Oh, that look on the woman’s face when the boy asked that. Boss was amused and ‘farmer’ was already in the kobold hidey-hole for self relief. Admittedly, she was the first human female we have ever seen. Strangely, ‘miner’ just ignored the new addition when he was no longer needed. I thought we all had the same taste but I guess he is more of a meaty lover.
With things settling the woman put the youth down and took the blanket from ‘cook’ and they entered the cabin. From there ‘cook’ got food ready for the group, giving ‘farmer’s share to the new addition. The woman must have guessed where he had gone and why he was not getting a share of food. With a generous meal in her, she began telling a tale. It begins with the attack on the two. She was on horseback outside the coach when she felt stings of needles in her neck. From there loose consciousness. The last thing she remembers clearly is which direction Mathew ran off into. From then on it was chains and humiliation for her. It began with her captures then after a few days of ‘playing’ with her, she was sold as a common slave. It took her three weeks to regain her peak strength and break free. She counted herself fortunate that those traitors did not know her true strength and thought she was a mere B rank instead of A. From there she was regaining entry to the kingdom and picking up the trail without leaving a trail of her own behind. The only thing she had was a magical bag of holding that was used to store foodstuff related items. She liberated it from the dumb noble who had bought her.
Inside the bag was a treasure trove of spices, but the most important item in the bag was salt. As salt was an E class mineral, it only took some trading for some clothing and gear to get it and samples of many of the spices she had. Some of which were as high as an A rank spice. I was not strong enough, and likely never will be to grow them, but simple peppers and a few others will be added to the rotation starting next year. Salt, however, once I unlocked it, I began growing an area for it immediately, or rather Architect did. With the important things done, me and Status gave Vision a metaphorical kick for focusing too much on the woman to let the rest of us know that there was a possible danger. I left that to Status after my initial involvement. I had guests to attend to.
| (Blue) “Greetings, Loyee, I do not see any of the others with you today.” |
Loyee sighs and shakes her head.
“ I love what you been doing with the boy, it makes me look more than a murder factory god.”
| (Blue) “ I sense a but?” |
“ … BUT, some lesser god who does not have a concept as a domain caught wind of you. I think he was watching that fat noble that knight was held as a slave by. He started raising a fuss because you were breaking the rules by having monsters above ground.”
I metaphorically turn the other me’s in the menu system and I recall the dungeon rules.
| (Blue) “ By my understanding, as my dungeon saturated a large amount of land and my monsters have settled it for over a century without contest, and now I got a form of government, I can classify myself as an independent monster nation. A nation of just 6, but a nation none the less.” |
Loyee nods, “ And that is what I told them. The only reason why this is nothing more than an annoyance is that you are so weak and that changing will not occur any time soon.”
| (Blue) “ But it is still an annoyance?” |
Loyee nods pouty.
This is not the first time this particular god had shown up depressed. The customary fruit cocktail was created for her to enjoy and she downed it in one gulp.
“ I expect alcohol in these soon.”
I could not help but metaphysically shrug my message box before she turned her attention back to right outside the cave.
“ Now that mortals have caught wind of you, you will no longer have a slow life. You will have to prepare.”
My box shifted to be beside her. Even though she could not read what I say at that angle, she understands me perfectly.
| (Blue) “ Despite everything, we are a dungeon. Defending ourselves is what we are best known for. I take pride in being the oldest dungeon… I am the oldest dungeon right?” |
Loyee could not help but laugh.
“ Yes, Hollow, you are the only dungeon, or at least known dungeon, from the old pantheon. Do not expect your eons of isolation to help you when divers hunt for scores.”
I turn to the god with a bit of pride.
| (Blue) “ My monsters might be only rank C, but you yourself have admitted that not even you could get past my labyrinth without cheating. Tens of thousands of years to brainstorm traps is not to be taken lightly. If you ever desire you and your friend, gods can come here and if need be weather the loss of the current pantheon, so you can be part of the next, with fresh starts.” |
Loyee was taken back by that comment. He could do it too if Krypt allowed it that is. Death is a natural part of everything. It is just he has not figured out how to kill this particular dungeon yet.
