Bandits Must Always Be Exterminated!

Early in the morning, everyone saw a new notice posted on the city wall. However, unlike in the past, there was no need to find someone literate to read it. Robin had been standing below the notice since it was posted, explaining its contents to the passersby.

In less than a morning, the citizens inside and outside Nafu City learned that their lord was going to hold another speech.

At noon, a wooden platform was set up, just like before, and people from all directions gradually gathered there.

As afternoon approached, the nobles also arrived in their carriages. However, Claire had intentionally not provided seats, so they could only stand like the common folk, occasionally taking out handkerchiefs to wipe the sweat from their faces.

After waiting for about an hour or two, when the sun was about to set, Claire finally arrived, fashionably late.

Before she even appeared, the nobles below heard the thunderous cheers and applause coming from behind. Claire was much more popular than they had imagined.

"Good afternoon, everyone!" Claire said with a smile as she stood on the platform.

"Greetings, Viscount!"

"May the Viscount have a good day every day!"

"May the Viscount's name resonate throughout the world!"

The commoners below waved their hands in greeting. Since Claire's last speech, most of them had become her devoted fans.

Claire waved her hand, and the crowd below instinctively quieted down.

"I've called you all here today primarily to deal with the bandits. The robbers outside the city have always been a major concern for Nafu City. They've even dared to assassinate me and steal our city's goods!"

The crowd below watched Claire on the stage in silence. It was true, as Claire said, that the bandits did more than that. Sometimes, when they were short on food, they would break into villages to steal food and abduct women. Their hatred for the bandits was immense.

"Ban… Pfft! Bandits must always be dealt with! Think about it! When you're at home, drinking fine wine and holding a maid, suddenly you get news that your goods have been hijacked by bandits! Therefore, a life without bandits is a good life!"

The crowd below didn't quite understand, but they still cheered along, "That's right!"

However, the nobles below felt that something was amiss. They had a feeling that Claire's words on stage were hinting at something.

"However, because this is my first time back in the territory, all the funds I prepared were used to train the knight corps, and I've already reduced taxes so much. We don't have enough money right now to go suppress bandits. So, I've called everyone here today hoping you can help by donating some money. Of course, any amount is appreciated!"

Baron Eugene, though feeling that Claire's earlier words were a bit off, didn't have time to think too much. It was his turn to step forward.

"Viscount, you speak well. A life without bandits is a good life! I, Baron Eugene, will donate fifty thousand gold coins to suppress the bandits!"

With a wave of his hand, his subordinates immediately brought several large chests of gold coins from the carriage and placed them on the stage. When they were opened, the glittering gold coins almost blinded the commoners below.

"Wow, I've never seen so much money in my life."

"I've never even dared to dream of such a thing."

The commoners below were mesmerized. They rarely saw even a single gold coin in their daily lives, let alone such a grand spectacle.

"My Steward from the Viscount's territory will also donate thirty thousand gold coins," Frank said, standing up. However, he didn't appear as relaxed as he seemed. Looking at the gold coins being brought onto the stage, his heart ached as if it were bleeding. Unlike the other nobles, he knew that the money he donated would never be recovered.

With the first two taking the lead, the remaining nobles also stood up and announced their donations.

The commoners below looked at the chests upon chests of gold coins piled on the stage, and for a moment, they didn't know how to react. They didn't even know what expression to put on their faces, only shock.

However, after the initial shock, everyone quickly reached into their pockets, pulled out their money, and ran to the stage to place it there.

"Although the money I donated isn't much, I hope it can help the Viscount!" one commoner shouted loudly.

"Yes! I don't have any money on me right now, but I'll go home and get it!"

"I'll go back and get the money I've been saving too. The Viscount is a good person, and I'm willing to donate my money to him!"

"Me too! We all believe in the Viscount!"

The commoners below continued to place their money on the stage. Some copper and silver coins piled up quickly, forming a small mountain, and people kept bringing their savings from home to add to it.

The nobles below smiled so wide their gums showed. As expected, these foolish peasants were easily tricked into giving up their money!

Even Claire on the stage felt a bit guilty. Although it was just a temporary deception, she still felt a little bad. But there was no other way; if she didn't do this, she wouldn't be able to trick those nobles.

This donation event continued until the sun went down. Besides the gold coins donated by the nobles, the money voluntarily donated by the commoners amounted to nearly twenty thousand gold coins. Not only ordinary civilians donated, but some middle-class families also contributed a significant amount. In total, almost everyone donated more than ten silver coins.

Claire instructed the knights to load the gold coins from the stage onto carriages and transport them back to the Viscount's mansion. The Tax Official, Robin, sat in the carriage, tallying the accounts to calculate the total amount collected.

"The knight corps will depart to suppress the bandits at dawn tomorrow!" Claire announced in the last second before the afterglow of the sun faded.

In the morning, before the sun had risen, the main street of Nafu City was crowded with people. They were all holding fruits and flowers, waiting there.

"Thump thump thump!"

The sound of neat hoofbeats approached, and everyone turned their gaze in that direction.

Captain Hant, riding a warhorse, led the formation at the front. All the knights were clad in heavy armor, their silver armor emitting a dazzling light. More than sixty knights, like a steel torrent, slowly approached the crowd, riding their warhorses.

The aura was indescribable. Everyone waiting at the scene was stunned. They had never seen such imposing knights before, and these imposing knights were from their Viscount's territory, going out to suppress bandits for them. A sense of pride surged from their hearts.

The horses carrying the knights slowly moved along the main street to the city gate. The commoners also followed them to the city gate, where Claire had already been waiting for a long time.

"Dismount!" Hant ordered!

Sixty knights immediately stepped down from their warhorses, their movements perfectly synchronized.

Hant walked up to Claire and knelt half-way, shouting, "My Lord, your knight corps is assembled!" The knights behind him also knelt in unison.

Claire took the flowers handed to her by the commoners and gave them to Hant, who was kneeling on the ground. "You may rise."

"Yes, my Lord!"

The knights abruptly stood up again, their armor clashing with a harsh grating sound. However, no one found it unpleasant; instead, they thought it was incredibly cool and wished they were the ones wearing the armor.

Claire glanced at the excited crowd gathered around and waved with a smile. The citizens understood her gesture and quickly ran over, pressing the gifts they had prepared into the knights' hands.

The young men looked at the items in their hands, feeling a bit overwhelmed. Even Hant was somewhat flustered; he had never experienced such a reception before.

Back when he was a knight, these very citizens had feared them like tigers. Not only did they not offer gifts, but spitting behind them as they passed was considered good behavior.

Claire said, "Take them. These gifts from them represent their gratitude. Don't feel embarrassed. You're not just fighting for me, but for them!" Claire was speaking the truth. Although they hadn't set out to suppress bandits this time and had somewhat used the name, the deeds they performed were all beneficial to the people.

"Yes!" The young men looked at the fruits and flowers in their hands, a unique wave of excitement surging through them. So, being a knight could earn them the support of the people.

Claire drew the sword at her waist and lightly tapped Hant's shoulders and head, completing the ceremony.

Then, she pointed the tip of her sword towards the city gates and shouted, "Depart!"

The knights immediately mounted their warhorses, gave Claire a salute, and then rode out!

Thanks to "Speak Your Mind" for the 1500-point tip and two monthly tickets!!!!! And "Don't Want to Sleep Late" for the 100-point tip!!!!!