Chapter 23

The Harvest in Town

The moment one of the men reached for me, Tanya appeared to protect me . In my eyes, everything happened as though it was in slow-motion .

“…Do not approach any further . ”

Before I knew it, there was a knife in Tanya’s hands, I wonder when she took it out . That knife was pointed at the man’s throat . It remained pointed at a part of the man’s neck until a drop of blood came dripping down .

“Wh-who the hell are you…”

Because of the unexpected and sudden state of affairs, the men seemed somewhat surprised . However, it looked like they recovered before long, and the employer started laughing through his nose .

“Oh my, didn’t you say that it’s unpleasant to resort to violence, but aren’t you guys resorting to violence now?”

“It’s because of the attitudes you’ve displayed . Violence will be met with violence . That’s all there is to it . ”

No, in reality, that’s not what I thought at all… In short, it was an excuse I immediately came up with . Tanya, you couldn’t endure it any longer, huh . However, because of you, I was saved . You have my gratitude .

Now then, what should I do now . If I were to reveal my social status here, it’ll be easy to solve this matter . However, I wanted the security forces to capture them if possible . It will be an advantage to show their capacity for the sake of maintenance and public order .

I would like for them to appear so that nothing will hinder them from their job if the same thing happens to other people in the future . In addition, it will enforce the idea that the security forces of our House are there to protect the citizens .

“Are you okay~?

With an exquisite timing, grandfather appeared . A new person… Moreover, with grandfather’s appearance, he seems to be a person with ample strength, and the mood of the men gradually became resigned .

“…Tsk . Let’s go . ”

When the employer finally made a decision, the two other men went away with him .

“…Young mistress!! Why did you do such a dangerous thing!”

“Oh my, oh my, Tanya . You’re not supposed to call me young mistress . ”

“This is not the time to say such things! My insides turned cold . Even if Gazelle-sama wouldn’t make an appearance, I could have gone out instead…”

“But you were angry even before I went out here, weren’t you?”

“It’s because young mistress was in a perilous situation . It’s only natural . ”

“With such anger… you wouldn’t have been able to talk calmly . If someone intimidating like grandfather went out, it doesn’t look like any talking will be done… Because of that, I thought that the most qualified person to go out would be me . ”

“…Nevertheless…”

“In the first place, my main purpose was to be an advocate . The children in this place are also citizens whom I should protect . Since that’s the case, I do not mind moving . ”

When I obstinately said that, although Tanya wasn’t completely convinced, she finally became silent .

“About what happened here, I’ll add it on my agenda when we get back . Not because it’s personal, but because it’s some that must be done for the fief . …Now then, it is time we head back . ”

After that, the children who were shivering in fear regained their spirits and gave their appreciation, we said our farewells and began to walk back .

“…Alice . ”

Not far away from the main street, grandfather suddenly called my name .

“Is there some the matter, grandfather?”

“Run . …Tanya, you understand, don’t you . ”

“Of course . ”

Tanya, who didn’t say anything else after that, grabbed my hand and started to move .

“Wai— Tanya!!”

“Alice-sama, please don’t talk and start running . ”

Tanya led me towards the exit of the main street, where the branch of the security forces was .

“Please help us!”

I, who does not understand the situation well, and with a question mark flying above my head, I looked at Tanya with askance .

“What seems to be the problem?”

“Over there, we were attacked by some men… and then a person who coincidentally saw us, helped us out… But because he is outnumbered, I’m worried whether or not he’ll be fine…”

Tanya, who usually doesn’t have much expression, displayed a dreaded expression as though she was really afraid . …Or rather, when you said the man was outnumbered, could it be grandfather…

“That’s very serious! We’ll go immediately . ”

Three people from the security forces appeared and followed after us . …Be that as it may, grandfather definitely looks a lot stronger even with the three of them combined… At least that’s what I think .

Tanya and I follow them . Tanya is necessary to act as their guide, however, I don’t separate from them because of the silent pressure I felt coming from my hand . …I thought it would be absolutely safe for me to stay in the guardroom by myself .

And so, when we returned to the scene… there were about ten men on the ground . For an instant, I thought they were dead, but it seems like they just fainted .

As for grandfather, he was standing in the middle of the unconscious men looking really bored . …Or rather, to be able to take care of this many people in such a short time… As expected of grandfather .

“Y-you are… Thank you for your hard work . ”

A splendid salute . That reminds me, grandfather gave training to all the guards in the fief yesterday morning, so he probably recognizes grandfather’s face .

“Mmn . Today, I was requested by one of my acquaintance to be these young ladies’ guard . And then, though I don’t really understand it, they suddenly attacked, so I did them in . ”

I see… We are just another person until the end . Certainly, although grandfather’s face is familiar to them, the fact that I am currently acting as the fief’s lord proxy and the Duke’s daughter is only known to the people part of the Azura Conglomerate Development Department and some of the fief’s government .

“Please accept my gratitude for your cooperation . We will take over handling these people . ”

“Well then, I guess I will leave now . As for the young ladies, I will be sending you . ”

“Certainly . ”

…From there onwards, we returned to the Duke’s mansion without any other incident . By the way, the people who attack us, as I expected, they were people of that employer . It looks like he only left the place because he wanted to call his other companions . They were immediately apprehended with the charge of human trafficking .

Human trafficking is absolutely prohibited in our fief . This was not something I proposed, it has been a law in our fief since the olden days, so there’s no need for deliberation .

In addition, Ryle and Dida got angry the moment I returned home . Grandfather just stay behind and laughed . …However, I still intend to go out to town from time to time in the future . It was fun, and more importantly, I harvested a lot of things .

For one thing, the commerce for picture books was started . Afterward, it will be fairy-tale books for children . I will be giving it to the institution as a present . And the proceeds will be used to build a new institution . I decided that even in the future, the profits for the picture book will go to the institution .

…Of course, needless to say that my workload has increased . However, I felt a sense of fulfillment more than ever because I have determined my purpose .

The things I am doing has no right or wrong answer . …However, I have the power . I can help and protect those small children . No, it is possible for me to help more people .

Since that’s the case, all I have to do is believe and move forward . When I consider that, my hesitation was blown away and used my energy for work . …Now then, I shall do my very best with work today .

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