The hallways were crafted with an array of stone-bricks similar to its floor, wall and also the ceiling. Multiple spots in the passage were either swimming in mold, filled with cracks or crawling termites that retreated to the miniscule openings of the walls as a group of three individuals, one bearing a glowing orb passed by.
As they ventured throughout the murkiness of the catacomb-like hallways, the young man at the back glanced at the insides of the rooms with their own iron gates separating the group from an array of horrors; there was a remnant of a pool of blood, iron tools embedded with spikes, machines that were spot-painted with a dried crimson red color, and there even was a room specifically designed for extracting information, it had a chair where a set of shackles were strapped to its armrests beside a shelf filled to the brim with handcuffs as well as saws, hacksaws, nails, hammers, pliers, screwdrivers, daggers, and even razor blades.
"Just what kind of stuff goes on here.."
- Calestro inquired, face distorting as he repeatedly glanced from one room to another as they passed by..
"Stuff no one would wanna know." - Bakzeu, who pointed upwards with an index finger where a glowing orb rested, glanced back and whispered.
"..Uh-huh. I see.."
"Watch your steps. In the past, somebody tripped here and we never found him again." - Ignaras scoffed before Calestro let out a quick cackle.
"How long ago was that then?"
"Long before the walls were erected."
Ignaras remarked, causing Calestro to momentarily pause.
"..Before Azulunu? Weren't the walls built in the same time as the town?"
Bakzeu shot Ignaras a furrowed-eyebrow stare to which, he responded by shrugging his shoulders.
"..That is a common misconception, actually the walls were built much later than Azulunu, 5 years ago to be precise." - Bakzeu sighed.
"...So the walls is some sort of a defensive measure.. for a newly-discovered threat..?"
— Bakzeu glanced back with a widened-eye expression before his lips arose into a soft smile.
"Woah.. you're quite sharp."
- To which, Calestro responded by letting out a held-back cackle.
"..I get that a lot."
"The walls were built as a countermeasure for the attacks of some, peculiar things you see..What do you suppose attacked us?"
Calestro placed a finger atop his chin and paused.
"Bandits? I would say that they are quite common.."
- Hearing his reply, Bakzeu scoffed.
"If that was the case, the walls would not be needed, and even if it did, a few fences would've been sufficient."
Calestro downcasted his gaze before pausing;
"..Therefore if not fences, then it is an even bigger threat..
Monsters? "
Bakzeu smiled. "Bingo."
"Monsters eh.. so a pack of wolves or some brigade of wild boars?"
"Not quite, you see.. wolves and boars are animals, therefore they come in packs and hunt in packs, monsters which are certainly not animals possess a more different approach."
"I see.. indeed correct, based on what I know, monsters attack either in pairs or alone.. they don't have the intelligence to form groups, let alone packs."
- Hearing Calestro's reply, Bakzeu's lips transitioned into a soft grin.
"Precisely, that's why the atmosphere is quite tense here. Ignoring their basic instincts, the monsters that have attacked Azulunu over the years have been seen to have numbered over dozens, and sometimes even hundreds."
Calestro paused, a soft gasp escaping his lips. "what..? Monsters forming groups? Numbering not just in dozens but also in hundreds..!?"
"That..that's not possible..!" - Calestro shook his head.
"That's what I used to believe in too, but now. Seeing such things happening right before my eyes, I can't call it impossible anymore, they just don't rally groups, they...
- Bakzeu trailed off, recalling a memory that turned his face into a breeding ground of terror.
..gather entire armies before attacking.
as if there's some sort of intelligence—."
"Bakzeu." - Ignaras shot him a look that echoed; 'hold it.' or 'not that.'
"..What's the use? Might as well fill him in as much as we could."
Ignaras paused before surrendering into a sigh.
"..I suppose.."
"Waitwaitwait.. What's going on?"
Calestro asked, causing Ignaras to glance back and utter;
"..Usually, we don't reveal such information to an outsider in regards to this sort of thing."
"..Then why? Am I knowing things I shouldn't be?"
Ignaras sighed once more.
"You see.. While we were briefing Miss Aosomus in regards to the town's current situation I.."
"He let it slip out." - Bakzeu laughed.
"Slip..what out?"
————
Ignaras recalled the scene in where he stood beside Bakzeu, towering over a small young girl with a frail stature but determination etched on her porcelain-like countenance.
"..Countess. The stampedes showed no signs of ceasing over the past few months."
Sophia, which was the young girl, became downcasted.
"The monsters are adapting to our tactics, to counteract the growth in our men, they have begun to amass larger numbers.. some recent stampedes consisted of beings we never even have seen before."
Ignaras uttered, with solemnity prevalent on his expression leaving the lass in complete silence.
"..Reconnaissance officers tasked in monitoring the regions up north where stampedes usually originate have lost communication with us a few weeks ago, a search and rescue squad was dispatched under the jurisdiction of.. Sir. Hamilvan." — Ignaras added, eyes contorting while recalling the sight he beheld.
"..What they found was an array of mutilated limbs.. headless torsos.. a pool of blood. Though the bodies themselves were later identified and families were informed, it took longer as some of the recovered remains were beyond unrecognizable, bite marks, scratches, bruises, organs.. it was horrific to say the least."
- Ignaras diverted his vision, still continuing the brief despite his stomach being turned upside down by the recounting.
"During the meeting, when Sir Hamilvan was informing us about what has been discovered, I never seen him that disturbed.
- The soldiers that were with him, the pride of the corps for their mental resilience had to remain decomissioned for a few days to recover, unfortunately a few even took their own life, shouting the words "the end is near!" it was all over the place,
Miss Count—."
*Hic*
A faint hiccup emanated from the young lass, her body beginning to tremble as a few drops of tears were secreted from her eyelids.
"Crap."
"You went a bit too far..Ignaras"
"..Apologies! I will st—"
*Fwip!*
Before Ignaras could bow, the lass raised her hand, palm facing the two before she looked up with tear-filled corneas accompanied by a pair of furrowed eyebrows.
"...go..go on.." - she muttered in a faint, high-pitched voice that echoed throughout the tent.
"..I am the countess.. so please.. treat me as such.."
With her eyes sustaining the gaze on the sights of Bakzeu and Ignaras showing no signs of faltering, Bakzeu glanced over to his side and heaved a sigh before his lips evolved into a small smile.
He saluted. "Yes Ma'am!"
- The Countess Sophia gulped before she wiped the liquids off her eyes.
"..so..so.. I take it that Azulunu is in dire need of assistance, yes?"
- She furrowed her brows, the once faint voice now transitioning into a more solemn tone catching Ignaras off guard, though Bakzeu on the other hand, just found his smile growing even wider.
"Indeed, Miss Countess. With our diminishing morale and numbers contrasting the ever growing prevalence and strength of the stampedes, I would say that in a few weeks, the empire would find Azulunu in complete ruin, filled to the brim with dismembered and half-eaten corpses.."
Sophia diverted her gaze before placing an index finger above her chin.
"..According to your analysts, when will next stampede occur..?"
"..About a week from now."
"..Got it." - She stood up and dusted her dress.
"..I travelled here undercover, wanting to see the town without all the glamour that Noble shows the Imperial Command.."
- She clicks her tongue, looking troubled.
"I never expected it to be this..terrible."
- She whispered, facing both Bakzeu and Ignaras before lowering her head slightly.
"On behalf of the Aosomus Lineage, I sincerely apologize..!"
Bakzeu and Ignaras looked like they just saw a ghost when she bowed.
"Ra..Raise your head..! Young Countess..! There is no need for you to lower it!" - Bakzeu exclaimed, sweat dripping from his cheek.
"No.. I must assume responsibility."
- She shook her head before tilting it up.
"..While I may be far from my personal army as of now.. I will provide as much assistance as I can.. I informed my father that I shall be venturing to Azulunu, but once he fails to receive a reply within a few days, he will definitely send an army here.."
Bakzeu's and Ignaras' eyes widened in unison.
"Wai..wait a minute Young Countess! Are you implying that you will stay here..? It is way too dangerous! Even if the next stampede is a week from now, there have been instances in the past where it happened way ahead of what was predicted..!" - Ignaras exclaimed, urgency covering his corneas.
Sophia shook her head.
"I wish to remain..no..
I command both of you to allow me to stay. Under the direct order from Countess Sophia Aosomus The Second!
—I will not be entertaining any refutations!"
"Bu..But countess..!!" - Bakzeu exclaimed.
"If I were to return home now, Father would be relieved, and thus set aside sending troops to Azulunu, you mentioned that there were instances that Stampedes occured ahead of schedule, yes? Then all the more reason to stay.. so the Empire sends troops as soon as they could."
"..Why..not just send a message to them.. Miss Countess? It would guarantee our safety without risking yours!"
"If you want to risk having a delay on the arrival of the reinforcements then I shall. Think of the lives within these walls.. Is my safety worth a thousand of human lives? Aren't the Aosomus Lineage was and always have been a public servant..!?"
- She declared, steadfast on her resolve.
"I would not sully the name of my family anymore..! I will not hide behind my troops! Therefore you two.."
- She spoke, an aura of authority laced within her words. Subconsciously causing both Bakzeu and Ignaras to straighten their postures.
"Y-yes Ma'am..?" - The both inquired in unison.
"Honour My Command!"
- She declared, not as an authority, but with power depicting of THE authority itself. Her voice echoed throughout the tent, causing Ignaras to zone out and recall a bygone memory of his a few decades ago, consisting of a faint silhouette of a man.. standing before him, looking behind with a smile that reflected the sunlight as it peered through the clearing of the storm.
"Are you alright kid!?"
The manly voice uttered, cheerfulness mixed in with utmost authority.
"It is fine now! Smile! Be filled with Hope!
—Honour My Command!"
"But..But countess.." - Bakzeu muttered, face torn between duty and compassion.
While beside him, Ignaras, who remained stoic for a while now had the corner of his lips erupt into an acknowledging smile.
"As you Wish;
Countess Sophia Aosomus The Second, The Last in Line for the Aosomus Lineage, I, Ignaras M. Glovana.."
*THUNK!*
Ignaras fell to his knees, the plate covering his bone colliding with the ground, sending the echo of a metallic roar.
"Second Division Commander,
—shall Honour Your Command!"
————
Calestro paused, digesting the sheer amount of information that was just passed unto him by the superiors.
"I never thought..she was the Countess.."
- Cale sighed, scratching his head. -
"Life sure is..full of surprises.."
Seeing the youth's reaction, Bakzeu couldn't help but slightly cackle.
"Considering Sir Hamilvan's reaction when she first turned up and shielded you from the advance.. I would say that you are both on the same page."
"Ahahaha.." — Calestro recalls the time of which he felt the crushing levels of chill brought down on him as a crazed Hamilvan stared daggers right through his soul.
"...Earlier...Why.. did all of you attempt to.. subdue Sir Hamilvan..?"
- Both Bakzeu and Ignaras subtly twitched upon hearing the mention of the previous events.
For what seemed like the hundredth time, Ignaras once again released a soft sigh.
"..That happens periodically.. Sorry you had to see that."
Calestro shook his head before the corners of his lips arose into a soft smile.
"I..It's fine."
Bakzeu's mouth went agape, eyes glazed as if recalling something distant and unpleasant.
"Sir Hamilvan's condition is quite unique.. He starts attacking everyone, even his allies whenever he experiences an episode.. Honestly.. it is terrible, not the Sir himself but that sickness of his."
Bakzeu scoffed, causing Calestro's face to soften up a little.
"When did it start..?"
Calestro asked, causing Bakzeu to pause for a few moments.
"If I Re—"
"That would not be important."
A low, commanding tone escaped the mouth of Ignaras, causing Bakzeu to shut his lips and resume focusing his gaze on the narrow hallway at the front.
"You sure do ask a lot of questions." - Ignaras scoffed, irritation in his voice.
"A-apologies!"
"And you Bakzeu.. I can excuse the Stampedes, but now even Hamil's illness?"
- He furrowed his eyebrows towards Bakzeu.
"..Sorry." - Bakzeu diverted his eyes.
"..*sigh* Anyway, freeing you is not the only reason we came here.."
Calestro froze, eyes widening as he halted on his footsteps.
"A-and what would that other reason be..?" - He asked, mouth going agape.
Ignaras then turned around and faced Calestro with a straightened posture a stoic face and a serious disposition. Back facing the exit of the hallway, showing the horizon which was filled with stars, contrasting the beginning of the ever rising sun.
"Kall..yestrouh..was it.. erm..?"
"..Calestro.."
"Calestro..! Got it."
"Ehem, let me do that one more time."
*THUNK!*
Ignaras stomped on the stone-bricked floor and puffed out his chest, chin tilting upwards slightly while his back faced the illumination brought by the new dawn.
"As per Countess Sophia Aosomus The Second's recommendations! I, Ignaras M. Glovana, seek the participation of Calestro An Sletzch's! In the Upcoming Stampede!"
— Ch. XI Fin.