Chapter 83 - Trouble

The scene they stumbled on was terrible; a woman was getting dragged out of her shop right in front of her husband and kids. She was getting beaten up, and the soldiers seemed to change their plans half way when the woman's mask fell off.

"Look how pretty she is."

"Seems like we can have fun," but all those comments fell on deaf ears when Kazuya beat them up. Despite them being quite a distance away, Kazuya got over there and helped in just a matter of seconds. Even though he was up against at least five soldiers, Kazuya did not bat an eyelash.

"T—thank you for saving my wife," a man stepped out.

"Mommy!" the children immediately gathered around the unconscious woman that lay on the ground.

Kazuya smiled, "Yeah, take better care next time," because what else could Kazuya tell them?

"Sir warrior, or traveler. Did you just arrive here?"

"That's right."

"Then, I advise you to leave very quickly," the man said, "This place is too dangerous for us villagers, let alone anybody who came from the outside."

"What do you mean by that?" Lyn asked as she stepped forward.

"Let's speak inside the shop."

....

The 'shop' was utterly destroyed; what would have looked like a lovely tea shop did not resemble one at all with its broken shelves and chairs. The man who leads them inside was a former soldier from another town. Kazuya could tell that he wasn't a normal man since he tried to stop them from taking his wife. Usually, most people can only stand by and watch as their loved ones get taken from them.

"My wife Sera and I came here several years ago, and we held a grand wedding. We only planned to hold the wedding here and not stay. But no sooner had we finished up, laws and regulations regarding this place changed, and we could not leave," Callum explained, "But, even with that we managed to live a happy life for a while, and my wife got pregnant too."

"But?"

"Just as things were proceeding well, the new lord finally appeared in town," trembled at the mention, "The new Lord, is not a simple man. While he may have acted like a naive young ruler at the start since he appeared loads of rumors regarding the brutal killing of women appeared."

Not even kidnapping, brutal killing? Lyn's gaze darkened, "What's the name of the Lord?"

"Lord Ereland."

Lord Ereland, "Ah, I've met him," Lyn muttered. He was present at the banquet when she was fourteen years old, "He didn't appear like a ruthless guy, but he must have been hiding his true colors," even though he didn't appear like it. Lyn always got a bad feeling from him. Somebody who is always smiling always has something to hide, whether it's good or bad. Though now that she thought about it carefully, Kazuya is always smiling and yet she knew he doesn't have any bad intentions. In Kazuya's case, he's hiding his loneliness.

"That man is cruel; he will stop at nothing to get his way; that is why your presence here is disturbing. Once he gets wind of your group's arrival, he will most certainly summon you."

So that's why Lyn thought something was amiss when she was looking at the shop stands earlier. She did not see any women, at least no women who are not old, "Are the elderly treated well?"

"To a certain extent, since they've done a lot for this country. Most people who migrate and live in this town have retired from the palace service. So even the young Lord cannot harm them. But amongst the young generation here, there are those who have yet to contribute to the country which makes them easier targets," Callum explained.

In other words, they have yet to prove their use, so it's okay to hurt them? How despicable. She's met many corrupted individuals in the Royal court. Even those people mother claims will not harm her; Lyn has never let her guard down around them.

"Mister, you do not have to worry," Lyn reassured him, "We will take care of this."

"Oh no, we couldn't possibly trouble you over this. You must escape quickly before he traps you here."

Lyn shook her head, "We will help you," she turned to Kazuya, who hadn't been paying much attention. For a while now, he seemed to be communicating with someone and using his magic. So, Lyn continued to converse with the man.

She's sorry about this mentor, but these people need help. The item can wait.

.....

After they parted ways with the man named Callum, it took some time before Kazuya broke the silence. Since earlier he was deep in thought, even after they had left, "It seems like we have to stay here for a while, sorry, Lyn," Kazuya apologized, "But, this situation I can't turn a blind eye to it."

Lyn shook her head, "No, it makes sense. I was thinking the same too. If you turned a blind eye to peoples suffering, then I would have a reason to dislike you."

Kazuya squeezed her hands, "That's no good then, I'd hate it if you disliked me. Guess I should work hard to gain some points with you?"

Her gaze softened, he's so stupid. Still, her gaze landed back at the shop, "I'm worried about those people, will they be alright if we leave?" though they were quite a distance away already.

"It's okay; I sent word around to my team. They should be arriving shortly, and I'll have them station themselves in individual areas."

Arriving shortly, does that mean the other members of the Sound Kingdom traveled here too? Well, she supposes that made sense. Kazuya is an important person; if something were to happen to him, it would be bad, "Is it okay to do that?"

"Five gone and five remained, seemed fair right?"

Indeed, but they are dividing their forces, "You and your people, I'll make sure they don't get hurt," Lyn muttered. She should send word to Pupillam and the General to look out for the five who stayed behind. Lyn knew that while things had gotten better, many were still picking on his group.

Kazuya smiled, "Yeah, I'll leave it to you.'