Published: September 4, 2025
Satou here. False accusations have never disappeared in any era, but in a world with strict social hierarchies, people can be unjustly charged for unreasonable reasons. In Japan, you could rely on the judiciary or lawyers and wait things out, but in another world, being passive like that can be fatal.
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Two of the Guards came over, leading their horses.
“Hey, you’re coming to the guardhouse.”
“Even if he’s like that, he’s a noble lord. Just follow quietly. I’ll at least plead for your life.”
Hey, hey—someone who throws bombs in the middle of the city is treated like a death row prisoner just because they threw some fruit at them? If I go along quietly, I’ll probably get treated terribly.
I took out the silver plate ID from my chest and showed it to the Guards.
“Ah, this is a noble lord! Since when have you been staying here?”
“A few hours ago. More importantly, that noble just now wasn’t someone you normally see in the Duke’s Capital. Who does he think he is? Using offensive magic in the middle of the city—it’s not something an honorable noble of the Shiga Kingdom would do.”
I have to admit, I spoke well. I made sure to use a tone that sounded authoritative. Putting honor aside, using magic that burns down residents in the city is questionable from a human perspective.
I pressed the hesitant Guards further.
“Is this known to Baronet Poton as well? Depending on the case, we may need to report to his grace the Duke or Marquis Lloyd.”
The Guards avoided my gaze.
This means they’re in on it—or the Baronet really has authorized this.
I had a reason for cornering the Guards here.
The Baronet in question was approaching with a few bodyguards. If they captured me first or physically subdued them, the situation would become complicated.
“Hey, Guards! Is this the culprit who struck Marquis Dazares? Arrest him quickly!”
The arriving Baronet, giving orders to the Guards, was a small, chubby man in his late thirties with a petty vibe. Just crossing my arms and calmly staring made him visibly shaken, his eyes darting nervously.
“Marquis Dazares? There’s no such noble in our country. You’re not saying the guardian of this city not only overlooks but even supports the abuses of a noble from another land?”
Approaching the Baronet with slow, deliberate movements, I had no weapons, so the bodyguards stayed still.
From my bag, I took out a letter and handed it to Baronet Poton. When I mentioned stopping by Puta Town, Marquis Lloyd had written a brief note.
Baronet Poton eyed the letter suspiciously but grimaced upon seeing the wax seal stamped with Marquis Lloyd’s crest. After hesitantly opening and reading it, he turned pale and fainted on the spot.
There shouldn’t have been anything major in the letter—at most, a request to provide conveniences during my stay. Still, the letter clearly shows I know Marquis Lloyd and that we’re on fairly familiar terms. If he learned of what happened here, the guardian could be dismissed at best, and while execution is unlikely, he might be forced to retire and pass his title to his heir.
Truly a fox borrowing the tiger’s might!
I never thought I’d use connections like this.
“I will visit Baronet Poton’s mansion tomorrow. Until then, I expect the man called Dazares to face proper judgment.”
I conveyed this to the Guards around, who took over for the fainted Baronet. Such people are usually good at self-preservation, so I’m confident they’ll deal with that troublesome idiot noble. Even against a fire magic user, immobilizing him should be easy in his current half-dead state.
For some reason, spontaneous applause erupted around me—embarrassing.
Keep it up, poker face skill.
＞Title “Protector of the People” acquired.
＞Title “Judicator” acquired.
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After the commotion, I decided to stop by the trading company to gather information.
Unfortunately, the information I got was scant. At best, details about the old highway toward the Boruenan mountain range. Apparently, until 200 years ago, the old highway was regularly used, but after wyverns and magical beasts settled in the mountains about 200 years ago, it fell into disuse.