A damp breeze from the direction of the forest blew softly, playing with Keyzier's ash-white hair as he gazed at the young girl before him. Donovan's words about a "Noble Family" still echoed, carving a hollow of anxiety in their hearts.
"Novalia..." Keyzier's voice softened, but his clear blue eyes remained serious. "May I know your full name?"
The girl clutched her silken dress, which was beginning to grow soiled, and looked up. "My name is Novalia Alloire Varda, Bro Key."
Hearing that surname, Donovan felt as though his heart had stopped for a moment. In the Kingdom of Altoria, the name Varda was not just any name. They were a high-ranking noble family holding the title of Marquis, rulers of the eastern territories. They were a family with immense political influence and a private army capable of razing a small city if provoked.
Donovan massaged his temples. This was no longer just "complicated"—it was a diplomatic disaster. "So, what do you want now, My Lady? Do you want us to take you back home?"
"No! I don't want to go back!" Novalia cried out in panic, clutching the edge of Keyzier's cloak. "Please, let me stay with you. If I go back, I'll be locked away, or worse... I'll be sold to someone I don't love for a political alliance. I beg of you!"
Donovan was trapped in a dilemma. If they took Novalia, they were kidnappers in the eyes of the law. If they took her home, they might be rewarded with gold, but Novalia would spend the rest of her life behind cold, horrific golden bars. However, while Donovan was calculating the risks, Keyzier let out his signature wide grin.
"Alright! You're coming with us!" Keyzier chirped cheerfully. "We'll register you as an adventurer too in Antrows. It'll be fun to have a new member!"
Donovan slapped his forehead hard. "Key! You're really not thinking about the logistics, are you? We don't have women's clothing. We don't have enough money to buy standard adventuring gear for her! Moreover, we barely have a single coin left!"
Novalia fell silent for a moment, then looked at her expensive gown. "If Master Donovan needs money, just sell this dress. I'll just wear ordinary clothes later. I don't need this luxury if the price is my freedom."
Seeing the sincerity in Novalia's cyan eyes, Donovan finally let out a long sigh of surrender. "Fine. But don't blame me if we end up being chased by a battalion of the royal army."
The journey continued with double the vigilance. However, bad luck seemed unwilling to stay away. As they began to enter the outskirts connecting the path to the main gate of Antrows, the atmosphere suddenly shifted.
From behind the trees and thickets, ten men with fierce faces and rusted weapons jumped out, blocking the path. They were a band of bandits who usually preyed on travelers who appeared weak.
"Stop right there, pretty boys!" the one-eyed bandit leader shouted. "Hand over all your valuables, gold, and the girl if you still want to see the sun tomorrow!"
Instead of trembling in fear, Keyzier wore an expression that made Novalia shiver: he smiled very widely.
"Bro Key, why... why are you smiling like that?" Novalia whispered in fear.
"Novalia, don't you know?" Keyzier replied with a crazy, enthusiastic tone. "If there are bandits, it means they have a base. And if they have a base, there must be plenty of stolen money and jewelry inside! With that money, we can buy you lots of new clothes!"
Donovan, hearing this, could only slap his forehead. He could never fathom how his best friend could have such a strange train of thought in the face of a life-threatening danger.
Keyzier stepped forward, facing the bandit leader without fear. "You guys are bandits, right? Do you have a base? Is your base big?"
Donovan and Novalia were stunned to hear his questions, and the bandit leader was taken aback. He had never been asked such a thing by a victim. "What are you asking, brat?! Of course we have a base!"
Keyzier's blue eyes sparkled intensely. He was truly excited to hear the answer. He then turned to Donovan and Novalia and said shortly, "Sorry."
Before they could react, Keyzier moved with the extraordinary speed he had learned from his grandfather's assassin techniques. He produced magic ropes and instantly bound Donovan and Novalia with incredible strength.
"Key! What are you doing?! Why are you tying us up?!" Donovan roared. He tried to struggle, but the bindings were reinforced with White Magic, making them impossible to break with physical strength.
Keyzier ignored his friend's screams. He walked toward the bandit leader with a cunning look on his face. "This guy is my friend! But he is incredibly annoying and I hate him for his arrogance! Back where I come from, he's the son of a wealthy merchant. As for this girl, she's a nobleman's daughter! If you want ransom money, you'll definitely get a lot!"
Keyzier swallowed hard, his heart aching at the sight of Donovan's shocked face. Forgive me, Novan. This is the only way to get them to take us to their base without any resistance that would make them suspicious.
"I don't have any money either." Keyzier continued to the bandits. "So, now, I want to join you guys!"
The band of bandits was surprised. They didn't fully believe him yet. "If you want to join, prove your worth! Try beating your friend's face until it's black and blue!" challenged the one-eyed leader.
Keyzier froze for a second. In his heart, he felt deeply guilty. Forgive me, Novan... truly forgive me! I have to do this so the act is perfect and we can find their treasure hoard!
Without a second thought, Keyzier threw a punch.
Thwack!
A heavy blow landed on Donovan's cheek.
Thwack! Thwack! Thud!
Keyzier continued to punch his best friend repeatedly. He used power-control techniques to ensure no bones were broken, yet it was hard enough that blood began to flow from Donovan's nose and mouth.
Seeing Keyzier's brutal actions, the bandits laughed with satisfaction. They felt they had found a "gem" just as wicked as themselves. They immediately accepted Keyzier as part of the group.
Donovan slumped down, his body bound and his head hanging low. When he looked up, his gaze was incredibly sharp, filled with pure rage and deep disappointment as he stared at Keyzier's face, which now appeared very happy for being accepted by the bandits.
Donovan truly felt betrayed by the person he trusted most in the world. He did not know that behind Keyzier's happy smile, there was a heart weeping and begging for forgiveness.
Keyzier helped the bandits drag Donovan and Novalia toward their base, hidden deep within a cave. Throughout the journey, Keyzier continued to act arrogant, laughing with the bandits while occasionally mocking Donovan, who could only remain silent with a face full of wounds.
Just hold on a little longer, Novan. Once we reach their base and I know where the treasure is kept, I will release you, Keyzier thought, though he knew that the wound in Donovan's heart might be far more difficult to heal than the ones on his face.
Novalia could only sob, feeling as though her world had collapsed because the person she considered a savior turned out to be a gold-hungry traitor. Meanwhile, Keyzier continued walking with a heavy heart, preparing the next step to "harvest" everything inside the bandit base for their future in Antrows.