Chapter 35

Having been reincarnated into this world, it has already been 13 years. I have somehow gotten used to life in this different world.

However, I still haven't gotten used to the noble lifestyle. For example, in the noble circles of Orizon, long hair is considered desirable for men. There are even wig shops specifically for nobles in the military. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the hero Brave Aidek had long, handsome hair.

And the clothing is flashy, with generous use of gold and silver threads, and the default for pants is shorts. This is similar to medieval Europe, where the nobility, being a non-productive class, typically wore clothing unsuitable for labor.

In fact, working hard and sweating, like me, is considered heretical and even a matter of honor for the nobility. Some say that it is the duty of the nobility to drink tea elegantly while watching their subordinates work.

However, I am a poor man at heart and a workaholic... No, saying I love work might be misleading. I just get anxious if I don't work.

"Sir George, are you really sure about this?"

The barber's face is somewhat pale. Given the common sense of this world, my request is quite unconventional, so I can understand his reaction.

"Yes, I want a buzz cut. Don't throw away the hair you cut, I need it."

I don't intend to criticize men with long hair. If it suits them, there's no problem, and if I criticized men with long hair, I might be ostracized in the gaming industry. They weren't really into fashion; they just didn't have the time to get haircuts and preferred to spend their time on hobbies.

And I, unfortunately, don't suit long hair at all. I once wore a long-haired wig, but I looked like a failed folk singer from the Showa era. Yes, my long hair is devastatingly uncool. If I were to be spotted by Don○shi, I'd definitely get a lecture.

"I understand... But, Sir George, a buzz cut isn't popular with women."

I've never been popular with girls, so I don't think a buzz cut will change that. I'm considered an oddball by noble girls and not seen as a potential romantic interest by common girls due to the difference in status.

The girls in my class are far out of my league, so I'm not sad about it... I'm also used to not being popular. Disappointment comes from having expectations, so by not having expectations, I avoid being disappointed.

"I need it for a reason. Besides, hair grows back if you leave it alone."

And the result was a perfect potato boy. The freckles on my cheeks enhanced the potato-like appearance. If I had to praise it, I'd say it made me look like a simple boy, but to be honest, I looked like an unrefined country bumpkin.

"Sir George, Sir Hammer has arrived. S, Sir George!?"

Mr. Sander, who informed me of the arrival of Mr. Hammer and his daughter, was shocked by my head. His mouth was wide open, and he was speechless.

"I understand. And please pay the barber."

Incidentally, Mr. Volf, who brought Mr. Hammer and his daughter, was laughing so hard he was holding his stomach.

"Is it a helmet with hair implanted...?"

The eyes of Mr. Hammer and his daughter were fixed on my head. Lillul, in particular, had a blank look on her face.

"Yes, use my hair, and if it's not enough, use animal hair."

What I asked Mr. Hammer and his daughter to make was a helmet wig with animal ears. There are regular helmets in this world, but they are thick, making it unnatural to attach animal ears. This would prevent me from achieving my goal.

"A helmet wig... The defense will definitely be lower, but it's fine."

As Lillul said, to eliminate the unnaturalness, the helmet needs to be thin.

"Yes, please. Make the animal ears in the shape of a lion and as realistic as possible. I need it in two weeks."

Mr. Hammer took a mold of my head and said he would use it as a reference to make the helmet. Lillul was touching my buzz cut and got scolded by her father.

---

After Mr. Hammer and his daughter left, I called Mr. Rocco and Mr. Girel to my office.

"First, please look at this. The right side shows the day Bonita Oonizori attended a party, and the left side shows the day the attack happened at our place."

Since I got a computer, I've been managing various data. After analyzing the handwriting in the petition, I suspected Bonita, and the data I organized yielded interesting results.

"Bonita was attending a party near Boubel on the day of the attack. However, this alone won't be enough to accuse the Oonizori family."

As Mr. Sander said, Bonita has an alibi. Yes, he does.

"Yes, and Bonita brought his companions to the party. One is the elf Tandra Woter, and the other is the monkey person Risen Riter. I confirmed with the host of the party, and on the day of the attack, either Tandra or Risen left the party."

Incidentally, Tandra is a senior who was blown away by Donga, and Risen is a senior who was kicked by Camilla. Tandra's hair color is blue, and Risen's is brown.

"In other words, it's highly likely that one of them left the party to commit the attack. However, the Woter and Riter families... They are delicate families."

According to Mr. Rocco, the Woters are distant relatives of the Water Wotek family, and the Ritters are from the Light Ritek family. Incidentally, Tandra's father is a priest at the Hydoro Church in the Bonita territory, and the Ritter family has served the Oonizori viscount for a long time.

"Without solid evidence, the Oonizori viscount, the Wotek family, and the Ritek family won't sit still... Sir George, if you act rashly, it might create a rift between you and Lady Marina."

Mr. Girel, who sounded worried, said this, but the relationship between Marina and me is already broken... No, we were never close to begin with. I haven't even received a letter of sympathy for the attack.

"If there's no evidence, we can create it. Bonita has been invited to a party near Boubel in two weeks... Mr. Girel, can you mobilize the knights on that day?"

I leave the direct orders to the vassals to Mr. Girel. After all, if I, who is still treated as a child by the knight captain, give the order to mobilize, it will only cause complaints.

"It's fine, but if the knights are mobilized, they might be cautious and not commit the attack."

As Mr. Girel said, Tanra and Risen, who are still middle schoolers, might be scared by the sight of many knights. However, middle school is a time when one tends to underestimate adults and society.

"Yes, that's why I'll create a deliberate gap. I'll wander around in disguise as a beast person."

The mobilization of the knights is a setup to trap the criminals, and I will be the bait to lure them into the trap. But I don't want to get hurt, so I'll wear the wig helmet.

"That's not acceptable. If something happens to Sir George, it will be a disgrace to Lord Lauren. Besides, who will catch the criminals if Sir George is knocked out?"

"I'll have some of the knights as hidden reinforcements. I'll ask Mr. Rocco to accompany the knights and use healing magic if something happens."

I don't want to let the Assassin Guild do all the work, as it would undermine the knights' reputation. Besides, the members of the Assassin Guild can't appear in public.

"However, there's no need for Sir George to be the bait himself."

Given that Mr. Girel has known me since I was a baby, he probably wants to avoid putting me in danger. After all, his family has served the Kocatsu family for generations.

"They target weak people like women and children. I can't ask the families of my vassals to be the bait. Besides, if I am attacked, it can be treated as a noble issue."

At the very least, it will stop the attacks.

---

On the day of the operation, the Boubel knights were highly motivated. Of course, for a knight order that protects the town, the attacks were a blow to their pride. Moreover, the lord himself is going to be the bait, so it would be sad if they weren't motivated.

Incidentally, my beast-eared appearance was not cute at all; it was rather disgusting. I was wearing cheap linen clothes. The knight captain apologized for my attire, but this is my casual wear.

"Mr. Girel, please give the orders to the knights. Mr. Volf, please coordinate with the Assassin Guild to monitor their movements. Mr. Sander and Mr. Rocco, please move with the hidden reinforcements."

Mr. Sander will state the charges based on the laws between nobles.

As night fell on Boubel, the town remained lively, thanks to the brothels. The sounds of drunkards and minstrels mixed, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. The smell of meat grilled over charcoal tickled my nostrils.

(I want to drink beer... Grilled meat and beer are an unbeatable combination.)

A little wouldn't hurt, and I think they would definitely bite if I were drunk.

(This is market research. Market research is an important job for a lord.)

"Excuse me, grilled meat and bi— George, Tandra Woter has entered Boubel. He's wearing a green wig, but it's definitely him... You're not planning to drink beer, are you?"

Mr. Volf, you have perfect timing. But I can't say anything to Mr. Volf, who is giving me a serious look. I know the serious look of an assassin can make your stomach hurt.

"No, I'm doing market research as a lord..."

"Stop talking and move... Is there a lord who mobilizes the knights and then drinks beer?!"

Market research failed. My throat is already filled with beer...

"Yes, yes, I'll move."

The bait lord will move actively... I'll return the favor for the challenge.