As Tatsuo prepared to address the bandit threat, the System chimed, signaling the completion of his investigation. A screen materialized before him, displaying the detailed information gathered by Reeldos and his network.
Quest: Completed
Quest: Investigate the increased bandit activity along the trade routes between Dragonsden County and the southern regions.
Reward: Information about the bandit groups and their potential backers.
The detailed information appeared:
Detailed Information:
Serpent Bandits: Operating along the Bendwater River, utilizing small, agile riverboats for quick raids. Approximately 150 members, primarily human, with a few half-orcs. Leader: A cunning human named "Riverfang" Kael, a former river merchant with a grudge against legitimate trade. Tactics: Hit-and-run raids, targeting cargo barges and isolated settlements. Equipment: Primarily light armor and melee weapons, with some crossbows. Motivation: Purely profit-driven, exploiting the vulnerability of river trade. Guardian Bandits: Operating in the dense woods south of Emberfall Town, along the road to the Yōgan Domain. Approximately 300 members, a mix of humans, half orcs, and half Giants. Leader: A heavily armored orc named Stonefis, a wanted criminal with experience in organized warfare. Tactics: Ambush tactics, utilizing the dense forest for cover and employing coordinated attacks. Equipment: Heavy armor, swords, axes, and crossbows, with some siege weaponry like ballistae. Motivation: More than just profit; they appear to be operating under orders. The Backer: Viscount Sanngandr Redbreath of the Sinyth County, Yōgan Domain. Evidence: Consistent flow of high-quality weapons and supplies to the Guardian Bandits. Reports of messengers traveling between the Guardian Bandits' camp and the Acidosis March. Viscount Sanngandr's known involvement in illicit activities and his ambition to expand his influence. Viscount Sanngandr is the leader of the Sinyth County,, known to have high quality assassins, and scouts. Viscount Sanngandr has a strong network of spies that he used to have the information of the trade routes.
Tatsuo absorbed the information, his mind processing the details. The Serpent Bandits were a nuisance, but the Guardian Bandits, with their superior equipment and coordinated tactics, posed a more significant threat. The revelation of Viscount Sanngandr's involvement deepened the concern. This was no mere banditry; it was a calculated move, likely aimed at destabilizing the region and expanding the Viscount's influence.
"Rota," Tatsuo commanded, his voice sharp, "we will strike swiftly and decisively. I want two forces deployed immediately."
"Sir Gust Farstrike, with his Elven Battalion, and 1st Class Rare Commander Alaric Stoneheart, with his Lion Cavalry, will eliminate the Serpent Bandits along the Bendwater River. Their speed and precision will ensure a swift victory," Tatsuo ordered. "They are to leave within the hour."
"And you, Rota," Tatsuo continued, his gaze intense, "you will lead the second force. 1st Class Rare Commander Rudy, with his Drake Guards Battalion, and 1st Class Rare Commander Damien Blackrose, with his Blackrose Cavalry Battalion, will attack the Guardian Bandits in the woods south of Emberfall Town. I want them crushed, their camp destroyed, and their leader brought to justice."
"Understood, Your Highness," Rota replied, his expression grim.
"Also," Tatsuo added, his eyes narrowing, "ensure that word spreads. I want everyone to know that I, Prince Tatsuo, am personally overseeing this operation. And release a rumor, a whisper, that I know who is backing these bandits. Let Viscount Sanngandr know that I am aware of his involvement. I will not pursue this conflict if he knows his place and stops his actions. But if he continues, he will face my wrath."
Tatsuo was sending a clear message. He would not tolerate any interference in his domain. He would protect his people and his trade routes, and he would not hesitate to confront anyone who dared to challenge his authority. He was sending a message, that he is not a person that can be underestimated.
The air in Tatsuo's war room crackled with tension. Orders were given, maps unfurled, and the rhythmic clang of steel echoed as soldiers prepared for deployment. Rota, ever efficient, relayed Tatsuo's commands, his voice carrying the weight of impending action. The Lion Cavalry, their majestic war beasts pawing at the ground, were a picture of controlled power. The Drake Guards, their scaled armor gleaming, stood in rigid formation, their expressions grim. And the Blackrose Cavalry, their black steeds restless, exuded an aura of deadly precision.
Sir Gust Farstrike, his elven eyes sharp and focused, gathered his battalion, the elven archers and swordsmen moving with an almost ethereal grace. Their movements were fluid, their expressions calm, a stark contrast to the human soldiers' more rugged demeanor. Alaric Stoneheart, his face a mask of determination, barked orders to his Lion Cavalry, ensuring their formations were tight and their lances ready.
Rota, his presence commanding respect, oversaw the deployment of the Drake Guards and Blackrose Cavalry. He knew the importance of this mission. The Guardian Bandits, with their heavy armor and siege weaponry, were not to be underestimated. He would lead from the front, ensuring their swift and decisive defeat.
As the forces prepared to depart, whispers spread through the city, carried on the wind like seeds of fear and anticipation. The rumor of Tatsuo's knowledge of the Viscount's involvement spread like wildfire, reaching the ears of merchants, travelers, and even the city's underbelly. The message was clear: Tatsuo was watching, and he would not tolerate any treachery.
Tatsuo, meanwhile, retreated to his office, the weight of command settling upon his shoulders. He reviewed the maps of the Bendwater River and the southern woods, his mind strategizing, anticipating every possible move and countermove. He knew that this operation was not just about eliminating bandits; it was about sending a message, establishing dominance, and securing his domain.
He also considered the Yōgan Domain. The information Reeldos had provided painted a picture of a complex and potentially dangerous neighbor. Viscount Sanngandr's ambition and his network of spies were a cause for concern. Tatsuo knew he had to tread carefully, balancing strength with diplomacy.
The first reports arrived within hours. Sir Gust Farstrike's elven battalion and Alaric Stoneheart's Lion Cavalry had engaged the Serpent Bandits along the Bendwater River. The swiftness of their attack had caught the bandits off guard. The elven archers, their arrows finding their mark with deadly accuracy, had decimated the bandit ranks, while the Lion Cavalry, their lances shattering the bandits' flimsy riverboats, had turned the river into a scene of chaos.
The Serpent Bandits, caught between the elven archers' relentless volleys and the Lion Cavalry's devastating charges, were routed. Their leader, "Riverfang" Kael, was captured, his cunning facade shattered by the overwhelming force of Tatsuo's army. The river, once a haven for bandits, was now a scene of their demise.
Rota's forces, meanwhile, had entered the dense woods south of Emberfall Town, their movements cautious but determined. The Guardian Bandits, expecting an easy ambush, were met with the unyielding force of the Drake Guards and the Blackrose Cavalry. The Drake Guards, their heavy armor impervious to most attacks, formed a wall of steel, while the Blackrose Cavalry, their swords flashing, cut through the bandit ranks with deadly precision.
The Guardian Bandits, led by the heavily armored orc Stonefis, fought fiercely, their siege weaponry causing significant damage. But their efforts were in vain. Rota, his strategic mind anticipating every move, countered their tactics, turning their ambushes against them. Stonefis, a veteran of countless battles, was no match for Rota's experience and the sheer power of his forces.
As the battle raged, Rota's forces pushed deeper into the bandit camp, their determination unwavering. The bandits' siege weaponry was silenced, their heavy armor shattered, and their ranks decimated. Stonefis, realizing the futility of his resistance, attempted to flee, but he was cut down by Rota himself, his head rolling on the forest floor.
The Guardian Bandits, their leader dead and their camp overrun, were crushed. Their weapons and supplies, including the high-quality arms provided by Viscount Sanngandr, were seized. The message was clear: Tatsuo would not tolerate any challenge to his authority.
As the reports reached Dragonsden City, a sense of relief and awe settled over the populace. Tatsuo's swift and decisive action had not only eliminated the bandit threat but also sent a powerful message to any potential enemies. The whisper of his knowledge of the Viscount's involvement had spread, reaching even the ears of those within the Yōgan Domain. The message was received, loud and clear.