Nameless King

"What happened?" Osvald asked.

"No, nothing like that..." Irma shook her head and calmed down.

"Tell me. In that case, maybe we'll change our minds." Wain spoke slowly.

"Irma, you shouldn't. They already helped us by killing the Queen."

"No, I have to." Irma left the table and headed for the center of the room.

Wain, Osvald, and Franzi looked at her puzzled.

Irma ducked down, pushed the rug aside, and removed a special board from the floor. From the stash, she pulled out a large bottle of rum. Irma blew lightly, and a thick layer of dust fell off the bottle.

"Ohohoho, looks like we're in for some serious talk. I like that." Osvald smiled contentedly.

"What?! Irma, how do you know about this place?" Franzi was shocked.

"It's my personal supply." Irma replied coldly and set the bottle on the table.

"Franzi, bring more meat. I'm hungry again."

"But...you've already eaten so much...maybe you've had enough? In your condition, it might not turn out well."

"Do it."

"Y-yes!"

"Irma, did something happen between your village and Pearl Hunters?"

"Yes...something very important..." Irma poured rum into three glasses, took a sip, and said, "There was a conflict between us, and after that, they attacked us."

Wain and Osvald were silent, they gave Irma a chance to speak out.

"Unlike us, they didn't get here by accident, they came for Soul Pearls on purpose. However, they couldn't get out without destroying the Pearls, and you were right about that. They forced us to work for them, gather resources, and tunnel." Irma said with a droopy face.

"Tunnels?"

"Yes, I don't know why, but they made us do it. It's hard and dangerous work, we had to work from morning till night to get them to leave us alone."

"Does your grandfather know about the purpose of the tunnels?"

"Yes, you'd better ask him about that."

"What happened next?"

"For a while, they got behind us, they even stopped asking us for food. We thought our hard work had paid off, but that was a big mistake. One day a small group came into the village and demanded some young girls." Irma frowned and drained her glass.

"I see. Did you fight?" Osvald asked.

"Yes, obviously we were against it, but...we were too weak. Luckily they didn't kill anyone, their leader wouldn't let them, but they did take ten girls, one of whom is a close friend."

"Is that why you want to come with us?"

"That's right. Please! Take me with you!" Irma pleaded.

"No." Wain replied sharply.

"What? But, you said you'd take me with you if I told you!"

"All I said was that I would think about it, and I did. If we get a chance, we'll save your friend and the other girls, if they're still alive, of course."

"Girl, don't be so reckless. You couldn't defend yourselves and worked for them as slaves, you are weaker, in this situation, you are helpless." Osvald uttered.

"You bastards." Irma clenched her fists in anger and gritted her teeth.

"We just gave you a better option. If we take you with us, then we take responsibility for your life, we don't need this hassle. Just tell us everything you know about what their leader looked like?"

"I agree. Does their leader have any notable features? If so, we'll find him quickly and settle the matter." Osvald shrugged his shoulders.

Irma took a deep breath and took a few more sips.

"The Pearl Hunters captured in this area are also Beastfolks, just like us. However, they are of the Wolf Clan, and we have historically had a mortal feud with them. Their leader is missing his right ear, most likely a battle wound, and a long scar on his neck is visible even through his thick black hair."

"Good. That is enough. However, you must realize that your friends are probably already dead."

Irma frowned, but remained silent. She understood that Wain was right, though rude.

"You are too naive." Osvald shook his head, "If they haven't come yet, then those girls haven't bored them yet, which means they're still alive."

"Right... You're right..." Irma's eyes sparkled, and she smiled weakly.

"Please go as soon as possible!"

"We'll leave as soon as we can make it. By the way, where is Franzi? She's taking too long to get the meat."

Crackle.

Suddenly Franzi entered the room with a frightened expression on her face.

"Irma, they've come again!"

"What?!"

"Come quickly, one of them wants something from our grandfather."

Irma nodded and ran after her.

"Are we too late?" Osvald said thoughtfully.

"Maybe, but I don't think it has anything to do with the girls, but with the Queen. I probably know what the tunnels were for." Wain set the glass on the table and headed for the exit.

It was hard for him to walk, but he wouldn't fall down again. The food had given him strength, and that was enough.

"Huh, in that case, let's go see what's going on." Osvald smiled.

...

"Old man, what the hell are you doing here?" Angrily said a Pearl Hunter. He was a wolf with gray hair and green eyes. He was dressed in leather armor, and a long sword hung on his belt. Behind him stood several other wolves, looking at the villagers with evil smirks.

"Sir, I don't know what you're talking about!" The old man exclaimed.

"Do you think I'm an idiot?!" The hunter became angry and punched the old man sharply in the stomach with his fist.

"Grandpa!" Irma exclaimed and drew her sword from its sheath.

"No! Stop! Nobody move!" The old man shouted. He didn't want there to be any more trouble.

"That's your granddaughter, isn't it? Huh, she's quite pretty, next time, I'll be sure to take her with me, but right now..."

Crackle.

The hunter stepped on the old man's arm and pressed it to the ground.

"Old man, tell me, what happened to your tunnel?"