Chapter 33: Sanctioned by the Grand Duke of Delinquency (Part two)

　The unpleasant mood returns, and Lute’s gaze changes to that of permafrost. Natra, who had the courage of a waiter in a bar, even backed away from Lute’s presence.

　But alas. Drunken, angry, and pain-ridden fools don’t realize it.

“Natra. Do you have anything to tie him up with?”

“… maybe there is, but what are you going to do?”

“Tie them up and throw them into the slums”

“You’ll be dead if you don’t do it right!?”

　Natra shouted. Even in Sanderica, which is said to be a safe city, the slums are a hive of miscreants that would make these drunkards seem decent. If they were detained and thrown into such a place, they would at the very least be stripped of all their clothes, and if they were unlucky, they would be killed.

　He said he would not hesitate to do so. Natra, with her general sensibilities, or rather everyone in the bar, was stunned……from the point of view of Lute, who is the Grand Duke, it was a compassionate measure, as long as there was still a chance that they would survive.

“Are you kidding me? ! You think you can get away with this for free!? I’ll never forgive you!”

“Huh? You’re barking at me while you’re lying there in a heap. What the hell are you thinking?”

“My brother’s in the Guard! I’ll sue you and throw you in jail!!”

　Lute is the Grand Duke. Furthermore, if he revealed his position, the men would not only be in jail, but on the executioner’s block…..he won’t do it because it’s just too stupid.

“You’re a brat for relying on your relatives. A guy who got drunk and kicked out saying such a line. You don’t have any shame.”

“So what! Especially that woman! You used magic, didn’t you! It’s a felony to use magic on a civilian!”

“Huh? She can’t get arrested just because you were hit hard on the thigh, right? She didn’t seriously injure you.”

“Shut up!! We are injured! You’ve got us injured by magic, so it’s a clear case! I’ll ask my brother to throw you in jail for sure!!”

　The man, who still could not even stand up due to the pain, kept screaming miserably. The sight of him was so unbecoming, and the fact that he was still involved in such a state was extremely unpleasant for Lute.

　I’m at the end of my patience. These are the only words that can simply describe Lute’s feelings.

“Natra. Bring me the rope after all.”

“… I can understand that feeling painfully. I’m sorry, dear customer. As expected, I can’t help you with something that could end up as a murder…”

“Don’t worry. I’ve changed my mind. I won’t throw him in the slums. I’m going to drag him to the guard station and have his brother throw him in jail.”

“Huh!? There’s no way you can do that…..!”

“I can do that. Your brother is in the security guard, and coincidentally, I’m in a decent position to do the same. But I just came to town today.”

“……what?”

　The man stops at Lute’s words. I just arrived in town today. Because he understood the implications of that position.

　The reason why Lute did not reveal his true identity was a last act of warmth toward the men, and more importantly, because he did not want to make it difficult to visit this restaurant in the future.

　But even so, the word ” decent position,” which came today, is heavy. This is because it is a position in the service of a lord. Only a person with a certain identity can serve a noble. If a person works for a nobleman of duke rank, it is not surprising that he is also a nobleman with a rank. At the very least, there is an incomparable difference in terms of status between them and the drunkards who are probably manual laborers.

　Only then did the screaming man, or rather the drunk men, realize. They were doing something outrageous. They realized that they were more likely to be criminals, and possibly quite serious ones at that.

“…Oh, come on. Don’t be ridiculous. Using the name of a nobleman is a capital offense. ……?”

“Oi oi. I only said I’m a man of some standing who came to town today, you know? I didn’t give the name of any specific house, but if you insist, I don’t have a choice. Let’s see if the guard can confirm my guilt as well.”

“Hii hiiiiiii…!!”

“I-I’m sorry!”

　A roundabout way of speaking like an aristocrat. The sheer naturalness of the situation must have made them realize that what Lute had told them was not some kind of tacky joke. The two men, who were still conscious from the blows to their legs, abandoned their unconscious comrade and began crawling to get away somehow.

“Where do you think you’re going, you damn worms?”

“Agh!?”

“Ugh!?”

　But Lute would have none of it. He mercilessly kicks the crawling men in the stomach to stop their hapless escape.

“Natra. Rope”

“Yes, sir! I’ll bring it to you immediately!”

　This request was easily granted, perhaps because the possibility of Lute’s high status was raised.

　Then, with his skillful hands, he tied the men’s ankles and held the excess rope in his hands.

“… Um, you’re not really going to drag them along, are you? Instead of calling the guards?”

“Dragging would be a more appropriate sanction.”

“No, but the three men are quite heavy…”

“I can use the magic of enhancement, too. This is not a problem.”

“Isn’t that quite a bit of magic…? Um, after all, the customers is……”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s just that I’m a bit of a big shot on the battlefield.”

“Oh.”

　Natra closes her mouth in an instant. This is because the first thing that comes to mind is the position of military officer or noble when it comes to high status such as appearing on the battlefield. Natra, a commoner, made a mental note not to get any deeper into the matter.

“Well, you bastards. It’s time for a pleasant, pleasant stroll to the door. I’ll drag you along without reservation, so sober up. Your lives may depend on how you respond from here on out.”

““Hii-hiiii…!?””

“Well then. I will visit you another day.”

“Ah, yes! We really apologize for the inconvenience! We are looking forward to your next visit!”

“Hey, you’re so formal. You shouldn’t be so formal with customers who come here to drink.”

　With a wry smile, Lute left Uminekotei. He dragged three big luggage with him.

──In addition.

“If you think you’ve escaped on your own, why are you causing a strange commotion, Your Excellency!!”

　A suspicious person walking with three men in tow was naturally reported to the security police. Heinrich, who arrived on the scene after many twists and turns, gave Lute a long overdue sermon.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter