Immediately after the letter arrived from Valendor, Duke Killiard dispatched the Knights of Philres there.
In total, 8 knights were being sent. This included the Duke himself as well.
The contents of the letter had stated that people had been going missing in the forest to the east of the territory, and that it seemed to be the work of a monster, so they were requesting assistance.
“Oh, you’re here. We’ve been looking forward to your arrival!”
As soon as Lord Valendor heard the news of the knights arrival, he rushed out with his large body to meet them. When he saw Duke Killiard standing with his knights, he was slightly taken aback. He was naturally stunned by the intimidating feeling radiating off the man.
However, he quickly recovered and continued his aristocratic greeting.
“I see Killiard’s star is here as well. I was surprised when I got the news that you would be coming in person. It’s my first time seeing you since the birthday party. I’m glad you appear to be in good health.”
“Count, you seem to be doing quite well yourself.”
Ash shook the plump man’s hand and the corner of his mouth rose. No matter how many of his people died, the counts greasy face and thick body, supported by the tax payers money, seemed to be worthy of the word ‘prosperous’.
‘Two weeks.’
It was the length of time since the first person had disappeared and the request for assistance had been sent.
However, because all of the missing people had been commoners, the count had ignored the incident at the time. He had ignored the pleas from the nearby villagers to find the missing people. Knights were a valuable resource. They must have though that the disappearance of mere commoners wasn’t such a big deal and refused to mobilize the knights.
Then, the cat the count was raising had disappeared while taking a walk near the eastern forest. The count had then urged the knights to immediately go into the forest to find the cat.
In the end, the knights, who could not ignore their lords orders, went into the forest and did not return.
It was only then that the count realized the severity of the situation and requested support from the Knights of Philres. Meanwhile, the number of missing people nearly doubled. The count should have submitted the request long ago.
Ash had known he was an idiot, but he never thought it would be this bad.
This was Ash’s first thought after hearing the circumstances surrounding the incident. Contempt passed through his eyes as he looked at the count.
The count burst into laughter.
“Haha, is it noticeable already? I recently started exercising and it seems the results are already showing.”
He moved his body as if trying to show off the muscles he had developed as a result of the exercises, but the more he did so, the more his large belly jiggled.
Cezanne whispered to Elaine from a short distance away.
“I guess he thought it was a compliment.”
“Shh, he might hear you.”
Cezanne was also one of the knights who had been dispatched on this mission. The other knights, including Sophia, were gathered behind. Meanwhile, Ash interrupted the count.
“Let’s get straight to the point. Guide me to the forest to the east, where the problem lies. There is no time to waste. We must check for any survivors.”
“Oh, yes! Hurry and guide them there.”
“Yes, Count.”
“A soldier pointed to by the count took the lead.
The entire eastern forest was used as a resort for the count. The villas and walking trails within the resort had been beautifully crafted with the taxpayer’s money.
Everything had started when the gardener who tended to the villas landscaping had disappeared. After that, the people who managed the lake and the horseback riding range disappeared, followed by the farmers who worked in the fields near the forest.
“It’s around here.”
The soldier stopped in front of a forest where the trees were densely growing. The trees in the forest, under the warm sun were dyed a warm brown. The forest, where hungry monsters might be lying in wait, seemed peaceful on the outside.
However, this was a forest that had swallowed up more than 10 people. No one knew what could be lurking inside.
According to the testimony of a villager, farmers working in the fields suddenly stopped what they were doing and walked into the forest. It was as if they had been possessed.
Ash gathered all of the knights together.
“It is presumed that the people who entered the forest were being controlled by something. It could be a type of monster that interferes with the mind through hypnosis or sound.”
He then took out the map of the forest he had received from the soldier and spared it out for all to see. The terrain was laid out so that from the entrance, the road split into three. One leg led to the lake, another to the central villa and the third to the horseback riding range. Then the lake and the range also had a path leading back to the central villa.
He pointed to each location and explained.
