who am I

 "What, they wrote me a letter? These damn bastards!" Scoke's small eyes glinted with resentment.

Wine, a specialty brewed only in monasteries, was a major source of income for most monasteries.

Losing a cartload of wine in the robbery was worth dozens of gold coins, which could buy a significant amount of farmland!

As Scoke read the letter, he was greatly surprised! Just yesterday, someone had reported to him that the siblings of the estate that was robbed, who had been missing, were also taken by these bandit knights.

Scoke couldn't help pacing around the room. When he heard about the robbery at the estate, he had mistakenly thought that Marianne had betrayed him.

Now, compared to that, Marianne seemed innocent.

Indeed, it was a group of bandit knights who raided the estate, searched the treasury, and then took the two children to demand ransom.

Although some people gossiped that Damian was behind it, Damian should have been busy rescuing the countess near the highland at that time. How could he have had the time and troops to retaliate?

These bandit knights were clearly seasoned criminals. Unable to do much, Scoke could only prepare a hefty sum of money.

Although he felt a bit stingy, thinking about the agonizing expressions of Damian, Conosa, and the others, Scoke felt as if he were enjoying a ripe watermelon on a sunny day.

"Just wait, you brat! Daring to kill my brother, this matter is far from over!"

With these thoughts, Scoke prepared his escort and headed out to the agreed-upon location.

---

Bandit knights were also a product of the medieval era.

Although the medieval period was characterized by widespread poverty, the scarcity of resources meant that the number of nobles with land was always limited.

Thus, various unprivileged heirs of noble families, self-sufficient peasant soldiers from rural areas, even farmers, all came out as bandits to seize limited land and wealth.

Of course, they claimed to be acting justly.

For a bandit knight, the most satisfying scenario was when there was a wealthy monastery nearby or a rich widow whose husband had recently died. This way, they could wage war and invade.

If it was a monastery, they could seize a substantial fortune; if it was a widow, it was even better. The bandit knight leader would besiege the widow's castle, force the widow to marry him, and seize the widow's territory, becoming a noble with land.

With the situation already unfavorable, encountering bandits at this time infuriated Scoke. He hastily sent a messenger to negotiate ransom with the bandit knights.

"Your plan is flawless, my lord." A flamboyantly dressed young man bowed to Damian.

Jeffrey, the leader of the Chivalrous Bandits. He came from a noble family but was defeated in a family struggle.

Angry and resentful, he decided to become a chivalrous bandit, robbing the rich to aid the poor, and founded the Chivalrous Bandits organization.

This group was well-respected in the area but was constantly pursued and intercepted. Just last month, they had moved from the northeast Saksen Duchy to the Lorin Duchy.

Damian handed over the scattered militia to Conosa to intimidate nearby nobles and personally led archers and pilgrims to ambush Scoke near the monastery.

Then, Damian laid out the plan.

He wanted to lure Scoke out and then eliminate him in one fell swoop.

On the one hand, it was due to the hatred between him and Scoke, and on the other hand, Damian was now broke.

He had given away all the money he had acquired to reward the subjects of Bovendon Village, but on his end, he still had to pay a hefty price of 20 gold coins each month to maintain the army.

Therefore, He must extract the location of Scoke's treasury through interrogation.

The two ignorant boys have tasted hardship and dare not say a word now. Damian promised them that once they extort some money, they'll be allowed to leave.

But these foolish boys don't realize that without their noble family background, they might not even know how they'll die.

By dusk, scouts ahead reported that Scoke had arrived.

Damian immediately covered his face with a handkerchief and had everyone hide in the forest.

As twilight approached, Jeffrey and a few attendants, with the two boys in tow, awaited the arrival of the monastery's dean, Scoke.

Still short and stout, but to Damian, Scoke was no longer the authoritative dean who held sway over everyone's fate but a fat pig waiting to be hunted.

"Invest my skill points into strategic skills," Damian took advantage of the time to continue investing his skills in strategy.

[Plunderer Level 1: After-battle plunder income increased by 5%]

Unexpectedly, the skill he upgraded this time turned out to be one with sustainable growth.

Damian gradually figured out a principle. Though traits gained in battle increased attributes more, they were one-time use.

On the other hand, the skills he invested in, though adding fewer attributes, could grow slowly with upgrades and eventually match or surpass battle-acquired traits.

However, Damian's current Plunder buff was already +20%, would it apply to this extortion?

At the moment, Scoke stood before everyone.

Rubbing his hands together, he smiled and said, "Respected warriors, I bring you our monastery's specialty wine and flour, treasures only the count can enjoy. Additionally, I offer a hefty ransom of a hundred gold coins, requesting you release my brother's two sons. He valiantly fell in battle just now and shouldn't be pitied by ending his lineage. You are all knights of seven virtues, I believe you can empathize with me."

Scoke's words were impeccable, and had Damian not personally killed his brother, he might have believed it.

Jeffrey, having learned of Scoke's character from Damian, sneered and questioned, "How do I know you haven't poisoned these offerings?"

Scoke was prepared and brought out two scrolls, saying, "I'll also offer an extra hundred gold coins. Please kill two enemies for me. Why would I poison them?"

What?

Faced with this unexpected turn, Jeffrey turned to Damian.

Damian realized he was exposed and decided to come out of hiding, still covering his face.

"It seems you're their leader," Scoke remarked, having noticed the shifting gazes toward the bushes.

"Yes, go ahead, whom do you wish to kill?" Damian spoke in a hoarse voice.

Scoke had a whole cart brought in with food and wine.

Then he continued, "The first person I wish to kill is the countess who harmed my brother. She is vile and shameless, suppressing loyal ministers, employing nefarious individuals, and driving my brother to rebellion. And the second person I wish to kill, forgive my shame, is one of my subordinates who is idle and only enjoys associating with bandits. He shamelessly attacked my brother with bandits, leading to the countess seizing control of the entire Gothingen County. As long as..."

Damian couldn't listen anymore.

This fat bastard was casually slandering him and Conosa!

"Look at me, Scoke!"

He removed his mask and looked at Scoke coldly.

"who am I?"