"This bug's shell... looks pretty useful, doesn't it?" Falan walked in from outside.
Hill hurriedly rose to his feet. "I've already notified the Undead. Aglaia is buying bug shells in bulk. I'll pay according to their grade. They'll definitely bring back the highest-level ones."
Falan said noncommittally, "They must have devoured the corpses of some powerful creatures. The patterns on their shells are obvious. There must be a powerful and terrifying breeder behind them."
"It's just a little strange... Why were these bugs kept so close to the surface? To feed them, corpses would have to be hauled up from deep underground... That wouldn't be worth it."
Hill lowered his head and thought for a moment before answering, "This is the passage beneath Arauthator's lair. He had just formed an alliance with the Undead and moved to Hidden Forest, so he handed this route over to them."
"He's an Elder White Dragon. Normally, he would raid the Underdark once every few decades."
"Ghouls aren't something just anyone can raise in such numbers... Perhaps the mastermind wants a powerful Bone Dragon."
Falan nodded in agreement. "That must be the reason... It seems that making a contract with the Undead saved his life as well."
"Ghouls that can absorb life force and multiply without limit, combined with so many Might Worms, were clearly bred to target dragons with powerful vitality."
He stared at the screen. "It seems the Undead will soon face their first formidable enemy in the Underdark... Without William following them now, can they win?"
"It's fine," Hill said unconcernedly. "Whether they're dark mages or necromancers, they can only act through summons now. The Shadow Weave is even more chaotic."
"As long as it isn't the sort of spell that wipes everything out in an instant, the Undead will never