The floor was just covered in beaten soil and lots of grass. I think they're herbs or something. I don't know why they're on the floor. Everybody else seems to be okay with it so, I'm not going to ask about it.

"We need to steal some shovels and steal some potion materials to reinforce the chamber." All of them are thinking about my words. Turning them around and examining them.

"We can find shovels, we just need to find a blacksmiths shop or something." Shera's the first one to respond.

Moon is next, "The enchantment materials will be harder since it's close to wartime. Either they've been exhausted or moved away."

"Where do you think they moved the materials?"

"I have no idea, they were being used to enchant swords and shields. It has to be the armory. This city might have multiple armories and the materials should be almost fully exhausted by now."

Shit, my plan is crumbling to bits in the beginning stages. The houses looked like sturdy outposts to me but it just isn't the case. These houses had a timber frame. In front of a raging zombie, this is nothing.

"Ok, whatever. Ake just go get some shovels. Do you know where it might be?"

"I have no idea." He shrugs. The growing sense of hope at my ludicrous idea is being doused out.

"Wait, there might be a shovel in this house," I tell them to wake up the red-streaks woman and we inquire about shovels. She is enraged but there's nothing she can do in this situation.

We find a shovel, a rake, and a pick-ax. The rake is useless. However, the pick-ax can be used to soften the ground.

We start digging down. "Shera, can you cast your spell?"

She paused for a second, "Shouldn't I conserve my mana in case..."

...

..

.

Paren Rayleigh popped a handful of pistachios in his mouth and chewed it up with gusto. This was a strange little ritual he'd developed for when he was nervous.

"What are you eating?" It was Sam's. He was the military advisor. This was going to be their first battle together. He would've preferred promoting and working with a man from his own unit but he was here on The King's behalf.

"Pistachios. Do you want some?"

He seemed confused. "Why?" This was such an odd moment. Tensions were running sky high, they'd sent an envoy to the Eyeless one but they'd returned without success.

They could tell by the way they walked. At least, the envoys hadn't been killed. It would've been unthinkable for them to do something like send an envoy to zombie hoard but times were different now. The undead had caught them on the back-foot. Their supplies were exhausted and a long drawn-out battle would just starve them out.

"What do you think, Sam? Do they intend to starve the city?"

"It's unlikely."

Rayleigh was surprised by the answer. "Why is that?"

"His feud is with your sister. He wants to inflict pain and suffering upon you but you aren't the end goal, it's your sister and the meal. Starving the city out and killing you are opposing factors. There won't be a meal without living people. His baser instincts won't overpower the greater good."

"It almost sounds like you're on their side."

"I am."

"Wh-?"

"Glory to Lord Medallion."

Things happened in a few brief moments after that. Sam's moved in and hugged him. He clasped on to him and slime started to ooze out of his orifices'. The slime-covered him and exploded.

Reems moved his hand towards his sword but it was of no consequence, it was too late. right there, on the city wall. Every single soldier in the vicinity saw their commander die.

It was a giant blow to their morale. Their military advisor and the general, two of the highest-ranking officers in their force died. The only thing that was left of him was a bag full of pistachio scattered across the ground.

A massive roar washed over them and the undead army on the other side started moving in like a horde. The defense collapsed with laughable ease. The men threw down their swords and just ran away.

The undead didn't rush straight into the city. Instead, they formed a circular formation around the city. They just stayed there and prevented anything from leaving.

...

..

.

The Eyeless One

Helion's socket-less eyes gazed out at the city. He would've liked to prod and torture that Knight's little brother but circumstances forced his hands.

He had news that she was heading down here with great haste. He would've loved to mount her brother's head on a spear and parade it around in front of her face. Well, he could take a souvenior.

A vicious grin formed on his face at the thought. However, he was tasked with the responsibility of preparing Lord Medallion's meal. His personal vendetta needed to be place aside in order to serve the greater good.

A giant wagon with a tarp covering its entire length and width was placed down on the ground. The tarps were removed and a giant body, almost ten feet in height was revealed.

It had a beautiful face and an illusionary body. It looked like a tall, large woman. She seemed to be asleep.

"Wake the chef up." His voice rumbled out and he handed out a locket with a round coin. The locket was placed on the woman's chest and it sank into it.

That was the awakening medal. It was a brilliant magical item that infused ghosts with a soul. It was a tether and a house at the same time.

The ghost's eyes flung open and a hungry manic gaze was concealed in its eyes. "Time to prepare the meal~" Its bloodthirsty mouth opened up all the way to its ears. It swung out of its wagon.

"Heya~ You hunky brute~" Helion was almost disgusted by it. He'd heard about how annoying the chef was but this was on another league.

He would have to put it in its place.