CHAPTER 226: “NO TITLE”

~3rd Person Perspective~

　Braham was camped out in the woods near the root castle, trying to avoid detection by the field bandits.

“It looks like the deputy captain and his men have infiltrated safely.” (Scout)

　A scout, who had been observing the fortress from his hiding place, reported to Braham that his deputy and his men had successfully infiltrated.

“All right, we’ll check on the status of the fortress at night, and when we confirm that the guards are under control, we’ll launch our sortie.” (Braham)

“Understood. I will go and observe the situation at the fortress again.” (Scout)

　After the lookouts were suppressed, they were to send a signal to inform the scouts.

　If the bandits were aware of their movements and caused a commotion, they were also ordered to flee immediately. If they failed, they would come up with another plan to attack.

　A few hours passed, the sun had set, and night had fallen.

　The soldiers had finished preparing for battle, ready to go into action at any time.

　The scouts who had been observing the fortress returned to the camp.

“The signal has been confirmed.” (Scout)

 

“Alright! Let’s go to battle now!” (Braham)

　Bramham gave the order, and the elite troops set out for the fortress.

　They moved quickly and quietly so as not to be detected.

　They arrived near the fortress.

　As Braham and his men approached, the gates of the fortress slowly opened.

“Okay, let’s rush in!” (Braham)

　Braham rushed into the castle with his men in tow.

 

　After easily defeating the guards, Zat was thinking about what to do while waiting for Braham and his men to arrive.

(The bandits here are more open than I thought. I guess they are a bit relaxed now that they have a solidly defended base. Although, it’s still a bit careless to allow those from the outside to move around inside the base so quickly.) (Zat)

　They don’t seem to be expecting anyone to try to take down the castle.

(If there is such a gap, we might as well try to assassinate Buigo. If the night raid succeeded, we would win, but they might resist more than expected, and our soldiers might suffer more damage than expected. They seemed reasonably strong, but if we attacked them in their sleep, that would be best.) (Zat)

　Zat thought so and told the soldiers who had infiltrated the castle with him that they would carry out the assassination, and immediately went into action.

　They descended from the watchtower and entered the castle.

　Buigo is sleeping in the room where they first met. They moved, killing the sound of their footsteps, and headed for the room.

　They arrive in front of Buigo’s room without being spotted.

 

　The room has a door. It is unlocked.

　Thinking that he was careless, Zat slowly opened the door and entered the room.

　He thought he saw Buigo on the bed, but no one was there.

　Suddenly he feels a presence behind him and hurriedly checks behind him.

　He saw someone swinging an axe at him.

　The axe swung down toward Zat.

　Zat dodges behind him and avoids the axe in the nick of time.

　The suddenness surprised Zat making his heart beat faster.

　But he was not distraught.

　The experienced Zat quickly regained his composure.

“Oh, that’s a good reaction, huh? But can you avoid this one?” (Buigo)

　That’s what the bandit leader Buigo, the man who swung down the ax in front of Zat said.

“You’re a bounty hunter who came for my head, aren’t you? I have a nose for that sort of thing.” (Buigo)

　Hearing these words, Zat decided that he was not in the worst situation.

　Buigo seemed to misunderstand that Zat was a bounty hunter, not a soldier of the Canale army.

　If that were the case, he would not have realized that the Canale army was going to attack. The night raid would not be a failure.

“If you knew who I was, why did you bring me inside the castle?” (Zat)

　Zat continues the conversation along with the misunderstanding.

“The easiest way to kill a bounty hunter is by pretending to let your guard down like this. This time, even if the first blow was dodged, a bounty hunter who is after me must be killed early, or there will be trouble later. Are your comrades watching outside to prevent my men from entering this room? (Buigo)

“You don’t need to know.” (Zat)

　Zat said, glaring at Buigo.

　The men under his command should be at the lookout now, waiting for Braham’s arrival.

 

“Well, that’s alright. You’re probably the leader among the bounty hunters, aren’t you?　I’ll kill you first, and the others later. Hey, you guys, come out.” (Buigo)

　Buigo said, and the bandits came out from the shadows in the room.

　Zat moves only his eyes to see how many there are.

　There were five bandits in all. If Buigo is included, there are six of them.

“I heard you are strong, but it must be tough to deal with this many people, right?” (Buigo)

“……” (Zat)

　Zat silently readied his sword.

(I’ve been in a tight spot a few times before, but I’ve never been in a pinch this bad before…) (Zat)

 

　Although at that time he was afraid he might soon be dead, Zat’s head began to clear. This calmness is what has kept him alive all this time.

(It’s hard for me to win on my own. But I can stall for time. If I can hold out until the captain comes, he will beat him. I kind of hate to rely on the captain, but…

　If it’s the current captain instead of the old captain, it will be fine.) (Zat)

　Zat believed that Braham would come, and he started the fight against Buigo and his men.