Chapter 156

Chapter 156

***

Less hot than passionate love, and warmer than cold indifference, that was friendship. Like a campfire that warms the body at an appropriate temperature.

Rickart had a pleasant dream. He didn't remember what it was, but it was the kind of dream where he woke up from sleep but didn't want to open his eyes.

He heard the sounds of the people who woke up first packing something. The sound of tightening a leather belt going crunch, the sound of sweeping the floor with feet going rip rip, the rustling sound of packing something.

And a familiar voice.

"I know you woke up. Your breathing has changed, Ricky."

Ice said. Rickart kept his eyes open while lying on his side with his body curled up.

The campfire was still burning small, as if someone took care to maintain the warmth. Naturally taking care without showing off, this was exactly the temperature of friendship.

The rain streaks had thinned out but rain was still falling outside the cave. Yet there was no damp feeling at all, his clothes were properly bone dry and the sensation brushing against his skin felt good.

The world outside the cave was brightly blue. It was morning.

Because he slept lying on his side, when Rickart raised his upper body, only his side hair was pressed down or sticking out. He smoothed it with his hand but it didn't hold much meaning.

One knight brought him soup. Actually, rather than soup, it was broadly boiled thick water, cornmeal, beef jerky, hard bread, and such things.

Blowing haha and drinking it, the savory and salty taste was somewhat decent to eat. His stomach became hot and toasty.

After eating all the soup, he rinsed his mouth with water and swallowed it gulping. And then got up from his seat.

After grooming his appearance and adjusting his belt, he slightly drew his sword, examined the blade, and sheathed it again. With that, preparation was complete.

At the cave entrance, people had already finished all preparations and were waiting. Ice was also standing.

Rickart scanned Ice's disciples. Two women and three men. A youthful energy remained but their spirit wasn't just greenhorns. Perhaps, it seemed they had tried killing people.

"How much have you trained in the sword?"

"......"

Though Rickart asked, the disciples didn't answer. They didn't seem shy or bashful, but since they were still kids it seemed closer to finding strangers difficult.

"I have never kept idiots who can't even answer as disciples."

Ice, who was watching from the side, said a word.

From this part, Rickart felt the difference between Bori and Ice. Bori seemed indifferent while seeming to have affection for his disciples, but Ice seemed to have affection while seeming strict.

Because he felt Ice was a bit upset seeing his disciples unable to even answer.

"The four of us learned for four years, and this kid for three years."

"Then you've learned enough to learn. Actually 1 year is enough. But do you guys know who I am?"

"No."

They didn't seem to be from the Cult. One commonality was that they all didn't have parents, and they were kids who regarded Ice and the nuns like father and mother.

"I know. The Commander of the Flame Knights."

One female disciple said.

"It's the Steel Knights. The name changed. Setting that aside, you guys will have to work together with me and these misters here, can you do it?"

"What kind of......"

"What do you mean what kind. Weren't you guys trying to subjugate the bandits?"

"That is true, but since we follow the Master......"

"Do as you are told."

Ice said to the disciples who seemed somewhat reluctant.

However, although Ice knew Rickart sufficiently well, it was natural that it was somewhat hard to accept for the kids seeing him for the first time.

Rickart smiled faintly and said as if to calm them.

"I heard the story from Ice. That you fought by reducing the numbers little by little. Not bad. It's a frontal attack method. But, you see I don't have time? I'm going to kill all the bandits within today. It might be a bit hard so I'm telling you in advance."

"......Today?"

The disciples of the Michela Monastery opened their eyes round. Because they thought it didn't make sense.

Killing easily due to a large difference in skill was one thing, but what was difficult when a small number faced a large number was precisely stamina. Killing multiple people was actually close to heavy labor.

Especially since the bandits led by Snake-eye Ashtad had a whopping hundred personnel. Even counting the newly joined knights, there were 11 people including Rickart.

Unless the bandits all just stood still, killing a hundred people in a day, commonly speaking that was......

"There is nothing impossible in the world. There are only people who think it is impossible. Once it's done you will realize it's nothing much. If you really can't believe it, believe your teacher who believes in me. Let's go."

Rickart pulled his hood up. And then coming outside the cave, the rain didn't beat patter as much as the previous day.

As Rickart set out on the path first the knights followed, and the monastery disciples followed Rickart trailing Ice. Exactly, it looked like a procession of wolves.

The base of the bandits said to be led by the one named Snake-eye Ashtad was not far away. They could arrive walking steadily for about 10 minutes, and it was below the place where Rickart and the people were.

It was a mountain village nestled next to where valley water flowed. The valley water was very rough due to the rainy season.

The village didn't have that wide of a space, but buildings were built going up in steps from the entrance.

In the first place, the village's location and structure were similar to a mountain fortress. It looked suitable for bandits to settle down and seclude themselves. Reinforcing the wooden palisades and installing watchtowers, it exactly had the appearance of a real military fortress.

Though not all 6,000 troops could stay in every building, if they pitched tents and used the surrounding topography, it was a place where they could preserve their stamina while avoiding the rain reasonably well.

Rickart scanned the topography once, and immediately thought of a plan. It just showed in his eyes. That doing it this way and that way would work. As it always did.

"It's an isolated place so it's good for blocking a large army, but conversely it isn't a place where their own movement is free. Let's do this. First we draw out the enemies, then in the opening when the enemies come out, you guys take control of the castle gate and close it. Since Ice and I will be the ones fighting, you guys only need to guard the intersections there and there. Since they won't be able to attack all at once, it will be easy to deal with them."

It was a truly simple operation. Drawing the enemies out of the mountain stronghold, conversely locking the castle gate, and settling the score outside.

Taking control of the castle gate was the knights' job, and blocking the intersections was entrusted to the monastery disciples.

Blocking the intersections was relatively easy. Because if it was 'just' swordsmanship, the monastery disciples also looked usable.

"Isn't that spot empty?"

Ice pointed to a certain spot and said.

"It's intentionally emptied out. To tell them to flee that way. While doing so, won't they end up killing each other?"

"Killing each other you say?"

One disciple asked.

"Because when many people are clustered in a narrow place, fear spreads quickly and they end up pushing each other. Doing that, if they fall into the valley they die."

It sounded plausible just hearing the words but it didn't really hit home.

"But how will we draw out the enemies?"

"Ice and I will do that. Everyone go to your respective positions. Once you take your positions, we will move."

Rickart gave instructions like that. While the knights followed bluntly, the monastery disciples seemed slightly bewildered.

While looking down at everyone taking their respective positions from the middle of the mountain, when there were only the two of them with Ice, Rickart said.

"Ice, do you know how to lie a bit?"

"Suddenly?"

"I'm going to kill the bastards wandering around outside, but I will send one back alive. Tell him saying if they give us money we'll stop bothering them. Probably the bastard named Snake-eye has been waiting holding his breath all this while, he will lead his subordinates and come out thinking there's only the two of us."

"......Do I have to do it?"

Rickart smiled brightly and said.

"Lying also improves as you do it."

Saying so, he went down the mountain together with Ice.

Even though it was said the bandits were crouching in the mountain stronghold, they had to periodically send personnel outside. Whether to get food, dig up herbs, Hunt, or sell slaves. Because doing so they made a living.

They also knew. That some bastards were roaming around the mountain stronghold killing them.

So perhaps because of that, the personnel going outside gradually increased, and now they moved in a group of about 10 people.

It was a few years ago that they seized the mountain village. What the people who originally lived there suffered was obvious. Killing the men, doing horrible things to the women, and selling the young children.

So people fit to be sold as slaves had all run out long ago, and though there were many personnel the earnings were meager, making it harder to make a living day by day.

Just as all humans have their respective destinies, bandits were bound to divide and collapse as their scale grew. That was the destiny of bandit groups.

Dissatisfaction accumulated, they became selfish, and became increasingly cruel. A starving human was several times more dangerous than a starving beast.

In the midst of that, since someone was killing them, their nerves couldn't help but be on edge.

"Fucking hell, if we just sold one of the boss's sex slaves we'd sit and eat our fill for 10 days."

One bandit said while walking on a trail. 10 people were walking together, but they all looked like beggars. Dry grimy streaks of dirt were drawn rip on their faces.

"More than that, don't you think he's being too scared? What the fuck is the knighthood that it makes sense we can't do any work for days?"

Another bandit said. The work he spoke of was robbery.

"It's better than dying so there's no helping it."

"Hey, starving to death or getting stabbed to death is exactly the same."

"If you actually face it your thoughts might change. And seeing you guys grumble, it seems life is still livable right?"

Whenever 3 or more people gather, there's always one wise person among them. Compared to the other bandits full of dissatisfaction, one person was thinking somewhat rationally.

"How about flipping it over when it's still somewhat livable?"

"Flip what?"

"Let's flip it. Don't you know what I mean?"

"Do you have the ability?"

"I have lines right. Lately the vice-boss is more popular than the boss. Don't you guys know too? He's much more manly, smarter, and knows how to take care of the boys."

"This bastard is playing the shill......"

"Think whatever you want. But the reason life is fucking shitty right now isn't because I'm playing the shill. Isn't that right?"

Whether it was a state, a merchant guild, or a bandit group, any group had a structure. A power structure, that was. The boss, the executives supporting him, and the lower beings.

The group that always had loyalty on their lips usually but had the lowest cohesion was exactly bandits. When a crisis struck, when anxiety spread, cracks appeared in the group immediately.

If left alone even a little, they might self-destruct on their own. However, that didn't mean they disappeared.

Bandits split into various groups would spread out to other places. Like the spores of a poisonous mushroom.

Exactly as if having a daily conversation, words of betrayal flowed out naturally. However, before that betrayal could reach execution, the bandits met strangers blocking the path.

They were two men pressing the hoods of their cloaks deeply. Seeing the edges of their cloaks protruding at the waist, it seemed they were wearing swords. Rain was sprinkling down exactly as if finely sprayed.

Upon seeing the two men, the ten of them froze simultaneously. After staying like that for a while, one spoke low.

"Shiit......"

"Wh, who are you? Don't you know whose territory this is? It's the territory of Snake-eye Ashtad-nim!"

He was just talking about betrayal until a moment ago, but upon actually meeting people who looked like enemies, he piggybacked on the boss's reputation.

"We will spare only one. Who wishes to live?"

One of the two swordsmen said. One couldn't know if it was merciful words, or merciless words.

"You, you guys right? You guys have been going around killing us recently right? Right? Who sent you? The Arne Mountain gang? The Grimm Brotherhood?"

The bandit spat out whatever came to mind. In the midst of that, the other bandits frantically pulled out crudely made weapons. They were mostly short or modified tools used in real life. Things shaped like sickles, hammers, and long kitchen knives.

As the bandits pulled out weapons, one of the two swordsmen drew his weapon. The other merely stayed still.

Rickart said to Ice who drew his sword.

"You mustn't make it glow. Because they might get scared and not come out."

"Got it."

Ice nodded his head and stepped forward trudge. The ground was muddy but not to the extent of feet sinking deeply.

As one stood still and only one drew a sword and approached, the bandits were bewildered. Was he bluffing, or was he really some master of the sword?

The path was narrow so they couldn't surround him. However, as delinquents usually did, they gained courage from their numbers.

Someone swoosh threw something like an iron nail at him. For an ordinary bandit it was quite skillful, as if he had only practiced that endlessly.

However, woefully for the bandits, Ice merely slightly tilted his head and dodged it. And then, as if accelerating from far away, he suddenly closed the distance.

At movements faster than they imagined, the bandits couldn't even cope and flinched trembling. That was the end.

As Ice held exactly the sword in one hand and swung it exactly as if brushing off from the inside of his body to the outside, the glossily shining blade swept past two people simultaneously.

And then exactly like one motion, he grabbed the sword with both hands, swung it inversely, and slipped to the side.

Consequently, having done two sword strikes swoosh swoosh, four people collapsed.

With the reaction speed of ordinary people, they needed time to see their comrades die with their eyes and make a judgment.

And the time required to accept that reality and reach the judgment that they must flee was way too long of a time at the level of a master.

At the point their eyes shot wide open in surprise, Ice's sword was swung accurately as if measured with a ruler. Of course, it wasn't even visible to the bandits' eyes. It was exactly all that was visible to see a slightly wet cloak fluttering.

It didn't take a long time for the nine corpses to collapse. It wasn't exactly the blink of an eye, but it was almost close to that. What was more surprising was that they weren't even injuries but all died in one strike.

The last survivor's legs lost strength and slumped onto the wet ground. And faced the eyes looking down at him coldly from beyond the hood.

Ice's beautiful appearance was not visible, and he merely looked like a Ghost.

"Convey this to Snake-eye. If he doesn't want to suffer any more damage, offer money. Since we have intentions to negotiate, tell him we want to see him directly."

His tone was as cold as his cold eyes. To the extent that exactly not even a little bit of affection between humans could be felt.

It was unknown whether the last remaining bandit properly understood it or whatnot. He trembled his jaw to the point of his teeth chattering clatter, couldn't even stand up, and pushed the ground with his feet to distance himself from Ice.

Then, when the distance widened a bit, he frantically got up and ran away.

Rickart, who was standing behind, only then approached.

"You're good at lying?"

"Who do you think I learned it from?"

"Eh? I'm not exactly a person who lies that much am I?"

"Who knows."

Ice showed a smile whose meaning could not be known.

Rickart was dumbfounded but played along laughing sneakily. Just joking around without an ounce of tension like that, and not long after, truly Snake-eye Ashtad led all his subordinates and came out.

One pupil of one of his eyes was spread vertically. Not the shape of being sharply split vertically like a real snake's eye, but a slightly blunt shape. It seemed like a sort of deformity.

His beard was messy, and he wasn't as bulky as thought or anything like that. He said with his face heavily frowning.

"I lived quietly a bit because of the knighthood, but some fucking dogshit things think of me as fucking dogshit."

"Aren't you overestimating yourself too much? You think the knighthood would care about the likes of you?"

Rickart said calmly. But while he was speaking, bandits appeared from the back path. It seemed they had turned around the slope and blocked his retreat route.

"What would a mere swordsman like you know? This is exactly, what a tactic is. No matter how magnificent your sword skills are, you will cut down three or four at most before dying."

As the bandit boss put tactics in his mouth, Rickart was so dumbfounded he lost his words. It didn't seem he would believe it even if he said he was the Commander of the Knights.

It was a situation where he would seem like a liar even if he told the truth.

"......It's absurd, really."