Chapter 28: Stopping The Evil Deeds
The person who ran hurriedly helped the young man who was lying down. And then, all of a sudden, he started yelling at me.
"Do you know who this person is, you bastard?"
It goes without saying, but the man's dignity was not at all lost. I frowned and pointed at the man and woman sitting down.
"I don't know who you guys are, but I do know that this is bullshit. Why are you doing this?"
"It is entertainment for noble people."
"Wait a minute, you're not a slave hunter?"
"That's right! This person…"
The man was about to shout with a red face, but suddenly the fallen young man slowly raised his hand. It was a gesture telling him to stop talking.
Then, he suddenly raised his body with a graceful movement.
'Oh! Are you okay after getting hit by that?'
There was a lot of force behind the kick, but he endured it with ease.
His perseverance was worthy of praise. Of course, I didn't like the strange behavior of hunting humans.
"Do I really need to say it? It's strange that people on this earth don't know me. Who are you and where are you from?"
The young man asked a question, his brown hair flowing.
He seemed to have no guilt about what he had done. I haven't been in this world for very long, so I don't know much about the culture.
Still, this is the first time I've heard of human hunting being rampant.
"Hey, who are you?"
I ignored the young man's question and spoke to the man and woman with disheveled hair.
They may have thought they could survive, but they cried loudly and complained of injustice.
"We were going to a relative's house in the capital. We are not runaway serfs or slaves, but free people!"
The whole story was simple.
They were relieved because it was a road they often took, but they were suddenly attacked.
"Can you prove it?"
"Of course. Here is the passage permit issued by the Marov Estate."
The man and woman both had quite a bit of travel experience.
Typically, only merchants carry these documents.
When you pass through various territories, strange things are bound to happen. He probably thought that something very unfair would not happen to him.
Until he met a psychopath who hunts people in broad daylight.
"I've confirmed your identities, now I need to find out who you are."
"Ugh! Why are there so many rude people?"
The young man's servant was furious and tried to come forward.
But this time again, he was stopped by a simple gesture.
It seems like the concept is to make a fuss to those around you and pretend to be polite yourself.
The servant, who was shaking, eventually revealed his master's identity in a loud voice.
"Do you know who this is? This is Alonzo, the eldest son who will lead the Great Count Brayden in the future!"
"Ahem!"
Of course, it just seemed the same to me.
Not even the noble himself, but merely the successor?
Even if Count Brayden appeared in front of me right now, I am the one who could chew him out with authority.
As I was just smiling with an awkward expression on my face, the servant widened his eyes. It was an unspoken pressure to do something other than stand there.
Finally, Tobias stepped forward, shaking his head. After a short sigh, he uttered a word.
"This person is the Duke of Carriers."
"He's a peacock and he's stupid... What?"
Astonishment appeared on the servant's face, and Alonzo raised his head.
I slowly waved the golden necklace in front of their eyes. Patterns symbolizing the imperial family and an ornately decorated background.
You can tell just by looking at it that it is an unusual item. This determined who should lie down on the floor.
I looked at Alonzo and the servant with a bleak look and said, "Kneel."
* * *
There were many advantages to being of high status.
Because most things could be resolved with just a few words.
What if I were a commoner with a strong sense of justice? If the same situation as before occurred, it would have been difficult again.
But I was not a righteous person who did not know anything about the world.
'It's just a dump truck. They're just praying mantises.'
Alonzo and the servant were on their knees, trembling. And in front of me was Count Brayden himself, asking for forgiveness.
"He committed this because he was young and did not know how to discern between right and wrong, so please take into account the circumstances."
"I looked around the area and investigated. I don't think he done something like that for a day or two. The only victims I've met are over 30."
"That..."
"If I look at it accurately, it would be much more than that. Sharpening a whip while riding a horse is not a skill, is it?"
Count Brayden closed his eyes tightly.
If it were a conflict with a significant noble, negotiation would be possible.
All you have to do is give them some money and ask for their cooperation. Moreover, it was possible to take a counterattack by digging up the opponent's faults.
But I am the highest judge in the capital's court and the Emperor's favorite cousin. It was something that no operation could handle.
"Everyone involved in this will be punished. If you want to save your son's life, use common sense."
Unless it was a large city, such as a duchy or marquisate, local judicial power rested with the lord.
No, it was no exaggeration to say that he had virtually all power. Unless someone higher appeared, like now.
"Oh, I understand."
Count Brayden nodded heavily. Because I have already recognized my son's sins, I cannot cover them up.
"We will definitely investigate and send you the evidence."
"Is that so. Take care."
"I have to meet you because of bad news, but how about going to the castle to relieve your travel fatigue?"
Since there was no way out, appeasement measures were immediately brought in. I guess it's an attempt to somehow ease my mind. But I quickly said no.
"It's okay. I'm busy, so I'll just leave."
Count Brayden had sad eyes. As he turned decisively and got into the carriage, Tobias' eyes lit up.
"It's a shame. It is rare to find a noble who does not belong to a political faction."
Actually, he was a pretty good person. If we can bring Count Braden to the Imperial faction, we can strengthen the authority of the Imperial Family. However, political position could not affect judicial judgment.
"With great power comes great responsibility. Those in power should be held to stricter standards."
When such a person has moral problems, it causes even greater damage.
Also, look at this incident.
What if it was commoners who hunted humans? Rather than hissing, Count Brayden would have already caught and killed that bastard.
He said he dared to cause trouble on his own land. I turned my head with a bitter smile. But at that very moment, a phrase suddenly appeared before my eyes.
"You have stopped the evil deeds of Alonzo, the devil of the Brayden territory."
"Compensation will be given."
"If positive changes occur in the world, even better rewards will await."
'What's happening all of a sudden?'