The Monster King's Legacy - Chapter 185

Chapter 185: The Bandit King’s End
“So that’s your trick.”

Varkas’s gaze sharpened, but then he smiled. “You’re not just muscle it appears… Most crumble, you, though… you’ve got a fortress for a mind.”

Lance said nothing. But within, pieces clicked together.

These kind of abilities were not something new to him he had never heard of before, he’d read and heard about abilities like this several times back on Earth, magic and special abilities that enslaved minds and bent wills. Varkas wasn’t a beast tamer in the literal sense. He was a dominator. A controller of minds. Beasts were just easier targets.

‘Luckily for me, he is either weak… or I am stronger than him.’ Lance thought to himself.

As for the two brutes at Varkas’ side? Lance could already guess that they weren’t there because of their loyalty, they were most definitely puppets.

Lance’s voice was calm as he spoke. “You could’ve ruled much more with that power. But you chose filth and cruelty.” He said.

Varkas smirked. “Power exists to be used. Morality is a leash for the weak.”

Raising hi hand almost lazily, Varkas ordered, “kill him.”

The two guards moved immediately, turning up from standing stationary to a hundred percent in an instant.

Simultaneously, Lance vanished.

A thump and crack echoed through the chamber as the first guard’s head exploded under Lance’s punch. The second didn’t even react before Lance was already behind him, crushing his spine with a single blow and flinging his body into the walls. As the body armour shattered, Lance realized that the second guard was an orc, but it didn’t matter anymore.

Varkas stood, his cocky expression gone.

“You’re not normal,” he growled. “You’re—”

He never finished his words as Lance appeared before him, grabbed his head with one hand, and slowly began to squeeze. Varkas screamed, legs kicking, his hands clawing, but nothing he did deterred Lance’s action.

With a final crack, his skull gave way. Blood poured down Lance’s hand as he let the body drop to the ground with a faint *tud.

From where he stood, just behind the throne, Lance noticed a figure curled up on a comfortable bedding, probably, the same one Varkas used. On closer inspection, she appeared thin and pale, but alive, still breathing. From the looks of things, he could tell she was an elf, from her ears.

Lance exhaled and gently lifted her into his arms before making his way out of the cave.

As Lance stepped out of the cave with the unconscious elf in his arms, Eran spotted him and rushed over, his face grim and serious, though his clothes were splattered with blood and dirt. Behind him, the rescued women were gathered in a small group, huddled beneath a makeshift sheeting. Many were still shaking, some wept, and a few simply stared blankly.

“Lord Lance.” Eran said as he drew close. His eyes quickly landed on the woman in his arms, “is she—?”

“Alive,” Lance said simply.

“She was in the bandit king’s den,” Lance said.

Lance gave a short nod, then looked around. “Any issues out here?”

“None. Everyone’s accounted for. A few injured, but nothing serious,” Eran reported. “I kept them calm, just like you said.”

“Good.”

Eran nodded quickly and then stretched his hand to take the woman from Lance, but he gestured with his head towards the cave. “There were more women inside. They’re on their way out. Some can walk. Some will need time.” Lance said before he looked to the gathering. “Help them. We’ll need to move them soon.”

Eran nodded and rushed off to check on them immediately.

Lance looked at the darkening sky above. The moon was rising slowly, casting pale light through the trees. It would be a cold night, but at least it would be quiet.

Lance gently laid the elven woman beneath the shade of a broken structure and covered her with a somewhat clean cloth he’d found. She didn’t stir, but her breathing remained even. He wasn’t sure how long she had been there, or what she had endured, but at least, she now had more chances at survival.

When Eran was back out with the rest of the women, they prepared to leave after a bit of rest.

“Tomorrow morning,” Lance said, “you’ll bring the others here. There’s food, weapons, supplies… all of it belongs to you now.”

Eran glanced back toward the ruined structures. “You’re sure it’s safe?”

“There’s no one left.” Lance said.

Not doubting his words one bit, Eran nodded, before returning to the group of women.

With nothing left to do for the night, Lance and Eran led the women back to their camp.

Eran’s father stared at his son, eyes narrowing with worry and pride. “You’re safe,” he said first, and only after that did he look toward Lance coming from behind.

Everyone was surprised to see the women who were at least fifteen on number coming behind Eran and Lance. After learning of all that had happened, they all sympathized with the women and quickly, food was prepared for the extra mouths.

The next morning arrived quietly, with birdsong drifting through the trees. Eran returned with the others just as they had planned.

The merchants’ eyes widened when they saw the state of the camp. Scattered bodies littered around, and a silence that spoke of complete domination… the later part a reflection of the tales Eran told.

Eran stepped forward, his voice firm. “No need to worry, the bandits are gone. We can collect whatever’s useful and take the rest of the food. There are a lot more mouths to feed now.”

The rest of the day was spent in work. The merchant group began looting the bandit camp—gathering food, weapons, coin, and anything valuable. But they weren’t here for profit. Most of what they took would be used to support the victims, especially the food.

They found hidden storerooms and armories deeper in the cave, but with little valuables. Some of the rescued women recognized their belongings among the piles, necklaces, clothes, family heirlooms. The rest they burned, “purging the stench of evil with flame.”

Back at the camp, Lance walked over to the elf woman who was awake now. Her eyes were a brilliant shade of silver, but dulled with pain and fatigue.

She stared at the ceiling of the wagon she was in, unmoving. Her pupils dilated further, then focused. She blinked once, then turned her head ever so slightly to Lance.

“Can you speak?” he asked her gently.

She looked at him for a long moment. “…Yes,” she whispered. Then, in a voice hoarse and dry, she spoke:

“…Where… am I?”

“You’re safe,” Lance answered quietly. “We found you in the bandits’ camp. Do you remember what happened?”

Her brows furrowed as she tried to sit up, but immediately winced and fell back.

“Don’t push yourself.”

“…The bandits…” she muttered. “I was taken… so long ago…”

Her voice broke. She closed her eyes, drawing in a slow breath.

Lance waited, then, she reopened her eyes. “Who are you?”

“My name is Lance.” He answered.

She studied him again, more carefully now. Her gaze lingered on him for a while, almost as though she was studying him. “…You’re not human,” she said quietly.

Surprised for a very short moment without losing composure, Lance replied. “I am.”

“No,” she said, frowning slightly. “You look human. But you feel like something more.”

He didn’t argue. Instead, he asked, “What’s your name?”

There was a pause, then, quietly, she answered. “Sylwen.”

Lance nodded. “Do you remember where you’re from?”

“…Yes. I am… I was… one of the seers of the Elven Courts.” She nodded weakly, as though confirming her words to herself. “During that incident… I was taken during the chaos, I couldn’t get in…”

“I see…” Lance said.

Sylwen closed her eyes. Her hand clenched lightly at the blanket. “The Bandit King… he tried to control my mind… but I resisted. I don’t know how long I held on.”

“You held on,” Lance said. “That’s what matters.”

She looked at him again, quiet gratitude in her gaze.

“…Thank you.”

Lance simply nodded. “Rest. There’s still a long road ahead. When you’re ready, I’ll take you back to the elves.”

Sylwen’s eyes widened faintly. “You would… return me home?”

“I made sure to kill the man who took you. The least I can do is finish the journey.”

“Thank you.” Listening to Lance, Sylwen closed her eyes again, sleep soon claiming her before long.

Lance gave a small nod. “Rest for now. We’ll figure out the rest when we get to the city.”

During the night while they ate dinner, Eran approached Lance, his expression serious, and a bit worried. “Lord Lance, I’ve been thinking,” he said slowly. “That man… the bandit king. He had power.”

Lance looked up at the treetops, swallowing a piece of meat. “His name was Varkas,” he said. “And yes. He had power. Dangerous power.”

“Do you think there are more like him?”

Lance didn’t answer right away. “Of course,” he said finally. “There always are, everywhere.”

Eran swallowed hard but said nothing more as he too ate.