Thanks for the chapter!
Seems like the noble families, despite selfish outbursts, really do care for their citizens and responsibilities. Although seems like still have issues with poverty and people resorting to banditry for various reasons. Wonder if Dewey is like one of those really intelligent tactician types who has multiple plans and never does anything for one reason. Like taking carriage without escorts through bandit territory was partially to alieve boredom, partially deal with bandits to prevent further attacks on her citizens, and partially to use MC to capture most of bandits alive while minimizing allied casualties. After all, most training and swordsmanship is aimed at quickly killing the opponent so to save time and energy for next opponent so don't get mobbed with numbers or too exhausted to defend oneself. Thus, trying to take someone alive who is more than willing to kill is very difficult and like fighting with hands tied together or one leg tied to a post hampering movements and actions.
In any case, will just have to see how things play out. Would be nice if could find out why Domino went for conquest rather than trade for needed goods as they'd have same problem of needing troops and officials to hold and defend any territory they took in addition to their home territory.