Saying this, the bandit leader impatiently seized Sophia’s hand. With clumsy, rough motions, he fumbled at the ropes.

Sophia didn’t believe for a second a bandit leader’s knot skills could be this unskilled.

But after feeling his “clumsy” fingers brush the back of her hand several times while untying them, she understood his true intent.

A deeper chill settled in her heart. Yet her gaze stayed pure and innocent, as if she hadn’t noticed his underhanded moves at all.

Watching Sophia’s naive expression, the bandit leader’s lust flared even higher.

Still, he knew now wasn’t the time to devour this little lamb.

Since the bandits had brought back supplies, the leader needed to handle distribution. Sophia followed the young bandit to the room prepared for her.

Inside, she swiftly removed her cloak. A cascade of golden hair tumbled down like a waterfall.

An watched her natural movements and couldn’t help asking, “Back at the inn, you practically turned the room upside down checking every corner. Now in a bandit den, why so relaxed?”

“Aren’t you worried they might be secretly watching you?”

Sophia glanced at the bracelet on her wrist. Instead of speaking aloud, she replied telepathically:

“I’ve heard your dragon clan is quite lustful. Your caves often hold multiple females kept solely for mating.”

“Would your Dragon King allow other dragons to spy on his mates?”

…

An fell silent. Though it felt Sophia’s analogy was off, it had no words to refute her.

“And do you truly think a naive young lady would bother inspecting a room for no reason?”

After these two questions, Sophia said no more. She knew An was speechless.

“Time to sleep. At least I can rest properly for the next few days.”

She lay down on the wooden plank bed padded with a thin mat and closed her eyes.

“A few days?”

An murmured the words inwardly. It knew all too well how scorching the bandit leader’s gaze had been toward Sophia.

Bandits’ patience was notoriously short.

An didn’t believe the man could resist laying a hand on such a beauty for “a few days.”

Still, it chose not to ask further. It knew any question would only earn Sophia’s sharp sarcasm.

While the girl rested, the bandit leader finished handling the supplies.

“Boss, I’m back,” the one-eyed man announced, rushing through the gate.

The bandit leader turned to him. “How did the village cleanup go?”

“Killed who could be killed. The rest—those worth selling—are locked up at another hideout,” the man replied with a cruel smirk.

“Good. Well done,” the leader said with an approving smile.

To keep the “merchandise” in good condition before sale, the bandits had to feed them well. A high price meant profit. Those who couldn’t fetch one? No reason to waste food.

“By the way, Boss—what are your plans for that girl?” the one-eyed man suddenly asked.

A greedy glint flickered in his single eye.

The bandit leader understood perfectly. In the past, women he tired of were tossed to his men for amusement. Once they were done, if she could still be sold—sell her. If not…

Well. Bandits’ food supplies were limited.