Chapter 12 A Step Outside_Alice The Roaming Dungeon (Relaunch in progress.)

"I want you to help destroy the Draco Kingdom."

Alice was taken back by the Kings the request and just was dumbstruck. She stared at the king and said the first thing came to her mind "Go fuck yourself."

The king smiled and said "Are you sure the daughter of Mania won't sit well with the Church of Life. If your location got out, you would make an enemy of not only myself but for them as well. And they have more than a few powerful people and countries under their control."

"Eat shit; I know full well the church worships Mania as much as Atum. So I'm sure that if they found out you picked a fight with me, they would be on my side, you're just a half-dead king after all."

For the first time, King Halon lost his composure his eyes widened "How..."

Alice smiled "I can see your soul and lifespan. Compared to the two next to you yours is extremely short. So what you want your bitter enemy to be destroyed before you kick the bucket?"

King Halon sighed, and his aura of authority disappeared "I see you're well informed, but it was worth a shot. Are you aware of how long Elves live and the fact they never age?"

"Yeah, just look at Erethon."

"Well put simply I'm a quarter High Elf, Beast Man, and Half Human. I don't age like an Elf but don't have anywhere close to their lifespan. I am 203 years old and lifespans for quarter elves should only be around 200 years."

"Get to the point already."

"I'm going to die any day now, and my daughter will become queen."

''So basically you and the Draco Kingdom are headed for war, and you want it to end before your daughter takes over. Wow, you might be less of an ass hole than I thought."

King Halon just smiled and shrugged, "I'm a king and a father you can think of me however you want as long I can protect my people and family."

Alice looked at the king and stared into his soul and thought to her self "At least he's honest." She smiled and said, "So how would I destroy a kingdom and what's in it for me?"

"You don't need to do much just say the Draco Kindom needs to come to an end. I already sent people to spread rumors throughout most of the continent that you were sent to this world to end the old and to make way for the new. You're the god's will, at least that's what everyone believes for the most part."

"So why don't I say that your Kingdom needs to come to an end?"

"Because I would destroy you and your dungeon. Also even if you stop the army outside your only three days away from the capital so I guarantee at least 500,000 men would be mobilized to crush you."

"Don't be so confident prick I have more than a few tricks that I could use destroy you. But you're lucky I don't feel like going to war with you. Now the fun question what do I get if I agree to help you?"

"The backing of the Asura Kingdom."

Alice more than a little annoyed said "I can tell when you're hiding something jackass. So tell me what you have in mind."

"You are a negotiator's worst nightmare. I will build a fortress city to protect your dungeon, give you unconditional aid whenever you are in the kingdom, the title of Arc Duke which will give you the authority equal to a prince or princess, and I will also give you all the mana you need to grow dungeon."

"Not good enough."

General Dawsend snapped "How is that not enough you disrespectful little bitch!? My King allow me to teach this bitc-"

"Quiet Brecban! Calm down or will send back to the army!"

"But sir!"

"Brecban do not make me repeat myself!"

The general stared daggers at Alice but said: "Yes my king."

"I apologize for my subordinates disrespect."

"It's fine I know how hard dogs are to control."

Rage was clear on Brecban's face, but King Halon just smiled and said "Thank you for your understanding. Now then what more would you like?"

"First off, I'm not stupid enough to allow people anywhere near my core so you can keep your mages to yourself. Second I want to expand my dungeon to your capital and any other city or town I choose. And Third I want every captured prisoner to be sent to and killed in my dungeon."

"Expand your dungeon to my capital... What do you mean by that?"

"I want to create an entrance there."

The king mumbled, "I see so that's why we couldn't speak to the outside." He then spoke to Alice "Very well, but I want a contract stating that you won't hurt my people outside your dungeon."

Alice smiled "Deal, but be sure to extend to every ruler of Asura after you."

Erethon had told her what contracts were during one of his teaching sessions. A contract was a spell that placed a curse on two or more people, and it would activate if one person broke their agreement. To put it simply the spell would attack the soul and kill the offender instantly. But for Alice who soul was already dead and had the skill Soul Immunity , it would do nothing to her. In other words, she could break the contract whenever she wanted.

King Halon activated the spell and said "The deal is simple you will help us destroy the Draco Kingdom and I guarantee that all the rewards promised to you will be fulfilled. The contract will be passed down to every ruler of Asura after me, but you also must promise never use your monsters to destroy the kingdom or its people."

"I'm adding a part saying that if people come to the dungeon to assassinate me and manage escape I can send monsters out to hunt them down and everyone involved with their scheme, even if they're your people."

King Halon's face twitched "I agree now inject your mana into the contract and we will be finished."

Alice read the contract carefully and made sure not to leave any loopholes and then finally injected her mana. "It's done, now then when does the war start?"

King Halon smiled and said, "3 days ago the army encamped at the entrance will be heading to the front lines now."

"I see then let's go."

"We don't need you to come along yet."

"Not with the army, you'll be taking me to your capital."

"You don't waste time, do you? Very well we need you to speak with the church anyway."

"Also was it you guys who stopped people from coming into my dungeon?"

"Yes and no, I gave the order when we arrived here, but a local guild was the one who initially forbade it."

"I guess I scared them a bit too much. Well, whatever start letting people in and build the city as fast as possible."

"That won't be a problem your dungeon is located on a fairly fertile plain with a few forests nearby. I just need to find a mayor after construction."

"You don't have to I'll rule the territory and Ery will be the mayor."

"Ery? Wait you mean Erethon, why would you trust him with that."

"Ery care to explain."

"Well um... We bonded your majesty, and well we are sort of friends."

"I see, no matter Erethon you will act as mayor under Archduke... My apologies but I never got your name."

"It's Alice."

"Do you have a family name?"

"No."

"I suggest you make one you'll need a house if you want to keep retainers formally."

"I'll worry about it later let's go."

With that Alice opened a portal to the entrance rode her horse through followed by everyone else. They arrived in the middle of the encampment that the king's army had made at the entrance inside her dungeon. The troops were already in position ready to fight Alice but when the king walked through they relaxed. They walked to the entrance and when Alice tried to walk through she was pushed back and sent a notification.

Warning- Dungeon Core "Alice" now exiting the dungeon. Auto Mangement parameters not yet given. Until parameters are set Dungeon Core "Alice" will be unable to leave the dungeon.

Alice was a little confused but activated Auto Mangement. Another window popped basically asking her to give orders on what to do when mana capacity was reached and the general behavior of the dungeon. She opened the screen up and gave her orders.

Dungeon Behaviour- Passive (Kill anyone who enters bottom floor maze)

Mana usage- Priority 1. Expand 2nd Floor to 100 square miles.

2. Fill 2nd floor with an appropriate amount of monsters.

3. Buy all skills in skill store that mana cap allows.

4. Level up dungeon.

Boss Candidates- Bring to bottom floor maze. Floor Creation- Off Room Creation- Create 1-mile rooms on second-floor. Surface and tunnels are separate rooms.

Alert- Auto Managment setting has been set Dungeon Core "Alice" is now able to leave the dungeon.

With that last chore done she stepped through the entrance and saw her new world for the very first time. Erethon walked over to her and began to speak "This is your first time being out of your dungeon right?"

"Yeah, but wish I didn't have to see an army with their weapons pointing at my portal."

"Well, King Halon did personly come here to negotiate with you."

King Halon cut in "They had orders to begin the assault if I didn't come back through the portal in 2 hours. But don't worry they will be sent to reinforce one of the western army's."

"And my fortress town?"

"We will leave 200 men to begin planning out your town and scout the surrounding. From what I can tell you're close enough to a river so it will be easy to dig wells and the soil is fairly fertile."

"So my town will have a good foundation."

"Yes, but it won't be easy to defend in case of any attacks. You are in the middle of a plain after all."

"That's why you are building a fort, so how long till my town is finished?"

"I'm not a city planner, but I would say around four months since I'm the one financing it."

"That's quick but make sure to spread the word about my dungeon being here."

"I don't have to news is already spreading like wildfire. Adventures from Erethon's expedition or the guild survey you destroyed probably already spread the news. My men have already told me that some adventures and craftsmen have already established them selfs around our army camp."

"Even though I basically destroyed both expeditions?"

"Monster core's are quite literally the most profitable monster drop in the world. They are basically hardened elemental mana, so they are always in high demand."

"*Sigh* So there just greedy morons then."

Erethon began to speak "Actually no, many of them are just looking for a new start. In our world using magic and skills is as common as breathing and everyone can use it to a certain extent. For example, a single farmer can easily work 5 miles of farmland with the proper magic and skills."

"Ok, I somewhat understand."

King Halon again jumped in "Let me explain but first, has Erethon told you how many people are adventures in this country?"

"No."

"Well, Alice in this country over a third of the population are adventures and with another quarter being in the military full-time. Do you get it now?"

"So basically skills and magic make jobs so easy that you don't need too much of a labor force."

"Exactly but also there is the constant internal threat of monsters and the external threat from other countries. This war with the Draco Kingdom is the 8th one we had in the past 150 years. Of course, some were bigger than others, but they still happened."

"So that's why you want me to destroy them."

"Yes and no. It will easier to explain if you have a grasp of the situation. The first and current ruler of the Draco Kingdom is a Dragon Newt named Qotzen-Cha Draco. He came to power through a rather popular revolution and then went about the systematic conquering or destruction of every other tribe and kingdom in The Diamond Peaks. He managed to create a multiracial nation, much like Asura, which consists mainly of White Dwarfs, Snow Elves, and Dragon Newts. When their nation was first created 200 years ago, I hoped to make allies out of them, but they declared war on us after Qotzen solidified control of the Peaks. What I want is the Draco Kingdom to be destroyed only in name."

"How the hell does that work?"

"We need to defeat their military and put in a new king."

"So where do I come into play?"

"The entire country is deeply religious, so the Church of Life has a lot of influence in the country. You're the first and only daughter of Mania, and that makes a powerful symbol."

"So I'm just a figurehead great."

"That is the plan for now anyway; the current invasion is already bigger that than last four wars combined. If this keeps up, we may use you in a more direct way."

"I'm not a tool you piece of shit."

"Forgive me; I didn't mean it like that."

"Whatever when do we leave?"

"Brecban and I have to deploy the army so about an hour."

"I'll be by my entrance then, come on Ery."

Erethon and Alice were about to leave, but Knight Captain Sarah screamed out "Wait Erethon isn't your hostage anymore he can come with us!"

"Who said he was my hostage?"

"Shut up, come on Erethon you don't need to be a prisoner anymore."

Erethon looked at both Alice and Sarah, but he already made his choice in the dungeon "I'm sorry Sarah, but I'm going with her by choice."

"Why? She killed all of our men! the people you lead are dead because of her!"

"Sarah I told you to leave the dungeon, but you didn't listen to me. Their blood is on your hands just as much as Alice's."

Sarah clenched her fists and stared daggers into a smiling Alice "Fine; I hope you die with that bitch!"

"Goodbye, Sarah."

"Good job Ery, but I looked at her soul she didn't believe your words."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Alice smiled evilly "You'll see."

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Alice and Ery explored the area around her dungeon entrance, but all she could see were soldiers breaking down camp. All the soldiers were avoiding her with only a few nervous glances sent her way. She didn't care much and figured rumors about the knights be slaughtered by her had gotten around. She looked at the entrance of her dungeon and was unsatisfied that it was just a swirling portal in front of a rock slab. She tried to play around with it and found out she could manipulate it just like the inside of her dungeon. She shaped the rock around the portal and made it seem like it was a door and planted a tree behind it. She mutated the tree grow large enough, so its trunk encased the sides of the stone entrance. She also made it seem like half the tree was dead while the other half was thriving with flowers and fruit growing on every branch. She decided that when she bought the dungeon skill Shrine Creation, she would put a shrine Mania, Atum and maybe a statue of herself.

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The process took a little over 30 minutes after that Alice had no idea what to do with the remaining time. She sat on one of the tree branches and talked to Erethon for a while. But as Alice thought a pest had come back to bother them and seemed she brought friends. Alice looked over at Sarah and yelled out with a smile "You must love leading people to their deaths!"

"Go to hell! Men prepare to rescue Erethon!"

"I told yo-"

"Shut up Ery there is only five of them besides I only to kill one or two and the rest will run."

"Wait a minute that armor, Alice!"

Alice ignored him and hopped off the tree and activated The Presence of Inevitability and summoned her scythe. Alice smiled as she watched a few of them visibly pale and sent out her message to everyone around to not just Sarah's group but every soldier that was watching the scene.

Warning you have challenged the Pale Rider. Your lives are forfeit pray to Mania that your deaths will be painless.

Seeing the message, everyone in the area went into an uproar. The extreme turn the situation took surprised even Alice, she didn't realize how much a system message meant to these people. One of the men Sarah had brought tried to turn tail and run, but Alice sent one of her chains and dragged him in front her. And in a dance-like move, she cut his head clean off. Alice smiled and began to walk towards the Sarah and the three remaining men, at the same time activating True Suffering.

Alice formed an aura of Death Magic around her that rotted ground around her and had chains shoot out, like black snakes, destroying everything. The last thing she did was use Ice Magic to make the temperature in the area drop drastically, and with a mad smile she said: "You caused this."

One of the soldiers screamed out "Get away from me you fucking mon-"

Alice didn't let him finish. She sent chains through his chest tearing him apart. At this point, Alice had gotten an idea that would make this pointless and frankly boring fight a little more interesting. She used Soul Grasp and Soul Essence on the two soldiers she just killed. It only took a minute to tear part of each soul off, since they were already dead. She then used Spirits of the Dead to summon the souls in the form they had in life. Everyone only looked on in terror since the entire process was visible to the naked eye.

Alice brought everyone back to reality and said "Be thankful that I found another use you trash. If you help me with a little experiment, I'll let you live."

The men looked at Alice and tried to speak, but they were still writhing in agony because of True Suffering. After a minute Alice realized and deactivated it and asked "What do you guys think? Wanna help me out and have a chance to live or die on your knees?"

Surprisingly it wasn't Sarah who spoke up but one of the soldiers "I... I'll take the chance."

Alice smiled and said, "Good how about the rest of you?" The other soldier didn't look Alice in the eyes but nodded. As for Sarah, she just sat there crying looking at the souls standing behind Alice.

Alice ignored her for now and spoke to the other soldiers "This little game is simple, beat one of the souls behind me, and you live. Lose and you die, but first what are your adventure ranks and what was there's?"

The same soldier who spoke up first took off his helmet revealing a young face with what seemed to be kind of cat ears "I'm a low A rank, and the two behind you were both high B."

"I see, what about you in the heavy armor?"

The soldier in question just kept trembling to Alice's annoyance. At the same time, Alice said "Why the fuck do they always just sit there?" and shot a bolt of death magic corroding away the soldier's helmet and left shoulder armor.

As the helmet corded away, it revealed a very pretty young woman with strange blue-black hair. The woman frantically screamed out "I'm a High S rank!"

"That's the answer I was looking for! Now then what are you?"