The ten or so knights from the Baron's fief followed behind Keith and me, as we coursed through the village of the bandits. We slowly made our way inside the huts on the sides and swung down our swords on the sleeping bastards. We had to move as fast as we could to cause as much damage as possible before they noticed.
I stabbed another pair of the bandits in a hut when Keith spoke up.
"Young master, had a good vacation?"
"Absolutely disgruntling," I said, taking out my sword and shaking the blood on it off.
About two weeks ago, we decided to make a plan and tackle the Dark Moon Bandits in the study of the mansion.
***
Back at the mansion, multiple thoughts and suggestions passed through our quartet after Lily's unfunny joke attempt. After discussing things for a long, we came to a realization.
"Just getting rid of them would be a shame, no?"
"What do you mean?" Keith asked at my words.
"I mean, it's the Dark Moon Bandits with a big history behind, per what Maria says. Can't we use that name for ourselves?"
It was impossible for me to see their reactions, but I was sure they were in complete awe of my marvellous intelligence and resourcefulness.
"That's a dumb idea?"
Maybe not.
"W-why so...?"
"Well, for one, young master. The Dark Moon Bandits with all their history are the enemies of the kingdom, won't using their name as a noble be grounds for mutiny? Immediate execution even."
"That's unlike you, young master. I thought you would think a lot before bringing up such things."
"Pfft."
Their worries cracked me up. I thought Maria and Keith were used to my thoughts by now, but I guess I was a bit wrong since there weren't many chances to be so bold."
"What is it, young master?" Lily asked, her voice cracking.
"If it comes to the point where I am ever suspected of mutiny, it won't be a bad idea to overthrow the royal family of Schwarz."
The three around me stiffened.
Silence filled our room for a while before Keith broke into laughter.
"Young master, you always say the damndest things."
"Is it?" I asked, amused.
"You know, would you make me a promise?"
"What is it?"
"The first time you drink, drink with me, alright?"
I cracked a smile at Keith's words.
"Yeah, I will."
That was the beginning of my plan to get my hands on a bandit troupe. The next step was, well, joining them as a member.
It was an action that didn't suit very well the man who was supposed to be the strongest in the world, but until my muscles grew harder than rocks, I would have to make do with this.
I didn't forget to make a note for my future self, though, down the line, I was going to buy a bandit troupe with just my name. For sure.
***
Keith placed a hand on my shoulder as he wiped his blade too.
"Are you sure we should be wiping them out?"
"Yes," I answered without hesitation. The smell of blood had started the fill the air of the bandit's village. We had to move even quicker now.
"Don't worry," I said. "I meant it when I said I want the Dark Moon Bandit troupe."
The first and most important thing to do as a noble and as a leader was to make my knights believe in me. The ones from the Baron's territory were helping me weed out all the worst of the worst in the troupe. In the eyes, not only would I be bringing them achievements, but also a great dose of nobility and responsibility.
As for taking the bandit troupe, that could be done after wiping it for the public.
—CLANG!
"FUCK! INTRUDERS!"
Loud sounds of swords crashing filled the night followed by a shout. The shout was suppressed by a groan almost immediately after.
It seemed everything was silent in the night. Not a soul moved, not an insect cried, not a bird chirped.
A second.
Two.
Three.
And—
"INTRUDEERRRSSS!"
—The cover was lost.
The pandemonium had begun.
Keith smirked widely as he pulled out his Zweihander and swung it in the air. In the blink of an eye, the frame of the hut we stood inside collapsed and the village-scape revealed itself.
About three bandits were dead on the ground around us, outside the hut walls.
-CRASH!
-CLANG!
From all the huts within the forest, the sound of screams and metal hitting against metal flowed out as the knights engaged in combat with the out flowing bandits.
"KNIGHTS!" I screamed as I jumped out of the broken hut and into the field. "DESTROY THESE PUNY FAKERS! VICTORY WAS OURS BEFORE THE BATTLE BEGAN!"
"OOOOOOH!"
"YES SIR!"
"FIGHT!
"KILL THEM!"
The quiet night was immediately filled with the impassioned screams of my men as the vigorour knights crushed the bandits one after the other. A fire started out in the huts with blood as its fuel as dozens upon dozens fought one other. I was really thankful for the bandit uniform as I went ahead and killed every bandit that came in my sight.
Victory was ours before the battle had begun.
We were winning.
Until that moment.
A split spread through the forest all across the village of the bandits, and then the earth trembled.
At the other end of the village with his flamboyant blue mantle fluttering in the night wind, the leader of the Dark Moon Bandits stepped in.
"Keith," I called out to my friend as I gripped my sword and smiled at the enemy. "This one's mine."
It was time to see the true fruits of my years of training.