Nature itself, as well as societies of intelligent beings, always find scavengers gathering around both victors and losers after every struggle. Drooling, they wait for their chance to move in, and even if they can't snatch away the fattest innards and cuts of waist meat, they still have the opportunity to filch a couple of ribs to satiate their cravings.
Now that Alfheim had brought down Charlemagne, the massive beast, onlookers were patiently waiting for the victorous kings to finish their meal, then enjoy their own share. However, the parasites living inside Charlemagne lacked both wisdom and patience. Their host had not yet fully drawn its last breath, and already these woodworms were hastily taking action.
