"Pardon me, but could I have a moment of your time?"
"Huh?"
Rest stepped between the two men, cutting off the confrontation.
"Cou—"
The Village Head started to call out, but Rest held an index finger to his lips, signaling for the old man to stay silent. Then, he turned and stepped forward to face the Lord.
"Forgive me, but isn't your logic a bit flawed, my Lord?"
"And just who the hell are you?"
"Simply a traveler staying at the local inn," Rest replied, deliberately masking his name and status.
"Hmph... A mere traveler shouldn't meddle in things that don't concern him. You're being insolent!" The Lord waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away a pestering insect.
Right. He doesn't even realize I'm a noble, Rest thought.
It was hardly surprising. Rest had stepped outside still wearing the simple loungewear provided by the inn. While Celestine was already standing there in her full, impeccable attire as a noble lady, the crowd of villagers formed a wall that obscured her from the Lord’s view. Looking at Rest now, no one would ever take him for a man of rank.
"I wouldn't say I'm entirely unrelated," Rest continued. "After all, I’m the one who slew the Sea Serpent."
"What did you say...?" The Lord’s expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as he sized Rest up with suspicion. "Are you an adventurer, then?"
"Something like that. Lately, hunting monsters has effectively become my profession."
It wasn't exactly a lie. Ever since he had been made a Count, he had been saddled with one monster subjugation after another. At this point, it really did feel like his primary job.
"My companions sold the Sea Serpent’s materials to a merchant and donated the entire sum to aid in the village's recovery. As I understand it, taxes shouldn't be applicable to disaster relief donations."
"Tch..." The Lord clicked his tongue loudly. He didn't drop his overbearing act, however; instead, he puffed out his chest and spoke with even more arrogance. "I suppose a lowly commoner wouldn't know this, but for nobles like us, there are times when we must employ 'extralegal measures'—actions that transcend the standard rules."
"I see... and what is that supposed to mean, exactly?"
"It means there are matters that take priority over the laws of the Kingdom." The Lord glared at Rest, his breathing turning into a series of indignant, huffy snorts. "By the will of the Great Landowner, this village was originally granted far more favorable treatment than other territories. Yet, the villagers had the gall to abandon their duties to participate in some bizarre project, causing a dip in tax revenue. I’ve given them special treatment until now, so what’s the harm in collecting a little extra to balance the scales?"
"......"
"This is a legitimate administrative decision made by the Lord who governs this land! Outsiders have no business sticking their noses in!"
As Rest listened in silence, a group of soldiers—evidently the Lord's personal guards—stepped forward to block his path.
"If you interfere any further, I’ll have you arrested as a traitor! I'll seize your assets and sell your family into slavery!"
"Incredible... Honestly, I’m genuinely surprised," Rest muttered.
He hadn't realized such a textbook villain actually existed. He hadn't even tried to trap the man; the Lord was simply volunteering his crimes one after another. This wasn't just a legal gray area—the man was as crooked as they came.
"Well, since you've been kind enough to confess everything, I suppose we're done here."
"I believe I have heard quite enough."
As Rest signaled with his eyes, Celestine emerged from behind the crowd of villagers.
"A-And who might you be...?" The Lord, who had been puffing himself up a moment ago, suddenly withered at the sight of Celestine. Her noble bearing and exquisite dress were impossible to ignore.
"A pleasure to meet you. My name is Celestine Crocus, and I am traveling in the company of the gentleman you see here."
"C-C-Crocus!?"
The Duke Crocus House. Every soul in the Kingdom knew that name. They were the premier noble family of the realm, wielding power second only to the Royal Family itself.
"This should serve as proof. If you harbor any doubts, I would be more than happy to have my father prepare the necessary paperwork to officially verify my identity," she said calmly.
"Guh... hee..."
Celestine produced a silver pocket watch engraved with her family crest. In a world without ID cards, nobles used such crested items—swords or jewelry—to verify their status.
"T-That’s impossible... I mean, buhya! Why is the daughter of Duke Crocus in a place like this...?"
In his utter panic, the Lord began making strange, animal-like noises as he scrambled backward. As he turned pale and broke into a greasy sweat, Celestine pressed her advantage.
"Furthermore... the man standing before you, Rest-san, is the current Head of the Count Clover House. A sitting Count of the realm."
"A-A-A Count? Fuh-hee..."
The Lord’s own rank was merely that of a Baron. He had just spent the last several minutes threatening a noble of significantly higher station—even going so far as to call him a traitor.
"You also mentioned something about selling his family into slavery," Rest added. "I wonder if a fiancé counts as family? He happens to be engaged to the daughters of the Marquis Rosemary House, you see."
"M-M-M-Marquis... Rosemary..."
"And you spoke of extralegal measures," Celestine continued. "It is true that a noble must occasionally bypass the law to protect their land or people. However, I wonder if that defense will hold up in this particular instance. I'm no legal expert myself, so perhaps I should consult my father and his close friend, the Minister of Justice?"
"Ha-bu, bu-hi-ha-fuh-fuh-fuh..."
The noises coming from the Lord’s mouth were no longer recognizable as human speech. He had regressed into some sort of pathetic, sputtering creature.
"I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I just remembered I have urgent business elsewhere, so if you'll excuse meeeee!"
Screaming that final, nonsensical excuse, the Lord turned on his heel and fled from the village at a full-tilt sprint.