Especially in novels. They are extras that must become fallen leaves for the hero’s exploits.

Holding them hostage was an absurd act, even by my own consideration.

‘Ah, perhaps it would have been better to bring Philip along?’

I began to regret as things became desperate.

In the worstcase scenario, I might have been subjected to a terrible fate that I couldn’t even mention.

I really hated that.

‘I absolutely cannot be captured by the bandits.’

The only way to minimize the damage seemed to be to fight to the death.

I hoped they wouldn’t throw stones all at once.

But the bandits flinched. A gasp even flew out somewhere.

“Ugh! Playing a cowardly hostage game!”

“How utterly ruthless!”

“All nobles are the same no matter where!”

The bandits’ heartfelt lamentations continued.

The knights, who had been in a stance with their swords firmly held, glanced at me for a moment.

Since words that would be fitting if we were captured by the bandits came from the other side, and the oppressed commoner atmosphere reeked from them, they looked rather bewildered.

I felt the irony as well.

And unexpectedly, I gained confidence from the naïve appearance of the bandits.

“Listen well! I am the mistress of this domain, Countess Morris!”

I shouted with more force in my throat.

The bandit boss flinched at my strong scolding.

However, it didn’t look like fear. Perhaps he doesn’t know me?

“Seeing your reaction after hearing my name, you seem to be a wandering lot! Now you better choose between a bloody situation and peace!”

I fiercely glared at the bandits.

“Whether you want to become a target of Count Morris’s relentless revenge for being madly in love with me!”

After spitting out those words, I glanced at the knights and Mild Knight.

They were struggling to keep a serious expression, but their eyes were quaking.

I know very well what part is causing such a reaction.

The relentless revenge of Count Morris for being madly in love with me.

That went too far. I dug myself too deep.

Love? It would be fortunate for Philip if I just gave him a graceful divorce.

He has no reason to take revenge for me.

Of course, if I were to be violated as the Countess, it would slightly tarnish his reputation.

But I held my chin up even more shamelessly.

Let’s use all the bluster, even if it’s fake, to survive first.

“Or choose to give up the banditry and receive settlement support!”

I glared at them on purpose. The bandits who met my gaze collectively shrank back, their shoulders hunched.

.

.

.

The bandits who had clashed with Ellen were huddled together in the cave.

Among them, the one called the boss, Polter, was still examining his spoils with a fierce expression.

Certainly, here’s the translated passage:

Every time Ellen’s food was rummaged through, the sound of swallowing saliva was heard here and there.

Wandering without a place, they came into Count Philip Morris’s territory in a very tired state and decided to try their hands at farming.

But the problem was holding out until the grain was all grown. There was nothing to eat right away.

Of course, they tried to fill it to some extent with hunting, but strangely, there were no large animals or tree fruits nearby.

Evidence of some deer bones that had been hunted a while ago and traces of a bonfire were found here and there.

Someone seemed to have taken this place first.

They barely survived for two days. Now nothing was visible.

Eventually, Polter’s group quickly decided to raise money to solve the food problem and look for another forest.

It was outright banditry. No harm would be done if only the goods were handed over.

They were very tense as they embarked on their first mission as bandits, and finally got food.

Somehow it felt more like receiving a favor than robbery, but it didn’t matter anyway.

The food they got was something they wondered if they could ever taste in their lifetime. Everyone’s eyes widened, and saliva flowed from hunger.

Moreover, the proposal of Countess Morris tickled Polter’s ears. If it really happens, they wanted to reap it.

But they had been suddenly offered something similar before and had been made slaves.

If it happened again, this time it would really be the end.

He decided to send Pan to watch.

Pan was amazing at fleeing, and since he looked at situations objectively, he would be Polter’s eyes and ears.

“Alright. First, let’s share and eat this, and when Pan comes back, we’ll hear the story.”

But Polter soon frowned deeply.

Because her second proposal came to mind.

“To become the obsessive revenge target of Count Philip Morris, who loves me like crazy!”

It was ridiculous no matter how much he thought about it.

If bandits were to appear and try to protect the territory’s people, that’s understandable.

But to protect oneself, the exaggeration had gone too far. Moreover, the disturbance in the eyes of the surrounding escort knights.

It was a meaningless sound.

“Tsk! That woman. What does she think of us!”

The rough leader cut the bread in half with a click when he cursed.

“Bark!”

The dog’s bark echoed loudly in the cave.

“You must be talking about Ellen, that woman?”

It was a man’s low and calm voice.

“Whwho is this guy!”

The startled bandits jumped up from their seats.

At the entrance of the cave, there was an unusually large black Labrador Retriever and a man who looked over 190 centimeters tall.

“While I was walking my dog, I found a cart stuck in a pit,” said the man, his leathergloved hand revealing his sword at his waist.

“Seeing as Blank guided me here, that must have been your doing.”

Polter looked the opponent over.

The handsome man with black hair and purple eyes exuded nobility even to the common people’s eyes. He seemed to be Count Philip Morris.

But no matter how he looked, he seemed to have come out for a walk alone with his dog.

The big dog next to him was wearing a walking harness. Moreover, the gentlelooking dog slightly limped on its left front leg.

So even when the man showed his blade, it wasn’t that scary.

“I am Philip Morris, the lord of this territory. Answer properly. Was the cart your doing?”

As expected.

‘I thought I was about to eat…’

The stomach was screaming, but there was nothing to be done. At the same time, a good idea came to Polter.

‘Catch that count and use him as a hostage if negotiations are not feasible?’