Chapter 231: Excavator machines

The last report was from Uno's team.

According to his report, there have been frequent attacks from the beasts everywhere in the surrounding town and village in the empire.

Eman squinted his eyes.

When they were traveling towards the capital, they also suffered frequent attacks from the beasts.

There might be a reason behind it, he thought.

He continued reading the report. And Eman gawked for once.

"What? There is something strange about them?"

He mumbled.

According to Uno's report, the beasts who were attacking the village and towns had something strange about them.

It seemed like they were under the control of someone. Because they were organized and most of the time attacked in packs.

"Right, my lord. According to one of my men, a village in the south was attacked by a horde of beasts when they happened to pass by."

Suddenly, Dos mentioned it.

It surprised him. "Really?" He asked for confirmation.

"Yes, my lord."

"....."

"Also, my lord. My subordinate said that there's something strange with the beasts who attacked that village."

"What did he mean?"

"All of them had uniformed fierce-looking red eyes. As though they were under a spell.

"Hm…"

Eman went silent and pondered. The beasts who attacked them on the road are also in groups and have red eyes. He truly felt something unusual about them, but he did not pay much attention to it as he was more focused on buying some tools for his village.

Looks like he needed to add it to one of the most important tasks. 

He took a pen and another sheet of paper. Then he wrote something on it. He handed it to Dos along with some cash.

Well, they needed an allowance after all.

He stretched up his hands after giving a response to all his men who he sent for some tasks.

Eman did not immediately leave his seat after Dos respectfully left. He stared at the ceiling but his focus was not there. In his mind, he was trying to figure out something.

In short, he was pondering. 

'Hmm. I guess there is something more to it, huh. Two mysterious people in black, lack of medicine supply, and the unusual uprising of the beasts, and if I add the death of all the imperial armies in the recent defense mission on the frontline, then there seems to be someone brewing against the empire. But, it's merely my speculation. Anyhow, this is the empire's problem.

Although I was appointed as an imperial knight by the emperor, my case was special.

I'm not tied with any factions. Even a superior knight could not command me. In short, I'm more like a freelance knight.

However, I can use my title to command imperial soldiers as long as it's not against the empire. In this case, it's up to me if I help or not in their war. 

Hmm, it could also be a mere coincidence only.

Hah~!

He sighed. Then got up from his seat.

"My lord, where are you going?"

Little Sky asked upon seeing him about to leave the house.

"Going for a walk."

He replied without looking at her, however. "Let me go with you!" He stopped for a bit and looked at her. "Alright."

The two of them walk aimlessly, looking around the forest. It was night and the moon was shining brightly on the sky, gracing the land below with its brilliance.

However, all the houses that could be seen around were already bright with lamps. But the beauty of the brilliance given off by the moon-chan was still incomparable.

Since it was already deep at night, he believed that most of his people were already deep in their sleep.

He also didn't want to disturb them, so they were walking without making unnecessary noise.

Little Sky was walking beside him. He noticed from time to time she was sneaking a peek at his face.

"Is something wrong?" He asked.

"Uhm, my lord. Is something bugging you?" She asked in her cute little voice. It was understandable as she was a kid.

Regardless, this was an unexpected question from a girl who was undoubtedly younger than his sister.

"Eh? Why?"

"Because I notice a frown in the lord's face."

"....."

Eman smiled.

"I see. Don't worry, I'm just thinking of something."

"Oh. Sorry for disturbing you, my lord."

Eman patted her. "Don't mind it. Regardless, I need to visit the Dark Priest domain. Will you come with me?"

"Yes, my lord!"

Honestly, he could call out the Dark Priest using telepathy. But Eman decided to visit his domain instead.

When they arrived, Eman gawked in surprise. Some big monstrous beings were burrowing in a tunnel.

In fact, after they came inside, they were greeted by a dome-like interior. It's about 150 meters in diameter. And the height of the ceiling from the ground was about 200 meters.

He also noticed three halls leading towards the inner part of the Dark Priest domain.

Also, he noticed some signs besides those halls.

The first one, the one on the left side, has the sign of "Jail Area". 

"....."

It must be what he was thinking at the moment. The jail area was where the captured humans were being imprisoned.

The hall on the right side had the sign of "Waste Area".

He didn't want to know what was in there. But he could smell something awful from there.

The hall in the middle had the sign of "Elder's Sanctuary".

No need to guess what it was as Eman could already tell where that hall leads to.

Regardless, there were two monstrous creatures currently busy excavating on each corner, besides those halls. Probably, they were working to add more rooms.

But, what are those creatures that were working like excavator machines?!

"Hehe."

Beside him, he heard a chuckle.

"Eh? Sky?"

"Are you surprised, my lord?"

"Haha of course," Eman laughed wryly. "By the way, what are those?" He wondered what the Dark Priest was making.

"Hehe, look at this my lord?"

She took a paper and showed it to him.

"....."

It was a drawing of different kinds of Excavator machines.

Eman gawked.

After seeing it, he finally had a gist of what was going on.