--Charlotte had just left the nobleman's mansion area and was heading towards the commercial district.


　As Charlotte left the area of the nobleman's mansions and entered the commercial district lined with large stores, she was talking with Lisha about which stores she should visit today.
　Suddenly, I heard the sound of cobblestones being stepped on in a hurry.
　At the same time, several men appeared from around the corner and behind me.
　What's going on?
　Before you know it, they're all surrounding you, as if they've been working together.


"Hey--

"Master Charlotte, is this ......?


　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.
　There were exactly ten men who showed up. There is no way to escape, as the front, back and even side streets are blocked.
　Inconveniently, there was no one else in the vicinity, so there was no way to warn others.


　Seeing their coordinated movements, I immediately understood.
　This is not a coincidence.
　It is a movement with a firm intention to surround them.
　In the first place, the movement itself was orderly, and there was no waste at all.


　I put my hand on the hilt of the small sword I was carrying for self-defense and asked aloud.


"What are you people doing?

"What do you want me to know, ladies?


　As I let out a shouted question, a man stepped forward, saying something like that.
　He's the leader of this group. A large man with a slightly protruding belly. The lower half of his blond face is covered with stubble, and he is not clean at all, which is quite dirty for a man who comes and goes in this area.


　If you look down at him, you will see that he is wearing armor that is different from that worn by the guards of King's Landing.
　A leather breastplate, iron baskets, and a huge treadmill on his back. Old and new, the types of equipment are all mismatched.


　From their appearance, it is hard to believe that they are related to noble or merchant families.
　The others are dressed similarly to the large man. For that reason alone, I'd say they're all here.


　Anyway, he stepped forward, protecting Lisha behind him.


...... What the hell do you think you're doing?

I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.

You think I'm going to go along with that?


　I'm not sure if I'm going to follow you or not," he said. He drew his sword and aimed it at the man's face.
　But the big man is unconcerned, he just smiles at you with contempt as if you were a child with a toy sword.


"Oh, that's brave. You are indeed the princess of a military family. But can you handle all these people by yourself?


　The big guy says, and starts laughing.
　It's a vulgar laugh. The others, perhaps caught up in the laughter, began to laugh as well.
　Then, the large man suddenly looks at Lisha.


"Oh. We know you're from House Raytheft. I've got a mage for you too.


　A large man squared his chin.
　Apparently, he sensed that Lisha was about to use magic.


　As he said, "I've got a mage for you." Among the men, there were a few dressed like that. There was no way to be sure that they were really mages, so they were bluffing, but they didn't seem to be lying.


　No, to begin with.


"Do you know who we are?

Well, yeah.

Why ......?


　But when you know that you are the son of a military family and that Lisha is the daughter of Raytheft, you know that these people are not just a bunch of haphazard kidnappers.


　In other words, they know they're dealing with a nobleman, and they're making a move.


"Now, first, princess, put away your sword. I'm not going to hurt you if you stay quiet.

You think I'm going to let you do that?

Do you want to do it?


　The big man then leans back and pulls out the Danpei on his back.
　You want to be there?
　I'd like that.


"Hello, Miss Charlotte. ......

It's okay. I'll handle this. As soon as I take that man down, you have to leave.

But, sir.

"That man is nothing.


　That's what he says. That's not bravado. That's the truth. I'm confident I can beat him.
　No, there is no way I can't beat him.
　I've defeated many adults in the dojo many times before.
　I don't think I'm a match for them.
　Yes, I have a natural disposition.
　I have the strongest natural disposition that can see as far into the future as possible.


　But Lisha looks worried.


"Are you making any plans?

"Yes. I'm trying to defeat you.

That's scary.




　The large man is still smiling with contempt.
　It's as if he's watching a child's bluff.
　It is true that there is too much of a difference in size.
　But even so, he is accustomed to fighting opponents who are taller than he is.
　I can do it.
　I can fight.
　I can beat them.


　If I can knock down the head of this group here, I might be able to make a breakthrough.


　That's what I was thinking.
　That is, until I saw a flash of a "pawn" in front of me right after we pointed our swords at each other.


"Ah ......


　You can't help but let your voice leak out.
　But what seemed to be a vision was a vision of herself being struck by a man's sword and blown away.

What's wrong?　What's wrong?　Maybe you've realized that you're no match for him?

"............


　Bite your lip.
　At the same time, the tip of the sword lowers.
　Now that you can see...
　Now that you know the answer.
　I can't fight anymore.


I say again, keep your sword.

"......


　I obeyed the big man's words and sheathed my fine sword.
　You can never win a head-on fight with this man. It would be a different story if we were both trained with fine swords, but since our styles of swordsmanship are different, I can't deal with him.


　In the first place, the man's movements did not stop even if I stabbed him with my fine sword. A woman's strength, even a child's, was not enough to stop him. My sting could not be the sting of a bee.


　I was shallow.
　I had gotten carried away because I could now beat adults.
　Suddenly, a man with a hood pulled tightly over his eyes walks up to me.


"............


　As I wondered who he was due to the difference in his appearance from those around him, a large man asked the hooded man in a mysterious manner.


"Are you sure it's these guys?


　The hooded man nodded in response to the large man's question.
　You're not going to talk?
　Perhaps he is trying to avoid revealing his true identity.
　Eventually, the large man opens his mouth.


"Follow me.

...... Do you know what you're doing?　Do you know what you're doing? It's a felony to frighten a nobleman's child.

Tell that to your employers.


　So the man in the hood is your employer?


So you are the employer of these men?

............

Answer me!


　When the hooded man, who remained silent and refused to answer, raised his voice.
　A large man shoved a flat on his throat.


　...... It was a moment. There was no time to react.
　It was an act that showed the difference in power.


"Princess. I don't want to cause a scene. Please be quiet. And the daughter of Raytheft.

"......

No, don't hurt Master Charlotte!

Then be quiet. If you don't think you can resist, I won't do anything.


　I'm not going to do anything about it.
　He followed the large man and followed him as he led the way.
　The road deviated greatly from the district where the nobles lived and went into a deserted area.


　There was a carriage parked there.


　...... A two-horse box carriage, too luxurious for the deserted place. The windows are equipped with curtains that, when closed, will not allow you to see what is going on inside.


　The carriage was occupied by herself, Lisha, a large man and a man in a hood.


"...... Master Charlotte.

"...... Lisha. We'll find a way to get out of here.

"...... Yes.

"...... If we can't do that...

...... I understand. I would rather be humiliated as a child of nobility.


　The next words were, "Death.
　The next words were, "I choose death.
　To be sold off.
　I'll be sold off. I'll be used as a toy by panderers.
　There are so many ways for a kidnapped child to end up.


　It's nothing but shame for a child of nobility to be treated like that. To protect the honor of your family, you choose to die gracefully. It is the last thing we can do to protect the pride of our noble family.




　......, but I don't want to do that to Lisha.
　I'm not sure what to do.


　In the end, the carriage took us to the Marquis of Gaston's mansion.
　A magnificent mansion. He had been there the other day, so there was no way he could mistake it.


　The approach from the gate to the front door is lined with statues by famous sculptors, and the tiled terrace has parasols, chairs and tables. The scent of roses wafted through the air as I stepped inside.


Who are your employers?

Come on.


　I was led straight to the guest room of the house.
　Confused, you and Lisha are seated on the guest couch, and a servant prepares tea. The reception was no different than when we greeted a guest, and there was even a pile of tea cakes on the table in front of us.


　Gradually, however, I began to understand the meaning of this gesture.
　Lisha seemed to be the same way, making a tense face.
　After a while, a man walked into the guest room.


　The owner of the mansion, Khau Ga Ga, was dressed in a silk jacket.
　He was the Marquis of Curlew Gaston, the owner of the mansion.


"The Marquis of Curlew Gaston. ......

"Ladies, I apologize for the rough manner in which I have invited you.


　The Marquis began with an apology.
　However, he made no pretense of being offended.
　It was as if he was saying something flattering in a clear manner.


"Good day to you, Your Excellency. I'm going to ask you straight out, what's the point of this?


　The Marquis asked, without so much as a greeting.


No, no, I thought I'd bring something for the ladies. As I said before, I apologize for the roughness of the invitation.

...... I will inform your father of this matter.

"Oh, no problem.


　The Marquis smiled as if it didn't itch at all, though he had meant to put a spike in his greeting.


You can afford it, can't you?

Of course I can. It's not as if there's going to be an immediate rift between the Count and me when you tell your father about this.

That's ......

That's politics, you know. You'd better remember that.


　The Marquis then lit a cut cigar and puffed wildly a couple of times, hard.
　The Marquis then lit a cut cigar and puffed wildly on it a couple of times, asserting that he could not be accused of kidnapping, much less of anything.


　But it's hardly bravado. There were no witnesses to the kidnapping, and the fact is that she was being treated like this. If he is told that he protected her when she was in danger, or that he and Lisha are mistaken, and if he is allowed to keep his cover, the matter will be settled.


　Then, as I said earlier, you can bring him back a souvenir.
　It is possible that they will thank you.


　Besides, you know what? Even if you complain about your relationship with the men who brought you here, if they say they did it on their own, there is nothing you can do. Of course, evidence of their involvement with the Marquis will be erased. That's what they can do. We have the power to do it.


"Now, as to why you were brought here, I'm sure you're aware of that by now, aren't you?


　When the Marquis gives Lisha a suggestive look, she asks him back with a clear face.


What are you talking about?

"What do you mean?" "Miss Lisha. You can't compete with me in belly tricks. But by the looks of it, you really do have it. So you know what it is?

It's a ...... document, isn't it?

"Yes, but ...... that's all right. It would have been better if it was just the documents. It would have been better if it had been just the documents, but the loss of the account book would have been a bit of a problem for us as well.


　The Marquis said this, took a breath, and got down to business.


Can I have that back, please?

It's not here at .......

"Then I'll change my question. Have you given it to anyone yet?　For example, to an official in the inspectorate?

............


　Risha remained silent and met the Marquis' gaze.
　It would be unjust for her to open her mouth here.
　When she doesn't answer, the Marquis lets out a tired sigh.


"Miss Lisha. I don't want to make things worse. I don't want to make a big deal out of it either. As long as you give me back those papers and books, I don't mind.


　The Marquis implied that it could be worse, but Lisha remained silent. I guess she doesn't want to give in so easily. From the moment she found out what was in the black bag, it was her pride as a noblewoman that drove her. This silence is the result of her firm adherence to the teaching of innocence.


　This is how she is able to withstand the silent pressure of the Marquis.


You mean you don't want to answer until ....... I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. --Hey.


　That's when the Marquis spoke up.


　Suddenly, a large man behind her pulled her by the arm.


"What?

Master Charlotte?

"Oh, don't move.


　A large man thrusts a small sword at me.
　Is he threatening her by taking her hostage?


　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.


"Miss Risha. I'll ask you again. Where are the papers and books?　If you don't answer, will the Countess be harmed?

"...... Lisha. You don't have to tell me. This is just a threat. How could I hurt her?

I'm serious. And that man will do it if I tell him to.


　Just as she said that, the little sword moved even closer to her neck and struck her neck. The blade is unexpectedly sharp. If you move it, it could easily cut your skin.


"Huh? If you hurt me, you won't be able to get away with it, will you?

"Yes. But then we'll just have to do it differently. No one has ever seen you before, you know.


　Risha gave me a worried look. If I don't, I'll get hurt. Not only that, if I take the Marquis' words correctly, I'll be killed.
　You can't help but lose your pride in exchange for someone else's life.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.


The bag containing the ...... evidence has been left with your brother.

I see.


　The Marquis, after getting Risha to confess, immediately issued instructions.
　I'm sure he's going to take some action against Arx.
　He frees himself from the arms of the large man.


"You two will stay in this room until your bags arrive. Oh, and I'm sorry to gag the daughter of House Raytheft. Just in case.


　And with that, the Marquis had left the guest room.