They also found the people who had stayed behind shortly before.
They had been placed with golden masks, bound by golden threads to metal frames.
The "Hunters" found their prey, emitting an insect-like hiss.
These were instruments of war, by no means something they and a few muskets could contend with.
The King of Gold was preparing for a war, and on his map, only two kingdoms remained to be conquered.
This war with its disparity in power didn't last very long; the girl hiding in the recess held her breath, waiting patiently for the sounds of astonishment to dissipate. She saw the massive metallic limbs cross over her head, and the refugees with golden masks were bound on it like spoils, including that elderly woman.
Her head and hands hung weakly, the mask completely obscuring her face, leaving terrifying holes with spikes on her face and head.
