Bad News
"Hercules!"
Magnus, who was sitting in the room, heard the neighing of warhorses. He immediately stood up, walked to the door, pushed it open, and saw what was happening outside.
Led by Yellen, Victor led a troop of Cavalry into the Great Oak Territory camp. Victor's expression was serious, Knight Yellen looked sorrowful.
The two men reached the large wagon in the middle of the camp and reined in their horses. For some reason, Victor used a lot of force, and Grape was in pain from the pull, letting out a neighing sound.
"I'm sorry, Grape, it's all my fault for being too rough. Calm down for a bit, I have something very important to take care of. I'll treat you to something delicious tonight."
Victor quickly put his arm around Grape's head, pressed his forehead against hers, and whispered words of comfort.
Grape noticed that Victor wasn't in a good mood, so she snorted twice and licked Victor's hand with her tongue, as if to comfort him.
At this moment, Victor noticed the soldiers of Great Oak Territory guarding the area. Logically speaking, this was the core part of the military camp, and the troops guarding this place should at least be the lord's Personal Guard. These soldiers, who were originally the most elite of Great Oak Territory, looked apprehensive and were secretly looking down at Victor. Seeing this, Victor's heart sank.
Victor then turned around and saw that Knight Yellen was already standing beside him, and the front door of the huge chariot was open, with Magnus, the chief steward of the Great Oak Territory, whom he had met a few times before, also standing at the door.
Victor had his personal guards, along with Yellen's men, stand watch at the door, and then he climbed directly onto the carriage via the wooden steps.
Upon closer inspection, Victor noticed that Magnus was in very poor condition. His eyes were bloodshot, his face was pale, and his hair was frizzy, a stark contrast to his impeccable appearance when they met before.
Victor nodded to Magnus also forced a smile at Victor and gestured for him to enter from the doorway. Although the gesture was polite, Victor noticed that Steward Magnus was bowing too deeply. However, he didn't say anything and went inside.
Upon Victor saw a small conference room with a long table in the center and wooden benches extending from the walls on both sides. The benches were made of red velvet, and the walls were decorated with wood carvings Great Oak Territory. The room was simple yet dignified, perfectly befitting the style of a nobleman.
But at this moment, Victor couldn't say anything to praise them. Magnus led the way, with Victor and Yellen following behind, walking along the passage on the left side of the carriage, passing a small study, until they reached the wooden door at the end.
"Lord Victor, the master is inside."
After saying that, Magnus pushed open the door. It was a bedroom, the room where Count Black usually rested. What came into Victor's view was a large bed in the center of the bedroom, with an old man lying on it.
Magnus walked to the bedside and said in a low voice with a sorrowful expression, "Count Excellency, Viscount Victor has come to see you."
After saying that, he stepped back to the wall, making room for the head of the bed. Victor tiptoed to the head of the bed, looked down, and saw the familiar old man.
Looking at Count Black lying on the bed, Victor's first impression was that he was very thin and pale, a pale white. His hands, which were draped over his chest, seemed to have very little flesh, and his eye sockets were deeply sunken. He was completely different from when Victor met him before the New Year.
Victor gently placed his finger over the old man's nose and mouth. There was no breathing in his nasal cavity, and his chest was not rising or falling. Victor then gently touched the old man's thin, bony hands, which were ice-cold to the touch. Victor knew clearly that this old man, who was both a teacher and a friend, had fallen into a deep sleep.
Victor slammed his fist against the wall to mask his grief.