Chapter 187.2
Since Clara had fully confessed to the crime, the charges were to be handed down without any trial, so we went into a room in the legal department.
When I entered the room, Clara, her mother, and her younger brother, who was probably not yet 10 years old, got down on their knees. It seemed that they were beaten and kicked while they were being held captive by those bandits.
They had been treated somewhat, but as expected, they had not been fully healed. Well, that was to be expected.
I looked at the legal representative and asked if it was okay for me to say something, and he looked back at me and said, Go ahead.
Clara.
Ye, yes! Its all my fault, please, please be lenient to my mother and brother
She had a father who served in a noble family, so she was patient until I approached her. She had the manners of someone that had familiarity in serving a noble. She was not directly involved with Count Bachem, and if it hadnt been for this case, she could have been given a job in the royal capital to help her parents.
In that sense, it was a little regrettable.
I understand the situation. Clara will be a laborer, and I order her banishment from the royal capital.
In my previous life, this was what we would call enslavement. She would work as a laborer in a place that was not in the royal capital. Even though it may seem harsh, this was still a light sentence for the attempted murder of a noble.
Ah, thank you!
Her mother lowered her head to the floor before Clara did. Actually, it was not impossible for all of them to have been executed, so this reaction was understandable.
However, for me, seeing someone of the same generation as my parents lowering their head was still a stomach churning event. After all, this was the first time we had met, and she didnt really do anything to me.
Romilda and Casper, you two are not responsible for what happened, but since you are family members of the person who attempted to murder the nobleman, you are not deemed innocent.
Yes, I understand.
Romilda bowed her head. As for Casper, he still did not seem to understand the situation. I guess it couldnt be helped given his age.
I myself would have a lot of doubts if my family was being accused of crimes, but I couldnt let it show in my attitude.
Then, Ill tell you what to do. You and your children are banished from the royal capital. You are to leave the royal capital within three days.
Yes, sir.
Being expelled from the royal capital in a monster-infested environment, with no destination in sight, must be quite a harsh punishment, but as the family of an attempted murderer of a noble, they were in no position to complain. Romilda could only nod.
By the way.
So much for the wistful look. I crouched down and lowered my gaze to meet Romildas.
Im planning to start a new business in the Zeavert territory in the near future. Would you all be interested in working there?
What?
Well, that reaction was what I expected, I guess. Some might think I was being naive.
Its a new business, so there will be a lot of unfamiliar work. It is possible that we may not have enough staff, so I would be willing to assign any laborers who are currently out of work as my subordinates. Are you willing to take on the job?
(T/N: This is intentionally written like this.)
Romilda seemed to be struggling to understand what was being said, but when my gaze turned to Clara, who had just become a laborer, she seemed to realize what I was intending to say. She began to shed tears with an almost muted sound.
We, well take care of it.
Okay, I will have you all escorted to Zeavert territory as well. Be prepared.
Thank you, thank you very much!
Clara even bowed to me in tears, so I nodded and decided to leave the room. In reality, Clara and her family were only involved in the incident because of my actions, so it was not something they should be thanking me for in tears.
I lightly adjusted my shoulders as we walked back to my office. To be fair, my shoulders were fine, but I was mentally stiff. As we were heading back, I spoke to Neurath.
Was that all right?
I think it was naive.
I shrugged my shoulders lightly. It was probably inevitable that there would be some people who would call it naive. However, that was already decided.
Whether we hang those three or let them live and work, I think it was me who had to take responsibility for the consequences. Not legally, but as a way of life.
This was a world where enemies and allies, nobility and commoners weighed their lives differently, but not within my own consciousness. I may not be a hero or anything, but I wanted to help people as much as I could. I knew that this was simply out of self-satisfaction, but I have no intention of changing it.
If Im going to take responsibility, I want to take responsibility for something that is the result of my self-satisfaction. I guess I can only live by my own rules after all.
I knew the fear of power as much as I hated having power, and commanding armed forces could always become a dangerous alternative to violence. That was why I didnt want to change the part of me that believed in myself and what I decided.
Are you appalled? (Welner)
No. (Neurath)
Welner-sama is fine that way. (Lily)
Neurath and Schunzel responded, and Lily nodded.
Ill be happy to accompany you no matter which path you take. (Schunzel)
Do let me know if you think I did something wrong.
I will try. (Schunzel)
Schunzel responded and the three of us looked at each other and smiled. Seriously, these people
I might be able to compete well with Mazell on the one point that I was blessed with good friends around me.
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