Chapter 117: Surrounded By Death

While Eternia City was colossal, there were lesser settlements clustered around it strategically.

Some served as bases for supply lines, with the goal of gathering and distributing resources. Others acted as outposts to spot the advancement of enemy troops and detect dungeon breakouts occurring in the outside territory.

"Our target is the Ironstone Fortress. The outpost acts as a depot where the nearby mines and quarries transport the raw ores they dig up from the earth. After the materials are processed here, they are sent toward Eternia City."

Professor Albert briefed them on the mission details.

"Taking the fortress is a priority. Without it, we lose access to a large part of our material production. The ores we have in stock won’t be enough if the war prolongs."

Peeking past the trees, Leonard saw a settlement other than Eternia City for the first time in his life.

The Ironstone Fortress was a truly formidable structure. Tall walls made of sturdy stone were raised, blocking the way. Interestingly enough, black vines had grown along them, and they looked thick enough to hold a man’s weight.

Using them as a ladder to climb to the other side was possible.

As for the gates, even from a distance, it was visible that they had been brutally blasted open.

Conflict had brewed here not too long ago, yet now the place was eerily quiet, with no trace of human screams or the noise of the factories working.

"For a place that is supposed to be under occupation, things are surely looking peaceful... Too peaceful." Leonard mused out loud, his eyes narrowing. "It’s like a ghost town."

Elizabeth nodded, agreeing with his assessment.

"Have we managed to establish any kind of contact at all?" She directed the question toward the professor.

Albert shook his head.

"All forms of communication have been cut off. The last we heard from them was when they requested reinforcements, saying they wouldn’t be able to hold the fortress much longer."

Russell scoffed arrogantly, his eyes shining with contempt.

"What a bunch of bastards." He mocked. "How did they manage to lose a fortress that is so well-fortified? This is almost a talent in its own right."

"Don’t speak as if you were here at the time of the attack." Miranda’s voice echoed, silencing the chatter of the scholars. "Sandromia could have overwhelmed them with sheer numbers or used an unknown method."

She paused briefly, letting the silence settle. Then she shifted her gaze toward Russell.

"If you have nothing to add, remain quiet. Your presence is a nuisance."

"..."

Rendered speechless, Russell clicked his tongue and averted his gaze.

"Weren’t we supposed to be accompanied only by the professor? What is the assistant doing here?" He muttered in disdain.

"Assistant Miranda has been assigned to our team as an extra safeguard for Princess Arabella." Albert explained.

Indeed, just as Miranda had promised, she had followed after Leonard. She had even gone out of her way to explain her presence as being tasked with ensuring Arabella’s safety, while in reality looking out for her master.

’It feels weird not being able to address Leonard as Young Master, but since we are in public, I have no choice if I want to keep up appearances.’ Miranda pouted. ’Regardless, as long as I am close to Young Master, that’s enough.’

"Forget about how the fortress fell. The problem is, why can’t we spot soldiers belonging to either side?" Arabella said, redirecting their attention to the issue at hand.

"Maybe... because we aren’t going to be fighting humans, but monsters?" Leonard suggested, making every stare turn toward him.

"It’s just a theory, but what if, after the soldiers of both sides clashed, they attracted a larger monster that wiped out both sides?" He said, pointing at the wall. "Otherwise, there should be soldiers standing watch, yet there are none... Just like a ghost town."

Nobody was able to disprove his theory. All the team could do was prepare themselves for whatever might lie ahead.

Because they weren’t short on time, they remained hidden in the wilderness for over an hour, lying in wait to spot any movement or sound, anything that might suggest there was a living soul beyond.

In the end, the Ironstone Fortress remained eerily deserted, just as it had been when they arrived.

With no other alternative, they slowly crept forward in a crouched position, paying extra attention to remain silent.

Finally, they emerged from the forest and entered the open area surrounding the Ironstone Fortress.

Nobody spotted them. No monster charged, eager to devour them, nor did a soldier sound an alarm.

Exchanging glances, everybody moved forward.

Albert took the forefront, with the tanks positioned on either side of him.

The healers, being the most vulnerable and important members of the team, were positioned at the center of the circle the team had formed, while the rest encircled them in a protective formation.

Leonard felt his heartbeat pounding in his ears. Without a doubt, something was wrong.

"Go."

He summoned Joker. Now that his summon had evolved to the Epic Rank, he had become harder to spot.

Like a shadow, Joker charged past the team to scout what awaited them.

Some of the scholars were startled by his sudden appearance, but nobody dared make a sound lest they alert any danger.

It didn’t take long for Joker to return.

"Well? Spotted any enemies? Allies?"

Joker shook his head.

Leonard frowned. Out of everything, he hated not knowing what he was facing the most.

"Since Leonard’s summon hasn’t detected anything, we are remaining in this formation." Albert instructed those behind him.

Crack!

A second later, Leonard froze, a cracking noise echoing beneath his foot.

The sound of the stick breaking wasn’t usually loud, yet in the suffocating silence, it was akin to a shot in the void.

Scared out of their wits, the scholars fixed their gazes on him.

With a silent curse, Leonard looked down.

"...Huh?"

Unlike the stick he had expected to see, a fragile bone was there.

Looking closer, it wasn’t just one bone, but an entire skeleton.

"It’s... a human skeleton." He whispered in astonishment.

Taken aback by the news, everyone scanned the ground below.

Beneath the black vines and roots that were stretching toward the Ironstone Fortress ahead, countless skeletons littered the earth, almost impossible to notice unless someone was specifically looking out for them.

Not a trace of blood or flesh remained on them. Mass-produced soldiers’ weapons and armor lay scattered not too far away from them.

"We are surrounded by skeletons? Are these... what was left of those who stormed the fortress?"

Chills ran down everyone’s backs.

"What the hell happened here?"