The Lowly

The dense fog was gradually dispersing, yet it still shrouded the entire eastern plains.

The radiance of the giant sun had turned pale and dim within the mist. One town after another had lost contact amid the fog and strange whispers. On city streets and across rural wilderness, twisted, malformed humanoid things staggered through the thin haze, like a nightmare that had entered the mortal world and was spreading across the polluted land.

Thorinburg had finally been swallowed by the boundless fog as well.

Erratic winds swept wantonly over the city, snapping every banner in the air. More and more bad news came from every direction—not just from the city before them. Across the vast lands beyond it, all order was rapidly collapsing.

Inside the castle hall, a High Rank Knight clad in dark refined steel armor reported on the latest developments. "...We have lost all contact with the Sost region. The roads have been blocked by the fog, and messengers who enter it never send back another word. The fortresses in the Slanted Forest Valley and the Yarter Mountain direction briefly lit Beacon Fires this morning, but they went out soon after. The Message Spells have been cut off as well, and the knight squads sent to investigate have yet to return. I fear the worst..."

Another High Rank Knight immediately rose to his feet. "The situation inside the city is also highly abnormal. Soldiers found wandering civilians in the outer city, and they all appeared to have lost their minds. There have also been sightings of abnormally tall black-robed giants moving through the fog..."

As he spoke, the High Rank Knight seemed slightly uncomfortable and subtly moved his shoulders and arms.

At the head of the long table, Edmund's face was as dark as water. "How many people