The tiger's body fell with a dull thud, warm blood dripping onto the newly rebuilt stone pavement.
The leader looked down in disbelief, his hand still gripping the reins as the animal's body lay in agony.
Strax twirled a pebble between his fingers, indifferent. The golden glow in his eyes glinted in the morning light, reflecting a calm that only made the scene more terrifying.
"I thought it was funny," he said with a short smile. "But now I want something in return for this joke. Take me to your Monarch. I'd love to talk to him."
For a moment, silence spread across the square like a thick fog.
But then the laughter began.
First a muffled sound, then louder—the hoarse laughter of the scarred warrior. Soon the others joined in, their laughter echoing like thunder between the buildings.
"Hahahaha!" The leader pounded his fist on his chest, leaning forward. "You... want to speak with the Beast Monarch?"
