Dumias' Defeat (Part 1)

...

At the same night, the mercenaries returned back to Gantz. The gatekeepers checked the sack that they brought along and allowed them to go through.

It’s almost midnight. Almost everyone had gone out cold in their beds. Only night-shift guards, late merchants, courtesans, and drunkards stayed awake and roam around the city.

Shortly, Bartz, the mercenary leader, gave order to his troops to gather in the tavern and have some rest until he returns. He took four of his men to go to the noble’s mansion, his former employer.

He went to the noble’s house, deep inside the city. After they arrive, the guards of his house asked him whether he had accomplished the deed. He showed the sack he carried on his back that was about the size of a human adult. There was a bulge that resembled a head, a bended part that looked like legs. The guards were assured that the mercenary had caught him.

“As expected of Lord Stupeyd’s best man. Very well, you may enter.”

Those guards opened the gates and opened the double-doors. The creaking sound of those doors opening, welcomed afterwards by an old butler behind it.

“Welcome back, Sir Bartz. You’ve returned sooner than expected.”

Sir Bartz bowed a little, “Yes. I’ve returned, and have accomplished the deed,” he said flatly.

“Well, well... how surprising a mere fool can actually catch a criminal like him, ah, pardon my rudeness. I believe that big sack you carry is him?”

“...” Bartz did not give a reply. He simply nodded.

“Hm-hmm... I guess Lord Stupeyd would be pleased to see it. Pray that he’s in the mood to meet a dirt like you. Follow me,”

Bartz bowed again, “Much appreciated, sir.”

Thus, he followed the old butler, followed by his four men to the living room. The living room was quite large and royal. But, just like the rest of the rooms they’ve passed, only teams of guards protecting every doorway. Bartz knew it was idiotic should he try to go against his employer frankly. There’s no way he can win against numerous amount of guards.

“So... Rodan Rouge had calculated of this as well. That’s why he didn’t tell us to strike immediately. So far so good...” so Bartz thought.

Shortly, the butler told Bartz to stand in the corner while his four men were told to leave the room immediately. The mercenary leader was not even allowed to sit down.

“Wait here. I will inform Lord Stupeyd of your arrival... and success.”

The butler left the room and closed the door, roughly. Arrogance was thick over his head. It can all be known immediately with his grin and wrinkles depicted in his face and the way he walked.

But... Bartz did not matter it at all.

...

..

.

Back in the Red Forest, the giant tree...

Rodan and Nono were sitting down on the top of the tree, where they could see the city in the far distance.

“Are you sure to make them do that kind of thing, Roro?”

“Absolutely, that was what they’re hoping: a massive payment from their employer,” Rodan replied assuredly.

“Will it work? I worry that they might turn their backs against us when we didn’t even notice...” Nono stated his concern.

“Oh, I believe 100% those mercenaries won’t turn their backs against us.”

“You said that so fervently, Roro.”

“Hmph, of course, those guys would never turn their backs against us. Not even Stupeyd’s riches can alter their side. Because I’ve prepared something a hundred times more valuable than that corrupt noble’s riches.”

“Do we even have that much of treasure? Don’t say you’re going to give away our house.”

“What the hell are you saying, Nono?! I’m never, EVER going to give our precious home to them. This tree house is the only place I can call home now. There’s no other place in the world that can be good as this.”

“...Roro...”

“Don’t ya worry, Nono. Just wait and see.

They will surely return to us. And bearing the result I wanted to hear.”

...

..

.

Back in the noble’s mansion, the arrogant butler called his master. He knocked the door to his room carefully not to break his mood.

“My lord, Bartz Totemhand has returned.”

Ten seconds passed, then, a man’s voice is heard. “So, he has returned?” he asked.

“Yes, my lord. I’ve told him to wait in the living room. May you come see him—”

“—FOOL! How could you let him enter my living room?!” the noble suddenly shouted. “Why did you let a wretched dung lay on my carpets?” he added angrily.

“...My apologies, my lord. But rest assured, he is not sitting on your royal chair. I prohibited him from doi—

“—IDIOT! A small fry like him does not deserve to enter this house! If he wants to tell me his results, tell him to wait outside like a dog!”

“...My apologies. I will tell him to wait outside immediat—

“—Argh, let him be. It’s late of night and I don’t want to make my rest time shorter. I will come to that dog.”

“Very well, my lord, I will prepare some tea.”

Immediately, the old butler headed to the kitchen and prepared tea. He let out a breath of relief that his master did not burst out in total anger.

“I’m utterly glad that I’m safe, for the moment. But, what of that little dung? I don’t think Lord Stupeyd would be as kind.”

In the end of his thoughts, he let out an evil laugh and grinned widely.

...

In the living room, Bartz waited for ten minutes already. Then, the double doors on the other side of the room opened by the guards, and there emerged the noble of Gantz city, Stupeyd Dumias.

He was one of the most influential nobles in the entire kingdom, known as the Lustrous Baron. His residence in Gantz was just one of tens of mansions he owned in the entire kingdom. He appeared as an obese middle aged man wearing the standards of a wise noble suit, but decorated with an octagon star crest on one of his pockets.

Immediately, Bartz put the sack in his place and he kneeled before the baron and greeted him with utter respect.

“My humble lord, it is a pleasant to meet you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness to meet me at this time of night.”

“You dare set foot on my house, you butt?” said Stupeyd in disrespect to the mercenary he employed.

“I’m sorry, my lord. I was welcomed in, so I thought—

“—I don’t want to HEAR ANY DAMN thing about that! You are not allowed in here and you should’ve realized that yourself and prevented your dirty feet from ever stepping in my house!”

Bartz lowered his body further. “...My apologies, my humble lord, I swear I will not do this again in the future. If I may, I will step outside this instant.”

“No need! I wish to hear how your mission goes.”

“...Thank you for your forgiveness, my humble lord. Well, then, I will immediately show you how I did.”

Bartz went back to the corner of the room and picked up the sack that seemingly had a human body in it. Stupeyd got a bit scared as he saw the mercenary leader brought it on his shoulders.

“As you can see, my humble lord, I’ve succeeded in capturing the notorious Rodan Rouge.”

The baron immediately threw his fear and got excited upon hearing Rodan’s capture. He took his time examining the sack Bartz brought to him. And after a while, the noble applauded the mercenary’s achievement.

“Wow, I’m actually impressed. You really did it! It is him.”

Bartz kneeled down and thanked his master. “No, I do not deserve such compliment. Though, I am pleased to participate in capturing him.”

“Hm, hm!” Baron Stupeyd nodded twice. His face was all happy.

But...

Bartz was thinking of the next step he’ll do next.

“As Rodan had expected, Lord Stupeyd examined the sack with his detection magic. I’m more surprised that he had that kind of thing in his disposal...”

...

Back when Bartz and the mercenaries discussed with Rodan of what should they do...

“What are those?” Bartz asked in curiosity as he saw Rodan carried a long box together with Nono from the tree house.

“H-Huh? Oh, these are mannequins. I just remembered I have these things.”

“Mannequins?” Bartz wondered.

“Yup, you see, I’ve a friend here in Red Bean Debauchery that excels in making mannequins. Not only that. He can also make them greatly resembling someone, from head to toe. He’s the best out there. Few months ago, I joked on him to make MY set of mannequins. Didn’t expect he’d really make it. And I didn’t expect it would be used for this kind of thing, though...”

“What do you want us to do with it?” Bartz asked again.

“Oh? Give it to your lord. Nobles don’t like to see stunned bodies directly, right? That’s why you’ll give it to him in this sack!” said Rodan while showing off his collection of sacks from all kinds of size.

“Why mannequins?” Bartz asked once more.

Rodan whipped the sack to unfold it. Then he explained his plan further.

“He’s not as stupid as his name to believe a scarecrow to be me. Not only that. Nobles also have magic detection. That’s why we’ll use these mannequins, in addition of me adding my magical aura to these!

Or to be concluded, I want you to fake my capture, Bartz. Lord Stupeyd is a sadistic noble that would do anything to make a criminal suffer. That’s why having me tucked inside a sack and not moving around would surely make him happy. He will not let me out of the sack for a long time unless I begged for mercy. Because of that, he will never notice that the sack is actually a mannequin! Moreover, the mannequin looked a lot like me, so if he ever opened the sack, it will take some time before he finally realizes it’s fake!”

...

Back to the mansion, Bartz had finished recalling the plan. When he thought of Rodan Rouge, he could only think of one thing.

“What a madman... but he’s a brilliant in making this happen. I don’t think anyone could come up with this crazy plan.

Very well, then, I will execute your plan to the fullest, Rodan Rouge!”