The Precious Baby of the Bandit Leader Chapter 54

‘I knew it was strange that he was heading toward the cliff instead of the mountain stronghold.’

 

Hearing those words, I finally got a sense of how the situation had unfolded.

 

While Gaon was securing food and funds, he likely identified people suitable for recruiting into the rebel forces.

 

He then tried to bring them back to the mountain stronghold—but noticed there was a spy among them.

 

And just before reaching the stronghold, a fight must have broken out.

 

‘Come to think of it….’

 

I recalled something the Chief had once said.

 

“Deputy Chief, the reason we must entrust this task to Gaon is clear. He’s sharp, and his ability to see through people is exceptional. As we plan this operation, the thing we must be most wary of is rooting out traitors. That is precisely why Gaon had to go.”

 

Certain now, I nodded to myself.

 

Just then, the other men rushed forward like a swarm behind the fallen man, cornering Gaon. 

 

“Capture him alive, no matter what!”

 

“We must take him before the Prime Minister!”

 

Moving in perfect coordination, they surrounded Gaon.

 

“Tch…!”

 

Gaon continued swinging his sword, but facing nine men while injured was too much.

 

‘What should I do? Are Dad and the uncles not here yet?’

 

Anxious that stepping in might only make things worse, I stamped my feet and glanced behind me.

 

And then—

 

Slash—!

 

Gaon was finally caught!

 

“Got him! We’ve got him!”

 

“Tie him up! Hurry!”

 

“Should we just crush his leg completely so he can’t even think about running?”

 

As nine men piled on, pinning Gaon by the neck and trying to bind him—

 

I clenched my fists tight.

 

I didn’t hesitate any longer. I raised my slingshot.

 

Shot—!

 

The stone flew straight into the eye of the man gripping Gaon’s throat.

 

“Guh, aghh!” 

 

“The easiest target is the eyes. When a person can’t see, they’re bound to reveal an opening. So if you want to force your opponent to expose a weakness from the start, shoot the eyes first.”

 

Master Dupil’s teaching worked perfectly!

 

‘Yes. I did it!’

 

Biting my lip, I loaded the next stone.

 

“Who was that?! Who did it?!”

 

Startled by the sudden attack, the men looked around wildly, searching for their assailant.

 

Thud—!

 

Seizing that opening, Gaon kicked them away and forced himself back to his feet.

 

“There! It’s that little brat over there!”

 

One man who’d been keeping watch even while fighting Gaon spotted me and shouted.

 

Another immediately pulled out a bow.

 

“Archer!”

 

Creaaak—!

 

In an instant, he drew and aimed at me.

 

Gaon’s eyes widened when he saw me, and he threw himself forward—but another man blocked his path.

 

Whoosh—!

 

I turned to flee, but the arrow was already flying toward me.

 

‘No—!’

 

Just as I sensed the pain about to strike and squeezed my eyes shut—

 

Shot—!

 

With a fierce rush of wind, the arrow was split clean in two midair and fell to the ground.

 

At the same time, my body was lifted sharply into the air. It was a familiar embrace.

 

“Looks like we arrived in time.”

 

A dreadful sound—teeth grinding tightly together.

 

A murderous aura poured out of the Chief, as if he were about to tear everyone present apart.

 

“Yeong-ah, close your eyes for a moment.”

 

“Come on, let’s play a game where Uncle covers your eyes. You should cover your ears too. That’s right.”

 

The instant the Chief finished speaking, Uncle Gaeddong gently covered my eyes.

 

Following his lead, I lightly placed my hands over my ears, just pretending.

 

Clang! Clang!

 

Blades crashed violently together, sparks flying.

 

“Ghk!”

 

“Spare me—!”

 

“Argh!”

 

The sounds of begging for life and the shearing of swords mingled and echoed. 

 

Fortunately, the fight ended quickly.

 

“Take them away.”

 

At the Chief’s order, Kim Dupil and the uncles responded in thunderous voices and bound the surviving enemies tightly with rope.

 

Lastly, the Chief personally supported Gaon and shouted to everyone.

 

“The First Commander is injured. Call a monk immediately!”

 

* * * 

 

The next day.

 

As soon as dawn broke, the Chief headed to Gaon’s tent. 

 

“I will speak with Gaon alone.”

 

I couldn’t just sit still after hearing that.

 

‘I must check if Gaon has had any contact with his family.’

 

Though the flow of the original story had changed when Gaon left the fortress—

 

According to my calculations.

 

This was roughly when Gaon was supposed to receive a secret letter from his family.

 

Even if he’d been traveling across the land… there could have been someone who approached him in some way.

 

‘No—if anything, being alone may have made it easier!’

 

Step, step.

 

I carefully approached Gaon’s tent, stifling even the sound of my footsteps. 

 

Then, I looked inside through a tiny hole I had spotted while passing by earlier. 

 

‘Oh, I can see!’

 

A monk was beside Gaon, checking his pulse and applying medicine, while the Chief watched over him in silence.

 

“If you apply this medicine regularly, he should recover soon. But for the time being, it would be best for him to move as little as possible.”

 

Pressing my ear closer, I could faintly hear their conversation.

 

“Very well. You may take your leave.”

 

“Yes, Chief.”

 

The monk bowed deeply and exited the tent.

 

I flinched and crouched low, and thankfully the monk passed by without noticing me, walking away calmly.

 

Then, the real conversation inside began.

 

“Just why was contact cut off?” 

 

“I apologize, Chief.”

 

Gaon immediately bowed deeply and apologized.

 

“For what?”

 

“I failed to fully complete the Chief’s orders. I managed to secure food and water, but they burned it all. Crucially, I realized the betrayal too late. I wanted to send word to the Chief, but I couldn’t risk exposing the location of the fortress.”

 

Hoo. The Chief let out a short sigh and shook his head.

 

“It is fine. That you returned alive—that alone is enough. The food situation is grave, but we will find another way.” 

 

“But I know the provisions for the ‘Seolhwa’ troops have nearly run out. As of now, there is no other alternative…” 

 

Seolhwa (Snow Flower). 

 

The name referred to the rebel army raised in the fortress, a title the Boss had personally bestowed. 

 

It carried symbolic meaning as well, tied to the day he decided on rebellion, the same day he had made ice flowers for me.

 

‘So many people have gathered over the past few years.’

 

Without money and food, it was only natural that maintaining an army of this size would be difficult.

 

“Yes. If things continue like this, we’ll have no choice but to consider disbandment.”

 

At last, the Chief spoke those words aloud.

 

The words everyone had only been thinking to themselves due to the drought and food shortage that had lasted for the past three years…

 

The words no one had dared to utter aloud.

 

‘Disbanding the rebel army.’

 

I knew far too well what those words meant to Gaon.

 

“You cannot! Not that!” 

 

Gaon dragged his injured body and bolted upright from his seat. 

 

I gasped, eyes wide, and immediately understood his reaction.

 

Gaon was someone who had lived solely to take revenge on the current king.

 

‘That’s why, even while hating me, he agreed to keep me at the stronghold… and saved my life more than once.’

 

He was someone who endured many things for the sake of a greater goal.

 

‘And the Chief decided on rebellion for my sake.’

 

But now, perhaps thinking that everything might fall through because of him— 

 

Gaon’s hands were shaking.

 

“That must not happen, Chief! You know this! If we disband now, it will be nearly impossible to try again!”

 

He clenched his teeth and protested fiercely once more.

 

At that moment, the Chief quietly looked at him.

 

There was unwavering resolve still embedded in his gaze.

 

“Do not worry. I will not give up, Gaon.”

 

The Chief was resolute.

 

“However, the time has come to face reality. We can fight. But starving soldiers cannot. If this rebellion is meant to protect the people, yet we end up starving them ourselves, then what meaning does it have?”

 

“Then….”

 

Gaon bit his lip.

 

“Then we must go on an expedition.”

 

‘An expedition?’

 

I pricked my ears at the unfamiliar words.