As the adventurer entered the labyrinth, those outside became flustered as the kobolds kept a strict guard over the fallen dragon. The only one not busy defending their fallen boss was on her knees with her hands clamped together, her head bowed low and her eyes closed. Only the king could hear her low toned growls. To him, it almost sounded like a prayer. This did not last more than a few minutes as holy light started surrounding both the kneeling kobold, but the dragon as well. To all those watching surprises, the dragon’s severed head started moving toward the slice on the body’s neck. Before their very eyes, the dragon went from a decapitated state to standing once again with a look of annoyance focused on the king.
“ I could kill you all justly for breaking the accords, but that will gain me nothing. Go human king and leave your children. They should not be punished for your choices.”
The king hesitated before bowing in respect.
“ Thank you.”
With that, the king turned to his children one last time to give them the final farewell before leaving them in the dungeon’s care as he had been left and like his father and his before him. The dragon did not bother to care about them too much. What concerned him more is the other people.
———–
The first week was rather awkward. The kobolds went on their merry way with the kids in tow and those remaining who were not tied to the king’s escort nor the guild had little idea what to do. Out of the twenty-two remaining, only six of them were of C rank strength. Even then they would barely be a threat to the kobolds. So they set up a makeshift camp. It did not take them long to realize a severe lack of food would soon become an issue as well. The metaphorical ice broke on day ten when they all started working out roles.
The first year for the new settlers was both kind and harsh. Without the expected backing of the adventure guild, especially when they noticed the S rank that went into my dungeon did not come out, the lack of prepared resources was shocking. If it was not for a light winter, none of them but the C ranks would have survived. Even then it would have been a risk staying in the mines all winter. The second-year was better. Communication and trade between the kobolds and settlers picked up. In the third year, Diana sent the beastkin to us. Actually the beastkin had already been living in my lands, even deeper into the wood where the true entrances to the god’s temples reside. They have been for hundreds of years. Originally, refugees and former slaves, she sent them to me for protection. I have a thing in Loyee’s temple to communicate with them. One of them is tasked with watching it daily. So I planned on this interaction for some time between them. To my surprise, they were rather open with each other.
When the king returned for his children, he was met with a full-blown village. Not only that but he was exposed to some of the catkins that decided to stay. Which surprised him as there were no beastkin in his kingdom. They were more common further south and often slaves in human countries. His country only has criminal slaves, and only for those that have a chance of redemption. Such as minor theft or debt. The king did not spend long on this wonder as he was not allowed to stay long.
