You're half way through littering the area with gravestones and uneven mounds of dry dirt when the call comes. A chime echoes across the cavern, and flashing numbers appear above the stairwell.

60

A countdown, exactly the same as appears in front of your main doorway. A countdown to a hero raid.

You go to rush downstairs, to rally your defences, but after only a handful of steps you find yourself slowing down.

What was the point of building up the goblins if we just gather in the entrance hall? There's so many goblins now I'm to sure they'd all fit anyway.

Your heart slows and a feeling of peace settles around you like a mantle.

It's time to trust them.

You turn back around, and with a flap of your wings alight upon the cliff that will one day be Amanda's castle. The necromancer in question isn't around, but you can hardly begrudge her that – the second floor isn't really set up for habitation yet.

The countdown counts down, and the demons under your employ scatter throughout the floor by your direction. Keth, your Gargoyle, finds purchase above the doorway to the church, looming ominously on the otherwise boxy building. You make a note to add spires to your building list. The Mamonites race up the stairs, through the heavy doors of the castle courtyard, taking up positions behind the arrow slits that will let them rain demonic magic down on attackers. You're not sure what Greed tinged magic will do, but you've seen Mercy cast spells that have not been overtly sexual in nature, so hopefully they'll be fine.

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The countdown reaches 10, and you turn away, heading deeper into the castle, to the hall that will one day be Amanda's boss room. You hop onto the plinth that will hold her throne, curl your tail around your legs, and wait.

Maybe I should have told them that this was the plan...

You strain your ears, but hear nothing from the floor below.

What are they doing, I wonder? Without an entrance hall full of spears and magic. Did they fall for the first trap? Did any goblins ambush them?

Another minute passes before you get your first piece of news. A burst of experience and Anima. A level 10 was just defeated, somewhere below you. Feathers? She is closest to the door.

A minute more passes, and you disregard the idea. Feathers wouldn't have only killed one level 10, not with all her support. Sapphire then? Leading a strike out only to fall back after causing some damage?

Another helping of Anima, but no experience. A level 15. So either Amanda, Mercy, or one of the mooks. Then a level 10, then a level 12 in quick succession.

You're leaning towards Mercy then.

Another minute passes, before one final helping of Anima and experience hits you. Level 11.

Then silence.

A moment later, a notification pops up in front of you.

For successfully repelling a Hero party without direct intervention, your lair has Unlocked the Boss Room!