Chapter 19: Please, My Lord

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Robb’s words were so shocking that the mayor almost fell to his knees. The townspeople, who had heard them, gaped in shock and confusion.

The mayor said, “A great conspiracy? What… what… what conspiracy?”

Robb said, “Look at the dozens of empty tombs here. That means dozens of skeletons were stolen days before I moved into Westwind.”

“Yes!” The mayor nodded. “Of course we can see that.”

Robb said, “I just told you what happened last night. The person behind this is a necromancer. Think about it. It’s been days since a necromancer stole dozens of skeletons. So what have they become?”

The mayor was shocked. “Are you saying they’ve been refined into undead skeleton soldiers?”

“Right!” Robb said. “Obviously, after all these days, necromancers have been infusing them with magic. They’re no longer skeletons. They’ve become the undead. And this necromancer isn’t satisfied. He’s continuing to steal the bones. If I hadn’t intervened last night, at least dozens more of them would have risen from the ground and gone to the necromancer themselves. Are you sure he only has the dozens of skeleton soldiers he stole earlier? Maybe he’s got hundreds, thousands, of them somewhere else.”

The mayor began to seriously consider the significance of this. After a few seconds, he seemed to understand. His expression changed drastically. “Oh my, what is this necromancer trying to do by refining so many skeleton soldiers? Could it be… could it be…”

Robb nodded. “You’re right. Obviously, this necromancer is working on a grand conspiracy. He’s building an army of the dead, and of course he’s building it for one purpose only: to massacre a town! To take over a territory! Maybe he’s even preparing to subvert the Magic Kingdom of Gran, overthrow the Knight’s Kingdom of Noma, conquer the Rabbit Kingdom of Tang in the east, take over the Central Plains, conquer the world, and unify the Land of Fomor…”

In any case, he had to try his best to deceive the mayor! Robb was afraid that the matter would not blow up, so he spun out the worst possibility. Anyway, there was no cost to spouting nonsense. He could analyze it however he wanted. If he analyzed it too much and realized that it was really just a thief, he could just say that he was thinking deeply and taking precautions. In any case, it made sense. This was the nature of a charlatan.

The mayor’s mind was muddled by the deception. It was as if he could already see an army of undead coming at him with knives. His face darkened completely. “Mr Robert, you’re right! This is indeed not a problem that a group of townspeople or a team of adventurers can solve. This matter must be reported to the lord as soon as possible. The lord must send troops to deal with it.”

“Well, that’s very wise of you.” Robb clapped him on the shoulder. “Go and ask the lord to deal with it.”

He was secretly pleased. ‘All right, that’s done! I’m not in charge of this anymore. Let the lord worry about it. Let him lead his troops into the Black Pine Mountains and search like an idiot for a necromancer who’s hiding somewhere. I’ve done this foolish thing many times in the game before. Now let’s not be foolish again.’

And so…

The mayor hurried off to pen a letter to the lord, and the townspeople dispersed after a good cry. In a few moments, Lillian, who had gone out to gather information, returned to report to Robb. “The mayor wrote a letter and gave it to the merchant, who set off with the letter and his caravan, heading southeast toward the Path of Light. He said he wanted to deliver the letter to Grand Duke Yingshi on the way.”

The Path of Light was an important city on the western frontier of the Magic Kingdom of Gran. Or perhaps it was more accurate to call it a military town. It was overseen by the Kingdom’s famous Grand Duke, Yingshi. He was a formidable Paladin who commanded the Magic Kingdom’s famous Order of the White Lion. All the small castles, towns, and villages in the western part of the kingdom were under Yingshi’s jurisdiction.

Since something had happened in Westwind Town, it was only natural for Yingshi to be in charge. However, he definitely wouldn’t come personally. He should have sent a random subordinate to lead a small team to investigate first.

Of course, this had nothing to do with Robb. As long as he didn’t have to go, anyone else could catch the bad guy.

The town was quiet again, and Robb was once more lazy.

“I’d like to learn the dish you made yesterday, Master,” Lillian said, returning with two slices of beef tenderloin and a cute expression. “I can’t just make a large mixed stew. From now on, since I’m in charge of your daily diet, I’ll also have to make food that will please you… can you give me some pointers?”

Pointers my ass. That’s a chef’s skill in the game. I really can’t teach you. Robb could only rack his brains. He finally came up with the real way to cook a steak. “First, you beat the tenderloin with a stick until it’s soft. Then you chop the mushrooms into sauce and mix them with salt and pepper. You make the mushroom sauce. Heat the pan, put a layer of butter on top of it, and when the oil has melted, you fry the beef on top until it’s medium well. Finally, you pour on the mushroom sauce… hmm… that’s about it.”

“It’s—it’s so complicated?” Lillian was stunned. “I saw Master make it yesterday. Didn’t Master just rub it with beef, mushrooms, and salt? Why are there so many steps when I make it? And a few extra ingredients?”

Robb had no choice but to play coy. “I was using magic. Do you know magic?”

Lillian shook her head piteously. “No!”

Robb said, “If you don’t then you’re just going to obediently do more steps.”

Lillian went pitifully into the kitchen to do some cooking research…

Robb sat in the front yard, staring into space and feeling lazy. After a long time, he suddenly noticed a middle-aged townsman peering out of the churchyard, as if he wanted to come in but was a little afraid to.

Robb shouted at the top of his lungs, “Hey! Who are you… Ahem… Who are you? Why are you walking around outside my house?”

The townsman was startled by his shout, but since Robb had seen him, he had to bite the bullet and come over. He walked over to Robb and hung his head. “Mr Robert, I’m here to confess. But I’m a little scared, which is why I’m loitering outside.”

“Oh? Confession?” Robb understood immediately. It was the project where he sat in the cottage and listened to the confessions of the people outside. He had never played this thing in a game. He was suddenly interested and wanted to play! Very much.

He quickly got out of his slump and jumped up from the stone bench. “Very good! Don’t be afraid! Confess your sins to the gods so that you can move forward. Let’s begin immediately.”