What’s the Bandits’ Is Mine

I was in my dorm room, half-listening to Beta’s report.

It was our regular debriefing time, held at night after my academy classes were over.

"Regarding Doem’s standing after the incident at the Bushin Festival..."

"I see."

I’d been weighing my options based on what my sister told me, and honestly, the Lawless City sounded like the place to be.

I haven't gone bandit hunting in a while, and the Lawless City is basically just a hive of glorified bandits anyway. Since what belongs to bandits belongs to me, it’s essentially my personal ATM.

"Epsilon has also found it easier to operate. Inside the Oriana Kingdom..."

"I see."

Then there was that talk about my future career.

Basically, as long as I have enough cash, I’ll be golden, right?

Money makes the world go round. The Lawless City is packed with those upgraded bandits. And their bosses are definitely raking in the big bucks through various illicit means. So, if I just blow them away and pocket the loot, all my problems are solved.

"The military strength of Shadow Garden continues to expand smoothly, and the Alexandria Research Institute has commenced development of the steam engine..."

"I see."

If I can just get enough money to live and play for the rest of my life, I can do whatever I want for a 'job.' I could spend my days being whatever mob character I’m in the mood for—a gatekeeper, a bodyguard, a jobless bum, a baker. The possibilities are endless.

By obtaining money, a person obtains a life that isn’t bound by money. Damn, I just said something really profound, didn’t I?

Anyway, there are three major powers in the Lawless City, and I’ve pretty much decided that one of them is destined for total destruction. Now, which one to pick?

I could just do all of them, but if I take them all out at once, I won't have anything left to look forward to later. The 'Queen of Blood' sounds the most exciting, and I can already imagine a dozen different cool ways a Progenitor Vampire could meet their cinematic end. It’d be peak fiction, but there’s also the 'save the best for last' mentality to consider.

Decisions, decisions.

But as it stands, the 'Queen of Blood' is definitely at the top of my 'To-Be-Destroyed' list.

"That concludes my report."

"I see."

"If there are any points where I have fallen short, please, tell me anything..."

"Something smells..."

When I spoke to Beta, who was kneeling with her head bowed, she gave a visible flinch.

"The Lawless City... it's the smell of blood..."

"Thank goodness, it wasn't me..." Beta whispered under her breath.

"It seems the 'Queen of Blood' is on the move..."

"So it seems. We haven't been tracking her since the 'Queen of Blood' has few ties to the Cult, but..."

"A storm is coming... a Storm of Blood..."

"A Storm of Blood...?"

"Look at the moon, Beta."

"The moon...?"

I pointed out the window at the moon, which looked somewhat reddish tonight.

"Ah... is it redder than usual?"

"So you noticed? It is the Red Moon..."

"—! Could it be... is that the legendary 'Red Moon'!?"

"...And if it were?"

I watched Beta out of the corner of my eye as she stared at the moon in a daze. I held my blood-red wine up to the lamp, looking all mysterious, and took a sip.

The legendary 'Red Moon,' huh? Seriously, you can make anything sound cool just by slapping 'legendary' in front of it.

"N-no... if that's the case, then the Lawless City... no, not just that, the surrounding nations as well...!"

"Do not worry."

"B-but! We must dispatch Shadow Garden immediately—!"

"Do not worry... that is what I said, is it not?"

"! M-my apologies..."

I looked down at the trembling Beta and elegantly crossed my legs.

"Leave this matter to me."

"You don't mean... do you intend to go there alone, Master Shadow!?"

"Do you have a complaint...?"

"N-no... I understand that is the most certain way to handle it. B-but, if something were to happen to you, Master Shadow, we... I...!"

"Do not worry."

"Master Shadow...?"

I let a smirk play on the corner of my lips.

"In the end... it’s just a story about the moon being red. Is it not?"

"—!?"

Beta’s eyes went wide. Her face shifted from pure shock to a soft, adoring smile.

"I have underestimated you."

She bowed her head deeply.

"The moon is merely red... Even legends are rendered formless before Master Shadow."

I mean, seriously, the moon is just a little red tonight, and suddenly it’s the legendary 'Red Moon.' I’m honestly impressed with myself.

"Do you not think the Red Moon is also beautiful...?"

"Hehe... you're right. I shall pray for your success in battle."

"Care for a drink...?"

"Yes! I would be honored."

Beta and I spent the rest of the night enjoying the wine and the moon.

Alright then. Time to head to the Lawless City during Autumn Break and go out with a bang.