The Monster King's Legacy

The bodies of the bandits still lay scattered around the edge of the encampment as Lance turned to face the stunned caravan group. Their expressions shifted from disbelief to dawning realization as Lance spoke.

"They were never just random beasts," Lance said plainly. "They were being controlled, sent here deliberately to wear you all down first. A sound strategy."

Eran's father, the leader of the merchants, furrowed his brows. "Controlled? You mean someone was… commanding those beasts?"

Lance nodded. "Yes. Judging from how the attacks were timed, morning, noon, night, and these guys waiting just at the perfect time, it was a strategy. A well thought out one, too. Whoever orchestrated this assumed you were just a normal group of merchants, and I was just a tagalong civilian." He said with a faint grin, his eyes squinting for a moment, as though he actually enjoyed playing the weak victim only to pull a peekaboo.

A few of the merchants glanced at one another as they reasoned with what Lance said. It made sense. The unusual aggression from the beasts, the way they attacked in waves, and most of all, how they hadn't encountered a single wild creature even after entering their territory.

"That explains a lot…" one of the guards muttered, wiping dried blood off his blade. "Recently as we've made this trip more than once. This stretch of the forest is usually empty."

"Someone's taken control of it," Lance continued. "And to command this many beasts… that takes a particular kind of talent. The person would have to have a Phd in dog training… or perhaps someone with the ability to tame beasts."

Though everyone was confused at the first thing he said, the mention of that kind of ability made the older man's expression turn grim.

"There's only one person that comes to mind," he said. "They call him the Beast-Tamer… or more infamously, Varkas, the Bandit King."

Lance raised an eyebrow as he heard the name. "Varkas?"

"He used to operate farther north, close to the Elven Forests," the merchant explained. "But ever since the new Elf King took power, bandits have been driven out of that region, running for their lives. We'd heard rumors of Varkas heading south, but we never expected him to settle here."

Lance thought for a moment. If the elves had tightened their borders under Ithil's rule, then it made sense that someone like Varkas would flee. It wasn't far-fetched.

"He's said to care more for animals than people," Eran added from the side.

Lance scoffed. "He sends those animals to their deaths. That's not care. That's exploitation."

Without wasting more time, Lance turned to the bandit leader he had captured, still trembling from the earlier encounter. Under light, calculated torture, the man cracked easily before Lance could even do anything major, revealing the location of Varkas's hideout.

According to him, it was a remote cave system hidden deeper into the forest.

"I'll take you there," the broken man said, voice hoarse with fear. "I swear… just let me live."

"You'll lead me," Lance agreed.

Eran stepped forward. "I want to come."

Lance looked at him, measuring his seriousness. "This isn't like defending the caravan, Eran."

"I know," Eran said firmly. "But I won't run."

Lance glanced toward Eran's father, who met the boy's eyes with a heavy sigh. "Come back alive," the older man said, and with that, Lance and Eran followed the limping bandit through winding animal trails and dense brush, moving deeper into the dark forest.

Eventually, they arrived at a large clearing where the forest floor dropped into a gorge. Within it, a cave opened its maw like a wound in the earth. Makeshift structures, tents, watchtowers, and platforms built from fallen trees surrounded it. Bandits lounged about, laughing, eating, and drinking.

Lance looked down at the captured man as he said. "This is where we part."

The bandit's eyes showed disbelieve for a moment, then he nodded desperately. "I told you everything… I'm done. I swear."

"Then go," Lance said, stepping aside.

The man ran off into the trees, limping and groaning.

Eran watched him go with confusion as he looked back at Lance. "You're just letting him walk off?"

Lance didn't answer immediately. He stared at the cave entrance for a while before replying, "If he makes it through these forests alone, that's his luck. If not, that's his end."

"But… what if he comes back? Perhaps attack the others? He's stronger."

"He won't. Not in the state I left him in. Besides…" Lance's eyes narrowed, "even if he does, he'll never be a threat. He would be lucky not to die to a dog in the state he's in." Lance said, knowing quite well what he had done to him in the name of torture… though, not a lot to create long term complications, but enough to make the next few weeks and months hell.

Eran shivered slightly. He had thought Lance kind-hearted, powerful but merciful. Now, he realized that mercy was not a weakness in Lance that everyone got to enjoy… A cold kind of judgment that took everything into account.

"These forests stretch for hundreds of kilometers, don't they?" Lance continued. "Filled with a variety of creatures too."

"On foot, it would take him weeks to find civilization… months if his injuries get worse." Eran said while swallowing hard. It was sure to be a slow death, the odds were steep.

With the lair ahead, Lance turned to the younger man. "Steel yourself. Once we're in there, don't hesitate. They wouldn't do the same for you."

Eran nodded, gripping his sword tightly, determination etched onto his face.

Lance smiled faintly, that same calm confidence ever present. "Good. Let's get this over with."

Then, with nothing but the night breeze stirring the leaves and the moonlight casting shadows across the trees, they began their silent approach toward the Bandit King's den.

As Lance and Eran stepped closer, the bandit lair came into full view. The place reeked of alcohol, smoke, and something far fouler. It was new to Lance, but regardless, there was a bit of excitement in him.

After all these years of coming to this fantasy land, he was really going to get to do this kind of event… defeating bandits in their lair.