“Your stay with us has to be shortened considerably,” said the first researcher. “You will have to leave soon for the gnome capital.”

“But I just got here recently. I still have plenty of work left to do. I wanted to watch more of Arthur’s actions in person,” said Ethan to the others.

“We have already taken that into consideration and as such you will finish the repairs to Arthur. Once the materials have arrived and you finish the changes you will join the gnomes returning to the capital. Your expertise is needed in creating more undead defenses. A few humans are already lending us their aid and you are needed as well,” said the second researcher.

“We don’t discount your assistance so far and your willingness to give up many things for this project. I will make sure to send you semi-regular updates when I can. It shouldn’t be too much trouble for me with a communication crystal,” said Andre.

“I would prefer not to be carted around to wherever you see fit. I suppose it was inevitable that I would have to go there soon. How is the advance of the undead going?” asked Ethan.

“Fortunately for us, slowly. Your people lived quite spread out, so it took some time for the undead to reach all of them. Some have escaped to the ocean and taken refuge with the elves. From our scouts, we don’t know an exact number for the human survivors. Currently, we have numbers in the low thousands. Though our governments aren’t interested in these things right now. Currently, the undead is regrouping and gathering their armies in full force. We have sent some strike teams to take out some smaller groups within the human territory, but those numbers are but a fraction of a percent of the total army numbers,” said the first researcher.

“Do you know where they are going to attack or their numbers?”

“Each necromancer and some liches under them control their own portion of the army. We can’t tell right now where they might go from their current location, but the capital is certainly one of them. As for their numbers… Almost the entire population of the human kingdom are either walking skeletons or zombies now. Due to how long they have been in the presence of other undead they may have changed or merged into new forms,” said the first researcher.

“I see. Are there any other plans for skirmishes within the human kingdom still?”

“Other than sending out scouts we will not be fighting in an area we do not control or know well enough.”

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“Is there anything else that needs doing here while I have a few more days at this outpost?”

“Not particularly. We have already laid out a general plan for the golem and will be following the capital's orders in our preparations for the battles. If the undead gets here we have our magical barriers and some of the magician staff will still be here for a time after Arthur leaves. We have plans to send the golem to fight the dragon soon so he will join you after a time if all goes well.”

“I thought he wasn’t ready. There is still plenty of magic left to teach him,” said Ethan.

“We have already accounted for it for the most part,” said Andre. “Based on the timing of the undead arrival we should be able to bring Arthur into battle a month after it starts. It’s a rough estimate, but it is what we assume. Currently, it is only the modifications that delay us. If Arthur can’t cast anti-necromancy spells then he is about as useful as an elf mage. Maybe a little more maybe a little less. During the trip on the boat, we have chartered I will teach him as many battle spells as I can reasonably do so. Then I will have him self-study on the way back your book of spells so that when he returns he will be ready for battle.”

“Then I assume all of the logistics for this have already been dealt with?” asked Ethan.

“Yes. Arthur will be ready to ship off soon. From our monitoring, it has been decided that Zoe’s departure was not a big deterrent on his psyche, and he has leaned on others instead. It is also safer this way. Make sure to inform Arthur of your departure as well. You may also inform him of the details as well because I suspect it will motivate him a bit,” said Andre.

Ethan took a deep breath. “I guess it is all coming together soon. I don’t look forward to being near the forefront of this war. Make sure Arthur is well taken care of while I am gone. He has been my long-term project for a while.”

“You need not worry. Things have been well handled so far. We have also taken many precautions unknown to Arthur to protect his secrecy,” said the second researcher. “Everyone who can be in the outpost has taken a contract of secrecy to prevent leaks. It is why we chose one of the smaller outposts like this one anyways. How about we move on to a different topic. Maybe one that is a little less interesting but important nonetheless. I have here the reports from our farm head and hunting lead.” He took out a folder and presented some documents. “Here we have the total beasts killed and estimations of their population and information for crop yields. It is important to prepare for the first snow of the year. Everything will slow down so we should begin now…”

The second researcher continued speaking on the future of the outpost. Ethan didn’t stay to listen much longer as it did not concern his future. He left the tent and walked through the outpost. The merchants from yesterday still idled around. Some prepped to leave with a smaller amount of goods this time around ready to travel to the next outpost location.

‘More humans are alive. Thousands no less to the north,’' Ethan sighed ‘and a few more just days away in the capital. I wonder who escaped. Maybe some travelers or adventurers. I wonder if any of them will know who I am? How many people did Andy tell about my so-called ‘crimes’? Are any of them still alive? I was only saved because of the barriers I built into the jail cells years ago.’