Chapter 48: Why not try to communicate?

Outside Elan City

Fratina drove the carriage toward the region specified in the commission.

The bandit-infested area was far from Londe’s capital, so it took her nearly a week to reach Notting City.

The Adventurers’ Guild had branches in every city, even small towns, with dispatched personnel. Fratina went straight to the guild to confirm her task.

At the guild, she presented her commission to the receptionist.

The receptionist glanced at the document, then at the signature, before looking at Fratina in shock. “You’re the Hero!?”

“…Yeah.”

Fratina was used to such reactions. Her title always startled people, drawing gazes like she was some exotic creature.

She’d grown accustomed to odd looks—better than being branded a traitor, at least.

“If it’s you, Hero, this commission might actually get resolved.”

The receptionist spoke hopefully but still looked worried. “But just before you arrived, another supply caravan was raided.”

“What?”

Fratina felt a tap on her shoulder and instinctively gripped her sword hilt, spinning around.

Seeing who it was, she froze. “Lord Lucius, what are you doing here?”

Realizing her overreaction, she quickly apologized. “Sorry, Lord Lucius, I got carried away.”

“No worries. I just came to check on your commission.”

Lucia turned to the receptionist. “Mind if I listen in?”

The receptionist, stunned by Fratina’s deference to Lucia, wondered who this big shot was to command such respect from the Hero.

“Oh, if the Hero’s fine with it.”

Seeing Fratina nod, the receptionist continued. “This caravan had many soldiers and fine equipment, but the bandits had standard-issue weapons too. And there’s a highly skilled female warrior among them—her combat ability rivals a veteran adventurer.”

Lucia, already intrigued by these villager-supported bandits, grew more curious hearing about this talented fighter.

If this group grew, they could become a major regional force—or even topple Londe if their ambitions were grand enough.

Unlike Lucia, who saw potential in befriending them, Fratina frowned.

A veteran adventurer was just below her level in the guild’s ranking system.

The guild’s hierarchy went: novice, beginner, adept, professional, veteran, and master.

Fratina, as the Hero, was a master-tier adventurer.

Rank reflected contributions to the guild, not just combat skill, but a veteran’s strength was no joke.

A novice could fight slimes and goblins forever and never reach beginner.

To be called a veteran meant undeniable prowess.

“Is this info from the soldiers who escaped?”

“Yes.”

The receptionist nodded.

“They didn’t take the soldiers for ransom?”

Lucia interjected.

“No.”

The receptionist recalled the bandits’ oddity. “You’ve got a point. These bandits are different. They only cause casualties in the initial attack. Captives are released. Some soldiers, fearing punishment for failure, joined them, living as outlaws.”

“Later, to stop desertions, Londe offered better terms, and those soldiers returned. The bandits don’t seem to care if their info reaches us.”

This flood of details piqued Lucia’s curiosity further, while Fratina grew concerned.

Disciplined, sparing lives, supported by locals, and led by a strong figure—these bandits weren’t pushovers.

“Of course, Hero, you could ask around the nearby villages, but you might be disappointed. They seem to side with the bandits, not supplying them directly but passing on information.”

“And King Duncan hasn’t pursued that?”

The receptionist gave a wry smile. “That’s beyond what I’d know.”

She handed Fratina a compiled report. “More details are here. I hope you can resolve this bandit issue soon, Hero.”

“Thanks.”

Fratina took the report, her expression complex.

“Let’s go.”

Lucia stepped forward.

They left the guild, found a street-side restaurant, and ordered food.

Lucia spoke up. “Fratina, what do you think of these bandits?”

“Honestly, from the report, they target Londe’s caravans but never small merchants or local villages. I wonder if their issue is only with Londe’s officials…”

“And?”

“And… they’re highly disciplined, with strong combat ability. If I face them alone, my odds of winning might be lower than I thought.”

“You mean in a fight?”

“Yeah.”

Fratina looked at Lucia, puzzled.

What other solution was there?

Her reaction made Lucia sigh inwardly.

Good thing Fratina was this world’s protagonist. In another, her straightforward style would’ve made her a defeated knight already.

Oh wait, she already lost to me.

Lucia offered her idea. “Since these bandits are so restrained, why not try contacting them? See if you can resolve this through talk.”