30 Obvious, But Unavoidable

Lucien calculated the time he had left, before he was forcefully teleported back to the palace, and realized more than half a year already passed since he left.

'I'm running low on time, it's either go big or go home now. This is what is going to secure my existence point source in the future.'

He didn't do anything further to this branch of the WindWolf bandits, he just headed to the branch of another major bandit group that was close by.

These branches were build or taken in the most valuable points in the area, they were either good retreat points for leaving the area, or major trading points with other areas. So many of the same large organization had branches near each other, as it was impossible to find enough good spots for everybody and the Rank 2 leaders were not keen on fighting for a small matter like that.

So these branches coexisted in a fragile balance with one another.

An hour later, in one of the branches, the situation was exactly the same as the WindWolf group the previous night, nobody was as vigilant and worried as they should have been.

Near a certain wall, Lucien was carving the flag of the WindWolf bandit group on one of the bandits, the bandit looked like he was in a dream and didn't feel any pain from his chest.

One Lucien was finished with his masterpiece, he tied him up on the wall and melded with the shadows.

The moment Lucien was gone the eyes of the bandit regained clarity and he started screaming out of pain. The scream broke the silence of the night, and many of the spies form other organizations that were there to keep track, ran towards the sound.

By the time the Rank 1 in the stronghold had reacted, everybody saw the bloody body on the wall with what resembled a wolf howling at a moon carved on his chest.

10 minutes later, the Rank 1 was in the main building of the stronghold, staring at the now cold body in the middle of the hall, and his focus was mainly on the carving.

"No matter if it was someone trying to sow discord or actual bandits from that group, as those mice outside saw it, if we don't respond our dignity would be tarnished."

It might sound funny for a bandit to have a dignity, and they didn't. At least not before the bandit leader hit Rank 2, the moment that happened, they viewed themselves above mortal bandits, they had pride and dignity, and the subordinates had to follow that example, they were more than a simple ragtag group of bandits.

Over the next couple of hours the same situation happened in another 2 branches in the the vicinity.

And the response was the same, the Rank 1 took some subordinated and headed towards the branch of the WindWolfs. It was as if they were bound by their bandit group laws, having to wage a war, even if the actual perpetrator was completely different.

'I calculated and started from the furthest branch, so they should arrive almost at the same time, and now that there is no Rank 1 in the branch, time to get some spoils.'

Instead of heading towards the big battlefield that the WindWolf group was about to become, he went back to the first branch he went to at the fastest speed he could muster.

'I have enough time probably, since those Rank 1s can't hurry too much, the subordinated wouldn't be able to follow.'

The moment he reached, he didn't bother killing anyone, finding his way to the treasury in the shadows. It was not too big and Lucien managed to store everything into the Crimson World in two or three tries.

The same thing occurred in the other 2 branches in order, but those Rank 1s were the only ones that had access and they wouldn't know till they returned, if they returned.

A Rank 1 scheming from the shadows about the demise of another Rank 1, was a fearsome thing if you were on the receiving end. The combat power was already quite similar and the devious plan that could be hatched behind the scenes could be enough to tip the scales, it was a really disadvantageous situation.

'Troubled waters - Check.'

'Now let's head there and see how this goes, if it's anything close to what I expect, there won't be 3vs1 alliance.'

Surprisingly, Lucien was the first to arrive from the 3 groups heading this way.

'It seems they were really slowed down by their subordinates, but I wouldn't want some ants sending attacks my way during a battle, I would bring some ants of my own to keep them at bay.'

The situation on the wall was still the same, all the bandits were vigilant, even if it was past midnight and there were no sounds from the surroundings.

Lucien didn't have to wait for long for the start of the show.

"Get out here and give me an explanations, you stupid wolf."

It didn't even take 2 second for a response, it was apparent that even the Rank 1 in the WindWolf branch was vigilant tonight.

"Ohhhh so you finally appear, you muscle headed rhino. Was it you who took one of my subordinates last night?"

'Heh, really? He threw the blame at him just like that, I guess he also needs a reason to attack?'

"What are you talking about, it's you who carved a bloody flag in one of my subordinates."

"HUH? I did what? Do you have any evidence about that?"

"Well I don't, but I also don't think you have any evidence about who took that missing subordinate of yours."

"HAHAH, well I don't need evidence, once I have you in my hands, I could make you admit to anything."

"I was just thinking the same thing. Kill them all my loyal comrades."

The moment they were about to attack, as if a big coincidence or a play of fate, both of the other groups walked out from the forest at the same time.

"Well, well, well, it seems tonight will be a fun night, don't you think brother Roy?"

"Heh, it seems we are hunting for both wolves and rhinos today, brother Gary."