Dreu wasn’t confident about reaching the lake but he could still simulation their situation if they reached the lake in his mind. Loryss doubled the number of healers on his roster while Azurys’ ability was a convenient spell for spotting danger without getting too close. If they could get into a situation where the sorceress got overconfident, they might even find an opening. However, the young man was harboring any illusions that the sorceress wouldn’t use the lake to her advantage. She simply had to stay at the lake floor while the snakes overwhelmed them through sheer numbers. There was also the matter that the sorceress had other tricks up her sleeves to use against them.

  Maybe I should work with my companions in subterranean combat. It doesn’t hurt to get a better idea.

  The ideal situation would involve the evolution of the bats which definitely required leveling them up. Leveling up the weaker members on his team proved to be the biggest challenge. He and the demon worms were fortunate to have fought weaker enemies on their way to Isonron which provided opportunities for Zog and the others. As seen in the cave, easy enemies weren’t abundant due to snakes that had been slowly taking over. From their descriptions, the lesser demon bats hardly sounded threatening to anything but small insects. Against all those snakes, they were either fodder for the stronger bats or meals for the hungry snakes. Meanwhile, the battles outside the caves weren't any easier, especially when the primates came to mind. Essentially, the odds weren’t in their favor. Dreu paced the room as he tried to find a solution to all of this when Bartok spoke up.

  Dreu, there is a bat we can persuade to join us.

  Bat?

  Dreu had doubts a single bat could make that big of a difference. Before Bartok could share what was on his mind, the four bats chatted between themselves excitedly. They spoke quickly but the young man could still make out some of the discussion.

  You seriously cannot recommend that outlaw!

  He’s locked in the prison for a reason.

  Are you mad, Bartok?

  Once the bats calmed down, he asked Bartok to elaborate.

  Balgzr was and still is the strongest bat in our colony. He was undefeated until the snakes got help from their vile sorceress. Following his defeat, Balgzr searched in the forbidden tunnels for a way to win. When the elders learned of this, they collapsed the only way in, trapping Balgzr inside. If we save him, he may join us. He's the only one who can make a difference in this conflict, especially if you are there to guide us to victory.

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  Why were the tunnels forbidden?

  The elders mentioned something evil down there. They never clarified what they meant by that but we were told to never venture close to it. Balgzr was the first to ignore the warning and he was the last to do so before the tunnels were collapsed.

  Dreu thought about the situation. He understood that warnings usually arose for a very good reason. If the tunnels had something evil and the bats avoided it, he wasn’t even sure if they should enter it, especially when they fared worse in the darkness than the bats. He doubted such a plan would work but Bunting jumped in.

  If we wish to defeat the snakes, we may have to save Balgzr. I don’t like dealing with those who break the rules but, if doing so saves the bats, then I’d happily do so. This might be our last chance.

  Hearing the tone of Bunting, Dreu couldn’t bring himself to say no. He didn’t want to be a hero who could save the day. He merely wanted to do everything in his power for the bats so he could face himself knowing that he did try everything. He would be a shitty emperor if he didn’t care about his subjects.

  And Bayard always told me to fight for what I believe in or I would lose my way in life. Right now, the bats need me. I cannot turn my back until I have fought for them.

  “Let’s go then! Let’s tell the others our plan of saving Balgzr!”

  As he was walking out the room, Dreu turned to the bats and asked them if they knew where the forbidden tunnels were. As the silence dragged on, the young man began doubting they could even complete this first task. As his internal doubt rose up within him, Azurys spoke up.

  I have a rough idea of where it is. My brothers and I used to play around there to show we were tough. If we can get to a cavern I’m familiar with, we can navigate our way there.

  With a goal and a guide in place, Dreu felt he could no longer hesitate on the matter. Finding a bat would be far less dangerous than dealing with an underground lake. They could use this as an opportunity to get more familiar with subterranean environments. If the bats could also level up and evolve, then they would be in a better place. They could worry about the collapsed tunnel once they got there.

  Having a strong addition wouldn’t hurt us either.

  Once his mind was made up, Dreu headed to the courtyard to share his plan with the others. Unsurprisingly, no one opposed him as they were all his summons. They would happily follow his lead wherever he went.

  Should I ask Ragellon about this?

  Knowing the demonic girl just had a terrible experience in their spelunking, the young man was hesitant to approach her on the matter. While she was a better option to discuss matters objectively, Dreu determined that the next spelunking wasn’t so dangerous that he needed her view. If everything went well, they could leave and return before she was any wiser. He could approach her once they were ready for the engagement with the sorceress. She might provide rare insights on how they could get an edge in combat.

  Now, who should I pick for this trip? Everyone needs experience but I also want the strongest with me if I can. I cannot underestimate whatever is evil down there.