Chapter 23 Bandit Hunting (3)

"So, your boss is the one who gave these to you guys?"

In his left-hand, Alexander held up the band that the archer had used to cast fire magic spells, and the two machetes that the other bandits had fought with.

All three of these items were magic tools.

The metal band was capable of conjuring two different fire elemental spells, while the machetes slightly enhanced the physical capabilities of whomever wielded them.

In terms of quality, these magic tools were close to the bottom. Still, it was strange for a few seemingly run of the mill bandits to have them.

There were also their skills in combat to consider. The three of them had fought in an organized manner more akin to soldiers than outlaws that robbed people on the road.

"Yeah, the boss handed things like those out to everybody. Taught us how to use 'em and fight as well." One of the bandits said, willing to divulge whatever he knew to save himself.

The other spoke up as well and told Alexander that their leader had showed up around eight months ago and rounded up most of the outlaws in the area into a single large gang. Anyone that opposed him ended up dead.

Before they had been several disorganized groups that were just as harmful to each other as they were to the people that traveled through this area.

Now, however, they worked as a cohesive unit, and those that got out of line were put in their place swiftly and mercilessly.

Along this stretch of road there were multiple small teams, such as the three bandits Alexander had encountered, that were delegated with killing and robbing any small groups or lone travelers.

"We've also got one big team that goes after any larger scores. The boss' orders have really brought us a lot more loot." One of the bandits boasted. It seemed for a moment that he had forgotten that he was being interrogated and spoke up proudly about the despicable operation he was a part of.

Naturally, these men that had turned to a life of murder and theft were practically devoid of morals. Yet the more Alexander heard about their actions, the darker his expression became.

"Okay, I think I've heard enough."

Not wanting to listen to the reprehensible activities these bandits had committed, Alexander pulled out his sword and swiftly dispatched the first one.

"W- wait! I thought you were going to let us liv-"

The last remining bandit tried to protest, but Alexander did not hesitate for a moment to end the man's life.

After his final captive breathed his last, Alexander let out a deep sigh and furrowed his brow. He was having a more difficult time with this than he had expected.

'There is no reason for you to allow yourself to be dispirited by scum. They attacked you first with the intent to kill. All you did was enact reasonable retribution. If you had allowed them to live, it would only be a matter of time until they once again committed some deplorable act.'

Alexander was surprised to hear Tharildron give him words of encouragement that sounded truly genuine.

Up to this point, that shadow dragon had mostly been haughty or spiteful. This might have been the first time it said anything without trying to trick or sway Alexander towards its own interests.

"That seems a bit out of character for you. I figured you say something like 'How weak of you to let the death of a few insects bother you.'" Alexander said, a dry smile forming on his lips.

'Hmph! Even I am not so crass. While dragons and humans may be vastly different from one another, we are still both intelligent beings with complex emotions. While it has been a very long time indeed, I still remember how difficult it is to kill one's fellows for the first time.'

Feeling a bit better, Alexander slapped his face with both of his hands and refocused on what he needed to do.

He had obtained the location of the bandits' main hideout from the three goons that had attacked him.

From what they had told him, the place was filled with valuable items that had been looted from passing merchants and travelers.

Alexander needed money to pay off his family's debts and avoid being essentially sold off.

Perhaps he was not much better for taking stolen goods, but if he was in the same place as those who had been robbed and killed, he would much rather have his possessions taken by anyone else.

'My reasons may not be noble, but this is for my benefit as well as many others. Now is not the time to get hung up on anything that I have to do.' Alexander thought, calming his nerves.

Once he had settled down, he stored away the magic tools and other valuables the three bandits had on them. It would not do him or anyone else any good to leave anything with them.

Alexander then headed deeper into the untamed wilds around the road in the direction the thieves' base was located.

It was not an easy path to traverse and several times he got lost.

Eventually though, Alexander managed to find the well-hidden opening in the side of a nearby mountain that the bandits were using as a hideout.

'Yeah, there is no way any knights or soldiers would ever find this place. Not without a massive force and expending a great deal of effort.'

The cave was located deep into rugged terrain, and nearly ten kilometers away from the main road.

It was also impossible to spot except from a single direction. Without obtaining directions and details of notable landmarks the bandits used to navigate from his captives, Alexander never would have reached this location.

'Looks like there are four guards. Two standing just outside the entrance and another two a few meters inside.

Alexander had also come across a handful of scouts that were constantly patrolling the area.

Fortunately, he had managed to avoid their attention by utilizing another spell he had recently learned called Shadow Cloak.

In an area with dense vegetation like this there were hundreds of shadows that he could use to blend in with and move without much worry of being found.

'Now, how do I go about breaking in?'