Chapter 337 Discussion With The Duke II

'The damn bastard is most likely in Cheverton already!'

Evan came to this conclusion instantly.

The Eighth Finger and his contracted demon mostly acted separately, which was why Evan had not initially linked Zacular's actions in Bultom's Dungeons to the Eighth Finger's presence.

'But Zacular hates Liches so he doesn't use them. In the game, it was only because of the Eighth Finger that he even bothered to take out the few liches in Bultom's Dungeons.

Any liches are very likely to be the Eighth Finger's undead.'

Evan looked towards the Count and asked for a map of the Duchy, placing it on the table and asking the Duke to point out the cities that were attacked.

"Besides these four, all the others you had informed the princess about were victims of the attack. Along with these two other military cities(bases).

It seems that they aimed to cripple the western part of the Duchy with this attack as all the cities and towns attacked were major trade hubs and the centre points of the Duchy's urban reigons."

"That's two more military cities than I knew about…

Can you give me more details about the attacks?"

"More details?

Well, for starters, it made a lot of people instantly realise something fishy was going on behind the scenes.

The attacks were well planned; as if they had a good grasp of the level of strength possessed by the defending forces that I had assigned to each of the towns and cities that were attacked.

For each city possessing A-rank adventurers, High-level Knights and their army equivalents, they were hit by multiple Grandmaster Level Dullahans, Liches and Death Knights. All of which were just a bit over level 300.

For those with B rank adventurer level defenders and lower, they had High-level Master-level undead, mostly Ghouls and Dullahans to deal with.

What's more is that since the Military Cities were also hit at the same time, it was difficult for reinforcements to be sent towards the other cities under attack.

In the end, six of the ten that were attacked were defended, but with casualties, and four fell to the undead's assault with a recorded death toll in the tens of thousands.

There were also reports that we received from some of the survivors in this city named Saunau.

They said that the ground where they stepped foot on turned black and anyone who died there came back as an undead instantly."

'That's definitely the Eighth Finger's skill. No doubt, he's in Cheverton.'

While Evan was thinking that, Dasyra pointed at one of the cities on the map and spoke right after the Duke was done.

"I was in this particular city at the time, and one of the Dullahans said something strange.

When it noticed me, it recognized who I was and spoke these exact words:

'Bultom's Guild master isn't supposed to be here.'

As if the Dullahan was aware of where I was supposed to be beforehand."

"Your movements were leaked.

Where were you originally meant to be?"

To Evan's question, Dasyra pointed at another part of the map, a County that Evan definitely recognized and one that made his brow twitch in annoyance.

"I was here to discuss something with this city's guild master, and since he was cooperative with me, I was able to leave two days before I originally planned to do so and head over to the next city, where I was at the time of the attack."

Even after she had finished speaking, Evan was still staring right at the map with a frown on his face. He then clenched his fist and punched it into his open palm, with the force releasing shockwaves that would have blown over the table if it wasn't for Kuro's shadows.

"Evan?!"

Eliza called out to him with a worried voice as she noticed a rare emotion of anger within his eyes, however, the boy ignored her and looked up to the Duke and asked.

"If I was to tell you that some of your vassals have betrayed you, how likely are you to believe me?"

Hearing this question, Duke Cheverton narrowed his dark-coloured eyes at Evan in silence before replying.

"I have already figured out that much from how coordinated the undead attacks were. Someone had to be giving them information as details on the military's movements aren't exactly public information.

As for how much I'd believe you, it depends on the names you call."

"I see."

The boy nodded before turning to Dasyra and asking.

"When you got there, you greeted the Lord of the County, right? And told him how long you originally planned to stay."

"Sure, I did. I was there on official business, after all.

I was under the obligation to inform him of my presence."

"Did you tell him before you left?"

"Hmm? Come to think of it, I don't think I di-!!

Are you saying he's the one who leaked my movements?!"

Dasyra instantly understood what Evan was hinting at, with the Duke's lips twisting into a slight frown as he looked at the city Dasyra had pointed at.

The Count's expression was no different, and even Ralphie who had opted to remain silent all the while couldn't help but speak up.

"Young Duke, you know who that person is, do you not?"

"I know, Ralphie.

That's precisely why it's an issue."

Evan replied as he leaned back on the chair at the same time that Pride asked who this noble in question was.

"Well…for starters, he's the First Cousin Once removed of the Crown Prince's fiancée."

"Oh…I can see why that'd be a problem."

The high demon nodded to herself as she spoke, with the room descending into an awkward silence right afterwards.

'Tsk…this is getting more troublesome by the moment.'

*BAM!

Evan abruptly slammed his hands on the table, breaking the silence in the room as he spoke.

"No matter how it's handled, if it becomes public that a future relative of the royal family colluded with a Necromancer to launch attacks on one of the Empire's Duchies, then it's gonna be bad for the royal family.

A lot of jealous nobles and ones from opposing factions would try to push for Lady Antebellum's immediate family to suffer punishments too and she'd most likely lose her Crown Princess position.

This would be a different kind of problem since the Crown Prince is in love with her and is definitely gonna put up resistance, which would then lead to a rift between the nobles and the Crown Prince.

Shit would start getting bad when Marquis Antebellum and his vassals start taking action against the other nobles who want to stop his rise to even more power than he currently has.

It'd be even worse if the Crown Prince's supporters start agreeing with those who are against him.

All I see are bad ends everywhere.

Although I don't personally like the guy, I'm on good terms with Myra Antebellum and most importantly, he's Laurene's brother, so I really don't want things to go bad."

Eliza, Pride and Ralphie simultaneously facepalmed upon hearing the last part of Evan's statement, thinking about how he was the only Prime Minister's son who would blatantly express his discontent with the Crown Prince in front of a Duke, a Count and a Marquis' Son.

"We're going to have to deal with the matter discreetly."

"Is it even possible to make a titled noble of his rank 'disappear' discreetly?"

"With the right preparations…yes."

♧♧♧

Note;

Concerning the levels of certain existences that would be mentioned throughout this arc.

Whenever an A rank adventurer is mentioned; the level of the A rank adventurer is within the range of 300-320 unless stated otherwise.

Whenever Grandmaster level undead are mentioned; the level of the undead in question is within the range of 300-310 unless stated otherwise.

Whenever Grandmaster level Military officers (Colonels or higher), Mages, Knights and Paladins are mentioned; their levels are within the ranges of 300-310 unless stated otherwise

Thanks for your understanding