Pinocchio?" Everyone wondered when she added
- That's the name of the puppet Amon created. Since he hadn't given it a name, I gave it one. Does anyone mind? Right, let's get on with the meeting.
Amon's puppet, under Hella's orders, began to print out information on sheets of paper from the horizontal opening in his stomach. This was his only task. So Sins went over and politely took the sheets from his hand before reading them out loud.
- Pinocchio's job is to look after the dungeon's external affairs. He is directly linked to the summoning formulas and other information coming from outside. Today we received four requests to deal with. The first is from the mages of the grey tower. In their contract proposal, they ask for two dragon eggs and two young dragons in exchange for ten million gold coins and 6,000 magic scrolls.
- Refuse! A dragon only lays one egg per century, so two eggs for just ten million gold coins... not even in your dreams.
hella replied firmly. Sins then resumed his reading
- The second is from members of the cult of a heretic divinity. They request the assistance of goblins and grey wolves to ambush other worshippers. They're offering a hundred thousand gold coins and all the treasures that can be unearthed during the attack.
- I accept the contract! Let Assu, who is guarding the first floor, know. Tell him to send a troop of goblins and grey wolves to the address on the contract.
- I'll deal with them right after.
Victorus replied. Sins then continued reading the other contracts
- So the third is also from other heretic worshippers. They'd like to buy an hour of ore mining on the thirteenth floor in exchange, they leave with half the profits and leave us the other half plus five hundred finished magic stone products.
- Hmm, that sounds fair enough, but what do you think?
- Well, humans have knowledge and mining materials that we don't have. They're capable of mining goods that we don't even know what they're for, so if in addition to letting us have them, they also provide us with finished products, then I don't see a problem. If they limit themselves to mining, of course.
replied the dragon. He was joined by the other two.
- In the same way, I think the offer is quite fair! We're not friends, but we can agree on certain points. The ingenuity of these humans is sometimes quite surprising. It's not a bad idea to be able to keep an eye on them from time to time. Replies Sins
- I think the same! This kind of contract does exist for this kind of case, after all. With this exchange, we avoid human raids and thus spare the lives of the creatures concerned by this place. Basically, it's just less pointless fighting. Replies Victus
- Well, in that case, I accept. Warn the master of the second level. He mustn't break the contract without knowing it.
- Very well, as for the fourth, it's a request for a duel. A face to face with the master of the dungeon. It comes from a certain hero called "ALONE". Surely another of those foolish humans who claim to be heroes and consider dungeons to be their sworn enemies.
- What? What's this now?
Hella asked in astonishment
- It was Amon who authorised this kind of contract back in the day. As the majority of the raids on the dungeon never reached the master, the lord began to get bored, so he set up this type of contract so that he could face powerful enemies who wanted to challenge him. And each time, he accepted the request.
Sins replied. The dragon added
- That's just like Lord Amon. But that's precisely what caused his downfall. I advise you to think carefully about this request. It clearly states that this request comes from a hero. These humans who hold this title are not just ordinary people. They are strong, very strong, but above all, they consider dungeons to be the source of misfortune in this world and as such, they are prepared to do anything to eradicate them. Don't take this request lightly. Everyone's fate depends on it.
- They're mostly sick, yes. I'm not Amon. So take it off me quickly. And from now on, this kind of contract is abolished. I don't want to get killed stupidly. I swear, this guy is completely crazy. He created this just so he could fight even more. What a bunch of lunatics.
- Smart move. Did you hear that... the puppet? Kill that kind of contract right now.
At Sins' request and under Hella's command, Pinocchio began to shake his head before stopping dead in his tracks. Then he opened his mouth and black smoke came out.
- It's done!
After this exchange, Sins brought the files that Hella had accepted so that she could validate them with her signature. The meeting then continued with other topics.
- Let's get down to business. A month ago, Sins made the proposal to move the dungeon. Due to disagreements, I postponed the decision until everyone had had a chance to think about it, and now I'm waiting for your opinion on the matter. asked Hella
- I'm against it!
replied the dragon.
- I'm for it. I think now is the time. The dungeon has never been as quiet as it has been over the last six months. We need to make the most of it and carry out any plans we can while we still can.
- Right, then! And you, what's the reason for your refusal?
- Well, I think it's too soon for me. Our case isn't as desperate as all that for us to take this kind of decision. Besides, such an action will undoubtedly draw attention to the dungeon. Which may not be such a good thing in the end. Who knows what the enemy is up to outside. So I think we should wait a while before thinking about that.
- Lord Sins isn't the type to make decisions on the spur of the moment and it's better to act now before it's too late, isn't it? Pronounced Victus
- And you, sins?
asked Hella. Sins spoke up
- It's true that the problem isn't very urgent, but it's only a matter of time. The best thing is to anticipate and act before the enemy does. In this kind of case, the first to act simply wins, and I've already planned everything. The new location, the constraints and the benefits are all detailed in the file I've given you. All that's missing is your agreement to start the preparations. As for the second argument you mentioned, dear dragon, I wonder if it was really relevant to point that out, unless your faith in your new mistress is as meagre as that!
After these words, the exchange between the two creatures became tense. The dragon had surely taken Sins' remark as a provocation towards him. This was clearly evident in his menacing presence. Even though he hadn't responded to Sins, it was clear that he was on edge, so hella intervened between them, saying in a calm, cold voice
- That's enough of that! I've heard enough of this and if I've understood correctly, you mean I'm far too weak to show off like this? Well, you're right. Admittedly I've gained in power over the last six months but I'm still inferior to you and to the other guardians of the higher levels. I'm still far too weak and we agree that this is a problem and this problem concerns us all because my death will be a problem for you too and for the whole dungeon and more especially, Amon. In that case, I'd like you to help me get stronger.
At Hella's words, the dragon was both astonished and curious.
- Hey, what can I do for you? I'm not as good a teacher as Sins.
- One of my greatest weaknesses is my very low defence, but that could be remedied if I had dragon scales, and you know that the stronger the dragon, the higher the skills I can receive. So would you give me your scales, please? Well, just a small part.
- Dragon scales give dragon characteristics to their owner but they inflict so much damage that the risk of death is over seventy percent. Are you sure?
- Of course I can handle it!
- In that case, I'll give you some of the scales from my right wing if that suits you! But that in no way solves our problem, you're well aware of that?
I'm honoured! And yes, I'm aware of that and I've already made my decision.
replies Hella, before adding
- Now that that's settled, here's what I propose. I've read all the details of this affair and as a result I've decided to validate this removal project. I'm therefore authorising Sins to start the preparations today so as not to waste any time, but you're not wrong either, so I'd like you to keep an eye on every little step of the preparations. If there's the slightest problem, I want to be the first to know, and that goes for you too, Sins.
- Well, it will be done according to your wishes. replied Sins
- Fine! In that case, I'll keep an eye on everything that happens inside and outside the dungeon. Replied the dragon
- Well, unless anyone has anything else to say, the meeting's over. But I also have an announcement to make. Because I'm new here, I've asked you to lend me your advice on how to make decisions in this kind of meeting. So I'd like to say THANK YOU for coming and advising me so far. But from now on, I'll be taking decisions on my own. You're free to go. If I need you, I'll let you know myself. And thank you again for everything. Pronounced Hella
After that, the other three bowed before leaving. The meeting came to an end and everyone went about their business. Hella returned to her room and dropped onto her large bed, looking out of breath.
- God, I'm tired. I can't take it any more. It's a good thing this hellish training is over. I'm disgusted, not that I managed to get my hands on the dragon scales, but rather the way I did it. That bastard demon deserves his title. He took the conversation exactly where he wanted it, but the opportunity was too good to pass up. As powerful as it is, tearing off the scales inflicts indescribable pain on a dragon, hence the fact that they harden it to such an extent that they form an ultimate shield with it to prevent it being torn off during battle. I read that in a book. On the other hand, I imagine that it was his unwavering devotion to Amon that really pushed the dragon to accept my request, so I can't really feel sorry for him. I'm going to get a good night's sleep to rest up because tomorrow is my very first day as mistress of this dungeon.
Hella thought in her room. She had also decided to rest because of the fatigue accumulated from her six months of training, but no sooner had she closed her eyes than she received a message from victus who had contacted her telepathically. The message was her, and Hella had lost sleep over it. She stood up abruptly and clenched her fists with a cold, angry look on her face. She then replied aloud
- I see. Don't interfere. I'll take care of it myself.
She said to Victorus telepathically before cutting off the transmission. Then she added, speaking to herself
- I don't believe it. I hope it's a joke. He really did it. We didn't need that right now. He finally rebelled against that bastard Assu.
Hella, who was resting peacefully in her room, had received a message from victus saying that the master of the first level, Assu, had rebelled and refused the orders given to him by Hella. After her telepathic exchange with victus, Hella decided to go to the first floor to resolve the Assu problem personally. So she used the key to the dungeon to get to the first landing.
After going through the door, Hella found herself in a huge moss-covered corridor, dimly lit by a green light. She walked quietly through the gloomy surroundings, contemplating the place. At the same time, she was thinking about Assu and the various possible endings to her encounter with him.
- Assu, the leader of the ogres. A strong, proud man who couldn't bear to be led by a woman, is that why he rebelled? I remember that he was constantly protesting and showing his displeasure at my enthronement as his new master. But then, under the threat of suffering the wrath of the others, he calmed down and now he's rebelling. In my world, he'd probably be killed by feminists.
She said with a small smile before continuing
- Still, why and above all how can he rebel against my will when he's sworn loyalty to me? According to Amon, this kind of revolt should be impossible and yet he refused the order I gave him via victus. It's not all very clear but I'll certainly find out more when I meet him in person.
Hella continued quietly on her way through the dark corridors of this floor. She could feel people staring at her, as if she were being hunted by creators. Thanks to the cursed look in her right eye, Hella could easily make out the hunters lurking in the shadows. These creators were none other than red hares. They were easily two metres tall and always hunted in groups. They were carnivores and cannibals as well as being extremely ferocious. They lurked in the shadows and waited patiently for their enemies to drop their guard before charging at them all at once.
And Hella knew this very well, just as she also knew why she was being hunted.
- That's the downside of this bracelet. Once I put it on, I become a stranger like everyone else and I'm no longer safe from monster attacks. It's a pity, I wanted to take advantage of it to observe the creatures on this level without being noticed too much, but... that might be more difficult now.
When she had finished speaking, Hella began to run at high speed, hoping to surprise and escape her pursuers, but this was not to be. Although she was running extremely fast, the red hares were catching up and following her without any problem.
They jumped beside her with great speed, trying to attack her as soon as they could. But Hella dodged each of their attacks and simply ran. After covering a certain distance, seeing that the red hares were not giving up, Hella decided to fight back. She stopped dead in her tracks, turned and charged at the red hare closest to her with a mana-charged punch to the gut, sending it flying.
But this didn't stop the momentum of the others, even if the one that had been hit was struggling to get up. Four of the hares pounced on Hella without hesitation, but this time, Hella ignited both her fists and shouted
- By the mandal of Amon: Glowing fist.
Both his fists had turned red and were as hot as red-hot iron, even giving off embers of intense flame.
She leapt towards the first hare and with one blow, exploded its belly. She dodged the attack of the second by moving out of the way before hitting the third, which was just behind the second, sending it waltzing towards the wall with a big hole in its stomach. Then she caught the fourth, who had tried to tackle her with his elbow, and set him alight just by holding him. As for the other, whose attack she had dodged and who was now coming back at her, Hella took the lead by launching herself at him with a series of twelve-shot combos.
The hare looked like nothing when she'd finished with him. He was all burnt up and bleeding all over before collapsing. Seeing this, the other hares all kept quiet and didn't dare attack her. They may have been ferocious and confident in their numbers, but it didn't take much to scare the red hares, despite their sheer numbers. Seeing Hella slaughter those who attacked her, the others kept their distance and gave up the hunt.
Seeing the hesitation of her hunters, Hella set off again without delay.
As she moved away from the scene of the confrontation, she turned to look behind her one last time to reassure herself and was surprised to see the other red hares coldly murdering the one who was seriously wounded. They jumped on his body to crush it, looking cheerful. Then they began to devour him without mercy. It was the same for the other hares injured in the attack. They were all devoured by their own brothers in arms.
Hella was disgusted by this act by the red hares, but if that was their way of life, then so be it, and she continued on her way. She walked until she reached the boss's room on the first level, Assu's room.
She opened it and went inside, but there was no-one there apart from an unbearable smell and skulls decorating the room. The room was very large, shaped like a large ring with an oval floor plan and a large throne decorated with skulls, placed in the darkest corner of the room.
- God, that smell is unbearable. How can you live in a place like that? And the worst thing is that the pig isn't even there.
She was saying this when suddenly she heard a noise coming from above. She looked up at the ceiling and saw a cage hanging from the ceiling by a rope. The thing in the cage spoke to her
- Hey you, don't you want to get me out of here? If you do, I'll make all your fantasies come true, even the craziest ones, I promise.
- No problem, thanks!
Hella replied, ignoring him before heading for the exit when
- No, wait. I swear I'll do anything you want, but please, whoever you are, don't leave me here, if he comes back he'll kill me.
- I'm so sorry for your loss. I seem to be wasting my time here. Well, I'll look elsewhere.
At Hella's words, the creature began to cry and beg
- I beg you, if he comes back to find me here, he'll kill me. Please help me. Please, please, please.
Hella ignored him completely as she continued on her way, but as she left the room she heard the creature say
- If you free me, I swear I'll tell you where to find the pig for sure.
- The pig? You mean Assu?
- Yes! Only a pig would live in a place like this. I know where he's gone and I can take you there, but only if you cut the rope that's holding my hut up.
- Hm, it's true that it saves me the trouble of looking for him. Agreed.
- Is that so? That's great! All righty!
The cage the creature was in was held aloft by a chain, which Hella easily broke and freed the creature inside. This one turned out to be a succubus, a low-ranking demon race. She had pink hair down to her back, two black horns on her head, pink pupils, a magnificent, sublime face, two black wings and a devil's tail ending in a heart. And all she wore was a pair of panties and a bra.
When the box fell, she stepped out and said
- Hello, my name is lust. Thank you for rescuing me and... Farewell!