This is a saloon on the corner of the royal palace. It's dim even in midday due to the numerous thick curtains covering the light from outside, magic tools illuminate from below. Curtains are hanging from the roof and decorative plants are set to divide sofa sets as if to obstruct the views.
For that reason, the identity of the people in this place aren't known--That's how it is.
Furthermore, the gaps between each sofas are large, magic tools for changing voices are used and they talk in whisper to the point that the other person sitting on the next seat can barely hear it.
This is the place where gossips from all over Shiga kingdom are gathered.
It's an important place for the nobles to not only talk about scandals, but also to exchange informations revolving national defense that have been transmitted using magic.
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"Have you heard about it?"
One gentlemen sits down while greeting someone in secret.
Publicly, the person shouldn't be known, but everyone knows who's the one who can sit on that sofa set. They only pretend to not know.
"Is it about marquis Muno?"
"Oh, you're quick."
"Right now, everyone is talking about that story. Like how undeads are attacking Muno city."
"Half a day after the initial report from the royal palace emergency room, there's no more additional information, it's worrying."
"I can't imagine the elites of the marquis fall to something like undeads. They've probably been repulsed already, but it'd be a good opportunity to get the right of the marquis' territory depending on the damage."
"Well, everyone, please calm down. Why don't we let him tell us the latest information."
The high class people who have been talking turn toward an old man with good build.
Everyone are seemingly hungry of new informations, the buzz suddenly stops at once.
"Territory of marquis Muno has been defeated by the undeads army."
From that words, the bustling is revived from the silent.
"That can't be."
"They should have golem corps and even magician corps there."
"Moreover, they should had just bought a lot of tigerkin slaves from the weaselkin and made large battalions."
"They should have been one of the strongest five forces in this country."
"What actually happened?"
Their surprises are natural. Marquis Muno holds a very vast territory that produces many gold, silver, and even mithril and magic ores from their leading mines. Backed by that assets and various luxuries that even the king lack, the marquis had amassed armed forces that could even fight against the king's armies.
"We have to wait for more reports to understand what actually happens, we've only received the report that 『The marquis capital has fallen』 from the the birdkin of duke Oyugock's intelligence unit."
Silence dominates the room, but then the oldest gentleman who holds a cane starts to talk.
"I'm sorry but I have to go see my physician soon. Excuse me for leaving."
"Is that so, it's also the time for me to play with my gradnchildren."
"My chronic pain is aching..."
The older gentlemen are leaving their seats one by one, the only ones who remain in that place is the young gentleman who has brought the news and a middle-aged gentleman. Of course, the two understand that the words of the people who are leaving are just mere excuses.
"Everyone is shrewd for profit huh."
"The kingdom army is most likely going to depart for the extermination of the undeads. Since there are many way to profit from it if the campaign is large-scale, it can't be helped."
"Is it fine for you?"
"Yes, I've already arranged something in the house."
"As expected of the right-hand man of the majesty."
"Your excellency, prying for identity here is"
"Ah right, sorry. I'd like to get my hand on the list of nobles with no legitimate child from you, no, from a certain bureaucrat-dono, would he be willing to help?"
"That's wonderful. Other people's happiness are my happiness. I'd be glad to be the deliveryman."
And then, two months after he brought the informations, the largest gathering of kingdom army ever recorded in history departed to marquis Muno's territory.
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"Then, all relatives of marquis Muno have died of unnatural causes?"
"It doesn't end only in that. Earl Bobi that had married with the marquis' little sister and all their children, every one of them die from a drowning accident."
"Is that true? I've also heard that misfortunes have befallen earl Muzuki?"
After the triumphal return of the kingdom army who has gone on campaign to the marquis Muno's territory, the whole family of marquis Muno have died unnaturally, no one remains from either direct or collateral family.
Thereupon, for the sake of succeeding the marquis, it seems that the nobles have sent out the one who have married into the marquis family, but they all die of accidents or mysterious illness, such reports are coming in succession to the royal capital.
Such stories also appears many times among their talks.
"If it's like this, the one who will inherit the territory might be marquis Ashinen or earl Fudai who don't have territory of their own."
"No, the territory of marquis Muno is too wide. It's possible to divide it into 4 or 5 territories."
"Oh dear, right about this time, there should be a lot of nobles who are raising money for the bribes."
"No wonder there are a lot of applicant for loan this month."
And then, half a year after this day, blood relations of marquis Muno up until the seventh degree of kinship have all died out. The rumor among the people is that it's the curse of the undead king.