Chương 438: Chapter 411. How Many Nobles Diablos Has Left

" Yeah... I can't find anything really..."" Then why are you putting a thumbs up to Sarah and Anna?"" I'm just happy my Son-In-Law came back okay. Can't I be happy?"" I mean... Thanks? Did I worry you that much?" Currently, we were still in my dining room. Aqua had her hands on my head and had begun to pour Mana into me to check for any issues... Everything seemed to be fine, but Sarah did quickly take her parents into the living room to discuss a few things.

She said it was nothing major and it was just to calm them down... Either way, when they walked back in, Aqua and Sarah were all smiles and Warrick was rubbing his temples. I hope he's doing okay. The whole situation must be stressing him out... I can only imagine what must be going through his mind, knowing his has a new war on his hands." You've no idea. The entire reason we can Warp now is because Aqua was going to track you down and just grab you."" Looks like I ruined a cool rescue.""

It's just as cool to escape by yourself, Matthew. Though... Escape may not be an option from Asha and Sharon. They've been petitioning to send a squad of fighters, including themselves, to come and grab you." Aqua quickly ruined the joke by bringing up Asha and Sharon... I was going to write them letters and leave them with Warrick and Aqua before I came back from visiting them today... Looks like I need to make that more of a priority." Sounds like I need to write a few letters...""

It'd do better to visit them actually. They're currently in Blackstone."" They've been visiting every day. Along with their Parents of course."" Why are their parents there too?"" We're preparing for war. That means I need to bring in all Nobles that can make it to Blackstone and figure out how many men and women they can afford to let join the war effort. Along with that, is figuring out the logistics of feeding and moving them... It's a lot. And I don't just mean Adam and Clark.

6 of the other 8 Dukes are also in Blackstone."" Wait? I thought there were 12 Dukes in all?" My question seemed to confuse everyone? Maybe it's because I interrupted Warrick while he was speaking? I was about to apologize until Warrick started to speak to me." Yes, traditionally there are supposed to be 12 Dukes, however, back when Dardus left, he was a successor for the Duke Title that belongs to the Clearfield Family, so he wasn't an actual Duke yet.

His Father, George Clearfield however, was a Duke, but he was quite old, the shock that his son had left the Country for what seemed to be for good, made him quite weak and he quietly passed away a few years after Dardus left. That's when Penelope and Adam decided to get married and takeover the Clearfield Estate. With no one of any substantial power to obstruct them... Because Aqua and I were backing them, they were able to marry without anyone fussing about it.

Anyways, when Dardus did leave, a good amount of his supporters went with him. 4 of them were Dukes. I suppose it would be quicker to also explain that traditionally, there're 24 Marquess, 36 Earls, 48 Viscounts, 64 Counts and numerous Baron and Knight Ranked individuals. Because of Dardus's exodus, we currently have 8 Dukes, 14 Marquess... That includes you as well by the way... 16 Earls, 22 Viscounts and 32 Counts. The recorded total of Barons leaving was 56 and 93 Knights also left."" Wait?

Doesn't that put us at disadvantage then?" I was worried to hear about the dire circumstances that Warrick was describing. I mean... So many people left!" No, not really."" What?" Warrick's reaction was pretty nonchalant about the whole thing. I was lost by what he said. Aqua began to explain it for me." Sure, the Nobles and some of their men and women left... I believe the number was something like 100, 000, I believe? But do you know how many Demons live in Diablos?"" Uhmm... half a million?"" Exactly.""

But that's a 5th of what Diablos has!" Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit." Yes, but it doesn't mean we're really desperate for people. Out of the half of a million Citizens we have, 350, 000 of them are active military age men and women, most of which are able to fight since it's so engrained in Our Culture. Our actual numbers for our Military are around 200, 000.

And that's only the 200, 000 in our Army, that doesn't include the 150, 000 fighters that can act as our reserves in case of any worst-case scenario. So, it's not as if we're hurting for manpower. Actually... It's more of an issue about how they're all so passionate about protecting the Nation, they're actually neglecting having children for right now. We've been trying to think about how best to smooth that over. But so far, there's been no luck."" Well... Putting the children thing aside for now... The Elves...""

The Elves? Yes, they've been able to build quite the Army as well, from what I understand, their Army matches us along with their special little war potentials like Cain and those Elf Squads. Most likely if they're this confident, they have other things as well, but our Spies haven't been able to make heads or tails about what it could be."" Elf Squads?"" Yes, there's 2 of them I believe. The 10 Great Elves. Which is a group of 10 High Nobles with Special Jobs exclusive to the Elf Race that make them dangerous.

Then there's The High Elf Blades, which is a prestigious group made up of strongest Commoners from the Military. I believe their numbers are around 15 or 20? Reports vary as there's honorable duels to enter the group along with keeping one's ranking."" I wonder if who I fought was one of those guys?"" What?" Everyone responded to my question that I asked out loud. I was a little startled by how loud everyone was." Oh, right, I didn't explain how I got away to you two, did I?"" Sarah caught us up to speed...

Now what do you mean you fought someone from those groups?" Warrick pressed me for answers. I began to explain." Well... After I escaped the dungeon I was locked in, I made my way Southwest into the forest that surrounded Kristalbaum, once I was in the forest, I was attacked by Archers. I was able to kill all of the ones who came after me except for one, that guy was really arrogant. But he had the strength to match it. I eventually had no choice but to set a forest fire to use as a diversion to escape.

It worked since the guy seemed to really care about the forest."" By chance... Were these trees... White?" Warrick asked me a follow up question... If I'm remembering correctly... The answer was..." Hm? Yeah... I think so?" / Whack! /"?" Warrick, Aqua, Alice and Charlotte slapped their foreheads as I answered Warrick's question. I was confused again." What? What happened?"" You... Those trees... They're the Ancestors of the Elves."" What? They're trees! What are you talking about?"

Aqua answered my question with an exasperated tone in her voice. What she said didn't make sense to me." Let me explain, it'll be easier." Charlotte stood up and positioned herself in front of me." What I'm about to say hasn't been confirmed, however, it's good to note that pretty much all Elves believe in this idea somewhat. Even some older Dark Elves do."" Okay... What am I missing?""

During the past, back before records were kept, the Ancestors of the Elves used their Great Magic to create the land that Alfheim currently resides on. However, the Magic was so great, that it came with certain side effects. Some died, others became the white trees that surround the Capital City. Some even say that the Spell is what caused the birth of us Dark Elves.

Regardless of how true these claims are, the trees are treated with great reverence and respect, the forest is treated as hallow ground, the trees, like statues of Gods. In an easier way to understand it. The trees are treated like Religious Artifacts to most Elves. And the crimes of treating them badly is a grave crime. Executions have happened before because of someone committing an action that was deemed "disrespectful" to the trees."" So, I'm a criminal?"" Worse, you set them on fire.

I wouldn't be surprised if they actively want your death now."" Great..." With Charlotte's explanation, I figured I was going to need to up the security around and in Paradise." We might need to pull you back from the war effort as well. If you're spotted on the battlefield, you might become the main target of the enemy." Warrick spoke and said something I couldn't believe I was hearing." That's a good thing, he's already given enough to this. He's more than earned the ability to sit this out."

Sarah seemed to be happy with Warrick's assessment of me. I was surprised by it." Wait, wait... Are you telling me that me... A Marquess, I'm not going to be needed in the war?"" Needed and wanted are 2 separate things. I'd want you to be there, but it's not absolutely needed. We can easily make you sit this out. Any objections to it can be argued you're more important to our Country and useful by staying back and continuing to operate your Business for the happiness of the Commoners.""

I mean, I'll do what you want me to, Warrick. But are you sure I won't be needed?"" Well... Maybe, but I'd rather you stay out of this. I'd hate to put it like this, but... This war is a battle between Demons, Dark Elves, Beastmen and Elves. You, a Human, shouldn't have to get your hands dirty even more than you already have."" Hey, I'm still a Noble of Diablos. If someone rages war on this Country, I view that as waging war against me to."" I know... I know... But you've risked so much already.

I thought you'd be safe at the Summit and look what happened? In a war, I can't even guarantee my own safety, let alone anyone else's. I don't want you to die because of my mistakes."" Warrick, I walked into the Summit of my own volition, I'm my own person, I could've said no. It would've been a pain in the ass, but I could've, it wasn't only you to blame. I was too trusting of them as well. The past is the past. We need to learn and grow from it. Me especially. I don't ever want what happened to happen again.

And I'm going to make sure it doesn't." I tried to offer some comfort to Warrick. It's not fair for him to take on all of the blame for this. The past is the past and from now on, I'm focusing on my future. Whether it means a battlefield or not means nothing. I've already vowed to get stronger anyways. All I can do is make good on it.