(Risking My Life) Proposing to Miss Hazel - Chapter 85

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 85

Nickel Cedric.

The man who was destined to become the Emperor’s next sword, the only remaining Duke in the Empire.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army who commanded the respect of all citizens of the Empire.

He became a Duke right after the civil war began, losing his father at the age of fifteen.

Both the 1st Prince and 4th Prince competed to recruit him, as he was called a genius of swordsmanship and tactics, but he took neither prince’s side.

He simply led the Imperial Army that followed him and voluntarily maintained the Empire’s public order.

Step. Step. Step. Step. Step.

Soldiers in dark blue uniforms marched down the hill in perfect formation.

True to their reputation as a unit known for razor-sharp discipline, the Imperial Army maintained perfect rhythm in their steps and even the angle of their swinging arms showed no disorder.

When Count Cedric raised his right arm, the Imperial Army stopped and stood at attention.

He looked at us with piercing eyes as cold as ice blades.

The soldiers from Cromwell Castle who had surrounded Monica and me hesitantly stepped back.

“Ahem…, hmm.”

Even when the official gave the soldiers meaningful looks, it was useless.

No one should use force in front of Count Cedric.

Not even powerful figures who exploit the common people.

Not even bandits who raid civilian homes.

Even the terrifying Black Magic Rebels would all become docile sheep before him.

Count Cedric stood above the Lord of Cromwell Castle.

No matter how disorganized an army might be, the soldiers knew better than anyone that insurmountable hierarchy.

And they were also well aware of his cold-hearted temperament.

“Everyone at attention. From now on, no one moves, and you only answer what I ask. Understood?”

Unlike his angelic appearance as if descended from heaven, Count Cedric’s eyes were cold and his tone held not a trace of warmth.

In short, he lacked human warmth.

However, his dry eyes saw through to the truth without error, and his upright tongue spoke no false words.

He was ruthless to criminals but not to the weak. He was even polite to the elderly, so the Empire’s citizens’ trust in him was solid.

But unlike the image of a warm hero who saves the weak, meeting him in person revealed he wasn’t a warm-hearted good person.

He was simply fair and just.

But such a Count Cedric—

“Miss Hazel, are you alright?”

How does he remember the name of just some country girl he happened to encounter?

***

‘There’s supposed to be a Black Magic Rebel spy in Ruden Village?’

‘Y-yes… suspicious circumstances have been detected…’

‘And you find this pharmacist woman and Miss Hazel suspicious.’

‘We n-need to investigate…’

‘Starting with a home search without any evidence makes me suspect there are other motives. I didn’t know the Lord of Cromwell Castle was such an obvious type.’

‘N-no. His Lordship only collects taxes through legitimate methods and has never once engaged in exploitation.’

‘I don’t think I specifically mentioned exploitation.’

Count Cedric so blatantly took Monica’s and my side that it seemed like he had come to rescue me.

Of course, anyone could hear that Lord Cromwell’s behavior was despicable and unreasonable, but nobles are typically like that.

‘The basis for illegal items and unsavory profit generation designated by the Abraksia Empire is black magic. It’s laughable to discuss this in a village where not even ash from black magic contamination flies around.’

‘Ah, i-is that so.’

‘Ha, there’s no way you and Lord Cromwell wouldn’t know that fact, right?’

‘W-well…’

‘If you have nothing more to say, just quietly collect your taxes and leave. Make sure to tell Lord Cromwell every single word I said without omitting anything.’

The officials and soldiers from Cromwell Castle couldn’t make a peep and tucked their tails between their legs.

Their retreating figures looked like defeated soldiers, appearing even more ridiculous compared to the disciplined Imperial Army.

I approached the Duke who was mounting his horse and expressed my gratitude.

“Thank you for helping us, Your Grace.”

At times like this, his answer was always the same.

He would always leave everyone with just the words ‘I only did what needed to be done’ before disappearing.

But today was different.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Uh, no?”

“That’s a relief.”

“…”

“I’ll see you later.”

“…What?”

Later, when?

However, the Duke pressed his taciturn lips shut and kicked the horse’s flank with his right foot. The horse neighed and headed down the hill.

I stared at the fine horse’s tail and muttered blankly.

“What the…”

***

The village center was a battlefield as expected.

Between the confused Cromwell Castle army, the Imperial Army carrying out orders in perfect unison, and the village residents defending their homes and shops to the end.

The chaos that Lord Cromwell started and Count Cedric ended was finally resolved by late lunch time.

Naturally, Golden Goods was safe. Who could break through the alley that Felix was guarding?

Felix said that when soldiers rushed into the general store and told him ‘If you don’t open this place, we’ll search your house first,’ he knew our house would be safe.

So he desperately defended the shop and held the soldiers back from even going to our house.

The other villagers also didn’t easily open their doors to anyone.

They resisted the lord’s unreasonable tyranny with one heart and mind. Anyway, we had the numbers, so it was an action we could take.

The soldiers who went to Anna’s house were surrounded by a dozen or so ladies and had a hard time.

‘Oh my, none of your uniforms fit properly. Doesn’t Cromwell Castle even provide proper uniforms?’

‘Stop the nonsense and just open the door!’

‘This rude boy. Do you know who I am?’

‘W-who are you?’

‘Aren’t you Johan, the eldest son of Masa who married into Cromwell Castle?’

‘Y-you know me?’

‘Masa’s son came? How is Masa doing?’

‘W-who are you, Grandmother?’

‘I’m the midwife who cut your umbilical cord all the way at Cromwell Castle.’

‘W-what…?’

‘Don’t do useless things here and just give my regards to Masa. On your way, buy some pie that Masa likes from Maria’s Bakery.’

‘What are you t-talking about right now…’

‘So are you married? Don’t you have a girl you like? You need to have children soon…’

The soldiers who went to Carson’s place confirmed his skill at separating bone and flesh, then tried to turn away saying they should go somewhere else first, but were caught by Carson.

‘This is lamb, this is beef, what kind of meat is this?’

‘A pig?’

‘A person.’

‘…?’

‘It’s a joke, so relax your expression.’

‘…Eek.’

‘Though if you keep fooling around, it might not be a joke anymore.’

By the way, the soldiers who went to Uncle Franz’s workshop couldn’t even say a word, overwhelmed by the intimidating presence of the men doing their tempering work.

A wise choice. With red-hot iron chunks scattered everywhere and the furnace blazing bright red right in front of them, they should keep their mouths shut.

And Uncle Franz – true to being Baron’s relative – can fold iron chunks in half. Folding a person would be nothing to him.

Tales of heroism about chasing away soldiers echoed excitedly throughout the village.

Normally, the entire village atmosphere would be gloomily subdued on tax collection day, but today was the complete opposite.

I quietly muttered while looking at the village center where the soldiers had receded like low tide.

“The people in our village are really brave.”

The situation ended safely because Cromwell Castle’s soldiers were such a ragtag bunch, and Count Cedric took our side.

But it was uncertain how Lord Cromwell would react after being properly hit by earthworms that wouldn’t even squirm when stepped on.

So despite my joy, it was inevitable that worry seeped into one corner of my heart.

“Will everything be okay….”

Felix, hearing my worried sigh, gently placed his broad hand on top of my head.

The dimple deeply set in his cheek was completely carefree, without any worries or concerns.

“It’ll be fine. Our village can’t keep living while just taking beatings forever. The elders aren’t doing this without a plan, so Hazel doesn’t need to worry about anything.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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