The mountain bandit fled forward with all his might, only slowing down when a sturdy camp built into a cave came into view.
“Open the gate! Hurry, open the gate! I’m wounded!”
The mountain bandit shouted toward the camp, the corners of his mouth twitching from the pain of his injuries.
“Isn’t that Lao Liu? Why are you in such a pathetic state?”
The sentries on watch heard the cry for help and immediately sent someone down to report. At the same time, they called out to the bandit known as Lao Liu.
“Don’t even get me started. My luck was rotten today. I caught a minor Lord bringing a woman into the mountains and thought they were a big catch. As it turned out, that woman played dirty. I didn’t guard against it, and she slashed me three times. I barely made it back.”
“What did she look like? She isn’t stronger than Aunt Junker from the kitchen, is she?” the sentry asked with a laugh.
“She wasn’t that ugly. She was actually very beautiful, but stop asking about that. Get out here and help me with my wounds! Call more brothers, too. We’re going to tie up that noble! I, Black Wolf, won’t take this loss lying down!”
Black Wolf answered the sentries’ questions as he watched a squad of men emerge from the opening camp gates.
He moved toward them, hissing through his teeth as he took several cold breaths.
“A single woman managed to wound you like this, Black Wolf? Are you sure you didn’t just see a man with long hair?”
The only man among the group who wore Fine Plate Armor looked at Black Wolf’s miserable state, expressing deep skepticism toward his description.
“Second-in-Command, I’m telling the truth. It was a woman! But she didn’t win fairly. I only lost because I was careless,” Black Wolf said firmly to the Second-in-Command, emphasizing that his defeat was due to negligence rather than a lack of skill.
The man Black Wolf called the Second-in-Command did not dwell on the matter.
Instead, he asked, “Man or woman, it doesn’t matter. Where is that minor Lord you mentioned? Are they still in the Grey Wolf Forest?”
“They should still be there!” Black Wolf said after a moment of thought.
“Medic, treat Black Wolf’s wounds. Hank, go tell the Chief to pick more than ten elite brothers. We’re going out in a moment to kidnap that noble who wounded Black Wolf for ransom.”
After hearing the response, the Second-in-Command ordered the camp medic to dress Black Wolf’s wounds and then commanded a subordinate to ask the Chief for men to enter the forest.
Boom!
A deafening roar echoed as a figure crashed onto the snow about 100 meters away from the bandits, kicking up a plume of snow 0.5 meters high.
“No need to wait. I am already here. Will you choose to surrender immediately, or will I kill you until you surrender?”
Vera gently set down Anke, whom she had been holding in a princess carry, and drew her Side-sword.
Her gaze swept across the more than ten bandits before looking toward the camp further away.
Finally, she pointed her sword at the Second-in-Command, speaking in a commanding tone.
As soon as Vera finished speaking, the atmosphere became as cold as the winter day.
The deathly silence was only broken when Anke, who was slowly recovering after panting heavily, finally spoke.
“Vera… next time, you don’t have to chase them so fast. I… I can’t take it.”
Anke rested his hands on his knees, his face toward the ground as he spoke.
“Hahaha!”
The mountain bandits finally snapped out of the shock of Vera’s grand entrance and speech, erupting into a fit of laughter.
“Are you joking, lady? You want all of us to surrender to you alone?”
“You’ll kill us until we surrender? Beautiful lady, do you even know how to use a sword?”
“Black Wolf, don’t tell me this is the one who wounded you so badly? How did she ambush you?”
Among the bandits, only Black Wolf and the Second-in-Command did not laugh.
Black Wolf was silent because he had already been one-sidedly crushed by Vera.
The Second-in-Command, however, felt that the voice and speaking habits of the minor Lord being carried by the woman seemed familiar.
Vera ignored the laughter of the ignorant bandits.
She looked around, her eyes settling on a giant tree as thick as two people embracing.
She then walked toward the massive tree with her sword in hand.
The bandits did not see this beautiful woman as a threat, watching her movements with mocking expressions.
Then, Vera showed them the meaning of absolute power.
Holding her sword with one hand, Vera slashed at the giant tree.
A flash of sword light flickered, and the massive trunk was sliced clean through.
The tree tilted and crashed heavily to the ground.
Rumble!
After the thunderous sound of the tree hitting the ground, there was a deathly silence.
The smiles on the bandits’ faces became more distorted than if they were crying.
The bandits standing near Black Wolf looked at him as if they were seeing a ghost.
Black Wolf had claimed that he took three strikes from this woman — who could fell a giant tree with a single hand — and actually made it back alive!
“Vera, that’s enough of a commotion. Just scaring them is fine.”
Anke was not surprised at all. He had already witnessed Vera’s overpowered stats when they first met.
He hadn’t stopped her when she ordered the bandits to surrender, and now he only whispered to remind her to hold back her strength and keep some cards hidden.
“I only used 50% of my strength,” Vera replied softly as she returned to Anke’s side.
“Fourth Prince Anke? Your Highness, is that you?”
Just then, the Second-in-Command stepped forward, questioning Anke’s identity.
“Stop. Do not come any closer!” Vera immediately raised her sword, positioning herself between Anke and the approaching Second-in-Command.
“I am the Kingdom’s Fourth Prince, Anke. Who are you? How do you know my identity?”
With Vera there, Anke was not worried that the bandit would suddenly attack him.
“Your Highness, it’s me, Sandrag! Do you remember me? I once received your patronage in the Royal Capital, and I served under you as an Imperial Guard Knight for 2 years!”
Sandrag lifted the visor of his helmet, revealing a young face covered in stubble. Though his expression was weary, his eyes were shining with joy.
“Sandrag… Sandrag. Oh, I remember you! You rascal, didn’t you say you were going back to your hometown to take care of your family? Why did you come to Border City to be a mountain bandit!” Anke said with a mix of joy and shock as he pointed at Sandrag.
“It’s a long story…” Sandrag thought for a moment before realizing his subordinates were still holding their weapons.
He quickly shouted orders at them.
“Everyone, put your weapons away! His Highness is our honored guest. No one is allowed to offend him, and you must not be rude to His Highness or his companion!”
The mountain bandits had no objections. After all, none of them had the courage to test if they were more durable than the giant tree. They all sheathed their weapons.
“Your Highness, it is cold outside. Please follow me into the camp. I will explain everything to you.”
Sandrag extended a respectful invitation to Anke and Vera.
“Very well, I’ll leave it to your arrangements, Sandrag.” Anke looked at his companion. “Vera, let’s go.”
With Vera’s protection, Anke was not afraid of any traps within the camp.
Thus, under the escort of the mountain bandits, Anke and Vera headed toward the stronghold.
At the back of the group, several bandits gave a thumbs-up to the bandaged Black Wolf.
“That’s impressive, Black Wolf.”
“You were hiding your skills, Master Six!”
“Master Six, did you really take three strikes?”
“Is there any doubt?” Black Wolf raised his head proudly. Vera’s overwhelming combat power had given him, a defeated opponent, the right to boast.
“Your Highness! Your Highness! Do not worry, I’m coming to save you!”
Just then, another voice echoed from the distance.
“Who is that?” Sandrag asked Anke.
“My Hunter Guide. He’s quite loyal to me. Don’t hurt him.”
“Understood, Your Highness. I see.”
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