As the robber later explained, this is a sound trap, when someone or something stepped on it, the nearest robbers heard a squeal and knew that someone was trying to get to the camp.
Continuing to walk, we found different parts of some kind of creatures and monsters. According to the marks on the bodies after they were killed, they were fed by animals that did not miss such an opportunity to feast on them.
Keirin could be seen grimacing at the sight of such scenes. As a light elf, she could hardly endure cruelty. Leaving this road, we found ourselves near a field, tall green grass was visible on it.
- There is a camp behind this field, but the field also has these sound traps. - Telling the robber stretching his arms forward pointing towards the end of the field.
Following the hand of the robber, I and Keirin tried to see or hear, but nothing but the forest was heard.
- But I can't hear anything. - Keirin said in a suspiciously quiet voice.
Looking over at Keirin who was visibly annoyed. But the robber only grinned and began to slowly walk towards the field.
- If you want to see the camp, follow me and carefully. - Having said this, the robber began to walk with quick steps towards the clearing.
After exchanging glances with Keirin, we began to slowly follow the robber. I listened to the forest, waiting for a possible trap. The field, as the robber said, was littered with various possible traps.
With the tormentors at the ready, we were in the middle of the field when the sounds began to reach us.
Mostly the voices were male, but sometimes there were female voices that were quieter. Having completely passed the field, we found ourselves in front of a small hill behind which I no longer doubted there was a camp.
I was reassured that we were hidden by a hill, but now it was daytime and who knew if one of the robbers would want to go out to see the surroundings.
- Do not be afraid, no one comes here from the camp, unless of course someone steps on the traps on the field. - Understanding our fears, the robber explained in a low voice.
Frowning, Keirin and I listened to what was going on in the camp, and what I heard I did not like. Looking at the girl, her face showed that she was holding herself back so as not to run to the camp.
- How many robbers are there and what power do they have? - I asked, trying not to pay attention to what I heard from the camp.
The robber smirked, most likely he had anticipated this question as well as others that were spinning in my head.
- The weakest remained there, many of them do not possess magic at all, and those who possess their strength are no more than C rank. - Answered the robber sitting down on the ground.
Frowning, I remembered the descriptions of the task and it was indicated that many robbers had the strength of A and S rank.
- Wait, in the task that I accepted, much stronger robbers were indicated. - I said incomprehensibly looking at the robber.
Running his fingers over the grass, he laughed when I finished speaking. I was afraid that his laughter might be heard in the camp.
- This is all thanks to the local baron, we never had such strong men in our camp. Otherwise, why didn't we attack cities and villages? - With a chuckle, the robber answered.
Again this baron, remembering what Keirin friends told us and what the robber has told us lately.
- Just don't tell me that these are excessive demands so that your camp is not attacked? - I asked with fear in my voice, putting my hands on my waist and squeezing it.
Watching as the robber squeezes the grass with his fingers and runs over it. And nodding at my words in affirmation, I had a bad feeling.
- I don't understand why he would do this? Why does he need a gang of robbers who rob merchants? - Keirin's surprised voice was heard.
The robber looked at her, and only grinned, raising his head up to the sky and closing his eyes, he began to remember.
- I also did not understand why the baron was doing this until the leader of our gang brought a boy to the camp, who turned out to be the stepson of a local baron. According to Rual, a representative of the baron contacted him and offered a deal. - The robber said with nostalgia in his voice.
Squeezing my waist with my fingers, I tried not to show my emotions, but did not notice how the darkness began to emanate from me in different directions.
- The deal was that we accept his child in our camp, show how the robbers live, he will become older and have fun, and when he returns, he will attach us to the squad. - The robber finished his story with sadness in his voice.
The Cray Empire had its own rules for princes and princesses, from childhood we were prepared to take lives.
I still remember how I was given a sword at the age of twelve and the emperor ordered the execution of the prisoner. But what this baron did was low, use the gang to teach him how to live as a bandit.
- And before that damned caravan, everything was going well. Shame on the daughter and her father who told us about your caravan. - Spitting said the robber.
And who else was in the share with them? Some of the local guards or mercenaries? Various questions and assumptions appeared in my head. But I knew who would answer some of them.
- Has anyone else helped you? - Keirin asked expectantly.
From her intonation, it was clear that everything she had already learned greatly angered her. The person who was in charge of this area cooperated with the robbers.
- Yes, but not of our own free will, when we attacked the last time, the daughter of the head of the city guard of the city of Lengho was there, and he told us about your caravan. - Remembering that conversation with Rual, he wanted to return to the past and dissuade from attacking this caravan.
Now it was clear how they learned about our caravan and attacked as if they were waiting for us.
- What with her? She is alive? - Keirin asked with concern in her voice.
She was afraid to think about what the girls went through in this camp. The girl from attacking this camp was kept only by the fact that they had not yet learned everything.
- When we left, she was alive. But the leader broke down according to him she was too naughty. - Answering the question, the robber felt pain in his lip.
I saw Keirin strike the robber but did not stop her. She needed to vent her emotions.
- What happens if your attack squad does not return to the camp? - I asked that worried me the most.
I had fears that the robbers would try to hide elsewhere as soon as they found out that the squad had been destroyed. Especially if they have a son of a baron who most likely kept in touch with him.
- Well, most likely they will leave this camp and go to other lands, killing what they will not take with them. - The robber answered in a thoughtful voice.
I did not want to look for them all over the forest, but what to do with these girls who were captured by robbers? Keirin will not allow them to be killed, in her eyes she was already in the camp.
- I told you everything, and even more than you asked, let me go! - Not understanding why this half-elf with a light elf was silent, he began to get nervous.
He was right indeed, he told us everything we wanted, but I did not tell him that he would receive freedom.
Coming closer to him and looking at his eyes full of incomprehension of this situation, he was already ready to draw his sword and kill the robber.
But at that moment I felt the touch of a light hand on my shoulder. Surprised, I looked at Keirin, her eyes caught more anger at what she had just heard.
- Let me free him, Trey. - Keirin asked in an emotionless voice.
If she really wanted it, I didn't want to deprive her of the opportunity to take out her anger on this robbers.
- Okay, Keirin release him. - Agreeing with her request, I looked at the uncomprehending gaze of the robber.
The girl slowly approached the man in chains and put her hand on his shoulder. He felt his sense of danger screaming something was wrong.
Looking at the hand of the light elf, he watched with horror as the ice begins to cover his shoulders and sinks down.
He wanted to scream, but the words got stuck in his throat and an ice statue formed on the field to the singing of birds in the forest.
But with great incomprehension, the robber realized that he was still alive, trying to breathe, he felt an unpleasant taste of the air that was with him in the ice.
As soon as he inhaled the air, he felt his throat begin to burn and sink down into his chest.
He felt terrible pain from not being able to look down. Feeling how his chest is becoming thinner, as if from pain.
The robber had not yet lost consciousness, he did not understand. Looking with unbelieving eyes at the bright elf who closed her eyes.
- Open your eyes Keirin, you should see what your spell is capable of. - I addressed her in a stern voice.
From my words, she shuddered and shook her head, I understood that she needed to see how this robber was dying from her actions.
- I'm with you Keirin, take my hand. - Approaching her, I did not take my eyes off the robber.
He died a painful death, perhaps it was a gift that the robber did not see how he was dying.
I didn't know what spell Keirin used, but it made me look away from what I saw.
Touching the other hand of the girl, I felt how cold she was. I squeezed her hand and looked at her face.
- Open your eyes, he won't be long. - I turned to her, squeezing her hand tighter.
Watching as she slowly opens her eyes and looks at the robber without looking away. He increasingly crumbled into pieces if not for the ice.
His arms and legs began to look terrible, the blood flowed from them, staining the ice with blood. After some time, something ceased to be displayed in the eyes of the robber; he died.
- Trey, what have I become? - Keirin turned to me with horror in her voice.
I could feel the fear in her voice that paralyzed her at the sight of the robber's death.
- You remained yourself, but now you know what you and your spell are capable of. - I answered her trying to calm her down.
When she removed her hand, the ice began to crack and the remnants of the robber fell to the ground, the sound of the chains beating was the last reminder that there was a living robber.
- What are our further actions? - Trying not to look at the remains of the robber asked Keirin.
Thinking about our possible actions, we did not have the opportunity to be everywhere. Or destroy the robbers or go to the capital of the Avels.