Not only Uncle François, but several guards behind him with good vantage points also lose their relaxed attitudes. Guards who can't see whisper with those who've caught onto the truth, then grip their weapons tightly.
The main entrance of the residence is very spacious, which is perfectly normal. This residence in Rothschild is equivalent to a private villa, so naturally the main entrance should be imposing. Although I haven't opened the door completely, with my 160cm height, it's absolutely impossible to block a group of tall, burly men.
"Well then, Anastasia."
"Yes."
"Though I don't have any particular specialties, I've at least accumulated several decades of experience. I still have an eye for people, and you're quite a good girl."
"..."
"To err is human—I've made my share of mistakes over these decades too. Sometimes people commit errors without knowing it, and that can't be helped."
Ignorance is no crime, Uncle François says.
"We'll help you."
So please step aside.
One of the guards quietly echoes with a "that's right" that drifts on the wind. The guards who don't respond also watch me, waiting for my answer.
If I just admit... that I took in Lily without knowing, Uncle François and the others won't make things difficult for me. If complications arise, they'll help defend me.
Although Uncle François isn't a high-ranking official, as a crusader who returned from the Holy War, his promise and guarantee do carry weight.
...Provided I obediently hand over Lily.
I check the wanted poster again. Depending on the severity of crimes committed, wanted posters have different classification levels. Lily's wanted poster carries the highest-level bounty. Whoever wants to capture Lily considers her capture a matter of grave concern—otherwise there'd be no need for house-to-house searches even in an obscure little village. If they weren't serious about it, they could just wait for bounty hunters or witness reports.
"Lord François."
I bow calmly and say:
"Anna has not seen the girl you're looking for."
Uncle François stops tapping his shoulder.
Come to think of it, from the moment I opened the front door to greet Uncle François, I was already in a dead end.
Uncle François definitely isn't just asking—he'll search the house. By not hiding Lily in advance, I lost the optimal response from the very beginning.
But I won't abandon Lily.
Respectfully declaring my refusal to Uncle François, I prepare the chains hidden in my sleeves.
Fighting our way out head-on is very risky. Rothschild is a safe zone, and moreover, Lily being a wanted criminal is an undeniable fact. Uncle François can invoke law enforcement privileges within safe zones to weaken my abilities.
Therefore, to remedy the situation, I should take Lily and use [Spatial Transfer] magic to escape from Rothschild, then figure out how to flee elsewhere.
However, Sigrdrífa and Carol Cat, who are staying in the residence, would probably be implicated... Taking them along would make four people total... that's not good. The distance would be greatly shortened, and I might need an extremely brief incantation as the skill's casting time.
As the caster of [Spatial Transfer], I must personally be among those being transferred—otherwise spatial transfer would become a suspicious van not heading to kindergarten. Trying to send only Lily away alone isn't realistic.
Uncle François slowly raises his gun, still looking laid-back, but in reality his defense is flawless. He's gotten serious.
The air itself seems filled with the scent of gunpowder, needing only a spark to ignite.
"—Wait a moment."
From among the uninformed players outside the fence, an unfamiliar male player steps forward.
He seems to have just arrived, but upon reaching Rothschild, he walks straight toward this residence.
The newcomer's attire is quite luxurious—at a glance, expensive high-quality shirts and vests, a noble cloak tailored for someone of status and position. If there's anything that doesn't quite match nobility, it's probably that he's not wearing noble-style tight pants on his lower half? Maybe as a player he's not comfortable with them.
Uncle François is startled.
"You are..."
"Baron Trafalgar of Hurst."
Hurst? The neighboring Barony of Hurst?
Trafalgar shows Uncle François his [Coat of Arms]. In the game's setting, only nobles possess their own unique [Coat of Arms]—exclusive emblems formed by shield shapes filled with distinctive patterns, fundamentally a type of special magic. Those with titles and family members granted noble qualifications have the right to actively display their coat of arms, allowing others to immediately know their rank, essentially preventing fraudsters from impersonating nobles.
A baron's [Coat of Arms] has only the shield's pattern. A count's coat of arms allows decorative elements to be added outside the shield for embellishment. A duke's coat of arms, based on the count's, allows shield bearers or guardian sacred beasts to be placed on the left and right sides. Finally, there are king-level coats of arms, with family mottos appearing below.
Incidentally, players commonly refer to displaying [Coat of Arms] as... flashing dog tags.
Uncle François scratches his head in confusion, unable to understand the meaning of Trafalgar's sudden intrusion.
I'm the same, but soon Trafalgar produces a document.
"My apologies, but this estate is now my private villa, so please leave."
I quickly scan the document's contents—it's a completed transaction deed. The private villa in Rothschild has been purchased in full by Baron Trafalgar of Hurst and will henceforth be property under Baron Trafalgar's personal name.
Eh? No way...
My home is gone? Where are Lily and I, a widow and orphan, supposed to live?