"Speak," Bai Xiaowen said gravely.
"Well... before I was turned into a Snakefolk, I was a human scholar. I traveled through the kingdoms of the continent, raising funds for my research," Halofinsen said. "Perhaps that was why the Grand Overlord deliberately preserved my memories when I was captured and transformed..."
"Get to the point."
"After my transformation, I drew a map of the Black Tide Continent for the Grand Overlord... He seemed especially interested in one region," Halofinsen said.
"Which region?" Bai Xiaowen was curious now.
"Along the border between Camelot and Artoria."
Halofinsen drew a small red circle on the map.
The Camelot Queen studied it and frowned. "That's... the Pale Swamp? It's a desolate, uninhabited place. It has no strategic value, and I've never heard of any magical ruins there. Are you sure?"
"I'm sure," Halofinsen said. "It was the only place the Grand Overlord questioned me about in detail, so I remember it vividly. He said something else at the time, too."
After a pause, Halofinsen cleared his throat and spoke in a deliberately deep, raspy voice. "No-Man's Zone? Good. This secret must stay buried forever. Everyone who knows must die. You must not tell a soul! Kill them!"
"Are you sure that was one sentence?" Bai Xiaowen eyed Halofinsen skeptically.
"The Grand Overlord has nine heads!" Halofinsen protested. "Several of them speak at once, and their voices echo over each other. It's impressive I remember this much!"
Beside them, the mage Catherine had long since clenched her teeth and was glaring daggers at Halofinsen, as if she wanted to tear a chunk out of the Snakefolk traitor. But she could no longer move, so all she could do was threaten him. "Halofinsen, the Grand Overlord ordered you to keep that secret... and you deliberately disobeyed! You're