I'm so jealous right now.

The Lord of Ishda is thoroughly enjoying the cuisine that was served up by our very own Gourmet. The same food that I'm still unable to eat. The same damn food that always looks so good everytime I see it.

It brings tears to my eyes even my Core is crying because it looks that good. Yet all I can do is take in the delectable aroma of her magnificent work. My spiritual nose works fine and is really good at identifying individual smells, yet anything I try and touch still phases through my grasp.

I'm not even going to start with you. I've got guests today and I could do without being labeled for destruction because you wouldn't know jack shit about a proper skill if it slapped you in the face.

I mean... I'm sorry. Please don't turn Anya into a Necromancer.

Being a Dungeon Core is a tough gig. I'm not even allowed to be angry.

"Young Lady, you absolutely must come to Ishda and work for me. This starter alone is just divine." Lord Aldor's eyes glaze over as he relishes his food, thoroughly enjoying the matches that play out below.

Once his three-course meal is over and the third fight comes to an end, he brings his full attention to Ali. "My compliments to the chef," he smiles politely whilst rubbing a bulging belly.

Stay down jealousy.

"You are most welcome, my Lord. I'm glad it was all to your satisfaction," Ali answers with the poise of a Noble woman and my petty emotion is swept aside by curiosity. It tries to creep back in, but gets beaten down by curiosity's broomstick the second time and doesn't return for a third.

I've got no idea where she learned that from.

"You must thank your Master for me as well." At the mention of the elephant in the room, both myself and Ali are left speechless.

"Whatever do you mean, my Lord?" Composing herself much better than I do, Ali answers for both of us as I'm at still at a loss for words.

It was one of the possibilities that I was entertaining, the fact that he came here aware of me, or rather my dungeon. I just didn't expect him to call us out on it like that. First the apprentice caught me off-guard and now the Lord as well, I really need to steel my nerves better. I don't remember being this worrisome when I was still a Rogue.

Showing his disbelief, Lord Aldor's eyes don't leave Ali's as she tries her best to maintain her composure. Impressively, she does a really good job. Much better than I would and am. Especially when you consider the fact that I can feel her nervousness coming through our connection. It makes me feel even worse because it's probably a reflection of my own and she's having to endure it because of me.

"Do you take my Lord for a fool, girl?" Gren, Lord Aldor's head-guard, has apparently had enough of Ali being so close to his Lord. At over six-foot tall and wearing a full-suit of armour, I suppose he would look rather intimidating to any regular person.

"Not at all, I only came to offer the Lord a hearty meal after his long travel." Without any words coming from me, Ali does well to keep up her act. I, on the other hand, really need to step-up my game. Not that this charade is getting us anywhere.

I want to say 'How did he notice!?' But that would just be another stupid question in the ever-growing list of embarrassing things I've said so far.

Anyone who has never travelled this way before and those making their way here from a different region, wouldn't think twice about how fast the city that they're migrating to has grown, or how it started out. Their worries on arrival consist of whether or not they will have a roof over their heads and food in their bellies.

In fact, other than Lord Aldor, who else is going to think that a Dungeon Core runs a city?

Lord Aldor however, is the ruler of the Ishda Province. It's his job to know the intricate details that go on inside his borders, right? I can only imagine that when he turned up, awestruck and potentially angry at this new-non-tax paying city that has magically appeared next to the equally-shocking-in-its-own-right mountain, he was pretty stumped too.

He was probably as shocked then as I was by his words a moment ago regarding Ali's Master. It's obvious he wouldn't think that there was a town here. There never has been. Ever. Not until now that is and I don't plan to let this place go, not when things are finally going well.

Actually, if we ignore my list of carpet-swept problems we could even say that things are going really well. Or they were at least, until this guy and his entourage turned up throwing a fork in my gears.

"Ali, ask him why he's here." This could either go really good or really bad as my non-confrontational Chef poses the question to Lord Aldor.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Ali's never been one for violence. She's the nicest person you could ever meet and she's always happy to lend a hand to anyone in need. To be honest I don't know where she got her personality from, but it can't have been me.

Now that I think about it, Noir's another example of how they've grown differently to me in terms of personality and traits. I was never a showoff or loud and boisterous, at least I don't think I was. If anything, I tried my best to be as quiet and stealthy as I possibly could be.

"I've come to hold a conversation with the dungeon," he answers blatantly, catching me off guard once again.

How can he be so forward about this situation? I know I'm the Dungeon Core in this party, but this is still unprecedented territory. Isn't it?

People don't go around just talking to dungeons, do they?

How do I go with the flow from that? Even though I've gotten rather powerful, it's still strange being in the presence of a ruler.

Technically, you are also a ruler. You rule the dungeon and now everything on it.

Yes, yes. Queen Abi, but I can't goof off right now. What should I say to him?

Get Ali to repeat her question. He's come here to talk so ask him what he wants.

Sometimes, Me, I don't know what I would do without you.

I can almost say the same. There are times where you think outside the box and surprise me. There are other times, however...

Yeah, yeah. Let's just stop at praising me, shall we?

"OK, Ali. You heard the almost-man. Ask that shit."

"At first it was to investigate the ridiculous claims that I kept on recieving. People are worried about the city that has spontaneously appeared beside this... Extraordinary sight." Looking up at my mountain from inside the Coliseum, Lord Aldor shakes his head in disbelief but chooses his words wisely.

"However, after seeing this place first hand, I'm actually rather impressed and I've already arrived at a decision. I will claim this place in the name of Ishda and add it to our might!"

"I don't think so buddy. I don't mean to be rude, but you can fuck off." This time, instead of having to think of an answer it comes naturally. Not that it was polite or reasonable and now that I am thinking about it maybe a firm 'No' would have been better, but I'm tired of people turning up and trying to claim what's mine. The effort I've put in and the hardships I've been through to create this place won't be wasted by handing my city over to someone else. There's no way that's going to happen. Not without a fight.

The problem with fighting though means that the residents are likely to catch-on to the fact that their peaceful new-home is in fact a man-eating dungeon. I'd rather it didn't come to that, but I'll make preparations just in case. Seeing as how the cat is already out of the bag, a show of force might be all that's needed without it turning into an actual battle.

I send a message to Light informing him of the situation and what I want from him. As soon as I'm finished, Ali's shadow triples in size. It doesn't go unnoticed by the three dozen people that Lord Aldor brought with him and the guards unsheath their weapons whilst the Mages begin to chant.

"What are you doing?" Gren shouts as he points his blade at Ali.

"Nothing, I swear. Someone else is coming to talk," she reponds politely, still being as gracious as she can.

"Lies! What are you doing!?" The head guard shouts at Ali again as her shadow begins to darken until it is pitch black.

"Oh. How interesting." Lord Aldor is the only one to take a different view on what's happening in the shadow of The Chef. Slowly, and with all the grandeur he can muster, Light begins to rise from the darkness. With every inch of his body that appears, so too does the pressure of his presence that he's been allowed to release in the contained area.

By the time he has fully emerged, all the Lord's guards have been forced to their knees by Light's will alone.

"Lord Aldor. Light here is just one man yet he has reduced your men to grovelling worms without even raising a finger. As our master is benevolent, she has spared you from such humiliation as it would be considered undignified for one such as yourself. I am sorry for deceiving you earlier, but you should understand why it is necessary. My Master is willing to talk with you if that is still your wish, but in no way will we relinquish the city," placing her fist on her chest, Ali smiles and bows lightly.

Light is standing there smug as fuck looking down at the guardsmen on the ground.

Do you think the power's gone to his head?

He has always been a bit of a showman.

Show-off would be a better description. I've got to hand it to him though, he never let's me down.

Staring at Light, Lord Aldor looks him over. Never in his life has he met someone strong enough to reduce his entire guard to their knees. Not only the guards, but the Space Mages have also been incapacitated meaning any chance of escape for him has already been lost.

As Light's presence pierces Lord Aldor's conviction, he sighs and raises his hands, "Okay. You win. I can clearly see that I'm outmatched here. Gren, stand down now. Lady Ali, I would be happy to have that conversation with your master if they would still permit it."

I nod and explain the specifics of what will happen next to Ali, who then in-turn relays my words to Lord Aldor.

"Preposterous! I will never let you talk with my Lord without me!" Gren shouts after hearing that Lord Aldor and Ali will be leaving alone. Not that it does him any good as he's still held by the power of Light's will.

"Gren! This is an order. When you are released from that man's... Whatever it is... Go get some dinner or something and wait for me." Everyone's mouth drops open at the casual statement spoken by their Lord. Even mine.

"But... But... But..." Gren tries to appeal but is swiftly rebutted again.

"No buts. Go get some food, take in the sights, but do not cause any problems. Do you understand?"

Unable to refuse a direct order from his Lord, Gren sighs before agreeing, "Yes, my Lord."

"Good. Now that that is settled, lead the way, Lady Ali." Smiling politely and gesturing with his hand, Lord Aldor follows Ali out of the Colliseum and they head out into town.