Knights, Let’s Smash Them

142 – The Lubern Trilogy

Capital Petalonto.

The count’s mansion, where Count Dionaos Rupel is staying, was overturned. The vassals had no choice but to sweat to stop the count who would lead his immediate troops and run to Marquis Ryeong to blow off his head.

And among them, who is suffering the most?

As expected, it was Sheriff Baker.

“Fortunately, all the pork that was delivered to the capital city was discarded. The meat also smelled strange, so it wasn’t sold much.”

From noble mtl dot com.

“Because the hygiene standards of Roupel chefs are famous.”

No matter how much magic exists in the world, the general people’s hygiene concept was not good as it was set in the middle ages.

I heard that where a vicious security chief lives, he’s as big as an ogre and even poops on the street.

I can only say that it is really uncivilized.

What…… It may be an idea that is taken for granted at this point in time, as it is said that the streets of Hanyang, the capital city, were overflowing with all sorts of filth before the Joseon Dynasty became enlightened.

In the meantime, the level of consciousness of the citizens of Rupel, especially Petaronto, who strive to thoroughly maintain hygiene and maintain the highest quality of food, is virtually no different from that of modern times.

However, apart from strict hygiene, there were already a few people in Petalonto who ate the meat in question.

Among them, there were quite a few merchants who bought meat from Strarum without any suspicion.

“First of all, we set up a separate aid station. Even if it is transmitted through meat, we don’t know what the exact route of infection is.”

“Yes.”

As soon as Constable Baker heard what had happened at Strarum, he acted quickly. The guards were mobilized to determine the condition of the residents and isolate all those showing symptoms.

“The cure is…… You said you found it. Did you say poppy?”

“Yes, in fact, it is currently being cultivated in the southwestern territory, which was bestowed by the imperial family on behalf of the Blue Cross Society. I feel like I might be able to use it someday.”

“Thank God. I’m so glad.”

Marshal Baker let out a sigh of relief and patted me on the shoulder.

“I have delivered the matter to Baron Kirten and Duchy of Hebron. Perhaps something similar will be done there.”

“First of all, securing the quantity of healing potions seems to be the priority.”

“Still, Compton’s disciples went into production. Given the situation, it seems like he gave me a recipe.”

I nodded. It is Campton’s potion that has become a specialty of Rufel on par with chicken and beer.

The alchemy shop, which was just a hole-in-the-wall shop when he first joined Rupel, has now expanded into a three-story wooden building, which is a fairly large building in Petalonto.

Since there are a lot of contracts with each trade union, it is said that not only the employees in charge of logistics, display, and customer service, but also the students who are raising themselves are brought in.

Thanks to this, I was able to replace it to some extent despite the sudden increase in demand.

“When the situation is over, Count Rupel will also praise the work…….”

“I guess so.”

“But what are you going to do now?”

The constable looked at me and said. He had a slightly worried look.

“What do you mean?”

“Yeah, that expression. You’ve been trying to pretend like nothing happened since a while ago, but aren’t you looking at someone with a look that could kill anyone right now…… !”

“Well, half right and half wrong.”

Although olives produced in the Marquis of Karahan appeared, it could not be seen as conclusive evidence.

If it were really true, far from stopping the Count, they would have burned the Marquess’s territory together with Joseon’s traditional culture, Jwibulnori.

Isn’t there still a little bit of fuel left to burn?

“For now, the constable, please take care of the control of the plague and the management of the patients. Criminals or warlocks may come in during the chaos, so I think the guards’ checks should be strengthened.”

“I will take care of that. I mean, I don’t know what else you’re going to do…… !!”

“Ha ha ha! What am i going to do We just have to check the facts.”

I replied with a big smile at Sheriff Baker. Whatever the case, fact-checking is the most important thing.

I shuddered, but it turned out that if it was innocent, even if it was a marquis deputy, it would be very difficult to clean up and mind.

If only the facts are correct.

Though that would be the real beginning.

***

Jjallang─.

A small bell hung on an old wooden door rang. ‘Continental’ is a small inn on the northern outskirts of Petalonto.

It is quite far from the downtown of Petalonto, and in such a yard, the price is not cheap, so few people usually use it.

An inn with no one using it. In fact, it is a business that is equivalent to beer without ice.

It’s not for nothing that this building is counted as one of the five mysteries of Petalonto.

However, as is the case with buildings with this feeling, the Continental Inn was not just an inn.

“The only successor of Alroy has arrived. I was waiting for you to come.”

The employee’s eyebrows twitched as he checked the man who opened the door and entered. He took out the wines from the display and set them on the counter.

“Is it red wine? Or is it white wine?”

“White wine.”

Lubern answered in a low voice. As if he knew it, he returned the red wine and poured the white wine into the glass.

“There’s no way you, with the name of an old assassin, would order a glass of red wine.”

“Because what I can’t do, you can’t either.”

“You underestimate the only and largest information guild on the continent. Originally, there is no business in Daguri. Even the emperor of the empire.”

Continental.

As the name suggests, it was a generic name for information guilds spread throughout the continent.

The Continental installed in Petalonto, hosted by Rupell, was in the form of an inn, but other places could be a tavern, a restaurant, or a merchant association.

An information guild that serves as the eyes and ears of the underworld and powerful people that ordinary people do not know about.

Because he was Luvern Alroy, who was once active in the underworld for a while, he naturally knows about the existence of the Continental.

“So? Are you curious about where the wine is produced?”

“The Marquis of Karahan.”

“It’s a place where there’s a lot of talk these days. The quality of the grapes is not very good.”

Lubern’s expression hardened at the innkeeper’s words. He took two gold coins out of his pocket and put them on the counter.

In the words of the underworld, it meant ‘to ask for all the information you have’. The host smiles, showing his yellow teeth.

He took the gold coin and went on with his words.

“Last year, Lord Saxony’s body deteriorated rapidly. According to people I know, the person who led it was none other than the current Yeongju Deputy.”

“You were a foolish bastard. I thought that was the case.”

Lubern laughed.

“But why aren’t you killing me yet? If Saxony dies, won’t the lordship go to Farneri?”

“Okay. I haven’t heard any info about that. But I’m sure there’s something up. The activities of the Marquis Continental suddenly became active.”

“Ha.”

Using the information guild a lot was the same as planning something that would go awry.

“And for another piece of information, it seems that a vicious warlock has attached itself to the lord’s deputy.”

“…… Warlock?”

“Yes. Recently, there have been many incidents of seemingly normal residents going missing. Only the marquis family says it’s the birth of a monster, but you can’t fool the Continental’s eyes.”

That was valuable information. Lubern Alroy immediately reached into his pocket and pulled out three more gold coins.

“Perhaps the information you really want is the source of the plague spreading in Rupel Manor.”

“Yes.”

“A few months ago, residents of some villages in the Marquis of Karahan complained of similar symptoms. The result is all annihilation. What…… It was announced that they were killed, but honestly, judging from the information we have received so far, it is unclear whether they were really killed.”

“f*ck.”

It’s not enough to put his father into a coma, take over the position of lord, and play tricks on the nearby manor. He fell for the black magician’s trick and is using the lives of his own territories as he wants…….

‘Among bastards, he’s a nursing bastard.’

Cannot be rehabilitated.

Lubern Ailroy came to a clear conclusion. Continental’s information power could be said to be reasonable physical evidence, so from now on it was time to make a judgment rather than finding out the truth.

He added seven gold coins to the three he just added.

The innkeeper’s eyes shook slightly at the ten gold coins placed in an instant.

“You don’t drink red wine? And if it’s a material equivalent to the Marquis deputy, seven gold coins aren’t enough…….”

“It’s not like that.”

“Then what?”

“I want you to prepare some information and a few things. And a report issued directly by Continental.”

Before he could ask what kind of paper it was, Lubern Alroy pulled a piece of paper out of his arms. It was a piece of paper on which the requirements of Lubern were meticulously written.

“A map depicting the internal structure of the Marquis’ residence, and where exactly the black magician went. And two potions of advanced disease resistance and a memorandum of transfer of authority as Imperial standard lord.”

“Um…… Then what about the report?”

“A report that the Marquis of Karahan is conspiring with the warlock to assassinate the emperor.”

“Huh.”

This time, the innkeeper was dumbfounded. But at the same time, she also looked like she was having fun.

“The Countess of Rupel will become the Marquisate.”

“If everything goes according to plan.”

“To dismantle a territory because you can’t dismantle a person. I wonder who is not Alroy.”

The innkeeper smiled and disappeared behind the counter.

Rupel’s administrator rang the bell on the counter once and then shouted into the empty lobby.

“Have a good rest.”

An answer came from the space behind the counter.

“See you one more time, Administrator Nari.”