The second sibling's proposal was straightforward: rush to the lord's mansion immediately, reveal the boss's location, and request help to eliminate the bandits. Even if they continued thieving for years, there was no chance they'd ever receive such treatment again. At this point, siding with the lord and betraying the boss seemed far more profitable.
After all, they'd heard that Lord Lucius was the son of a legendary hero and a half-elf. No matter how strong the boss was, he'd stand no chance against someone like that.
The second sibling's plan was logical, but the cautious third sibling raised concerns.
"What if we lose?"
The second sibling never doubted Lucius would defeat the boss. Even if the boss was powerful, he was no match for the descendant of a legendary hero. It was absurd to think otherwise. So, the second sibling didn't bother addressing the third's worries—they weren't worth the effort.
"What do you think will happen if we're caught selling this stuff to the lord?"
"We'll die, right?"
"Exactly. We're dead either way—whether we sit tight or sell it. Isn't it better to betray the boss and start a new life than to live in fear of the lord?"
"But what if the boss catches us? He's terrifying. And what if the lord spares him? What happens to us then?"
"We'll figure it out when the time comes."
Even the second sibling was stumped by the third's point. If the lord spared the boss, wouldn't that be the end for them? What if the boss was forgiven and returned to the village like they had? Or if they failed to capture him? Would they bear the consequences?
"Let's wait for now. The boss will contact us eventually."
So, the second sibling proposed a backup plan: wait for the boss's instructions. If they seemed too unreasonable, they'd betray him. If they offered enough money, they'd stick with the boss. And so, the four bandits waited for his message.
Meanwhile, having decided to live peacefully, the four bandits had to fulfill a requirement to be accepted as villagers. By Lord Lucius's decree, they had to attend weekly classes at the Grand Divinity Church in the village center.
The Grand Divinity Church taught that one must not harm the weak and that even those who commit evil can be saved through repentance. Today, a stern-faced priest preached about the importance of reflection and atonement.
The second sibling dismissed the church's teachings as nonsense. Once, they too had tried to be kind and good to others. They'd worked harder than anyone in the domain, but all they received were unfair taxes and the elites' disdainful gaze.
It had been over a decade since they fled that domain and became bandits, yet they'd never heard of divine punishment befalling their homeland or the lord dying suddenly. Nor had they heard of anyone repenting.
Every year, countless people fled the oppressive domain, and some joined the boss's bandit group. The third, fourth, and fifth siblings had all joined in similar ways.
What was the point of repentance? What was the point of atonement? Whether they atoned or died with limbs severed, the neighboring lord would still thrive. The world was ruled by the wealthy. The second sibling's lips twisted in bitterness. Cynicism clouded their mind.
"Today, we have brothers who have been moved by the Grand Divinity Church and repented of their sins."
The priest gestured toward the bandits. Half-asleep, the fifth sibling, the fourth pretending to read, and the second and third all looked up. All eyes were on them.
The priest motioned for them to stand.
The second sibling shook their head. The priest grimaced, then continued, using the bandits as examples of how living virtuously was important. He claimed that those who repented went from being thieves to owning large houses and fields—what a wonderful outcome.
The second sibling waited for this tedious spectacle to end.
After the lecture, a young orange-haired nun collected donations. Coins clinked into the box from all around. The bandits, including the second sibling, refused to contribute.
"Show a little sincerity. You're only here today because..."
"Enough."
Tired of the nun's speech, the second sibling tossed a coin. It hit her chest and landed in the box with a cheerful clink. The others snickered. The second sibling smirked at the nun.
That nun—she'd been beside the lord when he'd tried to kill them.
"Is something bothering you?"
"Nope."
The second sibling shook their head. The nun seemed to want to say more, but the priest pulled her away, whispering something. She frowned and nodded reluctantly.
**** ****
That evening, after a full week, the four bandits finally received the boss's message. It was delivered by "Harefoot" Clevan, known for his speed. He jumped onto their table, pointing at them.
"You traitors."
"Wait, just hear us out!"
The second sibling spoke urgently. Clevan aimed his dagger at them, then threw it at the fifth sibling. It grazed his head, making him flinch.
"Explain. Quickly."
"We were going to return. But if we sold everything the moment we got back, what would the lord think? We couldn't just abandon this house and the income from the fields, right?"
"Then why didn't you contact us?"
"We thought you'd come like this. Why would we betray you? We have pride too. We joined you to escape the lord's oppression, remember?"
Clevan's crimson eyes narrowed, unfocused yet vivid, sending shivers down their spines. The second sibling nodded frantically.
"The boss ordered us to kill you. He said waiting this long was testing him, and you know how much he hates that."
"Wait, really...?"
"But I'll give you a chance. Three days. Sell what you can, take the money, and wait at the forest entrance. Got it?"
"...Got it."
The second sibling lowered their head.
"No need to go to the lord's mansion to sell your stuff, right?"
"...Right."
They thought: there's no return from atonement.
"P-please... spare me..."
I never thought I'd hear a burly, bearded man beg for his life. I sat in the center of the camp, bloodied mace in hand. Several bandits lay sprawled on the ground, most having dropped their weapons.
The boss, his head half-crushed, repeated his plea like a cuckoo clock striking noon. I took a deep breath. To explain this situation, I'd have to go back three days, when I sent Siri to the domain's church.
I'd sent Siri for two reasons: first, to gain freedom to act; second, because she couldn't know what I was about to do.
After sending Siri, I decided to crush the bandit group entirely, having already captured four of them. Bandits rampaging near the domain hurt my reputation and the people's morale. I couldn't understand why Lucius had let them go unchecked.
In the original story, eliminating Peta Domain's bandits was a quest, and their location wasn't random. Speedrunners or experienced players would head straight to the forest to kill the bandits first.
As a seasoned player, I knew their location.
I considered bringing Robin for safety, but these bandits were meant to showcase Lucius's incompetence—average level 10, with the boss at level 20. At level 36, I could handle them alone.
Lucius had ignored the bandits and tax evaders—what had he been doing?
I sneaked out while Siri was at the mansion and Robin trained his men. Holding my Staff of Truth, I walked slowly toward the forest. I spotted a few bandits on guard duty.
One, an archer, yawned while scanning the area—likely a veteran. Newbies are always the best guards. I hid in the bushes and approached him slowly.
Up close, his stats showed he was level 15, a skilled hunter. He seemed unreliable, so I could've recruited him, but...
Clang!
I swung my mace from behind. His head caved in like a crushed aluminum can, and he collapsed, dead. Seeing no one else around, I moved deeper into the forest.
No more guards. The only one I'd seen was the crushed archer.
The camp was massive, hidden behind a giant fence covered in vines, resembling a grass wall. Two bandits stood guard at the entrance, stiff and alert—likely newbies. I hugged the wall and approached.
Clang!
Before they noticed me, I smashed the first guard's helmeted head. My passive skill, [Berserker], activated, shattering his skull. Bone and flesh flew everywhere, and the second guard froze in horror.
Clang!
Before he could scream, I crushed his head too, then rushed into the camp.
Inside, a drinking party was underway. The massive boss guzzled ale while his men cheered. I grabbed a spear from a fallen guard and aimed at the boss. His height made him an easy target.
I hurled the spear with all my strength. It flew faster than an arrow, piercing the boss's cup. The cheering stopped. The boss froze, ale dripping from the hole in his cup.
"B-Boss?"