VRMMORPG: Dragomancer Reborn

167  Goal Of The Bandits

With the trio that Arthur needed to meet present there, it became a lot more convenient for him.

"Captain Fredric," Arthur greeted the man.

"Arzhur, you're here in time." Alchemist Lugan was the one who spoke.

"I don't know if it is exactly accurate. I see that a lot of things have happened in the town." Arthur replied.

"You're correct." Captain Fredric nodded his head. "We had an unexpected invasion."

"I heard… how exactly did it happen?" Arthur questioned. "I didn't get that many details on the way here."

~Sigh~

"The bandits are getting crazier and crazier." Guild Master Caleb spoke. "I wouldn't have thought Dozla would be this reckless to send them directly to the town."

"It is as Caleb said. They seemed to have mounted a direct offense this time and managed to injure and even kill a few of our people." Captain Fredric said, anger sparking within his eyes.

"Hmm… Did you manage to figure out their goal?" Arthur asked. "They should have been targeting something or someone right?" he had a hunch that they weren't just attacking blindly.

After all, for the Bandit Chief Dozla to send so many bandits openly was the same as spurring a war. Forget the Roran Town, once the news of this spread to the city, and the higher-ups learned that an official town was attacked by mere bandits, they wouldn't take it lightly.

It would simply give them an excuse to send out an official detachment of the army to subjugate the bandits.

Even for Dozla, it would be a considerable threat. He was only able to survive here since Captain Fredric couldn't leave the town unguarded.

"We are not fully sure. But considering how they were grouped up, they either intended to come here or to another location near the guild. We can't determine the exact place since Caleb here killed the ones at the guild." Captain Fredric answered. "Though it might as well be the guild since they tried to do it before, too." He added.

Hearing this, a few thoughts went through Arthur's mind. He combined this information with his past life information about the condition of Roran town and came up with something.

"If they were trying to come here, it was likely due to the imprisoned bandits." Arthur first stated. "As for the second location… I don't think it is the guild." He said much to their surprise.

"Why do you think it is not the guild?" Caleb questioned.

"May I ask where the Resident Mage is?" Arthur questioned instead.

"Resident Mage Hudd is…" it was now that a look of realization appeared on Captain Fredric's face.

Arthur had been thinking about potential targets and thought about the condition of the town in his past life. It was a lot more damaged and several buildings near the town were burned down.

Matching those with the current time, Arthur realized that there was a peculiar building among them that stood out. It looked to be guarded as there were always guards standing outside it.

"She lives near the Guild too right?" Arthur stated.

15:18

But at the same time, the building had no nameplate or a signboard as to say what it was. From the outside, it looked like a business building, but the lack of traffic suggested otherwise.

"She lives near the Guild too right?" Arthur stated.

"She does indeed." Captain Fredric admitted. "While she is a strong mage, her magic is still stretched thin, maintaining the barrier against beasts. It was fine in the past, but now that she has reached an advanced age, she cannot keep up as well." He explained.

"I understand. Which is also why I think they were targeting her." Arthur replied. "If she's attacked while maintaining the barrier, she might not be able to defend in time. That'll bring down the barrier, opening up the town to more danger." He hypothesized.

"That does seem likely, now that I think about it." Alchemist Lugan nodded. "Though it still doesn't explain how they managed to confirm the location of Resident Mage Hudd. In the past few years, we've kept it a secret."

The official residence of a Resident Mage depended on the size of the settlement they were in charge of. In villages, they would have their own house, but in towns they would be living either in the Town center like here or at the Class Change Hall.

But with how much freedom and flexibility Morpheus Online had, this also varied greatly depending on circumstances.

"Hmm… I think the Cultists of Iltan might be behind it." Arthur guessed. "Have you all checked the corpses of the Bandits who invaded?" he asked next.

Hearing this, the Captain furrowed his brows. He seemed to have grasped something.

"Guards!" he suddenly called out.

Five seconds later, two guards appeared at his command.

"Yes, captain!" They hurriedly replied.

"I want each and every corpse of the bandit searched right away!" the guard captain ordered.

"Look for something that is not usual for a bandit. They should have been given a tool to locate mana." Arthur spoke. "Considering Resident Mage Hudd's magical power, the right tool would quickly point to her location once inside the town." He explained.

"You heard him, go!" Frederic ordered.

"YES!" the guards hurriedly went to carry out the orders.

"I don't know how we missed this," Fredric said while rubbing his forehead.

"Well, considering how many things have been happening, it does make sense," Arthur replied. "Plus, they were intentionally trying to deceive you too. The attack on this building must have just been a diversion."

"You don't think they would be coming to save the incarcerated bandits?" Caleb asked, with intrigue.

"If the Cultists of Iltan were the ones to place the curse on the bandits, I'm sure they would also know when the curse was triggered. And since the bandits are still alive, the curse should be intact too." Arthur replied. "With this, they can easily formulate a plan to divert your attention."

Hearing this, Caleb couldn't help but feel impressed.

Arthur's guess turned out to be correct, as soon enough, the guards returned with the proof.