Chapter 27: The Envoy’s Message

When this was mentioned, a slight frown appeared between Theresa’s brows, and she seemed hesitant. It appeared she had brought unpleasant news that was difficult to express.

“Lord Owen, please hear me out…”

“Ugh! It really is smelly here. Absolutely unbearable!”

Just then, an unpleasant voice rang out from the ship.

Everyone turned toward the sound and saw a man in noble attire stepping off the ship’s deck onto the gangplank, holding his nose in disgust. Two attendants followed behind him.

The nobleman had a thin face with narrow triangular eyes, a hooked nose, and an unusually sharp chin.

This man had studied at the magic academy before, so Owen recognized him. He was Victor Colet, the eldest son of Count Colet, whose family was one of the four great houses of Dongsheng Fortress.

Seeing him, Theresa immediately stepped aside — because the message Victor was about to deliver was directly related to the news she had brought.

Noticing Owen ahead, Victor let go of his nose, eyes full of disdain.

Approaching Owen, he lifted his chin slightly and said mockingly:

“Well, if it isn’t Eisen from the academy! Haven’t seen you since graduation. Oh, silly me—how could I forget you’ve inherited your title this year? I should be calling you Marquis Eisen now.”

Victor then pretended to be surprised, covering his mouth as if he had let it slip unintentionally.

This guy hasn’t changed at all, Owen thought. Still walking around with his chin in the air like he’s superior to everyone else.

Mapel, standing to the side, clenched her fists in silence. If he weren’t a noble from Dongsheng Fortress, she would have already punched him.

Theresa, too, looked visibly displeased.

Fortunately, Owen had dealt with Victor a few times at the academy and wasn’t so easily provoked.

“Titles are trivial.” 

Owen replied calmly. 

“Mr. Victor Colet, may I ask why you are aboard this ship? Have the Temple Knights not yet arrived at Dongsheng Fortress?”

“Oh no, no, no. Titles are not a trivial matter among nobles.”

After a pause, he added.

“Let me clarify. I am currently here as an envoy, representing all of Dongsheng Fortress. You should be addressing me as Ambassador.”

Not expecting Victor to be so fixated on formal titles, Owen chose not to argue and simply changed his address.

“Very well then, Ambassador. Would you like to come to my castle and sit down for a proper discussion?”

“Eh, forget it. I have no intention of staying here any longer than necessary.” 

Victor waved him off and added.

“Let’s just talk here. It concerns what you asked earlier about the Temple Knights.”

“Oh? What’s the matter? Did something happen with the Temple Knights?”

Recalling Theresa’s earlier hesitation, Owen had a bad feeling rising in his chest.

“It’s not the Temple Knights who’ve encountered a problem.” 

Victor corrected with a smug smile. 

“It’s you who has a problem.”

“…What do you mean?”

“In light of the breach in Bianshu Town’s walls last winter, the Temple Knights will be stationed at Dongsheng Fortress this winter to combat the undead. Marquis Eisen, you are hereby instructed by Duke Eddie to promptly notify the civilians of Bianshu Town to evacuate to Dongsheng Fortress for refuge. That is the full message I was sent to deliver on behalf of the Duke.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding onlookers burst into uproar. Most of the civilians appeared visibly anxious—even fearful.

“Wait a moment, why didn’t the Temple Knights send a scouting party to investigate first?”

Owen asked urgently. 

“Also, the repairs on the northern city wall were just completed recently. It’s now fully capable of withstanding an undead assault!”

This was bad—terrible news, in fact. In previous years, Bianshu Town had always relied on the support of the Temple Knights to successfully repel undead attacks.

If there would be no Temple Knight reinforcements this winter, defending the northern wall would become far more difficult.

“How would I know why the Temple Knights didn’t send a scouting team?”

Victor shrugged and raised his hands as if to say it wasn’t his concern. Then he sneered, “And you’re saying the city wall was repaired? Ha! Something built in such a short time can’t possibly be reliable. I bet it’ll collapse with a light push.”

“The repaired wall is extremely strong and reliable.” 

Mapel finally spoke up, unable to hold back any longer. 

“If you don’t believe us, go check the northern wall yourself.”

“Don’t lie to me. I know how long it takes to build a wall.” 

Victor dismissed with a scoff. He clearly didn’t believe them and wasn’t about to waste time verifying it himself.

“I’ve said what I came to say. I’m done here.” 

He turned to leave, but paused to glance back at Teresa. 

“Miss Priestess, are you really planning to stay here in Bianshu Town?”

“Yes.” 

Theresa replied firmly with a nod.

“Suit yourself.”

With those words, Victor turned and walked off with his two attendants. As he walked up the gangplank, he could be heard mumbling about the foul smell at the dock.

Taking the cue, the sailors onboard quickly pulled in the gangplank and raised the anchor, preparing to sail back to Dongsheng Fortress.

“Theresa…”

Owen turned to her, intending to thank her, but she spoke first: 

“Lord Owen, no need to thank me. I requested to return of my own volition. After all, I am a part of Bianshu Town.”

Owen was deeply moved by her words.

Earning the chance to study in the Holy Kingdom of Caleb for three years was no small feat—it already proved Theresa’s exceptional ability. She had a bright future there. Yet, even after learning the Temple Knights were abandoning Bianshu Town, she still insisted on returning to help.

This was proof that her heart had always been with Bianshu Town—and it had never wavered.

“Theresa, do you know why the Temple Knights didn’t even send a scouting party and chose to abandon Bianshu Town outright?” 

Mapel asked, clearly disheartened, as if crushed by the disappointment of their betrayal.

“I don’t know the exact details.” 

Theresa replied, recalling the events. 

“I only know that Duke Eddie invited the squad captain for a private meeting. After the meeting, the captain announced that the team would remain stationed at Dongsheng Fortress and would not be going to Bianshu.”

“It seems Duke Eddie intentionally exaggerated how bad things are in Bianshu Town.” 

Owen muttered, growing more furious by the second. 

“Because Dongsheng Fortress frequently interacts with us, the Temple Knight captain probably believed what he said.”

Owen’s expression darkened further. He was livid at Duke Eddie’s actions.

If they hadn’t developed cement, he might have actually considered evacuating. After all, Bianshu Town’s situation had been bad—relying on wooden walls alone would never hold off the undead. The breach in the eastern section of the wall would have been a critical weak point, almost guaranteed to be exploited.

In that case, surviving through the winter would have been nearly impossible.

“Well, if you say the wall’s really been repaired.” 

Theresa suggested.

“Then I’ll write a letter to the captain and tell him to come here with the team.”

“You can write it.” 

Owen said. 

“But it probably won’t work.”

“Why wouldn’t it?”

In response to her confusion, Owen explained. 

“Since Duke Eddie wants to keep the Temple Knights stationed at Dongsheng Fortress, he’ll do everything in his power to block our communication with them. Even if your message gets through, he’ll twist the facts and spread lies about it. After all, he’s a duke—no one would dare question him.”

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