Somewhere in the depths of the forest, near a 5m tall pile of rocks. Rei and Set stood there without any hesitation as the moonlight poured down, creating a fantastic atmosphere.

  In Rei’s hand was the Death Scythe, taken out from the Misty Ring. Maybe because of the Dragon Robe he was wearing, Rei looked like a real god of death. Set looked completely relaxed as he lay on the ground next to the god of death.

  Of course, Set wasn’t completely relaxed. Set seemed to be lying on the ground, but by closing his eyes, he enhanced his other senses like hearing, smell and his ability to sense magic power, even the sixth sense peculiar to monsters. If it came down to it, Set was able to immediately dash forward to attack the enemy.

  However, many of the Prairie Wolves surrounding them had seen Rei’s power directly and many others had heard from Egg. Back then, Egg had told them never to mess with Rei. Because of that, time passed without the pair of them needing to fight. After about 20 minutes, several people showed up, as if parting the forest.

  「Did we keep you waiting? You showed up all of a sudden, so it was a bit troublesome.」


  A man over 2m tall and with scars on his face called out, it was Egg, the leader of the Prairie Wolves that Rei had been waiting for. Probably to show Rei that he didn’t come here to fight, he wasn’t holding his huge battle axe. It was still on his back, but he had nothing in his hands.

  「No, not at all. Don’t worry about it.」


  In return, Rei stored the Death Scythe back into the Misty Ring.

  If the other side didn’t intend to be hostile, Rei’s action was to indicate the same. Part of his decision was also because he was confident that he would be able to handle things if the people surrounding him attacked.

  However, to some others, it wasn’t as amusing. A sharp eyed man next to Egg lashed out with words.

  「Hey, don’t do anything unbecoming. He’s my guest.」


  「But, Egg-san. We didn’t invite him over, so I don’t think there’s any reason to come out of your way to meet him……」


  (From where he’s standing, he’s probably either the number 2 or 3 man position wise among the Prairie Wolves……is he the type who is overconfident in his ability? Of course, he has a certain level of skill, but it’s still at a level that he can’t see how strong I am. That said, I don’t know if he would be able to show the same attitude against Set though……)

  「Kirtos, do you have any complaints about my guest?」


  Egg asked the man called Kirtos with a sharp gaze.

  From Egg’s perspective, he didn’t think that even the Prairie Wolves, called the strongest bandits in the area, would be able to fight Rei and survive. In addition there was also a Griffon, a rank A monster. For those reasons, he decided that it would be better to avoid hostilities with Rei. If it became necessary, he would even cut off Kirtos from him.

  Furthermore, Rei hadn’t come to subjugate bandits this time, so he couldn’t say that Rei had attacked them first and fight back just because he had come back to collect his favour back.

  「……It’s nothing.」


  However, from Kirtos perspective, it didn’t feel good that the man he admired was acting so weak against Rei. There was nothing more for him to say, but he still snorted as he implicitly declared his thoughts.

  「I see. That’s good. ……Sorry about that Rei. The juniors were rude.」


  「Don’t worry about it. Reckless people are everywhere……rather, would you like to get to the main subject?」


  Kirtos, who was pointed out as being nothing to be concerned about, sharpened his eyes further, but Rei continued talked without worrying about him.

  「Ah. So you want me to return the favour?」


  「The favour from letting you leave last time.」


  「Of course I know. So what do you want us to do? I know the favour from back then was big, but there are things that can be done and things that can’t.」


  I’m not going to return more than what the favour is worth. Rei nodded at Egg’s words before speaking.

  「It’s not that difficult. Do you know about the war that is about to take place between the Mireana Kingdom and the Bestir Empire?」


  「Ah. Even if we’re bandits, we’ll still hear about that information. We have an information network of our own. And most of all, the war between Mireana and Bestir is almost an annual event.」


  「Then this will be quick. My request is for the Prairie Wolves to join the war as part of the Rowlocks Army.」


  The words from Rei were said as if it were nothing major. However, those words had a large impact on the Prairie Wolves.

  「Are you stupid-! You want us, bandits, to become the dogs of the country!?」


  「You’re planning to use us as shields!」


  「You’re not going to accept this, are you?」


  Negative reactions could be heard from the surroundings.

  However, Egg, the key person in all this, didn’t agree or refute as he silently looked at Rei.

  Rei, who was on the receiving end of that silent gaze, spoke up again as the surrounding voices quieted down.

  「I’m not requesting you to be part of the Rowlocks army. ……No, looking from the larger perspective, you’re certainly a strong force, but not for fighting straight up. What I’m expecting from you as bandits are reconnaissance and covert actions. For example, fast discovery and reporting of enemy locations or sneaking into the enemy for various covert operations.」


  After Rei told them that he didn’t want them to fight but to do reconnaissance and various covert works, an air of confusion spread around them.

  They were called the strongest bandits around this area, the closest to the frontier. They seemed to be discouraged after being told they were not expected to fight, but at the same time they despised fighting as the minions of people in power.

  And as if reading the atmosphere, Rei continued talking.

  「I’ll tell you now, it’s the most important thing you can do. War is all about information……I won’t say that, but it is certain that information will contribute greatly to victory.」


  「You’re going to leave such an important role to us?」


  「You guys aren’t as strong as me, but you’re still stronger than ordinary soldiers. Besides, you’re also good at covert actions as bandits. I don’t think there’s anyone more suited to act as scouts.」


  Weaker than him. To say that so clearly, Rei was definitely not experienced in interpersonal relationships. However, it was true that Rei was vastly superior to them in terms of combat, but looking at his childish appearance as a 15 year old kid, it wasn’t really possible for Rei to convince them just by saying that. Especially to the Prairie Wolves, who held some pride as the strongest bandits in the region.

  「Hm? What’s wrong?」


  Rei asked after feeling a sharp atmosphere begin to grow in the surroundings. However, those words only caused more irritation to those around him.

  And of course, it was the people who had never seen Rei fight before who felt this atmosphere and ran out of patience first.

  「You, are you mocking us Prairie Wolves?」


  The first person to take a step forward was Kirtos, who had been rebuked by Egg earlier. Holding a dagger in each hand, he gave off a feeling that he wanted to stab Rei at any moment.

  「Kirtos, stop.」


  「But, Egg-san!」


  「I’ve told you. He’s my guest. Are you going to embarrass me? Rei, you to. In the first place, everyone here is hot blooded. Stop provoking them.」


  「……Provoking?」


  As Rei didn’t remember trying to provoke them, he could only tilt his head in confusion.

  「……You’re so clueless. Well, I understand what you mean. But as they’ve said, it’s not our way to take orders from nobles or the country.」


  「Hey. Are you trying to renege on the favour for letting you go last time? In that case, I’ll have to collect what I let go back then, right?」


  With a murderous gaze, Rei took out the Death Scythe he had stored into the Misty Ring as he readied himself to kill them at any time.

  Seeing him take the Death Scythe out from the Misty Ring, those who were seeing Rei for the first time smiled as if they were looking at an idiot for trying to wield such a large weapon……and those that had previously encountered Rei held their breath when the scythe appeared.

  「Wait! I’m not thinking of reneging!」


  At this rate, most of the people here would be killed. Sensing that, Egg shouted out reflexively and the Death Scythe that was about to be swung stopped moving.

  At this time, it was Egg’s failure for trying to negotiate with Rei. For ordinary adventurers, there might have been some room to bargain, but in the case of Rei, he knew he wasn’t good at talking and had never planned to negotiate from the beginning.

  「Hou~. Then tell me. Are you going to pay back the favour……or are you going to renege on it?」


  「Of course I will return it. I won’t forget about it. But, this is……」


  「Egg-san! Why do you need to act like this in front of that guy! Owing him your life? Even then, he attacked when you and the others were exhausted. It’s not a problem for us right now. Can’t you see the difference in numbers? A single brat can’t stop us. Hey, guys!」


  「That’s right! We can’t let a brat look down on us Prairie Wolves!」


  「Wait, you guys haven’t fought him before? He’s a real monster. And he has a Griffon? Do you really think we can win!?」


  Rei gave an amazed look at the Prairie Wolves who had begun to argue among themselves.

  Next to him, Set looked around with sharp eyes, but also somewhat dazed by the arguing bandits.

  Rei listened in for a few minutes as the Prairie Wolves derailed the conversation before speaking up.

  「Ah, that’s enough. From what I’ve heard, some of you don’t agree with my request. And those people are the ones who weren’t around last time. In that case, it’s fine if only the ones who around last time agree.」


  「Don’t joke around! Do you think the Prairie Wolves will act like tamed dogs!?」


  「Just like Kirtos said! You’ll making a big mistake if you think we’ll wear collars!」


  Voices rose in sync with Kirtos’ words.

  (At this rate, we’ll just continue to waste time.

  Looking at this series of exchanges, Rei turned to look at Egg, who had the final say.

  「You decide what to do. Either you return the favour……or.」


  Rei glanced towards the Death Scythe in his right hand.

  「Haa. I understand. It can’t be helped, let’s settle it our usual way. Kirtos, you’re the strongest out of those opposing right?」


  「What? Uh……ahh, I think so.」


  Kirtos nodded as he turned to look at those who were in agreement with him.

  「Then you fight Rei. And if you win, we won’t cooperate with Rei as you suggested. ……Of course, in that case, I will also give you a corresponding reward.」


  「Me? Egg-san is stronger than me though?」


  「I’m willing to work as a scout. Of course, covert operations will probably be dangerous, but it’s still better than being at the forefront of the war. And, everyone who was there previously seems to accepting of working with Rei, if not the Mireana Kingdom.」


  「What!?」


  Kirtos looked at the surroundings in a hurry at Rei’s words. But when he did that, Kirtos saw that all those who had been with Egg that time and encountered Rei silently divert their eyes.

  (If I don’t say it this way, we will never reach a resolution. And if he actually fights Rei, he’ll understand his power, whether he likes it or not. At that time, he’ll understand what Rei was saying. If we don’t repay the favour, he’s serious about taken our lives that he left us with last time.)

  Egg thought to himself. Of course, that didn’t mean Egg was willing to cooperate with Rei. But the reality was that they owed Rei a favour for sparing their lives. As the Prairie Wolves, it was impossible for them to renege on their debt.

  In addition, Egg knew that fighting Rei would mean the destruction of the Prairie Wolves.

  In that case, let Kirtos fight Rei to experience how strong he was. Egg’s proposal was a result of those thoughts.

  「……Okay. If Egg-san says so, I’ll take care of this kid.」


  Holding his daggers, Kirtos stepped forward.

  Seeing that, Rei gave a sigh at Egg’s pleading eyes before proceeding forward.

  「It ends when either side surrenders or becomes incapacitated. Don’t try to kill the other side.」


  「Hey, Egg-san. Do you think I would lose?」


  「……We’ll see. I leave it to you two.」


  Saying that, Egg’s eyes were on Rei and not Kirtos.

  Of course, Kirtos noticed that and wasn’t amused.

  「Start!」


  Dashing forward at Egg’s voice, Kirtos rapidly shortened the distance to Rei.

  His speed was unbelievable for a bandit and clearly showed that Kirtos wasn’t all talk. However.

  「Oh, you move at a decent speed.」


  Rei continued to dodge the rapid dagger strikes that brushed past his skin.

  「Ku-!」


  Kirtos, who was feeling Rei’s strength for the first time, felt frustrated as he spat and raised the speed of his daggers up another notch.

  「Hmm……so you can still go faster? But what a shame. You’re not at my level.」


  「Gah-!?」


  Kirtos tried to respond to Rei’s mutter, but……the next moment, he took a heavy blow to the stomach and lost consciousness.

  The last thing he saw before fainting was the handle of the Death Scythe.