Join us. [Bandit Leader]

Ryouma thought for sure the man would ask for wealth or goods. Never did he think that the man would actually ask him to join them.

We work in the slave industry for the Dark Guild. Were responsible for the securing and selling of slaves and people who know how to fight. Strong people are really important, you know?

Well have to put a magic tool on you to keep you from rebelling, but we can promise you food and treatment no different from us. It would be a pain if you couldnt fight when needed, after all. [Bandit Leader]

I thought the Dark Guild saw me as a thorn in the foot? I heard it from time to time from the bandits Ive caught. [Ryouma]

The bandit leader chuckled when Ryouma said that.

A message did go around saying to avoid recklessly messing with you, but that was only because there was no point in those small fries attacking you.

There are people in the guild who dislike you, yes, but everyone acknowledges your strength, which is why there is value in enslaving you.

Many would rather sell you afterwards, but we have no such intentions. In the Dark Guild, money and achievements are everything. No one can take another persons achievements, doing so means either a beating, excommunication, or even worse, the cellar. As your captors, you belong to us, Ryouma Takebayas.h.i.+. No one can force us to sell you. [Bandit Leader]

The man said as he made a cutting motion to his neck.

Ryouma, however, did not understand what he meant by the cellar. Sensing that, the man called out behind him.

Ahh, by cellar, were referring to that Oi! Bring that old man over! [Bandit Leader]

Yes! [Henchman]

The thin-haired man behind the leader entered a small path, then when he came back, he was dragging a hooded man. The man brought that hooded man to the leader.

Those who commit an unpardonable crime end up in the cellar. They become slaves of the Dark Guild. [Bandit Leader]

When the leader took off the hood covering the mans face, Ryouma twitched.

The mans face was covered with wounds clearly inflicted by another man. There were scars even on the hands that peeked out of his long sleeves, but despite all that, what really bothered Ryouma was those pair of eyes that were full of hostility as they glared at Ryouma.

He wont be able to get in town with all those wounds, and if he does run, well be able to easily bring him back. People who fall into the cellar arent given any opportunities to redeem themselves. They are made to work minor jobs away from prying eyes. Many of those who fall into the cellar never make it out, only quietly dying, never to be heard of again. Thats why we call it the cellar.

Well, they do sometimes get lucky and end up getting transferred. If theyre really lucky, they get put to use instead of just letting them rot in the cellar. This man, for example. I heard he once fought with you before, so I brought him here with me. Its thanks to him that I found out all about your fighting style and your weird magic. [Bandit Leader]

After saying all that the man looked at the scarred man with a mocking face. Ryouma also woke up from his pondering to look at the scarred man.

If you want to say a word of complaint or two, I wont mind. [Bandit Leader]

Thank you. [Scarred Man]

As the scarred man thanked the leader, he looked down on Ryouma from the top of the cliff.

Its been a while Do you remember me? [Scarred man]

Ryouma became thoughtful for a moment, but

Who are you? [Ryouma]

Heh Dont remember, huh. [Scarred Man]

The man started laughing in self-derision, then with a voice full of rage, he bellowed.

You forgot me But I didnt forget you. Not once! Did I forget you, Mr. Takebayas.h.i.+! It was because of you that I ended up like this. Because of you that I ended up in the cellar! All because you had to squeal about the Dark Guild branch! [Scarred Man]

Dark Guild branch? [Ryouma]

It was then that Ryouma finally began to recall the man.

It was such an old story that Ryouma had already forgotten about it, but some bandits once attacked his home (Tunnels) out of vengeance for catching their comrades. Of course, Ryouma took care of them, but he let a few of them go to find their base, which he did. The man before him is one of those men that he let escape. He doesnt know his name, though.

So youre that guy! [Ryouma]

You remembered, huh. [Scarred Man]

Wasnt the branch destroyed? Why werent you caught? [Ryouma]

Apparently, the others you caught helped him, so he wasnt there when the raid happened.

In his place, those who were in the branch at the time were caught, and even the deal previously agreed on was broken.

After some investigation, we found out that this man here is the reason behind everything, so we threw him into the cellar. [Bandit Leader]

It was the leader who answered Ryoumas question. The scarred man didnt say anything more, and just smiled creepily in agreement to the mans words. He walked back behind the leader while grumbling.

(They make me sick. So this guy leaked information? The magic I used back then was an original if I recall correctly But I specifically picked out the ones I let escape, so this guy shouldnt know about my secrets either.)

Around this time, Ryouma received word from the shadow slimes that they had successfully hidden in the shadows of the magic tools responsible for the barrier.

(Good. All thats left now is Elia Since they kept talking about some cellar, therere probably a lot of hidden places here Shes probably in one of those. And this so-called leader, he seems to be hiding something. Lets try poking around a bit.)

Ive heard your story, but Elia comes first. Where is she? Are you really planning on bringing her? [Ryouma]

It aint easy carrying another person safely up the steep slopes. Itll take some time. Ive said it time and time again, we havent laid a hand on her. So as long as you obediently become a slave, well let her go home. [Bandit Leader]

Why do you have to go out of your way to make just me your slave? Wouldnt it benefit you more to have both of us as your slaves? [Ryouma]

Youre plenty enough. After all, youre the man responsible for all that ruckus with the Tamer Guild and the Dark Guild. Those incidents really made you famous, you know. Anyway, being too greedy isnt good. [Bandit Leader]

When the leader spoke this time, the tone of his voice seemed far more serious than before.

(The tone of his voice suddenly changed Is this guy the type to needlessly take care of his subordinates even when no one asked him to?

There were those types back in my previous life. The new comers sometimes had a tendency to hide their mistakes, but doing that only exacerbated the problems, so these subordinate-caring types would pester them to avoid that, only to be shunned. In the end, they get tired, and Wait, that has nothing to do with the situation right now.

Anyway, these types dont really like getting tangled up with problems and unnecessary complications.

Now, he might not notice if I just outright change the topic, but it would probably be better if I change the topic shrewdly.

The reason he gave wasnt a lie, but it was a bit too weak.)

Ryouma continued.

Even though you already kidnapped her? From the letter you gave me, it seems you already know Elias ident.i.ty. You should know, right? Theyre not going to stop looking for you even if you send her back. [Ryouma]

The leader didnt reply, but he didnt look perturbed either. Compared to him, however, the rest of his men were clearly agitated. It was a mystery whether they simply felt guilty or were fearful of having made enemies with a duke, but there was no doubting that they were restless. The leader glared at them, then he spoke.

I know its a bit late, but we actually didnt have any intentions of kidnapping the young lady of the Jamil Household. We were originally supposed to just kidnap another adventurer or two, then run away. Of course, we did consider kidnapping those girls with you. But our targets would have been either one of those two from the beast tribes. [Bandit Leader]

(Thats still plenty bad though Id feel bad even if it were Kanan or Miyabi who were kidnapped. Although, it is true that it wouldnt blow up as much if they were the ones to be kidnapped.)

Then why did you kidnap Elia? [Ryouma]

The two beast girls just wouldnt leave the others while they were waiting for you to come back. When the kidnapper a.s.signed saw the Jamil young lady leave the group, he saw an opportunity he couldnt let go. [Bandit Leader]

When Ryouma heard that he remembered the Ghost House.

If it were just the lich we were dealing with, we probably would have gotten back earlier, but there was another annoying magical beast that complicated things. [Ryouma]

Another magical beast? I never heard about that But if we knew about that we probably wouldnt have kidnapped the young lady. [Bandit Leader]

Why didnt you just give up on the kidnapping? [Ryouma]

That should have been the case. I also chose someone who normally wouldnt have done anything unnecessary. I even warned him time and time again not to, but in the end, greed got to him. [Bandit Leader]

(So thats what happened. His subordinates mistake is what got Elia into this mess. But thats not really the reason behind why that subordinate of his made that mistake. The real reason is that this place demands you to cough up result quickly or else

But wouldnt that kidnapper end up in the cellar if the search for Elia ends up implicating the dark guild?)

While Ryouma was thinking that, a man carrying a bag came with several people equipped with spears. That was the man the leader ordered to bring Elia. Spears were constantly pointed at the bag even as the man carried it; a little weight was all that it would take to puncture a hole into the bag.

The man walked away after leaving the bag beside the leader, but the spears remained.

Open the bag. [Ryouma]

Before that I want you to throw away your weapon and armor. Ah, just the armor on your upper body is fine. Then I want you to put this on. It would be really problematic if you ran away the moment you saw her. [Bandit Leader]

The leader threw a pair of metal rings to Ryouma. They were handcuffs, and a chain connected them. There was also a trace of magic power emanating from them. The handcuffs were clearly cursed.

(Identify. A curse that blocks magic power. The counter to this is)

Put it on now!! [Bandit Leader]

The leader grew impatient when he saw Ryouma move so slow, and he stepped on the bag.

Nnn [Bag]

What are you doing!? [Ryouma]

Put the cuffs on! If you dont behave [Bandit Leader]

Even when Ryouma reacted when the leader stepped on the bag, the leader just hurried him even more.

(This is a good chance. And besides, a curse like this doesnt really matter to this body. Shadow slimes, ready yourselves.)

Ryouma placed his katana on the floor, and removed his armor along with his bracers. But he didnt remove his other upper armor, the knife-proof vest that didnt look like an armor, and was made from the stickly slimes thread.

Everyone watched with rapt attention as Ryouma put on the cuffs.

Happy? [Ryouma]

Yes. Open the bag! Look! [Bandit Leader]

As the leader yelled and opened the bag

(Break the magic tools!)

Arrows, knives, and magic fell one after another toward Ryouma.

Fuu! [Ryouma]

Ryouma jumped to the side to dodge the first wave, but more came shooting at him.

(Were they expecting this?)

As Ryouma thought that, he threw a projectile toward the leader.

What!? [Bandit Leader]

The leader immediately reacted, as he bended his upper body down, allowing the projectile to only graze past his cheek. But when he saw what Ryouma had thrown, he was shocked. That was none other than one of the very rings that should have been attached to Ryoumas wrist.

Storm [Ryouma]

As a cyclone was summoned, all the knives and arrows were blown away.

Ryouma stood at the center without any cuffs on his wrists.

Tl Note: Erm I said well finish this this week, but that doesnt seem to be happening. Well, either way, were finis.h.i.+ng it this week for sure. Ill post another chapter tomorrow.