Dungeon Annihilation 2 - 29

Evening Everyone! I know this sort of feels like it skipped the battle between Louella and Wrath, that is because I will be adding it to chapter 28 later. I started to write it with Earle being an observer but it didn't feel right, so... going to add it later from Louella POV. Anyway! Here you go!

Regan/Earle

I was amazed that it was the countess’ party that managed to break through Wrath. Though, when I took a look over the recording, she had managed to put together a sizable team of a diverse set of skills. Raven was also accompanying her and helped turned the tide of the battle in their favor. The countess also played a heavy role with her lightning. It proved quite affective against Wrath.

They pushed on after defeating the boss and reached the platform for the Greed Mine. With another token in play, more parties would be reaching the mines drawing even more people to the valley. In the end, it would be a good thing for me. My dungeon would have even more people diving it, if it wasn’t for the misguided attempts at control that Ivan had enacted on the Gothic City floor. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I regretted give him the idea, but looking back I should have gone a different route with the man.

“Women are nicer to look at either way,” I commented waving away the screen.

“Master?” Set asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Just talking to myself. The play board is adding more players, and the current pieces are growing stronger. We can’t fall behind.”

Set nodded seriously. “Yes, master.”

“Speaking of players, how is our little agent doing?”

I manipulated the magic in front of me to pull up a screen. While I couldn’t get a true visual of Joseph, I could check up on his situation and with a bit of effort, could even check his surface thoughts. Not that I would let any of the released know that. Though several of them suspected it.

Joseph was currently to the east in a town roughly seven hundred kilometers from the valley. From what I could tell, it was the best place to buy slaves wholesale. I would need to get a message to him about the change in plans, or he could end up killed my other pawns. A level of disinformation needed to be enacted but I’d rather my pawns not kill each other.

“Keep an eye on Joseph. When he nears the valley, have Sikara met and explain that there has been a change.” I looked over the information I was reading to make sure there wasn’t anything amiss. “I’ll adjust the spell to make sure he doesn’t link the dungeon to the goddess.”

“As you wish,” Set replied with a bow before she moved away.

Now for my next set of pawns. I dismissed the screens and moved to another part of the dungeon. The gathered necromacners were discussing ways to gain access to Jade Wind with the robotic replying Yoshida. He might be able to gain momenatiry access to the city, but he was banished before and it wouldn’t take long before the authorities in the city learned that tidbit.

“How’s it going?”

“Not well, my lord,” Julie answered before anyone else could.

“Oh?”

“The best we can do is Jade Port. From there access to the gnome city itself is strictly controlled and monitored. It has been this way for several centuries now. To say attempts haven’t been made would be an understatement. They all just end in failure and usually death for the people making the attempt.”

“I see. I guess I’m just a bit disappointed that you don’t want to die for me,” I said with a sigh shaking my head. It sort of lost some of its effect with me being in my shadow form, but it got my message across.

“On the contrary!” Julie exclaimed quickly. “If my death would achieve your goal. I would willing slit my throat.” She glanced at the map that they were working with. “Its just the defense of the city prevents even a suicide run from being effective.”

I wrapped one of my shadow tendrils around her neck without actually applying any pressure. She liked pain, so this would be more tortures for her. “You’re just making me more interested in this city and from the sounds of it. You’re not going to be much help getting me there.”

Her face flushed red and her legs twitching she replied. “Sorry, my lord! Please punish me.” From her actions I thought she was enjoying the fact that I could choke her out with just a little pressure.

I narrowed my slit like eyes and applied the pressure like she wanted. Liquid pulled around her from her waist. I looked at the rest of the necromancers, ignoring the mess for the moment. “What is the biggest issue?”

The necromancer named Wrakras stood up. “To get to Jade Wind, an airship is required. Its not called the floating city for nothing. There are ships heading there about one a week from Jade Port. Floating or not, it is still a city with several hundred thousand gnomes living on it. They are supplied most of their food from various nobles and lords as payment for various services.”

“What doesn’t the continent just starve them and take their technology?” It seemed like a logical option given how heavy handed the gnomes were rumored to be.

“They might have a small population compared to the rest of the continent, but their air force is nearly unbeatable. What you’ve suggested has been done in the past and each time the gnomes show their might to… supreme effect.”

“I think I understand the picture a little better as well as the problem. You need an airship.”

“That would be the easiest method. Even if just for a moment, they would likely capture and confiscate the airship if we surrender. If you just need to get onboard like you claim, then this has the highest chances of succeeding.”

While I considered it, I realized that Julie was turning blue. I released her and she fell to the ground which had became a puddle of her various fluids. She twitched as she started breathing again. I’d have felt bad if it wasn’t for the pleased look she had.

“I’ll find you a ship.” I moved my mental gaze to a part of the valley as a grin broke over my shadowy form. Luckily, I knew where to find plenty of samples to study along with the key I would need to more or less walk onboard the ships. With a thought, my form dissipated and reformed in a different part of the town.

“I hear congratulations are in order!”

Countess Louella jumped in her seat as I appeared from the shadow in the corner of her office. Her manor was well protected recently, but that meant little to those that could walk the Shadow Realm. Of course, I made sure to crank up the enchantment I’d been using around her to stop her from panicking too much. “Sir Earle!” she exclaimed putting a hand to her chest. “I’m not sure its proper for a man to visit unannounced like this.”

I moved forward and sat in the chair with a grin. “Please. Just call me Earle.”

“Very well then. Earle, I’m not sure its proper for a man to visit unannounced like this,” she repeated.

“If I visited normally, I wouldn’t have gotten to show off my skills. The shadows are my playground.”

“I see. Message received.” She coughed quietly. “Um. You said you wanted to congratulate me? How exactly?” She was fiddling with her fingers while blushing prompting me to raise an eyebrow. Maybe this little lord was willing to go further than I expected. She might be starved of love. Even with my enchantment, it couldn’t push her down that path without her being willing, it was an altered version of lust’s after all. Not the real thing.

“How indeed?” I asked with a cocked grin. “What would you like me to do for you?”

With obvious nervousness, she reached across the desk and took my hand. “You might not like me after how I acted when we first met, but you’ve done a lot lately that let me see you in a new light. I hope you can forgive me previous actions.”

I took her hand and brought it to my lips. “Nothing more than a memory of a cute lord working to hold on to her place in the world remains in my mind,” I whispered.

“Thank you.” She smiled showing her more devious side. “About my reward?”

“Whatever you want,” I replied, bowing my head.

~~

“That was fun,” I whispered into the ear of the countess that laid next to me. Her naked body glistening with sweat was quite the sight. People of this world very rarely had excess fat, and while that meant chests were smaller across the board. Louella still had her fair share in that department.

I was a tad surprised that she was a virgin. People were considered adults at fourteen in this world, and usually started work long before that. Not that I was complaining. I made sure to use some mana and let her enjoy it after the initial pain.

“You were amazing,” Louella replied breathlessly.

“I hoped your reward was well received.”

“I never thought it would be that enjoyable! I can see why brothels are so popular now.”

“As they say, you shouldn’t mock it until you try it.”

Louella’s face grew serious as she stared at the ceiling. “Where does this leave us?”

“It can leave us wherever you want it to. I value my freedom, but this valley has become a big part of my life. I won’t be leaving any time soon.” More like I couldn’t leave as my main core was located here, but no reason to tell her that.

Louella dropped her head on my chest. “I’m okay with us being… casual for now. I know you have a lot of women around you. Just don’t leave me out.”

“I actually haven’t done it with any of them,” I replied thinking about why I hadn’t. I was still a man. I could obviously make a body to enjoy the act. Why hadn’t I made a move on any of the women around me before now?

“I don’t believe you!” Louella said but chuckled. “But whatever you say.” She sat up, the light reflecting off her wet skin. I couldn’t help licking my lips. Yep, I was still a man.

“How about another round,” I nearly growled as I wrapped my arms around her lean body.

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