"You could join us. We could make a fortune together, become nobles, overthrow this Kingdom..."
The leader of the Fake Blade of Freedom no longer sounded so tough.
"I can make a fortune and become a noble by arresting you, too." Annan smiled, turned his head, and said, "Get them!"
His men charged. The fake Blade of Freedom could bully ordinary people, but against trained soldiers in Leather Armor wielding Fine Swords, they broke into cries of pain the moment the two sides clashed.
Three fools who resisted were killed on the spot. Seeing that the soldiers meant business, the leader of the Fake Blade of Freedom and everyone left stood perfectly still.
An accomplice watching from the crowd realized things had gone wrong. He slipped through the onlookers to warn the people behind them.
Annan stepped forward and said with a sneer, "So this is the 'Blade of Freedom'?" He did not care that so many people were watching.
Their leader forced out a smile that looked more like a grimace. "D-don't fight. How are we supposed to make money if we fight?"
For a moment, Annan almost thought the man had seen Let Magic Fly. The leader mistook his pause for hesitation and hurriedly lowered his voice. "I have several nobles backing me... Don't you want to meet them?"
"Don't worry. Everything you've said will be entered into evidence. We'll pay those nobles funding you a visit." Annan smiled pleasantly.
"Take them away!"
The crowd parted. Annan glanced at the thug who had tipped him off. "Do you have family?"
"Yes... No...!"
"Good. For your protection as a witness, you'll need to come with us. We'll give you a reward, too."
"Thank you, sir! Thank you!"
The thug thanked him profusely, his face beaming.
At the window, a