The castle was in an uproar. A couple of minutes ago, Arlem entered with Ryan on his back, both of them didn’t look so good.
The sky was dimly lit and the night had held strong in the atmosphere.
The main hall was already filled with people in array waiting for the return of the hunters, however only Arlem and Ryan returned… with no meat?
Chatters began to rise…
“What’s going on?”
“I don’t see any of their party members?”
“Oh bless Tach, did they all get wiped out?”
“Why are they looking like that?”
“Where is our meat?”
“Is there no food for us tonight?”
The air was rife with mutters like this. Everyone was looking at Arlem and Ryan who were immediately approached by other party members and two party leaders.
They were escorted into the inner chambers before anything could be said.
And now, a bunch of beaten, crap looking, mongrels, looking like godforsaken peasants who have no hope left in the world were walking towards the castle with their heads down.
The people in the outskirts watched from the sidelines, wondering in silent curiosity, ‘what could have gone wrong?’
There were no meat.
Usually, these people would be dragging a bunch of Corpse Eaters on a makeshift cartwheel, some other times two or three cartwheels.
However, they didn’t even have one following them from behind.
Talk about a bad day.
Some of them hissed and walked away from the sidelines.
Although, both parties had pale and rough expressions etched on their faces, they weren’t bothered by the disappointment felt by the people.
Being able to live through this encounter was enough to be grateful for.
If the people were so hungry then let them pick up weapons and go hunt for themselves.
They were greeted with tense expressions by the guards, who silently opened the door for them to enter the main hall.
Although curiosity wafted across their faces heavily, none of them uttered a word and just watched in silence.
Many would have already guessed the situation. Even if others didn’t know, it was clear that this was another bad hunting day.
But this was much worse… or maybe better. It was hard to choose.
They didn’t come back with any monster corpses… nothing at all.
Even on days when hunting was very bad, days when the parties came back with one or two fallen drifters, they always came back with monster corpses.
This time around… they may not have come with fallen drifters, but they also didn’t come with monster corpses. No dinner for all.
It was very unsettling and left a bad taste in their mouths.
“Sage Gilbert had commanded that you all head to the meeting hall immediately and not engage in any conversation with anyone,” one of the guards at the door said to them.
Fabian nodded with a solemn expression and led the rest forward.
Even though the mumbling of the people grew louder, they pressed forward silently and tried their best not to pay attention to anyone or anything.
They couldn’t even if they wanted to.
The experience with that devil was still fresh in their heads.
After a couple of steps, the massive door to the meeting hall swung open and they were all directed inside.
It was not every time ordinary party members got to be in this meeting hall with other prestigious leaders…
Even though it was a tense atmosphere, it was still a grand and envious opportunity—well, for those who had time to think of it that way.
There was a long table with seats at the center of the hall. But majority of the party leaders were not sitting.
On one side, Ryan lay, encased by a cage of vines that was subtly emitting a green glow.
A green haired guy in a casual white shirt and black trousers was crouching beside him.
Immediately they entered, the eyes of all the party leaders drifted towards them.
In a brief, unaccounted second, it felt like the weight of the entire world was about to come crashing down on them.
Their shoulders shuddered visibly.
Then Sage Gilbert spoke, with his arms folded.
“I’ll have you guys explain what exactly happened.” His voice was so thick and stern that it made their hearts heavy with fear.
Fabian looked at Perceival with a drop of sweat rolling down from his temple.
The latter also gave the same look then both of them stepped forward.
Perceival inhaled deeply and started:
“When we set out, Ryan detected a strange presence ahead of us, as a result I used my ability to scout the area. After discovering the locations of the threat, Ryan decided to go for the greater threat while we handled the rest.”
Fabian took over as Perceival paused to catch his breath.
“We encountered monsters, Corpse Eaters, their movement was erratic and strange. They were running from something. Which made it quite easy for us to kill them.”
He looked at Perceival, both of their faces heavy with tension.
“Will someone talk or do y’all want me to beat it out of y’all?!” A raspy, hoarse voice rang out harshly from amongst the party leaders.
It was the guy with shark-like teeth.
“Well, after a while… it came for us…” the words hurried out of Fabian’s mouth.
With a bead of sweat, Perceival shook his head and quickly interrupted:
“No, I don’t think that was it.”
Fabian looked at him, “Wh-what do you mean? Didn’t you see that thing chase us?”
Perceival furrowed his brows in strained tension. He slowly shook his head as he opened his mouth again.
“It did come… but it didn’t come for us… I think… I think it came for the Corpse Eaters.” He raised his head to the party leaders and added with a firm tone. “If it was coming for us, we wouldn’t be here right now.”
Sage Gilbert sighed, closing his eyes for a moment and opening them.
“Your report is in line with what Arlem had said. Apparently the monster spared he and Ryan too. And this becomes coherent with what those guys had said.”
Sage Gilbert was silent for a couple of seconds, causing the hall to be ridden with a grave, torturous silence.
Just when patience was running thin, his voice cut through.
“And I never wanted to admit to this… but I also have a report of my own… where they managed to escape… however, this ties to Northern, the new drifter.”
Braham’s face darkened and he stood up, clenching his fists.
Raven looked at Sage Gilbert.
“You never told us this before?”
“I was observing… I didn’t want to jump to conclusions. But now that things are like this… I have no choice.”
Raven’s eyes went out of focus for a second, ‘So this was what he was talking about?’ She thought as she remembered Northern’s words.
Then she stared at Sage Gilbert with grim seriousness.
“I don’t like that you were being dishonest with us…”
Sage Gilbert looked at her silently for a couple of seconds, those seconds however, were seconds of burdensome tension on everyone.
Then he let out a sigh and said:
“I’m sorry, I should have told you guys sooner.”
“Given the situation, our link is this Northern, considering that your report is related to him. And one of the witnesses was found with him. I suggest we bring him in for interrogation,” Terence suggested.
Sage Gilbert nodded, “You are right Lady Terence, we should.” He looked straight at the guards. “Bring the prisoner with white hair here…” he commanded.