Bab 9: Chapter 9 World 1: The Rise of Banditry!
Lydia made it to the street where the beggars usually stay. It was unkept, smelly, and had no pleasant sights whatsoever. This was where the brothel owned by Black Snakes made its income. If an ordinary woman came down these streets, she would be lucky if she wasn't snatched up to become one of the prostitutes. However, there was no one who didn't know of Lydia in the Black Snakes and her important status within the group as John's wife. No one would dare touch her, even if they had thoughts about her. Only a devastating and brutal death awaited them. According to what Leo would say about the people who dared to attempt something with John's wife back at their old hideout, they knew all too well.
It only took a few minutes before a small group of smelly beggars appeared in front of her. Children, old, disabled, and some adults looked up at her. As Lydia was about to speak, three grown men suddenly rose up and charged at her. Lydia's eyes widened as she reached into her dress and tossed some indistinct colorless dust in their direction. Their outstretched arms retracted as they coughed and spluttered from ingesting the dust. They continued coughing uncontrollably as Lydia frowned. She reached into her dress's pocket again and pulled out a small hatchet.
Lydia made eye contact with the other beggars as she coldly decapitated the beggars who attempted to assault her. They couldn't even resist as they couldn't stop coughing. It only took her a single swing each to sever their necks. A horrifying feat for a woman who had arms so thin.
"Anyone else unsatisfied with me?" Lydia questioned, tossing the bloodied hatchet away.
The beggars were frightened into complete silence. Not all of the bandits were aware of Harry, Tom, and Greg's plan, but most of them had a feeling something like this would happen soon. If you looked like an easy target, someone would target you. The rich madam generous enough to pay beggars like them was everything that those with bad intentions looked for in a target. Reality decided to play a joke on them, however. This rich madam was anything but helpless...
"I'll take your silence as an agreement. Now tell me what I asked for, and you'll receive this week's payment."
The beggars fought over the opportunity to share their findings. Whether that was out of fear or for the opportunity to get paid and eat this week, no one could tell. Lydia eventually silenced them all with a clap of her hands. She then pointed at the beggars individually. The beggar that was pointed at would share what information he or she gained, and they would be paid.
By the time Lydia pointed at the last beggar, she was sure she knew more about what was happening in Desmont than even Captain Frank did. The latest gossip and rumors, who was entering and who was leaving, and the movement and information on Desmont's soldiers. All in all, it was a fruitful endeavor to use the beggars.
"Continue to do good work, and you'll be paid once again in the future." Lydia left them with that.
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Within the underground community of Desmont, information began to spread about the Fair but Ruthless Madam. She was looking for people, desperate people willing to work for her. The Madam didn't care how you looked, man or woman, child or adult, young or old, disabled or abled. All she wanted from you was work. In return, you'd be paid for your work. This was the part that interested people the most.
"Pay? How much is she paying?" A beggar asked.
"She paid us two silver each. Real, authentic silver... Do you know how much I can buy with two silver as a beggar?"
"Two silver to do what?!" He was shocked. Why did he miss out on this awesome deal?!
"Listen and watch. Nothing more, nothing less. Just to listen and watch people. You know how no one pays attention to us beggars anyway. It's practically free money!" He whooped as he downed a cup of alcohol.
"When is she coming by next time?! I have to be there!"
"I wouldn't recommend showing up without some good information. Hell, I'm sure some people are even planning to travel outside of Desmont to get some information. If everyone gives her the same information, I doubt she'll be willing to pay us. Who knows how the Madam would react if she realized she wasted her time coming to the slums? I seen her take the heads of three men! Three grown men gone into the afterlife by one frail woman. So, if you plan to work for the Madam, make sure the information you have is worth it. Who knows if your head may fly next?" The beggar finished his drink as he motivated himself to work even harder.
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"Excuse me, righteous soldiers! Is it true you're headed to Desmont to wipe out the Black Snakes?" A young, filthy child asked the soldiers in armor and on horses.
General Gordon looked at the child with vigilance and suspicion. The starry eyes and look of worship on the beggar's face didn't mislead him. How in the world did a beggar from who-knows-where already know of their purpose in heading to Desmont? Did Captain Frank already succeed in apprehending the Black Snakes?
"That's right." Captain Nicolas felt pride at being called a hero.
"Thank you so much, brave soldiers! Those evil bandits have always done as they pleased in Desmont! Captain Frank did nothing like a coward as the Black Snakes did whatever they wanted! Please help us! I can take you straight to their hideout den in the town! It's where the Black Snakes' leader is always at!" The child offered.
"Well, come along then, boy. There's no better help you could do for us than taking us right to their leader." Captain Nicolas patted his horse's side.
"Really?! Thank you so much!" The child excitedly ran over to the horse.
Captain Nicolas helped the boy up and had the soldiers continue moving forward. General Gordon had his suspicions but no definite proof. He couldn't just tell his men to apprehend a child for no reason and to ignore his words just out of a gut feeling. But he wouldn't let things play out like this child wanted. If Captain Frank did nothing, how did this child learn about them?
Even now, as they were traveling, the boy continued to chat his little head off. Singing praises to his men, asking them to recount tales of heroism and military might, and his own poor circumstances. The boy was named Six since he was the sixth child in his family. It was his lifelong dream to serve and protect the Somar nation. He wanted to bring hope, justice, and peace to people just like him as a soldier of Somar. General Gordon watched as the child's honey-soaked words hooked all his men.
It took them a couple of hours to reach Desmont. General Gordon was surprised to see that multiple people came to thank them for coming. Everyone except Captain Frank and his men who were supposed to be the only ones greeting them. Along with the boy, some townspeople even started to lead them to where the Black Snakes were. It was at this point that General Gordon's suspicions were waning. How could an entire town attempt to trick him and his men?
Now, he felt guilty for suspecting the boy. Perhaps to make it up to the boy, he'll gift him a silver for his useful information and undying devotion to the Somar nation. It wasn't every day a young boy could aid soldiers. Perhaps he'll be the most popular boy amongst his peers. The child certainly didn't seem like the humble type.
General Gordon softly chuckled as they reached the outside of the brothel. As he was about to order some of his men to dismount and go apprehend the leader of the Black Snakes, he felt a strange sharpness enter his neck. Gordon reached up and pulled out the dart from his neck and felt his eyes go cold once he saw the child with a blowgun in his hand.
"I got him, Boss! Attack!" Six jumped off Captain Nicolas's horse and threw down a strange object.
The strange object exploded into a cloud of purple smoke that engulfed the soldiers and their horses. Allowing the child to escape and the soldiers to realize the smoke wasn't any ordinary smoke!
"Cover your mouths! It's poison smoke!" Captain Nicolas shouted.
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Unknown to Captain Nicolas and the barely conscious General Gordon, several Black Snakes fired their arrows from the rooftops at the sound of Six's cry. The horses began running wildly in random directions since the smoke bomb was deployed. Some horses crashed into each other, some smashed into buildings, while others tripped and fell. Regardless, arrows rained down.
It was only when the smoke cleared that the masked bandits moved in. They reaped the lives of those who didn't manage to get away on their horses. It only took a single stab, plunge, or swipe with their weapons. Those weakened by the poison weren't nearly strong enough to resist the completely healthy bandits. Regardless of how much skill they had, the soldiers didn't have the ability to put those skills into use with their weakened bodies, along with the cries of their allies all around them.
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General Gordon was filled with nothing but regret and rage. This was how he met his end? To a child taken in by bandits? Not on a proper battlefield, but degenerate bandits who relied on trickery! He refused to meet his end in such a way! How could he explain to his ancestors such a disgraceful death?
Gordon rose to his feet, his sword unsheathed, and his eyes focused on the bandit before him. Astonishment filled his soul once he saw the fully armored bandit carrying a metal flail headed his way. How many soldiers would this criminal have had to kill to get a complete set of armor like this...? A set of armor that fit him perfectly as well...
Finally, with a target to unleash his wrath on, General Gordon moved forward with his blade. His sword met with the man's spiked metal flail, and the sound of his sword shattering didn't register until the flail's swipple knocked his head off his neck. General Gordon only realized when the world around him was spinning that maybe that armored bandit was the man with the strength of fifty men...
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
CaptainBoyHole
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