"Migration?"
The City Lord's brows drew tightly together, and the scar twisted with them, making him look even more menacing.
"Yes, City Lord."
Batu nodded emphatically. "According to the guard captain's account, they were hiding in a crevice when they saw a mixed group of Strange Monsters—the kind that would normally have fought each other on sight. As if summoned by something, they all surged toward the Pale Forbidden Land in a frenzy."
"The Pale Forbidden Land." A white-haired elder stroked his beard. "That's a subsidence zone. They say Aberration Kings, rarely seen in the outside world, are common there. There are even supposed to be Aberration Emperors."
The words "Aberration Emperor" seemed to be taboo. The entire council chamber fell silent.
After a stretch of strained silence, the City Lord began tapping the armrest again, though his rhythm was noticeably faster than before.
"Strange Monsters don't abandon their hunting grounds without reason, much less head en masse to a death zone that even they fear."
He paused, a sharp glint passing through his eyes. "There are only two possibilities. Either something deep within the Forbidden Land is drawing them in, making them risk their lives to get there. Or... they're being driven there. Either way, this is no good news for a city like ours, so close to the Forbidden Land."
"Exactly." Another commander stepped forward and picked up the thread. "City Lord, uncertainty is the greatest danger. Now that we know those vile things are pouring into the Forbidden Land, we can't just sit here and wait."
"I request permission to lead an elite squad to scout the edge of the Pale Forbidden Land. At the very least, we need to know what they're up to. If—if the legendary Aberration Emperors deep within the Forbidden Land are driving