“She came in the night.” The man shook. “The darkness flooded out, and then people died. I was sent out scouting. It was the only reason I survived. A cloud of darkness floated by and engulfed the village. All of our lights were snuffed out at once, like a ghost. Then, I could hear the screams of dying people. I saw her, on the outside of town, dressed in white. The shadow stretched out from her like a cape. It was her own shadow that engulfed the city.”

After we deduced the man wasn’t a danger, the Wolf Pack brought him into the house and sat him down. He was given some food and then he relayed his story as he drunk something hot and huddled in some blankets one of the wolfkin provided him. In normal days, there might be some tension between wolfkin and catkin, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t set aside those bias in the name of the unity of Dioshin. It was for this reason that despite existing as 12 independent tribes, they still managed to function as a single nation keeping out invaders.

“Do you know if she was an animalkin?” One of the wolfkin pried softly.

He thought about it for a second and then shook his head. “I don’t know. She kept her hood up. I wasn’t able to see her body or face. It was at a distance. I have the best eyes in my village. It was the only reason I saw her.”

His cat eyes shone in the light of the fireplace we were using, punctuating that fact.

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“If she kept her body hidden, how do you know it was a she?” One of the other wolfkin asked.

“Sh-she spoke… immediately before the attack, she gave a warning.”

“What did she say?”

He looked up unblinking for a moment before turning his head away. “Death comes for us all.”

“I guess that explains the name.” The lead wolfkin sat back.

Seeing the increasing number of atrocities had caused the Wolf Pack to steadily grow more somber. Now that they had an eye-witness account, they were truly starting to take things seriously. This wasn’t just a mission of revenge. This was a mission that could very well cost them their lives.

“I need some air.” I declared, slipping out.

Everyone was so wrapped up in their thoughts, they didn’t even glance up as I exited the building. I wrapped my cloak around me. Even though the weather was warm, the night felt cold. I found myself shivering as I pondered the man’s words.

“What are you thinking?” Alysia asked.

I had come outside to be alone, but I guess I was never truly alone. Even if Alysia wasn’t there, Elaya, Astria, Xin, and Celeste were all just a Slave Communication away. As my mana increased, so did the distance I could form and maintain Slave Communication. Without anything interfering with that connection like certain types of magic or dungeons, then I could probably contact any of my slaves from just about anywhere in the countries. Unfortunately, most of the girls I was worried about currently weren’t my slaves, making this whole situation difficult.

“I’m thinking about Miki,” I answered.

“Do you think it is her?” Alysia inquired. “Do you think Miki is Lady Death?”

“I originally refused to tolerate the thought without some kind of evidence. Now…” I sighed. “I can’t deny that Miki might be Lady Death.”