Twilight City, the headquarters of the Knights, the Grand Master's Room.

Compared to the flower-filled and pleasing garden outside the window, Cumberland's Grand Master Room was distinctly shabby, even shabby.

In addition to the furniture that had been set up from the beginning, the only notable decorations in the Grand Master's Room were a map, a suit of armor, a knight's sword, and an oil portrait of Cumberland's family.

Emerson had given Cumberland some books, hoping that he would read more.

However, Cumberland, who is not very literate, does not accept the kindness of the other party, and in his opinion, the only things that need to be familiar on the battlefield are swords and mounts.

The kingdom also rewarded him with untold riches and treasures, but Cumberland gave them all to his subordinates who had served on the battlefield.

Todd had asked the old knight who had followed him from birth to death what he wanted.

The other party thought for a long time, and finally replied.

"I want to see my dead son once in a while. ”

Herman, the chief knight who died in battle to protect Queen Mary.

Faced with this request, Todd sought out Deirdre and asked him to use the conjuring ability to find Herman's soul.

Maybe it was because so much time had passed, or maybe for some other reason, Herman's soul didn't respond.

In desperation, Todd turned to Leviathan and asked the latter to make a replica of Herman in Heaven based on Cumberland's memories.

This spirit retains some of Herman's memories and thoughts, but in words and deeds, it seems to be a little wooden and silent.

But for Cumberland, that's enough.

Back to the Grand Master's Room, Cumberland has a guest today - Knight Dion.

Dion took off his armor today and put on a white floral-trimmed dress, beautiful and dignified, and the whole person looked like a student at the University of Twilight.

Looking at this knight who was obviously superior in force, but his gender was unknown, Cumberland showed a headache: "I don't care about your usual dressing style, but in the Knights, you must dress like a soldier." ”

Dieng glanced at Cumberland, "I just attended the wedding of Lord Emerson's little granddaughter. ”

Cumberland was silent.

Dieng said, "Master Emerson has actually wanted you to attend. ”

Cumberland: "I'm not used to that kind of situation. ”

Dieng glanced at the oil portrait of Cumberland's family in the corner, and gave up on continuing the topic.

Cumberland spoke, "You should know the situation in the city. ”

"What do you mean?"

"Racial relations between humans and the Holy Army. ”

Dieng whispered, "I don't think it's a very serious matter. ”

Cumberland shouted, "Not a serious matter?!Do you know how many racial conflicts have taken place in Twilight City this month?!"

"Last week, Collison father and son! Collison Jr., the squire knight who is the son of man, even dared to stab his father and his teaching knight in order to go to the selection ceremony of the Holy Cult Army with his friends!"

Cumberland was full of anger: "Now there is a lot of fear in the Knights, and many young people do not want to be knights anymore, but want to join the Holy Cult Army, because it will be more 'majestic' and closer to the glory of God!"

Dion asked, "I remember that the conversion ritual of the Holy Cult Army is very risky, and the race of conversion is unpredictable...... Even so, the young man is willing to join the Holy Cult Army?"

Cumberland sighed heavily, "The risk of the transformation ritual has been greatly reduced due to the tinkering of Wayne's gang. Although the transformed race is somewhat unpopular, there are still many who are admired, and young people are willing to take that risk. ”

Dieng asked tentatively, "You may be able to talk to Your Majesty." ”

At the mention of Todd, Cumberland was instantly deflated.

"I don't want to bother him with these trifles, he always has more important things to take care of. Cumberland said wearily, "Even a god cannot meet all the requirements of mortals. ”

In Dion's memory, it was the first time in his life that he had seen the old man with such a depressed expression.

Dion stood closer and said softly, "The kingdom is now facing a great catastrophe, and even if it is a racial conflict, it is not worth mentioning in front of the former. ”

Cumberland looked up, looked at Dion and asked, "I've heard of some, are they the dead bodies in Taylor?"

"Yes, by the time I left the front, the army could no longer suppress the expansion of the Necromancy. The southern and western lines had been retreating, and hundreds of convoys had been organized in the port of Duokezi to begin to move people and supplies in batches. ”

Cumberland moved his gaze to the map, determined the location of the Duchy of Duokezi, and said, "Your Majesty sent Alfonso and Evie to the front, and I knew that things in Taylor City were not so simple, but has the situation been so bad?"

"According to His Majesty, the black plague can not only be spread by humans, but also rats, birds, cats and dogs and other living creatures can become carriers of the spread of the plague, and the spread of this disaster has become an unstoppable fact. ”

Cumberland's expression was solemn, and he confirmed again: "Animals like rats and birds can also spread the plague?"

"Yes. ”

Cumberland looked out the window and suddenly asked, "If I'm not mistaken, it rained all the time last week?"

Dieng was a little puzzled: "You're right. ”

Cumberland pondered for a moment and said to himself, "I hope it's still too late......"

Before he could finish speaking, the voice of the guards came from the door of the Grand Master's room.

"My lord, the battle report has been sent from the Eastern Front!"

Cumberland let the herald in, and opened his mouth for the other to read the report directly.

"With the city of Taylor as the center and a radius of sixty kilometers, there was a large-scale plague of rats carrying the black plague. Dozens of kingdoms in the north of Taylor have completely lost contact, and the defenders stationed in the western forests have used the wildfires to repel the rat herd, but they have also suffered heavy losses, while the defenders of the southern port of Duokezi have successfully completed the evacuation at the last moment. ”

At the end of the report, a large number of variants were documented in the plague.

Plague Necrons with abilities such as Metalskin, Regeneration, Flame, Split, and Colloids have begun to emerge and pose a great threat to the kingdom's army, and in rare areas, there are even Plague Necrons who can use dragon bone parasites.

Cumberland ordered the report to be put away, and said to Dieng: "Perhaps you are right, ethnic conflict was not worth mentioning before this disaster. ”

Dion's face turned pale: "I didn't expect the black plague to spread so quickly. ”

Cumberland left his seat and said, "Come with me to the royal city to meet your majesty, the kingdom may now be facing a doom of life and death. ”