Dusk City, Knights Headquarters, Grand Master's Room.

Compared to the lush and beautiful garden outside the window, Cumberland's Grand Master's room was noticeably simple, even shabby.

Aside from the furniture that was already set up, the only noteworthy decorations in the Grand Master's room were a map, a set of armor, a knight's sword, and an oil painting of the Cumberland family.

Emerson originally gave Cumberland some books, hoping that the latter would read more.

But Cumberland, who was not very literate, did not accept the other party's kindness. In his view, the only things he needed to be familiar with on the battlefield were swords and mounts.

The kingdom also rewarded him with countless riches and treasures, but Cumberland gave them all to his subordinates who had rendered meritorious service on the battlefield.

Todd once asked the old knight who had followed him through thick and thin what he wanted.

The other party thought for a long time before finally replying.

"I want to see my dead son occasionally."

Hermann, the knight commander who died in battle to protect Queen Mary.

Faced with this request, Todd found Deirdre and asked her to use her necromancy to find Herman's soul.

Perhaps because too much time had passed, or perhaps for some other reason, Hermann's soul did not respond.

In desperation, Todd had no choice but to turn to Leviathan, who then created a replica of Herman's spirit in heaven based on Cumberland's memories.

This spirit retained some of Herman's memories and thoughts, but in its speech and behavior, it appeared somewhat dull and taciturn.

But for Cumberland, that was enough.

Returning to the Grand Master's office, Cumberland has a guest today—the knight Dion.

Today, Dion took off her armor and put on a white floral-trimmed dress, looking beautiful and dignified, like a student studying at Muxi University.

Looking at this knight who was clearly exceptionally strong but whose gender was ambiguous, Cumberland gave him a headache: "I don't care about your usual style of dress, but in the Knights, you must dress like a soldier."

Dion glanced at Cumberland: "I just attended the wedding of Emerson's granddaughter."

Cumberland fell silent.

Dion said, "Lord Emerson has actually been hoping that you would attend."

Cumberland: "I don't fit into those kinds of occasions."

Dion glanced at the Cumberland family portrait in the corner and gave up on continuing the topic.

Cumberland began, "You should already know about the situation in the city."

What do you mean?

"Racial relations between humans and Crusaders."

Dion said in a low voice, "I don't think it's a very serious matter."

Cumberland shouted, "Not a serious matter?! Do you know how many racial conflicts have occurred in Twilight City this month?!"

"Last week, the Collison father and son! Collison Jr., the son and squire, even dared to stab his father, his mentor knight, in order to attend the Crusader selection ceremony with his friends!"

Cumberland was filled with rage: "The Knights are in a state of panic right now. Many young men no longer want to be knights, but instead hope to join the Crusades, because that's more 'prestigious' and brings them closer to the glory of God!"

Dion asked, "I remember that the conversion rituals of the Crusaders are very risky, and the races converted are unpredictable... Even so, young people are still willing to join the Crusaders?"

Cumberland sighed heavily: "Thanks to Wayne and his gang's machinations, the risks of the conversion ritual have been greatly reduced. Although some of the converted races are not well-liked, many are still admired, and young people are willing to take the risk."

Dion tentatively asked, "Perhaps you could speak with His Majesty?"

Cumberland deflated instantly at the mere mention of Todd.

“I don’t want to bother him with these trivial matters; he always has more important things to deal with,” Cumberland said wearily. “Even a god cannot satisfy all the demands of a mortal.”

In Dion's memory, this was the first time in his life he had seen the old man with such a dejected expression.

Dion stepped closer and said softly, "The kingdom is now facing a great disaster. Even racial conflicts are insignificant in the face of the former."

Cumberland looked up at Dion and asked, "I've heard something about it, is it the corpses in the city of Tero?"

"Yes, when I left the front lines, the army was no longer able to suppress the expansion of the undead. The southern and western defense lines were retreating, and hundreds of fleets had been organized at the port of Dorkchi to begin transferring civilians and supplies in batches."

Cumberland shifted his gaze to the map, confirming the location of the Duchy of Dorkchi, and said, "I knew things weren't so simple when His Majesty sent Alfonso and Ivy to the front lines, but has the situation deteriorated to this extent?"

"According to Your Majesty, the Black Plague can be spread not only by humans, but also by living creatures such as rats, birds, cats, and dogs. The spread of this disaster has become an unstoppable fact."

Cumberland's expression turned grave as he asked again, confirming, "Can animals like rats and birds spread plagues? Is that what His Majesty said?"

"Yes."

Cumberland glanced out the window and suddenly asked, "If I remember correctly, it rained the whole last week?"

Dion was somewhat puzzled: "You're right."

Cumberland pondered for a moment, then muttered to himself, "Hopefully, it's not too late..."

Before he could finish speaking, the voice of a guard came from the doorway of the commander's office.

"Sir, a battle report has arrived from the eastern front!"

Cumberland let the messenger in and told him to read the report aloud.

"A large-scale rat plague carrying a black plague broke out in a radius of sixty kilometers centered on the city of Tero. Dozens of kingdoms to the north of Tero have completely lost contact. The garrison stationed in the western forest used wildfires to repel the rat hordes, but also suffered heavy losses. Meanwhile, the garrison at the southern port of Dorkchi successfully completed its evacuation at the last moment."

The report also devoted considerable space to documenting the variants that emerged during the rodent infestation.

Plague undead, possessing abilities such as metallic skin, regeneration, fire breath, splitting, and colloids, have begun to appear and pose a great threat to the kingdom's army. In a few isolated areas, plague undead capable of using dragon bone parasites have even emerged.

Cumberland ordered his men to put the report away and said to Dion, "Perhaps you are right, racial conflict is insignificant in the face of this disaster."

Dion's face turned pale: "I didn't expect the black plague to spread so quickly."

Cumberland rose from his seat and said, “Come with me to the capital to see His Majesty. The kingdom may be facing a life-or-death crisis.”