She had become the very thing she despised: a liar.
Her anxiety wasn't about the lost money, but about her broken promise.
And in her mind, a simple transaction was the only reason Stell and Takson had helped her in the first place.
There was no such thing as a truly selfless act. Now that the money was gone, they would surely abandon her.
Takson, listening to her panicked explanation, finally understood. So that's what this is about. He could see the results of a good upbringing, a strong moral compass.
"Don't worry," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. "My teacher and I will still take you to a safe place. To your relative's house, like you said."
He wanted to put a comforting hand on her shoulder, but he held back. Instead, he offered a practical solution. "Your uncle can pay the commission for you when we get there, right? He'll be able to cover it?"
His words were like a lifeline. Alice's panic subsided. She wiped the tears from her eyes. "Yes," she said, her voice still trembling slightly. "Uncle Joseph is a kind man. When he hears what happened, he'll definitely pay you."
Seeing that his words had worked, a warm, gentle smile spread across Takson's rugged face. "Then we have a deal?"
"Yes," she whispered. "A deal."
….
"Affirmative. Subject 'Alice's' emotional state has stabilized," Stell stated. "Takson, you handled that well."
"Hehe," the big man said, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "So, Teacher, are we taking her to her uncle's now?"
"Negative. That is not the current priority."
"Huh? Is there something else?" Takson was confused, but then a thought struck him. "Teacher, you've finished examining the scene, haven't you?"
"..." Stell simply glanced at him.
"Ahaha... right, stupid question..." he mumbled. His expression immediately turned serious. "So, this was deliberate?"
"Affirmative. The evidence at the scene suggests the monster attack was intentionally orchestrated."
"Who did it?"
"Answer: There is an 84.6% probability that it was the work of bandits. Eighteen individuals, including one mage. The monster attack is highly correlated with the presence of this mage."
"I see..." As Stell laid out the facts, Takson's expression grew cold.
Their conversation was held out of earshot of Alice, who was still trying to compose herself by the caravan. Stell glanced over at the girl. Alice, sensing her gaze, looked up, met her cold, golden eyes, and immediately flinched, turning away.
In her mind, Stell was the polar opposite of the kind, friendly Takson. The unnerving coldness, the strange, robotic way of speaking... it terrified her. Even Takson's reassurances, "Don't mind Teacher's appearance, she's actually a very gentle person", had done little to comfort her. You call that gentle? she thought. I don't believe it.
"Should we tell her?" Takson asked, his voice low.
"Answer: That is your decision. I will not interfere."
"Right... I understand." Takson took a deep breath, then walked over to Alice.
….
In a hidden cave, deep in the forest...
Two men, clad in the rough leather and furs of bandits, stood guard at the entrance. Inside, the sounds of raucous celebration echoed.
Yesterday, their leader had returned with a massive haul, enough coin to keep them all in food and drink for months. A feast was in order.
Inside the main cavern, dozens of men sat around a large stone table, gorging themselves on roasted meat and cheap wine. At the head of the table, a burly, bearded man sat on a crude "throne" made of animal bones and pelts. He was clearly the chief.
"Boss, you're a genius!" a scrawny, weaselly man said, fawning over his leader. "That plan was brilliant!"
The chief let out a booming laugh, his face flush with wine and pride. "Eat up, boys!" he roared. "Tonight, we celebrate!"
"Hooray!" the men cheered.
The chief drained his cup, then turned to the thin, robed man standing at his right hand. "Quake," he said, "half of this haul is thanks to you. That 'Beast Control' magic of yours is a marvel. From now on, you're my second-in-command!"
"Thank you, boss!" the mage replied, bowing low.
A few weeks ago, a mage calling himself Quake had stumbled into their camp, claiming he could control monsters. The chief had been skeptical at first. The man was a twig, with no physical strength to speak of. But he knew magic was a strange and powerful thing. He'd told the mage to prove it.
And he had.
A plan had immediately formed in the chief's mind. And yesterday, they had put it into action. They had spotted a merchant caravan on the road and, using Quake's magic, had sicced a pack of wild beasts on it.
It had been a flawless operation. They had acquired a fortune without lifting a finger, without risking a single one of their own men.
And because it looked like a simple monster attack, no one would ever suspect them.
No knights, no adventurers would come looking for retribution. It was the perfect crime.
To ensure the mage's loyalty, the chief had immediately promoted him. Now, as he watched his men celebrate, he felt a surge of triumph.
We have a bright future ahead of us! he thought, already picturing the criminal empire they would build.
He had no idea that their judgment was fast approaching.
….
While the main group partied inside, a few unlucky grunts sat guard duty at the cave entrance. They had eaten their fill and were now just killing time.
"That new guy, Quake, the boss really likes him," one of them said.
"No kidding. A real-life mage. Heard he's the reason we're all so rich today. Not a single man hurt."
"Magic... I wish I could learn magic."
"You? Forget it."
"Hey, hey, shut up," another guard hissed, pointing towards the trees. "Someone's coming."
They grabbed their weapons and peered out into the darkness.
Rustle, rustle...
A figure emerged from the forest. It was a girl, small and slender, with long, violet-blue hair.
….
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