"Let go of me!"
The Grand Leader was bound by dozens of iron chains.
Ordinary chains? He’d have shattered them without hesitation and escaped. But these were reinforced with Inner Energy by Chining and Mentu—the two stood guard over him without rest.
When the Grand Leader sensed the battlefield turning against him, he fled immediately. Yet Mentu caught up with him soon after, surrounding him with a thousand troops.
A thousand men alone wouldn’t have fazed him—not even ten times that number. But a skilled general changed everything.
A thousand Inner Energy-enhanced soldiers, led by a formidable warrior… The Grand Leader had no choice but to surrender.
"Fight me one-on-one if you’ve got the guts! Ganging up—who calls that honorable?!"
Mentu just stared at him like he was an idiot. For a long, painful moment.
That look cut deep. The Grand Leader fumed, speechless.
The suppression campaign was over. We began escorting the Grand Leader back to Windward Fortress.
Killing this monster would be a waste. I’d tried persuading him to surrender, but his stubbornness was unshakable—threats and bribes meant nothing.
I’d leave the final decision to Alto. But locking such a beast inside Windward Fortress was risky. I’d warned Chining and Mentu repeatedly: never slacken their guard.
This raid netted us six thousand gold coins—more than Baha Balm’s entire treasury. I planned to spend part of it buying grain in Tren. Leahdon? Close, yes, but too dangerous. Hassat’s thirst for my blood was palpable. Another trip there might be my last… Well, this grain shipment wasn’t urgent. I could check on the old steward first.
The real prize? Forty thousand surrendered bandits. With Chining and Mentu drilling them, they’d become a real force.
Loyalty?
Who wouldn’t fight to protect a stable life? Especially if they’d started families here.
What we lacked were commanders. Only Chining could lead troops; Mentu was purely a fighter.
My gaze drifted to the Grand Leader.
What would Alto decide?
---
When we returned to the city, Alto and Doria were already waiting with a welcoming party.
Seeing them ready for pleasantries, I cut them off. The beast behind me needed urgent handling—who knew when he’d snap?
Alto fell silent for a long time after hearing the situation.
"Take me to see him."
"As you wish."
I led Alto to the heavily bound Grand Leader.
The man sensed their presence but kept his eyes shut.
"I am the lord of Baha Balm. May I ask you a question?"
"Ask away."
Still no eye contact. Yet Alto showed not a trace of anger at the disrespect.
"Was life… hard for your bandits?"
The Grand Leader paused. He opened his eyes, sizing up this lord.
A simple white linen robe. Modest trimmings. Utterly plain.
He’d imagined lords as fat, greedy men.
This man was lean. His clothes were far from lavish. Hard to believe he ruled anything—let alone the famed Baha Balm.
"Hah… We ate well, drank well. Lived like kings."
His voice swelled with pride, but his eyes darted away.
"Really?"
Alto’s gaze pinned him down. The Grand Leader squirmed.
"Ugh! Enough!"
He couldn’t take it anymore.
"You want the truth? Fine! Every bandit camp loses a thousand brothers to starvation each year! What good is stolen gold when no one sells us grain?! Thirty thousand mouths to feed in our camp alone—do you have any idea what that takes?! Why do you think we turn to thievery? Because we’re hungry! And even as thieves, we stay hungry! Why?! How come you nobles get to feast while we starve? Huh?!"
He raged, straining against the chains like he’d lunge at Alto.
"Know this—I’ve never been full! Not once in my life! I don’t even know my parents! I made up my own damn name! Why is it like this?! What have you lords ever done for us?! Pah! To hell with your nobility!"
His words tumbled out, raw and messy. For a man of his rough upbringing, it was a flood.
Now I understood his scorn when I’d tried to recruit him earlier.
It was hatred—for us high-born who lived well while doing nothing for them. While commoners fought just to survive.
"Chining… remove his chains."
"My lord! No! He’s too dangerous. Once freed, we may never restrain him again!"
Chining spoke truth. This man was a monster.
"It’s alright. Release him."
"...Understood."
Chining obeyed, though he braced to sacrifice himself if the Grand Leader attacked.
"Mentu, stay alert."
"Ready."
Mentu’s hand drifted silently to his quiver. One arrow would seal any escape route.
*Clang.*
The chains hit the ground. The Grand Leader was free.
Yet he didn’t move. He just sat, staring at Alto.
Alto lowered himself to sit cross-legged, facing him.
"I’m sorry…"
Alto bowed his head in solemn apology.
"Sorry to *me*?"
The Grand Leader frowned, bewildered.
"Not just to you. To all the people under my rule…"
"Huh…"
"My failure caused their suffering. Their deaths."
"Well… it’s not all your fault."
The Grand Leader fumbled for words. But Alto’s humility shook him deeply.
"No. It *is* my failure. That’s why I need help—people to build better lives for everyone. Help me."
"Hah? I don’t farm. Can’t help you there."
"..."
Now Alto was speechless.
Time for me to step in.
"You can join the army, like your brothers. We guarantee full bellies."
"Full bellies?"
"Yes. Try us. We need soldiers."
*[Might as well test it. If they feed me well, I’ll stay. If not… I can always slip away later.]*
Decision made. The Grand Leader slapped his thigh.
"Alright! I’ll try!"
"You won’t regret it. If we can’t even feed the people of Baha Balm today… how can we bring happiness to the world tomorrow?"
Alto’s voice was quiet, steady.
The Grand Leader froze, stunned. He hadn’t expected such ambition.
"I planned to slack off at first. But now? Barzak’s decided—he’s with you!"
Barzak wasn’t complicated. If someone could truly end this hunger for thousands… dying for that cause meant nothing. He’d been a thief for a meal, living by the blade. Death never scared him.
*Hah. Charisma?*
I could never have swayed him like this.
That genuine desire to save the world… it had power. It had drawn me in too—that’s why I became Baha Balm’s Strategist.
*Hah.*
No mistake about it. This was a king. The King of Baha Balm.
