That night, at the King's castle.

. ...... What did you just say?

　When Hilbert heard the words of the messenger who rushed into the office, he asked back with a shocked expression.

I'm not sure what to say.
　The knights and peasants under the Duke's banner who had gathered to defeat the undead have all turned undead and attacked the citizens!
　All of the knights and farmers under the Duke's banner who had gathered to defeat the undead have turned into undead and attacked the citizens! The citizens who were killed have also turned into undead and started attacking the city. The city was finally destroyed. Refugees are currently pouring into the surrounding villages and towns!

　The messenger who reported this seemed to be half in disbelief, or rather, unwilling to believe it.
　An entire order of knights turning into undead is not even close to a nightmare.

　Undead.
　Hilbert naturally connected this situation to a certain named monster.
　The one who used to be Hilbert's niece. The one who would hate, hate, hate everything in this country.
　"The Rose Princess of Hell" ...... Rene, "Rosy" Luvia Ciel-Teira.

　When Hilbert was raving, Lawrence, who was just there to report on business, changed his tune, put his hand on his chest and barked bravely.

"O King!　Give me your permission to sally forth!　I will lead the First Order to defeat them.

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

I'm sorry to report that...

　Before Hilbert could say anything else, another messenger burst into the room.

What is it this time?
I'm not sure what to make of this.　The total number is about four thousand!
"...... What the hell?

　What?

　You'll be able to find a lot of people who've been in the area for a long time, and you'll be able to find a lot of people who've been in the area for a long time.
　In the winter, there are few visitors, but there are a few travelers, adventurers who move around regardless of the winter, and merchants who come to buy jewels and snow roses.

　In the middle of the inn town, a horde of undead was passing by.
　In the lingering light, the moving corpses and skeletons marched in an orderly fashion, though at a rather fast pace. The undead, armed and moving in an orderly fashion, were truly an army.
　The procession of the undead spread out to fill the street, and it was ridiculous to even count them. There were skeletons riding zombified hippogriffs, and zombified horses pulling carriages of some kind of cargo.

　The most conspicuous item in the line was a palanquin.
　Carried by about ten skeletons and surrounded by ghouls in knight's armor (only one of them was wearing a kimono), it was a canopied palanquin containing a throne.
　The curtain was hanging down, but only the front was open, and if anyone was brave enough to observe the line, they could see the person sitting on the palanquin.

　Sitting on the throne with crossed legs and cheekbones is a ...... skeleton with beautiful silver hair wearing a white dress dyed with red roses. It is about the size of a child. The empty eye sockets were filled with silver light.
　Although a little unwilling, Rene was aware that he was being watched, so he chose to look horrific.

　The flag that the undead were pushing around the palanquin was a tattered piece of cloth that looked like it had been torn from a sack and dyed with a bright red rose. The flag, which looks as if it has been bludgeoned with human blood, has an aesthetic and immoral beauty, but also a sense of evil.
　The rose is also part of the national emblem of Ciel-Teira, but it is a white rose.
　The snow rose, a specialty of Ciel-Teira, is a white rose that blooms in the snow. It is highly prized as an ornamental rose, and its beautiful petals are used to make potions.
　The name of Rene "Rosy" Luvia Ciel-Teira (and the name of the named monster, "Rose Princess of Hell") was derived from her silver hair and eyes, which resemble a white rose. But now, she's a fresh blood.
　But now she carries the Rose of Fresh Blood as her banner.
　As if to show her guilt to those who dyed the Shiro Rose Princess in blood.
　Or as if to say that this red is the proof of the blood that must be shed as atonement.

　Those who had found themselves in the inn town were divided into several groups, frozen in place, holding their ground. As if they would be killed if they made a single sound, even the sound of breathing.

Remember that.

　Rene muttered on the palanquin.
　"Remember," Rene muttered on the palanquin, without letting anyone hear.

The only reason I'm not killing you here is because we don't have much time. I will return after I have taken King's Landing.

　Going west on the road to King's Landing meant passing through the cities along the way. It would take too much time to destroy them all. Therefore, he went through villages and inn towns, and detoured a little to pass through cities that had city walls.
　Not only that, but Rene also sent his covert troops ahead of them to destroy the communication stations of the cities on their way to delay the discovery of the situation. Fortunately, the only major city that had detection and defense systems that would not allow the undead to enter was Wesara, the first city to be destroyed.
　Furthermore, those who were strong like adventurers and those who used magic like priests were added to the ranks of the advance troops.
　The number of miscellaneous troops was enough for Wesara, and he wanted to use Rene's limited magic power for the elite troops.
　A good warrior can take on ten or a hundred mooks and still win. Especially when it came to the undead.

　The deformed army, which needed no rest or sleep, was heading west almost without stopping.
　They just kept on going, heading for the capital.

　"What?

The undead army passed through Temina about four hours ago, in the evening. ......
　I'm not sure if you'll be able to find a way to find out more about it, but I'm sure you can.
"There must have been a town or a post town between Wesara and Temina?　Any word from there?
No, we have not received any information. ......

　A worst-case scenario crossed Hilbert's mind.
　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.　I want to hear from Marquis Edfelt as well. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll be able to do it.


"Yes, sir!

　The latter's message left the office in a hurry.

　At any rate, we must first try to grasp the situation.
　I would like to think that the report of 4,000 undead is just a wrong number, but the person who reported it is a knight and the lord who received the call. Since it is certain that a large number of monsters are approaching, we must send out scouts to ascertain the enemy's strength. We have to evacuate and warn the towns and villages along the way. ......

　When Hilbert thought about it, he realized that something was wrong.

"...... Hey, there. Did you hear when Wesara was destroyed?
"It's ...... unclear at what point the slaughter ended, but the first undead appeared at approximately 10 a.m. today. After that, I'm not sure exactly when the slaughter ended, but it appears to have continued until at least noon.
"And they're already this close?

　A march usually takes a long time. The larger the army, the longer it takes.
　Depending on the condition of the roads and the weather, it would normally take more than a day for an army of 4,000 to travel from Wesara to Temina. Even if they left Wesara at noon, they would have reached Temina too fast.

...... If they are all undead, then the marching speed of humans is of no use. The undead have no concept of fatigue. There is no need for unity of purpose.
　And undead can see at night. Perhaps ...... they are still marching. ......

　Lawrence says, looking as if he's about to grind his teeth.

　Hilbert drew up a map of the country in his mind and calculated the speed of the undead army's progress.
　The results of his calculations were immediately desperate.

At this rate, ...... they'll reach King's Landing in the morning!

　Hilbert stood up from his chair as if he had been confronted with an invisible sword.
　I don't think he's going to just walk through King's Landing. I'm sure that the target is King's Landing, given the circumstances.
　The "Rose Princess of Hell" is coming to ...... kill Hilbert and destroy the kingdom of Ciel-Teira.

　Battles usually start slowly, like an ice storm melting snow.
　In the meantime, you have enough time to deal with ...... and prepare yourself.
　The ridiculous situation of 4,000 troops suddenly appearing and attacking tomorrow was beyond comprehension.

　In a half-hearted voice, Hilbert shouted.

Gather the troops!　Get the neighboring lords to send out as many men as possible!　I don't care if they're asleep, let them wake up the whole country and bring them here!
　Contact the Temple, get them to send out the Temple Knights and Priests!　I'll call the Adventurer's Guild. They won't complain if it's a monster. I don't care how much money you have to pay, just send as many adventurers as you can to ......!

　After he had said all that, Hilbert remembered a fact that made him even more desperate.

　Adventurers are more powerful than soldiers in the fight against demons.
　Against an army of undead, adventurers would be a great help. A high ranking party may be able to reap 100 or 200.

　But the most dependable and strongest party in the country is now ......

"When will the spear return?"

　They are now on their way to exterminate the undead hordes that have appeared in the south.
　They were recommended by Duke Gerald, and Hilbert himself had sent them on the quest.

I'm not sure if ...... those undead were a diversion or not.
In the event that you've got a lot of money to spend, you're going to want to make sure that you're able to get the most out of it. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

　Lawrence spat viciously.

　The Skeleton Champion is considered a threat equivalent to a Sixth Grade Elite. This does not mean that a single sixth-grade adventurer is equal to it, but that a party including sixth-grade adventurers is appropriate to defeat it. This is an overestimate of the danger, based on the safety of the adventurers, but there is no doubt that this is a dangerous enemy.
　Furthermore, if the Rose Princess of Hell is behind this, it would be futile to send any adventurer against her. We need to use a party that can solve the sudden situation, or at least bring back information. The decision to send the "spear" was a good one.

　--...... It was the right thing to do!　If only it hadn't come to this!

"Can't we go pick up the spear with our airborne cavalry?"
"My king, all our airborne horsemen are hippogriffs!　All hippogriffs are bird-eyed. All hippogriffs are bird-eyed. Even with magic night vision, they instinctively avoid flying at night. Without night flight training, I'd say it's a tough call. If you wait until morning, I can pick you up. ......
...... No!　Then the enemy will come this far!　A defensive battle without airborne cavalry is ......!

　Hilbert held his head.

...... We have no choice but to call Noahcurio for reinforcements. The air cavalry alone will be here by tomorrow. It'll only take a few cavalry to get there quickly. ......

　Hilbert says in a desperate, muttering tone.

　Even if you survive this, you're sure to be used as a frontline base for Noah Curio. But at this point, we can't afford to think about the trouble ahead.
　No matter how much we owe them, we must use all the cards we have to survive.

"We'll siege the city walls. If only Noah Curio's reinforcements would come. ......
"No, my king.

　No, my king." Lawrence sheathes the Teir Ayllu on his hip and shows it to Hilbert with an offering.

I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results.


　The daughter of a foolish king who sold his country to the Federation. The daughter of a foolish king who sold his country to the Federation. Every minute he's on this earth is a blasphemy against his reign!
　Now that he has reappeared is his end! I, Lawrence, will make sure he is vanquished!

　The tone was strong.

　The undead cannot continue to operate without a supply of magic. If there was a sorcerer who created the undead (and it was certainly the Rose Princess of Hell), then defeating the sorcerer would completely neutralize the 4,000-strong army.
　As long as Lawrence defeats the "Rose of Hell", he can win the ...... battle.

　But Hilbert did not blindly cling to any one possibility. Hilbert was a cautious and thoughtful man who thought before he acted.

If you can beat it, beat it. That's the best way. ......
　But that doesn't mean he's going to show up at your doorstep. He might just send an army of undead after you.
"...... I know, sir. The undead are an army that does not need to be resupplied. In addition, they have the ridiculous property of increasing in number as they create more bodies. There's a good chance that they'll try to bring in an enduring battle.
　But if you have the opportunity, you can always ......
Yeah. I'll be counting on you ...... then.
Ha!

　In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a few things you can do.