North x Northwest

‘With Ed’s recovery and the completion of the bandits’ arrest, work progressed steadily. Moreover, Levi isn’t constrained to this place anymore as another doctor was brought in from a nearby town. And since Levi had already taken care of those who needed urgent care, the doctor who came to visit only has to keep an eye on the prognosis.’

As a result, the group had no reason to delay their trip any longer. However, there was one problem that couldn’t be resolved until the very last day of their departure.

Lil keenly watched the situation from a distance. She thought it would’ve been taken care of by now, so she came to get Lumiere out, but because the scuffle seemed to unexpectedly last for a longer time, she sat down on top of the wooden fence near the stable.

The front yard of the official residence was in a frenzy. The older man standing face to face with Linhardt was Major Gaspard, the commander of the Nior garrison, a unit of the Imperial Army dispatched to this region. Surrounding them were the imperial army and the Roahn Guards, as well as ordinary citizens who came out to see the commotion despite their fears.

Picard, who was standing closely next to Linhardt and trying to intervene, had also brought along some influential locals.

‘Linhardt has done a pretty good job in throwing the bone.’

“Lord Linhardt, we reserve the right to interrogate everyone involved.”

“…”

Gaspard spoke sternly to Linhardt, even though Linhardt was much taller than him. In a way to make up for the height difference, the Major consciously straightened his back and puffed out his chest, causing the imperial military insignia on his dark green uniform to clang against one another.

“I heard there are some people that even the bandits couldn’t recognize, and they presumably look like mercenaries. Have you figured out their identity yet?”

Picard shouted upon hearing about this unidentified mercenary.

“That’s… that’s right! If you continue to ignore the mercenary’s identity like this, then I… I mean we, the Great Trade Route Village Association, the Great Trade Route Small Merchants Association, and the Grand Trade Route Workers’ Association, will not stand still! Who hired those mercenaries to destroy the village? Who is behind the attack? Even so, the damage caused by the bandits alone is severe enough, and with a new, unknown force joining in, we can no longer wait in vain for the military to solve the problem!”

The Merchants’ Guild huddled behind Picard shouted.

“…He’s right… That’s right!..”

Linhardt was wearing a navy blue justaucorps under his travel robe. So compared to the tall and slim Linhardt, the fussing Picard was like a cicada on a tree. Gaspard spoke without even trying to hide his annoyance.

“If there are indeed other forces behind the attack, we will figure it out.”

‘In any case, in order for the Imperial Army to save face, it’s impossible to ignore multiple civil complaints to this extent. This comes as no surprise, really.’

Picard was still distrustful, and Linhardt asked in a monotonous tone.

“Then, if the bandits are the ones involved, why do we have to hand over the belligerents, who attacked Edgar here in the forest, to the Imperial Army?”

“As I have said repeatedly, no other military force has the investigative authority that takes precedence over ours.”

‘It’s so strange. Whenever something is bestowed upon them in the name of ‘privilege’, people never seem to intend to let it go. This is especially true of those who became the new middle class through officer commissions and advancement into public service. Of course, none of these privileges are given for free, but while the old clan families enjoyed privileges as merit, the new forces have always criticised that. But at the same time, the emerging class desperately wants to behave in the same way as those clan families…’

“These people have nothing to do with the bandits of the Risch Mountains, so it is not a matter for the imperial army to resolve.”

“The forest beneath the cliff is His Majesty’s land, and His Majesty’s land is within our jurisdiction.”

“Then how do you explain Edgar’s massive injuries due to your failure to properly protect this land? If you claim that even the forest is an unofficial garrison, you will not be able to avoid responsibility for this.”

“That…”

“Besides, there are a lot of rumours in this area that smugglers favour this forest. Did you ever bother to further check up on that?”

“The issue of smuggling is a thing of the past, dating back to the old days.”

“If you’re going to claim the land as the Empire’s garrison, you should at least be aware of the latest developments. Have you been given all this responsibility without knowing anything? Pride won’t protect your life. If I were you, I would be more careful, Major.”

“Smuggling is treason. You should be more careful before carelessly mentioning such a grave felony.”

“That’s not the point I’m trying to make, we were talking about Edgar’s injuries.”

“We must first inquire Admiral Retiro for trespassing on His Majesty’s land without permission. Don’t forget, we helped him. Without our help, he would never have been able to get out of the forest alive, and yet you’re trying to hold us responsible. I’m not happy about this.”

Linhardt, appalled by Gaspard’s shamelessness, pressed his chin.

‘While this is a unit of the Imperial Army that clearly isn’t involved in the smuggling, that man doesn’t seem to have any intention of solving the problem.’

At that time, someone approached from the backyard and the spectators split to two sides. Even though the man who came through the crowd was limping while using a cane, he appeared incredibly refined.

“Aha!”

It was a dramatic exclamation from an all-too-familiar voice and soon Ed’s cheerful smile came into view.

“It’s at least a good thing to know that you are aware that smuggling is indeed treason, Major.”

“…Admiral Retiro?”

‘With Ed standing next to Linhardt, their appearance looks even more threatening. Their elongated, solemn, and dark outfits accentuated that. It’s a shame though, the Roahn Guards standing behind them are wearing civilian clothes, but if they were also in uniform… no…’

Lil frowned at her realisation.

‘…We already stand out a lot… Is it too paranoid of me to assume that Ed can still be a target?’

Amid Lil’s thoughts, her target of interest spoke.

“Thank you for the advice. You can trust that I will be careful from now on, Major. However, I don’t have to go into details about how many traitors I caught in your stead, right?”

“The right to investigate…”

“Ah! Now I understand, you greedy people should have had the sole right to investigate, that’s right.”

“..!”

When Ed spoke those words and indulgently waved his one good arm, Gaspard’s face contorted. Both Lil and Linhardt sighed at the same time, and Linhardt could even be seen touching his forehead from afar.

Ignoring all the reactions around him, Ed started walking into the centre of the crowd.

“Of course, I will not hold you responsible for my injuries. From now on, I will even personally spread the word so that all the citizens of the Empire will show the utmost level of courtesy to the imperial troops, even if they encounter a criminal on the Great Trade Route.”

“…”

Ed had one arm wrapped in a leather pad, and the sleeves of the robe on his empty shoulder fluttered as he walked. Even his leg was limping – Lil noticed that he was limping more than usual – as he used his cane. All the people gathered there noted that Ed looked heavily injured and was walking uncomfortably.

“After all, the areas and shade of the trees where merchants rest next to the Great Trade Route are of course His Majesty’s land. His Majesty has allowed the Merchant Association to use the Great Trade Route, but he has never allowed them to use His Majesty’s shade. Even by mistake. Apparently, he also kindly added that if citizens happened to be attacked by bandits in such spaces, they must first pay for the crime of trespassing on royal property before complaining about the bandits’ atrocities.”

“…”

Ed’s remarks drew mutters from the crowd. As the commotion grew, more and more onlookers came out of their houses. Even people who wouldn’t come close out of fear were now paying closer attention to the square through their wide open windows.

Ed stopped tall beside Picard and tapped the shoulder of the merchant union member next to him.

“Please make this guideline widely known throughout the Guild. Any subject who was attacked unexpectedly may initially think it was okay to hide in His Majesty’s land, but if they do, they actually should take responsibility first.”

Gaspard took a step forward and held out his hands as if to dissuade Ed.

“Don’t misunderstand. I just…”

“Just?”

‘If he retracts his words now, he will be forced to deal with an unidentified mercenary and smuggling suspects. Although Gaspard himself may not be involved in smuggling, he couldn’t have been unaware that the forest was a place for nobles. He probably thought of taking the easy way out by taking over the bandits’ problem from Linhardt after helping rescue the Admiral, thus solving a few open issues, but he probably never intended to start an all-out large-scale investigation.’

“I was just telling them the procedure again because it was executed recklessly.”

“…”

Linhardt stood between Ed and Gaspard.

“If only the procedures were followed, then there would have been no problem. I find it impressive to see how the military treats even an admiral, who had to go into hiding with a broken limb, this strictly and fairly without exception.”

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