The Ten Righteous Outlaws and the Elf Lady: The Next Day at Noon
Noon the next day. The sun shining over Pelgaroin County was clear. As if declaring there was no darkness here. Even the considerable clouds drifting by seemed to avoid the sun unusually today. Fred, who had been leisurely admiring the vast sky from atop the castle walls, lowered his gaze as if his eyes stung.
Pelgaroin County. Houses and splendid buildings radiated outward in a radial pattern from the central square, where landmark structures served as focal points. Fred quietly overlooked the scene.
It was long and far-reaching. Vast and meticulously planned. The territory that the Pelgaroin Count family had built over long years could now rightfully be called a "small kingdom." If you asked what lay in the central empire, even children from the borderlands would think of Pelgaroin County first. The family's prestige went without saying.
Yet Fred disliked that fact. He hated that his family belonged to the empire, that they had long maintained a vassal-lord relationship with His Imperial Majesty the Emperor. Especially since his older brother Beneller—a kind-hearted coward—had volunteered to lead the vanguard of the punitive force at the emperor's command and died miserably.
Was it already eight years ago? It felt like just yesterday that he had wept bitterly over his brother's death, yet so much time had passed. Still, Fred had never forgotten that hatred and grief for even a moment. Compared to Esilly, who had diluted her hatred for the family's sake and shaken off her sorrow, it was immature and foolish. But what could he do? He was born this way. If only His Majesty hadn't given his brother that unjust order...
"Young Master Fred."
A warm, gentle voice from behind snapped him from his reverie. Turning around, he saw Theorad, neatly dressed, smiling affably.
"You asked to see me, so I came up. Is there something you need?"
Fred nodded back with a grin.
"Yeah. But it's not business—it's family business."
"Young Master Fred?"
"Haha, just kidding. Sorry to pull you away from your work. But I heard some weird rumors and wanted to check with my brother-in-law."
Theorad's shoulders twitched. Once from "rumors," once from "check." He must be on high alert about yesterday's events himself.
"I heard my little sister slapped you yesterday. Word is you tried to force a kiss. It's a scandalous rumor, so I asked the guests at the party to keep quiet, but it won't stay contained. What do you think about it?"
"Ah, that...
The way he trailed off and averted his eyes felt endearingly innocent. Fred didn't hide his smile as he draped an arm around Theorad's shoulders.
"Good job."
"...Pardon?"
"I was worried you were some saintly type. We've known each other since we were kids, but you still haven't kissed her? I was starting to suspect you had no sex drive. But this incident proves otherwise."
Theorad let out an awkward cough. Embarrassed his true feelings were exposed? He always seemed so composed, but in moments like this, he looked like a pure young man naive to the world—making Fred want to look out for him.
Fred playfully patted Theorad's chest.
"Don't worry about the rumors. Most people are reacting positively to your little love play with Esilly. Young ladies are even calling it romantic."
"Ah, really...?"
"Yeah. More importantly, what happened with Maldon yesterday? He was badmouthing you at breakfast. If Esilly hadn't signaled him to stop, it would've turned from a meal into a roasting session."
Maldon. Recalling the ballroom incident, Theorad replied with a slightly uncomfortable expression.
"I can understand it. I was rude to Young Master Maldon yesterday."
"The other way around?"
How did he know? As Theorad turned with a questioning look, Fred released his shoulder.
"It's a saying between Esilly and me: 'Anyone cursed by Maldon is undoubtedly a good person.' Even I know that guy's got a rotten heart, and he's my brother. Go on, spill. Maldon must've messed up first, right?"
"...He did try to touch my slave without permission."
"Knew it. His story was all results, no cause. Let me apologize on his behalf. Forgive the Pelgaroin family's rudeness."
Did it need to involve the whole family? Theorad smiled awkwardly and shook his head.
"Looking back, my actions spoke before words, so that's on me too. If you forgive the Deharm Viscount family's discourtesy first, I'll overlook the Pelgaroin's minor slip."
Even though right and wrong were clear, Theorad positioned his own family lower, publicly showing neither side bore true fault. Like father, like son. His social finesse was so masterful it even lifted the mood of the one who'd erred first. It naturally instilled a sense of debt in the other party. Whether intentional or not, the generosity of someone with excessive prestige could be a useful weapon. Theorad wielded it well.
"Thanks for saying that."
There were a few more things he wanted to probe, but they didn't fit the conversation's flow. Fred smacked his lips and lightly patted Theorad's shoulder.
"That's all I wanted to say. Don't let me keep you—you're busy. Sorry for wasting the regent's time."
"Nonsense. Talking with you is always enlightening, Young Master Fred. Then."
Theorad bowed politely and turned to leave. Fred watched his retreating figure for a while, then chuckled lowly as he turned away.
What an intriguing guy.
Theorad Deharm. Seemingly purely good through and through, yet there was something inscrutable about him.
*
Back in the count's office, I tugged at the brooch on my throat and sighed deeply.
Thought I was busted.
I'd been on pins and needles, thinking our scheme with Esilly had leaked. Nearly dragged Fred into the elf's clutches too.
The fewer people who know, the better.
Sharing info risked offending the elf, who was deep in her slave act. If her identity slipped, she'd kill me, destroy the family, and find a new master. I didn't want that grim future. For now, only Esilly and I would share intel and plan accordingly.
But first, clear the shadows over the county. Sitting at the desk, I reviewed the materials Maltaro had brought: composite sketches of the culprits' appearances, maps marking crime scenes, and documents of testimonies from territory folk gathered by the count's private soldiers and knights.
Pinpointing their next target was tricky, though.
The testimonies overlap.
No consistency in the residents' accounts. For instance, one spotted the bandits in sector 21 of Mill Street, while another saw them at the same time in sector 17 of Raven Street on the opposite side. Both claimed to have seen all ten, making it impossible to trace their path.
Means accomplices.
Some self-proclaimed witnesses must be colluding with the "Ten Righteous Outlaws." If so...
Knock knock—
A knock interrupted my pondering. Sighing, I set down my quill.
"Come in."
The door creaked open weakly, revealing the elf. A chill ran through me for a split second, but I'd grown used to it. As I stared silently, she shuffled inside hesitantly.
"M-Masterrr... I c-came to c-confess 'cause I m-made a l-little mistake..."
A little mistake? Curious, but not now.
"Get out. I'm not leisurely enough to scold you right now."
"Ah! I-I misspoke! It's a b-big mistake, so p-please punish me r-right now..."
"Stupid bitch. Are my words going in one ear and out the other? I said I'm busy."
The elf's eyebrow twitched. Understandable after days without proper abuse, but I truly had no time. With little stay left at the castle, I wanted to wipe out these thugs before then. Prove my worth to the count.
"Ahh, Master's busy, huh..."
She muttered softly, wondering why, then glanced over the composites on the desk. Nodding, she backed away.
"S-See you later, Master."
Surprisingly compliant. Odd, but fortunate for me. Confirming she left and closed the door, I dove back into the documents.
*
Dark night. At the Maltaro Inn, a sly-looking man named Hamber climbed the stairs.
She wanted info from me.
It was dusk, the world growing dim. As he finished work and headed home, a beautiful woman in a deep-hooded robe approached, asking if he knew about the "Ten Righteous Outlaws." He played dumb at first, but her persistence won out—he admitted he did. She suggested they talk at the Maltaro Inn.
The lewd thought of being alone with a beauty in an inn room made him agree. That's why he was here now.
Room 206.
Checking door plaques down the hall, Hamber gripped 206's knob and turned.
It opens!
She'd wait—no lie. What luck. Cheering inwardly, he entered to find her sitting on the bed.
Spotting him, she parted her alluring lips.
"Tell me where the culprits are. I've done my homework."
Straight to the point—unbelievable. Hamber quietly locked the door, licking his lips as he approached.
"What's this? If you want info, pay up."
"Pay?"
"Yeah. You're quite the looker. Spend one night with me, and I'll give you what you want."
Of course, no info after. Rape her moderately, drug her senseless, sell to the slave market for a fortune—that was the plan.
"As expected."
Utterly calm, oblivious to danger, she removed her hood. Glossy silver hair revealed pointed ears beneath.
"Short-lived races cross lines if treated kindly."
"Wait—you're an elf—"
Hamber's body floated up and slammed into the wall.
Bam!
Bouncing off, he rolled on the floor. Amid falling ceiling debris from the impact, he groaned with mouth agape.
"Guh... ughhh..."
In his near-unconscious haze, he saw the elf rise.
Step, step.
Striding arrogantly, she looked down coldly and spoke.
"Culprits."
"I-I don't kn-know..."
His body lifted again, smashing into the floor at lightspeed.
Thud!
A dull impact, bones shattering. No more groans—just foaming at the mouth. The elf stomped his head.
"Culprits."
Then Hamber understood the elf. She didn't see humans as lives. Kill if ignorant, kill if lying. Only way to survive: spill everything.
Trembling in utmost terror under her foot, he screamed.
"I-I'll talk! Where the Ten Righteous Outlaws are hiding—!"