Lord: I can see loyalty.

call--!

A crisp sound of something cutting through the air passed by Vio's ears, accompanied by the primal scent of a wooden sword.

"Alright, that's enough training for today..."

Vio, somewhat weak, put down the wooden sword. Gina, who had been holding the wooden sword with a serious expression, quickly snapped out of her daze and hurriedly helped Vio up.

"Alright, I'm not that weak yet..." Vio waved awkwardly, adjusting his breathing.

Gina's skill level is already higher than his. Although they are both beginners in swordsmanship, her reaction and speed far surpass Vio's.

"Your swordsmanship has improved rapidly, and it seems I can no longer teach you."

"How could that be, Lord Vio, you..."

Upon hearing Vio's words, Gina quickly denied it, but before she could finish speaking, Vio stopped her.

"No, you reached the beginner level in just one month, and it's only a matter of time before you advance further."

After saying this, Vio stopped, wondering about the bandits' skill level.

Vio's predecessor had seen that group of bandits during his escape, and in Vio's current view, most of them could only be described as having outstanding swordsmanship. As for their leader...

"By the way, is that bandit still locked up?"

Vio's gaze drifted out the window; the sun had long since set, and a bright moon hung high in the sky.

"Yes, it's being guarded by Jimmy and Xavier," Gina replied, sheathing her wooden sword.

"Let's go see him." Vio stood up, already having an idea in mind.

Taking Gina away from their residence, they walked through the deserted streets at night and arrived at an open space near the edge of the village.

Two guards, Jimmy and Xavier, were standing one in front of the other in front of a wooden coffin.

Upon seeing Vio, they were about to greet him when Vio interrupted them, simply gesturing for them to come closer. Jimmy quickly came to his side.

"How's that guy doing?"

"My lord, he should have calmed down by now. At first, he kept making whimpering noises, and after his throat went hoarse, he kept kicking the wooden planks. Now he's quiet."

Vio sneered and did not respond. He went to the wooden coffin and unlocked the chains on it.

Seemingly hearing the noise, the bandits inside made a sound, and as more fresh air rushed in, they finally reacted.

"Waaah! Waaah!"

The bandit was bound tightly from head to toe, and could only keep using his knees to push up the wooden plank until it was completely lifted.

Vio saw the other person's face again. Although the face was still fierce, the expression was extremely ugly, with traces of tears, and he was sweating profusely in the winter heat.

When he saw Vio's face, his whimpering became louder. Following Vio's instructions, Jimmy stepped forward and removed the object from his mouth.

"My lord! Spare me! Don't lock me up! I'm willing to pledge my loyalty to you!"

Vio nodded in satisfaction, then, holding the hilt of his sword, he lifted Vio's chin and asked:

"How pathetic! Don't worry, I don't need your loyalty. Just answer my questions and I'll let you go."

"Really?" The bandit's eyes still held tears, but his fierce appearance was gone, and he didn't look like a bandit at all.

"Of course, I always keep my word, but on the condition that you promise me you will no longer be a bandit or thief, and that you will turn over a new leaf and start anew."

Vio asked Gina to take out the water bag and poured some into his hoarse throat.

"My lord! I'll tell you everything! I'm a farmer, that's right. It was that beast Sean who took over my village and forced me to join them. I had no choice! My wife, children, and relatives..."

The bandit burst into tears instantly, crying uncontrollably; he had already suffered a nervous breakdown from being imprisoned.

"Okay, I understand you." Vio patted his shoulder to calm him down, then his expression changed and he began to explain his problem.

"Who sent you? Is Sean the leader of the bandits?"

"It's Sean, that's right, Sean is the leader of that bandit gang! No…"

"What's wrong?"

The bandit stopped mid-sentence and then added the rest.

"To be precise, there wasn't just one group of bandits. Like Sean, other bandit leaders also led their men to occupy the surrounding villages and towns. Almost the entire south was overrun by bandits..."

Vio frowned upon hearing his explanation and quickly pressed for more details.

"What about the fortress? Has it fallen too?"

"No, the fortress isn't there yet. As far as I know, it was attacked by the largest group of bandits and is currently besieged inside the city."

The bandit had calmed down and his tone had become peaceful. Vio thought for a moment and then asked again.

"How many bandits does Sean have under his command? What are you here for?"

"There should be around eighty of them. Sean saw that I was skilled, so he sent me to gather some information from you, sir... Sir! I really had no choice but to take action against you! I had been lying in wait for three days and was about to leave when I was discovered and surrounded. I had no choice but to..."

The bandits were somewhat flustered, fearing that angering Vio would cost them their lives. Vio simply said...

"Go on."

"Oh, right, sir! There's another important piece of news! That beast Sean plans to attack this place this month. He gave me ten days; if I don't return, he'll make his move on the tenth day!"

Upon hearing this news, everyone, including Vio, was shocked. Ten days had passed, and three days had already gone by!

After some further questioning, Vio frowned as he learned the general details about Sean's bandits.

Of the eighty or so men, ten were Sean's confidants, whose swordsmanship far surpassed that of ordinary bandits, and whose equipment was also excellent.

"My lord, that's all I know!" the bandit said fearfully, then, as if remembering something, added, "My lord, let me join you! I want to personally kill that beast Sean!"

Vio didn't speak, but just rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought. Then he nodded and turned around.

The bandit's face lit up with joy, and he was about to express his gratitude when a cold glint flashed past his head, leaving a trail of blood that arced across his mouth.

Vio slit his throat with his sword, shook off the blood, and then sheathed the sword.

"Sir, weren't you going to let him go? Why is that?"

Jimmy was startled by Vio's sudden action, but quickly calmed down and asked him what was wrong. Vio glanced at him and then explained.

"Letting him go now, even if he really turns over a new leaf, the entire southern region is full of bandits. If he's out there alone, he'll either be killed or rejoin them."

Besides, the militia members all saw him, and if they let him escape, their hard-earned reputation would be affected.

Of course, Vio didn't say this aloud.

"Jimmy, tomorrow find a few brave men from the militia, take this guy's body to the main square and hang it up. If any of the villagers ask, tell them:"

This man had killed many of his fellow villagers from Bordeaux. This time, his attack on the lord was discovered by the militia, and he was executed on the spot.

After a brief pause to think, Vio addressed the others present, saying, "Don't tell the militia and the people about the bandit attack for now."

After arranging the funeral, Vio yawned and was about to take Gina back to rest when a panicked figure came running from the direction of the village.

"My lord! Someone has spotted sand wolves outside the village!"