In an instant, the bewildered man looked at Roselia with wide eyes.

“What, what’s this? Let go!”

Before the man could react, Roselia dived into his embrace, hooking his arm over her shoulder. She then pulled hard, bending her body. The man’s feet lifted off the ground, and with a cry of agony, he tumbled over.

Crash!!!

Without anyone getting a chance to react, the man, now flat on his back on the floor, rolled his eyes back in shock and passed out.

Roselia then stood up, glanced at the man on the ground, and remarked, “I let go, didn’t I.”

Using self-defense techniques she’d learned in reality in such a situation was unexpected…

Feeling a brief sense of pride for not wasting money on those lessons, her satisfaction was short-lived as the man’s comrades glared at her with murderous intent. Roselia gulped nervously.

As she hesitated, the men, cursing, started to close in on her.

Feeling the intense hostility, Roselia had to swallow a groan of dismay.

Damn, while she managed to fend off one with luck, facing several sturdy men was impossible.

It would be great if some supernatural ability magically appeared at this critical moment…

But such things were unrealistic.

“Grab that energetic woman first!”

At one man’s shout, they all rushed at Roselia.

Just as she braced for the end, a familiar voice called out.

“Duke!!!”

That voice… Alejandro…?

Confused, she opened her eyes and witnessed an astonishing scene.

A long, sturdy leg flew from nowhere, striking the head of a man approaching her, knocking him out cold.

Boom!!!

The man, hit by the powerful kick, crashed to the ground, causing a loud noise, and was pushed back in a disheveled heap.

The other men were equally stunned by this sudden turn of events.

Everyone’s gaze turned in one direction.

There stood Duke Balthazar, calmly surveying the scene with an impassive gaze.

Realizing what happened, Roselia called out in disbelief, “Duke…?”

Klaus, who had been standing with his back to Roselia, facing the men, slowly turned to look at her. His gaze was so cold and piercing that Roselia involuntarily shrank back.

“You always manage to surprise me in unexpected situations.”

While Klaus was momentarily distracted by Roselia, another man took advantage of the opening and charged at him.

“Who does this noble scum think he is, coming to a place like this!”

Mistaking Klaus for a lower-ranking noble, the man boldly attacked, not expecting to encounter a duke in such a back alley.

Klaus, academically and athletically skilled at the academy, effortlessly evaded the man’s attack. With fluid motion, he kicked the man’s back as he flailed in the air.

Thump!!!

“Gah!!”

Just then, another man cautiously approached Roselia and Nadia, trying to take Roselia hostage. However, Klaus’ hand reached the man’s neck before he could touch Roselia.

With a growl in his voice, Klaus didn’t even look at Roselia as he spoke.

“So, this is what you chose over my offer? A place like this?”

With a scornful tone, Klaus then kicked the man in the abdomen. The man slammed against the wall, coughing violently and groaning in pain.
While glaring at the man as if ready to tear him apart, Klaus’s words once again turned towards Roselia.

“You or Antonio, neither of you seem to listen to me.”

Saying this, he slowly turned away, exuding a threatening aura that made Roselia involuntarily swallow hard.

With a chilling and deadly look in his eyes that seemed unlikely to spare even a stray dog, Roselia felt an unjust sense of resentment.

I mean, who asked for help? Why is he glaring at me like that after rushing in and handling everything himself?

An ominous aura seemed to emanate from his back as he coldly glared.

Acknowledging that she indeed received help from Klaus, Roselia cautiously expressed her gratitude.

“Th… thank you.”

At that moment, Alejandro, panting heavily, finally caught up to Klaus.

“Oh my, Duke! I was so startled when you suddenly jumped out of the carriage!”

Klaus looked down at the gasping Alejandro with a look of disdain.

Alejandro glanced around with wide eyes.

“But… what’s with these men? No, that’s not important right now!”

Suddenly realizing something, Alejandro exclaimed.

“We’re going to be late for the meeting about the construction of the Algrisha School! This is the first meeting with the construction owner, merchants, and local government leaders!”

While Klaus and Alejandro were talking, Roselia quietly slipped away with Nadia.

It was too risky to show Alejandro her face as Roselia.

Unlike the somewhat obtuse Klaus, Esteban had noticed her immediately, so the meticulous Alejandro would surely catch on.

As she quietly left with Nadia, Alejandro’s long speech continued.

“Why are you knocking down these innocent citizens, eh?”

Klaus frowned and replied quietly.

“Where do you see innocent citizens?”

“You can’t judge people just by their looks! Why did you suddenly jump out of the carriage and start beating people up?”