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"Mel, how were you able to get these?" Was the inevitable question that popped from your mind.
"I'm so happy you asked, Master~!" Said your beguiler. While Ruby took a look at the artifacts' designs while Ayane estimated how much money everything she brought was worth, you intently listened to Mel regale you about how she unlocked her [Custom Special] a few hours ago— Fae Dust Cloud. Not only could it be used to blind enemies, but it was useful for making invisible things visible. With it, she was able to kill four beguilers in a surprise attack and take these precious artifacts from them. And she had reason to believe she knew where the Bandit King was going to hide for the next couple of days, easily finding the trail he and his few remaining companions took.
"Just like I promised," Mel bubbled happily. "I did my job when searching for them~"
"Excellent work, Mel." You congratulated her, showering her face with small kisses for her troubles.
"Ehehehe~" Your beguiler was getting lost as you kept going. "Master is proud of me~"
"It's what such a cute and hard working woman like you deserves." You complimented.
After a little more of that, you asked Mel why she didn't capture any of the bandits for further interrogation. Your beguiler said that the other beguilers she saw seemed to be more like common mooks that recently joined the Bandit King from the local gangs around the area. But, from this small infiltration mission, she heard that one of the Bandit King's important lieutenants had escaped towards Westphalia already.
Ayane and Ruby, though not exactly on the same page in everything, both recommended that you keep the artifacts with you. Your merchant and your Mastermind classified the two objects as 'rare artifacts', right beneath legendary ones, and the bag of holding was considered a unique artifact, the latter sadly not worth much. And your vixen was able to get a general idea for how much the items Mel took from the bandits were worth, with the small haste-spell holding jewels worth around 300g, the two rare artifacts were worth around 1000g each, and the rest of the jewels and gold coins Mel brought were a total of 2000g.
This warranted a celebration. And you, calling your wives from their collars, feasted well into the evening.
Later that day you, Gerty, Cattleya, and Mel went to inspect where the few remaining bandits were.
"The winds are blowing in our favor. This Bandit's war will soon be over." Gerty spoke to no one in particular. You could guess that the confidence came from how well thing were going: She was making excellent progress with her Healing, being able to quickly use it when necessary and even having it's strength increase more than she'd ever expected.
