Twilight West City, Knights Headquarters, Grand Master's Room.
Compared with the delightful garden with colorful flowers outside the window, the grand master's room where Cumberland was located was obviously a bit shabby, even shabby.
In addition to the furniture that was initially installed, the only notable decorations in the grandmaster's room were a map, a set of armor, a knight's sword and an oil portrait of the Cumberland family.
Emerson originally gave Cumberland some books, hoping that the latter would read more.
But Cumberland, who was illiterate, did not accept the other party's kindness. In his opinion, the only things he needed to be familiar with on the battlefield were swords and mounts.
The kingdom also rewarded him with countless wealth and treasures, but Cumberland gave them all to his subordinates who had meritorious service on the battlefield.
Todd once asked this old knight who followed him through life and death what he wanted.
The other party thought for a long time and finally answered.
"I would like to see my dead son once in a while."
Hermann, the knight captain who died in battle to protect Queen Mary.
Faced with this request, Todd found Deirdre and asked her to use her spiritual power to find Herman's soul.
Perhaps because too much time had passed, or perhaps for some other reason, Herman's soul did not respond.
Todd had no choice but to turn to Leviathan, who made a replica of Herman's spirit body in heaven based on Cumberland's memories.
This spirit retained some of Herman's memories and thoughts, but seemed a bit dull and taciturn in words and deeds.
But for Cumberland, enough was enough.
The topic returned to the grand master's room. Cumberland had a guest today - the knight Dion.
Dion took off his armor today and put on a white floral-trimmed dress. He was beautiful and dignified. He looked like a student studying at Muxi University.
Looking at this knight who was obviously very powerful but whose gender was unknown, Cumberland showed a headache: "I don't care about your usual dressing style, but in the knights, you must dress like a soldier."
Dion glanced at Cumberland: "I just attended the wedding of Lord Emerson's granddaughter."
Cumberland was silent.
Dion said: "Lord Emerson has always wanted you to attend."
Cumberland: "I'm not up to it."
Dion glanced at the oil portrait of the Cumberland family in the corner and gave up the intention of continuing the topic.
Cumberland said: "You should also know the situation in the city."
"What do you mean?"
"Racial Relations between Humans and Crusaders."
Dion whispered: "I don't think it's anything serious."
Cumberland shouted: "It's not a serious matter?! Do you know how many racial conflicts have occurred in Twilight City this month?!"
"Last week, Collison and his son! Little Collison, the squire knight of the Son of Man, even dared to stab his father, his teaching knight, in order to attend the selection ceremony of the Crusaders with his friends!"
Cumberland was filled with anger: "People in the Knights are now panicked. Many young people are not willing to be knights anymore, but hope to join the Crusaders, because that way is more 'majestic' and can be closer to the glory of God!"
Dion asked: "I remember that the transformation ceremony of the Holy Crusaders is very risky, and the transformed race is unpredictable... Even so, young people are still willing to join the Crusaders?"
Cumberland sighed heavily: "With the help of Wayne and his gang, the risks of the transformation ceremony have been greatly reduced. Although some of the transformed races are not popular, many are still respected by others, young people
People are willing to take that risk."
Dion asked tentatively: "Maybe you can talk to His Majesty."
At the mention of Todd, Cumberland was instantly discouraged.
"I don't want to bother him with these trivial matters. He always has more important things to deal with." Cumberland said tiredly: "Even God cannot satisfy all the requirements of mortals."
In Dion's memory, this was the first time in his life that he saw this old man with such a depressed expression.
Dion stood closer and said softly: "The kingdom is now facing a huge disaster. Even ethnic conflicts are not worth mentioning in front of the former."
Cumberland raised his head, looked at Dion and asked: "I have heard about some, are they the dead bodies in Taylor City?"
"Yes, when I left the front line, the army could no longer suppress the expansion of the undead. The southern defense line and the western defense line have been retreating backwards. Hundreds of fleets have been organized at Dokqi Harbor and began to divide
Transfer people and supplies in batches."
Cumberland moved his eyes to the map, determined the location of the Duchy Principality, and said: "Your Majesty sent Alfonso and Ivie to the front line. I knew that things in Taylor City were not that simple, but the situation has changed.
Is it this bad?"
"According to His Majesty, the black plague can not only be spread by humans. Living animals such as rats, birds, cats and dogs can also become the carriers of the plague. The spread of this disaster has become an unstoppable fact."
Cumberland looked solemn and confirmed again: "Animals such as rats and birds can also spread plague? Your Majesty said so?"
"Yes."
Cumberland glanced out the window and suddenly asked: "If I remember correctly, it rained all the time last week?"
Dion was a little confused: "You are right."
Cumberland thought for a moment and said to himself: "I hope it's not too late..."
Before he finished speaking, the guard's voice came from the door of the Grand Commander's room.
"Sir, a battle report has been sent from the Eastern Front!"
Cumberland asked the messenger to come in and asked him to read out the contents of the report directly.
"With Taylor City as the center and a radius of 60 kilometers, a large-scale rat plague carrying black plague broke out. Dozens of kingdoms in the north of Taylor City have completely lost contact. The defenders stationed in the western forest used
The wildfire repelled the rat swarm, but it also suffered heavy losses, while the defenders of the southern Dokchi harbor successfully completed their evacuation at the last moment."
At the end of the report, a large section was devoted to recording the mutant species that appeared in the rat plague.
Plague undead with metal skin, regeneration, fire breath, splitting, colloid and other powers have begun to appear and pose a great threat to the kingdom's army. In very few areas, there are even people who can use dragon bone parasites.
Plague Undead.
Cumberland ordered people to collect the report and said to Dion: "Perhaps you are right, racial conflicts were not worth mentioning before this disaster."
Dion's face turned pale: "I didn't expect that the black plague would spread so quickly."
Cumberland left his seat and said: "Come with me to the royal city to meet with His Majesty. The kingdom may be facing a life and death crisis now."