216 Nina & Tori (2/2)
The rest shared the feeling with him. They can't help it, the mines and troves that the Lair Hunters found were too rich and is badly needed by the kingdom. The expansion should move according to the location of those resource troves, once those were well protected, the expansion should continue.
*Giggles*
The meeting was distracted by the adorable giggles of the twins. The adults turned their heads towards them and couldn't help but to smile with their adorable antics.
Nina and Tori were on their tummies and waggling their hands in feet, it was like they were swimming. They were mimicking each other and find it funny so their giggles echoed around the room.
”They're bound to return anytime soon, no?” Balmung said out of the blue.
The rest nodded at his words. It's been almost a year since they went inside, they should be returning from their training anytime soon.
”Yes, they should be.” Old Lee confirmed, ”I just hope that their training went well.”
”Let's have faith in them.” Leona chimed in, ”They are strong. The challenges they will meet inside won't be able kill them, instead they will serve as an opportunity for them to grow.”
”I'm confident that they will come through.” The Prince smiled in anticipation, ”Those kids, they're the cream of the crop. Someday, the world will be their playground.”
His words then were followed by the cheerful agreement of the twins which made everyone smile.
”See? Even the girls think so too.” Balmung chuckled.
The cheerful atmosphere were then interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. Balmung yelled: ”Come in.”
Suddenly, a frightened and visibly exhausted soldier came in. He hurriedly knelt down on one knee and said: ”Urgent report from the Outer Walls, Your Highness!”
From his tone alone, Balmung's face already sank. 'This doesn't sound good.' A foreboding sense of danger crept up to his chest. He then asked: ”What is it?”
”Sir! We received reports from a batch of returning Lair Hunters that they saw numerous traces of footprints, most likely belonging to Demonic Beasts.” The soldier reported under heavy breaths.
The adults felt their heart throb. The soldier then continued: ”We already sent scouts to confirm this. Our men went with the Lair Hunters and confirmed that they were indeed footprints of Demonic Beasts.”
”From our investigations, we saw at least 50 sets of different footprints from the southern wilderness, though this is just our estimations since all of those footprints lead towards the Red Zone and our men decided to report it first to Your Highness for further instructions.”
A heavy atmosphere descended on the room. Eva's face paled as she carefully picked up her girls and kept them close to her bosom.
The Prince's expression was somber, making the poor soldier tremble due to the heaviness of the atmosphere.
”What do you think?” The Prince turned towards the Golden Knights and asked their opinion.
”We've been here before.” Old Lee sighed, ”We received reports like this during the past two years. I would like to say that this is just a false alarm but I feel like this isn't the case this time.”
”If you'd excuse me, Your Highness.” Jackson interjected, Balmung nodded towards him. ”I would like my agents to work with the Outer Wall Guards to perform a perimeter check.”
”According to this soldier, they spotted the footprints on the southern part of the wilderness. I, however want to investigate the rest of the areas, just so that we could be more prepared.”
”Good idea. You have my permission to do so. As the rest, I'll trouble you to participate with the investigations as well. You can go as far as the Yellow Zone, come back here and we'll discuss about it even further to see if we will really be attacked by a Horde.”
”Move out!”