?Within the bandit hideout, Banning from Ira Vige was confessing everything he knew to Wolf, the leader of the Crimson Cloud Bandits.


    Banning informed Wolf that he had known Fuchs for a year, previously unaware that Fuchs was a bandit and only knowing that he was having an affair with a woman named Mary in the vige. Whenever Fuchs visited Mary for their ndestine rendezvous, he would give Banning a small tip to keep watch.


    Eventually, Fuchs disappeared for a long period before suddenly reappearing recently, as Banning was beginning to forget him and Mary had found a new lover. Upon his return, Fuchs continued visiting Mary, each time bringing arge package but leaving empty-handed, making Banning curious about the contents. When Banning asked Mary privately, she revealed that Fuchs was a bandit who had stored many valuable items with her, nning to retire soon and live afortable life with her in Gudetown using the money.


    Last night, Fuchs arrived as usual, but this time he was anxious and hurried. He immediately requested Banning''s help in transferring all the items hidden in Mary''s house to a secret cave in Ira Forest. Then, Banning was to pretend not to know Fuchs, apany him to the bandit hideout, and feign submission to the bandits. Later, during the nned attack on Ira Vige, they were to quietly abduct Mary together.


    "Ha! You''re quite daring to take on such a task," Wolf remarked, his eyes darting about as Fuchs'' situation exceeded his expectations.


    "Your Majesty, I didn''t want to agree at first! But that scoundrel Fuchs lied to me, saying that you were easygoing and guaranteed my safety! That''s why I came! But it turned outpletely different from what he said. If I had known I would lose my life, I would never have..."


    Banning''sints grew more impassioned, but Wolf had stopped paying close attention, as he had already learned what he wanted to know.


    Initially, Wolf nned to kill Banning after extracting the information, but his ns changed as Banning still had a final use. Wolf had long been aware of Fuchs'' penchant for women and secretly moving money—Fuchs'' stinginess was well-known among the bandits, and Wolf had always wondered what he saved for. Now, Wolf understood.


    Banning''s confession answered all of Wolf''s suspicions about Fuchs. Wolf would never allow Fuchs to retire, as he knew too many secrets of the Crimson Cloud Bandits. However, Fuchs'' death would have to wait until after the raid on Ira Vige; killing him now would harm morale. Additionally, Wolf would, of course, "graciously ept" the money Fuchs had hidden away.


    Nevertheless, Wolf had not entirely believed Banning, so he would not head to Ira Vige without precautions.


    Wolf vigntly discerned that this might also be a trap set up by Fuchs and Banning, but regrettably, Fuchs was far away in Luca Vige. Wolf could not apprehend him for questioning, which would affect their n to plunder Ira Vige.


    (If Fuchs sets a trap in Ira Vige... it would pose a significant threat to the Crimson Cloud Bandits... If he colluded with the guards of Gudetown...)


    Wolf pondered the matter carefully, weighing substantial benefits against considerable risks. With his wealth of experience, he quickly made a decision to first "drop a stone into the dry well to gauge its depth."


    "Enough, no need to continue. In light of your candidness, I will spare your life. However, releasing you is impossible... So, you will retrieve Fuchs'' treasure for me, and then I will allow you to serve in the bandit group."


    Wolf interrupted Banning''s incessantints and then shouted toward the cell''s exterior.


    "Someone, fetch Igor for me!"


    ·


    If Wolf had absolute trust in anyone, it would be the Crimson Cloud Bandits'' third-inmand – Charge Captain Igor.


    Since the establishment of the Crimson Cloud Bandits, Igor had saved Wolf''s life thrice. In order to rescue Wolf, Igor lost an ear and bore a deep scar on his back. It was no exaggeration to say he had walked to the brink of death for Wolf.


    "Boss, you called for me?"


    A burly, bald man approached, his build even more robust than Wolf''s.


    "Yes, there''s an urgent matter I need you to handle."


    Wolf had Banning''s bindings loosened and instructed Igor to apany him to Ira Forest immediately. They were to retrieve the treasure from the underground cave and return to the hideout before noon.


    "Boss, should I... have a couple of our men go with him? I... I am currently... nning tonight''s strategy for our brethren..."


    "No, you must go yourself. Hurry up."


    Wolf brusquely interrupted Igor''s proposal and, seizing a moment when Banning wasn''t paying attention, whispered in Igor''s ear.


    "After this kid leads you to the location, kill him and dispose of the body on the spot. Understood?"


    Igor silently nodded; this wasn''t the first time Wolf had ordered him to do such a thing.


    Once Igor and Banning departed, Wolf felt somewhat relieved. The unexpected turn of events brought about by the Ira Vige youth before the raid somewhat unnerved him. Now, everything was clear: the "guide to the treasure''s location" marked the youth''s final usefulness. Regardless of whether he lied to survive or spoke the truth, his fate was sealed.


    The only pity was that Wolf might lose the capable Igor. Igor''s prowess was second only to Wolf''s. If a trap did exist in Ira Vige and even Igor couldn''t safely return, Wolf would abandon the vige and immediately flee with the bandits. If Igor returned unscathed, all would be well, and they would proceed with tonight''s raid on Ira Vige as nned.


    (Igor... if it weren''t for your growing influence in the bandit group, I wouldn''t have sent you on such a risky mission... If you die, me your own honesty...)


    ·


    Within the rugged mountain terrain, Igor and Banning proceeded at a brisk pace.


    The dazzling sunlight reflected off therge machete on Igor''s back, blindingly brilliant.


    Throughout their journey, Banning never stopped talking, while Igor, a man of few words, merely hummed in agreement. He had no interest in someone he would soon kill.


    Over an hourter, the two arrived deep within Ira Forest.


    Igor''s stamina was impressive, hardly breaking a sweat, while Banning struggled to catch his breath.


    "The treasure... is inside this cave... right?" Igor nced at the pitch-ck underground cavern ahead.


    "Yes... yes, it is." Banning, preupied with wiping away his sweat, failed to notice the change in Igor''s demeanor.


    "You''ve done well."


    Igor unsheathed hisrge machete, swinging it towards Banning''s unprotected back.