The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 49 Simple Multiple Choice Questions

"You mean, there's an eye that looks similar to that orc's?"

At the spacious desk, Mellar sat upright, maintaining the decorum of aristocratic etiquette, his fingers hovering over his shoulder, seemingly incredulous.

"Impossible! My father used his connections to personally lease it from the [Duchess]."

It is a rare item that can only operate in three phases at a time.

How could those monsters possibly possess it!?

Catherine, who had been bowing to them the whole time, shook her head.

She was just a peasant girl, completely ignorant of the world of magic, and had never even heard of the name of the "Duchess".

I can only give a rough answer:

"I am unaware of its importance, sir. I am merely recounting to you the message I heard from that [Black Serpent]—"

According to his dying words, the attack on you was carried out by an entire tribe marching towards Xingmei Town.

"Nonsense! Longjin City is thousands of miles away from the Southern Great Wall, and there are countless well-equipped towns in between."

Unless they broke through the defenses and marched all the way up from the south, how could there possibly be a fully-fledged orc tribe?
Catherine, I thought you had inherited your mother's honesty.

But I never expected you would dare to fabricate such an absurd lie—to deceive the nobility and try to create panic, what exactly are you after?

"My lord, I didn't..."

"Enough! Perhaps it is the master's and young master's leniency that has fostered your spoiled nature."

If we don't punish you soon, you might lose sight of your place!

Guards, take her away and begin the whipping—

“Wait, Mr. Huss.”

Merard quickly stopped him, and under the old steward's urgent and helpless gaze, he steeled himself and said,
"I think she was worried about me, which is why she easily believed that mercenary's nonsense. After all, she's just a peasant girl and doesn't understand the world outside the town, right?"

Since the initial intention was considerate, overly harsh punishments would seem inhumane.

Then I'll punish you by sending you home to fetch the tavern's finest wine to help me pass this boring night.

"Master..."

Huss clicked his tongue in surprise and leaned down, saying softly, "I suggest you leave tonight."

Melard blinked his round eyelids and asked in surprise:

"What do you mean? You also think those orcs will come and raid this town?"

Huss stroked his neatly trimmed mustache and said with concern:
Logically speaking, I don't really think so, and I don't want to believe that their goal is this town—after all, it's an entire orc tribe.

But the appearance of orcs is a fact, which is already extraordinary.

Therefore, considering your personal safety, I should immediately prepare two good horses for you and that mercenary leader.

He will escort you all the way back to Longjin City. If the town is not looted, then everyone will be happy.

Even if you do encounter a calamity, you will be completely safe.

This is the safest approach in my opinion.

Huss diligently followed the teachings of his teacher, the renowned, distinguished, and kind old steward—

As the nobles' most loyal and capable assistants, they should have two faces.

The first is their true nature, their genuine loyalty to their master.

The second aspect is their harsh treatment of lower-ranking servants, which sometimes inevitably involves an element of acting.

Such as now.

It's not that he doesn't trust Catherine.

Instead, she couldn't let Catherine, this peasant girl, see her master terrified by the orcs, and even planning to abandon the territory and flee in panic.

He needs to protect his master's safety and image.

If Lord Mel were present, he would surely have praised his steward highly.

But the still-underage young Master Merard, appearing naive, asked in bewilderment:
"Why me and that mercenary?"

"He needs you to stay alive so he can collect his commission. You will be perfectly safe unless absolutely necessary."

"But what will happen to you and the people left behind if the orcs really intend to raid this place?" "I am very grateful for your kindness. But as the steward, I have a duty to guard this territory and protect the lord's property—"

The so-called 'orc tribe' is ultimately just one side of the story, and they may not even be able to leave the forest in a short period of time.

Even if I do find a way out, I can try to lead my troops and hold out until reinforcements from Longjincheng arrive.

As for those inhabitants... they cannot be allowed to leave under any circumstances.

"why?"

Huss answered matter-of-factly:

"If this news is told to them and causes panic, many people will want to flee to the outskirts of town, resulting in population loss."

As a result, the orcs did not leave the forest to raid the territory—but what about the missed work and harvest?

For Huss, this was actually a very simple choice.

If the orcs raid, he will organize a resistance; if successful, all will be happy; if they fail, he will bear the loss himself.

If the orc raids had not occurred, but instead caused panic and resulted in the loss of the already small population, it would have been equivalent to a direct loss.

And whatever choice he makes, he can ensure that the young master is protected by the wolf.

All these considerations meant that he didn't even need to hesitate.

Merad nodded in sudden realization.

After hesitating for a long time, he said hesitantly:
"Could you grant me a small request?"

"You say."

“A horse can carry two people, right? I want to take Catherine with me.”

"Young Master, this—"

"Mr. Huss!"

Melard pouted, looking both aggrieved and pleading.
"You watched me grow up and are the only person in the family who knows my true sexual orientation."

So you can understand that if I went back and married a noblewoman, she would not tolerate her husband keeping male lovers outside.

But if he were to marry a commoner, his father would absolutely not agree.

Only Catherine—her beauty was enough to overshadow her peasant origins—could perhaps become a face of diplomacy with a little nurturing.

That's why my father allowed me to marry Catherine...

I need a woman with no status or power to be my shield.

"For the sake of my future happiness, please allow me to bring her back to Longjincheng with me, okay?"

As Merard said, it would be hard for Huss not to feel pity for the young master he had personally raised, the future head of the family.

After a long while, he sighed:

"Alright, but you have to promise me. If anything happens, you must abandon this woman first to ensure your own safety."

"Of course, how could I possibly risk my life for a civilian?"

Melard beamed with joy, and even the fear he had felt during the attack seemed to fade away.

He finally looked at Catherine, who had remained silent with her head bowed, and said loudly:

"It's settled then. Catherine, bring your wine in person an hour from now. You know it's my way of being kind to you."

"Of course, Master Merard. May the joy of Gragas last forever."

Catherine sighed inadvertently and quickly bowed as she retreated.

After leaving the village official's residence, which was surrounded and protected by mercenaries.

She quickly lifted her dress, revealing a section of her fair and slender calves, as she hurried along the dirt road in the countryside.

When she arrived at the tavern, panting, she saw a dejected Father Lynn reporting something to Tang Qi in the courtyard.

So she moved closer:
"My progress is going very smoothly. How's it going on your end?"

Father Lynn shook his head, his wrinkles furrowing, making him appear even older.

"Unfortunately, it's not ideal."

(End of this chapter)