TFLA 04

Chapter : 4 “I Shall Strip You Naked!”

Greetings. I am Vaioria Nico Fortesia. At this very moment, I find myself leading a band of brigands and diligently engaging in the fine art of banditry.

Hunting is a noble lady’s pastime. And having tried it, I have come to realize something—there seems to be no significant difference between hunting beasts and hunting humans. In other words, banditry must also be a noble lady’s pastime. Proof complete. Ohohohoho.

“Now, now, now! If you value your lives, leave all your valuables behind!”

“W-what is this woman?! Hey, the escorts!”

“No good! They’re already down! Run!”

…I have come to understand something.

The so-called “minor nobles” who require escorts are extremely convenient prey.

I, Vaioria Nico Fortesia, was raised under the Fortesia family’s policy of “it’s a waste of money to hire escorts,” and thus I have acquired martial skills far superior to those of ordinary day-labor guards.

From my perspective, nobles who cannot even protect themselves are, quite simply, the finest prey.

“Eeeek! Help us!”

“Oh? There’s a woman inside the carriage. I shall strip you naked immediately!”

If I had my old connections, I could sell men and women at a decent price in the slave market, but I currently have no such ties. So for now, the most efficient method is simple: strip everything of value and leave them by the roadside. That is all.

“I-Impossible… Why… why are you doing this…?”

While stripping them, the young noble lady mutters such things. Honestly, I can only tell her to reflect on her lack of preparation and arrogance. She should have hired proper escorts—or trained herself.

“As a noble, you should understand this. When you enrich yourself by squeezing taxes from your subjects and living in luxury, you must be prepared to become the one squeezed and exploited the moment you fail. Or at least ensure you are never caught off guard.”

“W-what are you even saying?! And who are you?! You…!”

At that moment, the noble girl froze.

“You… that voice! You’re Vaioria of House Fortesia, aren’t you!”

“Oh my. I beg your pardon—who might you be?”

It seems she recognized me by my voice. Unfortunately, I have no recollection of her. I do not bother remembering insignificant nobles. Only useful ones are worth remembering.

“I-I am me! We attended the academy together…!”

“Oh yes, I remember now. The young lady who once called the Fortesia family ‘a collection of vulgar swine who rose from nothing,’ and then poured water over my textbooks.”

Now that I see her panicked expression, I do recall her. Perhaps she would have preferred I did not.

“Good for you. Now it is your turn to become a vulgar pig.”

Since my identity has been exposed, I cannot simply let her go. I shall strip her as well. Her jewelry alone should fetch a fine price.

“And you lot! I’ll leave this woman to you! Do as you please!”

“YEAH! Fresh meat!”

“As expected of the boss! You understand us!”

“Sometimes she scares me with how well she understands…”

I hand the noble girl over to my subordinates. If I let her go, word of my presence would undoubtedly reach the capital. Therefore, she must not leave.

Thus, I proceed to strip the escorts I targeted.

As expected, those who work as guards possess fine equipment. They may not carry much money, but their gear is valuable.

After all, I used to wear the equipment of palace soldiers myself. Even if it is mass-produced armor, it is far better than something suspicious at a glance.

“Oh! This is quite a fine bow! I quite like its craftsmanship. I shall take it—do you mind?”

“Go ahead, boss! We’re happy just to get leftovers!”

“Ever since the boss arrived, our profits have been booming…”

“She’s strong, beautiful, and reasonable! Boss, you’re the best!”

“The only issue is she nearly killed us all once…”

The bandits have begun to completely revere me. In order to command such subordinates, one simply needs to demonstrate strength, establish hierarchy, and then feed them appropriately. Simple enough. As long as I continue proving my usefulness, everything proceeds smoothly.

While organizing my new equipment and counting the gold coins taken from the noble girl’s bag, I smiled at how well things were going.

“Alright, you lot! Dinner time! Eat well!”

I butchered a deer I had hunted in the mountains and roasted it over a fire. Ever since I began this bandit life, my meals have largely been sustained by wild game.

The bandits bring back nuts, and occasionally even ducks, but meat remains the foundation of our diet.

The new bow I acquired proved its worth immediately. With it, I can take down deer, boars, and even bears without injury. Food will no longer be a concern.

“Boss only ever makes roasted meat lately…”

“Well, she sometimes makes sautéed wild herbs…”

“Well, as long as it’s edible…”

“Meat is tasty.”

Their evaluation of me is quite positive. I am becoming quite popular indeed.

“Boss! A magical beast is coming from deeper in the mountains!”

“Oh my. Then I shall kill it.”

A beast resembling a bear—perhaps a Killer Grizzly or a Flesh-Eating Salmon Bear. I cannot tell them apart. In any case, I release an arrow.

It pierces the creature’s skull, yet it does not fall. As expected of a magical beast—truly terrifying.

“So it requires this.”

I draw another arrow, slide my finger across the arrowhead, and let blood drip from my fingertip, staining it.

Blood is one of the most primitive amplifiers of magic.

I fire again.

This time, the arrow pierces its eye. A flawless shot.

The beast twitches violently and collapses.

“Boss! What was that just now?!”

“You didn’t know? Blood is one of the most primitive tools for enhancing magic.”

I immediately begin skinning the beast. I am quite practiced at this from my academy days—magic training or hunting were my only hobbies on holidays.

“Boss, let us help!”

“Do not touch my prey.”

I strike away an approaching bandit with a backhand blow. They have grown too attached lately, always trying to assist me. But touching my prey is one hundred years too early.

“This is mine. Go feast on deer meat over there.”

“Y-yes ma’am!”

Once I drive them off, I happily continue skinning the beast. Good condition hides are always enjoyable to work with. I wonder how much this will sell for.

About ten days passed in this manner.

Then, interesting warriors entered our territory.

“Too easy.”

I had my bow ready for deer hunting. I shot the first enemy in the leg, immobilizing him. The rest I dealt with using spear and magic.

It was slightly more difficult than usual, but still trivial.

“Boss! Aren’t these adventurers?!”

“Perhaps.”

I searched their belongings and found guild identification cards.

Rank 3—mid-tier adventurers, it seems.

“Boss! Look at this!”

One of the bandits brought me a sheet of paper.

“Oh my.”

I could not help but laugh.

It was a bounty request:

“Subjugation of a bandit group that has recently begun gaining strength.”

“So, I will be going to the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“Boss, wait—does that mean you’re turning yourself in?!”

“Ohohohoho! Do I look like such a fool to you?”

I explain to my loyal but simple-minded subordinates.

“My name is not on this wanted request. That means no one knows I am the bandit leader. I shall simply claim I defeated the bandits. I only need a head from somewhere nearby, and perhaps jewelry taken from nobles as proof.”

“In other words, since I already defeated these Rank 3 adventurers, this case will likely be judged as something even higher difficulty. If I submit proof, I may even register as Rank 2 immediately!”

High difficulty quests mean large rewards. And guild ranking means status.

If I register and immediately take a job and leave town, I can avoid being recognized as Vaioria Nico Fortesia.

The only risk is if my wanted poster is already at the guild… but that can be handled.

A little risk is nothing compared to potential wealth.

“I see… so you’re leaving us, boss…”

“It’ll be quiet without you…”

“Boss…”

“Do not misunderstand! I stayed with you only for efficient income and hiding!”

They look depressed, but it cannot be helped. With me, they could prey on nobles and earn far more efficiently.

Still… I suppose it is only natural they would feel sad at parting with someone as strong and beautiful as I am.

“You should all continue living as you please. If you remain criminals, perhaps we will meet again by chance.”

Bandits are merely bandits. But they do have their uses.

If I ever need them again, I may employ them.

“Boss…”

“Please take care…”

“I will stay here a little longer though.”

The emotional farewell atmosphere instantly shattered, and they looked confused.

“What? Do you understand? The guild must be told these adventurers died here.”

“Ah… so we wait a few days?”

“I am right here!”

…

For some reason, they looked relieved… or maybe disappointed.

Honestly, what is wrong with these people?