Ⅱ
Deep within the Lion Palace.
In an unknown region.
Thud, thud, thud!
Figures moved through the tunnels amid the sound of crushingly heavy footsteps.
Every one of them wore ragged clothes, their faces withered and their bodies reduced to skin and bone.
Yet each carried over a hundred pounds of ore through the tunnel. Their eyes were dull and lifeless, and they paid no attention even when rats crawled over their bodies.
They did not react even when the rats bit them.
Only when-
Squeak, squeak!
Several rats chewed through one ore carrier's abdomen and severed his spine. Only after he collapsed did a figure approach.
A deep blue glow enveloped the ore carrier and the rats.
Within a breath, the rats' flesh and bones melted, filling the gaps in the ore carrier's flesh and bones so that he could keep working.
The figure picked up his mining lamp and continued his inspection, humming a tune from years gone by.
He was extremely tall but thin, with unusually long limbs and a narrow, elongated face. His head bobbed as he walked, making him look like an oversized stick insect.
As he walked, he scattered bread from the basket on his back.
These crumbs would attract more rats.
And as long as a steady supply of rats replenished their flesh, the miners under his command were the finest workers.
Tireless and unafraid of death.
They would work themselves to the bone at a single command from him.
That was precisely why the Prince had placed him in complete charge of the gold mine.
It was also why he had become a member of the Prince's "Lion Pride."
And the most feared member at that.
"'Construct Maker,' huh?
What a fine title."
Kidd muttered to himself.
Then the tune Kidd was