The Bandit Master

The Bandit Master. That was the enemy Mahariku-san had her sights on.

The Bandit Master had set up a base in the mountains, and it had grown into a small village.

San-chan had been working as a bandit to build up a track record for infiltrating this very village.

After all, she had a Halo on her head and was known as a member of Odd Jobs, so the bandits had been wary of her.

But now, setting aside Odd Jobs' fame, their infamy was through the roof.

You could even call them the bandits' de facto patrons in Suriad.

Thanks to that, infiltrating the Bandit Master's base turned out to be a breeze.

That said, we couldn't go in with the full team. It was just me and Mahariku-san.

I was controlling Tria-chan this time.

The others were stationed outside in sniping positions.

The subordinates only had handguns, so Alto was the main sniper.

"I mean, 'Bandit Master' is a pretty on-the-nose name, isn't it?"

"It's obviously not their real name. It's a title."

"Well yeah, I'd hope so."

Anyone whose actual name had "bandit" or "master" in it would have to be insane.

"… I wonder how they feel about us running a self-serving racket to thin out the bandits?"

"Our infamy score's gone up, so they probably see us as allies?"

"What a crooked president…"

Anyway, back to the Bandit Master's base.

A cave sat at the center, with the village spreading outward from its entrance. The cave was likely the original base, and people had gathered over time, causing the settlement to grow.

The cave aside, the surrounding area had wooden fences and timber buildings. The wood had been properly processed into planks, meaning they either had a skilled carpenter or were importing lumber.

… These were well-built structures, so probably the former? They had a carpenter?

"No, it's just a game. Nice-looking buildings are the default. There's no reason to break down preset huts on purpose, right? If anything, roughing them up would take more effort."

"Good point."

It'd be more work design-wise to wreck a set that already comes fully built.

In other words… this nicely built village was just the devs being lazy!

Proof that this was a one-off event that wasn't all that important!

So the Bandit Master wasn't actually that strong?! I've seen through it!!

…

Well, I mean, Miitei-chan and Mahariku-san weren't combat classes either, so they weren't exactly powerhouses themselves.

Miitei-chan was good at ambushes and surprise attacks, but the enemy probably was, too. They were bandits, after all.

As for why we'd come to this base, well, it was just a regular trade, but…

The merchandise was a human being.

Inside the wooden crate I was hauling: one "female slave," as ordered.

That's right, the bandits here were starved for women.

There were no women at this base. Why? Well, it was because… actually, why was that?

"I'd been providing generous support so women wouldn't turn to banditry. Or rather, even if they did become bandits, all that awaited them was being kept by these guys, so I arranged jobs for them instead."

And apparently, she'd also been keeping female merchants away from this area, making sure the Guild enforced it.

That was exactly why San-chan had been able to infiltrate as a bandit despite her suspicious standing, and why every bandit who attacked us had been male.

… We never got that memo, though?

Oh, right. We weren't classified as merchants, so we'd never gotten any warnings from the Merchant Guild in the first place.

Naturally, we were on the receiving end of lewd stares. During the body search at the entrance, they were feeling us up without a care… well, Mahariku-san only, that is.

Me? I got a glance, a sigh, and a "You can go through."

Excuse me? Flat chests are a rare commodity, I'll have you know. You guys just can't appreciate their appeal.

Fine, whatever. I'm actually glad they didn't lay their hands on Tria-chan's cute body! Tch!!

Under the bandits' gazes, we were escorted to the core of the Bandit Master's base: the cave.

"I've come to deliver the 'package.'"

"… Oh, we've been waiting!"

"Just so we're clear, if you lay a hand on us, don't expect to ever get your hands on another woman. Understood?"

"Y-Yeah, understood. We won't touch you."

Mahariku-san wasn't a combat type, but her stats naturally exceeded those of ordinary people.

And beyond that, Mahariku-san had raw combat ability and martial arts skills. Mess with her, and you'd get hurt. And then die.

"So where's the package?"

"I got my hands on a cute cat beastkin. Go, show them."

"Sure thing."

Tria, now going by Go, at your service. I opened the crate and showed them the contents. Inside, cat beastkin Miitei-chan was trembling with frightened eyes, a gag clenched between her teeth.

Also, her chest was unnaturally… endowed.

Penpen had made fake breasts for her beforehand, which she'd equipped… actually no, she'd eaten them and learned how to grow breasts on her own.

At the sight, the bandit broke into a satisfied, lewd, vulgar grin.

"Yeah, the Bandit Master-sama will be very pleased with this one."

"Then let us through."

And so, decoy in tow, we infiltrated the cave where the Bandit Master awaited.