𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦
“Alright, we will carry out the subjugation in three days. Once we succeed, I will release you on the spot. Until then, keep your spirits up.”
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Barbassa stood up, seemingly satisfied and indicating that there was no more to discuss.
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“Please wait.”
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At Luke’s words, Barbassa, who was about to leave the room, stopped in his tracks.
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“What, you’re not going to start asking for a guarantee, are you? Unlike you humans, I don’t go back on my word.”
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“That’s not it. I just want to suggest that you search the patrol ship that captured us. There were signs of pirates coming and going on that ship. There must be a hidden room in the hold.”
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When Luke and the others were captured and transported, they were detained inside Barbabad’s patrol ship.
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At that time, they had analyzed the traces of Dorkin and others all over the ship.
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The traces of Dorkin led to the hold, which probably meant that they were smuggling the stolen goods to Barbabad.
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At those words, Barbassa, who had been looking at Luke as if he had been deflated, turned his face away as if he had realized that he was taken aback.
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“You’re an interesting guy, but I’ll remember that.”
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With that, he truly left the room this time.
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“Luke, what’s gotten into you, listening to a guy like that!”
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Inside the room where they were assigned to stay until the bandit subjugation, Kiel raised her voice in disbelief.
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“Even if it’s not me, you two are nobles, so you could have been released right away.”
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“Well, I’m not sure about that. I have a feeling that Barbassa’s original intention was to send us to the bandit subjugation.”
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Luke answered while checking his belongings.
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Although they only brought daily necessities because it was a trip, Luke had his prosthetic left hand, and Alma had her Demonstration Armor, which she always wore.
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However, they would prefer not to show it to the demons.
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In that case, they would need to prepare at least weapons and armor on the other side.
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“That’s even more reason! Why would you listen to such an unpleasant guy!”
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“Well, the truth is, I don’t think Barbassa is such a bad person. . . or rather, demon.”
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Luke answered, throwing himself on the sofa after checking his luggage.
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“Sure, his attitude is arrogant and I think he dislikes humans. But other than that, I think he was quite fair and square.”
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“Really?”
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Kiel raised her eyebrows at Luke’s words.
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“I agree with Kiel. It just seems like he wants to use us.”
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Alma also looked puzzled.
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“I won’t deny that.”
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Luke shrugged with a wry smile.
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“But at least in that match, he didn’t really intend to defeat me. And he was also holding back so that the two of you wouldn’t be hit by attack magic.”
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Barbassa had said to do it seriously, but Luke did not feel any real killing intent from him.
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On the contrary, when Luke had someone behind him, he did not even shoot magic.
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He probably just wanted to test how good he was.
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Luke couldn’t help but think that Barbassa was not the person he was reputed to be.
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“If Luke thinks so, then it’s fine. . .”
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Kiel still seemed unconvinced.
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“Well, well, anyway, if we defeat those bandits, we can all go home with our heads held high, so let’s prepare for three days from now.”
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It’s been three days since Luke and his team arrived in the demon realm, and the day of the bandit subjugation has finally come.
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In addition to the three of them, about ten soldiers were scheduled to participate in this subjugation.
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The mixed unit, composed of various demons and demi-humans such as kobolds, orcs, and beastkin, were all dressed in casual clothes.
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This was to prevent the bandits from realizing the subjugation along the way.
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Luke and his team were also provided with weapons and armor, but they were all hidden in their luggage, and they were only wearing travel clothes.
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Then Barbassa, riding a running dragon, arrived.
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Barbassa was also wearing a plain robe to avoid standing out.
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“You seem to have come without hesitation.”
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He looked down at Luke from his mount.
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“Are you participating as well, sir?”
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“Of course. There is still no guarantee that you humans are not siding with the bandits. Who else is going to monitor you?”
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Barbassa said coldly and then flipped his robe.
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“Let’s go! Our target is the upper stream of the Berlanji River!”
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The subjugation unit climbed up and up along the river, which also serves as the border with the Arrogas Kingdom.
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“I heard that the bandits don’t have a fixed base and are always on the move. We’ll have to search for them meticulously.”
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“I think they’re probably this way.”
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As Barbassa muttered annoyedly while cutting through the bushes, Luke pointed to the depths of the forest.
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“How do you know that?”
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“Ah. . . well, look at the base of this tree. There’s a faint scratch. This is the mark of someone wearing shoes stepping on it. The bandits seem to be careful not to leave footprints, but there seems to be someone who has a habit of stepping on tree roots unconsciously. He might have a bad stomach. Anyway, it’s helping us follow them.”
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“. . .Who are you, really? Why does a mere noble know so much?”
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Barbassa stared at Luke with a suspicious look.