Chapter 13: The Earldom

Outside the city walls, a large number of anti-cavalry stakes were set up.

Soldiers were patrolling everywhere, and many knights were leading refugees into the city gates.

Karna spotted the refugees who had been with them among the crowd.

It seemed that when those refugees scattered and fled, they had encountered the patrolling cavalry.

"I’m surprised there’s still a city that hasn't fallen," Nickern said, sounding astonished.

After all, throughout their flight, they had encountered many refugees who had come from other cities.

They hadn't heard a single piece of good news; it was as if a crisis had erupted in every city in the entire kingdom overnight.

"That is because the Count has foresight. He guarded his territory and protected Lakeview City," the knight captain said. He seemed to hold the Count in high esteem.

"You are right, my lord. The Count must be a wise nobleman," Nickern said with a flattering smile.

Upon arriving outside the city gate, the cavalry captain had his men take Nickern and the others to be settled elsewhere.

He then had two horses brought over and handed them to Karna and his companion.

"Your Highness, please follow me. We are still some distance from the barracks where the Count is stationed."

Karna nodded. Without resistance, he and Alirise mounted the horses and followed behind.

...

Inside a square fortress.

Count Vainsha was discussing something with his subordinates.

"According to the refugees, everywhere except for us has fallen," said a middle-aged man wearing armor.

"This was to be expected. Aside from the commoners and some stubborn individuals, everyone else had long since sided with the royal family," said a young-looking man dressed in light armor.

"We should have prepared earlier. With our current force, it’s impossible to hold off those monsters of theirs."

"No rush. Transporting various supplies and civilians is not that easy.

Besides, most cities are still in chaos. If the royal family wants to stabilize things and gather an army to attack us, it will take at least half a month."

"That’s true. For now, we just need to focus on dealing with the monsters that come to harass us."

Listening to his subordinates discuss their next moves, the Count frowned, staring at the map in deep thought.

Just then, the door was pushed open.

A knight walked in quickly.

The conversation in the room was interrupted, and everyone turned to look at him.

"Count, His Highness the Prince has arrived."

This statement left everyone in the room stunned.

"Has the enemy attacked?" the bearded middle-aged man asked.

The question left the messenger knight a bit confused.

"Er, it is the Prince who has arrived; there is no enemy."

The group instantly realized that the situation was not what they had imagined.

The Count immediately asked, "Does he look different from those vampires?"

"He does not. Captain Black is bringing him over now."

Hearing the name Black, the Count understood.

"I see. You may go. Once Black arrives with them, have him bring them directly here."

"Yes."

The knight acknowledged the order and retreated.

Once the door closed, the room erupted into noise.

"What’s going on? Is it a disguise? Or is he here to persuade us?"

"He’s likely here to persuade us, hoping we’ll become some kind of 'new life' just like them."

"Forget that. I don't want to become some gut-eating idiot."

"Alright, quiet down."

The Count’s adjutant slammed the table.

The group fell silent and looked at the Count.

"I don't know what's going on either. We'll see when they get here. Let’s see what my father is trying to do." Even he couldn't figure out the current situation for the moment.

What exactly did the Prince want by coming here?

Not long after, a sound came from outside the door.

"Enter."

The door was pushed open, and Knight Black led Karna and Alirise inside.

"Karna?"

"The Fourth Prince?"

"Why is it the Fourth Prince?"

"What is going on?"

The people in the room were stunned; even the Count hadn't expected this.

Hearing that a prince had arrived, they hadn't asked for details, assuming it was the First or Second Prince. They never expected it to be the Fourth.

It was completely beyond their expectations.

And looking at the Prince, it was clear he hadn't been turned into a vampire.

"Black, you may go first."

Knight Black nodded, retreated respectfully, and closed the door behind him.

Karna looked at the people before him.

Some were familiar, some were strangers.

The Count was, of course, the most familiar; back in the day, they had called him the "Newbie Village Chief."

He had a sturdy build of over 1.8 meters, wearing thick full-plate armor.

He had short, neat hair and a trimmed beard.

It was clear that in his youth, he must have been exceptionally handsome. Even at this age, he carried an air of distinction.

Beside him was his adjutant, whose name Karna had forgotten.

He only remembered him as a heartless quest-giving machine. The players called him the "Village Official," as he did the work of the Count’s secretary, much like a village official.

To the Count's left was the burly, bearded man.

Another familiar face, though now he was intact—his leg wasn't crippled, and he had both eyes.

He was the blacksmith of the newbie village, who often boasted about how brave he used to be.

Looking at him now, his boasts were likely true.

The second person to the left was a stranger; he probably died in the later battles.

The first person to the right was the militia instructor of the newbie village, the first NPC players saw after waking up.

He was responsible for the opening dialogue and movement tutorials, and was also a career mentor for knights.

The players called him "One-Ear," but now he had two ears.

The person next to him was also a stranger; he likely died in the later battles as well.

Besides them, in the corner of the room, sat a middle-aged woman resting, holding a large wooden staff.

Yara, the newbie village apothecary.

Karna had done some side quests for her and run errands for her.

So many familiar characters.

While Karna observed them, the Count and the others were observing him.

The Count spoke: "Karna, why... did you come here?"

There was no kindness in his tone.

"To save my life, Uncle. I don't want to turn into one of those monsters in the capital."

Hearing this, the Count looked at Karna sternly: "Given your past behavior, you shouldn't be qualified to know certain things, should you?"

"If I were qualified, wouldn't I have been unable to escape?"

Karna said with a smile.

Hearing this, the Count looked at him and suddenly understood, revealing a smile: "I wish I had been as clever as you when I was young."

"Since you're here, tell us what intelligence you have. You ran all the way from the capital; you must have gained something, right?"

Karna was prepared for this.

"The capital has completely fallen. If nothing goes wrong, it has already become a massive monster-manufacturing plant.

However, it might take some time to assemble a monster army. But if things go as expected, they will try to gather a force to wipe out a threat like you first.

Otherwise, with your delays and interference, their source of troops will all run away."

Hearing Karna's words, the people in the room weren't very surprised, as they had already prepared for this.

"If nothing goes wrong, the one leading them will likely be the former King's knight—Martin."

"Martin, I see." The Count pondered for a moment, then looked up and asked: "Anything else?"

"On the road, I discovered that silver weapons have a restraining effect on vampires.

There is a plant called 'Sharp Grass,' and its sap is like poison to vampires."

Hearing this, the expressions of the people in front of him turned serious.

The Count frowned and asked: "Are you sure?"

"For silver weapons, you can ask my knight; a silver table knife can easily pierce a werewolf's chest.

For the Sharp Grass poison, you can ask the soldiers who fought alongside us on the road; they have seen it and used it themselves."

Karna said calmly.

Alirise listened to Karna speaking eloquently. Aside from the part about the capital, which she didn't know about, everything else was correct.

But thinking about him being a prince, she felt it was normal.

Perhaps his behavior on the road back in the capital was just a performance he put on to escape pursuit and danger.

"I will verify your words, but for now, I think you two should get some rest. You look even worse than the refugees."

Hearing this, Karna pulled a smile: "Escaping all the way from the capital, we certainly need a good rest.

This journey was much different from a stroll in the garden."

"Hmm. Black, take the Prince to get some rest."

He turned back to Karna and said: "We will discuss other matters tomorrow."

(End of chapter)