It's been several weeks since we began operation "Make The Dungeon Great Strategy" and it's revealing something.
First, after enough time was used to survey the mountain, I found the space used for the dungeon woefully inadequate. In fact, I can only move in the 3rd POV about 500 meters away from places connected to the dungeon heart.
This means that I could only survey a very small portion of the whole mountain. Even so, it was very helpful in locating mineral and metals, water sources, cavernous areas, and convenient pathways. I used this information to plan out the excavation areas, the changes to the dungeon layout and the new paths to the exit/ entrance. I highlighted the areas with the dungeon tool for Jog and the others to dig.
This leads into the second point of discovery, we are short-handed as hell. With only Jog's clan of 5 people, it has been a slow process. They are working as fast as possible but they can only do so much. Actually, I'm quite impressed with their work abilities. Considering their small stature, the amount of earth and stone they moved is enormous. Still, clearly, we need more bodies to get the work done.
I had several discussions with Jog's group on the best and fastest way to increase the population in the dungeon. After much discussion, three methods were presented for solving this problem.
One, we send an envoy to the surrounding areas near mount Kartikeya looking for any other clans. This is the fastest method if we can locate them and conclude favorable outcomes, but also the most dangerous as well. With only 5 members left of Jog's clan sending one out alone is tantamount to suicide. The even worse possibility of this plan could result in our complete loss. The most important aspect of any plan must be overwhelming security, for the dungeon and Jog's clan.
Second, the method would be placing signs outside of the cave entrance and around the mountain for others to find. In theory, random intelligent monsters could find the signs and therefore find the dungeon. Although the risk to Jog and clan would be reduced, it would, in fact, increase the danger to the dungeon.
I mean, we would literally be placing signs everywhere saying "Y'all a dungeon is here". If some random adventures found it we would be screwed. At least until we construct the defense tunnels for creatures entering the dungeon. Also, it doesn't guarantee anyone will find the dungeon in the short turn, which is the whole purpose of doing it.
Lastly, the safest and the most guaranteed way to increase the population is the method I like the least. In a word, "Breeding". With my abilities, I can increase the population within the dungeon by using the current females. Although they informed me of their willingness to cooperate, it doesn't set me at ease. It's not like I'm some noble protagonist that sitting on his moral high horse.
In fact, I have made peace with what I am over the last few weeks. I can't change the situation of being reborn into a dungeon heart or having the skill set the Henti goddess "blessed" me with. Although, I'm not some sex-crazed fiend delighted in impregnating every female that I can get into my clutches. That doesn't equate to me being unwilling to be "A team player" for posterity.
There are other ways to fix the personnel problem; like summoning creatures or scouting around the mountain secretly looking for other races. Amazingly, the summoning monster is the most convenient and safe way to grow the population in the dungeon.
Unfortunately, summoning cost a lot of DP even for low-level monsters. The problem is lack of DP, I presently have acquired some from Jog and his clan staying in the dungeon but it's not enough. It's dangerous to use up all the acquired DP on creatures until I have enough to spend while maintaining a decent reserve. To increases my DP, I need more dungeon dwellers to generate more DP or kill creatures in the dungeon. So, until I can build up a safe amount DP, I don't want to spend frivolously.
As for sending people out covertly, that has a list of potential problems. The greatest of them is like the first plan, the individual or group vanishing without a trace and giving sensitive information to an enemy. If Job and his clan were more numerous, powerful or masters of stealth, I may have put this option on the table. Unfortunately, I cannot do so in good conscience under the circumstances.
As it stands right now, options 3 is the most promising... no, the most demanded. Increasing Jog's clan was one of the requirements for them swearing allegiance to me, and I agree with this condition.
It should not be a difficult issue to fulfill my agreement, but mentally it makes me uncomfortable. I don't understand coming from a different world, but they have zero resistance to the plan from the beginning. Quite the opposite, the past few weeks Jog and his wife have brought the issue up almost daily in discussions. While I admire their persistence, it has made my continued procrastination of the subject almost impossible.
Once, I browsed the app "IProgenitor", purely for academic purposes of course. Currently, I don't have a normal body to speak of, therefore the app was difficult to understand in my present state. I'm sure if used properly it will make more sense but I tested it out without a "Target Female" as the sex AI voice elegantly put it. So, I don't fully understand what or how the app work to facilitate the act of copulation. Still, I can put off this inevitable task for a little bit more, hopefully, to prepare my heart for the eventual loss of my innocence.
Let's change thoughts to clear that topic from my mind, the trap improvement in the dungeon has been proceeding steadily. The other tunnels are in the process of being dug and prepared for special "guest". In particular, the non-lethal rout that I came up with is intriguing. If it works I think I will laugh my self silly.
I used the ITrap app to see how it works and was impressed. ITrap works by using my thoughts for the trap creation process. So, the better the imagination the user of the app possesses, the more control and potential power the app can manifest. It's like most tools, its uses are limited by the operator more than the tool itself.
As for my imagination, let's just say the "guests" can expect mouseland with the level of creativity my dungeon traps have. Hohoho...
While I was deep in my reflection, Jog entered into my core room. Alongside him, his wife Cam entered my room, then, they stood before my altar. They bowed and waited for me to address them before speaking. I returned my attention to the surroundings and was surprised to see them standing there. As I look them over, seeing how Cam was dressed made it crystal clear the intent of their visit.
"Sorry, Jog, I was a bit preoccupied and didn't notice you two. How can I help you?"(Sirus-ly playing dumb)
"My great Evil Lord, I come to present my spouse to you for consideration of increasing my family. If your Grace could bless this humble servant of yours with this request, my wife and I would be eternally grateful."(Jog the cuckold)
*Sigh* It has come to this it seems. I could dance around this issue because he didn't come at me straightforwardly. Yet, now he performed a direct assault with no wiggle room for retreat. This is my loss I guess, I have put this off for as far as possible.
"Jog, can I be honest with you? By my abilities, I understand I possess the capability to provide offspring for you. But for my understanding, could you explain to me why you are so persistent in requesting me to seed your wife. I come from a very different world, and in my former world, this behavior is not condoned. Jog, I'll comply if you insist but my conscience is paining me when I think I'm wronging you by doing this."(Sirus the better Pinocchio)
Jog and Cam look at each other for a moment before they burst into laughter. Jog's gut-wrenching bellows echo in the room, while his wife Cam giggles like a schoolgirl. I'm dumbfounded by the reaction to my serious question. I'm sure my core is blushing from the shame I'm feeling right now. Cam is the first to recover and respond to my query.
"My Lord, please forgive our rude behavior just now. Truly, we mean no disrespect and hope you can understand we were just very anxious in your presence. Your personality is just so pure we couldn't help but laugh for joy. Please allowed me to explain an answer to your question.
In this world, the strong rule the weak. The weak submit to the strong. It's natural. It is even more so with monsters and Demi-humans. Unlike humans that follow the good god and his teachings; Evil races, monsters, and Demi-humans follow the Evil goddess teachings.
The Evil goddess teaches that 'Power equals Majesty'. Therefore, the weakest become submissive to the strongest and all creatures, both weak and strong, are driven to become the strongest. Through this teaching, the most powerful individuals will spread their powerful traits to the next generation. Then, these powerful offspring will increase the whole clan's overall strength.
So, partners in the clan are chosen by the individual strength of the clan members. The strongest females desire only to produce the strongest offspring from the strongest males. On occasions, the strongest male could control all the females of a clan for mating. The only limits to govern domination of an environment is the power and ability one controls. This domination rule applies to everything; individuals, clans and even kingdoms.
By the teaching of our goddess, it's the right of the strong to everything they can grasp, including siring offspring. Yet, it is the responsibility of the clan to raise them. The entire clan is one family, all children are treated as brothers and sisters regardless of parents. So, my Lord, receiving your affection, even in front of my husband, is in accordance with the goddess wish for increasing clan numbers and power."(Cam the willing)
Ah, my Evil Henti goddess!!! She made a wonderful world where harems, NTR, and other less than ok methods of sex, like the four-letter "R" word, is encouraged. I'm scared by how much I'm excited after hearing this. Part of me is concerned by this extreme knowledge, but I have always been alive in the moment kind of person. Besides, like the old saying "when in Rome...", I guess I'll have to adapt to my new world too. Purely for Science of course...
*cough while looking away*
"Okay... if you put it that way, I'm not only ignorant but also naïve. I have just been created a short time ago, so please treat me well. Although I may lack experience presently, I will rise up to dominate the world in time, I'm sure. So, please guide me accordingly to bring about the best outcome for everyone.
In regards to the goddess teaching, it may take me some time to come to grips with it, but I will. And to start on my journey you will be the first, Cam. It's fitting, considering your husband is my first follower, you will be my first partner.
Now, Cam, shall we begin?"(Sirus fledgling carnivore)