Chapter 289: Brotherhood Thieves Guild
Li Meng didn't know what had come over him.
He had always thought of himself as a villain.
But seeing the pale face of the little girl who died with unclosed eyes, he couldn't suppress his anger.
Perhaps this was hypocritical, perhaps it was a double standard.
He could commit evil, but he couldn't bear to see others do so.
At this moment, he only wanted to do what he felt like doing.
He would do whatever he wanted, regardless of good or evil.
Since he was upset, he decided to stir things up and kill until he felt satisfied.
"Understood. I'll immediately send the nearest splintered body to deliver the message to Avinsa!"
Glancing slightly to the side, Li Meng looked at Sophia beside him.
"Were those people earlier in the day connected to a gang?"
That much was beyond doubt.
Sophia, more than anyone, was likely to know who was behind this.
Sophia nodded lightly.
"In the western part of the city, there's an area destroyed by labyrinth monsters centuries ago. Poor people have since built their homes there, forming a slum. It's also the darkest corner of the labyrinth city 'Aukladeo.' Those individuals were members of the Brotherhood Thieves Guild, a notorious gang. They not only rob adventurers in the labyrinth but also train children as pickpockets. Many adventurers, like you, have encountered similar situations. Even if they catch a pickpocket, they often let them go because they're just children. But not everyone is kind-hearted."
The Brotherhood Thieves Guild?
Li Meng etched this organization into his mind.
After rewinding time, he would surely visit the slums.
Without lingering outside, Li Meng turned and returned to the tavern.
As soon as Li Meng entered the tavern, a group appeared on the street outside.
Hans had returned with a small squad of militia.
In an instant, the area outside the tavern became noisy.
The arrival of the militia woke up the adventurers staying there.
Many left their rooms and went to the first floor to see what was happening.
The commotion also woke up Ame and her companions.
As they prepared to leave their room to join the excitement, Li Meng happened to pass by the door.
"Go back to sleep. There's nothing to see."
"Boss, what's happening outside?" Ame asked curiously.
"There's a body outside. The militia is investigating."
A corpse and the militia?
The three of them exchanged intrigued glances.
Hearing this, their curiosity grew.
"Alright, boss, we'll head back to bed then. Good night!"
Ame quickly grabbed Amay and Amayee, dragging them back into the room.
"Ame, what are you doing?"
Ame pressed her ear against the door, eavesdropping on the noise outside.
"Don't make a sound. We'll go out once the boss leaves."
Her words lit up the faces of Amay and Amayee.
They stopped asking questions and waited quietly.
When they heard the sound of a nearby door closing, Ame grinned mischievously.
"Amay, Amayee, let's go!"
Ame quickly opened the door.
The three of them snuck out of the room and headed straight for the stairs.
By the time they stepped out of the tavern's main door, the street was already crowded.
Over a dozen adventurers were gathered, watching the scene unfold.
The trio eagerly joined the crowd to watch the militia at work.
A group of leather-armored soldiers was wrapping a body in a shroud.
"Ame, doesn't that body look familiar?" Amay asked, noticing the pale blue hair.
Her sharp memory immediately linked it to the pickpocket girl they encountered earlier.
"I think it does!"
"Isn't that the girl from earlier today?"
While Amay and Amayee hesitated, Ame recognized the body as the pickpocket girl.
She stared at the shrouded corpse, her expression complicated.
The others mirrored her mood.
Though Ame had been the victim earlier, she didn't feel any satisfaction now.
The little girl, who had been so lively earlier, was now lifeless.
"The boss probably already knows," Amay murmured, finally understanding why he stopped them from going out earlier.
"Amay, Amayee, let's go back."
Grabbing their hands, Amay led them back into the tavern.
The commotion outside didn't last long.
After the militia left, calm returned to the tavern.
That night, in the tavern's hall:
"The Brotherhood Thieves Guild is getting more outrageous!" Hans said angrily.
Under the glow of a magical lamp, he and Sophia sat across from each other.
Hans clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with fury.
In his younger years, he had suffered losses at the hands of the Brotherhood Thieves Guild.
Several of his adventuring companions had even died because of them.
He had thought of revenge, but it was impossible.
The Brotherhood Thieves Guild had stood strong for centuries for a reason.
They had supporters in the Tower of Council and several Saint-level powerhouses among their ranks.
Many adventuring parties had tried to challenge them, but the guild always emerged victorious.
Sophia placed her hand over her husband's, offering comfort.
"Hans, there are things we're powerless to change. What we can do is ensure we don't become like them. They can't always prevail. Someday, a hero will rise to cleanse the dark corners of the labyrinth city 'Aukladeo,' making this place better. I believe that day will come."
Seeing the serene smile on his wife's face, Hans sighed and embraced her.
Having attachments meant there were things he couldn't do anymore.
As Sophia said, there were battles he couldn't fight.
All he could do was protect the small world he shared with his wife.
At least within the tavern, he could prevent some harm.
Even if, at times, he felt powerless.
Like earlier today.
He didn't mean to shield those scoundrels.
But if the tavern's rules were broken, even more people would get hurt.
"Sophia, don't worry. I'm not the impulsive youth I used to be."
Hans understood her concern.
In his younger days, his rashness had caused Sophia much suffering.
He had learned his lesson long ago.
He vowed to never let Sophia endure hardship again.
"Let's go to bed, Hans."
"Alright, let's go."
The couple rose and left the hall.
Before long, the magical lamps in the hall dimmed.