Reborn as shield hero with Garps Template

"There is nothing wrong with that. After all, I have spent more than a month leveling up, and my strength is no longer what it used to be. Even if there are evil spirits, I will protect you. The evil spirits will eventually become my experience, haha..."

Under Myne's guidance, Motoyasu returned to his high-spirited appearance at this time, as if he didn't care about anything.

"Hmm, as expected of Mr. Motoyasu, you don't even have any fear of evil spirits!"

Myne took his hand and said flatteringly, but her smiling face, upon closer inspection, did not show any real smile at all.

"Master Motoyasu really feels safe."

"If there are really evil spirits at night, then Mr. Motoyasu, you must protect us well."

The two adventurers who followed echoed her sentiments.

"Don't worry, I will definitely..."

Under the compliments of these people, Motoyasu proudly stepped forward, raised his head, and was about to say yes.

Suddenly, he saw a petite figure floating in the air. She had blonde hair and was dressed in white, but she was covered in blood.

Although he couldn't see her whole face, he could vaguely make out a large hole on the side of her face, revealing her gums and teeth.

"Myne! Look, what's that?"

Motoyasu shuddered and asked Myne, pointing into the air.

"Master Motoyasu, what's wrong with you? There's nothing there."

Myne looked in the direction of his finger but saw nothing.

"Strange, why not?"

Motoyasu scratched the back of his head in doubt, then turned to the two adventurers and asked: "Just now there was a figure floating in the air, covered in blood. Did you see it?"

"No."

The two adventurers looked at each other, then shook their heads in unison.

"Master Motoyasu, is it possible that you've been under too much pressure recently because of the disaster wave, and you're seeing illusions?"

Myne asked with concern. She wasn't lying—she genuinely didn't see what Motoyasu described, so she was quite puzzled.

"Maybe it's too much pressure, especially after losing to Jason last time. I've been thinking about catching up with him."

Motoyasu rubbed his temples and nodded.

"Okay… Master Motoyasu, take it easy. There's a restaurant ahead. Let's have a good meal and then take a bath to relax."

Like an enthusiastic little girl, Myne pulled Motoyasu into the restaurant, and the two adventurers behind hurriedly followed.

At this time, in the only restaurant in Lute Village, several tables were already occupied by people—all seemingly simple villagers.

"Boss, bring out the best food you've got tonight!"

After Myne pulled Motoyasu to sit by the window, she immediately started calling the restaurant owner.

"Okay!"

The boss greeted them warmly.

Before long, all the hot dishes and meals were served in front of Motoyasu, and everything looked so normal.

But Motoyasu didn't pay attention to the seemingly delicious meals; his eyes kept looking out of the window, as if searching for the figure he'd seen floating in the air earlier.

Meanwhile, Myne and the two adventurers were discussing something quietly.

"Master Myne... could it be true about the night of returning souls in Lute Village?"

"Yes, yes, Master Motoyasu seemed to have seen something strange just now."

Hearing the two adventurers, Myne rolled her eyes at them.

"You believe in that nonsense? Even if there are any ghosts, it's definitely caused by the untouchables here."

Myne spoke confidently, as if she already knew the truth.

"Why? They wouldn't dare, right?"

The two adventurers were confused and asked.

"Under normal circumstances, these villagers wouldn't have the courage, but things are different now. Since Mr. Motoyasu became the lord, the taxes we imposed are too much for these untouchables to afford. So, they want us to leave quickly and never return."

"Right now, they don't dare openly defy us, so I suspect they've spread rumors about the night of returning souls, hoping to scare us away with these illusions."

Myne explained slowly, trying to lower her voice so that the surrounding villagers and Motoyasu could not hear.

"Master Myne is truly worthy of being the future queen. She's so smart, seeing right through the villagers' intentions at a glance. Those villagers are really insidious to come up with such a trick. Without your insight, Master Myne, we might have been fooled..."

"But that said, maybe the taxes we set before were too heavy, otherwise, there wouldn't be so much trouble. Should we lower the tax a little? If we don't, they might eventually riot and rebel."

The two adventurers flattered her, but one also cautiously offered his own opinion.

"If we lower the taxes, won't we collect less money? Besides, they're just a group of untouchables. If they want to resist, let them! When the time comes, we'll bring in the army and wipe them all out."

Myne smiled coldly, her eyes gleaming with cruelty.

"Taxes? What are you talking about?"

Motoyasu, who hadn't noticed anything odd outside the window, turned around and caught the word "tax" in their conversation, then asked directly.

"We were just saying that Master Motoyasu is too kind. As a lord, you only ask the villagers for a little tax. I'm afraid no other lord is this generous."

Myne quickly changed her expression to one of admiration.

"It's nothing. After all, Lute Village is still being rebuilt. I should be doing this."

Motoyasu smiled brightly, completely unaware of the heavy taxation affecting Lute Village.

Of course, apart from Myne, no one knew the true situation.

"Is it already this late?"

"Hurry up and eat, it's time to start."

At this moment, the villagers dining in the restaurant suddenly began murmuring, as if some event was about to begin.

Motoyasu turned his head and saw many villagers outside, some carrying thick logs.

"Judging by the direction they're heading, it looks like they're going to the village square. Is there some kind of event?"

Motoyasu raised his chin and asked.

"I don't recall hearing about any event in Lute Village today."

Myne and the two adventurers shook their heads, pretending to be unaware.

Motoyasu's brow furrowed slightly, and he suddenly thought of something. "Could it be... the night of returning souls?