Chapter 56

8/1-2

Updates will be in two parts each.

August 10, 2015

Correction: リスって (squirrel) → ディスって (diss)

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"Seriously?!"

"Written as '本気' (serious) but read as 'マジ' (really)!"

Anyway, a gang of thieves really did attack us.

I had spread the information that we had thousands of gold coins, but I wonder why they decided to attack us despite the presence of our guard knights. I would avoid such a risk if I were them.

In any case, since I orchestrated the attack, I intend to thoroughly deal with the thieves. The carriage is being protected by the guard knights, and Carla and the others are using it as a mobile artillery platform to repel the attack. There are about 40 thieves in total, and it seems like the entire gang has come out.

Using my magic to sense the surroundings, I noticed three reactions watching us from a distance. Using one of my abilities,千里眼 (千里 eye), I confirmed that three people were watching us closely. Even while using千里眼, I can still check their status, and one of the three is clearly marked as the leader of the thieves. ...The problem is the other two. They are definitely connected to the thieves, but what should I do about them...

"Sir Christophe, we have eliminated most of the thieves, but a few escaped."

"Gael, no need to chase the stragglers. However, there are three of their companions hiding in this direction. They are likely the leaders. Try to capture them alive if possible."

"Yes, sir!"

Gael led 10 men in the direction I pointed. The remaining 7 knights, the students, and the carriage driver are left behind. I checked the injuries of the remaining knights and healed those with minor injuries. I also instructed them to gather the dead thieves' bodies in one place. The living thieves were disarmed, healed, and tied up.

"Hey, thief. Is there any leader among you?"

I spoke to one of the tied-up thieves, but he glared at me and spat. I dodged it, as it was dirty. Seeing this, my personal guard, Wick, pulled out a knife and stabbed the thief's right thigh.

"AAAAHHH!"

That must have hurt. However, Wick, you didn't hesitate to stab him. I was surprised, and so were Carla and the others. Maybe this is what it takes to be a knight, but I didn't give any orders, did I?

"Those who do not answer Sir Christophe's questions will end up like this. Is there anyone among you who does not want to answer Sir Christophe's questions?"

Wick's fierce smile and the sharp fangs of his beastman nature were terrifying. Wick is a tiger beastman and probably the strongest among my guards in terms of combat power. However, like Revis, he often diss me, which doesn't make him a very good guard. ...You should always work this hard. Gael didn't take Wick with the 10 men because of his high attack power, which is not suitable for capturing them alive.

Under Wick's intimidation, a few of the thieves revealed the leaders. Some of the leaders were among the dead, but some were still alive, and they provided the information. Stop making so much noise!

In total, there were 4 leaders: 2 dead and 2 alive. These 2 were separated from the other thieves for interrogation.

"Are you the leaders of the thieves? ...If you are handed over to the lord, you will be sentenced to death, right? ...But if you answer my questions, I can arrange for you to be sold as criminal slaves to a good master."

"You can't do that, you brat!"

"It's not impossible. I am Christophe von Brütsels, from the Brütsels Margrave family. I have some influence, you know."

"B, B, B, Brütsels... L, L, L, Margrave!"

It's not a fart, so try to be a bit more surprised.

"Look at the carriage. It has the emblem of the Brütsels Margrave family."

The leaders were shocked again when they saw the emblem.

Carla and the others are interrogating the other thieves, but it seems Clara is doing well. Clara has a high affinity for dark attributes and can use terrifying mental magic!

"Do you understand? ...Now, my question is, who is backing you? There must be someone, right?"

"..."

"Look over there. She has dark attributes. If you don't talk, she will make you regret being born with her torture."

Sorry, Clara. You are set up as a crazy witch who loves torture. The two leaders are trembling.

"Seems like there's no other choice. I'll leave it to her."

As I was about to leave, the leaders stopped me and started talking non-stop, even though I didn't ask them anything.

Meanwhile, Gael returned with the three captured. Well done! They are injured but not critically.

"Are you the leader?"

I know, but I need to hear it from you.

"..."

"Is that so? It doesn't matter. I already know who your backer is from the other leaders, and you will have to pay for your crimes."

Then I turned to the two others who were captured with the leader.

"You are not thieves, but you are part of the gang, right? I have already heard about you from the leaders, but I will confirm. Please tell me your names and status."

"..."

"Checking your status cards will reveal everything, so staying silent will only make your situation worse."

"Who are you?"

"Before I tell you who I am, tell me about yourselves. Come on, criminals."

"Don't be ridiculous! You think you can get away with this to us?"

"That's right!"

I got the usual lines! Thanks!

But for them to say such cliché lines, is this world influenced by Japanese culture?

I didn't tell them, but Wick stabbed the man who was talking big in the eye with his knife.

"AAAAHHH!"

Wick is working hard, but he is ruthless. This guy is definitely an S! It's a good thing I interrogated them separately from Carla and the others. I put up a soundproof barrier and a perception-blocking spell, so from their perspective, it just looks like a normal interrogation.

But I didn't tell them to torture anyone.

Then I turned to the other man, who was trembling.

"Will you talk?"

"Y, Yes, I'll tell you anything..."

I asked many questions. These two are vassals of Baron Beres. Baron Beres is a noble who governs this land and is related to the daughter of Duke Brennan, who married into the noble faction. In other words, they were harboring thieves near the border of the Brütsels Margraviate and attacking those heading to or entering the Brütsels Margraviate. This level of harassment is not funny. I will leave the rest to my father.

In total, 43 thieves appeared. 24 are dead, 17 are captured, and 2 escaped. The stolen goods have already been moved to Baron Beres's mansion, but I cannot ignore the people being held captive in their hideout. I decided to send 5 guard knights to the thieves' hideout.

As part of the cleanup, we burned the bodies of the dead thieves and took the captured ones to the next village. The village where we caught the thieves is in Baron Beres's territory, but we took them to a village in the Brütsels Margraviate. The village administrator, who has been troubled by the thieves, had repeatedly requested Baron Beres to eliminate them, but that was impossible since they were in cahoots.

"Sir Christophe, I apologize for the inconvenience. This failure is my responsibility, and I beg for leniency for my subordinates."

This is Zeiris, the elderly administrator of the village. Not being able to catch the thieves is not praiseworthy, but since it happened outside the Brütsels Margraviate, there's nothing that could have been done. It's commendable that he is more concerned about his subordinates than himself.

"I don't have the authority to punish Zeiris and the others. Besides, it's not fair to blame Zeiris for something that happened in another noble's territory."

"Thank you, sir!"

The subordinates also bowed with Zeiris.

After that, we handed over the thieves. However, the two vassals of Baron Beres will be taken to the city of Sejarka by us. I am concerned about the manpower if we leave them in the village, as the village is small and the administrator is appointed by Baron Beres, and the available security forces are limited.

Oh, the one Wick stabbed has been fully healed, so there are no physical issues. ...Physically, that is.