I am Sinbad

This time, the one coming up the mountain was Victor Blackthorn, the manager of the Blackthorn family's grain shop. Behind him were twenty servants, each carrying gifts from the Blackthorn family and the remaining ten gold bars from the promised twenty for plundering Magnus Valorion's grain.

As soon as Victor Blackthorn and the gift bearers arrived at the mountain, they sensed something was off. The last time Victor Blackthorn came to The Crimson Vultures, the place was bustling and lively. But today, the entire place was eerily quiet. The observant Victor Blackthorn even noticed that the guards on the mountain had quite a bit of fresh blood on them, a sight that scared both him and the bearers. However, since they had already reached the gate, it wasn't realistic to turn back. Victor Blackthorn had no choice but to nervously announce their arrival.

After a while, the gate of The Crimson Vultures opened, allowing Victor Blackthorn and his team to enter. Once inside, Victor Blackthorn gathered his courage and took a silver ingot from his sleeve, asking one of the blood-stained men nearby, "Sir, what happened in the fort? Why is it so strange today?" The soldier, trained under Magnus Valorion's military ideology, didn't take the bribe but instead sternly said, "Don't poke your nose where it doesn't belong." With that, the soldier led Victor Blackthorn and the bearers towards the main hall of The Crimson Vultures.

As the gate creaked shut behind them, Victor Blackthorn's heart jumped into his throat. He could only press on, hoping to find out what had happened once he met the head of The Crimson Vultures. However, the further he walked, the more frightened he became, as he saw pools of blood here and there. At one point, he even saw a severed hand, which a bandit casually picked up and carried away.

"This Blackthorn family's collaboration with The Crimson Vultures is akin to seeking the skin of a tiger," Victor Blackthorn worried. "Is it a blessing or a curse?"

When Victor Blackthorn and his team finally reached the hall, they were greeted by two rows of ten men each, all holding blood-stained swords and exuding a terrifying aura. These men had been deliberately stationed by Magnus to intimidate. As expected, Victor Blackthorn and the bearers were so scared that they collapsed at the door, not daring to move further.

Magnus signaled with a glance, and a blood-stained man stepped forward, grabbing Victor Blackthorn and bringing him before Magnus. The rest, fearing for their lives, stumbled into the hall.

Magnus, imitating a gunman, spoke in jargon, "State your handle and your hustle?" But Victor Blackthorn, not understanding, was too frightened to respond. Recognizing the voice wasn't that of the previous chief, Tuco, Victor Blackthorn cautiously introduced himself, "I am Victor Blackthorn, manager of the Blackthorn family's grain shop in Willowbrook Town."

"A while ago, we made a deal with Chief Tuco. Today, I am here to settle the remaining payment."

Magnus feigned surprise, "Oh? Tuco made deals? Must have been robbery."

"So, did you bring the payment?"

"Yes, yes!" Victor Blackthorn beckoned to a servant, who brought forward a redwood box.

"Give it to the chief, not me!"

Cursing the servant in his mind, Victor Blackthorn mustered the strength to push the servant forward. The servant, trembling, walked to Magnus' desk, placing the box in front of him before retreating quickly.

Magnus opened the box, seeing the ten gold bars, and felt a surge of joy. However, he kept a stern face, slamming the table and shouting, "Victor Blackthorn!"

Victor Blackthorn, already terrified, nearly wet himself.

"Tuco and 'One-Eyed' said that you would pay twenty gold bars for plundering Magnus Valorion's grain. Why are there only ten here? Are you Blackthorns questioning the sharpness of my sword?"

On the road, especially when dealing with enemies, a disguised name is essential. Good deeds are done by Magnus Valorion, but for killing and looting, it's always Sinbad.

Scared out of his wits, Victor Blackthorn hurriedly explained, "Chief Sinbad, I already gave the first ten gold bars to Tuco. This box contains the final payment."

"Tuco is gone. From now on, this place belongs to me, Sinbad. Did you hand the first payment to me personally?"

Victor Blackthorn looked up at Magnus, then shook his head.

"If you didn't hand it to me, then you still owe me ten gold bars!" Magnus insisted.

Victor Blackthorn silently cursed his luck, knowing he couldn't argue.

Magnus called out to Noah, "Luigi Vampa… Luigi…"

Not realizing Magnus was calling him, Noah continued to glare at the Blackthorn group until Magnus nudged him.

Finally catching on, Noah responded, "Chief, what are your orders?"

"Take a few of them to see the bodies of Tuco and 'One-Eyed' at the back. Let them see the consequence of owing Sinbad!"