Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 12: The Wolf is Coming! Or is it?

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

"What should we do now?"

After seeing off Hansel, Paul, who had just been full of confidence, suddenly became anxious. He stood up and paced around the chair.

"I might have made him really angry just now. What if he reports us to the king? What if the royal army comes to punish us? Ahh... I should have softened my tone earlier!"

He regretted his moment of hot-headedness deeply.

Everyone felt helpless inside: "Weren't you very imposing just now? Why are you so panicked now?"

"Sir, calm down! Calm down!" Steward Ford comforted him. "You did nothing wrong just now. If I may speak bluntly, for remote families like ours, whether the king remembers us or expects us to provide troops is uncertain. He wouldn't mobilize forces for such peripheral territories. Besides, Her Royal Highness the Grand Princess personally allowed us not to send troops. It's probably Baron Abbott's eagerness for merit that made him ask us for troops. If this were to reach His Majesty, he wouldn't make a big fuss over it."

"Well... alright." Despite these words, it was both reassuring and embarrassing to hear such blunt truth. Am I really just an insignificant ant? I don't even have the power to anger an elephant.

"So, as long as we leave Baron Abbott speechless..."

"Leave him speechless? Alright, then let's make a more decisive move!"

"A more decisive move? You don't mean..." Old Ford exclaimed, making a gesture as if slicing his neck. "Absolutely not! That would be like slapping the king in the face!"

"Oh, where are you going with that thought? I mean, let's stage a play for him to show that we truly cannot send troops right now."

...

"A mere rural noble dared to speak to me like this!"

Back at his lodging, Hansel couldn't hold back anymore after closing the door tightly.

"Who am I? I am Her Majesty the King's representative. My words are Her Majesty the Princess's orders, and my face is Her Majesty the Princess's dignity. Too arrogant, far too arrogant. Ahhh... maintain composure, maintain composure. I mustn't lower myself to the level of an immature child."

He paced back and forth, contemplating what to do next.

Before Grayman returned, he had already investigated in the town. Although this pirate invasion was deeper than before, it still posed no real threat to his rule in Alden Town. Once the pirates retreated, he could continue collecting taxes, just like other nobles did. Why did this family insist on clinging to the noble obligations set by King Rodney I? Oh, may the Lord of Light have mercy on him, for this would be a laughing matter if it got out.

"Hard tactics won't work, maybe I can try something softer? Aren't children always fascinated by knightly legends and hero stories? Perhaps I can start from there," Hansel pondered, stroking his chin.

"Sigh, I wonder how others are doing. If someone else gains merit before me, it won't be good."

As he thought about it, the image of his old classmate Matthew's chubby face popped into his mind. That guy was left in the military for special tasks, really... really...

"I am not jealous!" he reminded himself silently. "I'm just worried he might neglect his duty or speak ill to Her Grand Highness. Although this guy probably won't even get a chance to meet Her Highness."

Lost in his thoughts, Hansel was about to go to bed when suddenly he heard a commotion outside. Peering out the window, he saw flickering flames and people shouting loudly. He quickly summoned a servant to inquire about the situation.

A few minutes later, Toman returned, looking flustered. "Master, it's bad! The patrol outside the town found traces of pirates, and the lord has personally led the army to defend. Guards are notifying residents to prepare for self-defense all over the streets."

"Which pirates are so bold? How dare they attack the residence of a lord!" Hansel found it very unbelievable.

Just as he was thinking about it, someone barged in with a knife.

Damn it, this idiot lord is so weak that he actually let people come to our door to attack!

"Don't kill me! The lord's room is on the second floor. I have nothing to do with him!" Hansel screamed in panic, about to hide under the bed.

"Baron, I'm a guard from the lord's mansion," the intruder suppressed a laugh. "Pirates are attacking, and the count says we might not be able to hold them off. I'm here to take you to the basement shelter."

Hansel cursed inwardly and immediately stood up, resuming a proud expression. "Hmph, people from small places have no manners, they don't even know how to knock. Even Crystal Glare's dung cleaner knows more about manners than you."

The soldier didn't dare to retort and said, "Baron, let's go to the safe room in the basement quickly."

"Wait!" Hansel snorted, then beckoned to Toman to tidy up his clothes and hair.

After quite a while, Hansel finally adopted a nonchalant demeanor and said leisurely, "If it weren't for the urgency, I would have given the lord's men a good lesson in etiquette! Oh well, it's such a waste of time to argue with a brute. Lead the way."

After ten thousand curses shuffled through his mind, the guard turned to open the door, but suddenly the room door slammed open again.

"Baron, are you still here? Hurry up!" Another guard rushed in.

The first guard turned to urge, "Baron, please hurry up. I'm holding you—huh? Where is he?"

He glanced at Hansel's servant, Toman, who awkwardly pointed towards the bed. Following his gaze, the guard noticed the bedsheet near the floor edge shaking uncontrollably...

---

On the outskirts of town, Paul, commanding a platoon of soldiers, put on a show of bravado. Upon receiving news that Hansel had hidden in the basement, he ordered the soldiers to stop for a brief rest.

"Hmph, that commissioner must be terrified now!" Satisfied with his plan, he couldn't help but feel proud of his "clever" scheme.

Turning to Bryce, he complained, "Hah, who does he think he is, wielding his authority like a feather duster? If it weren't for that batch of armor and spears, I wouldn't even bother with him. At least he should be ignored for ten days or half a month."

Just as he was about to order a retreat, a soldier in the distance came running, waving a torch and shouting.

"Bad news, bad news... My lord, Captain Bryce, pirates are coming, pirates are coming!"

Paul couldn't help but laugh, "Haha, alright, alright. That idiot Baron is already scared witless, no need to shout."

"No... no!" The soldier stuttered in panic, "I am the night patrol soldier for tonight. It's pirates, real pirates. They're coming this way."

After speaking, he gestured with the torch towards the lake. Everyone looked over and saw lights flickering on the lake's surface, rapidly approaching.

"What... what... what?!"

Now it was Paul's turn, blurting out a phrase no one understood.

(End of Chapter)