Chapter 163: The Massive Monster Horde and the Pride of a Conservative Noble

(Perspective: Count Waterford)

My territory lies near the Sea of Trees, the greatest demon realm in the Albion Kingdom. Although it does not border the Sea of Trees as broadly as the Fairchild Margrave territory or the Cardiff Earl territory, a portion of my land does touch it.

Therefore, the Waterford house is a martial family, and successive heads have always been those gifted with Swordsmanship or Magic Skills. I also pride myself on being a decent swordsman and act as a sort of leader for the conservative nobles.

The knights of my house are strong and accustomed to fighting monsters. We have defeated monsters appearing from the Sea of Trees many times. A noble is one who protects the people with sword and magic. With that mindset, I intend to have lived a life that brings no shame as an Albion noble.

However, hearing the report from a knight who came from a town near the Sea of Trees, I doubted my ears. “You say a massive horde of over a thousand?” “S-surely that is a mistake.” It is no wonder my foolish son next to me doubted it.

“No, it is no mistake. The monsters were numerous enough to cover the ground.” The messenger knight bit his lip. “I came to the domain capital, Torvaen, to report to my Lord, but I wonder what has become of my colleagues who remained in the town.”

This has become a grave situation. Our house has about 100 knights, which is a lot for an Earl family since we border a demon realm. But against more than ten times that number of monsters, it will be difficult no matter how elite we are. Until now, a “pack” meant 10 or 20 monsters.

I dispatched subordinate knights to confirm the situation of the horde. They returned after a while, faces pale. “I report. The monsters have overrun the town near the Sea of Trees and are advancing toward Torvaen. The number is certainly over a thousand.”

“What? The town near the Sea of Trees is surrounded by high outer walls; has it fallen already?” “It is as you say. However, according to those fleeing on the highway, large monsters kept crashing into the outer walls without fear of injury, destroying the walls and invading the town.”

As far as I know, such a situation has never occurred. It is on a different dimension from the usual monster raids. His Majesty the King warned that a full-scale monster offensive was approaching, but to think they would attack on this scale…

“Furthermore, some monsters seem to use lightning magic.” “What? Monsters that use magic?” I have never heard of such monsters.

“F-Father. Should we not retreat from here?” My foolish son seems to have lost his nerve. “What are you saying! Do you intend to abandon the subjects and flee?”

I unintentionally glared at him. “To say that swords and magic are the value of a noble, yet to abandon the people and flee just because the monsters are numerous—that is outrageous!”

“B-But. If Father and I fall here, what will become of our Earl house?” “I have always told you. A noble house that cannot protect its people has no value.”

“But at this rate, our house will be destroyed. I will go to the Royal Capital to seek reinforcements.” “Do you intend to flee alone? A knight can go request reinforcements. You are unsightly. Steel your resolve.” When I shouted, my foolish son turned pale.

Lord William of the Fairchild Margrave family, who is the same age, is active with his Production Skill and even received a proposal from the Northern Empire to become the Princess’s husband.

In comparison, my foolish son was gifted with a Magic Skill, but his skill is not much. I intended to train him in my own way, but it seems he slacked off where I couldn’t see.

Moreover, jealous of Lord William, he mouthed baseless slander, saying William acts high and mighty despite not being able to use swords or magic, or that he must have done something fraudulent to get in with the Royal Family and the Empire. When I scolded him, he flew into a rage and spouted delusions that he was more suitable to take Lady Scarlett as a wife. It is ugly jealousy.

Furthermore, he started saying things like he was stronger than Lord William as a child, or that William cried when threatened with magic. Even though I didn’t know, I feel terribly sorry toward Lord William that my foolish son caused such trouble. It is an act of folly that smears mud on the Waterford name.

I took my foolish son to the training grounds and beat him until he couldn’t speak for a while. I intend to go to Northernford eventually to bow my head, but I wonder if the monsters will allow that. However, fleeing here is out of the question. I shall simply fulfill my duty as a Kingdom noble.