When ordinary people kill poultry, the chickens and ducks struggle and scream before they die. How much more so with humans! Magnus Valorion's actions were a complete one-sided massacre, and the bandits' wails filled the air. At first, Magnus Valorion felt some pity hearing the cries outside The Crimson Vultures' hall. However, when a soldier from the county led him to a dungeon within The Crimson Vultures, Magnus Valorion's resolve in his decision only grew stronger.
Outside the dungeon were over a dozen women, scantily clad, with lifeless eyes and bodies covered in scars. When Magnus Valorion and the others entered, these women, like frightened lambs, instinctively huddled into the corners. The two small corners were already overcrowded, yet the outermost ones still tried desperately to squeeze inside, as if those corners could offer endless safety.
Magnus Valorion approached the cage where the women were held. The women in the corners averted their eyes, terrified that making eye contact would result in being dragged out and abused. The dungeon was dimly lit, and when a soldier lit a torch, Magnus Valorion saw a woman lying in the dirt, a mix of mud and blood around her lower body. He couldn't tell if she was alive or dead.
"Ladies, do not be afraid. I am the mayor and sheriff of Green River Town. Today, I have led my men to eliminate the bandits of The Crimson Vultures. You are all safe now!" Magnus Valorion spoke clearly, but the women in the corners were too frightened to believe him. A soldier broke the lock on the wooden cage and quickly covered the naked woman with his coat. Only then did Magnus Valorion realize she was barely alive. Without immediate medical attention, she might not survive.
At that moment, William Anderson and the one-armed Noah rushed in. William Anderson, covered in blood, looked terrifying, like a bloodthirsty demon. His appearance frightened the women back into the corners. William Anderson quickly spotted the woman covered in Magnus Valorion's coat and, disregarding formalities, pushed Magnus Valorion aside to cradle the barely breathing woman.
"Eric Wilson~ Eric Wilson~"
"It's me, your William Anderson~" He shook the unresponsive woman like in a TV drama.
Magnus Valorion was about to caution against shaking an injured person, but to his surprise, the woman actually regained consciousness. Seeing the blood-covered William Anderson, she burst into tears and asked, "William Anderson, did those bandits capture you too?"
"No, no, Eric Wilson, I'm here to save you."
Magnus Valorion watched the two embrace and thought, "No wonder William Anderson charged ahead when we attacked. He was here to rescue his lover!"
"But this lad showed remarkable restraint when delivering supplies, despite his rage. With proper guidance, William Anderson could achieve great things."
The other women, seeing William Anderson and Eric Wilson's familiarity, finally relaxed. Magnus Valorion took the opportunity to explain, "Ladies, you are safe now. He is one of my soldiers, no need to fear."
Just then, a weak voice called from the back of the dungeon.
"Are you really here to exterminate the bandits?"
"Thank goodness~ We are saved!"
Magnus Valorion followed the voice and found people with severed limbs. Among them, one had lost his tongue, another his eyes. A middle-aged man with a severed leg crawled to the door, sobbing, "Sir, we are hostages of The Crimson Vultures. Our families couldn't pay the ransom, so these fiends tortured us."
A mute man frantically waved his hands, trying to express his anger and pain. Magnus Valorion, not understanding, asked another prisoner, who explained, "Sir, this mute is Megan Turner, a sculptor. He's saying those fiends cut open his pregnant wife to see if the baby was a boy or girl."
Even though Magnus Valorion had seen horror movies, witnessing such atrocities in real life was shocking. "Noah, how are things outside?"
Noah, wielding a bloodied sword, replied, "All 316 beasts outside are dead. Forty men are guarding, and ten are digging graves."
Magnus Valorion coldly replied, "These beasts don't deserve a burial. Burn them all! And tell the men to cook food for these freed hostages. Be careful not to use the poisoned supplies."
The rescued men and women, supporting each other, left the dark dungeon and headed to the rear mountain where the bandits' bodies were piled. The scene was one of blood and gore, and the stench made Magnus Valorion nauseous. But he held it in to set an example for his men. The rescued people, however, showed no such restraint, kicking and spitting on the bodies, their hatred overpowering any disgust.
A soldier reported, "Sir, a group has appeared at the foot of the mountain!"
Magnus Valorion grew wary, "Could The Crimson Vultures have more than 318 men?"
Despite their previous success, his men were exhausted. Another wave of bandits could spell disaster. But the soldier's next words eased his mind.
"The newcomers bear the Blackthorn family banner, about twenty in total, most carrying gifts."
"So, the Blackthorn family has come! Let's see what they want." Magnus Valorion thought, planning how to deal with the culprits behind the grain sabotage.