"What took you flying Snotling things so long?"
Bal Zhijin's question was almost threatening. He coughed up a gob of phlegm and spat it onto the ground.
He wore no helmet. This nearly crazed display of arrogant confidence left a deep impression on Ava.
"We're slaughtering these Shrimp. Were you lot slacking off?"
Wilberkina's expression tightened slightly.
"We were also engaging the enemy, my lord."
"That's right."
Bal Zhijin grinned. There was a strange glint in those savage eyes—Ava thought he looked a little mad.
"That's right! But you call that fighting? Tossing a few firecrackers around? Spraying the ground a few times with those water guns?"
"Our reconnaissance mission is complete,"
Wilberkina said calmly.
"Snotling things!"
Bal Zhijin growled deep in his throat, and the sound sent a chill down Ava's spine.
"They need to be wiped out now! Crushed! If I were you, I'd strap a bunch of bombs onto some cowardly gits and give the Shrimp a proper hiding!"
"Is that how you treat your soldiers too?"
Ava asked skeptically.
"Sending them to kill themselves?"
"You?"
Bal Zhijin glared at Ava. He was about to say something, but then seemed to recall something and took a step back instead.
"Oh, right."
He hissed, laughing in a disturbingly wild manner.
"You're the Boss's bird. He likes you, birdie. Better stay nice and safe in your box. If you run around and get broken, the Boss'll go mad."
Ava remained unmoved.
"Forget it, forget it. I'm a right idiot for expecting you lot to fight."
Suddenly, Bal Zhijin turned and walked away, casually swinging his massive axe.
"Instead of wasting time talking to you, I'd be better off chopping up a few more Shrimp. If you're scared, piss off already. Don't ruin my mood."
"You were not sent here