Chapter 179.2
This is Welner von Zeavert. Thank you for your service.
Shhh, its the Viscount, I apologize for my rudeness! My name is Gauter of the Guards!
I dont mind. Never mind the courtesy, what we want to report is that this childs father has been murdered. Its at the end of that side street.
Yes. I will go and investigate the situation.
The reason he didnt notice me was because it was dark, I thought as I looked across to see Gauter instructing his men to go and inspect the scene.
Although I had just walked up to a dead body, forensics and such techniques were still in their infancy in this world. Maybe they could figure out which wounds were fatal, but that would be the extent of their skills.
However, it was also true that whether a case involving the murder of a commoner would be properly investigated depends on the person in charge of the case. Unfortunately, this was still the case in our society. In addition, the girl raised her voice when she heard my name, but for now I would let it slide.
Well, may we ask you about the circumstances?
The other kid was apparently from the poverty-stricken class, but was it Gauters nature or the fact that I was by her side that made him ask the question so politely? In any case, he seemed to have a reputation for being nice to the public.
Ah, yes. My my father and I came here to get some treats from the nobility.
When there was a party at the mansion of a noble or a big merchant, information about it would spread to the public because of various arrangements involved. People would gather behind the mansion expecting the leftover food to be distributed to the poor at the back gate.
Nobles and merchants were also aware that it was natural to give leftover food and such to the poor, and as a result, it was not unusual to find poor people in need of food at certain times of the day, even in the aristocratic district.
It seems that we took a wrong turn on the way and when we entered that side street we heard men with knives saying that Zeavertsama was passing by and that they were going to attack him.
Those people seemed to be using my name without honorifics, but well, in the current situation, they wouldnt be able to assault me, as they were planning to do. Still, I didnt think that they hesitated to attack solely because of this.
Those men attacked us with swords an and my father told me to run away
How many people attacked you?
F, four men.
Four men with weapons if an assault did happen, I couldnt tell if Gauter could be relied on, or if he was an ally or a foe at this point. I guess, we could only wait and see what happens.
To summarize the story that followed, the attackers face was masked, so she didnt see it, and both father and daughter were refugees from the old Triot and had no other family members. Hmm.
I see, I understand. There may be something else we would like to ask, but for the time being, lets go to the guardhouse. (Gauter)
No, you heard her mention the name Zeavert, and we were about to be attacked, right? If so, well handle this. (Welner)
N, No, but sir (Girl)
When I interrupted the girl, Gauter was startled. I was serious with my decision.
It will be a little hard for a girl to be kept in a guardhouse.
I was not lying in this nor making it a pretext. It was a bit of a nuisance to explain, and that place would be a stuffy place for a child. Gauter, with a troubled expression on his face, seemed to be somewhat aware of that as well. But the fact that he was so opposed to my decision, seemed to indicate that he was at least not on the enemys side.
I further added, For now, Ill let her stay at the Zeavert residence for the night. After that, well have another discussion tomorrow. If you have any questions, you can come to Zeaverts and well make arrangements. Its time for us to go.
I understand. I apologize for the trouble, but I will leave it to you.
Miss, whats your name? (Welner)
My name is Clara.
I nodded lightly. It was no lie that it was time for us to go. In fact, it was getting too dark to let the woman walk home alone, so I asked Gauter to lend me one of his guards to give the Zeavert residence a heads-up.
I also asked Gauter to keep the fact that we were bringing Clara to stay at the Zeavert house a secret, in case of an attack.
Lets go back, Neurath and Schunzel, watch the front and back. Clara, Im sorry, but youre going to have to follow on foot.
Yes sir.
All right, sir.
Ye, yes.
If she was a real victim, I would have let her get on the horse, but today, I should go with the attitude that I was not going to let a commoner get on the horse like an aristocrat, straddling Disbelt (Brave) and pulling up only Lily. As it turned out, it was probably a good thing that we were not using a horse-drawn carriage.
What impressed me a little was that our maid was casually following behind the girl who identified herself as Clara. If there was any suspicious movement, she could immediately raise her voice to alert us. I guess you could say as expected of my mothers favorite.
As I let Neurath and the others walk the horses slowly, Lily, who was sitting in front of me, turned her head and looked at me.
Um, Welner-sama.
Hmm, is there something wrong?
No, not really, but, you see, youre grinning.
Oops, Ill be careful.
Watch out, watch out, be careful. I have to be careful not to show it in my facial expression.
The other side went to the trouble of throwing in a piece, so I have to make the most of it.
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