Me, the Weakest Member of the Hero’s Party? I’m the Villain Though? - Chapter 43
But suddenly, the inn became noisy again. Wondering what was going on, I turned toward the source of the commotion at the inn’s entrance.
“Move aside, move aside! Everyone, don’t block the way! Move aside!”
A swarm of soldiers burst into the inn. There was no way they were all coming for lunch; it looked like they were here to apprehend someone.
“There they are! Don’t let a single one get away! Grab them all!”
It was clear that they were talking about us.
Surely they hadn’t come to arrest us just because I’d picked a fight with those men? The uneasy feeling crossed my mind. But those guys started it…
“Stop. Do you know who I am?”
At that moment, Kyle stood up and spoke in a commanding voice, and everyone inside the inn froze.
Kyle had a hero’s ability to command attention.
Like a lead actor stepping onto the stage, he drew everyone’s gaze and leisurely looked over the soldiers.
“I am a member of this empire’s imperial family, so I possess the right of immunity. Unless you are members of the Imperial Guard, I have the right to refuse arrest. So state under whose orders you are here to apprehend us!”
Now that was true charisma. I’d never realized it before since he was always smiling and joking, but it was an unexpected side of him.
“Th-the thing is… His Lordship ordered us to bring the hero’s party to him. We weren’t really trying to arrest you…”
The one who seemed to be the head soldier stammered in fright. Just a moment ago, he’d been shouting, “Grab them!”
“We’ll walk to meet the lord ourselves. Just show us the way.”
Kyle coolly gave orders to the soldiers, and they naturally followed his lead, guiding us to the fief lord.
***
Following the soldiers, we made our way to the lord’s manor, deep in the village.
When we were being led away, only Gerard managed to slip away unnoticed. The rest of the party didn’t seem surprised, as if they were used to Gerard doing things like that.
When we arrived at the manor, someone was waiting for us at the front gate.
“Welcome, Your Highness. I am Corden, the lord’s aide. The lord is waiting in the audience chamber. I will take you to him at once.”
Following Corden, we headed to the lord’s audience chamber. The party members all seemed composed; apparently, this wasn’t their first time being summoned by a local lord.
“There’s no need to be nervous. He probably just wants to ask for a favor.”
As expected, Elonen whispered this to reassure me, seeing how I was looking anxiously around.
“The lord is waiting inside.”
Corden said as he knocked, then immediately pushed open the door without waiting for a reply.
The audience chamber was larger than expected. A massive fireplace burned on one wall, and a long table with food set out was positioned in front of it.
“Please, come in!”
A man wearing a large hat decorated like a crown and a luxurious cape greeted us warmly, clearly the lord.
“My apologies for bringing you here so suddenly. I am Tallin Caindel, Lord of the Caindel Barony.”
“Pleased to meet you. I am Kyle Delos.”
Kyle replied on behalf of the group.
Lord Tallin, ruler of the barony, was a large, middle-aged man.
“I’ve heard many rumors about the hero’s party. It is an honor to meet you in person.”
Tallin said, fiddling with Kyle’s hand in greeting. Kyle’s expression quickly darkened, and eventually he pulled his hand free.
“Ah, please, have a seat. I’ve prepared some simple refreshments.”
On one side of the audience chamber, a long table was set with bread and wine.
After the disappointing breakfast at the inn, no one hesitated to sit down at the table.
“Please, help yourselves as much as you’d like and let’s talk.”
“Since you went to all this trouble, we won’t hold back.”
As Kyle began stuffing bread into his mouth, Tallin smiled.
I wasn’t really in the mood, but you had to eat to live, so I shoved some bread into my mouth. It was surprisingly good, and I couldn’t help a small exclamation.
The party quickly forgot everything else as they ate. Watching how fast they devoured the food, you’d think they hadn’t eaten in days.
“The reason I’ve gathered you here is that I have a request to make.”
Tallin’s words weren’t far off from what Elonen had guessed, which was a relief.
