Chapter 39: A young man named Gauche

“Hey there, gorgeous ladies, where are you headed?”

“Why not stop by the bar and have a drink with us before you leave? Although, I’m not sure if you’ll be able to make it back home tonight, hehehe.”

“No difference! Gahahaha!”

Gwenna and Melissa left their belongings with me and faced the group of hoodlums.

There are around fifteen of them. Unfortunately, not every place in this world is safe, and complete peace is hard to come by.

Even so, I was taken aback to encounter such individuals in the capital’s civilian district.

I thought I had a grasp on the criminal underworld through my studies in politics, but perhaps this is what it truly looks like.

Gwenna and Melissa were unsure whether to draw their weapons, but the other side was not armed. If we recklessly brandish our weapons, we may find ourselves in even more dangerous situations, especially me, a complete liability.

Even if we were to defeat them with our physical abilities, the odds are against us as we are outnumbered. I can only glare with a stern expression, but then an unexpected voice interrupted.

“Hey? Isn’t that Claire-sama? It’s rare to see you outside of the castle. Oh, and you even have a lute! Is it for me?!”

With a cheerful shout, Gauche jumped down from the trees, turned his back on the men, and chuckled as he approached me.

Melissa and Gwenna tried to shield me further, but I reassured them and focused on the men behind Gauche. We must not show any signs of weakness now.

“Who is this weakling? Move aside. We’re going to make our move on the girls now.”

“sO, you got the lute. That means you have the Elder’s approval. Well done, Claire-sama.”

“Eh?”

“Claire-sama has been acknowledged. So, let me take over here. I want to showcase my abilities, and this is a perfect chance.”

I’m confused by the situation, and Gauche has a glint in his eye.

Gauche told Gwenna and Melissa to look after me and then with ease kicked the ground like a circus performer I had seen before and circled behind the hoodlums.

What happened next was beyond my comprehension.

As Gauche leapt and took control of the hoodlums, he crossed his arms as if binding something, and in that instant, fifteen hoodlums were suddenly pulled towards Gauche’s feet.

Gauche executed the move calmly, and the hoodlums looked on in confusion. Even Gwenna and Melissa seemed to be at a loss. They still maintained their guard, wary of any potential threat.

The hoodlums were unable to stand. Due to Gauche’s immense strength, they were unable to move and flailed their feet helplessly.

“What the hell is this guy?! What did he do?!”

“Hey, you guys, do you think it’s a good thing that you didn’t lay a hand on Claire-sama? I consider myself a benefactor. Do you know where Claire-sama resides?”

Gauche spoke to the hoodlums who were now crouched down, with a light tone but with an intimidating pressure. The hoodlums were still unable to move their hands or feet.

“It’s a castle, a castle. Put your hand out and you’ll receive a light beating, but if you don’t, it’s a public execution by a stretched neck. See? You’re saved, right?”

The chill in Gauche’s voice as he coldly stated, “Be a good child and go home,” was unforgettable. The hoodlums shuddered and fled with their bodies, which had suddenly become free, bouncing around.

“Claire-sama, you’re going to give me a lute, right?”

“Yes, and I must thank you today as well. What would you like as a reward?”

“Just give me the lute, and, well,  if I have the opportunity to talk to His Highness Auglia tonight, I think we can have a meaningful conversation.”

I didn’t inquire about Gauche’s identity or intentions.

I handed him the lute and he took it with a pleased look in his eyes.

“Listen, Claire-sama. We appreciate those who are willing to do us small favors. You have impressed us, Claire-sama. Look forward to tonight.”

With that, Gauche took the lute and disappeared back into the woods.

Finally, my nerves caught up with me, and I clutched my pounding heart as I collapsed onto my rear.

“Claire-sama, are you alright?”

“Who was that young man earlier…?”

“That young man is my secret friend… Melissa, Gwenna, thank you. You two should come join us tonight.”

I was still trying to make sense of Gauche’s words. His true identity remains a mystery, but he’s a mysterious figure who employs peculiar methods.

Tonight, I’ll surely learn more about him. And when I return, I must also have a proper conversation with His Highness Auglia.

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