But they soon discovered that these soldiers were different. They left nobles and civilians alike untouched. When they passed through a town, they found an open space or camped on the outskirts instead of forcing their way into a noble's manor. Nor did they kill innocent people and claim credit for it, or seize civilians and falsely identify them as people on wanted posters to collect bounties.
Once people realized these warriors would not hurt them, some of the sharper ones began offering clues. The Deepwinter Legion was also a supernatural force, with several Master Level fighters, including its commander, Brino Jana. The Thieves' Guild and the Brotherhood had some organization, but not enough to stand against them. The legion crushed them and wiped out the ringleaders.
Yet even after they dug out the Gray Gloves behind them, they had found only fifty-odd villains whose crimes warranted hanging.
"Why so few?" Brino Jana was dissatisfied.
The local lord said it was enough. The other bandits probably would not dare show their faces again.
Gema drew out her words in imitation of the Old Housemaster. "We came all this way and cleared out the bandits. If we leave and they spring right back up, that wouldn't do, would it?"
The lord shook his head hurriedly. "No, it wouldn't."
"We came to help an ally deal with bandits. Going back with only a few arrests to show for it wouldn't do either, would it?"
"Certainly not!"
The lord gritted his teeth and signaled to the butler beside him.
The butler ran out and returned with two servants carrying a heavy Money Chest.
Clang—
They set it down and opened it, revealing a dazzling array of jewels.
"Are you insulting us?!"
Brino Jana flashed forward like lightning, seized the lord by the collar,