Post #2767120 in Assassin's Pledge: Awakening, a roleplay on RPG

The bandit leader walked his horse up to Kyero and Linde, stopping around ten meters away and giving a hand gesture to stop all of his bandits from doing anything further until given notice. He remained on his steed, eyeing the pair as they glared back at him.

"So... Obviously you wish to appeal to my humanity and stop my attack, is that right?"

Linde was about to speak, but Kyero held his arm out to the side to stop her. He stood up straight to his full height from his previous partial turn, and faced the bandit leader fully. His hood was still down, but he tilted his head up just enough to partially squint to hide his eyes while he peeked at the man to analyze him before speaking.

"Why are you here?"

The leader scoffed.

"Why would any group of bandits raid a village ripe for the taking when its mother nation is on the brink of war?"

"... Profit."

"Exactly."

The leader hopped off his horse and walked towards Kyero.

"You see, I'm a businessman. True, my business lies in thievery and killing those in my way. But business is business in this cruel world. And my business is booming. The more we take, the more wealthy we become. It's a simple formula, really. And it doesn't require a lot of intellect. Just one clear mind and a following large enough to see that mind's vision through to the endgame. Efficiency, my good man. Efficiency."

"What right do you have to take these people's lives and homes like this you monster?!"

"Darling, calm down. This world is cruel. If it wasn't us, it would be someone or something else. The way I see it, we're just saving them some time."

Linde's stomach dropped and she felt like throwing up.

"You're a twisted piece of garbage!"

Kyero remained silent and glanced around to take in the situation.

All of these men are fighters, if a bit rough around the edges. It's their numbers that are the danger. If we can find a way to fight them in a more controlled environment...

He looked back at the people Linde had met earlier.

... We might just have a chance to save this place.

He looked back to the leader.

Now, how to make him-

"I'll make you an offer, hooded one." He said as he pointed at Kyero.

"You give us the woman next to you, and we'll be on our way. I'm sure all of us would be able to show her the time of her life back at base."

Thunderous laughter and cheers erupted from the bandits as they all eyed Linde with hungry eyes.

Really, why wouldn't they? A voluptuous full bust. A tall and lean frame. Softly muscled legs and arms indicative of a woman who knows how to handle herself. A gorgeous face. Long flowing hair, great for pulling and tangling their hands in. She had everything that a group of lecherous men like this could ask for.

Kyero's eyes narrowed slightly beneath his hood.

"Here is my counter-offer."

He pointed one of his blades at the leader.

"I'll make you a wager, and if I win your days of raiding villages such as this one are over."

There was silence for a moment, but once again thunderous laughter erupted from the bandits including the leader himself.

"You really think we'd do that, wager or otherwise? What kind of honorable fools do you take us for?" The leader yelled.

Kyero smiled.

"Fine. I knew you were cowards."

... The laughter ceased, and all of them now had their eyes glued firmly on Kyero.

"... What did you call us?"

Kyero's blade remained pointed at the man.

"You're a businessman, and businessmen, as everyone knows, make terrible warriors. They're too soft."

He lowered the blade and turned his back to the leader, sheathing the daggers behind his back.

"I suppose the idea of challenging your best 'men' was expecting too much of you."

The bandit leader pulled out a pistol and pointed it at the back of Kyero's head.

"You dare mock our courage as men and fighters?! We may not have any honor as you see it, but we have our pride! What is your wager?!"

Kyero's head turned, the lower half of his face visible beneath the hood carrying a confident smile.

"Send twenty of your best forward. If they can defeat me, or defeat those who share my desire to see this end," he said, gesturing to Linde and the others.

"Then your raid may resume. But if your best fail to defeat us..."

He turned to face the leader, and his smile widened as he gripped the handle of his right-side dagger.

"Then your life is mine to take, and your men will disband and never again cause trouble like this for as long as they live... Deal?"

The leader glared at Kyero, his finger obviously itching to pull the trigger as he fought the urge. He dropped the pistol to his side and placed it in its holster.

"Deal!" He shouted.

He turned to his men and began pointing to them one by one to select his chosen fighters. Kyero glanced to Linde, who nodded at him with a smile and walked a little closer to him, still in her stance.

Kyero turned and looked to the others.

"I apologize for putting you in this position, but I saw no other way out. Will you stand with us?" He asked.

Snippet #2767120

located in Cre' Est, a part of Assassin's Pledge: Awakening, one of the many universes on RPG.

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