I stand smiling at the solid ball of light in front of me. It was strange because on side was black and the other was white.
Obviously this was the result of me discovering the 'Moon' Rune from the white flames. In truth these flames are 'Moonlight Flames' they grow stronger and weaker depending on the phase of the moon and during the new moon the flames will become common yellow flames as the 'Moon' rune loses effect and the flames become 'Light Flames' which possess a purification effect against undead.
In truth, this is a really dastardly trap for undead and beings that are weak to light because 'Light Flames' are excessively bright. Towards beings of light it even has a healing effect and it may even make holy magic and light magic more powerful.
Now i have 79 new runes decorating my book which i will need to take time to examine well.
"Come on Ace, you can play with the runes later, let’s get to the boss room quickly." Misaki said.
"Sure." I said and cancelled the spell making the moon ball fade into nothing.
"This is quite an interesting rune. I will need to do heavy training to learn the real secrets. In every story i read stuff that are ancient always have some profound meaning behind it." I said.
"Wouldn't that eat up a lot of time instead of us just leveling up?" Charlotte asked.
"Charlotte-sama, it is that method of thinking that leads to great knowledge being lost with the ages. The demon lord is over 1000 years old, who is to say he doesn't know every know rune and their true means and can use them in exquisite manners. There is plenty of time, the war has gone for 1000 years, several dozen more won't matter and i for one don't plan on just coming for this stupid job." Misaki said.
"Eh?! Stupid! How is being a hero stupid?" She asked.
"You may not know this but in our world there are countless story tale fictions that show the hero and demon lord fighting to the last breath and the hero wins but the natives of this world appear and kill him saying he sacrificed himself to injure the demon lord so that the knights of this world could be to 'true' heros that killed the demon lord." I say as we make a turn in the dungeon.
"My mother would never do something so despicable!" Charlotte shouted.
"I don't doubt your mother and your twins but your father and second sister i wouldn't even get 10 meters close to her if she was in trouble out of fear of her pushing the danger to me and running off leaving me to my fate." I said bluntly.
The young princess could only frown and look down in silence.
"Still all we need is to gain power beyond what the knights of the world could threaten. All the while we slowly cause reforms in the infrastructure of all the nations to slowly strengthen them. It may even cause trouble from nobles but in our world an agricultural reform always followed with conflict unless someone with substantial power showed them otherwise. If the humans won't accept the reform the elves and dwarves may." Misaki said.
We take a final turn and reach a small room with a set of stairs in the back. That said the room was packed full of grey wolves completely blocking the view of the floor.
AWOO!
A powerful howl comes from the stairway and a large line of wolves descended creating a pathway two meters wide and the wolves sat down looking at us without any feeling of killing intent from them.
"T-t-there are l-lots of the..." Hermes said trembling.
"Don't mind it, the big puppet behind you can massacres them if need be." I said.
I still grab the handle of my sword as do the girls and puppets.
We slowly walk forward but nothing advances until the voice calls again.
"Do not fear... i only wish to speak, Dungeon Maker." She said.
Hearing the voice i look around and we soon reach the stairs and climb down.
The second floor is less windy and i put four field rooms without crops for the wolves larger dens as an attraction. They lack the moonstones but they do have torches which most likely is Moonlight flames as well.
As we near the boss room, the wolves keep a 10 meter distance at all times both in front and back.
The door was open and bright moonlight was exiting and once we enter i examined the room i had not been able to before attaching.
The ground was soft and good for planting but was packed by the paws of the wolves. The forest was high around the edges and behind was pitch black hiding the walls under the veil of darkness. In the cleared center were twelve larger old wolves with much whiter fur than the common grey wolf and at the very back was a large stone platform where a wolf the size of a horse lay. In front of it were three still to bloom blue flowers that expelled a thick amount of mana while absorbing the moonlight from the moonstones.
Looking up i was surprised and figured out why i still needed to wait a while before the room was fully built after the moonstones were added. At the very center of the ceiling which was pure black like the night sky, a moonstone that was perfectly spherical half embedded in the ceiling at the size of a basketball lay there like a makeshift moon lighting up the room in a dull white moon light.
I look back down at the huge silver wolf that shined in the moonlight.
It stood up and circled around the flowers in a lofty arrogant manner and walked over. None of the other wolves stood and as it got half way the body began glowing and the moonlight began to gather.
We stood on guard but was amazed as the moonlight turned into particles of light and gathered first to form a long white gown than a human body a beautiful face with pure silver eyes and long shining silver hair. On her head soon appeared wolf ears and on her back through her hair a long silver tail stretched down long slender arms with a light tan skin formed followed by the legs. It was the most beautiful image that looked like a heavenly being you could imagine.
Behind her the imposing image of the silver wolf burst into moonlight particles and entered the woman.
"Welcome young Dungeon maker. I thank you for not attacking my kin and agreeing to meet me." The woman said as the glowing moonlight faded and her feet touched the ground.
"What... is going on?" I asked and looked at Charlotte who shrugged.
"I am a spirit beast child, the form you saw was a form i commonly use and this one when faced with those i wish to speak with. I am one of the few free Ancient Alpha Silver Spirit Queen Wolf, my name is Veria and i have a request for you." She said.
"What?" I asked her wryly.
"I am sure you have studied to hunt us for the mission to kill my kin. My entire being revolves around the Moonlight Azure Blossom and must plant it once a month. The problem is that if i plant it too early or late hunters of the demon lord come and so i have never been able to benefit fully and so i am weaker than what i could be after living for over 12,000 moons. I am one of the oldest spirit wolves still free from the rule of the demon lord but i fear my time is coming as the power of the captured has always been growing." She says.
"What exactly do you need?" I asked.
"Within your dungeon the presence of the Moonlight Azure Blossom is blocked and the demon hunters cannot locate this place. I can finally benefit fully and extend my life longer and strengthen my forces in safety and completely stabilize my body even outside of the moon's light but there is another reason."
...
"Once a century we Silver Spirit Queen Wolves will birth a new child. The moonlight essence we gather from the blossom is completely removed to make my child. This moon is the one when i shall birth my 11th child and i do not wish to have another of my children to be at the mercy of the demons." She says and looks at the three flowers.
"Not only that, you have created two more Moonlight Azure Blossoms. When my child is born my own blossom shall release a seed for her own blossom and she will bind with it but because there are two more she will bind them. She shall become the strongest child i have birthed yet i am uncertain i can survive through this. My life also carries the lives of millions of my spirit wolf kin as they are bound to me in the spirit realm yet should i die they shall follow and that is what i worry about." She said looking at me with pleading eyes.
"So what do you want from me?" I asked.
"I wish for you to bind me and my kin to your Book. Even if i were to die my soul is kept within your book and after gathering enough mana i may be able to reform my spirit body and slowly gather my strength. As long as my soul is safe, my kin are safe and you shall obtain not only me but my daughter as minions." She said.
We were shocked beyond belief. How powerful would a being like her be at full power. Giving her a few more flowers will greatly restore her power once her daughter is recovered and with the flowers constantly planted my dungeon would always possess a huge surge of mana but...
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"I don't have space to bind the grey wolves and you." I said.
"Cross-san, such a thing you are too stupid to realize. Simply level up your archive skill. You would let such a powerful ally go." Misaki shouted at me.
"This is such an amazing thing... but wait how has the demon lord been binding other creatures?" Charlotte asked as she realized this point.
"The one known as Demon Lord has long since erases this knowledge but only those of old age know, he is of an ancient order of Dungeon Makers. Today he is but a dungeon lord, a corrupt maker who has long since diverted from the teachings of the true makers and can no longer even hold his Runic Pen and the Dungeon Banes Blade." She explained.
The moment those words left her lips the room went quiet. The three party members looked at me in shock yet i don't react.
"You knew?" Charlotte asked.
I put with my thumb over my shoulder.
"Got basic knowledge he had but it wasn't detailed. Veria, what is that Dungeon Banes Blade?" I asked.
"It is the short sword artifact on your waist. A sword that can cleave open the sealed doors of a dungeon and cut dungeon cores like paper. It is the fear of all dungeons but it is also the nemesis of the demon lords protective barrier. Yours is still not in its awakened form nor is it close to it." She said.
I nod.
"Ace! Don't ignore me so quickly, this is big! If father discovers this, he will undoubtedly imprison you." She said.
"Then just don't flap your lips and he won't find out." Misaki suddenly said.
"Shini...gumi..." Charlotte muttered.
"I do not wish to be rude but i feel even if the three official heroes attacked this barrier together they will simple be killed. The saying goes, fight fire with fire, Ace has become the fire to fight the demon lord. His book can hold minions we really have a huge reason to spend tremendous amounts of time to bulk up our forces." Misaki said.
"She is right, although this is all so shocking and i don't get half of what is going on since i lack knowledge in this field, i can understand that in terms of importance, Sir Ace ranks even above the Hero Richard." Hermes said.
At that moment my book began glowing. I had leveled up the Archive skill and as a result the book was upgrading. It instantly surpassed level ten and went to over 50% of level 11 with the 20k exp. At the moment the skill is like this.
Dungeon Archive:
Level 11: Exp 4728/6700
This skill allows the caster to seal constructed parts of the dungeon within the Book of the Dungeon maker and make copies.
The archive is a separate dimensional space within the Book of the Dungeon Maker. For the Dungeon maker to seal the construction layout, you must place the Dungeon Maker Rune Pen I the structure and say 'Archive Corridor/Room/Trap/Material/Vegetation/Minion'
Can currently make layout for 14 dungeons
You can store only 12 different corridor layouts
You can store only 15 room types
You can store only 5 boss rooms
You can store only 18 different traps
You can store 12 types of minion.
You can store 25 common non medical plants and 20 common fruit bearing plants and crops, and 12 medical herbs
Repairs to dungeon reduced cost by 10%
Repairs/Recovery rate of Minions is 10% faster
Cost to cast runes decreased by 15%
Dungeon attracts monsters and demons from 4 km away
Dungeon can gather naturally from the air up to 10000 mana to run the dungeon and to attract monsters.
Dungeons can now support plant life if they are made of dirt or other organic materials.
Runic Pen Option:
You can now access ‘Magic Circle Pen Mode’ and can return to ‘Runic Pen Mode’ by speaking either name.
As i close the skill window a new one appears.
Dungeon Archive has surpassed level 10 initial level artifact awakening activated.
Dungeon Layouts can now be connected inside the Book of the Dungeon Maker forming one dungeon out of many but can be disconnected in the similar fashion.
You can now Archive killed dungeons and analyze their structure to make them your own dungeons and make corridors of the same type.
"I have upgraded my Archive skill and can accept your kin and you as my own. Do you by chance know how to bind living beings? I have only done it with this large puppets behind me until now." I said.
"Do the same as what you did with the Guardian. Simply place your Runic Pen over my heart. Once the seal appears, a great deal of mana will be expended as a soul stone will form within my chest binding me to you. My spirit wolf kin are linked to me with a soul link and shall be also bound. The remaining wolves will be bound during the next lunar ritual when my child is born and they are bonded to me and my child." She said.
Understanding the concept i removed the pen from my pocket. The pen had undergone some changes as runes were appearing on the black body and it grew a bit bigger.
I gently place it on her left chest.
"Bind Minion"
On my command the book began to glow subtly.
"I and my kin accept to become your minions." She said.
At this the book glowed exploded as a shock wave was released followed by a powerful gust of wind which drew an amazing amount of mana into the dungeon. At the center the white gown on the wolf queen was shredded into particles of light leaving her body bare.
Over her left chest a circle formation spread and soon followed were runes slowly building the the seal.
As the outer seal was formed it released a strange tribal tattoo over her body. A bright red tattoo with runes formed a band around the neck, wrists, ankles, half way down the thigh and half way down the arm on the biceps.
Then it widened as runes thickened the tattoos.
At this point the second inner circle was formed. This caused a red triangle to form on her forehead. Lastly several runes formed in the center which was several runes at the center. It radiated power and an aura of nobility. This was Veria's true name.
As the book began to dull the light particles that had her clothes returned and soon reformed into that white gown.
You have binded the Ancient Alpha Silver Spirit Queen Wolf, Veria level 423 (82)
This being a boss rank monster she can only exist in a dungeon with a boss room.
By binding the Ancient Alpha Silver Spirit Queen Wolf, Veria you have bound 869,750 Spirit Wolves. They have all been stored within the Book of the Dungeon Maker within a spirit realm dungeon within the book. This dungeon is unchangeable and open for this number of spirits. The Ancient Alpha Silver Spirit Queen Wolf will also move to this dungeon when her body is unstable and will reappear as the moon gets closer to full moon phase.
I remove the pen as the gown regrew over the tan chest covering her once more.
Still, although there was a noble air to her, there was a distinct blush on her face as she realized what happened and her eyes spoke volumes.
"It is done, once the ritual is complete you can close the dungeon and we shall remain safely inside." She said.
"I have to ask, don't you need food?" I asked.
"My spirit kin do not but must eat to grow stronger. As for the mortal kin, they require the hunt. In particular rabbits are easy and good game but if master can evolve them it can become better as monsters grow with a fight." She said.
"Do moon rabbits exist in this world?" I asked.
"They are a similar existence to my own, you would be required to bind a rabbit to the same flower and have them live as i do. We would regularly need to fight to grow and they breed faster than we do in a dungeon." She said.
"I will see to getting rabbits or something to make prey for the grey wolves. Also expect them to not remain stagnant and just move towards spirit wolf. I have my own intentions for some." I said.
"It is expected of course. I hope that we can be of use in the future." She said bowing and turning to the flowers and becoming a wolf again.
I look at the others and unsummon the puppets besides the guardian just to let Hermes feel safer as we leave.
"I kind of noticed but how do we complete the mission now?" I asked the others.
The others looked at each other and Misaki put down her back and took out the poster for the mission.
"Mission: Grey wolf pack rampage. Request that grey wolf pack is subjected or the threat of the wolves is quelled by other means. If reason for attack is uncovered and resolved then we get a bonus." She said.
"Oh so it was simpler. We just have to tell them i tamed the leader and the pack fell in line." I said.
"Seems likely but we still need a reason for the rampage." Hermes said.
"Then... how’s about the alpha possessed high intelligence and was leading the pack to train and evolve faster." I say.
"That is plausible. If you show them the spirit wolf queen then our rank may even skip a rank since the strength of the boss was beyond the level of the request. What level is she?" Charlotte asked.
"Level 423 but her current strength is at 82 with how she weakened." I said.
Charlotte and Hermes instantly turned ghostly pale and began to tremble.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“L-l-l-le-level 400+ are all SS rank monsters…!” Hermes stuttered.
…
“I’m somewhat afraid to tell you the number of spirit wolves she has under her control then.” I say.
…
“How many?” Charlotte asked after a long pause.
“869,750.” I say looking away.
Thump!
Once Hermes registered the number he fainted.
After that i made sure to show them the information on the wolves amazing the girls. Afterwards i released my puppets in one of the other dungeons and we did a run in the other before we closed them though i leveled up only once.
We close both dungeons and then after Hermes wakes up we head back to the alchemist. When there i archive all his things. The main reason, i gained an exp crystal from the closing of the two dungeons and with his things plus lots of stone i got i made a Large room with stone walls and floors and inside i set up all his equipment and put that elven formation thing in the center. It was like a large rug with a formation and when i put it there the formation lifted off the page and landed on the ground.
With that done all the rest of the equipment were in different spots which Hermes told me how to put to make it easier for him. I even set up a space for stone bins were herbs and medical flowers i plant will appear automatically in groups of ten as long as mana was put in them. I don’t know the runes used for the process but they appeared but cost a lot of mana.
When i was done all his gear was turned into a Large Alchemy Workshop which i had attached to my farm dungeon. In retrospect i feel this farm dungeon is the only one i will never destroy and it may even become my backbone dungeon for all goods i need.
With that room in place i place the dungeon and at once a massive draw on mana came out the hole forming a ball.
“Wow, the mana density sure was full in this dungeon. I guess i should open it up more and collect that mana every so often.” I say.
“Absorb mana” I say and the ball entered my book instantly forming two exp crystals on the way to making the third.
“The workshop is near the entrance, it's the only stone room. Go check it out and i will send some puppets for you to train as alchemists okay.” i say and explain how my puppets can learn craft skills with good teaching and since he understood he entered the magic hole that was placed in his room and we leave to handle the formalities of the mission.