An apology and an explanation later, the three of them sat down to dinner. Elaine and Grat did not join them, but no one seemed to mind. “Perhaps she is getting close to giving birth.” Aurelia guessed.
“Entirely possible considering the accelerated rate that the pregnancy center in the dungeon town has been boasting.” Baslin ventured. Nods of agreement tabled the topic. “You seem rather worn down, Duke. Is everything ok?”
Duke smiled weakly. “I’m fine. I just had a really long day.”
“Oh?” Aurelia asked. “What was you day filled with that made it so long?”
Duke shook his head before beginning. “I had hundreds of petitioners visit the Throne Room today. There were so many requests that I really don’t remember the details of them all. But two stand out in my memory. The first was a noble who had worked directly with and for Chopie and was seeking reimbursement for his holdings having been destroyed by Chopie’s army. His accounting was filled with half-truths and outright lies. After giving him a chance to recant and speak the truth, I stripped him of his title and exiled him.”
“Exiled him?” Baslin asked, intrigued.
“Yes, I TELEPORTED him to the cave where LFD used to reside.” Duke said solemnly.
“Isn’t that cave only accessible by the hole in the ceiling?” Aurelia asked.
“Is it?” Duke replied. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“Oh, that is cold and ruthless, Duke.” Baslin admonished him. “At least you were able to do so in private and not start a panic amongst the nobility.”
Duke shook his head. “About that-“
“You made a public example of him, didn’t you?” Baslin asked sardonically.
“I did. And I also made a public example of one other notable petitioner.” Duke continued. “She came to me asking for a letter of credit and seal of approval to form a caravan and seek out materials and tools to get the city’s crafters back to work.”
“You didn’t banish her, did you?” Baslin asked in a panic.
“Banish? No. I did something far crueler. I made her my Minister of Commerce.” Duke replied grinning.
“You made a woman your Minister of Commerce?” Baslin asked. “Did I hear that correctly?”
“That is what he said, yes.” Aurelia responded.
“That is what I said, and what I did. I understand it was some sort of unprecedented appointment and I’m going to cause all kinds of strife as a result of the appointment. But you know what? I don’t care. I am surrounding myself with the smartest, most capable people I can find to fill out my Council Ministers. My kingdom is not going to be based on stupidity, it will be based on putting the best people in leadership positions and allowing them to do their jobs. I don’t have the energy to spend dealing with cronies and if that makes some more enemies, I’m fine with it. They were enemies to begin with but at least now they won’t be fighting from inside the halls of power.”
“I’d say that it indeed has the potential to make you some powerful enemies, but they are mostly political enemies and you have already toppled one kingdom so why not?” Baslin replied with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.
“I think it’s a great idea. Just don’t make a harem out of your Ministers or you may not be the only one to commit regicide.” Aurelia cautioned Duke.
He laughed. “One woman man. Any more than that is more than any sane man can handle.”
Baslin held a hand up to prevent what he knew was going to be innuendo from Aurelia. “Did you CLEANSE and RESTORE the petitioners?”
“Of course I did. I made a big deal out of everyone leaving better off than when they came in. I made it my official ‘thing’. Word of it should spread pretty quickly.”
”Anything else to note about your day, Your Majesty?” Aurelia added just enough sass into her inflection to create a mocking tone.
Duke smiled. “Well, there was one more thing I did before I actually met with any petitioners.” He paused, letting his words hang in the air.
“Oh, out with it, already Love!” Aurelia prodded. “You seem awfully smug about whatever it was so just tell us already.”
“OK, OK, OK. I did the inaugural run through our new dungeon.”
Before anyone else could move, Sam appeared next to Duke. “Tell me everything! How is my offspring doing? Did you find a good spot for it? What kind of dungeon has it created? Did you like the layout? How hard was the first run?”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Duke forestalled Sam’s incessant questions. “Let me share the story of my trip through the dungeon so you can stop asking all these questions.” Duke recounted his delve as everyone else listened intently. When he was done, the questions started up again.
“Where did you say the dungeon is planted?” Baslin asked.
“I don’t think I got to that part, but it is under the castle. I want to keep this dungeon protected and relatively private for the foreseeable future. Dungeons are tremendously powerful resources, and this one gives me the feeling that it will be a boon to the kingdom but not like the LFD is here. Sam’s situation is unique in that the setup of the town inside is the staging area for the true delving.” Duke paused in his thoughts. “That reminds me. I have to visit the dungeon town tomorrow and finally see how everything is going there. Just so much to do!”
Sam beamed, “So my offspring is already at the second rank you say? That is wonderful. I am so proud of my little one! Do remember that you need to delve regularly if you want it to grow like I have.”
“Don’t worry, Sam. Someone will be delving into the dungeon daily. You said the maximum party size was 5, Duke?” Aurelia asked.
“Yes, one to five delvers.” Duke confirmed.
“Then I think it will be a compelling reward for members of the Legion. To be able to run a dungeon and gain some wealth, resources, and experience would be good.” Aurelia concluded.
“Sounds like a plan. Unless, of course, you want to run it first.” Duke replied.
“Maybe we can run it together.” She suggested with a smile.
“Be glad to, love.” Duke replied.
It was not long afterwards that conversations died down and everyone headed for bed.
***
Morning found Duke going through his notifications, curious as to what they would look like today.
*** You have tested my newest dungeon on Teldin, and I am well pleased. The other voices have been temporarily excluded and they are not aware of this message. You are in one of my dungeons and I can exert an even greater level of control over things. In time, I will wrest you from their control but for now know that I am holding some rewards for you until I have fully separated you from their control. You would do well not to let them know that we are in contact at all. Trust in your PURPOSE for it shall guide you in separating from them. They wish to control you with dichotomy. I wish you to have freedom to act for you have repeatedly shown me that you will act in a manner that aids your and my goals alike. Bide your time and continue to grow. Now, here come their messages; try not to cringe too much…***
***Well, well, well, you have another dungeon to play in. How nice for you. And did you play! Toying with the mobs the whole way through. I swear that you broke that sphinx’s heart. Oh, and that display at the end. That’s on my personal highlight reel. Well done!
You really pushed a single Ability for that entire run so expect an extra boost to it. But that is not all as you are now using your Abilities and Skills to influence lots of people. That will be reflected as well.
Diplomacy has increased to Initiate 9
TELEPORTATION has increased to Adept 111
REGENERATION has increased to Adept 67
OVERCHANNEL has increased to Adept 20
MENTAL FORTITUDE has increased to Practiced 26
FORCE DART has evolved into FORCE and has increased to Initiate 14
CLEANSE has ranked up to Practiced Initiate 7
RESTORE has increased to Master 50
IDENTIFY has increased to Initiate 22
ARMOR SKIN has increased to Adept 8
You gained 72,050 experience from killing creatures in the dungeon and completing it for the first time. You are now level 125 and have 12 Characteristic points to spend. We are watching your progress and hope you don’t slow down now that you are a king of sorts. With your personality, you are likely to start another war before the week is out so prepare yourself for that. ***
Duke roused himself and distractedly did his normal CLEANSE and RESTORE for the morning.
I’m sure I just got double-dip experience for that dungeon. I’m not going to say a fucking thing about it but I’m going to use the hell out of that exploit. It has to be something the Overmind is doing but I’m not going to complain. Nope not one bit.
Duke smiled as Aurelia roused herself, accepting her own CLEANSE and RESTORE before putting her armor back on. She returned the smile and took extra care slowly and tantalizingly putting her armor on piece by piece. Duke’s heartbeat raced.
How does that woman make putting armor on into a complete turn-on? Damn, I’m a lucky man.
Duke exercised the full force of his willpower as she walked by him, brushing her fingers up his leg as she made for the door. He followed, with a bit of an uncomfortable walk. They headed down for breakfast to find Baslin waiting for them.
“Good morning to you two. Did you have a good night?”
The couple exchanged a glance before Aurelia responded. “You could say so. How about yourself?”
Baslin chuckled. “You two make me consider dating again. But then I remember the last crone I dated and the feeling passes. But that is neither here nor there. There are things I need to wrap up here so I will not be heading back to the castle today. Will you be alright without me?”
Duke smiled back at Baslin. “I am going to spend the day in the dungeon town, so I think I’ll be OK without you. The kingdom can wait a day, I hope.”
“Perhaps. Perhaps not.” Baslin responded. “I would suggest you at least make an appearance so that your People know that you are around ‘working on things’ even if you are off doing something else for most of the day. Your Ability to TELEPORT gives you that luxury.”
“And you can ferry me back and forth to the city so I can manage the Legion and the training of the new city guard.” Aurelia added.
“Sure. I’ll drop you off, do a quick ‘hello there’ tour, and come back here. I’ll pick you up this evening for dinner.” Duke agreed.
After breakfast, Baslin headed off to “wrap up” some work while Duke and Aurelia TELEPORTED off to the capitol. She went to the Legion’s headquarters which was once a noble’s house. Said noble family had not been heard from and was presumed dead. If they weren’t, things might get a bit awkward if they showed up to find the Legion headquartered there. Aurelia considered it an acceptable risk. Duke was blissfully ignorant of the whole issue.
Duke quickly went around the city showing himself off and having small conversations before returning to the Inn and heading for the dungeon town’s entrance. He paused before the threshold mentally preparing himself for the unknown within. With a sigh and a chuckle at himself, he entered.