Chapter 13: The Tin Knight and The City of Pleasure (7)
On a night when the sun had fallen.
Colombo, the leader of a band of bandits, strolled through the streets after leaving the lord’s castle, feeling elated.
The deal he had considered somewhat of a gamble had been successfully concluded. He had received and pocketed a huge advance payment, and even though it was conditional, he had obtained a stepping stone to leap to a higher place.
His subordinates would praise his achievements, and more bandits would want to join under his command.
Colombo was willing to generously share his spoils with them.
He was greedy, but not stingy, fully aware that generosity would only strengthen his position.
He envisioned ordering lavish dishes that filled the table before him at the largest establishment in this city, preparing so much alcohol that the floor wouldn’t be visible even after everyone had fallen drunk, and spending a pleasant night with beautiful women.
Colombo sincerely intended to carry out these plans—that was until he checked his devastated headquarters.
The thick scent of blood and the strange odor of innards filled the space.
Tables and chairs were rarely intact, having been caught up in the battle, and blood stains overflowed indiscriminately on walls, floors, and ceilings.
In between, the corpses of bandits who had met miserable deaths greeted their comrades.