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Chapter 12: Bringing the bandit in to claim the reward

The city of Melod was not large, and it had only one small gate on the eastern side.

After leaving the city, Reiner walked around the walls and finally reached the wilderness to the west.

The place was overgrown with weeds taller than a man, and there was not even a decent path.

Bandit camps usually posted hidden sentries nearby.

They might be discovered by the bandits before they even got close.

“Nora, scout ahead; if you notice anything, come back to me, stay careful, and keep your wits about you.”

Nora nodded, drew her dagger, and slipped into the grass.

Martina looked at Reiner and asked in confusion, “What about us?”

“We wait.”

Judging from the talent panel, Nora was undoubtedly the best scout among them.

If the two of them tagged along, they might even get in the way.

When Nora did not return for a while, Reiner could not help growing anxious.

Fortunately, she finally came back half an hour later.

A few bright-green leaves were stuck in her hair.

“I searched the whole area and found no other tracks; the bandits are probably hiding in the woods up ahead.”

“All right, you lead the way.”

Reiner followed Nora into the thicket.

After the three of them had walked a few hundred meters, Nora suddenly stopped.

“Someone is coming!” Her ears flicked; she must have heard something unusual. “Shall I take him?”

“He won’t understand demi-human speech and may panic, so repeat after me in Dyast.” Reiner took a deep breath and taught her on the spot, “Keep quiet, I need you for something, come with me.”

Nora mastered it after one try; she still had an accent, but the meaning was clear enough.

“If he dares resist, just kill him.”

“Understood.”

Nora slipped away again.

Soon the grass nearby rustled.

When she returned, her dagger was dripping blood. “He was uncooperative, so I killed him.”

“It’s fine.”

The three of them kept moving through the weeds.

They had not gone far before Nora stopped once more.

At the same time a man’s shout drifted over from the distance, “Turner! Remember to bring back some booze! Do you hear me?”

When no answer came, he yelled again, “Turner? Don’t play deaf on me, or I’ll beat you senseless!”

Reiner shot Nora a look, and she instantly understood and slipped away.

Moments later she dragged the man back.

He looked at them in terror, fell to his knees, and begged, “Don’t hurt me! I’ll tell you anything!”

The fellow was completely bald except for his eyebrows, and he was not Leonard.

Reiner showed him the portrait. “Do you know this man?”

The man glanced at it and answered repeatedly, “Yes! He’s our boss!”

“Where is your camp?”

When he hesitated, Nora pressed a little harder, the dagger nicking the skin of his throat.

“Wait! The camp is in the woods just ahead; let me go, please…”

Reiner signaled Nora with his eyes.

The man’s throat was slit at once.

The trio continued to feel their way toward the trees.

After another few hundred meters, Nora halted again. “Master, I hear them; I’ll scout ahead, you two wait here.”

“All right, be careful.”

Nora disappeared into the undergrowth.

If she really took out the bandit chief this time, Nora would deserve the biggest share of the credit.

He waited a long while before she returned, her face covered in blood.

“Are you hurt?”

“No, I killed a sentry during recon; this is his blood.” She wiped her face with her arm and continued, “I counted 15 bandits, including the man in the portrait.”

“Leonard?”

Nora nodded. “Yes.”

“Any other sentries nearby?”

Nora shook her head. “I saw only one.”

Reiner took a deep breath and began to think.

With 15 men, they would lose in a straight fight.

“Nora, stay hidden and pick them off; kill as many as you can. Martina and I will draw their attention. Stay safe.”

“You too.” Nora slipped off to the side like a shadow.

Reiner turned to Martina and whispered, “Just follow me and mimic what I do; stay sharp.”

“Got it.”

After waiting a moment, Reiner suddenly stood and walked toward the woods.

It was already dusk, and the sky was growing darker.

Before long Reiner saw firelight flickering in the distant trees.

That had to be the camp Nora had mentioned.

Reiner kept walking until he saw several bandits sitting around a bonfire.

One of them was the very man the old blacksmith had described… Leonard.

Leonard also noticed Reiner, but perhaps because of the poor light he did not see his face clearly.

“Who’s there?”

Reiner hunched his shoulders and spoke in a low voice, “I’m lost; could you tell me which way to Melod?”

Leonard drew a dagger from his belt and approached with a few bandits.

A malicious grin spread across his face. “Lost, are you?”

Reiner hurriedly backed up a few steps and raised his round shield. “I’m sorry, I mean no harm; I only need directions.”

Leonard kept smiling and kept his eyes fixed on Martina.

“Melod isn’t far; just head east and you’ll see it.” He stepped forward and placed a hand on Reiner’s shoulder.

At that moment a scream came from the camp.

The bandits turned around in confusion.

Seizing the chance, Reiner smashed the back of Leonard’s head with the shield and knocked him out.

The remaining bandits recovered and charged at Reiner with their daggers raised.

Martina swung her greatsword; the first two bandits were decapitated before they could even scream.

The other three realized the danger too late.

Martina hacked them to pieces as easily as chopping vegetables.

Nora walked out of the camp at that moment. “Master, I’ve finished on my side.”

“So have we.”

Nora nodded, slipped back into the grass, and began to keep watch.

Martina saw Leonard lying on the ground, lifted her blade, and was about to strike again.

“Stop; we can’t kill this one.” Reiner hurriedly seized her arm.

“Why? Isn’t he a bandit?”

“He’s the chief; alive he’s worth more than dead.”

Martina nodded, half understanding.

Reiner took out a rope and bound Leonard tightly.

Then he and Martina searched the camp.

The gang did not seem wealthy; after digging around they found only a handful of copper coins.

As night deepened and the wilderness grew more dangerous, Reiner called Nora over, slung the still-unconscious Leonard over his shoulder, and set off.

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