Karl stood before the heap of forty-nine bandit corpses piled in the chamber of the fourth floor. Instead of rage or disappointment at the breach, his lips curved into a smile. His shoulders shook before he threw his head back and bellowed,"KYAHAHAHAHA!"
The sound echoed off the stone walls, sharp and ridiculous. The kobold employees stiffened in place, tails low. Leo blinked twice. He had expected Karl to be furious, maybe even lash out at their failure to stop such a ragtag group. Instead, their master looked like a businessman at a clearance sale.
Karl wiped a fake tear from his eye. "Ah, forty-nine bandits delivered right to my doorstep. That's not a tragedy, that's inventory. Thank you for your generous donation, boys."
His tone was light, almost cheerful, but it carried an undercurrent that made the kobolds' fur prickle.
