They don't want me to try anymore.

But the villagers' wariness dissipated further.

They've never seen a nobleman helping with farm work!

Zoe and Katyusha beside her also came to help, but Luna opened her mouth slightly, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

Richard noticed this and suddenly realized what was happening.

Was he too arrogant just now? The two girls are definitely fine, but Luna's background is unknown; won't she gossip and spread rumors?

But then he thought, there's no harm in talking nonsense... He's already dueled with Linda, so anyone with a discerning eye can guess his attitude towards Standard Fruit without even investigating.

On the other hand, this company has gone too far. Even if some Connaught people claim to support Standard Fruit, probably no one will believe them.

But I'd better sound them out first...

Richard wiped his sweat and moved closer to Luna.

But before he could ask any questions, the other person spoke first: "I won't tell anyone about what happened today."

"...I believe you."

Richard couldn't help but smile.

Luna added, "But I'm curious... as a prince, weren't you really angry when David said those things to you?"

This was the first time Luna had spoken for such a long time in so many days since they met.

"of course it's true."

Richard replied naturally, “I believe that neither kings nor emperors should ever do whatever they want. On the contrary, with great power comes great responsibility. Once one sits on the throne, it means that a certain contract has been entered into with the subjects, and one should do one’s best to protect them.”

"If you don't do well, it's normal to be scolded. If it's more serious, if a king treats his subjects like pigs and dogs, then the subjects will turn around and kill the king as an enemy. That's also reasonable."

Richard could clearly sense that Luna seemed stunned.

Ha, you're already stunned? I haven't even mentioned the importance of the people over the ruler, or the little anecdotes about Charles I and Louis XVI after the rain!

However, being too shocking or unconventional is also not good, as it can easily lead to trouble.

He then added, "Miss Luna, don't overthink it. I was just saying it offhand. As for David specifically, I probably just felt pity for him..."

Richard, now in the mood for sex, took a deep breath and said:

"Please don't laugh at me. I'm actually a soft-hearted guy with a lot of ideas, and I'm also very idealistic but overconfident!"

“I am the prince of Connaught, and I hope that all the people of Connaught live a happy life. After seeing the mountain people of Idaril and Abarania here, I also hope that they live a happy life... In the end, I am just a soft persimmon who can't stand suffering.”

As a well-rounded young man who had seen what modern society looked like in his previous life, this was Richard's instinctive thought.

Luna raised her head slightly: "...I thought you hated the Empire."

"Haha, my heart is only the size of a fist, how could it possibly hate the vast land and hundreds of millions of men and women? It would explode, okay?"

Richard shook his head and said, "Besides, I also have many respected Imperials, such as my senior Tom, my teacher Arno, and Saint Goethe's... um, senior Luvia."

Richard originally intended to say "the witch headmistress".

But seeing that Luna was dressed as a nun and wielded a sword, he felt that she would resonate more with him if he said Luvia, so he had a flash of inspiration and changed his words.

And this isn't exactly a lie. Although he's never met Luvia in real life, the swordsman in the simulation doesn't harm civilians and even promotes imperial reforms, which is quite admirable—ignoring the primitive-style marriage proposal in the first simulation.

However, after Richard finished speaking, he saw the nun turn her head away.

This reaction... does it mean Luna doesn't like Luvia?

True, you can't expect everyone to like Empire's Sword. Tsk, I messed up the conversation.

Richard quickly changed the subject:

"If I had to say what I hate, it would only be those who trample on human life and justice like dirt, whether they are Connaught or Imperial!"

Luna still did not respond.

A moment of silence fell over Richard, who felt embarrassed, thinking to himself that he had indeed messed up the conversation.

Just then, Luna suddenly said, "...Can we be considered friends now?"

This abrupt and unrelated question left Richard scratching his head, but he still answered quickly:

"We have been!"

Richard was quite happy to accept this masked nun who helped him fight bandits and fungal beasts and also had a bit of a foodie side.

Luna was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly grabbed Richard's hand.

This time it was Richard's turn to be stunned.

Those hands were so soft and warm, not at all like a soldier's hands. They felt so comfortable to touch, it was irresistible... Ah, no! I can't let myself get too carried away!

"Miss Luna? What are you doing?"

The nun shook hands and said, "Thank you for your honesty; it has given me a lot of inspiration."

After saying that, she let go of his hand and didn't say anything more.

Richard was left completely bewildered...

in the afternoon.

Not wanting to travel through the woods at night, Richard suggested staying in the village, and David hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

Everyone was put into an empty house.

Richard opened his eyes late at night.

He heard strange noises outside, summoned a sparrow, and cast a spell on it called Master-Servant Resonance—which allowed him to share the sparrow's vision and hearing within a certain range.

Then the sparrow flew out of the house and, sure enough, saw David and three other young men behind the wall.

One of them said, "Brother, have you been bewitched by that damn prince? You actually let them stay overnight? What if they're sent by Daniel to gather information?"

Another, even younger, half-grown lad chimed in, "If you ask me, why don't we take advantage of them being fast asleep and just go for it..."

Boom!

David smacked the man on the head: "You brainless idiot, what are you thinking!"

"They killed so many fungal beasts and even helped with farm work; they've already done the village a great favor! Besides, gathering information... have you ever seen a noble spy who would stoop down to do that?"

He said in a deep voice, "I feel that he is different from other nobles."

"Tch, bro, all nobles are the same!"

"Alright, I understand your concerns. After all, we're bandits, and they're officials... I'll think of a reason tomorrow. We can politely escort them down the mountain..."

The last person chimed in, "Brother is right. We can't repay kindness with enmity. We should send him away before he discovers anything."

Suddenly, a sound interrupted them.

A woman came running out, carrying the child she had thrown stones at earlier that day, crying out, "David! Come quick, come see my son! His forehead is burning hot, and he says his stomach hurts..."

As a man who had traversed half the empire, David was naturally the most knowledgeable person in the village. He took the child, and his brows immediately furrowed...

"Is the pain located in your lower right abdomen?" At this moment, Richard came out of the room and asked in a deep voice, "How does it hurt?"

For a moment, everyone's expressions were priceless.

The young man jumped up: "When did you wake up? You heard everything we just said!"

What does it matter? I knew you were bandits all along!

Ignoring the awkward atmosphere, Richard walked up to the thin child, touched his forehead, and then touched his stomach, causing the child to cry out in pain.

Hmm, fever, abdominal pain, abdominal muscle tension, vomit residue at the corner of my mouth... Oh my god, could it be acute appendicitis?

The young man panicked: "Don't touch him!"

"Stay out of the way."

Richard took a bottle of medicine from his pocket, gave the child a few drops, and calmed him down temporarily. Then he said to the tense David and the others:

"Field medicines are designed to heal external wounds quickly, which puts a lot of stress on the body. This child is not a professional and is physically weak; he can't handle it."

"He can only survive if I take him to the city."

The air fell silent for a moment, save for the woman's sobs.

Several young men stared wide-eyed: "You...you know who we are? Who knows if you're going to call the soldiers..."

"There's no need. If he wants to kill us, one person is enough."

Finally, David spoke up. He pondered for a long time, as if he had finally figured something out, and said to his companions, "You pack your things and go hide in the mountains for a while."

"What about you, boss?"

"I'm staying here."

David turned to Richard and said solemnly, “I’m sorry, I lied to you. I did work as a bandit… but the rest of the villagers are innocent.”

"Ah."

"So, I beg you to save this child. I'll stay in the village and wait for you. Whatever you want me to do, I will never run away!"

Chapter Fifty-Eight: A Corner of Nyon

Richard's attitude toward the bandits had long since changed.