Aurelius was sure that it was unnecessary and nothing will happen in this trade. As the bandit leader has explicitly forbidden infighting and going against his wishes would mean something worse than death. After all, he was in control of at least 20 groups of bandit the size of Aurelius's group. Such a strong force did not fear the Royals and White Clan too much, with 7th and 8th level powerhouses and no fixed base. From previous instances, anyone that betrayed was given a fate worst than death. No force would make a known bandit group as their enemy and protect them.
Therefore, betraying the bandits would only mean a solitary life where many bandits, assassins and mercenaries would look for you. No one would risk their life for such a life on the run. After all, the kingdom was locked by the Sacred Mountain and the sea, so they had to stay in the closed-off space, and in no time they would be caught. The bandits had made many examples previously of their ex-members, and they even hired assassin groups at high cost just for their revenge. With such fears set as examples for betrayals, Aurelius was sure that the other leader will not make such a blunder.
However he was wrong, the royals became more vengeful after getting refused by the Sun Merchant Hall. Marquis Andrew became bolder with the extra militaristic power now. He was also more violent because Aile rejected to send his women and employees to him, the 'Marquis'.
He was making the concession of allowing people that were not nobles into becoming his concubines. Yet they ignored his goodwill. Therefore he decided to retaliate and show his other side by aiming at their source of income which was Aurelius. The bandits contributed a considerable portion of the raw material for the Sun Merchant Hall.
They became the target, and the time they choose to damage them was during their next trade with the other wing of the bandits' vengeful group.
Marquis Andrew knew of the collaborative relationship between the two forces, from rumours and conjectures he made based on some information he gathered. The report did not have enough merit to make the Sun Merchant hall an affiliate of the bandits in the eyes of the public and royalty. But he could make a move against them to hurt the Sun Merchant Hall. He decided to deal this blow to the Sun Merchant Hall now as they were already financially unstable. With this loss, Hazel's adventurer's union too would be weakened, and he no longer had to act reserved.
Of course, he did not know that the financial instability of Sun Merchant Hall was just a ploy of Aile.
The other bandit leader was easy to collude with, as he was losing a large portion of profit every trade. He was fuming by this unfair treatment. He chose to join the risky idea of joining the royal side after he was offered a little profit because he already had lost the trust of most of his people. If his people joined Aurelius, he would lose his position, and they could make much more profit with the same amount of effort. As Aurelius's people were not taxed, no matter how loyal his people were, constant loss, wore down their loyalty and greed took over.
Right now, he realized why the third smarter bandit vice-leader in this area quickly left, Aurelius's advantage was too much. Even if he does not do anything, people will flock to him.
He and his group saw their peers on the other side live better, eat better and spend more, the seed of greed was already growing in them. The bandits getting used to such an easy way of making money would not want to leave with him any more.
How could he leave with a small number of people? Is it even possible for there to be a respectable bandit group without a large group of subordinates?
He also knew that if he stayed, in no time, he would lose everyone because of better opportunities with Aurelius.
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He decided to gain the wealth of Aurelius, plus the promise of protection from the royal group after he takes Aurelius's position and trade with them. He would also inflict a critical hit on Aurelius for his current predicament. This was an act of revenge plus a financial opportunity not to mention the two bandit beauties will no longer have protection. Using them and later blaming their downfall on Aurelius was his plan.
He never intended to be targeted by the bandit leader. The people he brought on his side were the scum of his team that wanted to betray him for more money on Aurelius's side. So they were expendable and will be discarded afterwards. No one from Aurelius's side would be able to leave either. He with the two white-robed individuals that Marquis sent was enough to make sure no one survives after the attack. With such a plan he arrived in front of Aurelius.
The only question that could predict the result of this fight was which side came better prepared.
Was it Aurelius and the backup that was created by his two daughters?
Or
The other bandit leader plus 2 white-robed powerhouses and a large group of cannon fodder?
***
In the headquarter of the royal group, Marquis Andrew was sitting down with a glass filled with some alcoholic spiritual wine. In front of him sat the leader of the white-robed group men that came to their support for the expedition into the Sacred Mountain.
"Attacking three place at the same time, do you think it was a wise decision?"
"It was going to happen eventually, I am just pushing it earlier when we have the advantage. Plus there is only one real slaughter field, and the other two are just retrieval of those people," said Marquis Andrew.
"We do not know anything about that Shadow? You are going to risk kidnapping one of his people from his places. I am sure there are better, more discrete options."
Humph, "He denied my request, now it is time to show him that he is nothing with his little power and money. Plus is he brave enough to kill the people of royalty? He will know the difference between our might when we take his people right under his nose, and he can not retaliate, and everything he has will crumble. He will lose his dignity, merchant hall and the adventurer's union."
Sigh "Do not let hate blind you, if he has someone at the 6th stage of cultivation in his team, he will have more wild cards."
"It is not a big deal, the first team is there for distraction, the second team will steal my women. He will not be able to fight us in the open anyway, then. Who is to say what will happen when he also gets hit with financial problems," said Marquis Andrew with a cunning smile.
"Well they would not be a problem alone, but you also made a move against the White Clan. What if they join forces. Moreover, you aimed for Hunter's reverse scale, he will come here without a care and start a massacre," the leader of the white-robed man shook his head in disappointment.
"By the time he notices and gets here, his daughter will already be mine. What is the problem of a Marquis taking the daughter of a clan's butler as a wife.... not even a concubine... He should be more than content..."
"Lust and greed will lead you astray... I promised to take care of you, but these are not things that I can endorse openly. You are here to represent the kingdom."
"Why are you worried, elder, there is, of course, more to this. The two women from Shadow will help me control the Merchant Hall and the adventurer's union. My tribute to take the White Clan's butler's daughter will prevent them from making a move once we are in-laws. I will have control of this city. That is my mission from royalty anyway, I am doing this for the kingdom, my method is creative but not selfish..."
***
Aile was sitting with his hands around Hazel's waist, as they looked towards the little spirit's body from afar. From time to time, it was twitching and moving. It no longer looked lifeless, and the red colour of the blood brought different shades of life into her body. The warmth generated by her new body also gave off the feeling of the living. Contrary to the cold chilly atmosphere that she had around her before. The cute child soon started to move, scooch and shift in her sleeping state.
The dark energy shaped like a humanoid was always by her side. She was soothing her and channelling energy to expedite the process.
Seeing the signs of life in the kid, everyone had a sigh of relief. Although everything went well dealing with souls/spirits always has risks. These are things that have not been extensively studied, and little changes can change the situation or create compatibility problems. Aile had gained knowledge about this from the titan. As each time the people he killed were changed to the most compatible liquid for his healing. Nonetheless, it was Aile's first try, and he was worried that something may go wrong. Therefore he too was observing the kid's body.
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