Chapter 42: Rumors Circulating in the Streets

Broly's Caravan had just left the Border City when a large merchant caravan also followed along.

Nahashu knew the manager of the caravan that followed; they were the ones who had bought Broly's Caravan's original goods at a high price.

Not only that, but the other party was also very enthusiastic, introducing Nahashu to goods that sold well in the south, providing important commercial information for Broly's Caravan's procurement.

"We're also heading south; let's travel together. On the road we can watch each other's backs and won't be easily attacked by bandits."

Nahashu agreed to this proposal, and by the night before the two caravans reached the first big city, they had miraculously merged into a single caravan.

The Empire's Western Frontier is truly too simple; someone buys goods at a high price not only helps transport them for free, but upon reaching a big city where the goods can be turned into money, they even proactively return the original goods to their original owner.

"Didn't expect to be targeted just like that; good thing we have Broly-san."

The unlucky caravan picked the wrong prey and buried their bones in the wilderness.

Broly's Caravan won big; in the new city, using the returned goods they made a huge profit.

With money, finding out some specific addresses became a not-too-difficult matter.

When a child who came out of the Great Forest was sent home and learned her parents hadn't sold her but that slave traders had kidnapped and deceived her, the girl named Sera happily returned to her parents' side.

At this, the other little partners were all happy she could successfully return home; Broly also gave the returning girl a travel expense gift, a sum of money enough to change a poor family's straitened circumstances.

"Hope you can live happily from now on, able to eat your fill every day."

Broly sincerely blessed her.

"Thank you, Broly-san."

Sera's eyes were red, and her parents also thanked him profusely.

"If you all also want to go home, I can also give you a sum of money to let you go home."

After leaving, noticing someone in the caravan revealing an envious expression, Broly said.

"Really, Broly-sama?"

The subdued bandits mostly only turned to banditry because they couldn't survive, leaving their hometowns; to say they don't want to go home would be a lie.

"Of course."

"We have no home to return to, but we want to go elsewhere and start over, build a new home; Broly-sama, can we get money for that too?"

Broly thought for a moment, then nodded; Nahashu at the side wanted to say something but ultimately said nothing.

After experiencing two successful trades, Broly's Caravan directly disbanded; most of the money earned was distributed to caravan members who wanted to go home or build a new home.

Everyone received a substantial travel expense gift, enough for each to restart their life; some chose to return home, some chose to go build a new home.

Just like that, a troop expanded to over a hundred people, after this dispersal, only twenty-one people remained in the end.

Among them, only eleven people simply followed Broly; the rest wanted to go home but were limited by their own abilities and couldn't return, the type who had to wait for Broly to send them back.

"Broly-san, our money isn't much anymore."

After dividing the caravan's money, Nahashu began to worry about the upcoming journey's expenses.

"No need to worry, there are many good people on this side."

Having experienced being waylaid by good people from all walks of life, Broly felt he had already grasped the way to make big money in this world.

However, Broly overlooked the possibility that those dispersed caravan members might spread his story.

"Heard about it? The Red Demon Bandit Group and the Cassio Caravan were destroyed by an unknown small caravan."

"That, I heard long ago; but it should be rumors distorting rumors, right? How could there be a person who defeats an entire large bandit group with just one move? And the Cassio Caravan, I used to travel with their caravan; the guards in there were incredibly strong..."

"I think it's true; recently a caravan came from the Border City; from their account, the Red Demon Bandit Group entrenched in the Red Ridge Area has already disappeared without a trace.

Also, someone discovered the Cassio Caravan members' corpses outside Nosa City."

In the tavern, various rumors were spreading.

And the hottest topic recently is the mysterious caravan that destroyed multiple bandit groups and two large caravans.

Some say it's a caravan sent out by a high noble to fish; others say it's actually a troop manipulated by a terrifying human-shaped Super Danger Beast.

They disguise themselves as an ordinary caravan, specially luring others to attack them, then that hidden human-shaped Super Danger Beast jumps out and eats the attacking humans.

Of course, there's also a saying that treats that troop as an elusive Righteous Army, specially attacking unrighteous groups and distributing ill-gotten wealth to the suffering masses.

It's said that poor people who hadn't returned home for a long time suddenly came back with money, and that money was given by that Righteous Army.

These rumors are varied and confusing; anyway they get more absurd the more they spread, but one point everyone relatively agrees on is: now if you see a troop mostly composed of children or dwarves outside, don't easily approach or attack.

Because quite a few bandit groups, and some groups posing as bandit groups, have already been wiped out.

"Good grief, those people outside really are bored out of their minds, actually believing absurd stuff like human-shaped Super Danger Beasts."

"Miss Merlade, they're just some absurd rumors spread by people who haven't seen the world."

Melad Auberge, the future Assassin Guild Leader currently training, complained about the absurd news her maid heard from outside recently.

"Although it's most likely rumors, if there's a chance, I really should go look, broaden my horizons.

Right, Cassandra, did you register me for the martial arts tournament like I asked?"

"Miss, you really want to participate in that kind of Merchant Group-hosted martial arts tournament?"

"Why not?"

"But we're assassins; if our identity is exposed it'll be terrible."

"No problem, I'll disguise myself when participating, and use an alias. Besides, that martial arts tournament doesn't allow weapons; as long as I don't use assassin techniques and the Oberg signature technique of controlling insect Danger Beasts, it's almost impossible for anyone to guess my real identity."

"If Barbara-sama found out, she'd definitely scold me."

"Then are you willing to bear the risk of being scolded for me?"

The assassin girl in revealing clothes lifted the little maid's chin and asked with a slight allure.

With the flick of her fingertips, Cassandra couldn't help herself, blushing and biting her lip.

"Miss Merlade, you know I'm willing to do anything for you."

"A Human-shaped Super Danger Beast, if such a thing truly exists in this world, it really makes one want to go hunt it!"

At the Front Door of Daxi City, a girl with Ice Blue Long Hair, carrying a cylindrical small Wrap, queued to enter the city, muttering to herself because of some rumors she had heard the day before yesterday.

However, investigating the truth of the rumors was not Urgent; Esdeath had come to this side of Daxi City to participate in the Merchant Guild Martial Arts Tournament.

While wanting to witness the strong ones of this side of the Western Territory, she was also here to earn some travel expenses.

Chapter End