Justice Bandits (Part 1)

Seeing the sly grin on Sordil's face, Diphiya knew someone was about to be in big trouble. Fueled by her intense curiosity, Diphiya eagerly asked, "Sordil, your smile is so sinister, something big must have happened over there! Tell us quickly, let us share in the joy!"

"It's nothing major. They're just holding a military meeting to discuss their next course of action."

"You're lying! If they were just discussing their plan of action, why are you smiling so sinisterly?"

Sordil pressed down on Diphiya's hand that was out in front of his nose, then pointed at Yelibell and said, "If you don't believe me, you can ask Sister Yelibell and see if I'm lying!"

Trusting Sordil, Diphiya turned to Yelibell to confirm the situation.

"Sordil's brother is right, they are indeed holding a meeting to discuss the next course of action."

"See, I didn't lie to you!"

"If that's the case, then what were you laughing at just now, bro?"

"The reason I'm laughing is because their decision is exactly what I predicted. This means they're about to fall into the trap I've set for them, and we're about to win again. Don't you think I should be laughing?"

Hearing Sordil's words, Diphiya scratched the back of her head and gave an awkward but polite smile. Unlike Diphiya's awkward laugh, Belserion and the others smiled genuinely upon learning that they were about to achieve another victory. Just as everyone was rejoicing, the "Cold Water Queen, "Yelibell, once again consistently demonstrated her signature ability.

"Brother Sordil, the enemy is about to transport food and water from their base to the front lines. This means your scorched-earth strategy is about to fail. We're more likely to fail than win."

The crowd, who had been laughing, all stopped and waited quietly for Sordil's explanation.

"Sister Yelibell, the purpose of my scorched earth policy was to force the enemy to transport supplies from their base to the front lines. In this way, as long as we cut off their supply lines, they will have no choice but to retreat or starve to death in Ishgar."

"But the enemy's supply line is behind them. How can we cut it off?"

As soon as Yelibell finished speaking, the quick-witted and studious Igneel immediately interjected, "We can use the Teleportation Array designed by Brother Sordil to go to their only route for transporting supplies, then ambush them there, intercept their escort team, and cut off their supply line!"

Looking at Igneel, who seemed to understand him perfectly, Sordil stepped forward, gave him a high five, and said, "Brother Igneel, you understand me best!"

"That's right! We're like family!"

"That's true, Bandit understand Bandit best!"

Hearing Grandiere's sarcastic remark, the two who were giving each other a high five both collapsed to the ground. Before they could get up, the Cold Water Queen Yelibell spoke again, "That's a good method, but unfortunately it just won't work!"

"Why?"

Faced with the collective questions from the onlookers, Teacher Yelibell earnestly answered, "Have you all forgotten that to travel to a certain place via Teleportation Array, you must first set up the Teleportation Array there, otherwise you cannot go. I ask you, who among you has ever been to the Western Continent? Who has ever set up Teleportation Array in enemy territory?"

Upon hearing Yelibell's words, everyone was speechless. Seeing that everyone had lost faith in his plan, Sordil quickly got up from the ground and said to Yelibell, "Sister Yelibell is right! However, just because we haven't set up Teleportation Array before doesn't mean we can't go and set Teleportation Array up now!"

"Set it up now? Brother Sordil, do you think they'll let us get past their defenses and set up Teleportation Array in their rear?"

Faced with irrefutable facts, even Igneel had to admit that Yelibell's viewpoint was correct. However, for the unconventional Sordil, none of this mattered, because he had already prepared a secret trump card.

"Haha! Sister Yelibell, how about we make a bet? If I can get past their defenses and set up Teleportation Array behind them, you'll grant me any request. If I can't, I'll grant you any request. How about it? Are you in for the bet?"

Although Yelibell wanted to immediately accept the bet, her reason and caution were desperately preventing her from acting impulsively. In the end, her rationality prevailed, successfully pulling her back from her momentary impulse. After exhaling a deep breath, Yelibell began to analyze the intelligence she had and carefully listened to Sordil's thoughts.

"Hmm? Why isn't Sordil thinking anything? Oh! I know, he must be afraid I'll discover something, so he's forcing himself not to think about anything. Hmph! Let's see how long you can keep this up!"

Having 'seen through' Sordil's plans, Yelibell neither agreed to nor refused the bet, maintaining a silent standoff with Sordil. However, often things are beyond our control. Like now, although Yelibell was prepared for a protracted battle, onlookers started interfering to advance the plot.

"Yelibell, you'd better just say yes or no!"

"Yes, Sister Yelibell! Everyone is waiting for you to make a decision!"

This silent battle lasted a full fifteen minutes, ending prematurely due to the jeers of the onlookers. Yelibell, the loser, was left to decide whether to continue the bet based on the clues she had. Thinking of her own wish, Yelibell decided to take the plunge.

"Brother Sordil, I accept this bet!"

"Whoa!"

"Whoosh!"

"Yelibell is a woman of great courage!"

"Sister Yelibell, you're amazing!"

Hearing the shouts and whistles around her, Yelibell's previously chaotic heart suddenly calmed down. Next, she and all the onlookers turned their gaze to Sordil, their intentions clear: to have Sordil reveal the final mystery. Seeing everyone seeking his answer, Sordil threw his head back and laughed heartily. Then, he mobilized his Space Magic, creating a Space Barrier around them, isolating them from the rest of the camp. After completing this, a large amount of purplish-pink smoke suddenly erupted from Sordil's body, and then Sordil vanished from the spot, replaced by another Yelibell.

Unlike the previous Yelibell Number Two who was 80% similar to Yelibell, the second Yelibell that has appeared now is exactly the same as Yelibell herself, with no difference whatsoever. What's even more terrifying is that even her voice is exactly the same.

"How about it, Sister Yelibell? Can I break through the enemy's blockade and go to their rear to set up Teleportation Array?"

Seeing the identical faces and hearing the identical voices, everyone, including Yelibell, was completely bewildered. After a long while, Diphiya, finally realizing what was happening, shouted, "Transformation Magic!"

In an instant, everyone's eyes turned to Diphiya, hoping to hear more information.

"That's right, it's Transformation Magic!"

"Sordil, isn't Transformation Magic used to transform into human form?"

"Of course not! When Transformation Magic is mastered to a high level, it can make you look like any creature, Consecutive Pairs voice, abilities, and personality."

Upon hearing Sordil's words, gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd, and Diphiya felt a pang of regret for having such a divine skill left unused.