Chapter 74: The Coming Trouble

Kaor’s voice trembled with barely contained excitement as he said, “Do you know who the greatest enemy of the mighty Ross family is? Elves! After the family’s strongest Divine Chosen, Blood Rose, died in battle, the following generations of Divine Chosen also perished in the elven wars.”

“Now the family’s Divine Chosen have withered away. The strongest one left is in the hands of the Second Young Lady. But I’ve heard that there is a Divine Chosen capable of crafting puppets who has been living in seclusion within the Ross family’s ancient castle.”

“You even know that? Aren’t you just bragging, Mr. Kaor?”

The maid Nina rolled her eyes and immediately voiced her doubts. She was one of the few who didn’t fear the butler—after all, serving the baron at close range granted an invisible kind of authority.

“Of course it’s true. I overheard it myself when the count’s eldest son was fooling around with his wife’s younger sister,” Kaor said smugly, his gaunt face lighting up with animated delight. “It was on the top-floor balcony of the castle, and it was even pouring rain that day.”

Dead silence filled the room.

Seeing the servants fall quiet, Kaor slowly realized he had once again touched on an extremely dangerous topic.

He looked at everyone—especially Mick, with that harmless, innocent expression—and suddenly broke into a cold sweat. “Y-You won’t tell anyone about this… right?”

“Now I understand why our lord doesn’t want us greeting the guests,”

Meg said, utterly speechless.

Nina nodded. “At this rate, even the color of our lord’s underwear would be leaked by an insider.”

⸻

Elsewhere.

“Ah~ That feels so good. Finally got rid of all that disgusting slime and blood.”

After washing up, Sherry emerged wearing a loose shirt and coat. Her damp hair lay neatly against her shoulders, and her lovely face carried a confident smile. She glanced at Phield—only to find that he barely reacted.

Damn it. If only I had a proper long dress instead of these ugly clothes Phield gave me. Then he’d definitely be captivated.

“You look much better now, beautiful lady,”

Phield offered a lukewarm compliment.

Sherry huffed softly, then smiled. “I like your honesty.”

The chief knight William and Valtteri also walked in. With the filth and blood washed away, the two looked like characters straight out of a television drama.

William was stern and taciturn, every movement filled with resolve—he could probably cosplay Garen without any trouble.

As for Valtteri, she looked like a female bodybuilding champion, her body packed with explosive muscle. Yet her face was strikingly beautiful—Divine Chosen never lacked in looks.

“Grrr~”

A loud growl erupted from all three of their stomachs, leaving them visibly embarrassed.

“My apologies, Baron. That was rude of us,”

Valtteri laughed heartily, scratching her head. “We’re just too hungry. Six full days without a single piece of bread.”

Her laughter eased Sherry’s embarrassment.

“Please, have a seat. The food has been ready for a while—I was worried it might not be to your liking.”

Phield gestured invitingly, smiling gently. “I think we understand each other. This is a corrupted land—noble luxuries are hard to come by. This is all I can offer.”

“As long as there’s food, it’s enough.”

Valtteri couldn’t hold back anymore. She sat down at once, grabbed a chunk of meat, and devoured it ravenously.

Sherry also struggled to maintain her elegance—using a knife and fork was already the limit of her restraint.

Phield had originally prepared an explanation for why there were no maids serving them, but Sherry and the others didn’t care in the slightest, sparing him the trouble.

So nobles could be easy to deal with after all, Phield thought.

I was too sensitive—treating them like thieves from the start.

“Ah~ So satisfying!”

All three leaned back contentedly, rubbing their stomachs. They had eaten enough for fifteen people, and Phield had briefly worried they might burst.

Seeing the guests finish their meal, Phield set down his teacup, wiped his hands with a damp towel from the wash basin, and rang the bell on the table.

Ashina walked out briskly and silently began clearing the table.

“I didn’t expect you to keep Demei-human maids,”

Sherry said in surprise as she dabbed her mouth with a napkin, then put on an exaggerated look of mock disgust—you’re perverted, but I get it.

Phield was amused by her expression and, realizing she meant no mockery, asked back, “They’re cute, aren’t they?”

“Indeed. Everyone has their own preferences—I respect that.”

Sherry tilted her head, then suddenly grew serious, as if recalling something. “Honored Baron Phield, there’s some bad news. I know it may displease you, but I must issue a warning.”

“Oh?”

Phield straightened at once, leaning slightly forward. “Please, go on.”

“It’s corruption. Massive amounts of it are gathering.”

Sherry abandoned her smile, her voice turning sorrowful—almost fearful. “They’re everywhere. From the main city all the way to the viscountcy, and they’re still assembling.”

“It’s a terrifying disaster—something that’s never happened before,”

Valtteri nodded. “My lord, I am Valtteri, a second-tier Divine Chosen. I swear this on my faith.”

“Out of a two-hundred-man investigative cavalry, only the three of us survived.”

With that, silence fell. A tear slid down the corner of Sherry’s eye.

Phield sighed and observed a moment of quiet alongside them.

After about a minute, Sherry wiped away her tears. “Corrupted creatures have always acted without purpose or logic. More precisely, their only goals were to kill and corrupt others. In the past, when our investigation corps entered the Northern Provinces, there were endless corpse tides—but it never felt like this.”

Phield frowned slightly. “What do you mean by ’felt’? Please explain in detail.”

“They’ve begun to cooperate with one another. They deploy forces, use tactics, and have developed a hierarchy.”

“I believe corruption has given birth to an entity capable of commanding all corrupted beings—an emperor.”

Sherry’s expression darkened. Coupled with the endless gray mist outside the window, it sent a chill down the spine.

This is just great.

Phield slapped his forehead. Ten years of corruption, and it just happens to develop intelligence right after I arrive?

“So, Phield, leave the Northern Provinces as soon as possible. Retreat behind the Empire’s defensive line.”

Sherry urged earnestly. “The Nightfall Domain has no natural defenses. If it’s attacked, it will fall instantly.”

“Do you know when they’ll launch their offensive?”

Phield suppressed his irritation, taking several deep breaths.

“At the earliest, one year. At the latest, three. They will definitely attack the defensive line.”

Sherry said firmly. “I’ve followed my father into battle since I was eight. I know the nature of these monsters well. Time is running out.”

“One year…”

Phield fell silent for a moment, then spoke bluntly. “Abandoning one’s fief without authorization violates imperial law. Besides, other than the Nightfall Domain… I have nowhere else to go.”

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