CHAPTER 67: SLIGHT DISPUTE

Luke and Gideon looked ahead, exactly at the emergency tent that had been set up. Lena was still there with Lyra, giving first aid to the villagers who had been injured by gunshots.

Seven of them needed extra treatment, one of which required surgery to remove the bullet projectile.

They needed time to finish the bullet removal surgeries. Lena did not stop until all seven of them were treated, even though she knew it would take quite a long time.

Lyra kept helping as Lena’s assistant. At a glance, she understood the procedures that had to be done, since Lyra had often helped Lena complete bullet removal surgeries.

Gideon was pleased with their progress. Recovery was going well, and the maids came carrying food for the injured villagers.

That treatment was given by Gideon as a form of his concern for them, something a Baron of the land should have done.

Within several hours after the treatment began, Lena came out of the tent with a tired face. She pulled off her two white gloves stained with their blood, then disposed of them properly.

Gideon saw her and quickly stepped forward. He immediately asked in detail about their condition.

"All the bullet projectiles have been removed," Lena replied.

"They can return after staying two or three days in the recovery tent," Lena continued.

"Thank God. That’s good news," said Gideon.

"So, what are we going to do now?" Lena asked.

"There are many empty rooms in the Baron’s residence. We will stay here. This place is much safer and has proper facilities for every mission we carry out," Gideon answered.

"As for logistics, we will arrange the supply pickup properly," Gideon added.

"Understood, Captain."

Gideon ordered all his team members to go inside, where the maids would escort them to the rooms that had been prepared.

In total there were eight rooms, two already used, six remaining. More than enough for Gideon’s team to rest.

Lena and the others entered the house one by one, leaving Gideon alone in the front yard with no one accompanying him.

Because the injured villagers still needed care, Gideon had clearly ordered one of his soldiers to guard the area around the emergency tent, making sure they were safe until the villagers were allowed to return home as Lena advised.

The village gradually became more stable, though Gideon did not know what was happening at the tavern at that moment.

But Clark was surely doing something to calm down the anger of the villagers. He definitely had an ideal way to convince them.

He went inside the house and saw that his team members had already left the main hall and gone to their rooms, as directed by the maids.

Viviene came down the stairs after leaving her room. She saw Gideon and quickly stepped over to him to report something.

"Lord Gideon," Viviene said.

"Yes? How is it?" Gideon asked.

"About that tax scheme, when should we announce it to the public?"

"Hmm... it would be better to announce it soon, but not tomorrow. Their anger surely hasn’t subsided yet," Gideon answered.

"What about the day after tomorrow?" Viviene asked.

"Yes. Do it then."

"Captain," Lena called out, coming out of her room and seeing Gideon standing in front of the beautiful woman in the red dress. Lena recognized her as Viviene, Nozel’s wife.

Lena narrowed her eyes. At first, her demeanor had been friendly, but it shifted into restraint and authority.

She came down the stairs from the second floor to the first. Gideon saw Lena, and Viviene also looked at her.

The meeting of two beautiful women who both liked Gideon happened right there between Lena and Viviene. Lena stood beside Viviene, staring with seriousness while still smiling. Viviene did the same.

"What is it, Lena?" Gideon asked.

Lena paused for a moment, then focused her eyes back on Gideon. "This is about herbal medicine. I already prepared the ingredients, but it isn’t enough. Can you help me?"

"Of course. The maids will help you, Lena. They might know some of the herbs you need," Gideon replied.

"I understand, but this means going into the forest, where danger always threatens without warning. The maids cannot defend themselves," Lena said.

"I cannot leave Princess Alanar even if she has new friends here," Lena added.

Gideon went silent, his right hand rising to hold his chin, his eyes narrowing with full seriousness. He understood how difficult Lena’s situation was. He would find the best way to help her gather those herbs.

"Rockvalley Village has one of the senior alchemists. He can surely help," Viviene said.

"Really? That would help me greatly, thank you, Lady Nozel," Lena said, half mocking.

"Nozel is dead. You can call me by my name now, Miss Lena."

The man standing before them realized there was a small tension between Viviene and Lena, something Gideon did not understand the cause of.

On the second floor, Luke and Lyra stood near the iron railing, their attention fixed on the main hall.

"Poor Gideon," Lyra said with a small smile.

"We all know Lena has liked Gideon for a long time. I didn’t expect her rival to be this difficult," Luke added.

"So, you support Viviene more?" Lyra asked, glancing sharply at him with a cold expression.

"N-No, it’s not like that," Luke said.

"Do her breasts and hips look attractive to you?" Lyra asked.

"What? Of course not."

"I clearly saw you keep looking at Viviene’s body."

"No wonder many men like her. Maybe even the Captain feels the same," Lyra added.

"Maybe. We can never know what his feelings truly are."

In the end, Viviene and Lena separated, going in different directions. Viviene went to the kitchen, while Lena went back upstairs.

Gideon watched them go in bad spirits, but he failed to persuade them. He could only let out a slow sigh, then looked upward where Luke and Lyra were watching him.

Luke clenched both fists, a gesture of encouragement. It wasn’t impossible for Gideon to create a harem of his own. Different from Lyra, the woman crossed her arms as she looked at Gideon.

What are they thinking?

Even though he knew something was different between the two of them, Gideon could not figure out the reason for their small conflict.

His head was too occupied with long-term solutions for every problem happening in the village.

That was his main priority, to restore the villagers’ trust in him once again. That could only be done by giving them changes they considered far better than before.

"The tax problem has been handled. Now it is time for sanitation and clean water."