**
Before they could reach the mine, Hilda and Archbishop Raphael had to stop their horses in the middle of the road.
Because the dwarves they planned to rescue were standing right there. Except, they were also being accompanied by several unwelcome guests as well.
The claws and fangs belonging to the lycans were only millimetres away from the dwarves' throats. Meanwhile, their limbs were bound by shackles and their mouths were gagged by rags.
Hilda's mouth clamped shut at that sight. She could more or less guess what the lycans were going for here.
This was a 'hostage' situation.
-To the noble Imperial Princess of the Theocratic Empire, Hilda Olfolse, I offer you my greetings.
Among the growling lycans, a half-man, half-beast monster at least three metres tall, stepped forward. It had the head of a wolf while its whole body was covered in black fur. It even wore armour and a helm adorned its crown.