52. Mask and figurine [2]

From the northern plains, the five members of the Royal Pack headed to the address where Dionne's kidnappers wrote in the letter. Along the way, they met palace knights who were tasked with investigating the monster's appearance.

Although it was understandable that monsters may appear in the northern part of Leymar, where the Crimson Forest lies ahead, the abnormal behavior of the Doomed Mantis says otherwise, and something was off. The knights gathered the remains of the dead mantis to be examined.

Beyond the mountains, Azer and his companions arrived on a barren land.

The moon was peeking from the clouds, casting its dim light over the barren land where nothing grows except a few clumps of grass. A small dilapidated cottage stood amidst that barren land next to a dead tree. A flickering lamp was seen next to the opened wooden window.