The light in the temporarily occupied hall flickered intermittently, and the candles were deliberately reduced. The dim light cast deep scratches on the wood grain.
The remote corner was quiet, and the air was filled with an eerie atmosphere.
Those present were not very accustomed to the bright firelight, but as long as the pale-faced middle-aged man with an eyepatch at the head of the table remained silent, none of the others dared to act recklessly.
If Sophie were here, he might recognize this person, for his appearance had hardly changed in over a decade: this was Tagus, the right-hand man of 'Black Lord' Instarlon, a Vampire Baron known as 'One-eyed' Tagus. He was from the Manlayin Family, the fourteenth generation of Vampires, and among the younger generation. However, compared to Instarlon, who was no more than a fledgling in the Madara Army, Tagus had far deeper experience.
But it didn't matter; this was just the beginning of their cooperation—
Tagus watched the skeleton soldiers move stacks of documents from the library, paused for a moment, then turned to the Corpse Witch beside him and asked, "Speak, what did Rosco leave you to report?"
"Respectful General Tagus, my master found a scout in the manor." The Corpse Witch answered in a hollow, dry voice, bowing its head.
"So?" he glanced at it, then returned his gaze to the tactical map spread out before him.
"He escaped."
Several sneers arose from the surroundings.
The Vampire General lifted his head, and the sneers immediately fell silent. After pausing, he said, "I understand, Rosco did well. But I expect better; tell him not to be distracted by these trivial matters—I want to see him in the Belredo Forest before noon."
The Corpse Witch respectfully nodded and withdrew.
But as soon as it left, discordant voices echoed in the meeting room. This time, it was a tall skeleton speaking, draped in a worn-out brass armor, whose eye sockets flickered with dark yellow flames expressing anger:
"Lord Tagus, perhaps humans have already discovered our plan, that scout—"
It opened its mouth, but suddenly couldn't produce any sound from its wind-leaking jawbone, for it saw Tagus staring at it with his remaining eye, a gaze that made it instinctively shut up.
Low laughter resounded, filled with mocking undertones, causing the flames in its eyes to flicker with annoyance.
"Kabais."
"Present!" The tall skeleton immediately answered, straightening its chest.
"Take this location." Tagus pointed to a village on the map.
"Before sunrise," he pointed to the roof, "I want results—"
"Yes, Lord Tagus."
"Weisa, Eberdon."
"Present!" they answered in unison.
"Attack Weibin and block Dagger River Beach."
"Yes, Lord Tagus."
"Crow's Beak."
"Present!"
"Take two squads and search and clear this area."
"Yes!"
Tagus raised his head, sweeping a cold gaze over all present: "You are all nobles of the dark, I want to see you carry out my every command with elegance and speed, flawlessly. Ridenburg is our next target."
He took the lead in standing up, placing his pale hand on his left shoulder and chanting, "Madara will prevail—"
All the undead rose and responded in a deep voice, "Madara will prevail—"
Tagus lowered his head, his gaze once more on the map. He first saw the southern Red Pine Forest of Buqi, then moved up to Qing Village, Belredo Forest, then Ridenburg—continuing upwards to Sharp Stone River Valley.
Human scout? He sneered coldly.
...
At the same moment, with the full moon reflected on the Top of the Pine Forest.
The mountains of Yu Song were without wolf howls, but the Black Pine Forest was stirred by the wind, a chilling breeze that passed through the tree branches like light smoke, cold and eerie, causing a shiver down the spine. The young fighters of Buqi had never spent the night outside before; the thick darkness and mist of the forest always made them somewhat paranoid, as if every shadow hid a terrible monster.
Yet a voice brought them comfort—
"Hold this position."
"Yes, like that."
"Water—"
"Pass me the bandages."
"Hold tight."
Finally, it was done. Sophie wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath.
He saw a faint green +2 emerge from the young man's body, easing his tension.
First aid skills had reached Basic (Level 0), and the effect of bandaging and recovery had naturally improved. This wasn't much different from the game, but every instance that matched his memories reassured him considerably.