In the Royal Capital, several ancient waterways meander through the city. Drawing water from a tributary of the Ureri River that flows to the northeast, these channels traverse the capital before eventually returning to the Ureri River.
Many of these waterways are used by the residents of the Royal Capital for disposing of waste and garbage. As a result, a foul stench permeates the air, and the surrounding area is home to the impoverished.
Recently, eerie rumors have begun to circulate in this slum.
“Have you heard? Something muddy crawled out of the waterway!”
“Yeah, I heard! The old lady next door saw it and got so scared she fell ill!”
“Probably just insects swarming around the garbage, or a horde of rats, right?”
The impoverished residents, lacking education due to their circumstances, could not discern what it truly was. And being from the slums, they found it difficult to petition the knights or the self-defense forces of the Royal Capital. In the dark, damp air typical of the rainy season, unsettling tales gradually piled up.
“This year, the stench is particularly awful. It’s always bad this time of year, though.”
An elderly cleaner pinched her nose as she disposed of the collected waste into the waterway. The wealthy hired cleaners, who in turn discarded garbage and filth into the channels. This was a common sight in the Royal Capital, and the unpleasant rumors, along with the intensified stench of the waterways that followed the onset of the rainy season, were merely extensions of their everyday lives.
Before the waterways reach the heart of the Royal Capital, they plunge underground, presumably to avoid the foul odors that would disturb the affluent neighborhoods. No one living in the capital knew what lay within those subterranean passages.
Yet for the common folk, gossip was one of the few sources of entertainment. And as these unsettling stories spread, they carried with them a shadow of foreboding.
“…Speaking of which, haven’t there been a lot of rumors about Undead Beasts near the Royal Capital lately?”
“I heard it’s to be expected with the river nearby… But it wasn’t like this before…”
“It’ll be fine! The knights are in the Royal Capital, and both the Holy Knight and the Holy Maiden are here!”
“But haven’t we heard that even when there are Undead Beasts, they haven’t been seen much lately…?”
Gradually, the growing unease intertwined, deepening the sense of dread.
◆◆◆
Elliott was at the knights’ headquarters with Lloyd.
“Spectator Subjugation… is that right?”
“Yes, indeed. It is a request from His Majesty the King himself. It seems he is quite dissatisfied that he cannot witness the Holy Knight’s exploits.”
Count Agreas spoke with a tone of exasperation as he spread a leather map of the Royal Capital across the table. He then pointed to a location slightly north of the capital along the Ureri River.
“There is a dam upstream on the Ureri River. It usually regulates the water flow and protects the Royal Capital from landslides. According to our investigation, it appears that a dozen or so Undead Beasts have washed up at that dam.”
“…!? So many…?”
Seeing Elliott and Lloyd turn pale, Count Agreas continued in a soothing voice.
“Historically, that dam has been a place where magical beasts drift down the river. The barrier is activated against larger threats, so there is no immediate danger. We have ample time to prepare.”
“…So, we will get ready, release the Undead Beasts from that dam all at once, and then subjugate them for His Majesty to witness, is that correct?”
When Lloyd asked, Count Agreas returned a smile.
“It may seem like a foolish event, but the idea of preparing thoroughly and conducting a simultaneous subjugation isn’t bad in itself. If we turn the situation to our advantage, we can steer the narrative in our favor. Moreover, with the recent subjugation of minor Undead Beasts around the Royal Capital, the citizens have begun to feel uneasy. This is also to dispel that anxiety.”
Elliott lowered his gaze, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.
“I understand the anxiety. We must devise strategies to keep it hidden and proceed with utmost caution. If we can demonstrate the presence of the Holy Knight and the Holy Maiden before the public, we might be able to maintain the facade for a while longer.”
Count Agreas wore an inscrutable smile.