Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: The Thieves' Retreat
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"I'll handle the thieves. I want you all to block their escape routes."
"You're going to do it alone?"
Diana looked somewhat angry.
"Yeah. I prefer moving solo. If there are too many of us, they'll get wary and attack first.
Once I extract info from them, we'll raid their hideout and wrap this up."
"...You're kidding.
You think that'll convince us?"
"Is it a bad plan?"
"It's not about the plan. It's just hard to believe you can take on thieves alone and wring info out of them.
Don't gloss over it—spill everything."
"..."
Stia spoke up too.
"Karen knows, right?"
Karen nodded quietly.
"Can't you just trust us? I swear on my honor and my sword—I won't leak Decal's secret."
"M-me too..."
Aba cautiously raised his hand.
I'd confirmed their intentions.
Guess I can't just brush past it.
"Fine, let's call it off."
I stood up.
"Get ready to head back."
"W-wait! How'd it come to that?"
Diana grabbed me anxiously.
Telling her I'm sick of it all wouldn't go over well.
"It's a dangerous mission, like Stia said. Let's go back and request candidates of a higher rank."
No loss for me.
The villagers are pitiful, sure.
But not enough to risk injury to myself or my girls.
If I can't push through with my most trusted method—hypnosis—better to bail.
No point convincing them if it still means charging into danger.
Even hypnotizing them to buy into the plan changes nothing.
I'd been ready to drop it anytime.
Save the villagers no matter what?
I'm not here at Melbrit to play the hero.
Heroes aren't made just anyone.
Just a fresh realization.
"...Fine. If that's Decal's call, no choice.
Can't risk everyone's lives."
Stia sounded resigned.
But Diana was different.
"I'm going, even if it's solo."
"Didn't you say charging in without a plan is the worst option?"
"Urgh...! And you're supposed to be a hero candidate?"
"I think we've done enough. Report the village situation and let higher-ranks handle the rest."
Diana fell silent, unable to counter.
Too late to follow my lead—pride won't allow it.
I'd come hoping for easy EXP.
Regretting the trip now.
"What if we go with Decal's plan?"
Aba's words shifted the mood.
Totally unexpected.
"How can you trust a guy who won't share a single secret?"
Diana seemed deeply hurt inside.
"Decal can't reveal his methods because it's tied to personal matters. And he's even ready to bail right away, prioritizing our safety over glory.
That's why I think his plan's worth trying—makes me trust him more."
"..."
Huh?
That's how it lands?
It's sophistry at core, but a fresh angle for the two women fixated on plan details.
Then Karen tugged my sleeve.
"Oppa. Can I say what I want?"
Itching to jump in, her eyes sparkling.
She wants harmony.
"Sure. Go ahead."
"Oppa's not opening up about his stuff because he doesn't want to ruin the natural bonds he's built with you two.
That aside, this directive... following Oppa will definitely get results."
"..."
The vibe of Diana and Stia prying my secrets flipped to convincing them.
Thanks to Aba vouching for trust and Karen considering my side.
I could tell their hearts were swaying.
"I can trust you two."
Stia spoke.
"I'd do anything to destroy the Red Soulstone.
But that's my greed. Can't lead folks into harm over it.
I'll stake my life on what Decal's judged coldly as feasible."
"No need to go that far.
If it goes south, we bolt.
Right, Aba?"
Aba chuckled.
"Knew you'd say that. That's why I trust you."
Felt like a solid guy-to-guy bond.
Stia's deep trust warms me too.
But trading lives to solve this ain't right.
"Stia.
Even if we fail here, don't throw your life away. Got it?"
"..."
Stia stared blankly.
"First time anyone's said that to me."
Huh?
...
Stia cupped her flushed cheeks, flustered.
Diana, arms crossed and frowning forever, finally spoke.
"You idiots?
Plans aren't games. We judge if it's trustworthy after he spills everything.
Hanging with friends clouded your judgment! Fools."
"You're against it, Diana?"
"Damn right!
But do your thing. I was going solo anyway.
'You don't give me orders,' right?"
"...Yeah."
"I'll move as backup if his plan flops. Got it?
Play your friendship games. I'll shine brightest anyway."
Yeah, someone had to say it.
So Diana it was—made me burst out laughing.
"What's so funny!"
As smiles spread, Diana crossed her arms, embarrassed, and whipped her head away.
"If shit hits the fan, help out. I trust you, Diana."
"..."
Diana stayed turned, pouty, then muttered softly.
"You'll tell me everything when the time comes?"
Karen hugged her tight.
"Diana, you're too cute!"
"Let go. Your boobs are pressing—ah! What the hell's this feel...!"
Diana was lost in Karen's chest.
Aba looked away, awkward.
"Everyone's tired. Let's wrap it."
I clapped to end the meeting.
Stia stood, looked at me.
"Decal... thanks."
"For what?"
"..."
Stia bowed her head, couldn't say, and headed to the girls' room.
"Girls, huddle up. Diana."
"Fine, just stop hugging. You're scary... for real."
"Oppa, we're off!"
"Yeah. Call if anything."
Karen left rubbing against Diana.
With girls gone, the guys' room held an odd silence.
Side felt empty, but peacefully so.
Pre-big-event guys-only calm settled in.
"You sure had the balls to say that."
"Earlier?"
"Figured you'd wanna bail."
"I'd think the same. I'm no brave guy."
I stripped off clothes and socks, slipped into my bed.
"But why didn't you?"
"Got fired up watching you.
Some look down on adventurer stock, but rising from Rabbit rank..."
"..."
Ah, right—mid creampie EXP grind then.
Wonder what Ekat's doing.
Still got the Eight-Colored Pearl? Menu peek showed her side dark, sealed space maybe.
Gotta sneak a bath voyeur later.
"Wanna chase right behind bro..."
"Trouble."
"Yeah, big trouble. Sigh."
Aba hit his bed, went still.
"Night, Decal."
"Yeah."
Thought I'd crash quick, but girls' room laughter echoed an hour—tough to sleep.
Karen's having fun.
Call to shell castle? Nah, don't interrupt.
Next day.
We refined details, briefed the chief.
Prep extra tribute—scrape it all.
Villagers help spot hidden thieves using their eyes.
When we move, they barricade indoors, no peeking.
Passed it on, then scouted village thoroughly.
Probed as time allowed.
Stia brimmed with zeal.
I toured with Aba, heard northern front tales.
Abandoned line.
Most lost beasts, rogue soldiers.
Villages exist, but security and living conditions abysmal.
Everyone avoids.
Now going there? Only minimal safety garrison.
Even those are exile dumps for camp criminals or deserters.
No death-row scum walks in willingly.
Listening, thought: stay sharp.
No holds barred.
Casual chat turns attack, poison too.
Time passed. Execution night.
Chief prepped three carts of booze and food, six dolled-up virgins as ordered.
"What! Chief, today's haul looks good."
A thief sauntered up.
Long time no 「Veil of Concealment」—hid, watched.
"Please... spare the others' lives..."
"Nice. Mercy on whippings today."
Thief checked each kneeling girl's face,
rummaged carts roughly.
"No funny business, yeah?
Stuff useless bulk under, you know what happens?"
"Perish the thought. We'd never!"
Chief prostrated flat.
"Oho, legit?
Good boy. Keep it up. Course, when you're tapped out, you're dead."
"..."
Noticing stares, thief yelled.
"What ya gawking! Scram!"
Villagers slunk back, dispersed.
Thief turned, beckoned.
"Come on! Extra goodies today."
Five more thieves emerged smirking from dark.
Go now?
Nah, wait.
Thieves groped virgins, flirted.
"Stay still. Just a taste."
Girls endured disgust.
Soon rear guards rushed.
"Hey, hogging it!"
"Two-bit'll wreck 'em for boss anyway. Early bite?"
"Caught, we're fucked. Idiot."
"Tch..."
Locked eyes with alley-hid Aba.
I'd told him my spot—we signaled.
He hand-signed "good," ducked deeper.
I dropped the veil.
"You! Who the fuck?!"
"That uniform—Melbrit's...!"
"Focus."
Snap.
Thieves fell to hypnosis easy.
Virgins, chief, thieves—all in range.
First, lead thief.
"Answer me.
Others besides us here?"
"No..."
"Eight total. Right?"
"Yeah..."
"Disarm fully."
They dumped weapons.
Belts off, swords clattered; hidden blades dropped.
"Bandit total count."
"About twenty..."
Likely less.
"Minus here, ten-ish left?"
"Yeah."
Suicide or veggie clean, but suspicious.
"Who knows hideout best?"
"Me."
Keep as guide.
"Name?"
"Rophus."
"Rophus aside, seven kneel."
Disarmed seven knelt one by one.
Some gutsy, grunted resistance.
"Kneel. Obey."
Retry—limbs buckled.
Now suggestions.
No resist, no escape.
Pointed at thieves.
"「You can't harm anyone」「Stay frozen in that pose」"
Alive statues now.
Next, Rophus.
"Rophus. 「You're a hero candidate ally」"
"Ally..."
"「Sacrifice body to protect candidates if needed.
Sell out bandit info freely, always truthful」"
"..."
Done.
Clap.
Woke them.
