The gates of Presia Estate slowly opened.
Roman and Selena stepped through them together.
The hunt was over.
The infected creatures that had appeared around the nearby forests had been eliminated, but neither of them looked relieved.
Because they both knew.
This was only the beginning.
Waiting near the entrance stood Duke Jacob.
The moment Roman's eyes landed on his father, he stopped for a brief moment.
For the first time
He saw something he had never seen before.
Fear.
Tension.
Grief.
Helplessness.
The man who always stood tall before every challenge now looked exhausted.
Not physically.
But mentally.
His eyes carried the burden of countless lives.
The burden of a ruler.
A ruler who desperately wanted to protect everyone but could not be everywhere at once.
For a brief moment, Jacob looked older than Roman remembered.
Roman silently walked toward him.
Then spoke.
"Everything will be alright, Father."
Jacob looked at him.
Roman continued calmly.
"We should focus on what we can do right now."
"Not on what may happen tomorrow."
"The future will come regardless."
"So don't carry everything alone."
For several seconds Jacob remained silent.
Then a faint smile appeared on his face.
"You've somehow become quite knowledgeable."
Roman laughed lightly.
"Don't ask me where I learned it."
Selena rolled her eyes.
"You definitely didn't learn it from me."
A small chuckle escaped Jacob.
For the first time since the outbreak began
The tension around him eased slightly.
Without wasting any more time, the three headed toward the estate headquarters.
The atmosphere throughout the estate remained grim.
Knights rushed through the corridors carrying reports.
Healers moved between rooms.
Messengers arrived one after another.
The entire estate had transformed into a command center.
Everyone was working without rest.
Everyone knew the situation was critical.
After several minutes
They arrived outside the strategy room.
Head Butler Adam was already waiting.
Seeing them approach, he immediately opened the door.
The moment Roman entered
His eyes swept across the room.
Several important figures were already present.
Head Knight Captain Zion.
Captains from every knight division.
Senior military officers.
And standing near the large map of the kingdom
A Holy Knight Paladin Captain.
Everyone immediately stood up.
Jacob moved toward the head seat.
Roman sat beside him while Selena occupied the opposite side.
The meeting began immediately.
Jacob's expression became serious once more.
"Adam."
The butler stepped forward.
"Give everyone the current report."
Adam bowed slightly.
"As you command, Your Grace."
He opened a thick stack of documents.
The room fell silent.
"The first wave of infected creatures appeared near the western forests approximately seven hours ago."
"The infection quickly spread through wildlife populations."
"Current confirmed infected creatures eliminated: 2,731."
Several captains frowned.
The number was far larger than expected.
Adam continued.
"Confirmed civilian deaths: 483."
Silence filled the room.
"Severely injured civilians: 1,274."
"Moderately injured civilians: 2,086."
"Knight casualties: 147 dead."
"Knight injuries: 689."
Many lowered their heads.
Those numbers represented lives.
Families.
Children.
Parents.
Friends.
"The bunkers successfully protected approximately eighty percent of the population."
"Barrier Orbs are functioning as intended."
"Without those countermeasures, casualties would have exceeded several thousand."
The room remained silent.
Nobody felt relieved.
Even one death was too many.
"The infected creatures displayed abnormal behavior."
"Even after sustaining fatal wounds, many continued moving."
"Several required complete destruction of the head before becoming inactive."
The Holy Knight Captain narrowed his eyes.
That matched reports from other regions.
Adam continued.
"Food supplies remain stable."
"Medical supplies are sufficient for now."
"However, if casualties continue increasing at the current rate, shortages may occur within two weeks."
The report finally concluded.
A heavy atmosphere settled over the room.
Then
The communication orb on the center table suddenly began flickering.
Everyone immediately turned toward it.
Jacob activated the connection.
The image of a familiar man appeared.
Prime Minister Joshua Cesar.
The moment he appeared, every official in the room greeted him respectfully.
Every official except two.
Roman.
And the Holy Knight Paladin Captain.
Neither of them moved.
Neither offered any greeting.
Joshua noticed.
But said nothing.
He already understood why.
---
The Prime Minister looked exhausted.
Dark circles surrounded his eyes.
His voice carried clear frustration.
"His Majesty wishes to know the current situation."
Jacob nodded.
"We are managing the outbreak."
Joshua's expression darkened.
"Managing?"
He slammed a document onto his desk.
"People across the kingdom are terrified."
"Reports of monsters are coming from every region."
"Civilians are hiding in bunkers."
"Trade routes are collapsing."
"Entire villages are living in fear."
His gaze shifted toward Roman.
Directly toward him.
"And where is the Warherald?"
The room became silent.
Joshua continued.
"Is it not your responsibility to protect the people?"
He picked up another report.
His voice grew louder.
"Current kingdom-wide casualties."
"Confirmed deaths: 6,842."
Several captains inhaled sharply.
Even Roman's eyes narrowed slightly.
Joshua continued.
"Confirmed injured: 21,517."
"Missing civilians: over 3,000."
The numbers struck everyone like a hammer.
The Prime Minister slammed his hand against the desk.
"Tell me, Roman Crowell."
"How many more must die?"
"What will you say to the families who lost their loved ones?"
"What will you say to the children who lost their parents?"
"What will you say to the parents who buried their children?"
His voice echoed through the room.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody interrupted.
Roman remained seated.
Silent.
Motionless.
His golden eyes stared directly into Joshua's.
The pressure inside the room gradually increased.
Several officials instinctively lowered their heads.
Even Joshua's expression stiffened slightly.
Finally
Roman spoke.
His voice was calm.
Far too calm.
"When the countermeasures are fully prepared..."
"I will address the public myself."
The room became silent.
Roman's gaze never left Joshua.
Then he continued.
"Until then."
"You should remain in your safe house."
"And leave the fighting to those actually standing on the front lines."
The Prime Minister's face froze.
Before Joshua could respond
Roman reached forward.
And shut off the communication orb.
The room instantly fell silent.
Absolute silence.
No one dared speak.
No one dared move.
The only sound remaining
Was the faint crackling of the now-dark orb.
And the growing realization that the true disaster had only just begun.