Ch.134The Declining Imperial Family (5)

# Windsor Duchy

The most honorable house of knights protecting the empire from the flood of monsters in the North.

It was only natural that many people in the empire were captivated by the North.

As a result, free knights from all regions—mercenaries seeking money—sought out the North.

However, the North was sensitive about security and didn’t allow just anyone into the 4th Defense Line where Windsor Castle was located.

So the first place they would visit was the 1st Defense Line, which had the lowest difficulty.

The place where these people gathered was the “Mercenary Lodge” at the 1st Defense Line. Those with uncertain identities were accommodated there.

“Full house?”

“Yes, that’s right. Business has been good lately. Hehe.”

The owner of the mercenary lodge was a bald man with a large tattoo on his forearm.

His name was Colon, who once served in the 1st Windsor Knights and gained quite a reputation.

“That’s good news.”

“It’s all thanks to our precious youngest… Ahem, I apologize. The righteous youngest son of the Windsor Duchy who protects this place, Lord Ruide…”

“Your forced compliments are obvious.”

Ruide and Colon knew each other. Colon had originally served at the 4th Defense Line.

He was 86 years old.

After serving in the Windsor 1st Knights, he became a guard when he grew old and frail.

He had spent most of his life ensuring the safety of the people in the North.

He had often helped find Ruide when he frequently got lost. Ruide was glad to see one of the few people he knew.

“But what brings you here? The mercenary lodge is not a place for you to stay, Lord Ruide.”

Ruide stood on his tiptoes and placed a note on the counter table. Colon tilted his head and read the note.

“Huh?”

His eyes narrowed as he continued reading.

“This is a name I’ve never seen before. Who wrote this letter?”

“My sister.”

“It wouldn’t be Lady Amelia, so it must be Commander Irene.”

‘Isn’t my younger sister being too disrespected?’

Ruide blinked.

“If it’s information from Lady Irene, it must be accurate. At least, there’s no one here with the same name. They must have lied about their identity.”

Colon spoke calmly, but his eyes were blazing.

Not only had someone lied about their identity at his inn, but they were also bothering the noble bloodline he respected so much.

“I was just thinking that Cerberus needed more food. With so many people, we can feed him in portions throughout the week.”

“…No, that’s too cruel.”

“I-I’m sorry! Lord Ruide is still growing, and I said something terrible…!”

“I just want to look into it properly.”

Ruide was not a psychopath.

It was certainly suspicious, but he wanted to understand the cause properly.

“Colon, just act as usual. Rather, do you have any guesses?”

“Yes. If it’s seven people, they did come all at once. I remember because their equipment was of good quality. They seemed too wealthy to be just free knights.”

Colon stroked his beard.

“I thought they were greenhorns from the islands… I figured they’d run away crying after a few days, unable to handle the monsters of the North.”

“That’s a shame. That they didn’t run away.”

Ruide took out a shabby staff he had crumpled up and pointed it toward the stairs.

“Oh! That…! Isn’t that the divine staff bestowed by our lord! I heard it was made by compressing the equivalent of 10 dragon scales…”

‘It’s just an ordinary branch though?’

Ruide was bewildered but didn’t want to break the old man’s innocent belief.

“Anyway, are they there?”

“They’re probably out right now. They always go out at this time and come back late.”

“I see.”

“Will you wait?”

Colon asked with a sharp gaze. Ruide nodded.

“Yes.”

He reached into the air and pulled out a Phoenix pillow from subspace.

“I’ll go get some sleep. If they come, wake me up.”

“Yes.”

Ruide rubbed his eyes and trudged up the stairs.

Colon watched Ruide’s back with cold, sunken eyes.

**

“It’s cold!”

“Stop saying it’s cold.”

“Galahad. My lips are turning blue, you know?”

“That’s why! It’s freezing to death, so stop saying it’s cold!”

The knights who once bore the name Teuton—

Now known as the Garter Knights, were walking through the streets of the North.

“I wonder if the others are carrying out their missions well?”

They had come to the North under imperial orders.

Prevent the situation from worsening before it’s too late.

And investigate and report on the current situation in the North in detail.

That’s why they had split into two teams to gather information.

“To be honest. This place is on a different level, isn’t it?”

Galahad, Judith, and Shearer were moving as one team.

They had been close since their days in the Teuton Knights, and their compatibility was so good that their combat power increased dramatically when they moved together.

“What level? The standard of living for the people? Or the level of military power? The architecture? Or the level of civilization?”

“…So you felt the same way, Judith.”

“Yes! This place is so nice! I’d almost want to live here.”

They had found a secluded alley where few people passed and were having a conversation.

Galahad crossed his arms and sighed.

“I’m talking about military power. Can you feel it? Even ordinary guards have strength that can’t be ignored.”

“They’re also physically superior. They seem to be a head taller than people from the islands. And they’re handsome!”

“Ha, that’s what I should be saying. The women here have big chests and big butts.”

Judith glanced at her own chest with drowsy eyes.

…It was flat.

“And their skin is so white.”

Unable to hold back, Judith hit the back of Galahad’s head.

“Of course! There’s barely any sun here!”

“Why are you hitting me for that!”

“Both of you, stop it.”

Shearer spoke in a quiet voice.

Unlike before, his face looked somewhat haggard. He appeared very depressed.

He had been in that state ever since Karon died.

Shearer, the empire’s greatest genius, had changed.

“We’re not here to play around.”

“…Ahem, sorry.”

“We are—”

Shearer fiddled with the handle of his sword.

“Here to avenge Karon.”

“Wait, wait.”

Judith laughed awkwardly.

“Have you forgotten? Our mission is only to gather information. It’s troublesome if you forget that.”

“Galahad, do you think so too?”

Judith looked at Galahad in panic.

Galahad spoke with a hardened face.

“Shearer. I know what you’re thinking.”

And then he said in a serious voice.

“But it’s still premature. Shearer. It’s better not to do anything rash. This is their territory.”

Shearer closed his eyes for a moment.

“…Alright, I guess it’s time to show you.”

“What?”

Shearer took out a note from his pocket.

“This is a message from Leo, who went on a mission.”

“…!”

Leo was a knight newly appointed to the Garter Knights.

His specialty was assassination.

He was assigned the somewhat dangerous mission of monitoring Windsor’s movements.

He had said he would observe from a safe distance, but it had been more than two days since contact was lost.

Everyone was worried.

“Th-thank goodness. He’s safe?”

They had definitely thought he was dead. That’s why Judith had been deliberately avoiding mentioning him.

She received the note with a brightened face.

“Windsor…”

Galahad, who was right next to her, also read the note.

Judith’s pupils trembled finely.

“They’re preparing for war against the empire?”

**

“Damn it! Why did you tell us this only now!”

“I told the captain earlier, and he said to hold off for now.”

“And the captain!”

“He said he would find out if it was true.”

“Damn it! We need to withdraw quickly.”

The Garter Knights were rushing to the mercenary lodge.

To report to the Emperor. This was a matter of serious concern.

“What are the rear guard guys doing at such a critical time?”

Galahad gritted his teeth.

The crystal ball they had couldn’t communicate over long distances.

They needed to contact the Queensberry Count’s knights to report to the Emperor, but for some reason, they weren’t responding.

The only option was to withdraw. The news that the North was preparing for war was urgent by the minute.

“Judith! Go quickly and call the captain!”

“Got it.”

Judith, who was always full of mischief, nodded with a serious face.

Galahad, who had reached the front of the mercenary lodge, took a moment to catch his breath.

“Let’s go in. Just in case, we’ll withdraw as quietly and quickly as possible. Shearer, don’t draw attention.”

Just as Galahad was about to open the door.

“Galahad.”

“Didn’t you hear what I said? We need to move quickly. What are you doing there?”

“Leo is dead.”

“Yes, of course he’s dead… What?”

“I think he was discovered. The handwriting in the letter was urgent, and there was blood on it.”

“…!”

Shearer spoke calmly.

“Windsor is taking away my precious people without hesitation.”

“What are you saying in this situation!”

“So—”

Shearer smiled.

“I’m going to kill their precious people too.”