Dungeon Annihilation 24

Hey Everyone! I hope everyone is safe out there. It sure is getting crazy! Sorry no upload yesterday, I've been working hard to get the first book of Annihilation done.  I have just a bit more to do and we should be back on schedule though I realize as I'm typing this that I say that a lot. haha. Next month I have Revenge book 2 manuscript due so that will be uploaded on the weekends. 

Regan

It had been a week or so since I last visited the town, and I was impressed with how fast it was growing. Before there were only a few streets with buildings lining them to form a sort of cross with the townhall sitting at the center. It was rather basic but served the people here well enough. 

Now there was a large road that led to my dungeon that was a nice smooth stone surface. I could easily see vehicles running smoothly along it without issue. In a sort of haphazard fashion, buildings had started popping up along the road making the town appear lopsided. 

There still appeared to be a center district, that contained the lord’s manor and the townhall. The workers appeared to have started on a wall that surrounded it. I saw quite a few empty lots that I could only assume were being saved for nobles. No doubt they would want a manor in this locale if the town grew famous enough. Considering we were talking about my dungeon. I had no doubt that it wouldn’t be too long.

“The town looks completely different than when we were here last,” Raven said as we walked.

“That’s mortals for you. Given enough motivation, they can change the entire world.” I could still picture the cities of Earth that spread from coast to coast. You could go to some countries and never leave the city they were so large. It all came at the cost of nature. Some experts claimed that Earth would have been uninhabitable in about a century.

“It would be hard for mortals to change the entire world, master,” Set said. She was walking with her arm linked with mine. It was almost second nature after the few times we visited.

“I do suppose nature would fight back here,” I replied with a laugh. Not only do they have monsters, but nature itself could rise up and resist the change in the form of Treants and Dryads. I was excited to find a monster like that in the future. I had several theories I wanted to test on them. “Speaking of nature. I want to find an herbalist.”

The town was in party mode. I would have to hope that if there was one it would still be open. I looked around for a semi-sober person and found a woman near one of the taverns. I knew what she was with one look, but I felt she would at least be able to answer my questions. 

“Hey handsome, you wanting to get some on the side?” She asked when she saw me approaching.

I pulled a gold coin from my pocket. “No, I have plenty to work with.” I gave Set a squeeze. “I do have a few questions.” I tossed her the coin and she bit it hopefully to make sure it was real. It disappeared faster than my eyes could keep up. Where, I wasn’t sure.

“Ask away.”

“What’s the party for?”

She looked me over. “Been hiding under a rock somewhere?”

“Well. Something like that,” I replied with a shrug.

“A marquis came into town today. The little lord is trying to humor him by throwing a celebration in his honor. What I wouldn’t give to take a ride with him.” She bit her lip and crossed her legs as what I’m sure were rather graphic images went through her mind.

“Interesting. I wonder if we’ll see this Marquis. One other thing. Do you know where I can find an herbalist?” 

“Sure.” She pointed at the shop literally next to the tavern we were standing by. I chuckled before tossing her another gold coin.

“Thanks!” We walked over and saw that the store was still open. I probably could have broken in, but with how wild the streets were tonight someone might see us. I didn’t feel like fighting what passed as the police in this world. 

Moving inside, it was like the girls and I went to a new world. The sound from the town sized party faded away and the temperature jumped several degrees. Plants of all types grew all around the shop. Things I thought I recognized from Earth then things that were very much of a fantasy world were all present here. 

“Welcome! Just let me know if you need any help. If you are drunk and plan to use my shop as your bed, please know that I have plenty of plants that will make you impotent.”

Looking down one of the aisles, I saw an older elf who was watering a section of plants. He gave one the impression that he’d seen it all and wasn’t afraid of anything. I had to give the old elf some respect for his takes no shit attitude.

“Don’t worry. We’re customers.”

“Then feel free to browse. I don’t plan to close any time soon.”

I looked around at the various plants to see what I was working with. I was looking for this world’s equivalent of coca. I had considered making addictive drugs and that seemed the best choice. If I went with something like marijuana, then there was a chance it would mellow everyone out. Plus, it wasn’t nearly as addictive enough for what I wanted.

After about five minutes I threw my hands up in defeat. I had no idea what I was looking at. I had seen video of the plants of earth, but none of the plants present even remotely looked similar to them. I would have to take a little of each back and experiment. It was a good thing I was here for the long haul. Experimentation like that could take years, especially without specialized equipment.

I looked around the store and found the old elf sitting behind the counter reading a book. “Sir elf. Is it possible for me to buy a seed of all the plants here?”

The elf closed his book only after he finished reading the page he was on. He set it down and looked up at us. “Certainly is. Just going to cost a decent amount of coin.”

“Coin is not an issue. Just name your price.”

He glanced around at the plants. I could see the gears in his head working to calculate how much he should charge me. I didn’t even care if he tried to rip me off. I wanted everything here. You never know what you could do with a bit of bioengineering.

“Four platinum coins. That’s rounding down a bit. Some of the plants I don’t have seeds for and will have to give you the whole thing.”

I reached into my coat and formed five platinum coins. It was funny that it only cost me about six hundred mana to create the coins. That was barely a few minutes of the dungeon being dived now a days. I pulled them out and handed them over. 

“Boy, I do not want your pity,” the old elf said frowning at the extra coin.

“Don’t worry, you have done nothing to earn that. I figure there is going to be a bit more than I can exactly carry out of here. The rest is for a cart that you can load up and meet Raven here next to the forest. She’ll handle the rest.”

The old elf gave me a thorough once over. “Got a plot of land you’re going to start farming? You don’t seem the type,” he said with a snort. 

“And you’d be right. But I do have people that want to start a farm as you say. If you had any guides to care for the plants, I would be willing to buy them as well.” Why do work that had already been done. As a dungeon, I could understand the basic properties of whatever I absorbed, but after that it was trial and error. 

“With that I’m going to stop asking questions. Last thing I need is some guard knocking on my door after they found poison on some noble’s body.”

I laughed at his straightforwardness. “I like you. I’m sure we’ll talk again. I’m Earle.”

“Maxim. As for your earlier question. Another platinum coin and I’ll give you all my second copies that I have until I can get more made.”

“If you’d like, I could pay you for all the books you have then return them when my guy finishes learning their contents. He is pretty good about remembering anything he sees once.” I just needed to put my hand on them to be honest. I could instantly absorb then recreate them for a mana cost, but someone with connections to bring in more plants was worth more. If we borrowed the books and returned them, he would be more likely to help out in the future.

“Then… ten platinum coins as collateral. With the promise to return five of them to you once you return the books.”

“You, sir, drive a hard bargain.” I reached into my coat and created a bag full of platinum and gold coins. I pulled it out and looked through it. “Shit. I only have eight platinum left.” No reason to make it appear like I had endless coin. I was probably going to get jumped later tonight as it was. 

Maxim appeared to think about it before he held out his hand. “That will do. As it is I won’t have to sell a thing for a year and will still be living like a king.”

“While I work my ass off recouping this expenditure in the dungeon,” I said with a laugh as I handed over the coins.

“Don’t tell me that’s not what you enjoy doing. As a note,” Maxim said then moved over to a plant. It reminded me of crab grass back on Earth. I honestly thought it was just a weed he was trying to sell to unsuspecting buyers. “Do NOT mix this and,” he pointed at another plant. It had a more fantasy vide with red leaves and a brown stem, “this plant. They are harmless separate but if their roots intertwine, they begin to absorb the life from the soil until everything in the area becomes a field of death.”

“Duly noted. If I want to destroy a crop put these plants together. Got it.”

“I’ll admit that is what it has been used for in past wars. Those areas will never be the same. Not with a large amount of work from hundreds of terra and nature mages.”

It sounded like the plants pulled all the nutrients from the soil. Though there were a few naturally occurring plants that would create an acid that would kill other plants around it. This could be an extreme version of that. Though given that magic was involved it could be anyone’s guess. 

“Well thanks for the warning. I’ll make sure my guy knows about it. Raven will be ready to receive the cart whenever.”

“Of course. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Mister Earle,” Maxim said moving back to the counter. I thought he was going to get started but it turned out he was heading for his book. Sending a grin my way, he sat back down and continued where he left off. I chuckled at the actions of the cocky old elf but just shook my head. There was a party tonight, he wouldn’t have been able to get a cart tonight any way.

“I hope you don’t have to wait too long over the next few days,” I said patting Raven on the shoulder.

“Me too.” She said dryly. 

I chuckled and we made our way back out into the streets. In the hour we were at the shop, the party had reached a whole new level. While the town wasn’t too big there were still alleys for… couples to sneak down. Being that my avatar was of the dark aspect, I could easily see everything that was taking place.

“Well that’s just disturbing,” Set said as we saw what was looked like four men and one woman being intimate. Truly, they reminded me of animals, and not due to the fact one of the people was a wolf or dogkin taking part.

“It is the way of mortals. They are driven to reproduce given their short time in this realm. Especially after they consume large amounts of alcohol,” I said turning away from the scene. Raven nodded her agreement and Set was forced to move along.

We eventually found ourselves in the central district. It appeared to be much more family friendly. Large tables were set out in front of the townhall where people were partaking in what I assumed was free food. I spotted Ivan talking to a man that had to be a noble or someone of rank. He was just too well dressed to be anything other than that. Ivan noticed me and waved for us to come over. 

“Sir Earle! A pleasure as always. Allow me to introduce the Esteemed Lord Marquis. Valamar Soas. Son of Duke Valaravans. While the good lord is from Thonaca even us in Lecazar know of his greatness.”

“Please Sir Ivan. You flatter me. I have read reports on some of the dungeons you’ve dived.” I noticed there was something in his tone when he said that, but Ivan completely missed having, it appeared, already indulged in quite a bit of ale. “You are quite famous yourself.”

I grinned at the noble. “I agree sir Ivan. No one here is your equal in the caves filled with monsters,” I said giving him an over the top bow.

I could almost see it going to his head. “You flatter me, but I suppose it is earned. If either of you have any questions about the dungeon feel free to ask. I have ascended the furthest of everyone here.” 

“I heard the Lady Baron has ascended to the sixth floor with her party,” Raven chimed in from next to me. I had to struggle to contain my laughter. She knew just how to draw blood without even drawing her sword.

“Indeed… but we will soon leave her behind. I can promise you that.” His mood apparently spoiled, Ivan stormed off where he was joined by his lackeys. 

“I thank you; Sir Earle was it? He would not stop,” Valamar said with a deep breath of relief.

“Ivan can be… a bit much, but he serves his purposes.” I coughed covering the last part. “Anyway. May I enquire why a Marquis would bother with a tiny town like this?” I didn’t see any harm in asking. He would either answer or tell me to shove off. Given how he was tolerating Ivan, I felt his hands were more tied than he let on.

“Politics, as is the usual. Thankfully, it involves dungeon diving which I take great joy in,” Valamar said patting the sword at his waist. I narrowed my eyes, but didn’t say anything on that. I would have to be careful that this guy doesn’t get killed.

A woman wearing white plate armor moved up next to the Marquis. “My lord,” she said then whispered something to him. During which I noticed a black chain that extended from around the woman’s waist to a man only a few meters away. I didn’t even care about the man, what I was fascinated by was the mana I felt coming from the chain. It was remarkably similar to the magic I found wrapped around the girl during the communication.

“Sorry, my friend. I have to return for the night. Just because I am the most important person here, does not get me out of having to listen to my guards,” Valamar said with a chuckle.

“No, no. Don’t mind us.”

The Marquis walked away with his smile morphing into a frown. For me, I just wanted them to hurry up and attempt the dungeon. That way I could get a closer look at whatever was going on with that chain. Given that it looked like the two people weren’t being held against their will. I was betting it was a type of curse.

I heard someone clear their throat. Turning I found a woman in chainmail with a what looked like a sunrise emblazoned on their chest plate. If I remembered correctly, this was a member of the Golden Dawn, the security forces of the town. 

“May I have a word with you?”

I felt Raven start to bristle from the woman’s tone and quickly wrapped my free arm around her waist. “Sure. We have time. It’s a party after all!” I replied with a wide grin.