Chapter 19: Kind and Cruel
As I walked alongside Sigren toward the square, I contemplated Abel’s intentions for this task. I understood that Abel had assigned me this responsibility to address specific issues. However, handing over the lord’s authority to a young girl would naturally raise suspicion. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
‘Honestly, wouldn’t Jeron have been a better choice than me?’
At the very least, Jeron might have made things smoother. I could tell from the expressions of the people I passed on the way to the square—confusion, surprise, doubt, ridicule—that it was hard to ignore such blatant stares, especially for a child. At that moment, I felt very uncomfortable.
After all, I was still just a child.
‘Well, I just need to focus on what I’ve been ordered to do.’
So, I put Abel’s intentions out of my mind. What was immediately in front of me was more pressing. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
The most challenging aspect was determining the appropriate punishment. The severity of the punishment for these mercenaries was crucial. It needed to serve as a clear example—a warning that anyone who committed similar offenses would face the same fate. Moreover, there were many foreign mercenaries at the Fourth Wall. If handled correctly, this could help restore order to the town.
However, if the punishment was too lenient, it might have the opposite effect. If the wrongdoers faced minimal consequences or gained more than they lost, others might think, ‘I can do it too.’
That’s how human psychology works.
I pondered how to align this with the northern mindset. As Abel said, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the enemy would be repaid tenfold. It was not uncommon for punishments to be more severe than the crime itself. For instance, someone caught stealing might face more than just having their wrists cut off.
Yet, this case required a certain level of severity. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
‘As expected, maybe execution is the answer…’
I glanced at Sigren walking beside me. Looking at him, I wondered if I should have simply sent him back.
‘Or perhaps banishment?’
The Duchy of Heilon was surrounded by monsters just outside the wall. Banishment would likely mean death for the ordinary people with nothing to protect them from the monsters. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
I nodded to myself. Both punishments seemed appropriate—not that they would receive both simultaneously, but the mercenaries could choose which punishment they preferred. At least they would have a say in their own fate.
“Fiona, we’re here.”
“Huh? Ah.. that’s right.”
I looked up at Sigren’s words. The villagers had gathered in the square, and some had already heard rumors about me.
“That girl is the Duke’s representative?”
“I wonder what the Duke is thinking…”
Their conversations were loud enough that Sigren, standing next to me, scowled in frustration.
I gently grabbed his wrist to calm him and looked straight ahead. “Can you make way for us?”
The villagers reluctantly parted, their faces long. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Sigren glanced at me with a grumble. “Aren’t you upset about this?”
“Being angry won’t solve anything.”
“Alright… anyway, good luck.”
Despite his words, Sigren stood beside me with a vigilant expression, almost like a knight escorting me.
‘Even though he’s still young, he’s a main character after all.’
I wanted to pat him on the head out of pride, but the situation was too tense. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Wait!”
A soft voice from the crowd called out, and someone grabbed my hand.
“It’s okay,” I whispered to Sigren, who was about to react defensively.
The woman who grabbed my hand was in her mid-twenties. Her clear eyes showed no hostility. She bent down to meet my gaze.
“Young lady, I don’t know who assigned you this difficult task, but they’re not easy people to deal with.”
Her words were genuine, filled with concern.
“But, don’t you feel uncomfortable when people like them run around in the village?”
The woman slowly opened her mouth. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Even so.. I can’t just watch a child deal with such a dangerous people.”
Right, I was just a normal kid on the outside. These kinds of pure worries should naturally come to me. And actually, I felt that getting this kind of pure concern was not that bad.
“It’s fine.”
I smiled softly. It seemed she wanted to offer me a warning, thinking I might be unaware of the danger.
“May I ask your name?”
“Charlotte.”
“Thank you for your concern, Charlotte.”
I gently released Charlotte’s hand. Seeing my resolute expression, Charlotte hesitated but eventually stepped back, realizing she had no right to interfere as I was acting on the Duke’s authority. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
I gave her one last look before moving to the center of the square. There, I saw five mercenaries held by the soldiers. They were not calm.
“Damn it! Let go of me!”
“Ha! Without us, you’d be monster food!”
To subdue each mercenary, it took two or three soldiers. Despite their ugly behavior, their physical strength was considerable.
One mercenary, spotting me, spat and shouted, “What’s a kid doing here?!”
Another grunted at Sigren beside me. “What’s this? A rice thief? You’re still alive?”
Sigren remained silent, staring at them. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
I gently stroked the back of his hand to comfort him and walked forward.
The mercenaries were huge—easily three times my size. They had bullied ordinary people and abused young Sigren. In fact, their crimes extended beyond bullying to robbery, assault, and harassment. Listing their offenses would take a while.
I stood in front of them and spoke cheerfully.
“I’m here under the orders of Duke Abel Heilon. Please cease your meaningless resistance.”
Otherwise, the soldiers might struggle to control you.
I hoped my words would be persuasive, but the resistance only grew stronger. One soldier was even struck by a mercenary’s elbow.
“Ugh…”
It was clear that, as Sigren had told me, ‘Nice words won’t work.’
Still, I thought a polite approach was worth a try. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Will you be quiet?”
“What kind of little brat dares to give me orders?”
The man stood up, shouting so loudly his veins were visible.
“YOU TREATED US LIKE THIS?! IF ALL THE MERCENARIES LEAVE THE VILLAGE, YOU’LL BE FINISHED!”
“RIGHT! WHO HELD OFF THE MONSTERS WHEN THEY ATTACKED?”
I realized that dialogue wasn’t going to work. Reluctantly, I summoned magic from the air. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
BOOM!!
A lightning bolt struck near the rampaging mercenary, causing him to fall in shock. Anyone would react similarly if lightning struck so close.
“This… what is this…”
The mercenary muttered in disbelief.
I surveyed the crowd and said, “Great. Everyone should sit quietly… Or do you prefer otherwise?”
Next, I clapped my hand lightly continually. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Each clap produced a small but threatening lightning bolt that struck the ground near the remaining four mercenaries. Rocks flew everywhere.
When the five mercenaries—along with the soldiers—finally sat down, I smiled proudly.
“Be quiet and get on your knees.”
I noticed the villagers in the plaza had fallen silent as well. It was strange; there was no need for everyone to be so quiet. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Glancing at Sigren’s stiffened face, I looked forward again with an awkward smile at the sudden silence.
Thanks to this power, it was now easier to proceed. I should have done this sooner.
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