ARCHDEUS

THE PLAGUE(3)

Hadalon, March of Canadia

The Falcon team was currently staying at an inn in the march capital of Canadia. This hotel is not too luxurious and not too shabby. However, it was built near the town square so it is quite strategic. In short, the place is suitable for traders who travel far to do business and not too luxurious.

Richard was currently chatting with Gale regarding their future plans to meet the marquess.

Gale who was an informant from Norchaster gave some input

The Falcon team will go undercover as mercenaries hired by Gale's company to protect his business. So for that reason, the Falcon team was able to meet the marquess.

"You're right but I think it would be much harder to fool the nobles especially if one of my members has a familiar face."

Richard is currently talking about Rionard Connor Artheven who is the future head of the Artheven Family. It was certain that Rionard's face was easily recognized by the nobles.

"What's? A candidate for the head of the dynasty? I don't know why the duke recommended you guys who are the ones that many nobles are familiar with."

Gale scratched his head as if he had just discovered something troublesome.

"...."

Richard did not reply but he had a conjecture in his heart. You could say the Falcon team was filled by nobles from neutral dynasties or who were affiliated with Norchaster so it was likely that the duke had more confidence in them than any other group in the Royal Majestic Guard.

After the chat was over, he descended towards the lounge.

The rest of the team is seen to have taken their seats and have even finished their meal.

This inn has a spacious lounge and is generally filled by traders who have rented rooms.

As Richard was walking towards his team spot, he accidentally bumped into the shoulder of another guest heading in the opposite direction.

"Ah, sorry."

The man apologized to him.

"It's okay"

When Richard turned his face back to look at the person, he saw no one.

"Sir! come here, why are you just sitting there?"

Camellia waved to Richard while calling out to him.

"Ah yes, a minute."

Richard pretended not to care about anything just now. He returned to his group. However he remembered, the person he had collided was wearing a black robe and seemed to be wearing a mask on his face.

Richard sat down with his team members. They do not talk much about work problems considering that they are currently in a public place.

Richard asked Camellia about the food here.

"Not too bad, sir can try."

Although Richard looked like a rough middle-aged man especially with his bushy beard, he was in fact quite picky in eating. Especially if it is related to the spicy taste. It was an open secret in the Falcon team that their chairman was very weak and hated spicy food.

After Richard ordered food that was considered not to contain chili or pepper, he returned to chatting to members but this time the discussion was quite heavy.

"As you know, this is a territory that once declared war with two county counties at once."

Everyone nodded.

"I can't believe how a god in this area could have such thoughts. Attacking a single territory that possessed almost equal power was foolish but attacking two feudal territories, it was tantamount to suicide."

Darius gave his opinion casually. Although it seems quite rude but nothing prevents it. In addition, fortunately they chatted in a voice small enough that it was not too noticed. However it is quite taboo and risks to insult a god especially within the realm of the lord it rules.

"Could Canadia's actions indirectly lead to the impeachment of the Prime Minister of Hornwall?"

This time the one who asked was Camellia, the vice-captain.

"It looks like it is. Canadia and Hornwall, along with Whitesburg, were part of the ruling coalition. If Canadia attacks an area that is their political opponent, of course it is very embarrassing for the image of the government" Richard replied.

"Didn't Canadia have been famous for having a very expansionist ruler?" ask Joseph.

"Is that so?" ask Camellia.

"That's right, Canadia got most of its territory after an invasion of other noble areas. It was a great dynasty that was highly respected and often considered the third noble power after Sandwealth and Norchaster. If I'm not mistakenly named the dynasty is Stuartogenet. Now the dynasty has disbanded and the territory stretches from Canadia, Yorksall, to Otilia" Rionard replied.

Unlike the other nobles who had to fight over the inheritance from their parents, Rionard was the only boy in the Count of Artheven family. So naturally Rionard was the future head of the family of the Artheven dynasty without much drama and internal conflict. Because of the clarity of the status he will bear, he must indeed have the qualifications as a candidate for the count so that it is very prepared to know things that must be known, one of which is the history of their kingdom.

"Oh it turned out like that" Camellia replied.

Camellia may still understand some topics regarding politics and power but once they get into the historical issue, she has absolutely no understanding and must listen to the explanations of others.

They go back to talking. Richard who is serious until Darius who is full of jokes and humor. Only Iona did not really follow this chat. He is not interested in politics or history. For him he was only interested if the discussion about magic.

But their relaxed chatter had to be interrupted due to the extremely loud screams in a woman.

In front of the woman and the rest of the guests, they saw some people had fainted unconscious.

***

From inside a room located in the mansion belonging to Marquess Canadia, the sound of a dry cough was heard continuously.

An old man was lying lethargic on a bed.

That man used to be a man who was very feared and respected by everyone.

He is a man who has big dreams and who has a strong will to try to achieve his wishes.

But now the man was lying helplessly in his room.

Marquess Canadia, or Edric Heddwyn Canadia.

In less than a month, he still has a healthy body. But suddenly his health condition fell and he ended like this.

The higher-ups were worried about the current state of their marquess.

Especially if this is known to their opponents, namely Otilia and Yorksall.

It seemed like the two regions still had a grudge against them.

The current Marquess could only lie down while looking at the ceiling.

Although he looked calm but in reality he had a lot of thoughts especially why could he end up like this.

It's not too long ago.

At first he suffered from a very high fever later when he practiced the sword and was injured, his blood had a much darker color.

He panicked and began to tell the priests his condition.

The priests said the marquess suffered from curse magic but no one knew what level of magic it was and how it could be exposed. This seems to be a new curse magic that is not in the encyclopedia of priests.

Over time his body slowly began to weaken and eventually he fell down while inspecting in front of the best knights in his territory.

Although they do not know who did it but they believe this is the work of the Sandwealth people. Unfortunately there is no evidence that can strengthen their allegations and most importantly they still have to keep the marquess conditions of the allies especially from their enemies if they do not want to be underestimated.