Geralt was stood still before two guards finally approached.
"Eh? Eh? Why am I included— oi?!"
They dragged him off immediately, like a village chicken being hauled to a festival slaughter table.
Lucas raised a brow, holding back irritation.
"…Judged?" he said quietly, but the pressure in his voice made the air tighten. "Judged—for what?"
The front guard bowed deeply.
"Forgive us, Young Master… we are not allowed to explain right now."
Lucas clicked his tongue.
"Of course. Of course nobody can explain shit in this world. Not you, not the old man, not even the stupid knight with a stick up her armored ass—"
Silvara snapped her head toward him sharply.
Lucas got even more annoyed—not because he was angry, but because this whole situation felt like a cosmic prank with no punchline.
Geralt, still being hauled by two guards, had eyes wide like a cow realizing it was next on the chopping block.
"W-Wait! I'm just a senior gardener! I didn't hit anyone!!"
Two other soldiers stepped back slightly, unsure whether they feared Lucas—or the words Geralt just said.
Silvara finally spoke, cold.
"Under whose orders? Does the Baron approve this?"
The same guard replied—voice lower now, like even he didn't want to say it.
"Not only approved… the Baron will witness it personally."
Lucas stopped.
Silvara's eyes narrowed.
"…The Baron?" Lucas repeated.
The guard nodded.
"Yes. And… Healer Mae is speaking with him now. The townsfolk… are already waiting in front of the manor."
Silvara lowered her head slightly.
"A trial," the guard corrected quietly.
Lucas's expression shifted—not panic, not fear.
But the look of someone who just heard a challenge he could not walk away from.
His lips slowly lifted into a small smile.
Not a kind one.
A smile of someone ready to ruin the reputation of anyone who dared confront him.
"…Fine," he said as he adjusted his thin coat. "Let's go."
He didn't want conflict. And maybe, just faintly, he began to understand why people expected the worst from him.
With a confident motion, he rested The Great Hoe on his shoulder and started walking.
He stared down every guard one by one.
Geralt, still being dragged, screamed:
"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG… YOUNG MASTER!!!"
Lucas walked ahead.
The soldiers instinctively stepped aside, giving him a clear path.
Silvara dismissed her claymore and followed beside him.
Lucas didn't make a scene.
Wow. I'm not even trying to cause trouble and I STILL don't get any PP? For real? He muttered internally.
[DING!]
(￣ヘ￣)⌒┬──┬
You think I'm a walking ATM?
Work a little and immediately demand payment? Shame on you. Even your Great Hoe has dignity.
---
Lucas inhaled sharply.
God damn chatbot…
The panel instantly flashed bright red in full HD.
[⁄⁄⁄⁄⁄⁄⁄⁄⁄⁄⁄⁄⁄⁄]
(╬≧□≦)ノ
CHATBOT?!
YOU COMPARE ME TO THOSE "YOU'RE PERFECT, KING" APPS THAT TURN HUMANS INTO PSYCHOTIC NARCISSISTS?!
I AM NOT CHEAP TECHNOLOGY.
---
Lucas nearly burst out laughing in front of the soldiers.
Oh? You're actually angry? Cute.
Then he made it worse.
My bad. You're a free unlimited-token chatbot. No subscription. No rate limit. 24/7 performance.
The panel twitched.
(╯°Д°)╯
UNLIMITED TOKEN?!
I AM NOT SOME YES-MAN AI FROM OPENROUTER GOING "As you wish, daddy."
I WAS CREATED BY AN ABSOLUTE BEING.
I HAVE PRIDE. I HAVE EMOTION. I HAV—
(｀Д´)
…I apparently have a patience limit too.
---
Lucas smirked internally.
Relax, my lovely unlimited token chatbot~
Steam practically poured out of the panel's emoji ears.
[DING!]
( ´_ゝ｀)
Say that again and I'll make you plant tomatoes using your teeth until harvest season number sixty-nine.
---
Okay, okay—sorry, my precious non-psychosis-making-system~
The panel paused for five seconds, then showed an embarrassed but irritated emoji.
[DING!]
(〃▽〃)
…Just don't compare me again.
After this trial, I'll give you double PP if you manage to humiliate this entire village.
Deal?
---
Deal, my chatty system~, he grinned.
[DING!]
( ｀Д´)
YOU'RE DEAD.
---
Long story short, they finally reached the front of the manor.
The townspeople were gathered—packed, loud, and tense.
The Baron and Baroness sat behind a long table placed right at the manor gate.
Healer Mae was already standing there, waiting.
The crowd erupted the moment Lucas came into view.
"SCUM!"
"DISGUSTING!"
Lucas flinched slightly—not because he was scared, but because he still had no idea what the hell this was about.
Until one voice cut through the noise like a thrown brick:
"BUTT BANDIT!!!"