Clever Havent

"Mmmmmm~

Look at your shocked expression. It seems I was right."

Havent looked smugly at the black-clothed man frozen in place. Then, remembering he had almost died, he couldn't help but mock him.

"You don't even have a decent magic item. Clearly, you're not an important spy. Without any contingency plans, you reek of pettiness. That means you're not from a major southern lord, tsk tsk tsk. No vision, following a pauper."

This time, not only Dalot looked shocked, but everyone gathered around also wore expressions of astonishment. Count Mori couldn't help but applaud Havent's analysis.

"Hahahaha~ Damn it, I truly regret it. What a pity I didn't kill you."

Cough~ Cough~ Cough~

As Dalot convulsed violently, black blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, his eyes rapidly bloodshot. He glared fiercely at the two Counts, but in his last moments before expiring, he stared intently at Havent until his breath ceased and his head drooped.

Havent's heart pounded uncontrollably at Dalot's final gaze. It's not like I killed him, so why is he looking at me like he'll haunt me even as a ghost?

"Hand him over to the guards, and investigate further to see if there's anything on him that can prove his identity.

Also, thoroughly search his residence. Sicilia, you don't mind, do you?"

Viscount Sicilia, who had just breathed a sigh of relief at Havent's words, felt his heart tighten again at Count Havent's question.

He secretly glanced sideways, noticing that Count Havent's expression was unreadable. He quickly replied, "No problem, no problem. Baria! You will cooperate with Count Havent's investigators shortly and conduct the search. Also, provide a detailed report of this damn fellow's activities for the past six months."

A knight in black armor emerged upon hearing Viscount Sicilia's command.

"Alright, Havent, go back and tidy yourself up. Come to the conference room later."

After speaking, Count Havent and Count Mori turned and left the scene. Watching everyone busy with their own tasks, Havent, who had just fallen flat on his face, shrugged speechlessly. Every child who wakes up early is bound to have bad luck. What is this all about?

In the bathroom, Havent lay in the bathtub, reminiscing about what had just happened.

Hiss~ That was the move where the red dragon Nagrai saved me, right? Wow~ That was pretty cool. How did I learn that?

Havent buried half his face in the water, and a large cluster of bubbles floated on the surface of the bathtub.

Ah~ I think it was like this.

Havent pushed off the bottom of the tub with his legs, surfacing. I should concentrate, gather the energy in my chest, and then release it through my throat and mouth.

"Fos-sa-lo!"

As Havent successfully activated the Unloading Force, a powerful thrust emerged, instantly blowing away everything in front of him.

Hearing the commotion, Ankut rushed in with the guards. They saw Havent, stark naked, staring in shock at the bathroom, which looked like it had been hit by a typhoon – a complete mess.

"Young master, are you alright?"

Seeing everyone looking at him, Havent awkwardly scratched his head. He hadn't expected it to actually work when he tried it. Then, as if realizing something, he quickly covered himself and said frantically, "Get out, get out! It's nothing, I'm fine~ Everyone out."

Hearing their young master's command to leave, everyone quickly retreated.

"Wait, Ankut, get me some clothes. My clothes are gone."

Conference Room

By the time Havent arrived, everyone was already assembled. He waved a greeting to everyone and quickly slipped into his seat.

Count Mori, seeing that everyone was present, cleared his throat and said, "I won't repeat the current situation in our North Territory. Now, I will state the main agenda for today's meeting."

He walked to a huge map, with "North Territory All Regions" written in the upper left corner. Count Mori picked up a stick and pointed to a place circled in red.

"Although the Church of Death has left the North Territory, they have left behind a large number of ghouls in some of our territories.

If these ghouls are not cleared out, these regions will not be able to resume normal life. Moreover, there is a risk of ghouls spreading and ravaging the North Territory.

Therefore, Count Havent and I have discussed and decided to establish the North Territory Guardian Legion. All lords, whether their territories have been infested by ghouls or not, will need to participate. We will also be drawing the White Lion Second Legion and the Mountain Third Heavy Swordsmen from the Armor Defense Line to be merged and form the North Territory Guardian Legion."

After Count Mori finished speaking, Viscount Hammel, who was sitting nearby, asked, "Lord Mori? If we pull two legions from the Armor Defense Line, won't that create a shortage of defensive personnel there?"

Count Mori paused for a moment, then slowly replied, "Yes, but we have no choice.

I believe everyone has already learned that the Dawn Guard stationed outside the city has departed.

The original commander of the Dawn Guard, Aurelion, proposed yesterday to station troops in our ghoul-infested territories to help drive out the death energy and assist in the reconstruction of the territories.

However, we sternly refused. Originally, the Eternal Fire has had designs on our North Territory for a long time. Normally, they would try every means to stay here and not leave.

But according to the guards' reports, the Dawn Guard outside the city packed up their tents and left as soon as dawn broke. The reconnaissance cavalry reported that they followed the direction the Church of Death fled."

Hearing Count Mori mention the Dawn Guard, Havent couldn't help but think of that annoyingly cheerful person.

That shouldn't be right. They just left like that? It doesn't make logical sense.

"So they are pursuing the Church of Death to Ugalamar?"

Count Mori glanced at Havent, who had asked the question, and nodded.

"It's possible. Our scout cavalry are still tracking them. But no matter what the Dawn Guard intends, we need to resolve the issues within the North Territory first. Then we can see what tricks they're up to."

After a pause, seeing that no one spoke, Count Mori continued, "Of course, establishing a Guardian Legion won't be simple. Count Havent and I will prepare a detailed plan for His Majesty to seek some support.

In the meantime, Count Havent will lead the White Lion Fourth Legion, which is returning from rotation, as the main force, supplemented by other lords' troops, to clear out the areas surrounding several territories occupied by ghouls.

Naturally, your contributions in deploying troops for this cleanup will be calculated as normal military merits.

This is a turbulent time. Any accident could inflict immense damage upon our North Territory.

I hope everyone will pull themselves together, unite, and do their utmost to stabilize the situation in the North Territory."

With that, he gave a knight's bow to the nobles present.

The nobles quickly rose from their seats, striking their right fists hard against their chests, "Glory to the North Territory!"