The royal gardens of the western capital city at dusk.

Sitting on a bench in the corner of the flower bed, Todd held a bag of feed, feeding the birds and animals on the ground while listening to Dion's report.

"Tero City has become a dead land, with undead creatures roaming everywhere, and no living thing can be seen. Whether it is the streets or the river, there is a thick layer of parasites, which look like wriggling black weeds or algae from a distance."

Todd looked up at Dion, who was kneeling on one knee, and asked softly, "Is the whole city like this?"

“The whole city is like that,” Dion said. “We have sealed off all four gates of the city, stationed sentries at every section of the city wall, and dug huge trenches.”

"Any undead that approach the city walls will be shot and burned on the spot. Even if some escape, they will fall into the moat outside the city walls and be killed immediately."

Recalling the scene from his memory, Dion shuddered almost imperceptibly: "There are two things I've been grateful for. First, these undead creatures are afraid of fire, and destroying their heads can kill them completely. These two weaknesses are our biggest advantage in holding on until now. Second, these creatures no longer operate in groups as mentioned before. So far, they haven't formed large-scale zombie hordes; they've all been operating in small groups, alone."

Todd put down the feed he was holding and said, "I guess you came back not to say these things."

Dion bit his lip and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the situation may have worsened."

"The situation has deteriorated?"

"We have blocked the roads on the ground with trenches and the waterways with dikes, but there is one road that we are powerless to cross."

"What?"

Dion said in a deep voice, "The underground sewers."

"The underground waterways of Taro City were built nearly a thousand years ago, originally as underground shelters to defend against barbarian invasions. Later, through the modifications and extensions of countless craftsmen, they gradually developed into the underground labyrinth that resembles a spider web today."

"It has a total length of over 240 kilometers, with 27 main waterways, hundreds of branch waterways, and a multi-level underground pipe network." Dion paused, "And these figures do not include those secret waterways and ancient waterways. We searched through the entire city structure map of Teruo City and only managed to reconstruct less than half of the sewer lines."

"Just last week, the Valkyrie reconnaissance team discovered several undead in the forest north of the city. After eliminating them, they found a hidden passage in a nearby cave that led directly into the city."

Dion rubbed his slightly sore knees and continued, "The Valkyrie later destroyed the secret passage with spores, but judging from the footprints at the entrance, some undead may have escaped into the northern mountains."

Upon hearing this news, Todd remained calm. He patted the other end of the bench and said, "Get up and sit here to talk."

"Your Majesty, this does not conform to the procedure for official performance reviews..."

"I'm already listening to your report in the garden, so who cares whether you're kneeling or sitting during the report?"

Dion stood up somewhat awkwardly and carefully sat down on the bench next to Todd.

Todd dumped the remaining feed on the ground, letting the birds and small animals scramble for it.

"Have the Froststone City and naval fleets arrived yet?"

Dion nodded: "We have arrived at the Duchy of Dorkechi, south of Tero City. Because the port is too small, the fleet can only dock partially."

Todd nodded: "I will issue another order to have the fleet begin preparing to evacuate the personnel."

"Evacuate people?" Dion suddenly realized. "Your Majesty, are you going to abandon Tero City?"

Todd calmly stated, "I will relinquish all land east of St. Guard City."

Dion stood up in shock: "Your Majesty! Do you know what that means?!"

"Not only the Papal States that you just conquered, but also the more than thirty small countries that have just submitted to you, are you planning to withdraw your troops and abandon them all?"

Faced with Dion's questioning, Todd focused his gaze on the birds and beasts eating feed on the ground: "The black plague will soon spread across the land, and we can't hold it back."

Dion gripped Todd's clothes with both hands, knelt on one knee before him, and cried out anxiously, "Your Majesty! Although the situation is not optimistic, every soldier is willing to give their life to protect your land. Please believe in us..."

Dion has fair skin and a beautiful face. Usually, because of his delicate and fragile appearance, he always puts on a tough expression. But now he is flustered and doesn't know what to do.

Todd smiled and patted Dion on the head with one hand, interrupting him. He pointed to the birds and beasts on the ground with the other hand and said, "The real reason I gave up... is them."

Dion looked at the birds and beasts on the ground, his face full of confusion.

Todd said softly, "Do you think the Black Plague only infects humans?"

Upon hearing this, Dion was struck dumb, frozen in place.

“Whether it’s birds soaring in the sky or rats hiding in burrows, they will all be transformed into the undead by the black plague.” Todd sighed. “While you’re focusing on the citizens of the city, you don’t realize that the plague has already spread far and wide.”

“Right now, we may not hear much about animals infecting humans, but soon, these rats and birds will cast a shadow of black plague over the entire continent.” Todd looked at Dion and said slowly, “So, the reason I put you there is not to defend the city of Tero, but to buy as much time as possible for everyone’s evacuation.”

Dion swallowed hard. "So, is it still not too late...?"

Todd slowly said, "The major merchant guilds in the city have already prepared food and tents for the refugees in accordance with the emergency mobilization order; the northern tribes have already prepared wood and stone and transported them to Muxi City; craftsmen and apprentices are using these materials to begin reinforcing the entire city; the Knights and the Crusaders have entered a state of first-level combat response, with all soldiers canceling their leave and stationed at their camps; and the scholars at Muxi University are working day and night to study the black plague, hoping to come up with a solution as soon as possible."

"The entire kingdom appears to be operating as usual, but only those on the front lines know that we are facing a huge crisis."

Dion thought for a moment, then stood up and said firmly, "Your Majesty, please allow me to return to Tero City immediately. I hope to contribute my efforts on the front lines against the Black Plague."

Todd shook his head and said, "No, I want you to stay. I'll find someone to replace you in Tero City."

"Stay...?"

Todd turned his gaze toward the city: "It's not just the Black Plague; we have another battle to fight within the kingdom, and you will be the best commander in that battle."