Chapter 152.1

Chapter 152.1 \n<h1>Chapter 152 The End and The Beginning</h1>\n\n“Tsk…… Not good…… We are being watched.” (Gilbert)

“I can’t believe they are so organized………… They even have Magi with them. To think the Barrels are…… That powerful.” (Ruda)

　The city was completely under occupation. We tried to avoid the guards and patrols, and head for the inn where Cry was staying, but we didn’t advance a lot.　Ruda and her companions were quite a lot in numbers. Like how Hunters always are, they were also armed. If they walked down a large street, they would be easily spotted.　Once they find us, they will have the advantage in numbers. If what the Leader of the Barrels said wasn’t a lie, then there are three hundred enemies. I don’t think all of them will come at us, but with our strength, I don’t think we will be able to take them on.

　Out of breath, I carefully assessed the situation. Even from Ruda’s point of view, the Barrels’ technique to take over a city was incredibly formidable.　Maybe they were more formidable than a regular army. They were quick, quiet and they were able to control the city with a minimum number of people.

　The silence that enveloped the city was proof of their skills. They took control of the center of the city before screams or any anomalies became known.　The code of actions of regular bandits who attacked cities was mostly known in advance. That is to say, they loot and destroy.

　However, the Barrel Bandit Group ―― Don’t have things like this. There was no one who was out of control and put his own self-interest first.　It wasn’t like they didn’t use violence. The guard station near the gate was quickly overrun, and you can see very few people walking outside. They had probably been captured without Ruda and her companions knowing about it.

　In Ruda’s memory, the Barrel Bandit Group is known for its nefarious deeds. They have invaded several large cities, raided several groups of merchants, and have gone to great lengths to commit atrocious deeds.　Now looking at the scene unfolding in front of her eyes, Ruda understood why the Barrels had become such a large bandit group and had caused so much damage.

　They understood. They understood the dangers of looting while their enemies were still present.　Yet they trust him. They trust their Leader’s judgment.\n

　High-level leadership and well-trained members. A strong Leader who makes even a Level 4 Ruda feel an overwhelming feeling of strength.　It was because of these three things that the Barrels were the subject of a nomination request for a level 8 Hunter.

“…… What do we do? There was no way we could reach him. Not only are they working in groups of several people, they definitely have Thieves with them.” (Ruda)

　It would be extremely difficult to evade them without being seen. If Ruda was alone, she might be able to get there if she was lucky, but Carmine and the others weren’t as light or fast as Ruda.　Gilbert, who had his cheek on the wall of the building and was looking for a way out, whispered.

“Hey, do you think 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 didn’t anticipate this situation coming?” (Gilbert)

“………… If he was expecting it, why isn’t he making a move?” (Ruda)

“Who knows. I don’t know, but…… Isn’t this some kind of plan?” (Gilbert)

　Gilbert’s vague words reminded me of what Tino was saying in the Onsen.　The trial isn’t over yet. The girl who knew Cry very well has certainly said so. Then, if this was a trial, to whom was this trial for……?

　For a moment, Ruda recalled the Leader of the Barrels that had just closed the way out and shook her head.　As expected, it is impossible. There is a considerable difference in the amount of Mana Material absorbed between us and the Leader. It is doubtful that even the seven of us can defeat him, moreover, to begin with, he was the one with the advantage in numbers.　Even if you lay a trap, he seemed to be the cautious type and I doubt that a surprise attack will work on him.

　No, but ―― What about escaping to the outside and calling for help? Just like how we escaped the predicament in the 【Castle of a Myriad Demons】.　This seemed like a good idea. No, with the overwhelming difference in strength he has, there was no other way.\n　Escaping the city won’t be an easy task either. The people who had scattered along the outer wall were monitoring.

 

　However, following their Leader’s instruction, the Barrel’s main force was gathering at the Ryokan where Cry was staying. They intend to surround it with a large number of people.　Once we manage to get past the low outer wall and get outside, we will have the upper hand. The Leader of the group of bandits was too strong for us, but Ruda and the others were more than capable of dealing with the ordinary members of the group. It wouldn’t be too hard to run and outrun them.

　If this was a trial, then Ruda and the others would also have a role to play. I hesitated only for a moment.

　With Gilbert and his companions in tow, we headed for the outer edge of the city while avoiding being seen by the bandits. The lack of activity in the touristic area was somewhat eerie.　Even if the size of their group was quite large for a group of bandits, it was an amazing feat to be able to create such silence with only three hundred people.　On the way, I saw some townspeople bound with their mouths gagged and being taken away, but I bit my lip and watched them go.

“Are they gathering all of them in a single place……” (Gilbert)

“They are planning to use them as hostages……” (Ruda)

　This was a common practice for bandits. This is the first time I have seen something on such a large scale, but I guess they are being more than cautious because they are dealing with a Level 8.　There is no doubt about it ―― There will be a lot of casualties. In the first place, when the entire city is occupied, defeat is already close. Even if Ruda was able to call for help in time, they weren’t the kind of people who would just quietly surrender.

　How on earth…… Does Cry plan to turn the situation around from this?

\n　They all had grim expressions on their faces, most likely because they were all thinking the same thing. However, it seemed that none of their opinions stated that they should just sit around in the city.

Ruda forced a smile, took the lead, and went back to the gate where they came from.