[Nobles], along with [Merchant Associations] and [Mercenary Groups], are known as the three major guild organizations for game players, but the composition of [Nobles] differs from the other two major guild organizations.
Adventurers need to gather sufficient manpower and complete assessment tasks published by the Adventurer's Guild to create a [Mercenary Group]—it's the simplest guild organization to establish. [Merchant Associations] have a longer process without fixed procedures, but generally involve opening shops to make money, developing business to add branch stores, and establishing a one after reaching a certain scale.
As for [Nobles], it depends entirely on individual player effort. Only by gaining recognition from nobles of count rank or higher can one have the possibility of becoming a baron—otherwise, the highest rank is knight. Due to the limited number of territories and the less-than-rapid efficiency of developing wasteland, [Nobles] are the rarest guild organization in terms of sheer numbers.
Only after a player is granted territory does the noble guild organization truly establish itself. Since you own your own territory, managing the territory and enfeoffing your own vassals becomes an indispensable part—you can even experience the joy of farming simulation novels while playing a noble.
On the other hand, nobles are the actual rulers of territories, so nobles possess privileges such as issuing new policies for their lands, placing bounties on certain people, and even more—nobles can declare war with proper justification.
The reasons that can be used are varied. The most common is claiming that oneself or one's vassals possess legitimate claim rights to a certain territory—that the claimant is the legitimate lord of that territory. Although forged claim rights are frequent, as long as the lord doesn't object, there's no problem. There are many other reasons, such as slandering the opponent as a heretic, finding ways to commission one's lord to give the opponent a justified charge, getting the church to impose [Excommunication] through certain means—and of course, if you're thick-skinned enough, you can publicly accuse the opponent of sleeping with your wife, and then no one will interfere with your declaration of war.
In short, [Nobles] are symbols of power. Even when searching for criminals, it's impossible to search within a noble's private territory.
Seeing that the deed Trafalgar produced is a genuine document, Uncle François reluctantly puts away his rifle.
"This... puts us in a difficult position, Lord Baron Trafalgar. We're conducting routine business—there's a wanted criminal inside."
"A wanted criminal?"
Baron Trafalgar hesitates slightly, seemingly not expecting this development.
He strokes his chin thoughtfully for a moment, glances in my direction, and chooses not to yield to Uncle François.
"Are you suggesting that I'm harboring a criminal?"
"That's a misunderstanding on your part..."
Uncle François says with a bitter smile. His position is somewhat awkward—Baron Trafalgar's appearance has disrupted the original situation. He clearly knows Lily is inside the estate, yet he cannot conduct an armed search of the private villa claimed by Baron Trafalgar.
Trafalgar drops the line "Exactly" and doesn't continue arguing with Uncle François, walking straight toward the main entrance of the house.
"Good day, Lord Trafalgar..."
"Ah, please skip the greetings. I have no intention of taking you in."
Up close, although Trafalgar's appearance doesn't match Sir Ivanhoe of Smylie's handsomeness, he can still be considered a typical handsome man. If I had to categorize him, he'd probably be like the leader of the handsome guys' clique in class.
Trafalgar barges through the main entrance, then slams the door shut, leaving Uncle François and the others outside to eat a closed door.
I immediately stop Lily, who was chasing Carol Cat, and although I want to block Trafalgar's line of sight, I understand it's a meaningless action.
"Oh? That's the so-called wanted criminal?"
"..."
"Don't misunderstand—I have no interest in being a bounty hunter. I have only one requirement: you all need to move out quickly."
"Mya? What's happening?"
Carol Cat jumps in front of Trafalgar.
"Who are you, meow?"
"He is the lord of the Hurst Barony, Lord Trafalgar."
I explain, also speaking for Lily to hear.
"Lord Trafalgar has purchased ownership of this house and has the right to decide the comings and goings of guests in his private villa. Unfortunately, we haven't received permission to stay."
"Why meow?"
Carol Cat immediately bristles. She puts her hands on her hips and glares at Trafalgar angrily, arguing with him.
"Evil capitalism! No wait, why does it feel like I'm insulting big brother too... Never mind, meow! Miss Anna has elderly parents above and young children below, plus a delicate wife to support at home. Are you going to let cute Miss Anna wander the streets homeless? Doesn't your conscience hurt, meow?"
"Lord Carol Cat..."
The corner of my mouth can't help but twitch. I'm grateful she's willing to argue for my situation, but her choice of words is somewhat... Well, I admit I have an unseen [Witch] mother, but having a delicate wife at home is what now?
But speaking of which, it's strange—Trafalgar shows a completely uninterested attitude toward the Rothschild estate. After entering, he's never properly looked around, seeming to have no interest in where Lily and I are staying.
"I have my own difficulties here. Anyway, don't ask too many questions and leave quickly. I don't want to make things difficult for you..."
Trafalgar's expression suddenly changes as he quickly draws the single-handed sword from his waist.
Sigrdrífa's figure appears behind him without warning, her dagger only millimeters away from piercing Trafalgar's throat. If I hadn't thrown out my chains to stop her, she would have completed a perfect assassination.
"Anna!"
Sigrdrífa uses transparency to break free from my chains, shouting with unwillingness and confusion.
"Don't be impulsive, Rifa. Lord Trafalgar purchased this private villa through legal means. The Kingdom of Michel is a constitutional kingdom—assassinating nobles is a serious crime."
Especially since players have built-in revival methods. Unless it's truly without anyone knowing, the revived player will launch crazy revenge.
"But Anna, if you hadn't stopped me just now, he couldn't possibly have..."
"Idiot, we're still here."
Although Trafalgar doesn't know about Sigrdrífa's existence, he's seen me and Carol Cat, and even knows about Lily. The assassination could succeed, true, but as a player, Trafalgar would never forget about us.
Sigrdrífa seems to have just realized the oversight, biting her lip and falling silent.