, how many of them there are, what their equipment is like, what they’re doing right now?”

I don’t even know for sure, so he clearly wouldn’t.

The situation of the bandit gangs changes depending on the timing.

Some groups disband, others are formed.

They may relocate their hideouts to avoid extermination, or they may move from country to country, conducting plundering tours.

And then there are the countless other minor changes…

That’s why we need the latest and most accurate information.

And it was the very reason I had come to this tavern.

“We can just ask around…”

“Who’s going to tell you anything just because you ask? Besides, do you think anyone actually knows?”

“Well, then what are we supposed to do?”

Godwin asked me, looking frustrated.

His expression pleaded for a clear answer.

I smirked and took the last sip of my beer.

The timing was perfect.

“Hey, Dan.”

“Yes?”

“Block the entrance and lock the door, now.”

Dan, a master of picking up on subtle cues, seemed to have sensed the unusual seriousness of my words.

Without asking for an explanation, he immediately rushed to the entrance and locked the door.

“W-Wait…Sir, what is the meaning of…”

The tavern owner panicked and tried to protest.

I flipped a coin towards him.

Not just any coin, but a gold one.

Enough to cover a week’s worth of earnings for this small tavern.

The tavern owner’s eyes widened.

“This should be enough for damages, right, Tavern Keeper?”

“Hehe…of course, sir.”

The tavern owner immediately switched gears with a servile grin.

Money talks.

“So, about our itchy Godwin…”

“Who’s ‘our’ Godwin?!”

Godwin shouted, his expression conveying his disgust and horror.

Sorry, even I’m feeling nauseous now.

…I’ll never say that again.

“Ahem, anyway, go beat that guy up. Don’t kill him, though.”

I pointed at someone with a nod.

A slit-eyed man sitting alone at a table, tearing at dried meat and sipping beer.

He was trying to act nonchalant, but I clearly noticed him flinch slightly when I pointed him out.

He’s back to pretending nothing’s wrong, diligently chewing on the dried meat, his head buried on the table.

“ Hmm, that guy, huh.”

Godwin grinned mischievously and approached the slit-eyed man.

“W-Wait, wait! Are you sure he’s not just a random guy?”

Allen panicked.

“Y-Yes, Senior. Sudden violence is a bit…”

Annette added, her pupils wavering.

They’re just thinking like normal people.

But there are people you should treat normally and those you shouldn’t, you know?

“ Even if he wasn’t the guy, I’ll take full responsibility if something happens.”

I said firmly.

“Good. That’s what a real man does.”

Godwin grinned, baring his teeth, apparently satisfied.

Then he suddenly shouted loudly,

“Oi!”

“Wh-What’s going on?”

The slit-eyed man asked with a frightened look.

It would normally be an act, but not now.

I mean, the other party is Godwin, you know?

There are only a handful of people in the world as monstrously built as him, a bald, muscular giant with a menacing aura.

“ I’m going to beat you up! Any complaints?”

……Is this guy actually the bad guy?

Looking at the people whispering amongst themselves, their eyes full of fear as they looked at Godwin as if he’s a hardened criminal, I am now not so sure anymore.

“Wh-What the…?”

“What ‘what’? I said I’m going to beat you!”

Blam!

Crash!

Godwin’s massive foot, like a giant redwood, ruthlessly kicked the slit-eyed man’s body.

The slit-eyed man tumbled back pathetically, knocking down a chair.

“Ugh…Ugh…”

The slit-eyed man’s expression changed.

Red warning lights were flashing.

He must have realized it after one hit.

That it wasn’t human strength.

Sensing that he could actually die if he took a few more blows, the slit-eyed man made a very wise decision.

He ran towards the door as soon as he got up.

A former con man was definitely better than a monster in human form.

But…

“Wow, he must think I’m a real pushover.”

Dan clicked his tongue incredulously.

“ Get out of my way! ”

The slit-eyed man, who had somehow managed to get hold of a sword, swinging it with the intention to kill anyone who gets in his way.

“Who the hell would get out of your way?”

Dan was already holding a short sword in his hand.

He swished it around expertly.

That ‘swish’ was the key.

He was only holding one sword, but it seemed to be everywhere at once, blocking the slit-eyed man’s sword, slashing his wrist, and striking his abdomen with the pommel.

It wasn’t one sword, but three.

That was the power of the Illusion Sword, as wielded by a former master con man.

“Ugh! ”

The slit-eyed man’s sword was blocked, his wrist was slashed, and his abdomen was struck. He stumbled back, dropping his weapon.

And waiting behind him…

Was, of course, Godwin.

“Trying to run away? You gutless bastard! ”

Blam!

“Kyaaack! ”

And so it began.

Godwin’s vengeful rampage.

* * *

“ Ple-Please…I-I swear I did nothing…”

The slit-eyed man pleaded pathetically.

He was covered in bruises, even though he hadn’t been hit that much. The people were looking at him with pity.

But they didn’t know.

Compared to the evil deeds he and his group had committed, this was a mere slap on the wrist.

They all deserved to be beheaded.

“Dan.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Take off his shirt.”

“Yes, sir.”

Dan started to forcefully remove the slit-eyed man’s shirt.

The slit-eyed man’s face instantly turned pale.

“W-Wait…! Stop! Stop it! ”

There’s no way we’d stop just because he said so.

Rip!

Dan ripped off the shirt entirely.

Then,

It was clearly visible.

A black skull tattoo on the man’s back.

Almost no one in this town would misinterpret its meaning.

“Th-That’s?!”

“Oh my…”

“The-The Black Skeleton?! That notorious…?!”

People gasped in horror.

The “Black Skeleton” mountain bandits.

A name more feared than monsters in those mountains.

They were notorious for attacking merchants and travelers passing through mountain paths, plundering their valuables and taking their lives.

Because of their heinous acts, the lords of the surrounding territories and the country had sent numerous extermination squads, but each time, they vanished without a trace, leaving the soldiers empty-handed.

And one of those Black Skeleton gang members was standing right in front of us.

“What do bandits need to do to hunt for prey?”

I said with a smirk.

“Information, of course.”

How many mountain paths are there in this vicinity?

How could the bandits possibly know when and how potential victims would pass through all those mountain paths?

They simply couldn’t.

So,

“They always plant an informant in town to gather information. Of course, someone who won’t raise suspicion. This guy has probably been living in this town for a while.”

People’s eyes wavered, confirming my words.

“But they can’t easily replace him. They’ve invested time and effort in planting him.”

That’s how I had managed to locate him.

“In other words, if we catch these guys…”

Bang!

I slammed my hand on the table.

“…we can track down the rest of them.”

I smiled.