Chapter 50

“Kassie is here to see if any of you have any aptitude towards magic,” Halia said. It was the next day after saving the halflings. Lord Leo still slept as far as Halia knew. He had fallen asleep on the divan, his head on Crystal’s lap, Garnet acting as his blanket draped over his lap.

“That’s right,” Kassie said to the start of my adventuring cadre. “Not everyone can be a mage. You have to have the knack for it. But we need to start expanding our technique if we want to ever build a force to take on dungeons.”

“May I try first,” Bellia asked. She stepped forward, the minx eager. Ever since Lord Leo had fucked her, she had been so driven.

Kassie opened her mouth when Feya interrupted me, “There is a pair of fighters and a rogue outside the city. They say they want to join and serve Lord Leo.”

Halia’s jaw dropped. The paladin turned her head. They were in the depths of the dungeon where it was safe to train the new recruits. Then hope blossomed in her. “They’re ready to swear loyalty to Lord Leo and help fight other dungeon builders?”

“Yes, they are. A dwarf, a human, and an elf. They’ve heard of Lord Leo’s stance. They are intrigued.”

“I’ll go wake Lord Leo!” Halia shuddered in excitement.

An hour later, she had roused Lord Leo from his twelve-hour sleep and he was ready to meet these adventurers. He looked so refreshed, a big smile on his lips as Garnet helped him into his gray robes. The naughty succubus had her hands on her hips, a big grin on her lips.

“Kweh, heh, heh, of course they have sworn to serve Dark Lord Big Bro! They tremble before his magnificence and quiver before his domination!” Garnet’s wings flapped. “They shall help us cover this world in a cloak of darkness! The light shall never shine again.”

Halia lifted an eyebrow. “Clearly, he’s Light Lord Leo Baldwin,” the paladin said. “His majesty and justice shall shine across the world from the radiance of his pure and loving soul. His goodness shall shower the world in prosperity and hope.”

“What, no!” Garnet gasped. “Big bro, you’re a dark lord!”

“Lord Leo, you’re a light lord,” Halia said, grabbing his arm. “My Lord of Light and Goodness.”

“You’re spoiling my fun, Halia,” Garnet huffed. She puffed out her cheeks. “Which do you prefer, big bro.”

“God, there’s no safe answer there,” Leo said. “Shall we go meet these adventurers?”

They made the trip out to Astovin, using Kassie and her teleportation circle to shorten the journey. The trio emerged into the light to find Feya fluttering in the air. The three adventurers—a dwarf fighter with a big ax he leaned on and a thick beard, a human fighter in heavy armor with a sword at his side and a kite shield on his back, and a female elven rogue in leather pants that fit her legs like a second skin—fell to their knees.

“We’ve come to serve you, Lord Leo,” the human fighter said. “I’m Vern, this is Akiz.”

The dwarf grunted.

“And the beautiful and bewitching Ashiliozia,” Vern added, nodding to the elf.

“My Lord Leo,” she said in an enchanting purr, her voice as soft as the gentle sea washing on the shore and midnight. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“You liberated my people from those twin bastards,” the dwarf said. He spat. “Now we hear you saved a bunch of halflings. So ... Rumor has it you’re looking for adventurers to fight other dungeon builders.” He shrugged. “That’s what we do.”

“We’ve killed one,” said Vern. “Our priest would not come with us. Said the gods hate you, but...”

“You don’t seem to be like other dungeon builders, Lord Leo,” Ashiliozia said. “The people here are happy. The halfling refugees are singing your praise. May we fight for you.”

“Yes,” Lord Leo said, excitement ringing through Halia. “You have to swear to serve me. You will bind your life to mine. If I die, so shall you. Lady Halia will be your commander. She is my paladin.”

“Daughter of Anguin?” asked Vern. He stared at Halia, a smile on his handsome face. “Your father is a legend.”

“He was,” Halia said, her voice choked with emotion.

“We’ll swear,” said Vern.

Halia trembled as the oaths were given. It was starting. The army was building. The first steps were being taken. She envisioned a world where the dungeon builders either proved themselves friends, or were destroyed. Eventually, Queen Puabi would bring in enough dungeon builders that had a conscience. That was like Lord Leo and Siwang.

And one day, her army would be the instrument that destroyed Fuegin.

After the new heroes were sworn in and taken off by Halia, I met with the elders of the halflings. We sat down at a table in the central building outside of Feya’s office. They were all much improved. Cleaned up, a few had bandaged wounds.

“Sulanga Stormfury is dead,” I said. “There’s no reason you can’t return to your city.”

“He truly is defeated?” one halfling asked. He had a bandage on his forehead. “Truly.”

“Truly, Davyd,” I told him. I flashed him a smile. “He is dead and won’t be a problem. Your lands are safe.”

“For now,” said a gray-haired woman. Ashie shook her head. “But when the next dungeon builder comes.”

“I can keep my tunnel open to your city,” I said. “That way if there ever is a problem, you can call upon my aid. I can send an army of monster girls to defend you very fast.”

The elders looked around at each other. They traded whispers. It was their decision, of course. “And if we say no?” Gennie asked. The elderly female had milky eyes that stared at me with a penetrating look. “What then?”

“I’ll close the tunnel once we’re done sending your people back to your city.” I smiled. “I’m not a conqueror. I go where I’m invited. I want to be your friend. I want to be a friend to the entire world. I am not your enemy.”

“A tunnel...” Muttered one of the elders. “That sounds dangerous for you. Anyone could enter it. Our children could wander into it. Adventurers could use it.”

“Like I said, I don’t have to keep it,” I said. “Once your people are safely returned to Sharithin, I can close it.” With the amount of mana I had gained, I could afford a permanent tunnel to them and to my next goal. The Twins’ dungeon. I would get their mana veins. I would increase my power.

“Perhaps there should be some sort of guard building,” said Davyd.

“Yes, yes,” said Ashie. “An ... embassy of Lord Leo’s to our city.”

“An embassy?” I asked, taken aback by that. “Well, of course. I could build one of those.”

“With a guard of monster girls,” Ashie continued.

“Who could be the first response if there is an attack,” I said, smiling. “Of course, of course. I can think of the perfect monster girls for that. I’ll introduce you to Usiku. I think she would make an excellent ambassador.”

I kept Usiku, Baaghi, and Paanee as the rear guards, but I had gained three new companions. It didn’t feel right to use any of Sulanga’s to be my ambassador. Not where they had committed atrocities for their past master.