Chapter 40

While Leord was making a decision alone, Gilbert was in his office, writing a report to the lord, Beluga.

"Well, this time it's urgent."

Usually, he would entrust a letter to a subordinate to deliver it to Beluga, who was at the duke's residence, but this time, due to the urgency, he would use a different method.

Gilbert opened the window of his office and whistled. A shrill sound echoed, and after a while, an eagle flew toward Gilbert. Instead of colliding, the eagle slowed down and perched on Gilbert's shoulder.

"You're a good boy. Good job."

After pampering the eagle perched on his shoulder, Gilbert took out the letter for Beluga.

"I want you to deliver this. The recipient is Lord Beluga. When you've delivered it successfully, I'll give you some meat as a reward. Please do your best."

Gilbert explained to the eagle with great care. It was a scene that made one doubt whether the eagle could understand, but the eagle chirped, took the letter from Gilbert, and flew out the window with the letter in its beak.

"Thank you..."

With a gloomy expression, Gilbert left the office.

Meanwhile, at the duke's residence, a subordinate rushed into Beluga's office, who was busy sorting documents. The subordinate burst in, slamming the door open, which startled Beluga.

"What is it? Why did you burst in like that!?"

"I'm sorry, but I thought I had to deliver this letter as soon as possible..."

The subordinate took out a letter from Gilbert. However, there was no particular reason for urgency. It would only unnecessarily upset Beluga, but there was a reason for the urgency.

"It's an urgent message from Lord Gilbert. His eagle delivered it."

"What!?"

Beluga was surprised because Gilbert used his trained eagle to deliver the message. Normally, he would use a messenger, but this time, it must have been extremely urgent for him to use the eagle.

Beluga took the letter from his subordinate, broke the seal, and read the contents.

"What...!

Immediately inform His Majesty the King!

This is a matter of utmost urgency!

Hurry!"

"May I ask, Lord Beluga, what does the letter say?"

"...It says that the signs of a monster panic have been confirmed."

"What!? I will immediately report to His Majesty the King."

The subordinate, who heard the content of the letter from Beluga, turned pale and left the room. Beluga, seeing the subordinate leave, held his head in his hands.

"One problem after another... Ever since Leord went to Zeato...

Is God testing Leord?"

The source of his distress was his son, Leord, who had been sent to the border. Since Leord was sent to Zeato, problems have been occurring one after another. Of course, it wasn't necessarily Leord's fault, but the timing was bad. Since Leord was sent, it was hard not to suspect him.

He couldn't help but think that Leord was a harbinger of misfortune, but according to Gilbert's regular reports, Leord's growth was remarkable. It was almost as if he had become a different person, but Gilbert wouldn't lie. Therefore, Gilbert's reports were accurate, and Leord was growing well.

Furthermore, Leord had repelled a wyvern that attacked the manor and solved the water shortage in Zeato, achieving commendable results. It made more sense to think that God was testing Leord.

"...There's no point in thinking about it. I'll compile the report."

Beluga rubbed his temples, as if to relieve his tired eyes, and began to compile the documents. He sighed at the pile of problems mounting.

After Beluga started compiling the documents, a knock was heard at the door. While he was compiling, he gave permission to enter, and his wife, Olivia, came in.

"Excuse me."

"Olivia. What is it?"

"Well, I noticed one of your subordinates running around just now and wanted to hear what happened from you."

"Oh, I see... Olivia, I want you to listen calmly, but a monster panic might occur in Zeato."

"What! Leord! What will happen to Leord!?"

"...We can't bring him back."

"But... Can't something be done?"

"Currently, Leord is in Zeato as a punishment. It would be impossible to bring him back just because a monster panic is happening."

"Then... Leord..."

"If he dies in the monster panic, we'll have to accept it as his fate."

"Oh..."

Olivia, who felt dizzy and collapsed, made Beluga rush to her side.

"Olivia!"

"Beluga... Leord... Our Leord..."

"I'm sorry... As a father, I can't save my son. Please forgive me."

No matter how much Leord had erred, he was still their precious son. If possible, Beluga wanted to evacuate him from Zeato, but the public wouldn't allow it. Unable to do anything, Beluga could only bite his lower lip and endure.