episode_0025

I left the location of the hero party and headed back to the capital of the empire where I usually reside by carriage.

Most matters are being handled by Lena, but due to a recent Paladin summon, I had to make a quick return to visit the sanctuary.

“It’s been a while since I visited the sanctuary.”

Judging by the timing, it must have been roughly three years.

The last time I visited the sanctuary was due to Paladin-related matters.

In truth, I hadn’t planned on going there again after that time, but things turned out differently. It made me realize how unpredictable life can be.

“I already have a headache.”

Corrupt individuals within the sanctuary.

While the original Kariel might have been similar to those individuals, I am not like them now.

Even though rumors paint me in a negative light, I haven’t sided with them like the original Kariel did.

But does that mean I belong to the good side? That was a bit ambiguous.

Rumors about me are unfavorable, and my actions have been carefully hidden, making me appear as if I’ve only done bad things.

In short, I was unwelcome on either side.

If we were to take sides, perhaps only the Pope noticed that I intentionally spread negative rumors.

I vividly remembered how startled I was when I was first caught, enduring numerous interrogations.

Fortunately, the silver lining was that the Pope knew all about my actions from behind the scenes and chose to turn a blind eye, despite not understanding why I behaved that way.

This situation allowed me to potentially clean up the entire sanctuary if I wanted to.

Practically speaking, all ten Paladins supporting the sanctuary followed me, and even the Pope could be considered on my side.

However, doing so would lead to various disruptions and worsen an already precarious situation.

“But this time, with the Pope’s participation, it should be better than before.”

Nevertheless, it was only a slight improvement.

The tedious nature of the task remained unchanged.

“Ugh… I can’t just lock them all away.”

It was at that moment when my frustration peaked.

Thud!

Suddenly, the ground trembled, accompanied by numerous approaching footsteps.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the identities of these footsteps.

“Bandits here?”

Considering that there is a mountain to cross in the direction of the empire’s capital and the current path being crossed is a mountain, encountering bandits didn’t seem too surprising.

My surprise wasn’t about the location.

“Are bandits still around?”

The mere fact that bandits existed was what surprised me.

Given the timeline, it was indeed puzzling for bandits to still be present, considering they were completely eradicated a few years ago.

“I personally uprooted them entirely.”

Surely, I never thought they would still exist.

“Ba, bandits?”

Even the coachman seemed surprised as he shouted.

The bandits shouted aggressively.

“Surrender all your possessions!”

“We might spare your lives!”

Typical third-rate villains spewing threats like that.

But I knew they wouldn’t spare anyone.

“They’re not fools; they can’t risk revealing their identities.”

Perhaps their successful attacks were always calculated, allowing them to boldly exist in such a manner.

Unfortunately, this time, they picked the wrong target.

I sighed deeply as I stepped down from the carriage.

“Oh? We have a guest?”

“That strange mask makes you look quite wealthy.”

Bandits chattering among themselves joyfully.

I directed a question towards these bandits.

“Surely, it’s been several years since all the bandits were wiped out.”

“Hyung, are you talking about something from years ago? It’s been a whopping 5 years. Aren’t you afraid something might happen in the meantime?”

Nothing will happen.

It cannot happen.

Though it seems like they’re asking when we’ll talk about the past threats.

I knew that was absurd.

Not only did I personally uproot all the roots of the bandits back then,

I also managed to prevent any new ones from emerging.

What kind of lunatics would attempt banditry knowing that the entire bandit group was uprooted five years ago?

If they valued their lives, they would have immediately ceased their bandit activities.

However, if you were to ask whether the bandits nearby don’t value their lives and still engage in such actions, I would shake my head.

They are just the type who would beg for mercy as soon as they are pricked a few times.

Yet, despite this, these individuals are engaging in banditry.

‘Only one reason.’

Someone is watching over the bandits.

That’s how the situation stands.

‘Nobles, perhaps.’

Unless they are nobles, it’s impossible for banditry to occur without my knowledge.

Of course, if the bandits had been reckless and indiscriminate in their looting, they would have been caught quickly. However, as I just considered, they were cautious in their looting, which allowed me to remain undetected until I arrived here.

‘It might be a bit late for the guild.’

It seemed like there would be some business to attend to.

“Now, how about handing over the valuables?”

The bandits approached with sly smiles.

The mabu trembled in fear, and I extended my hand without much enthusiasm.

In an instant, the throats of the bandits were slit, except for one.

“One person should be enough to speak.”

The lone remaining bandit gazed in horror at his fallen comrades.

“I beg forgiveness for not recognizing the noble! Please spare me!”

Desperately kneeling and bowing, the bandit sought to survive.

The way the weak cling to life, degrading themselves in fear, contrasted starkly with those who value their own lives so highly that they abase themselves. Truly repugnant.

Yes, this must be a characteristic of the human race.

Treating others’ lives lightly while valuing their own lives to the point of abject submission—such is this race.

“Get up.”

“Yes!”

“Lead us to your leader.”

“I-I will guide you right away!”

The bandit swiftly led us to where their leader was supposed to be.

As we pushed through the thickets, we came upon quite a large encampment of tents, where figures resembling bandits were bustling about.

I made noise intentionally so that the bandits could sense our approach.

Their gazes turned towards me.

A moment of silence ensued.

They questioned the bandit who had guided us, eyes narrowed.

“Who is that guy?”

“Is he a hostage? Why does he look so scared?”

“Where is our leader?”

“You think the likes of you can find our leader…”

But the guy couldn’t finish his sentence.

His throat had been cut.

I turned to the remaining bandits and asked, “Where is your leader?”

“T-This guy! Get him!”

They hesitated slightly, perhaps trusting in their numbers.

They rushed towards me.

And each time, I severed their throats.

In the end, only the bandit who had guided us and two others who hadn’t attacked remained.

I asked the bandit who hadn’t attacked me, “Where is your leader?”

“Well, he stepped out for some business. I’m not sure why he left…”

“Is that so? Alright then.”

After finishing him off, I looked at the surviving bandit and asked, “You don’t know either?”

“Our… Our leader occasionally goes out for trade! He should be back soon!”

“I see.”

It seemed waiting quietly here would suffice.

I sat on a nearby rock, waiting.

“Hey, um… Are you going to spare me?”

“Spare you?”

“Yes, yes.”

Trembling with fear, the bandit asked.

I replied indifferently, “Sure.”

“Why though?”

Puzzled by being spared, he inquired.

I chuckled and said, “Why? Don’t like it? Should I just kill you?”

“Oh, no! I really want to live! I’m just curious about the reason…”

“The reason…”

There wasn’t a grand reason.

“You haven’t killed anyone yet.”

“H-How do you…”

“There’s no smell of blood on you. Usually, bandits reek of blood, their eyes filled with greed. But you, young and without the scent of blood, your gaze is pure. You seem more afraid of the current situation. Clearly, you became a bandit to survive, but your tender heart prevents you from living properly.”

If he were an ordinary bandit, I wouldn’t have spared him.

But he seemed hesitant even to commit common robbery, let alone killing.

Even when he surrounded me earlier, his actions now showed clear guilt and fear.

“So I spared you.”

Simply put, because he hadn’t committed a crime yet.

That’s the end of the reason.

There was nothing more to it.

I asked him, “Do you need any other reason?”

“N-No.”

He seemed to be holding back tears.

Perhaps memories of past events flooded back, stirring his emotions.

I didn’t know what circumstances led him here, but if he had become a bandit, there must be quite a complex situation involved.

“I don’t know much about you. Quitting the bandit life would be wise. Even setting aside human decency, with your character, even if you became a bandit, you wouldn’t live long.”

One might question what right I have to give advice.

Still, coming from someone who has lived a bitter life, I believe it’s quite helpful advice.

Well, the choice is his.

“Sigh… When will he arrive?”

About an hour passed waiting for the leader to come.

I sensed someone approaching nearby.

Soon, the footsteps reached this place.

A muscular, rugged man appeared.

Seeing the dead bandits, his face contorted like a demon.

“Is it you?”

His gaze turned towards me sitting on the rock.

Facing his fierce look, I nodded slightly.

“…Kill him.”

The bandit pulled out the axe hanging behind him.

Without drawing my sword, I pointed with just one finger.

“One finger is enough for me.”

Did he think I was provoking him?

He charged at me recklessly.

As he closed in, I flicked my thumb, bouncing my middle finger off it and striking his forehead.

Thud!

With a shock like a bullet being fired, the bandit leader’s body flew backward and crashed.