(Curator Pov)

“Please dungeon spirit. I offer you our sincerest apologies.” The old man formally lowered his head in a way that didn’t make him seem any smaller than his bold presence had suggested. Alongside him, he held down the blue-haired youth’s head as well.

“aghh...” The hilariously mismatched young man fizzled out a fiery groan pushing back the oppressive hand. Seriously that hard-boiled detective look clashes hard against that baby face of his.

Rose keeping a stoic face, looked at the whole affair in bafflement. Thinking she would be the one trying to worm their way out of trouble, not the other way around.

“This idiot here was the catalyst that sent a certain person of interest your way.” The old man quickly clarified as to not leave a lady wanting.

Despite physically resisting the literal hand of judgment, the boy made no mewling excuses. Rather. He was absent, trapped in a labyrinth of his own mind.

Face awash in cold sweat, he was the picture of a child awaiting punishment. Made even sweatier now that Rose, the most motherly being in the room, stared him down.

*Tut* Before anyone could react, Rose slapped the top of the boy’s head with the flat of her hand. Resulting in a most magnificent thwack. This brought the boy back from whatever abyss he thought himself into. “Explain.”

Under both figure’s intimidating gaze, and perhaps a dash of guilt finally loosened the boy’s heart. He recounted his brother's story.

Of how he disregarded the political storm that came with the Elders’ decision to regain a foothold on the mainland. How he pushed it to the brink of revolt, brazenly taking a Drowned One on his journey.

And how it all ended up in flames, in the worst tragedy since the turn of the war. With the sole survivor being a Drowned One, the world at large cried out for an answer only to be met with the Coalition’s silence.

That’s when theories started to emerge.

Seeing a dungeon, a source of infinite resource. Had finally cause the Islanders to snap in their jealousy of the mainland’s riches. They sought to destroy the source, sending one of their demons to do it. Other theories posited that it was truly the jewel the Islanders were after.

But in the end, census was that they were envious of the mainland.

Back at the archipelagos, things were even worse. Vitals trade routes were reconsidered, tourism was at an all-time low, and the locals were practically dragging those responsible out for answers.

And what did this amount to? A flimsy relinquishment of guilt, throwing all blame on the recently deceased party.

Giving the A.A free reign to try the Drowned One, or as I called her, the zombie girl, in any court, in any fashion they liked. Practically cutting all ties with her and besmirching the names of those innocent dead. And as a final coup d’etate, the Collation once again failed to gain a foothold on the mainland.

Even today, those who green-lit the operation find themselves walking on eggshells. Living on a tight leash, least a revolt happens, and they replaced.

This was a lot to take in at once, ‘specially since I was clueless on the political front. Although the same couldn’t be said about Rose. She telepathically promised to explain things to me once she sorted things out.

And if this wasn’t enough, there was a part two to this story.

With his brother’s name tarnished postmortem, people focused their building resentment on his sole relative. All alone in the world, the only person remotely ‘close to him’, spoken in an increasingly derisive tone, was the zombie girl, Sushila.

They were childhood friends, orphans who looked out for each other. Alongside those who would eventually make up that doomed adventuring team, the makeshift family carved out a piece of relative comfort for themselves. That is until Sushila’s affinity for 'the ritual' came to light. Her affinity for becoming a Drowned One.

They were apprehensive about letting her become what is essentially their version of the boogie man. But the recruiter managed to sway Sushila’s decision. Although the boy was never made privy as to the reason why she accepted.

The letters they received from her, assuring them she was okay along with a not un-sizable amount of cash, was a dead give-away.

Seeing Sushila putting herself out there for their sake, the group worked hard finding odd jobs and the like. All to meet big-roller Sushila with happy faces once she returned. His brother even made a name for himself as a talented combat specialist in that time, garnering himself repute.

It would be five years before they would see their friend again.

The boy petered off. Earning a worried look from Rose followed by a question. “What exactly is a Drowned One?”

Still, the boy refused to answer, leaving the old man to explain for him.

“Ahem.” He cleared his throat. “A Drowned One is a wraith, of sorts, or rather a person continuously at the edge of life and death. While I cannot say for certain what form of ritual or magic they use. I can say it includes drowning a person, essentially killing them and bringing them back to life shortly after.”

“They didn’t bring her back.” This perked the ears of both listeners. The boy shivered in anger. “That thing isn’t Su. The process grants the body unnatural strength. Far more than any average human without skill augmentation, but it also erases the person’s memories.

She was like a puppet, at the beck and call of the Elder Council. We were ready to break down their doors, and well, we weren’t sure what we’d do.”

But his brother, outraged like the rest. Instead of lashing out embraced Sushila like an old friend. Taking her hand, he’d remind her of everything she had loved in the past.

Over time she didn’t regain her memories per se. Between ‘job runs’ handed down by the Elder Council, the boy’s brother never left Sushila's side, bringing her to familiar places. Helping her break out of her mechanical stupor as she reconnected with the group.

Thus these strange but happy days continued until the Elder Council announced their plans to form an adventuring party.

His brother jumped at the opportunity, letting his reputation as one of the island’s top fighters and groundbreakers do the speaking.

After proving their metal, his brother and friends were chosen to lead the charge. The only speculation was Sushila's accompaniment, as requested by the aforementioned group.

It was an uphill fight but they managed a concession and shipped off for the mainland. Leaving the boy to look over the younger orphans and any other child who may find themselves lost.

‘The rest is history.’ The boy retorted to no one in particular.

“I received a ring in a letter from him days prior to the incident and shortly after that, news of his and everyone else's demise. The only survivor being... it. There was no way in hell I was going to accept that! Scraping what little goodwill and gold I could I stowed away on a ship.

Buying a room in the city, I got to investigating the events of that night. Resulting in this.” He pauses for a moment breathing in. “Sushila was the cause of everyone’s demise. Whatever the fuck she did in there caused the Flowering Night incident.”

There was dead silence until the old man piped up. “I believe young Nirve here is referring to this.” He pulls out a notepad from his breast pocket which seems to be for remembering things.

“Request 5/Cel/40 – 37. As the requester asked to deal with the group directly, we have no such records of their dealings. Although from arranging his and the group’s meeting, we do know him as one Alexander Moore, possibly a false alias.

“With the Islanders sending a delegation over to the new dungeon. I thought it would be prudent to revisit the case.” This caught Nirve’s ear.

“On a follow-up investigation of the group’s belongings and place of work. We found the place ransacked. At the time, it was believed to have been destroyed by beasts during the Flowering Night raid. But now," he shuffles through the papers again, pulling out a photo of the crime scene. "We believe it to be the work of humans.

People who knew exactly what to target. Destroying all financial records of the group’s various dealings and work. Usually, there are write-ups to be submitted to the A.A at the end of the month. Basically, as was a way to outsource paperwork. But as you can guess this group also destroyed them.”

“Meaning whoever orchestrated this mess was at least smart enough to have a contingency plan in case things went south. And considering the name, fake or not, sounds western” Rose naturally followed along, and the old man nodded.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“Of course. It might shed more light on this case if lady Rose would graciously return their corpses to us.” He followed up only to get shot down.

“Now, now Ed. You know the deal. Even being the branch head doesn’t exclude you from that.”

“Things lost in the dungeon stay in the dungeon. But hey, you can’t blame a guy for trying. You confirming they’re still in there is more than enough.” He gave a teasing smile that someone his age should not give.

While this was going on, Nirve went oddly quiet before exploding. “No, that can’t be! It’s impossible for the west to control, Sushil- it–. Drowned Ones aren’t easily swayed or beaten into submission. They’re completely loyal to the Coalition and are at least equivalent to the chem-knights of the Dutchy. Maybe not in pure combat prowess, but they have their strengths.”

Both old hands considered the following before Ed chimed in with an assumption of his own. “You said Drowned Ones are completely loyal to your government and that your friend started acting stiff after she came back... Take it from me, people are complex. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone willing to become a machine for the higher-ups to use. Let alone continue to let it happen.”

“What does-.” Nirve cuts himself off, contemplating. Perhaps trying to contextualize the implication.

With everyone silent, thinking on this new information, one of Ed’s guards cuts in. “Sir, we have everyone accounted for except four. As reported by the owner of the Crescent Hares Inn, one Zhenya, Fredrica, Nickolas, and the... cause. She reports they have not returned after diving into the dungeon.”

“Hmm, so young Nick is back.” the old man muses with a hum before turning to Rose.

“Alright, my good lady. I’ll give you this one, If you’ll at least allow me to retrieve those four.” Finger to the heavens already cocked and ready. Rose flashed a cheshire grin. Much to the disbelief and light amusement of the old branch head.

‘Well, that’s going to take a whole lotta hands.’ Ed quietly exhaled, calling for a runner.

“But to even things out, I’ll also be taking this cutie.” Rose added on, placing both hands on Nirve’s shoulders, startling him. Ed only raised an eyebrow. “Don’t worry I’ll have him back tomorrow morning. I need him to iron out a few things.” Was the only explanation given. Though it seems to be enough for him to catch on.

“Also, do not worry about safety. The dungeon is currently in a lull. Think of it as an automatic repair response” Is that what I am now? “But should your builders need help or find themselves in danger, simply call out, and the dungeon will aid them.”

A sly one, ain't she, already building back rapport. Wait. Did she just dump all the busy work on me?