Dire Situation.

Magnus observed as the two men entered, seamlessly acquiring the necessary skill from Robert. He then dismissed Robert's information display, shifting his focus to the newcomers.

"Greetings, Lord Magnus," the two men said in unison.

"Hmm," Magnus responded, detecting a weariness in Robert's eyes, despite the man's attempt to conceal it. The beast wave, it seemed, had been more brutal than he'd anticipated.

"So, how is the defense against the beast wave progressing? I need a complete rundown on everything – the losses, the injuries, every single detail," Magnus commanded. Robert nodded and began his report.

Robert was his father's commander, responsible for the territory's internal affairs. He and his men guarded the walls, apprehended criminals, and handled various other matters within the territory, including the beast wave. This explained his absence on the day Arthur's group was ambushed by Gaylord; his duties kept him within the territory's boundaries.

As Robert recounted the events, Magnus's frown deepened. The report painted a grim picture.

According to the analysis, there had been twenty-three deaths in the few days since the beast wave began, and hundreds of injuries. Many of these injuries were severe, and given the limited medical resources available within the territory, these individuals would be incapacitated for an extended period. This was a significant blow to their already strained manpower.

The combined total of deaths and injuries was approaching two hundred, a devastating number considering the territory's current situation and its shortage of manpower. And these casualties were solely from the preliminary beast wave, a precursor to the first trial. The true trial had yet to arrive, not to mention the looming threat of Gaylord and his forces.

Magnus massaged his temples, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. The frown lingered even after Robert concluded his detailed report.

After a moment, he managed to compose himself, turning to Augustus. "How are the arrangements for the memorial and compensation for the families of the fallen soldiers progressing?" he inquired.

"Everything is proceeding smoothly, my lord. I've also arranged for discreet dissemination of information regarding your actions throughout the territory. Some families have already begun receiving compensation. I believe this will help alleviate some of the anxieties, at least temporarily," Augustus reported.

"Yes, it will, but for how long? The people need more than just financial assistance. They need hope, security, and reassurance. With the beast wave claiming more lives each day, the positive effects of the compensation will be short-lived," Magnus said, frowning.

"Perhaps you should consider addressing the people directly. A word of encouragement from their leader might provide solace and reassurance," Augustus suggested.

Magnus frowned again. Public speaking was not his forte. How could he inspire confidence and offer encouragement when he struggled to speak with conviction himself?

But he knew he had no other choice. He had to step outside his comfort zone if he wanted to achieve anything. He couldn't rely on others for everything. Moreover, how could he be a true leader if he lacked such a fundamental skill, one expected of every ruler?

"That's a good suggestion. I think the memorial service would be the most appropriate time to do so. Arrange for that as well," Magnus said, his voice firm, despite his internal reservations.

"Certainly, my lord," Augustus nodded.

"Good. Now, enough talk. Let's go. I need to see the situation firsthand," Magnus declared.

Although he had ventured out the previous evening to inspect the territory, it had been late, and most people were already home. There hadn't been much activity, so he hadn't gleaned much from his brief reconnaissance.

"Of course, my lord," the two men responded.

Magnus rose to his feet, retrieved his sword and sheath from the corner of the room, and fastened them to his waist. He was dressed in a forest green wool tunic, embroidered with a silver griffon crest, and covered by a sleeveless, knee-length surcoat of dark brown leather, secured with silver clasps. Dark grey linen breeches and a padded gambeson completed his attire. Various golden patterns adorned the ensemble, giving it a regal appearance while still being practical for combat.

As they exited Magnus's chambers and stepped outside, the warmth of the sun greeted them.

Magnus inhaled deeply, appreciating the fresh air. Though not as crisp and cool as the previous evening, it was a welcome change from the stuffiness of his room. He felt a renewed sense of purpose, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.

After pausing to appreciate the fresh air and sunshine, the men continued their walk.

Along the way, they encountered men and women going about their daily routines. These individuals bowed and offered greetings as they passed, but their salutations felt forced and perfunctory, lacking the enthusiastic cheers and genuine warmth that his father used to receive.

Magnus employed [Akashic Insight] to scan some of these people, and as he suspected, their trust levels were low. It appeared his subjects were losing confidence in his leadership. A pang of unease, like a punch to the gut, struck Magnus. He knew he had to rectify this situation. With such dwindling trust, it wouldn't take much to incite conflict against him, a dangerous prospect in their current precarious circumstances.

The trio continued, encountering more people along the way. Some appeared to be traders heading to market, while others seemed to be families of farmers on their way to tend their crops. None of them appeared particularly happy.

The beast wave had disrupted hunting activities, leaving many men stranded at home with nothing to do. Some had offered to assist their wives with farm work, but even that offered little solace. The disrupted water supply had severely impacted agricultural productivity.

Although only a week had passed since the water supply was cut off, and the plants hadn't yet withered entirely, the initial signs of decline were evident, causing anxiety among the farmers.

Traders were also facing hardships. With so many families struggling, there was little demand for their goods. People's incomes had been affected, and survival had become the priority. Luxury items and even non-essential goods were being forgone in favor of basic necessities.

Magnus frowned, observing the hardship around him. Turning to Augustus, he instructed, "Open the reservoirs and distribute food to the people. We cannot allow them to starve."

His father, Arthur, had been a wise and prudent leader, storing food reserves for times of need.

"Distribute enough to sustain them, not enough for a feast," Magnus added, thinking to himself, 'We cannot afford to be overly generous.'

Augustus nodded. Magnus then turned to Robert. "Have your men retrieve the carcasses of the beasts slain during the beast wave and distribute the meat among the families," he ordered.

Robert nodded in acknowledgment. "Good," Magnus said. "Now let's visit the infirmary. I have something to do there." The trio then set off towards the infirmary, arriving shortly thereafter.

The infirmary was a modest, medium-sized building. As the three men entered, Magnus was taken aback by the sheer number of patients.

Injured soldiers lay scattered throughout the building. The lack of clean water and food had also taken its toll on the civilian population, with children and even some adults falling ill. Some had become sick from drinking contaminated water.

As the three men entered, all eyes turned towards them. The patients seemed surprised by their presence.

"Greetings, Lord Magnus…"

"Greetings, Sir Augustus…"

"Greetings, Commander…"

A chorus of greetings echoed through the infirmary, somewhat disorganized and chaotic, reflecting the general state of disarray. Magnus, however, didn't seem to mind. These people were suffering, overwhelmed by their ailments and the limited resources available to treat them. Some soldiers sat bleeding, their wounds unattended amidst the throng of other patients. Under these circumstances, a perfectly coordinated greeting was hardly a priority.

As Magnus surveyed the scene, a feminine voice called out, "Lord Magnus!"

He turned towards the source of the excited voice and saw a woman who appeared to be in her early fifties. She wore a white robe, her white hair framing a remarkably beautiful face that, despite her age, seemed remarkably free of wrinkles. However, her face bore the marks of weariness and exhaustion, though her eyes lit up as he approached.

"Hello, Margaret…"

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[A/N_ Thanks for reading, please leave a review if u can]