Chapter 72: Aftermath of the Paladin Invasion

(Harb POV)

The campaign was a disaster.

Paladin Lord Harb woke up in bed after a few days.

He could not believe he was in the capital again.

This situation only meant one thing. Harb failed, and someone pulled him out before he died.

The only reason he could think of why he survived was that the Mage's Guild must've tracked him and his expedition, and once they saw it was failing, they pulled me out.

???: "Finally awake?"

A robed woman approached Harb. She was hiding her aura, but you could still feel her power if you looked close enough.

Harb: "Headmistress Ebaba?"

Headmistress: "You're lucky; we got there in time."

Harb: "I knew someone was watching, but how did you get there so quickly?"

Headmistress: "We were not as far away as you thought. I reported your expedition to Hero, and he ordered us to keep a close eye on you."

Harb: "So, he knows then."

Headmistress: "You're right, and he's on his way to the capital right now."

Harb: "I have no excuses. If you have been watching all this time, then you know the entire story. There is no need for an investigation."

Headmistress: "Oh, we expected that outcome. However, I lost a lot of young wizards because of this event. So, I'll be taking my payment."

Harb: "What do you mean?"

Headmistress: "This."

She took out a glowing orb from her robe, and it blinded anyone nearby.

Headmistress: "Who knew that you possessed the power of a fallen angel?"

Harb: "It was a contract. Give it back; you won't be able to use it anyway."

Headmistress: "It doesn't matter; we'll be taking interesting data from it anyway."

She hid the orb back in her robe.

Headmistress: "A failure like you doesn't have any say in this. If the Hero deemed you worthy of possessing such power again, then you could have it again."

Paladin Lord Harb gritted his teeth. He had failed his contract, and now the power he worked so hard to get was in the hands of another person.

Harb: "What about my men? Did you save them?"

Headmistress: "I brought some mages with me, but we didn't have enough people to save everyone. So, only a few hundred survived."

The average time for a regular soldier to be promoted to Paladin is around 8–10 years. Five years if the person is talented.

So the loss of thousands of Paladins was a big hit to the overall strength of humans.

Headmistress: "You won't be getting away with just a simple scolding, you know. You disobeyed orders and led valuable soldiers to their deaths. The only reason you haven't been executed is that the hero wants to speak with you first."

The headmistress nonchalantly checked her fingernails while giving the grave news to Harb.

Headmistress: "Your enemy was ruthless. The escaping Paladins were met with the wrath of living trees and monsters from the deep sea. And the dragons-"

The Paladins were outmatched, but they should've been able to force it with their strength and equipment, however.

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Harb: "Dragons. The dragons were the only reason we lost that day. Even if their leader was strong, his soldiers' combat ability was nowhere near our Paladins."

Headmistress: "Ah, that foolish thinking is your downfall. Never look down on your enemy. Didn't the hero teach you this? Ancient beings should be the last on the list of enemies to look down on."

Harb: "Ah, it doesn't matter now. I wish to see my men and apologize to them."

Headmistress: "I'm sorry, but you are under house arrest until Hero arrives. You can rest assured that I will relay your apology to the soldiers."

Damn! She's even cutting off all my connections with the army. I won't have loyal soldiers in the coming trial.

Harb could do nothing but grit his teeth in frustration.

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(Idmon POV)

The country of Undeth is still recovering from the attack.

Almost 75% of the fighting force was destroyed in the previous battle.

Although some of them got reanimated and were back in full condition, the army is in a terrible position now.

Idmon and his advisors are at their castle, discussing how to handle this issue.

Idmon: "What is the report on the security of the cities?"

Bon: "Our officers and the appointed leaders report that the soldiers are doing fine since they receive help from the villagers and townspeople (dwarves, undead, and tree men)."

The people of the country realize the situation that they're in, so a lot of average citizens have volunteered to help the city guard and patrol force.

Even though there isn't an organized enemy in the south region, wild beasts and feral animals still harass the caravans and roads.

A behemoth can easily trample a village if they don't have guards, so the volunteers are a great help.

Most of the Ents are mourning the loss of their Ancient No'ar, so they were not able to provide any aid at this time.

Idmon: "Provide proper payments and rewards to the volunteers."

Bon: "We will do it right away."

Bon writes down the details.

Bon: "Also, Lord Idmon. Before we go to the Dwarven Kingdom to ask about the Golems, we need to discuss punishment for undead criminals."

Crime. I didn't expect it to happen in a country filled with the undead.

But since everyone has free will now, some will use it to do evil for personal gain.

The bad thing about it is that we cannot use imprisonment as a way to punish criminals.

Since the undead will not die unless vanquished, the prisons will fill up in no time.

And destroying an undead citizen for petty theft is also not a suitable punishment.

Idmon: "I've found a way to punish them."

Even though the undead in the country right now don't have a Skeleton King who controls their every move, it is still possible to put them on a similar leash.

Idmon: "Those who have been proven to have committed crimes against their country will be under my control. They will do menial tasks such as mining and cleaning the city."

Simply put, we are robbing them of their free will.

As for minor crimes,

Idmon: "They won't be robbed of their free will but will be enlisted in the army or assigned to the mines. The length of this punishment is determined by the degree of the crime."

That's good for now.

Bon: "That will work. So, are we going to the Dwarven Kingdom now?"

Idmon: "That's correct, but I just wanted to ask. How is Lina?"

Bon: "She is still locked in her room and won't come out. She is also rejecting any visitors."

Idmon: "I see. Make the necessary preparations for our departure. I will talk to Lina first."

Bon: "As you wish, Milord."

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A few minutes passed, and Idmon arrived at Lina's room.

Idmon had knocked on the door, but no one answered.

Once he entered, the freezing wind came out of the room. Even an undead like Idmon felt the chills.

Idmon: "Lina?"

Silence.

Idmon: "Are you there?"

Lina: "Go away!"

Along with her voice, thousands of screaming banshees could be heard in the room.

She was pissed off.

Idmon: "I'm sorry, but could you show yourself? I wanted to talk."

Lina: "You... want to talk with me?"

The screaming of the banshees went quiet for a moment.

She slowly came out of the shadows of her room.

Idmon: "Yes, and I want to thank you, too, for your part in the battle. Your magic has once again slain many of our enemies."

Lina: "If that's all, you can leave now!"

She was still disappointed. I don't know why.

Once again, the banshees screamed.

Idmon: "Okay, I also wanted to be part of my mission to recruit the Ancient Golems, but I guess you want some rest."

Lina: "..."

I took something from my inventory.

Idmon: "Here, take this. It's a gift."

I gave her a ring with a beautiful crystal on it. It enhances magic power.

Souta's group managed to loot some helpful accessories from the mages that they defeated.

Lina: "A ring? Does this mean: "

Bon: "Milord, we are ready."

Bon had entered the room at that moment and cut off Lina.

Idmon: "Alright, I have to go now. Take care, Lina. Have a good rest."

Lina: "I-I, uh-"

Idmon had left, and Lina wasn't able to ask him about the ring.

Lina: "Damn that, Bon!"

She was angry for a bit, but it had been replaced with excitement in a few moments.

Lina: "Could it be? No, no, no. But isn't this an acknowledgment from Lord Idmon? That I am the Queen?"

She paced back and forth in her room.

Lina: "No, it couldn't be like that."

She was sad again.

However, she remembered something.

Lina: "Hah! That stupid white dragon doesn't have a ring. This means I have the advantage!"

She felt happiness and contentment from that fact, and she recovered from her depression.

Lina: "If only she weren't a valuable minion to Lord Idmon, I would've pierced her heart with an ."

While she was rambling about Shiro, Lina suddenly remembered something important.

Lina: "Ah! I need to chase after Lord Idmon and tell him I'm coming with them!"

And the broken heart of the Ice Witch has been restored with a single gift.

Not long after, Idmon left the capital. Grave news had arrived at the castle.