I, reincarnate as the leader of the villainous knight order

Chapter 16: Unexpected

Gathering with my subordinates at the training ground, we were supposed to head to the Eastern Forest on horseback as usual, but this time, we decided to go by carriage to make it harder for the monsters to find us in the forest.

“It’s just a prediction, but there should be a magic stone called the Shard of the Evil God in the ruins of the Eastern Forest that causes the Stampede. It seems that the magic overflow can be seen from the moment the Stampede occurs. If you find it, prioritize destroying it above all else. The difficulty lies in the fact that until then, it just looks like an ordinary stone, but to minimize damage, this operation is absolutely necessary.”

I explained the operation in detail during the journey. In case stubborn Clement tried to interfere even a little, we only informed the Border Lords of the forest as our destination, so my subordinates were hearing it for the first time.

The Taleraan Border Lord’s territory, surrounded by forests on three sides, has its center to the east, so if a Stampede occurs, monsters will come pouring in from three directions. The Taleraan Border Lord’s territory was in a state of destruction in the novel.

After getting off the carriage, we headed towards the ruins, slaying any solitary monsters along the way. If they came in groups, we would avoid them to conserve our energy, but encountering just a few would still be better to reduce their numbers.

After about an hour of entering the forest, the ruins came into view. It was built like a small Parthenon temple, with traces of a chapel underground.

“There should still be monsters being attracted here. Be careful not to be noticed,” I whispered, and my subordinates nodded silently. Fortunately, the entrance to the ruins underground was small and hard to find, so monsters rarely entered.

However, this time, because we were wearing armor, it was inevitable that we would make some noise. We tried to move while the wind was blowing and the leaves were rustling, minimizing our presence as much as possible as we entered the ruins.

“Phew… There really are a lot of monsters. Are those the monsters that were attracted by the Shard of the Evil God?”

“Yeah, if we were told to wipe them out, it wouldn’t be impossible, but if their numbers increase, it’ll be tough.”

Simon and Arnault cracked jokes in the room illuminated by the magical lights of the magical instruments. The Elliot Squad seemed a bit tense, with noticeably fewer words than usual.

My squad seemed unfazed, as they were accustomed to my reckless actions. If they were nervous now, they wouldn’t be able to handle it if we had to spend several days here.

“It may start as soon as today or tomorrow, but until then, stay relaxed but vigilant. If you can’t move when it matters, it’ll be a problem. You can even remove your armor for now.”

With that, everyone started taking off their helmets and gloves.

“But if it looks like an ordinary stone, would you be able to distinguish it from the rocks lying around because it’s a ruin? Because, you know, maybe this stone could be it… right!?”

Cassius smashed a palm-sized stone lying around the altar with the tip of his sheath. At that moment, a powerful wind blew through, and I could feel the air around us change.

“What? Huh? What was that just now?”

“Cassius… you didn’t, by any chance…”

“What do you mean!? I didn’t do anything weird, did I!?”

Surely he just smashed the Shard of the Evil God! He himself didn’t understand what had happened, and he looked around nervously at the sheath, the broken stone, and the surroundings.

“Arnault and Gaspard, go check outside. There should be fewer monsters now. But still, be careful since they might not be completely gone.”

“Got it. The atmosphere outside does feel different from before. Let’s go, Gaspard.”

“Yeah.”

As the two headed outside the ruins, I wrapped the broken stone in a handkerchief and put it into my Magic Bag.

“Captain, what are you going to do with that stone?”

Cassius tilted his head as I carefully handled the broken stone.

“Most likely, this was the Shard of the Evil God. It’s either good luck or strong attraction… We won’t be able to discern it ourselves, so we need to have it examined by a high-ranking priest at the temple. But well… good job.”

“Ouch! Ouch! Don’t touch me so roughly!”

When I roughly rubbed his head, which was slightly higher than mine, it seemed to hurt, and Cassius’s head drooped. I wasn’t trying to shorten him just because I was shorter.

“Captain! The monsters outside are gone! Well, not completely, but there are way fewer than before! Right, Gaspard?”

“Yeah, it feels like we can breathe easier.”

“That confirms it then.”

With the report from Arnault and Gaspard who returned, speculation turned into certainty. While my subordinates were genuinely pleased that the Stampede had disappeared, I felt complicated inside.

Think about it, we set off insisting that the Stampede would occur, and now we have to report that it won’t happen anymore!? So I absolutely need the high-ranking priest to testify that this stone is the Shard of the Evil God, or I’ll be in trouble.

I know for sure, but if someone who dislikes me investigates it, they might argue that it’s not the Shard of the Evil God even if it is. Then I’ll end up being seen as a clumsy person who staged it!

“Captain, I’m hungry~”

Everyone looked at me with hopeful eyes, probably wanting to eat the lunch boxes I’m holding.

“Come to think of it, it’s already past lunchtime. Let’s go out and eat.”

With the confirmation that the Stampede had disappeared and my subordinates being in a picnic mood, we headed to the surface.