Soon, a lavish Chinese feast—though not quite as extravagant as a full Manchu-Han banquet—was laid out before the drooling men. Even Silei dropped his usual pretense of restraint. In the scorching desert, a meal of cool, juicy dishes was a rare luxury!
Watching them enjoy the food, Sophie felt genuinely happy. She even contributed the honey melon she'd acquired earlier, not to mention other fruits! Aside from the main dishes, there was a colorful fruit salad—a true delicacy for a caravan that hadn't had a decent meal in ages. At one point, Sophie had considered spiking Silei's portion, but seeing everyone in such high spirits, she decided to spare him… for now. There'd be plenty of chances later!
Too busy feasting, no one noticed a mound of sand at the oasis' edge slowly sinking—except for Silei, whose lips curled into an eerie smirk.
Meanwhile, Giselle, who had just pulled off a heist the day before, was busy tallying his loot when a scout burst in.
"Boss! Boss!" Huffing and puffing, Haritt finally caught his breath. "Another caravan's at the oasis! Only about a dozen guards, and the cargo looks loaded! We can take 'em!"
"Really? You sure?" Giselle sprang to his feet, eyes gleaming.
"Clear as day! There's even a woman with 'em—fetch a fine price if we nab her!" Haritt grinned confidently.
"Good! Tell the boys to eat and drink their fill! We strike after—fortune's smiling on us!" Giselle's mind swam with visions of gold.
As seasoned desert bandits, they rarely encountered two caravans in a week. The desert was vast, and most traders slipped through unnoticed. They had to hit fast and vanish—crossing powerful merchants meant risking war with their home nations.
Back at the oasis, Silei did something unprecedented. He approached Sophie with a bracelet, smiling amiably.
"Sophie, got something for you."
"Huh?" Sophie eyed the beautiful bracelet suspiciously. No way this was free. "Why?" Had she suddenly become irresistible?
"Just thanking you for the meal. No ulterior motives," Silei said smoothly.
"Oh. Well, thanks!" Unable to resist shiny things—like any girl—Sophie happily slipped it on, admiring it. She'd already forgiven Silei. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all! Too busy gushing, she missed the odd flicker in his expression.
The caravan decided to rest overnight, resupply water, and leave at dawn.
As night fell, Sophie's homemade tent drew more amazed stares. Who knew she had so many tricks? After some chatter, the exhausted group turned in, leaving only a few on watch.
Meanwhile, dark shapes crept toward the oasis.
"Boss, they're right ahead!" Haritt whispered.
"I've got eyes!" Giselle snapped. "Surround 'em. Wait for my signal."
The bandits fanned out, encircling the camp.
A fireball shot into the sky—followed by shouts and clashing steel.
Within minutes, Silei barked, "Fall back!" The entire caravan leaped onto their monibeasts and vanished into the night.
"Don't chase 'em!" Giselle roared with laughter. "Pathetic! Pack up the loot—we're heading home!" Easiest haul ever.
"Boss! Found the girl!" Haritt dragged out a drowsy Sophie.
Rubbing her eyes, she glared. "Who dares interrupt my beauty sleep?!"
Then she noticed the strangers. A scar-faced man held her. "Who are you? Where's Silei?"
"Silei? Never heard of 'im. I'm Haritt—the desert's most charming, dashing, lady-killing bandit!" He puffed his chest.
"Bandits?!" Sophie's voice cracked. The men's rough demeanors sank in.
"Let me go! I'm just a cook—worthless to you!" She squirmed, knowing it was futile. Inside, she cursed Silei's betrayal. After all her cooking, they'd left her?! So much for heroes.
Giselle stroked his beard. "She'll fetch a fine price."
Panicked, Sophie unleashed two fireballs—take a few down with her!
The sudden magic killed several bandits. Enraged, Giselle lunged with his sword.
Haritt yanked Sophie aside and knocked her out cold. "Boss, don't waste her! Sell her to the beastmen—she'll suffer plenty!"
Giselle grunted, storming off.
Hidden behind a dune, Baron fretted. "Prince, is this safe? We could've tracked them without her bracelet. It's too risky!"
"She'll be fine. They won't sell her immediately. We'll raid their den, rescue her and the goods—plus their stash." Silei forced confidence, though Sophie's magic had rattled him. His plan had hinged on her being taken quietly. Now, doubt gnawed at him.
As the bandits disappeared, Silei's eyes narrowed. Regret crept in—using Sophie as bait might've been a mistake.
**Will she survive?**