Chapter 2024 - 544: There Are Things More Terrifying Than Humans_5

"Lady Antonie, Miss Yaya... Since this is a war-themed play, let's not overly embellish romantic affairs. How about... we write about camaraderie? The kind of brotherly bond formed at the brink of life and death might be more moving to the heart."

Lady Antonie's eyes instantly lit up.

"Good idea! That's wonderful!"

Luo Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

However, before he could fully relax, a trace of unnatural blush appeared on the Duchess's face as she turned her head towards Miss Yaya.

"Since it's about brotherhood... why not let Eagle play this role?"

The hesitant yet courageous voice seemed like discussing something hard to bring up, yet regrettable if not said.

Mia was taken aback.

"...Eagle?"

"Exactly! I think she fits it the best!"

At this moment, the naive Miss Padric still hadn't realized what the fervor in Lady Antonie's eyes signified, remaining in the mindset of a professional.

"But... for such a tough role, is she okay?"

"No problem!"

Lady Antonie grabbed Mia's hand, her eyes gleaming.

"Didn't she play Matthew in 'Bell Sound'? That fragile yet resolute posture deeply moved me... Please, give her a chance!"

"Okay... alright, I'll look into it."

Since it was the Duchess's request, it was hard for Miss Padric to refuse. Either way, even if it turns into a bad play, it's just some money lost.

However, seeing Lady Antonie's fanatical expression, she thought it might not necessarily become a bad play. Though "Eloise" undoubtedly dominated Thunder City's entertainment scene, this didn't mean Matthew was without fans.

In fact, in some circles of noble women, her fanbase was even larger!

Watching the two ladies engrossed in a heated discussion again, Luo Yan silently picked up his teacup, deciding to stay silent on this rather advanced topic.

Actually, however the play turned out had no effect on him, as long as the final script wasn't under his name.

Even being listed as an art director wouldn't do.

Regardless of Mia's deep immersion in her career, Luo Yan suddenly noticed a peculiarly quiet little head beside the dining table.

Vivian was mechanically stuffing her mouth with fried eggs, her always agile expression surprisingly vacant, lost in unknown dimensions.

This was very unusual.

Normally when Vivian ate, it was like a battle, without causing some noise to draw attention, it was unlikely.

Out of caution, Luo Yan softly called out.

"Vivian."

"Eek?!"

The Little Vampire reacted like a cat whose tail was stepped on, her "black cat tails" under the table perked up, and the fork in her hand clattered onto the plate.

"...What's with you today?" Luo Yan asked in a gentle tone.

"No, nothing!"

Vivian shook her head like a rattle, her eyes darting around frantically, not daring to look in Erin's direction, "I'm, I'm fine! Have the chef bring more bacon!"

That clearly wasn't a "nothing's wrong" expression, and there was still bacon left on her plate.

Just as Luo Yan was about to inquire further, the white birch wood door of the dining room suddenly opened, and a brisk figure bypassed the servers at the door, striding in hurriedly.

The newcomer was Theresa.

The once relaxed-looking female Knight now had a seriously grave expression, so much so that it looked like water could be wrung from it.

She quickly approached the long table, performing a standard knight's bow towards Lady Antonie and Erin, her brows furrowed, and spoke in a low tone.

"Your Highness, Madam..."

Noticing the unease on Theresa's face, the chatter in the dining room instantly hushed, even Princess Lino stopped swinging her leg under the table, and Nanfu lightly put down the book upright in his hand.

Lady Antonie set down her knife and fork, Erin straightened her back, and their faces all turned solemn.

"What happened?" Erin asked.

Theresa took a deep breath, her voice low and clear.

"Bad news from the Spinor Earl's Domain, the exploration team from the Royal Railway Company was attacked, and when the nearby sentry rushed over, they found this at the scene..."

As she spoke, she took out a piece of broken armor from her pocket, upon which were visible the clear bite marks of a rodent creature.

Luo Yan slightly raised an eyebrow, his expression somewhat peculiar.

"This is... Ratmen?"

He did plan on dealing with the Ratmen, but hadn't expected those little guys hiding in the Ten Thousand Ridges Mountain Range to come to them on their own.

What a coincidence.

Erin's expression was grave while Lady Antonie gasped, silently drawing a cross over her chest in prayer.

"Saint Sis above..."

Princess Lino nervously whispered to her brother Gutaf beside her.

"What are Ratmen?"

Nanfu lowered his voice.

"A very... bad thing."

Even in Hell, those betrayers weren't popular among the demons, as chaos always erupted where they were.

Many humans think goblins are the breeding ground of Hell's chaos, but in truth it's the opposite. Over the past thousand years, goblins have been the most obedient group in Hell, without any chaos crisis, just a bit loud.

But the Ratmen are different—

These creatures not only breed Chaos Corrosion, but have made Chaos's corrosion their own plaything.

Turning to Prince Colin, Theresa nodded earnestly.

"We think the same way."

——

(By readers' request, a map is placed in the bonus chapter, the rest of the maps will be drawn slowly.)