Chapter 52: Possibility of Cooperation

“No need, Your Highness.”

Emmeline gave an awkward smile.

“They don’t seem hostile. Orlando said the Hero and the mysterious person want to meet us.”

“Meet us?”

“Yes, their attitudes seem different. Orlando said the Hero initially planned to use force, but the mysterious person convinced her otherwise, and there might be a chance for cooperation.”

Christine couldn’t stay seated.

The Hero.

Her group hadn’t risen up yet because their strength wasn’t enough. But with the Hero’s help, she could not only take Notting City but aim for her true goal.

“Emmeline, where are they now? Arrange a meeting immediately.”

“Your Highness, don’t rush.”

Emmeline gently pushed Christine back into her seat.

“Orlando said they’ll bring them up tomorrow morning. Your job now is to rest and greet these guests at your best, right?”

Christine gave Emmeline a grateful look. “You’re right. I was too hasty. I do need rest.”

The next morning, guided by a local, Fratina drove the carriage with Lucia toward a nearby mountain.

By late morning, they spotted a camp atop the peak.

The camp wasn’t large, housing maybe a hundred people, but they’d seen barracks along the mountainside, suggesting over a thousand residents.

With such numbers and fine equipment, these bandits were practically rebels.

The carriage stopped at the camp’s gate. Lucia stepped down.

Fratina was already speaking with the guards, who’d been told of important guests and opened the gate.

Lucia leaned close to Fratina. “Don’t mention our relationship in front of others. From now on, I’m just your friend, got it?”

“Okay.”

Fratina nodded.

The chance to treat Lucia as a friend, even as a pretense, was something she cherished.

Christine and Emmeline emerged.

Both lit up at the sight of Fratina.

Lucia, seeing them, was startled.

She hadn’t expected the leaders of such a large bandit force to be two beautiful girls, roughly Fratina’s age.

“You must be the Hero?”

Christine stepped forward, extending a hand. “I’m the leader here. You can call me Christine.”

Her focus, though, was on Lucia.

Per Emmeline’s report, Fratina was highly deferential to her companion.

Yet today, Fratina stood in the lead.

Christine raised a brow.

Their relationship was indeed unusual, requiring a facade even here.

Fratina shook Christine’s hand. “Christine, you know why I’m here, don’t you?”

She cut to the chase.

Christine smiled. “I understand, but this isn’t the place to talk. Please, follow me.”

She led them to the main hall.

Inside, the four sat across from each other. Before tea could be served, Fratina spoke bluntly. “You’re the ones attacking Londe’s supply caravans, right?”

“Yes, that’s us.”

Christine nodded.

“I took a guild commission to wipe out the bandits here.”

Emmeline frowned, sensing tension.

But Christine remained calm, turning to Lucia. “We understand the Hero’s stance. And you, miss?”

“You haven’t introduced yourself.”

“I’m Lucia, Fratina’s friend.”

Lucia gave her usual cover, then smiled. “Christine, the commission is Fratina’s. My opinion doesn’t matter, does it?”

“Not necessarily.”

Christine shook her head. “To me, your opinion seems to be their true intent, no?”

Her purple eyes seemed to pierce through Lucia.

Even Lucia, who prided herself on outsmarting Fratina, felt unnerved.

She’d underestimated this girl.

Despite her youth, Christine’s intellect was on another level.

Lucia took a deep breath, calming herself, then smiled. “How’d you figure that?”

“Simple. If the Hero wanted us dead, I’d be gone the moment you arrived.”

“Fair point. You’re sharp. No wonder you lead such disciplined bandits.”

Lucia gave sincere praise, then shared her thoughts. “We’re here to find a peaceful resolution and to learn your true goals.”

“Don’t bandits just rob and survive?”

Christine was surprised by Lucia’s motives.

“But you don’t rob civilians or harm the innocent. You target Londe’s officials with clear purpose, and your discipline is tight. Your ambitions aren’t confined to these woods, are they?”

“So, you’re here to invest in us?”

“That depends on whether your strength is worth it.”

Lucia’s goal was exactly that. If these bandits had enough potential, she wouldn’t mind funding them.

Londe’s officials were already at odds with her and Fratina. Their agreement was mere surface peace.

Better to defuse a ticking bomb like Duncan early.

These bandits, even if they couldn’t topple him, could keep him too busy to eye Dragon’s Roar Valley.

That’s why Lucia sought them out.

“More precisely, I see this as cooperation.”