At that moment, the bandit leader strode over and shooed away his lackeys. Alone before Sophia, he studied the girl’s delicate, angelic features.

“Don’t worry. We’ll untie you once we reach our destination. Hehe.” He chuckled, but his eyes caught the leering glances his men shot toward Sophia.

Narrowing his eyes, he shot them a sharp warning glare. Then he grabbed Sophia’s hood and yanked it back over her head.

“Brothers, fall back!”

With a bark, the bandit leader turned and led the way out of the village.

Sophia obediently followed. The hood blocked her vision, yet she still sensed countless gazes—fleeting, yet unmistakable—darting toward her.

Each one thick with revolting lust and greed.

Beneath the hood, the meek innocence vanished from her face. Her cerulean eyes turned placid, nearly lifeless—like still water over a frozen spring.

As Sophia departed with the bandits, the village settled into a fragile calm.

Some debated how to survive after the grain was stolen; others discussed salvaging burned homes; a few wondered if they should abandon this unsafe hamlet.

Yet… no one mentioned the girl who had saved them.

A benefactor?

What was a benefactor worth against hunger? Could she fill empty stomachs? Patch drafty roofs?

Only the male homeowner remained—kneeling, kowtowing deeply toward Sophia’s fading path, unmoving for a long while.

…

“Little princess, how does it feel to be a captive? Heh…” An’s mocking voice echoed in Sophia’s mind.

Hidden beneath her hood, Sophia’s gaze stayed calm. Detached, she observed the surrounding bandits, following at a steady, unhurried pace.

“An, I agree—humans are inherently weak.”

“But I see three kinds.”

“The Weak: trapped by their frailty, lacking ambition, destined for a powerless, mediocre life.”

“The Brave: they carry weakness too, but wrap it in courage. They face fear, challenge limits, and push forward.”

“The Wise: less resilient than the Weak, less strong than the Brave—but they wield their ‘weakness’ with purpose.”

An listened in silence, pondering. “And which are you?”

Sophia’s placid eyes lifted toward the horizon. Beneath the cold night sky, moonlight spilled over her black robes.

She didn’t answer. Instead, she stated calmly:

“I used the villagers’ weakness to draw the bandits to me. I feigned my own to lower their guard.”

“…”

An said nothing. But Sophia felt the bracelet on her wrist tremble slightly.

“Boss… are we really letting those villagers go?” The one-eyed man sidled close, frowning.

The leader grinned, patting his coin purse. “We’ve got a hundred gold coins! Plus this lovely young lady—though in a few days, she might just become a woman.”

The one-eyed man’s brow furrowed. “But…”

“I’m not finished. Who complains about too much gold?”

A cruel glint flashed in the man’s eyes. “Good. I’ll take a few brothers back now.”

“Mm. Keep it quiet. Don’t let her know.”

“Hehe, got it.”

Watching him vanish into the dark, the leader’s eyes gleamed with greed.

A whole village… even sold cheap, worth twenty or thirty coins.

Sophia noticed dozens missing from the group. A moment’s thought—and she knew where they’d gone.

She gave no reaction.

She’d done enough for that village.

And… noticing the bandits leave? No sheltered “academy-bred” lady would catch that.

“Sometimes… I wonder if you’re the same person as that disheveled little prince from that day.”

“…”

*Little prince?*

The moment her father’s blood splattered across her face, the little prince died with the king.

The hideout lay deep in the forest’s thickest grove. Towering trees choked out the moonlight.

A shadowy settlement rose among the trunks—crude wooden and stone huts nestled in the gloom.

The bandit leader approached Sophia with a practiced gentleman’s smile.

“Respected Lady Mage, this is our settlement. Humble accommodations, I’m afraid—you’ll have to endure a few days.”

*Oh, you’ll “endure” alright,* he thought. *Every corner of this place will “test” you thoroughly.*

Sophia’s face softened into innocent disdain. She glanced around. “It feels so dirty.”

*Pampered noble’s daughter,* the leader confirmed inwardly. *Whose? Doesn’t matter. Once in our den, she serves us.*

His eyes burned hotter, already devouring the little lamb before him.

“Never mind. It’s livable. Once the soldiers leave, I’ll be free,” Sophia sighed lightly.

“Yes, yes—just a few days of… inconvenience.” He chuckled, then called a lackey. “Prepare the cleanest room for our esteemed guest.”

“Right away!” The man nodded eagerly.

The leader cleared his throat, eyes back on Sophia. “Follow him to your room. Oh—and I nearly forgot… we haven’t untied you yet.”