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"Not bad. Whether it's the Black Beast Mercenary Group or not doesn't matter. Do you know the strength of these bandits and mercenaries?"
Su Nian knew his question might be a bit challenging for Bolikri. He didn't actually expect detailed intelligence from the kobold chief.
Sure enough, Bolikri stammered for a long time but couldn't provide an answer. He could only stare at Su Nian with his pitiful dog-like eyes.
Ignoring Bolikri's pleading expression, Su Nian switched to a simpler question:
"Then you must at least know their exact location, right? As a chief, don't you keep track of the enemies around you? What if they raid your home one day and you don't even know?"
"Master, what does 'raid your home' mean?"
Bolikri looked utterly confused, clearly unfamiliar with this new term.
"That's not important!"
"Answer my question!"
Su Nian roared irritably, slapping the ground with his claw. The metallic clang echoed through the cave. Anna, who was nestled in his arms, quickly hugged his neck and gently nuzzled him with her soft cheek to calm him down.
Ever since becoming a black dragon, Su Nian's temper had grown increasingly volatile, except when he was with Anna.
Bolikri, terrified, prostrated himself on the ground, fearing that the black dragon might swallow him whole. He had heard tales from his elders about dragons using kobolds as emergency rations.
Trembling, he reported:
"Master! I only know the locations of two bandit groups. The mercenaries, however, are always on the move. They go to towns to complete various tasks, so they don't stay in the wild for long."
"Good. Gather your kobold soldiers. We're going to visit the nearest bandit group!"
"Lead the way!" Su Nian spread one of his dragon wings and waved a claw. With Bolikri's barking orders, the kobolds in the cave erupted into a flurry of activity.
They retrieved their meager weapons—knives, forks, sticks, and traps—from their sleeping areas. They wrapped themselves in animal skins or tattered clothes scavenged from humans.
Though their appearance was comical, a fierce determination emanated from them.
The kobolds didn't question why they were attacking human bandits, nor did they show any fear. The presence of a true dragon had filled them with immense courage.
While the kobolds prepared for battle, Su Nian was not idle.
He asked Bolikri for some relatively clean and sturdy clothing. Then, he spent the last of his system points to modify his back, creating a comfortable, flat area with handles resembling pot handles for securing ropes.
He padded the flat area with thick clothing to make it more comfortable for Anna to lie on. He then used strips of cloth to secure Anna, wrapping her tightly to prevent her from accidentally falling off his back.
Anna obediently lay on the black dragon's back, her soft hands gently hugging his neck. Her fair, tender face pressed against his back, her slightly chubby cheeks squished into an adorable shape.
She could clearly feel that the previously uncomfortable dragon's back had somehow become soft and cozy.
[Mr. Dragon must be worried about me falling off.]
[And he even went to the trouble of modifying his back to make it more comfortable for me.]
[Hehe...]
Watching the busy black dragon, Anna felt a warm, fuzzy sensation in her heart. A sweet smile curved her lips.
Although she didn't know how the black dragon had done it, it didn't stop her from feeling admiration and affection for him.
[Anna Hathaway Favorability +5, Current Favorability: 40 (Friendly)]
Ignoring the system's favorability notification, Su Nian nodded in satisfaction after ensuring that Anna wouldn't feel any discomfort no matter how she moved.
Ever since becoming a dragon, he had an instinctive urge to keep his most precious treasure either by his side or hidden away.
He feared leaving Anna alone in the cave might lead to unforeseen dangers. It was safer to keep her with him.
After all, he could scout ahead. If the bandits turned out to be formidable, he could hide Anna nearby and have Bolikri watch over her. This way, she would be safe and still within his line of sight.
Once everything was ready, a group of kobolds marched out of the cave with an air of defiance. Behind them followed a black dragon carrying an elven girl on its back, an unusual sight.
…
Joseph was the leader of the Gale Bandit Group, a Level 12 Tier 2 Warrior. He commanded over a hundred bandits and specialized in robbing adventurers who ventured to the outskirts of Silvermoon Forest.
They killed the men, kept the women for their amusement, and killed the unattractive ones as well. With adventurers dying daily in Silvermoon Forest, King Anlus would never bother sending troops to deal with them from so far away.
In this remote area, Joseph enjoyed a carefree life.
Such a life was unimaginable during the reign of Emperor Sivi. Back then, bandit groups like his were almost entirely eradicated by the ruthless emperor.
Fortunately, that so-called Emperor Sivi had long ascended to the Celestial Realm. Now, only the Winter Principality in the northern continent still adhered to those outdated rules.
Joseph had heard from his bard father that the Winter Empire, at its peak, once covered all habitable areas of the northern continent and even extended its influence to the southern continent, planting its eagle banners everywhere.
During that time, all good-aligned races lived in peace and equality within the Winter Empire. Now, only the Winter Principality remained. Though still powerful, its influence no longer reached the southern continent.
Joseph scoffed at the Conqueror Emperor's ideals. Humans were humans; why should they coexist with other races? He believed that given the same luck and power, he could achieve the same feats.
As Joseph daydreamed about his future, his subordinates dragged in a pair of adventurers—a man and a woman.
"Boss, a Tier 2 Warrior and a Tier 1 Water Mage apprentice. They came to Silvermoon Forest to hunt magic cores. Look at this girl, isn't she a beauty? Hehehe..."
The bandits sneered as they kicked the Water Mage to Joseph's feet.
Joseph grabbed the girl's blue hair, lifting her face. Strands of hair fell away, revealing a delicate, tear-streaked face.
She wore a loose white robe that couldn't hide her alluring curves. Her fair, slender legs, though slightly scratched, made Joseph's fingers itch with desire.
This time, they had truly caught a gem.
Seeing the mix of fear, humiliation, and disgust on the girl's face, Joseph chuckled wickedly and pulled the gag from her mouth.
He relished the screams and cries of his prey before they were placed on the "chopping block."
"You... You better let me go! I'm warning you, I'm a student of St. Roland Magic Academy! My sister is a lecturer there. If anything happens to me, you'll all die!"
"Listen to her! St. Roland Academy, the pride of Anlus's capital. Such a big name, I'm so scared~"
Joseph mocked as he displayed the girl to his men, pulling her hair to expose her smooth neck and slightly open neckline, as if showcasing a dissected fish.
To the girl's despair, none of the bandits seemed intimidated by the academy's name. Their eyes gleamed with lust, like ravenous wolves.
"Damn bandits! Let her go! If you have any guts, come at me instead! Aren't you afraid of the empire's army?"
The Tier 2 Warrior shouted, but his voice lacked conviction.
"The empire's army? Even if Emperor Sivi himself were here, I'd do whatever I want today. You fancy her, don't you? Don't hide it; your eyes have already betrayed you."
Joseph sneered, whispering coldly into the warrior's ear:
"I'll play with her right in front of you."
"Excited?"
"Brothers! Strip her and bring her here in front of our dear warrior friend. Good things are meant to be shared, hehe."
The bandits cheered, unable to suppress their desires any longer. At Joseph's command, they lunged at the girl, who had collapsed in despair.
Just then, a shadow swept across the sky.
A thunderous dragon roar followed, and a torrent of acidic breath rained down, engulfing the bandits and the two captured adventurers.
The black dragon had arrived. """
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[Bard]
Originally, the term "bard" referred to individuals among the Celts who composed eulogies and satirical works.
Broadly speaking, it came to refer to poets and singers within tribes who excelled at creating and reciting songs about heroes and their deeds.
As early as the 1st century AD, the Latin writer Lucanus described bards as the national poets or singers of the Gauls or Britons.
They were a hallmark of the Middle Ages.
Bards were often extraordinarily talented individuals. They might hail from noble and wealthy families, or they could come from humble and impoverished backgrounds.
Using their wit and creativity, they crafted numerous fascinating stories.
Occasionally, they would be invited to a lord's castle, where noblewomen, young ladies, and their knights would gather. Each person would sit in order of their rank—some resting their hands on their cheeks in thought, others gently setting aside their weapons. As they became enraptured by the bard's performance, their minds would wander while they listened intently to the bard's songs and tales.