An Excellent Actor

The sun had barely risen when Bagwis made his way into the bustling marketplace, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He walked through the crowded stalls, humming a cheerful tune, his mind already busy spinning its next web.

Now that the Manic Swordsman was dangling on his hook, Bagwis needed to find the right opportunity to fully reel him in.

The marketplace was noisy, filled with the clamor of merchants selling their wares and villagers haggling for lower prices. As he passed a stall selling overpriced apples, he caught sight of a familiar face—a well-dressed man with an unmistakable posture of a noble.

More importantly, the man had a guard by his side who was wearing a silver badge, one which Bagwis recognized immediately for those six knights that were slain by Alab a few days back wore the exact same badge— the badge of the Knights appointed by the Aman Sinaya Clan.

A sly smile curled on Bagwis' lips. Perfect.

He drifted closer and pulled down on his hood to hide his face and pretended to examine the crate of apples while eavesdropping on their conversation.

"I'm telling you, Sir Radon, there's a lot of talk about goblin activity in the woods," the guard was saying, his voice low and conspiratorial. "We should double our patrols. Especially with that lunatic Alab Kampilan on the loose."

Ah, the usual slander, Bagwis thought with amusement. His fingers itched with anticipation.

Sir Radon, oblivious to Bagwis' presence, snorted. "Alab? He's nothing more than a fallen knight who got away lightly all cause of his master's name. I wouldn't waste resources chasing after him. Just let him rot out there with the filth."

That'll do nicely. Bagwis slipped away from the stall and made his way to where he knew Alab would be training—an isolated clearing just beyond the village's edge, far enough that the noise and distractions won't bother him.

When he arrived, he found Alab already in the middle of a routine, his blade cutting through the air with sharp precision. Bagwis watched silently for a moment, admiring how the swordsman moved like a well-oiled machine. Even if Alab was haunted by his past, his skill remained undiminished.

"Practicing for another one sided battle?" Bagwis called out, his voice light and teasing.

Alab stopped mid-swing, his gaze turning to Bagwis. "I didn't ask for company."

Bagwis raised his hands in mock surrender. "I come in peace. Besides, I have some... interesting information you might want to hear."

Alab's eyes narrowed. "Spit it out."

Finally it's time to reap out benefits. Bagwis sauntered closer, his smile innocently ever-present. "Ran into an old friend of yours at the market. He didn't see me, but I saw him. One of the rat friend of those six knights. Seems like he's been spreading tales about your name again."

Alab's expression didn't change, but Bagwis could sense the tension beneath the surface. Good, he thought. Let's stoke that fire. His face changed from his usual innocent teasing to a look of seriousness.

"I overheard him talking to a noble. Something about increasing patrols and keeping an eye out for you. Apparently, they think you're some kind of rabid beast now."

Alab's grip on his sword tightened. "Let them talk. It doesn't change anything."

"Oh, but it does," Bagwis said, his voice slowly slipping into a more severe tone. 

"They're not just talking anymore, Alab. They're rueining every shred of your reputation. How long before they send out knights to hunt you down? Or worse, mercenaries who don't care about 'honor' or 'justice'? You know how nobles work—they'll keep pushing until you're cornered."

Alab said nothing, but Bagwis could see the conflict in his eyes. The swordsman wasn't stupid; he knew how the world worked. And Bagwis was just the right kind of devil on his shoulder, whispering the truths he didn't want to admit.

As the ever opportunist, he saw this as the perfect moment to act. He hopped down from the tree with a bounce jump in his step, landing beside the sweaty swordsman. "You know," Bagwis began, "for a guy who claims not to need comrades, you sure could use a bit of help."

Alab barely looked at him. "I don't need anyone's help."

Bagwis smiled wide, his expression one of faux innocence. "Oh, I know. But I couldn't just sit by while you are being slandered like this. What kind of person would I be if I ignored an honorable man being falsely accused by other... well, let's just call them less-than-honorable knights?"

Alab's grip tightened on his sword again, and Bagwis pretended not to notice the dangerous glint in his eye. "Honorable? You think I'm honorable?" Alab scoffed in disbelief. "I've killed more of my past so-called comrades than I can count."

Bagwis gave a dramatic sigh, placing a hand over his heart as though deeply moved. "A tragic burden, I'm sure. But I don't believe for a second that you did it without reason. You're too principled for that."

Alab glanced at him, suspicion in his gaze. "What are you playing at?"

"Playing? Me?" Bagwis let out an exaggerated gasp. "You wound me. I'm simply a young man trying to help someone who's clearly been wronged by the system." His eyes sparkled with just the right amount of righteous indignation. "A system that clearly don't appreciate someone as skilled as you. I mean, look at those knights— they're pathetic! They couldn't hold a candle next to you, and yet they dare to mock you!"

Alab's brow furrowed, his defenses slightly lowered by Bagwis' words. The younger man was playing his role perfectly, laying on the charm with the subtlety of a dagger sliding between ribs. He knew that appealing to Alab's wounded pride was the key.

"I don't care about their mockery," Alab muttered, though his voice lacked its usual cold edge.

"Oh, but you should," Bagwis replied smoothly, leaning in just enough to seem conspiratorial. "People like that? They don't deserve to live in this world, let alone taint it with their filth! You were right to cut them down. Righteous, even."

Bagwis' voice softened, his expression taking on a more sincere note, though inside he was smiling. Alab was starting to buy it. "I think the world needs more people like you, Alab," Bagwis continued, his tone reverent. "People who aren't afraid to do what needs to be done. People who will take a stand, even if it means being branded a 'fallen knight' by those who don't understand real justice."

Alab's lips parted slightly as if the words struck a chord deep within him. He wasn't used to this—someone seeing him as more than a beast, more than a monster. He had killed his squad, yes, but he made it sound like it had been... necessary.

Bagwis continued his relentless manipulation and gave Alab a calculating look disguised as genuine admiration. "You know, I could use someone like you. Come with me and join me in my journey in creating a guild. Our very own place to belong to. Together we won't play by the same rules those knights do! We will follow our own moral code—one that rewards strength, loyalty, and, most importantly, justice."

Alab stared at Bagwis, his mind swirling with thoughts he hadn't dared entertain in a long time.

Could this kid be for real? His sense of righteousness seemed... unshakable. It was refreshing, after all the hypocrisy Alab had seen in his life.

Bagwis saw the hesitation in Alab's eyes, and he pressed on. "Think about it. A place where you don't have to answer to corrupt nobility or false codes of honor. A place where your strength can be respected. And I'll be there too, of course, watching your back."

Alab huffed, but Bagwis could see the cracks in his resolve. "I don't need anyone watching my back."

"Oh, I know you don't," Bagwis said, patting Alab's shoulder lightly. "But it wouldn't hurt, right? Besides, don't you think you deserve to find a place where you belong? A place where your past doesn't define you, only your strength?"

Bagwis stepped back, allowing Alab a moment to process the offer. 

It was only a matter of time before Alab would fall right into his hands, believing every lie, every manipulation that Bagwis had laid out so carefully.

Alab's gaze on the ground wavered but he was no fool—he could sense that this young man wasn't as simple as he appeared. But there was something compelling his words that seem to struck something in him. He gotta admit the youth had a way with words.

"I'll think about it," Alab said at last, his voice low and guarded.

Bagwis grinned, satisfied. "That's all I ask, Sir Swordsman. Just think about it. And when you're ready..." He let the sentence hang, his smile widening as he turned to leave. "I'll be waiting."

As Bagwis walked away, his steps light, his smile deepened into something darker. Everything was going all according to his wishes. 

Was he a righteous man? No.

But Bagwis was an excellent actor, and he knew exactly how to play his part.