"Good."
The commander continued.
"We'll find them."
The confidence in his voice seemed to calm the room.
Kai noticed it.
People trusted Jack.
Perhaps too much.
One merchant raised a hand.
---
"What was the convoy carrying?"
Akshay hesitated briefly.
"Several demon cores."
The room grew quiet.
Kai recognized the term.
The core taken from the slain demons like the cockatrice.
Beyond that, he knew very little.
Only that they seemed valuable.
And dangerous.
---
The council immediately became concerned.
The discussion continued for nearly an hour.
Search plans.
Military deployments.
Security measures.
Eventually the meeting ended.
Jack gathered several officers.
"I'll oversee the investigation personally."
Akshay nodded.
"Keep me informed."
"Of course."
The commander saluted.
Then departed.
Kai watched him leave.
For reasons he couldn't explain, a sense of unease lingered in his chest.
---
By late afternoon, Jack's search party reached the convoy route.
Several military officers accompanied him.
Along with members of the city council.
The first body was discovered beside the road.
Then another.
Then ten more.
The convoy had been destroyed.
Broken wagons littered the area.
Weapons lay scattered in the dirt.
Signs of battle covered the road.
One council member turned pale.
---
"My God..."
Jack remained silent.
Studying the scene.