An Earth-Shattering Explosion (Part 1) (Two-in-One)

"Lord Nalant, I... my name is Pierre. I'm from Chav Territory in the south. Baron Chav is my father!" Though he had not yet surrendered his weapon, Pierre had already lost all will to resist, cowed by Nalant's reputation.

"Mm, from the south? Sir Pierre, then I am honored to inform you that you are now my prisoner. Do you have any objections?"

"N-No... I don't...?"

"Very good, Sir Pierre. Then have your men lay down their weapons. I will treat you well!" Nalant wore a warm smile throughout, as though he were merely chatting with an old acquaintance.

"O-Okay!"

Pete offered no resistance whatsoever, accepting the demand to disarm with tears welling in his eyes.

As for the guards, whose faces had already gone pale, hearing the order to lay down their weapons instead made them feel as if a great burden had been lifted.

Only after Quick and the others had taken over the group did Nalant call Pierre over, intending to ask about the situation in the Onyx Principality.

Since Pierre had come from the south, he was surely closer to Oak City and might know something about the news from the front.

"Sir Pierre, is Chav Territory close to Oak City?"

"Lord Nalant, Chav Territory is two days' journey from Oak City!" Pierre answered cautiously.

"Then do you know anything about the recent situation at the front? How is our Onyx Principality army doing?"

"Lord Nalant, I did hear some news from grain convoys passing by. They said the Onyx Principality army has been surrounded on a hill!"

"What? Surrounded on a hill?" Nalant's heart sank.

"Did Little Gray fail to complete its mission?"

Though sending Little Gray had merely been an attempt, Nalant had still placed some hopes on it.

Now, it seemed very likely