Smart Havent

"Mm~~~~

Look at that shocked expression. Looks like I was right."

Havent smugly looked at the black-clad man standing there in a daze. Then he remembered that he had nearly died just moments ago and could not help mocking him.

"You do not even have a decent magical artifact. One look tells me you are not some important spy. No plans, no contingencies—you reek of small-mindedness. You are probably not working for one of the great southern lords. Tsk, tsk. What poor judgment, following a pauper of all people."

At this point, not only was Dalot shocked, but everyone else gathered nearby wore stunned expressions as well. Even Count Mori could not help applauding Havent's analysis.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA! Damn it, I really regret it. What a pity I failed to kill you."

Cough! Cough! Cough!

Dalot's body shook violently as black blood flowed from the corner of his mouth. His eyes rapidly bloodshot, he glared viciously at the two counts. Yet in his final moments, he fixed his gaze on Havent until his breath finally ceased and his head drooped.

Havent's heart pounded wildly under Dalot's final stare. It was not like I was the one who killed him. Why was he looking at me like he would not let me go even after becoming a ghost?

"Hand him over to the guards and investigate him. See whether he has anything else on him that can prove his identity.

Search the place where he lived as well. Viscount Sicilia, you do not mind, do you?"

Viscount Sicilia, who had just relaxed because of Havent's words, tensed up again at Count Havent's question.

He secretly glanced sideways, but Count Havent's expression revealed nothing. He hurriedly answered.

"No problem, no problem. Balia! Cooperate with Count Havent's investigators during the search later. Also, give them a detailed account of everything that bastard has done over the past six months."

A knight in black armor stepped forward upon hearing Viscount Sicilia's order.

"All right, Havent. Go back and clean yourself up. Come to the meeting room afterward."

After saying that, Count Havent and Count Mori turned and left the scene. Watching everyone go about their business, Havent, who had tumbled down and landed face-first, helplessly shrugged. Every child who got up early was bound to have bad luck. What the hell was this?

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

Hiss... That seemed to be the move Red Dragon Nagrai used to save me. Wow, that was kind of cool. How did I know how to do that?

Havent buried half his face in the water, and a long stream of bubbles rose to the surface of the bathtub.

Ah... I think it was like this.

Havent kicked hard with both feet and surfaced. I should focus my mind, gather the energy in my chest, then release it through my throat and mouth.

"Fus Ro Dah!"

As Havent successfully activated Unloading Force, a powerful blast erupted and instantly blew away everything in front of him.

Hearing the commotion, Ankut hurriedly rushed in with the guards. They found Havent standing there naked, staring at the bathroom in shock. It looked as though a typhoon had swept through it, leaving it in complete disarray.

"Young master, are you all right?"

As the crowd looked at him, Havent awkwardly scratched his hair. He had not expected it to actually work after trying it once. Then, as if realizing something, he hastily covered little Havent and said in panic,

"Out, out! I am fine, I am fine! Everyone, get out."

Hearing the young master drive them away, everyone quickly withdrew.

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

Conference Room

By the time Havent arrived, everyone inside had already gathered. He raised a hand to greet them, then hurriedly slipped into his seat.

Count Mori looked around at everyone present, cleared his throat, and said,

"I will not repeat the current situation in the Northern Frontier. Let me explain the main purpose of today's meeting."

As he spoke, he walked before a huge map. The words "Entire Northern Frontier" were written in its upper-left corner. Count Mori picked up a pointer and indicated an area circled in red.

"Although the Church of Death has left the Northern Frontier, it has left behind a large number of corpses in some of our territories.

If we do not clear out these corpses, these areas will not be able to resume normal life.

There is also the risk that the corpses will spread and wreak havoc throughout the Northern Frontier.

Therefore, Count Havent and I have discussed forming the North Territory Guardian Legion. Every lord, whether or not their territory has suffered corpse attacks, must take part. At the same time, we will redeploy the White Lion Second Legion and the Mountain Third Heavy Swordsmen from the Armor Defense Line and combine them into the North Territory Guardian Legion."

After Count Mori finished speaking, Viscount Hammel, seated nearby, asked,

"Lord Mori? If we redeploy two legions from the Armor Defense Line, will the line face a shortage of defenders?"

Count Mori fell silent for a moment before slowly replying,

"It will, but we have no other choice.

I believe all of you have learned that the Dawn Guard stationed outside the city has already left.

Yesterday, Aurelion, the commander of the Dawn Guard, proposed moving into the territories overrun by corpses, helping us dispel the deathly aura, and assisting with the restoration and reconstruction of those territories.

However, we sternly rejected him. Normally, Eternal Fire has long coveted the Northern Frontier, so they should have tried every possible way to remain here.

Yet according to the guards' reports, the Dawn Guard outside the city packed up its camp at daybreak and left. The scouting cavalry reported that they headed in the same direction as the fleeing Church of Death."

As Count Mori spoke of the Dawn Guard, Havent could not stop thinking of that annoying fellow with the bright smile.

That should not be possible. They just left? That makes no sense.

"So they followed the Church of Death to Ugalamar?"

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

"Possibly. The scouting cavalry is still tracking them. But no matter what the Dawn Guard intends to do, we must first resolve the problems within the Northern Frontier. We can see what tricks they are playing later."

After a pause, seeing that no one spoke, Count Mori continued,

"Of course, establishing the Guardian Legion will not be simple. Count Havent and I will prepare a detailed proposal for His Majesty and seek a certain degree of support.

During this period, Count Havent will use the White Lion Fourth Legion, which has returned as part of the rotation, as the main force, with the other lords' troops as support, to clear the outskirts of several territories occupied by corpses.

Naturally, the merits earned by all of you in these clearing operations will be calculated according to standard military merit.

This is a turbulent time. Any accident could inflict enormous harm upon the Northern Frontier.

I hope all of you will steel yourselves, unite as one, and do everything in your power to stabilize the situation in the Northern Frontier."

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

The nobles hurriedly rose from their seats and fiercely struck their right fists against their chests.

"Glory belongs to the Northern Frontier!"