Chapter 2044 - 548: The Most Useful Episode of Alakdo (Happy New Year!)

The morning breeze blew across the lookout tower, startling Clark awake. He abruptly opened his eyes and scrambled to his feet.

However, his large movement caused him to step near the edge of the ladder, almost making him topple off the lookout tower.

Luckily, Tom, who was sitting beside him, reacted quickly and pulled him back.

"Careful!"

Grabbing Tom's arm, Clark, drenched in cold sweat, supported himself against the pillar to barely stand, then plopped down on the edge of the lookout tower's railing.

He knocked on his head with his fist, cursing under his breath.

"Damn it... what happened?"

His head felt like a soaked wad of cotton, with only fragmented memories left.

Vaguely, he recalled a Little Demon that seemed to be sitting on the railing he was holding onto now, with a teasing smile on its face, chanting some spell towards him.

He instinctively glanced behind him.

It was empty, with only the dew-covered wood.

Was it an illusion?

Honestly, he hoped it was just an illusion.

"Sir... did you sneak some drinks last night?" Seeing the calm-down captain, Tom released his arm and sat back in his chair, whispering, "You smell strongly of alcohol."

What he actually wanted to say was—

Why didn't you include me?

Clark paused for a moment, instinctively lifting his sleeve to sniff. Sure enough, a strong whiff of cheap alcohol assaulted his nose.

He couldn't recall when he drank or how much he consumed. But if a hangover caused hallucinations, everything would make sense.

After all, how could there possibly be a Little Demon here?

The Maze of Thunder County was unknown how far from here, and it was the closest place to Hell that he knew of.

"... That said, how did I end up here?"

Hearing the captain's voice, Tom's expression was a bit awkward, embarrassed to say that he didn't know either.

Last night, he had yawned and fallen asleep, only to wake up and find the captain lying at his feet. He was puzzled, wondering when this drunkard climbed up here?

Seeing Tom stammering and unable to speak, Clark shook his head, finally waving it off with a "Never mind."

Although he felt a weirdness about last night's events, his years of experience on the battlefield taught him... since he was still alive and hadn't lost any body parts, it was best not to delve further into it.

There was also that witness named Helager; all these strange events seemed to occur after that guy revealed the truth.

He was just a nobody; such troublesome matters should be left to the Duke to worry about.

Clark glanced at the sentry post below the lookout tower, determined not to delay a single day, he must quickly hand over this hot potato to the Royal Family.

Just as he was thinking this, preparing to climb down the lookout tower to wash his face and clear his head, Tom suddenly sprang up from his chair and leaned towards the railing.

"What's wrong?" Clark noticed the sentry's movement and cast an inquisitive look at him.

However, Tom didn't respond. He grabbed a monocular hanging nearby and gazed towards the northern forest.

"There seems to be movement in the north... Saint Sis above!"

Hearing that brief and surprised exclamation, Clark's heart sank, and an ominous feeling crept upon him again.

He stood up from the ground with the help of the railing, walked over to Tom, and took the monocular handed over by the latter.

"See for yourself, sir..." Tom's voice was a bit shaky, as if he had seen something extraordinary.

Clark raised the monocular and looked in the direction he pointed. At that moment, this seasoned cavalry captain's expression also changed.

In the northern forest, several faint sparks could be seen, illuminating a group of ragged people alongside the light of dawn.

They were supporting each other, faces filled with fear, or simply covered in wounds.

Some people seemed too injured to run but limped southward as if escaping something.

Clark said nothing, handed the monocular back to Tom, and left him with a "Keep watching."

Afterward, he forcefully shook the warning bell hanging under the roof, then picked up the rifle that had fallen nearby and hurried down the ladder.

The sentry post in Cold Crow City soon sprang into action.

Smoke signals rose first.

Then, about a dozen drowsy sentries, fully armed, mounted horses, and with cloudy minds, charged towards the northern border of Spinor Earl's Domain.

They hadn't gone far from the sentry post when they witnessed a shocking scene at the edge of the forest—a multitude of refugees were emerging from the forest of the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range!

"... It seems Helager wasn't lying," an old soldier on horseback swallowed, whispering, "Even if he told me now that the Ratmen captured a city of prisoners, I'd believe him."

"There are hundreds that escaped, how many are buried..."

"That, I'm afraid, only the Undead know."

"Damn, what a hellish joke."

Listening to the murmurs of his comrades, Clark's Adam's apple moved, his spine chilled.

He had just wanted to get rid of that hot potato in the sentry post, only to have hundreds of bigger, hotter potatoes thrown right at him, unavoidable.

He only hoped now that these people weren't carrying the "plague" with them and wouldn't bring Cold Crow City's folks into it...

-

(Happy New Year, brothers~~ I wish everyone a wonderful 2026 and may all your wishes come true!! Also, since I didn't take any leave last month, I'd humbly ask for a monthly vote... much appreciated!)