Chapter 33: The Shark Caught in the Net 2

Chapter 33: The Shark Caught in the Net 2

TL: Etude

As Schroeder escorted Shark and his gang back to the wharf, Paul Grayman was busy confirming the identity of the Lichman Adventure Team.

Several locals from Port Fran were called in, including the mayors granddaughter, Susan.

So, this old man, whos barely alive, is indeed the mayor of this place.

Yes, my lord, the townspeople replied cautiously, hardly daring to make eye contact with the lord.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Their gaze shifted to Susan, weeping softly beside her grandfather. The poor girl had lost her parents at a young age and lived solely with her grandfather. If the old man didnt survive this ordeal, what would become of her?

Paul turned to Susan: Young lady, are those who claim to be adventurers really the ones you hired to rescue your grandfather?

Susan glanced at the lord, then quickly lowered her gaze to her grandfather and said coldly, Yes, Lord.

Paul was puzzled by her reaction. Susans look of disdain and contempt, coupled with her tone, was unsettling, especially when directed at someone without apparent reason.

Youre Susan, right? I sympathize with your grandfathers plight. Is there anything I can do to help you?

This time, Susan didnt even raise her head, replying coldly again: Theres nothing you need to do, my lord. Just fulfill your duties as a lord and dont hide in your castle next time pirates come to bully us.

Victor, recently promoted to the head of the internal guard squad, stood beside Paul. Hearing Susans sharp retort to his lord, he immediately drew his sword and shouted, Insolence!

The other townspeople were terrified, quickly kneeling and pleading, Lord, please forgive Susan. Shes young and doesnt understand, and shes too grieved over her grandfathers condition.

Surprisingly, Victors shout provoked Susans anger. She turned around, her voice rising tearfully as she confronted Paul:

My grandfather has been tortured to this state, and you only come now? Do you know how many people have lost their life savings, how many women have been violated, how many who dared to resist were killed in this period? Do you nobles even care?

Dean with his blue hair and Kade with his blonde spiky hair both looked relieved and thanked Paul profusely.

Meru, rubbing her wrists sore and bruised from the ropes, grumbled internally: The men are one thing, but to treat us ladies so roughly, these northerners are truly barbaric.

It turned out that the Lichman Adventure Team was not from Ordo () (It says Rolman; Im assuming its just an error) Kingdom but from the independent territory of Messiah in the south. No wonder they didnt look at Paul with the same awe as others did.

In some of the more commercially developed city-states and independent territories of the south, the gap between nobles and commoners was not as vast as in the northern countries, though this was only relatively speaking.

Paul had no intention of making things difficult for this group. Punishing citizens of another nation could lead to diplomatic troubles, and he didnt want to create unnecessary enemies.

A soldier came in to report: Count, Major Schroeder has captured Shark and brought him to the churchs entrance.

Oh? Bring the old knight in, and the prisoners as well.

Soon, Schroeder and others brought in Shark and his group.

Count, the pirate leader Shark and his accomplices have been captured. These pirates were trying to sneak away by sea after abandoning their comrades, Schroeder said with disdain, briefly describing the battle.

Shark and his underlings were bound tightly, and Shark, injured in the leg, lay on the ground groaning.

Thats him, my lord, thats the pirate leader Shark! Please, lord, kill him and do us justice! the townspeople in the hall pointed him out.

Shark suddenly perked up, shouting, Lord Grayman, I know the location of Edwards secret treasure. If you spare my life, I will tell you where it is! It was wrong of me to be involved in your fathers death. Spare me, and Ill be your loyal dog, biting whoever you command!

Paul thought scornfully: A last desperate grasp at straws. Even if he was the killer of my father, sparing him for the sake of money would tarnish my reputation in this world.

The supposed treasure was likely a fabrication. How could Edwards wealth be known to a small-time gang like Sharks? And if Shark did know, why didnt he retrieve it himself instead of fighting to the death against the Graymans troops?

Paul commanded: Lock these scoundrels up in the basement. I will hold a public trial tomorrow.

He didnt believe a word of the pirate leaders claims.