Chapter 10: The Price of ‘True Men’ and a Detour to Sig

Ellis’s face fell slightly, for Mitchell had articulated her true thoughts.

‘Though one might see through another, it’s best not to speak it aloud, or good friends might become estranged.’

“Pfft, hahaha.”

Larry, that terrible friend, was still snickering mischievously nearby.

After glaring fiercely at Larry, Ellis turned to Mitchell and spoke patiently.

“I wouldn’t do that. The past is the past; I’ve turned over a new leaf. Besides, after you help me, you’ll be my great benefactor. I would never abandon you. How about I swear on my honor?”

“I’ve personally heard you, Master, say that honor is worth less than a fart.”

Ellis asked awkwardly, “Uh, did I say that?”

Mitchell stated honestly, “You did. And not just once. You’ve said the same about integrity, dignity, and even a sense of shame.”

“But I’m a grateful person!”

“Indeed, though the method of repayment will be entirely at your discretion. However, I’m certain it won’t include finding me a woman as perfect as you.”

Ellis:

“I’m a man!”

Mitchell scoffed, “Who would believe that? Ah!”

The next second, Mitchell was struck by a divine kick.

Ellis roared, absolutely furious, “Tell me the method, now!!!”

Mitchell’s voice was a mix of pain and excitement. “I will never yield!”

“Um, Ellis.”

Larry suddenly interjected. Ellis casually replied, “Don’t bother me, I’m busy.”

“No, Ellis. They’re getting away.”

Ellis turned her head in confusion. “Who’s getting away?”

“Our mission targets.”

Larry pointed to the ‘True Men’ Bandit Group, who had been sprawled on the ground moments before. They were now kicking up a massive cloud of dust as they galloped away in the opposite direction.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!”

Ellis asked Larry, utterly bewildered, “You noticed them and just stood there?”

“Because your comedic duo act with Mitchell was too hilarious. I only just noticed myself, hahaha.”

Ellis:

“Big Brother, we finally shook them off. That woman was truly a tough nut to crack. If it weren’t for your Origin Art, ‘True Man’s Might,’ we would have been done for.”

On their escape route, Bandit A looked at his boss with stars in his eyes.

The Origin Art, ‘True Man’s Might,’ was an art the bandit leader had researched himself. It allowed him to link the origin energy of his surrounding subordinates, enhancing everyone’s recovery and combat power.

It was thanks to this group Origin Art that they had recovered so quickly from Ellis’s curse.

“Brothers, it’s alright. This time, it was my misjudgment that led you into this fiery pit! If we can safely return to the stronghold, I will do my best to fulfill all your requests as compensation!”

The bandit leader’s words stirred the crowd into a frenzy of excitement. The dark clouds above their heads seemed to dissipate; their boss was indeed their boss!

“Uh, I apologize for interrupting your excitement, but if I don’t stop you here, I’m afraid I’ll be sleeping on the streets tonight.”

A handsome young man stood directly in their path, showing no fear despite being in their charge.

“It’s that woman’s lackey! Brothers, charge! Crush him!”

“Oh oh oh!”

The roar of men and beasts filled the air, dust rising in plumes.

Larry’s face remained impassive. He quietly drew the treasured sword from his waist, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. His figure flickered, and in the next second, he appeared behind the entire group.

His sword returned to its sheath, followed by the continuous thud of bodies collapsing behind him.

The Swift Dragons the bandits rode were all cut down, their bodies separated before they could even let out a whimper.

The bandits didn’t even understand what had happened. They just felt a sudden loosening in their crotches, then found themselves rolling three times on the ground.

Larry, holding his sheathed sword, stated, “I advise you to surrender. I don’t like killing, but that doesn’t mean I won’t.”

The bandit leader stepped forward, thumping his chest as he shouted, “I’ll take responsibility for my own actions! All the dirty work was mine. Spare my brothers! Do with me as you please, kill me or torture me!”

“No, Big Brother!”

“We live and die with Big Brother!”

“Let’s be brothers in the next life, Big Brother!”

Larry: “…”

He watched as a group of bald, burly men tore off their shirts and advanced towards him. This scene inflicted no physical harm, but the mental damage was off the charts. Larry felt his eyes might go blind.

He understood why Ellis had been so agitated earlier!

This was truly more than he could bear!

“Hahahaha!”

From a distance, it was Ellis’s turn to observe. Seeing this scene, she laughed so hard her stomach hurt, unable to stand.

‘That’s what you get for offending me just now!’

Before Larry could lose his patience and go on a killing spree, Ellis arrived by his side and cast a mass curse on the bandits, sending them back into a state of unconsciousness.

Ellis clapped Larry on the shoulder with camaraderie. “You worked hard. It wasn’t easy.”

As she patted him, Ellis could feel the stiffness in Larry’s body. It seemed he had suffered a significant emotional blow.

“I… I’m fine.”

Larry managed to say after taking three deep breaths, “The rest is up to you. I need to compose myself.”

“Leave it to me.”

Ellis strode over to the bandit leader. Mitchell then poked the bandit leader’s head.

“Oh oh oh, ugh. My dear young lady, could you please not use my perfect body to touch something that completely goes against my aesthetic sensibilities?!”

“No! You’re a pervert too; you have no right to say that.”

Ellis flatly refused, further exciting Mitchell.

Ignoring Mitchell, Ellis addressed the bandit leader, “Hey, want to live? I can spare you and your subordinates.”

Though shocked that the staff in Ellis’s hand could speak, the bandit leader gritted his teeth and asked, “Speak, what are your conditions?!”

Ellis looked directly at Mitchell. “Hand over all your assets.”

“Black-on-black?!”

The bandit leader stared at Ellis in shock. He had thought righteous heroes had come to punish them, but it turned out to be a fellow bandit.

“Black-on-black my foot!”

Ellis slapped the bandit leader’s bald head. “I’m confiscating stolen goods to be used for good. You muscle-brained bandits wouldn’t understand.”

The bandit leader gritted his teeth. “Alright, here’s the money, now release us.”

“Dream on. Handing you over to the Adventurers’ Guild also comes with a hefty official reward. I want that money too.”

“Then I refuse!”

“The Adventurers’ Guild quest states that live captures are best, but if the situation is critical and the target resists fiercely, heads are acceptable. However, ‘critical situation’ is left to the judgment of the person involved. So, Chief, would you say the situation is critical or not critical right now?”

The bandit leader looked at the smiling Ellis before him, cursing inwardly. This woman was truly a devil!

“‘True Men’ Bandit Group!”

“Live and die together!”

“Imprisonment can lock our bodies, but it can never lock our hearts!”

“True men should be with true men!”

At the designated quest completion point for the town’s Adventurers’ Guild, in front of the mayor’s mansion, the bandits, locked in cages, let out hysterical shouts. They flexed their muscles, drawing a large crowd of onlookers in front of the mansion.

The mayor’s mouth twitched at the sight. He helplessly turned to Ellis and asked, “Miss, have you finished counting? If you have, please say so quickly. Having them here truly disgraces the image of my town.”

“Finished, finished. You can take them away now.”

Ellis said, satisfied, as she stuffed all the money into her storage pouch.

The mayor quickly ordered his men to escort the group of ‘True Men,’ who were still trying to form factions, back to their cells.

On the way to the inn, Ellis beamed happily and said to Larry, who was beside her, “Let’s go to the best tavern in this town! I heard earlier that they have a signature dish…”

“Stop, stop, stop! Shouldn’t we be frugal and save our money until we return to headquarters and turn in the subjugation quest? Then we can splurge!”

Larry asked, his eyes wide.

Ellis put her hands on her hips and looked up at the sky. “One lives in the present. It’s too troublesome to meticulously plan for the future. Besides, with what we ‘borrowed’ from the bandit lair and the money from the quest, we have more than enough for travel expenses.”

Larry scratched his head. “But I also wanted to make a detour to Sig to spend some money, so things might get tight.”

Ellis’s expression froze. She mechanically turned her head and asked, “What are you going there for?”