Chapter 53
And about an hour later.
Many soldiers were coming from the center of the city.
Maybe the captain just came with the soldiers available in the station before.
After judging that the problem was too much to handle, he reported to the higher up anddispatched the main force.
I guess he came with a great man this time
We are standing in front of the gate, at the square for carriage checking.
There are lots of people.
No, because the story that the goddess has appeared here spread,
there was no one who departs from this place.
A lot of people came from the town after listening to the rumors.
And during the waiting time, Emil and Bell returned to the inn, finished paying money, collecting the baggage, bringing Eds group here.
So we can leave this place anytime after this.
Are you the one who met goddess Celestine?(Lord)
It was a man around 50 years old, he got out of the carriage that just arrived and talked in a loud voice to us.
Yes, from clothing and equipment, he is obviously the lord.
Well, thats natural.
It was a criminal act that involved the guards, that was spoken loudly in front of the people.
And the appearance of the goddess Celestine.
It would be rather weird if the lord didnt come andpersonally deal with this problem.
If he did it poorly, it will be a big scandal that might affect the honor of the royal palace, it might spread to the neighboring countries as well.
Theres no way the lord would let his subordinate to deal with a serious problem that affects his future and the country.
Yes, thats right(Kaoru)
Even the opponent is the lord of this town, I must not use polite word de gozaimasu like an idiot.
Roland and Francette were angry with me before.
Even though you are falsifying your identity, we cant ignore the fact that the goddess is acting so humble before a human! something like that
Especially with Francette.
Well, in the current setup, I am the daughter of a nobleman in another country.
Even when talking with a nobleman, if I am a nobleman from another country, I dont have to be humble.
Im supposed to be a 15 years old girl even with the height of child 12 to 13 years old anyway.
So, what do you mean, explain the circumstances!(Lord)
Apparently, it seems the lord doesnt mind the surrounding people.
No, it is already known that the guards are the accomplices of a kidnapping organization.
So, the lord might fear the possibility of other nobles might be involved.
In this world, everyone believes in the existence of goddess Celestine and worships her.
Sometimes she shows up and the most recent time is only about four years ago.
All the great men of each country had gathered in large numbers.
They were surprised to learn the fact about her.
Celes is rather ruthless and she might give the goddess punishment to a country and doesnt care if she involves the unrelated people in it.
And the fact that she already punished a country that pissed her off and involved the neighboring countries as well.
There was no one in this world who has the courage to spit lies using such a goddess s name.
Including criminals.
So, my story is believed and natural.
Besides, the captain and people here also witnessed the washtub fells from the sky
Thats why, although he had received a preliminary report, he still needed to confirm the fact.
And also made us explain it at this place again to appeal a large number of people.
There are a lot of merchants, not only local merchants but also other territories and other countries as well.
Of course, there is also someone other than the merchant, for example, a spy from another country
Its unlikely that the lord is involved somehow, this country banned on human traffic.
He might get a death sentence, theres not be enough profit to meet such a danger.
He is a lord of aterritory this size, he has no problem to get beautiful girls as lovers or mistresses.
So, maybe the lord really has nothing to do with the kidnapper.
So, I can just do it to the root.
Yes, comingfrom Kingdom Balmoa, We are Earl Adans men.
I was kidnapped suddenly in this town and was imprisoned in the dungeon of a private house together with some girls.
And this morning, we were carried out to be sold as a slave
When I asked the guards for help at the town gate, they just smirked and ignored me.
While talking with the kidnappers (Kaoru)
Wha what (Lord)
That information has already been reported, but the lord is still surprised, its somewhat exaggerated.
He might be a good actor.
Ah no, maybe he didnt know the victim was an Earl of another country.
Well, it seems a bit bad.
and just before being brought out of the city
The goddess was manifested and the criminals were knocked down with goddess punishment for those who dare to sell the cute little girls as slave!(Kaoru)
So, how is the goddess doing?(Lord)
After talking a little talked to me, she was ascended(Kaoru)
To the Lords question, I responded with what I had thought in advance.
Eh But isnt it hasty to think the guards are the kidnappers accomplicesjust because they did not notice the call for help (Lord)
I had already broken the barrels lid in front of them and shouted for help loudly.
If they couldnt notice something with such degree right before their eyes,
Can the guards from the main gate of this town notice bandits and robbers that try to sneak in to stop them?
Do you want such rumors spread?(Kaoru)
As I said that, I looked around the surrounding crowd,
The lord is quiet, other security guards are also quiet,
Even if there are criminals inside, the army still doesnt condemn.
In the first place, the fact that the goddess punishment was also fallen on security guards, is the most reliable evidence, wasnt it?(Kaoru)
The lord had no choice to nod too.
I dont know if I wanted the guards are irrelevant or not, but with this,
other soldiers would not be able to condemn me.
And, according to what the criminal said.
The dealer seems to be a local lord of this country or a medium-sized merchant in this country, etc.
It seems that they dont deal with the prestigious aristocrats or big merchants(Kaoru)
what(Lord)
Even though he was surprised, the lordscomplexion had improved a little.
Well, it might be true.
If other countries orinfluential aristocrats,and big merchants of this country are involved are involved,it will become complicated.
And if he doesnt do it well, it will become an international problem or the nations foundation will be shaken.
And in the worst case, in order to protect the influential people, the country mightdispose of all responsibility against the local responsible person.
Local responsible person
Yes, its about this lord.
However, if the other party is just a rural lower aristocrat, an intermediate aristocrat, or a medium-sized merchant,
He can easily do what needs to be done.
He might not be able to deal with it directly but he can go through the royal palace.
And by chance, if heuncovers those aristocrats and merchantswrongdoings in this territory.
He will be recognized as the lord of righteousness, the land of justice by the royal palace
There is even the possibility that his Majesty will remember his name.
Well, I guess he would be motivated to do it. Here comes another push.
And I will tell you the message from the goddess Celestine(Kaoru)
Wh wh wh what what did you say!!(Lord + People)
Not only the lords but also the people around me all screamed.
There arent many papers and cardinals, such as giving words from the goddess.
Of course, people would be surprised that the goddess message was given to a local lord.
However, there is no one who thinks that its the gospel in this case.
The lords face is also puffing a bit.
Well, then, I will go with the message time.
Those foolish mortal who dared to kidnap girls and sold them as slaves, which is a banned action from the country.
The criminals and those who were bribery or overlooked it. You all have the same sin.
I wont tolerate this. Heed my words.
If you dont dispose of this properly, I will dispose of them myself
Well, something like that(Kaoru)
Whats that?(Lord)
The lord was shaking when asked that. It was a scary story.
Celestine-sama is rough, she doesnt really care about each human being so much.
I guess she only cares about individuals that she liked
Thats why, when Celestine-sama says to dispose, it must mean to turn the manor residence where offending criminal remains or the fortified town where the roots of kidnapping organization remain into the whole sea of flame.
Thats what she meant (Kaoru) (T.N: Kaoru use Celestine-sama here, not Celes or Baka Celes)
No (Lord)
The Lord becomes pale.
The surrounding soldiers and the crowd are even paler.
W w w w w (Lord)
The Lord gave out a mysterious voice like a construction site.
Perhaps, what he was trying to say is howor why
Should I give him a little relief?
There is no need to worry, as its enough to capture and punish all the kidnappers,
the mastermind, the one who tookbribery and everyone involved.
Well, lets catch every single one so that there will no more abduct kidnappers or slave trader (Kaoru)
Yet it is, but (Lord)
Perhaps, he tried to sayBut, if I do things badprobably.
Tightened up the captured guys,
And as they were planning to deliver us to the buyer, you might find the buyers information from them.
Get they telling everything about the sold slaves until now,
Also, taking back the sold children to their parents,
Maybe so(Kaoru)
It is an order of the goddess. If the royal palace hears of this story, they will do it with full power.
There is no room to doubt whether its a lie.
This witness, many merchants in other countries, explosive sounds and golden clouds were heard and by people in the street.
And if the goddess became angry with the people of this country for ignoring her message.
She mightsnap and destroynot only the Lords house and territory here but for the country itself which didnt eradicate the kidnapping case
It is not the case that power, connection, bribery can solve.
There is no way other than catching and punishing all those involved in the kidnapping case without delay.
Capture them, catch everyone who is rolling on the floor here and tie them up!
Absolutely dont let them escape, dont let them get harmed before they vomit everything!
Failure is forgiven no, it will not be forgiven!(Lord)
Yes, since the lives of all the people including himself are involved, he will be desperate, too.
My Lord, in fact, the goddess has taught us the hideouts of the criminals.
It was shown with the red smoke column over there.
I think its from the slum(Kaoru)
Yes, I placed a souvenir before I was taken out of that private house.
Well, after a certain period of time, a hypnotic gas will keep coming out,
That gas is lighter than the air. (Flare smoke?)
If no-one notices and move mysouvenir, red smoke would have risen from that house, which is the hideout with the criminals sleeping.
Its not very flashy, its a thin smoke line, but if you try to find it, it will be somewhat easy.
This is the first time I come to this town and see these streets, it was impossible to guide everyone back to that house.
Not to mention I was pushed into a barrel on the wagon.
I did that so I could trace it later.
Well, it would be enough if the soldiers can capture the culprits and get the information.
Go, now!(Lord)
Yes, my Lord!(Soldier)
A captain-like soldier who seemed to be a high-ranked moved with the instructions of the lord.
He took about half of the soldiers and hurried toward the town.
When I was looking at it, I saw another group came running from the town towards here.
The group wascivilians and soldiers was approaching.
Ah, that must be the family of the kidnapped children.