"Bring them back for me when you return to Free City."
Annan decided to take them along. They could add a little diversity to Free City.
Come to think of it, Little Demons were about the same size as Goblins, and just as mischievous—if playing on the Rotting Tyrant's belly was any indication.
They would probably get along well.
But first, he would have to quarantine them for a while. Who knew whether the Rotting Tyrant's bodily fluids were contagious? And besides—
"All of you, go take a bath!" Annan pinched his nose. Having keen senses was not always a blessing.
Back at the tavern, Annan sent a message to Philos's younger siblings: everyone on the list had been dealt with.
Skullcrusher was still out there, but he had gotten lucky. A Grayfur Rat Priest had taken him deeper into the Abyss, beyond Annan's reach.
Even so, the path ahead of the Rat King was clear.
Annan strode proudly through the tavern like a lion patrolling his territory.
He had cleared the Rat King's obstacles through his own efforts. Of course he had a right to be proud.
Before long, a message came from Philos's younger siblings: An eerie epidemic has broken out on the Fifth Layer. A group of rats seems to be the source. Any ideas?
"The Fifth Layer? Maybe the Rotting Tyrant's corpse became a source of plague." Annan certainly could not admit he had caused it.
Philos's younger siblings accepted the explanation. "Maybe. This outbreak is pretty nasty."
Even Ratfolk who worked with plagues and pathogens could not withstand it. That showed just how terrifying the concoction Annan and Beludona had made was.
If they could recreate it, would they have a way to deal with the Ratfolk?
But one crucial ingredient was the Rotting