Chapter 233: The Beckland Great Smog Incident

Chapter 233: The Beckland Great Smog Incident

In the Queen's District, where the Beckland Great Smog first began.

Hastur, who was sitting in his study room, hurriedly writing some made-up dark fairy tales for Sharon, looked out at the unusual smog drifting by, put down his pen, and walked to the window to observe.

The Beckland Great Smog incident had finally arrived. Even if Mr. A had not cooperated with the Witch Sect, this day would have come regardless.

Moreover, the color of the smog, with its faint green hue and hidden blood streaks, seemed even more severe than the smog incident described in the original work.

This meant that more people would die in Beckland this time, especially those hardworking lower-class workers.

They had been working in factories for years, most of them already suffering from various ailments, relying on their young bodies to get by. After this wave of disease, even if they survived, they would likely spend the rest of their lives bedridden.

The nobles living in the Queen's District, although also affected by the smog, were quickly relieved by the swift actions of the church clergy, who dispelled the smog with various blessings.

After watching for a while, Hastur closed the windows and doors, walked out of the study, and picked up the somewhat distressed Aisala from the next room.

Aisala seemed terrified by what was happening outside, curling up in Hastur's arms for a long time before starting to meow softly.

"Don't worry, it will be over soon. I'll prepare your favorite dried fish for you tonight."

Hastur comforted Aisala for a few moments, then took her downstairs and called for Butler Neil to prevent him from going outside and risking his health.

Sitting on the sofa with Aisala in his arms, Hastur casually asked, "What's happening outside?"

"It seems something happened at the royal estate. Many church clergy rushed out from the church."

"Prince Edessak?"

"It seems to be him. I'm not entirely sure. I'll send someone to find out."

Butler Neil thought his baron might have some conflict with Prince Edessak and wanted to take this opportunity to laugh at him.

"No need. It's a bit chaotic outside today. Tell everyone in the house to go out less to avoid accidents."

"Understood."

After giving a few instructions, Hastur let Butler Neil go about his business.

...

In the garden of the Hall family villa, Audrey also noticed the changing smog in the sky.

She had never seen such a faint green mist mixed with red streaks before and watched it intently with Susie.

Until the household staff hurriedly led her and Susie back into the villa, closed all the windows and doors, and invited a church clergy to sprinkle holy water and chant blessings around the villa, Audrey realized something unusual was happening outside.

She wanted to ask Earl Hall about it, but he was not at home at the time, so she could only stay with the equally anxious Countess Hall.

It wasn't until after nine o'clock in the evening that Earl Hall returned home, accompanied by a priest from St. Samuel's Church.

Audrey, unable to contain her curiosity, asked, "What happened outside today?"

"Indeed, a lot has happened."

Earl Hall took a sip of hot tea before explaining to Audrey.

"Prince Edessak, who once pursued you, suddenly fell in love with a witch. Today's events were caused by those cultists from the Witch Sect."

Audrey had a bad premonition, "Did something happen?"

"A disease, or rather a plague, is about to spread in Beckland."

Earl Hall's tone was heavy as he warned, "Stay at home during this time and do not go out."

Countess Hall worriedly asked, "Is it really that serious?"

"It might be worse than we imagine."

After dinner, Audrey quietly returned to her room, called Susie, closed the door, and instructed Susie to go to Earl Hall's study to gather information.

Around eleven o'clock, Audrey, who was about to fall asleep, was awakened by Susie's voice.

"Audrey, wake up, something big has happened."

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Audrey regained her composure and looked at Susie, "Susie, what's going on?"

"Your father, Earl Hall, just left the house in the middle of the night. I heard someone mention that Duke Negan was assassinated tonight, but the details are unclear."

Susie finished speaking and shook her head, "Audrey, who is Duke Negan?"

"…"

Audrey was now fully awake, realizing that the day's turmoil was just the beginning, and someone had the audacity to assassinate Duke Negan.

Wouldn't that mean Earl Hall could also be in danger?

Audrey got out of bed, put on a simple coat, and went to Countess Hall's room, finding her mother unable to sleep due to worry.

...

In the small house where Fors and Xio lived, they were sharing a room and a bed tonight.

When the unusual smog appeared during the day, they quickly realized something was wrong, closed all the windows and doors, and stuffed cotton in their noses to prevent inhaling the smog.

Fortunately, they were well-prepared and responded promptly, suffering only a few mild coughs.

Their neighbors, a family of four, were not so lucky. The two children succumbed to the smog, coughing up blood and convulsing to death within three hours.

On the streets, the frail elderly who were out for a walk collapsed silently, dying without a sound.

Through the cracks in the windows, they saw many people lying on the streets, some already cold corpses, some still convulsing, and some weakly calling for help.

But no one could save them, and they could only wait for death to come.

It wasn't until a gust of wind swept away the ominous smog that Fors and Xio finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Witnessing such a major event and seeing so many people die, they were too scared to sleep alone.

"Xio, I feel that Beckland is very dangerous recently. Should we find a chance to leave temporarily?" Fors suggested.

"No, I have things to deal with in Beckland. No matter how dangerous it is, I won't leave until I finish what I need to do."

"Alright."

Fors didn't persuade further. As a writer, she could live anywhere, but the recent events in Beckland made her feel increasingly unsafe.

"Fors, if you want to leave Beckland, you can go with Mr. Hastur. I heard from Glaint that he might go to Southwell County."

"Forget it, I'll stay in Beckland with you. I can't let you face danger alone."

"Fors, I'm so touched!"

"From now on, you cook, and I'll just eat."

"… Damn it, give me back my feelings!"

...

In Duke Negan's villa, Greg was busy setting up a security perimeter to prevent another assassination attempt.

If he hadn't received information from Hastur in advance, Duke Negan would have died in a very disgraceful manner in a woman's bed.

At this moment, Earl Hall, who had just arrived, heard a scream from the second floor, and his heart sank.

He hurried upstairs with his attendants, and before seeing Duke Negan, he saw Greg's angry and sorrowful face.

A bad premonition filled his heart, "Where is Duke Negan?"

"He was assassinated by his trusted secretary, Lockhart Siakam." Someone quietly mentioned what had happened.

After narrowly avoiding an assassination and returning home with serious injuries, Duke Negan was resting in bed when his trusted secretary suddenly attacked him, taking advantage of everyone's carelessness.

After assassinating Duke Negan, the secretary managed to escape.

No one had expected such a turn of events.

The secretary, who had always been loyal and offered advice to Duke Negan, had turned on him.

"…"

Earl Hall sighed and remained silent.

Too many things had happened recently, as if some force was constantly targeting the Ruen Kingdom.

Not only had the capital Beckland been troubled, but a fleet on a mission at sea had also been attacked by pirates, losing an ironclad ship.

And the situation in the southern continent was equally worrisome.

...

At the train station, Ince Zangwill, who had been hiding and evading capture, was preparing to take a train to leave Beckland.

But he suddenly noticed a woman in a black dress sitting beside him. Her arrival was silent, and no one on the train seemed to notice her.

Ince Zangwill nervously asked, "Who are you?"

"Panatiya is dead. You need to stay in Beckland to clean up her mess. If you want to leave, wait until after the New Year."

"Are you the mysterious Black Saintess?"

Ince Zangwill smiled bitterly, knowing he couldn't leave Beckland tonight and had to follow her arrangements.

(End of Chapter)