Those jerks had finally shown up.

Those three corrupted scums were wearing their military patrol uniform. They were the soldiers who had been assigned on the patrol duty of the town. They didn't even bother to cover their face and boldly marched in the back alley to do their shady business.

Well, they were being backed up by high-ranking military officials so they shamelessly did these illegal things. I knew the government system was corrupted but didn't know to this extent.

I carefully dragged my body as I maintained to lay down on the roof. I moved closer to Bruno who seemed to be glaring at those officials with a serious look. He seems very agitated. I can't blame him for a noble who happened to possess a strong sense of justice. So these things would surely strike a nerve.

"Oi Bruno?", I asked, "Should we just apprehend these soldiers and interrogate about the cultist? I mean scuffling with those bandits sounds a bit extreme."

Those bandits might outnumber us. Not to forget, each of them would be armed for sure. Ambush? This would be more like jumping in the jaws of a wolf.

The easiest method would be to secure these corrupt soldiers and interrogate them. Later we might even get the location of those bandits and then after thoroughly planning, we can subjugate those bandits.

This sounds more easy and safe method and also minimize our damages.

I had already been beaten up pretty bad before, I don't want that to happen again, this soon.

"No. We will wait.", he replied without even looking at me.

The goofy boy had surely looked more serious. It was kinda weird.

He then continued,

"As per my Intel, one of the subordinates of those bandits would show up to pay them the cash. We shall easily subjugate these soldiers but our utmost priority is to capture that one bandit. So even if he happened to be armed, it would be more like 4 vs 1."

That makes sense.

Not the whole group of bandits would straight appear for this transaction. Otherwise, they might be caught. So sending just one of their subordinate would make more sense. Hence even if he was armed with an iron class weapon, we four possessed auxiliary pills and not to forget those three were armed with enchanted gears.

They had shelved out a concrete plan.

"What if there would be more than one bandit that shows up?", I asked doubtingly.

At my question, Bruno looked up for a second lost in thoughts,

"We will still manage it somehow.", he replied while giving a thumbs up.

I take back every praise.

If it comes to the worst, we can alert the guards near the town but it would cost our mission.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Out of three, one soldier looked very tense and glanced around again and again at every step. It seemed that he was very worried if someone happened to spot them. The other two looked a bit happy as they seemed to be smiling.

They also started conversing with each other but it was very far away for us to hear.

Soon the trio came to a halt and stood in between the alley.

"Let's get a bit closer! I can't hear a thing.", I said.

Our top priority was to capture the bandit for their intel. So every small information counts, even if it happened to be a simple conversation.

"But-", Bruno seemed hesitant.

"There's no time to waste. Precious intel is being leaked as speak. Let's go.", I said, just when I saw William and Thalia, "See! They are also doing the same thing! Let's go!"

I guess those two also had the same idea as me.

We both quietly headed down from the roof to the balcony at the 2nd floor. It was a perfect place to hide and to pry in their conversation at the same time.

Thalia and William also happen to hide in a balcony in the opposite building.

"Could you shut up!? Stop being a worrywart.", said one of the soldiers.

"I am feeling sick! Can I go home already?", said the second soldier.

They didn't stand out much. They looked like your average people in their 30's.

Let's name them soldier 1 and soldier 2 for now.

"You don't have to worry! I got this under control.", the 3 third soldier said proudly, "I got connections with the upper ranks, so don't worry. Also if you want to go home, sure go ahead but I would take your share of money for myself. Hahaha!"

This one was pretty cocky. I had already started to hate this guy, he had loads of arrogance. But unlike his big ego, his height was very short and what's with that weird mustache.

"Alright! If you say so then I would stay. I would stick around longer and lend my aid if you guys happen to be under attack.", said soldier 2.

"You jerk! You are just sticking around for the sake of the money. If they did attack, you would be the first one to flee.", replied back soldier 1 tauntingly.

"What did you say? Are you picking a fight? Huh?"

"Sure! Wanna have a go?"

"You guys should zip it! Stop your petty farce! Do you want to alert the guards, with your squabbling?", frowned the pipsqueak soldier.

Even tho he was the shortest among the three, he was more mature and grounded, unlike his other 2 comrades.

We eavesdropped on their conversation.

But so far they only talked some nonsense and other random conversation which didn't give us any important intel.

What a complete useless fellows.

After waiting for another 15 minutes, a person wearing robes with a hoodie surfaced at the end of the alleyway. He slowly approached the soldiers who were waiting in the center.

"Get ready.", said Bruno.

We went close to the railings of the balcony. The buildings were all deserted and there was no soul around here. The three soldiers were standing just below us.

The bandit in the hoodie had just entered the alleyway and was headed towards the trio. If all goes well and when the bandit meets up with these soldiers, William can attack from above and takedown that bandit with one blow. Later we can easily able to subjugate those three soldiers. That was the plan so far.

"Finally you showed up! We were falling asleep with all this waiting.", said soldier 1 haughtily to the bandit.

Even I was going to fall asleep. Thankfully, the bandit did appear.

"Hey! Could you lower your voice?", said soldier 2 to soldier 1.

"It doesn't matter. No one's gonna come here this late at night. You should have a little bit of a backbone, you are a soldier after all.", said soldier 1 as he rigorously patted soldier 1's back.

"Stop it! That hurts.", exclaimed soldier 2.

"Can you walk a little faster?", said the midget soldier, "Let's get this done quickly. You don't want to get on our bad side do you?"

They sure like to act high and mighty. Being in the army had gotten in their heads.

But I too wanna get this over with as soon as possible.

For some reason, the culprit didn't respond and continued to walk in his slow pace.

After he ignored the statement of the midget, soldier 1 stepped forward and stomped his feet arrogantly.

"Get your ass here! Before I would~", but he stopped talking in midway and stood quietly.

"What's the matter? At least finish your sentence.", said soldier 2.

Suddenly blood started to spurt out from soldier 1's forehead and pour down on the ground. Soon his lifeless body fell down on the ground on his back.

A small dagger had punctured in his forehead.

Shit had taken a turn for the worst.