City Lord's Mansion
Falos County Capital City
Cheverton Duchy
April 26th
Year 1052
"Wait up, Lord Eris. The things you're telling me are too much for me to take in all at once.
So you mean to say that you and the 7000+ men that came along with you just finished another attack on an undead base?"
Count Falos asked with an expression of genuine surprise and curiosity on his face, like he could not believe what he had just heard.
Evan, who was seated opposite him in his study, nodded in affirmation to his words, with a reply coming from the Brigade Captain of the Knights of Cheverton who was beside him.
"Exactly.
Our sources revealed that there was another undead nest hidden within your territory, and that the undead were planning to assault your capital city within a few days.
That was why the His Grace issued the order to have your city evacuated immediately."
The Brigade captain lied through his teeth without a change in his facial expression, sipping the tea he was served and nodding in satisfaction at the taste.
Meanwhile, Count Falos had dozens of thoughts running through his mind, and this was evidenced by his rapidly changing facial expressions.
"To think that they were so close…I never noticed this at all."
"The undead seemed to have a means of concealing their presences, we wouldn't have known they were there if we didn't receive prior notice."
Evan shook his head as he spoke, before turning towards the Knight captain of the Falos Knights and asking.
"I assume that the majority of your knights are with the evacuating citizens, am I right?"
"Huh? Oh, yes.
I had to disperse my knight order to aid the civilians in their evacuation, so they do not get attacked by undead on the way.
The soldiers that the Duke sent also helped a lot."
"I see.
So the knights that remained are…? The weaker companies?"
"No, no, they aren't."
Count Falos scratched his head awkwardly before replying with a hint of embarrassment in his voice.
"Actually, most of the knights that remained here are my most trusted knights."
"Most 'trusted', huh?"
Evan shrugged his shoulders after speaking, before downing the tea in front of him and continuing.
"Anyway, back to the matter at hand.
The thing is we discovered a certain group of necromancers after we dealt with the last set of undead.
After interrogating them, we were able to uncover bits of information from them, allowing us to realise they were part of the group of necromancers responsible for the undead rampaging across the duchy.
We were also able to acquire a list that shocked the shit out of me when I saw it."
"A list? Of what kind?"
To the Count's question, Evan dropped his teacup and leaned forward before answering in a low voice.
"A list of traitorous nobles who have sided with the necromancers."
"WHAT?!"
The Count and his Knight Captain had shocked expressions on their faces when they heard the boy's words, looking to the Brigade Captain who confirmed them with a nod.
"To think that this was the case…"
"It's a very sad thing.
There were over a dozen names, all of which were prominent nobles across the country.
I only took a sneak peak at the list but I saw some names left me dumbfounded."
Evan clicked his tongue and shook his head with a disappointed expression on his face, rubbing his forehead before continuing.
"Normally, I shouldn't tell you this now, but since we're staying in you city, I'd let you in on some of the details.
We plan to take this list to the capital of the Duchy and give it to the Duke in person. It's way too much for us to handle.
So, using the excuse of subjugating undead, we'd stylishly make our way to the Duchy's Capital without letting the necromancers know our true aims."
The young hero spoke like he was letting the Count in on some high-level secret, with the Brigade captain adding to the act by stopping him from speaking.
"It doesn't really matter if he hears it now or later."
"But, Lord Eris.
The Duke said that whatever information we had for him should be kept under wraps."
"Don't sweat the small stuff."
Hearing the Brigade Captain's words, the Falos Knight Captain's eyes widened as he asked Evan.
"Lord Eris. Could it be that the Duke hasn't been informed about the list?"
"You think that this is the kind of thing that you can say over radio communications or magic projection calls?
It's best to tabulate the whole matter in person. That's why I'm taking the list to the Duke myself."
? Evan's eyes slightly closed as he yawned lightly, while the Brigade Captain looked out of the window at group of knights and adventurers having spars, 'missing' the moment when Count Falos and his knight captain exchanged looks.
"So much to deal with.
First, we hear that one of the necromancers fled to this county when he was chased out of Bultom by the knights there.
Now we're finding out that nobles like the Count of Saunau are part of this whole fiasco.
It's honestly too much to take in all at once."
Evan casually threw out a name that he was sure Count Falos would recognize, eliciting a reaction from the dark-haired noble.
The corner of his lips threatened to curl up in a grin but he held it back and stretched his arms out with another yawn, before standing up and concluding.
"We'd talk later, Count.
I'm a bit tired and I want to take a short nap."
Hearing this, Count Falos nodded in affirmation before ringing a bell to call a servant over to show Evan to his room as he spoke.
"Ah, no problem.
I'd have one of the maids show you to your assigned room. It's one of the best rooms in this manor, I'm sure you'd like it."
"I'm sure I would.
You can chat with the Brigade Captain here. I'd be going to nap a bit."
With those words, Evan left the Count's study and moved towards the room he was assigned while taking off his overcoat.
The manor they were in was the largest out of all the mansions in the estate, and it had several guest rooms where the 'few' A rankers Evan came with and the superior knights were residing in.
As for the other forces, they began setting up camp within the city while preparing for the long night.
[Master, what are you going to do now?]
Kuro asked Evan this question as he opened the door of his assigned room on the third floor, however, Evan's reply was most unexpected.
"I've revealed that I am the one who possesses the list containing the Demonic Hand's noble contacts in the Great Western Empire and I've let them know that only the Brigade Captain and I know of this list.
Now, I'm going to take a nap.
I wasn't lying about being tired, you know?"
With those words, the young hero sauntered into the room and took off his hoodie before jumping onto his bed and dozing off mere seconds later, much to the shock of the two spirits who genuinely thought he had other plans.
[And here I thought he had the Brigade Captain keep the Count occupied so he could do other things, to think he actually wanted to sleep.]
Kuro heaved a heavy sigh while Kayla just chuckled lightly while watching the cat facepaw.