People like me don't sleep long. I'd been in the military for five years, climbed my way to Commander status, and led a squad of four others who were considered somewhat experienced. So it came as a surprise that, after the disastrous battle against an unholy amount of vicious rats which ended in our apparent complete annihilation, I actually had somehow survived. Lord Veles would not yet meet me, it seemed.

(But Czarina help me, what did I do to deserve such a fate?)

I wondered as I looked around. A prison cell with strangely-angled bars criss-crossing over one-another. It was a little roomy, with spots of light in the ceiling. The stone work felt old, but not too worn to be considered ancient.

I got off the bed, my body feeling... rested. Only then did I realise the bed was a plank of wood chained to the wall, and the bedding was an assortment of furs and wool. As for my body? Naked, naturally. Nobody would let a prisoner keep their belongings. I grabbed for the hidden knife in my hair bun, only to realise my hair was loose.

(So they found that one, too. Whoever owns this prison is smart and careful.)

I spotted two light grey pieces of clothes on the ground. A loose shirt and a pair of pants that barely reached to the mid-thighs. I put a knot into the shirt to secure it against my body; the pants had a string lining the inside. I tried ripping it out to perhaps use as a hidden weapon, but it was stuck. At least with the string knotted they would stay up. Did I have to fear for my modesty being violated?

(Surely that would be the only reason to put a woman into a solitary cell...)

The fairly dark cell felt oppressive and lonely, but the temperature at least was decent. Certainly nicer than the first floor or even the snowy outside. I strained my hearing and realised a powerful river was nearby.

(Of course, that would mask any screams once they begin violating me.)

I did not sigh in resignation of my fate; I steeled myself for the event by beginning my daily routine after waking up.

~~~~~

A maid had come and brought me food. She was a blonde little thing with green eyes, which shimmered a suspicious white in their centres. The light level had increased not even a little until she took out a small glowing orb, which allowed me to see her, and the cell, in better detail. Not like the cell had much to show for to begin with.

In any case, the maid was young. At most 10. The dress she wore was either a dark blue or black, but the frilly cloth looked supremely expensive. The fact her top was separate from her sleeves and short enough to leave some of her belly uncovered was utterly scandalous! Her skirt covered not much more of her legs either, with a noticeable - if perhaps fashionable? - gap between it and her dark leg coverings. Were those not expensive socks and shoes? Just who was I dealing with?

Then the puzzle pieces fell into place. She was obviously a dungeon monster enchanted to take human form. Except... something felt off about her. She was too timid. Did she fake it?

We had a short talk, and she explained her name to be Feema and that she was a slave from Alheim. An elf then, taken in by the dungeon for a reason I couldn't discern quite yet. She looked like a younger version of that so-called heroine Constanze, who she confirmed she knew. Clearly her sister then. Were we fooled by those Alheimian bastards? Had they dared to send a fake heroine whose goal was to retrieve her sister all along? I grew furious at the deception!

In any case I finally ate my ration - the only one I would get for the day - and realised just how hungry I'd really been. The bread was warm, and the cheese so soft it almost melted in my mouth. How had I never eaten something like this when I risked my life on a daily basis? But no, I was a soldier. Enduring hardship was my job so others would not have to.

The conversation ended with Feema indicating she would be on the look-out for a chance to escape. With her knowledge and my skill it should be simple. Easier still if the dungeon was busy repelling someone at the time. Before that though she indicated the dungeon would know what we say. I blatantly tried [Identify] on her, which unexpectedly got blocked. The ring. Of course. Maybe I could get her to take it off and see the truth underneath. Until then I would have to take her word for it.

~~~~~

Feema returned after what felt like almost exactly a day. The food was the same on the second day, but on the third day it came with an addition of greens. Beans, and even a cucumber. It was quite the feast for a mere prisoner.

(Clearly this is all a trap to make me lower my guard. Surely a truly hideous dungeon monster will enter my cell soon and be rewarded for whatever dungeon monsters do by having its way with my body. A strong body breeds strong offspring, after all. What a trap this is. If I aim to remain strong and fit, the offspring will be stronger. If I slack and weaken, I'll be an easier lay. Regardless, I'll still get violated.)

I decided to stay as strong as I could for my possible chance to escape.

Feema looked at me, not saying a word this time. Had she already been found out and forced to be mute? Damn it!

"Why so quiet? Can you not talk?"

"Hm? Oh, yes yes. I was just not sure what to say."

(Good, so no forced muteness at least.)

I still had a chance to learn of the environment. I looked her over again. Her dress was impossibly pristine and - aside the scandalous cut - looked truly like something I could not ever afford even with a year's worth of pay. I felt envy rising in my throat, threatening to overwhelm my common sense. To perform my services in a beautiful, expensive dress like that? In an environment where I would not have to risk life and limb on the daily? The idea felt alluring, at least for a moment.

But then I came back to my senses. No, a trick, that was all it was. I had sworn on the good name of my family to serve my country. The Czarina and Czar themselves were present every year for the vow of military service.

(Perhaps... perhaps in a few years I can ask to retire and exchange this service for another?)

I threw myself at the food, trying to banish these intrusive thoughts.

~~~~~

In the guise of Feema, I visited Anastasiya again. I had not learned much about her the past couple days, but she seemed to at least appreciate my company.

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"I think you're late."

...She was still very straight-forward though.

Anastasiya was as always doing her routines to stay fit when I entered. It was the only thing she could do all day really, having nothing else to do but be a DP booster for us.

"My apologies, but the dungeon is under attack, so it was not safe for me to come until now."

(Safe for anyone who can't put themself wherever they want via [Teleportation] or dungeon menu shenanigans, anyway.)

"Ah, I see. Is it the response from Smirnov?"

"It is, yes. According to what I heard, they have lost a total of 15 people now-

"15!? I did not exp-"

"Please, allow me to finish." I lightly held my hand out. She nodded. "You are among those 15."

"I am? But... oh, I am assumed dead then."

"One other of your group has also survived and managed to escape. He was the one to alert your people. So in addition to the supposed 4 deaths of your squad, really 3, 11 of the current invaders have also perished."

"Less than the necessary threshold, if not by a lot. But so what? I am imprisoned regardless, and based on our talks I will likely never escape on my own. I can only await being freed. Which will also free you from your slave contract I am sure. Because the dungeon will be eradicated soon."

I shifted uncomfortably, staring my own death sentence right in the eyes. With some courage I finally opened my mouth again before I dragged on for too long.

"I would prefer not. I... like it here."

Anastasiya looked at me with pure confusion in her eyes, but then nodded to herself.

"You're only saying this because the dungeon forces you to be happy about your situation."

I internally groaned. That was exactly the kind of thing I hoped she wouldn't assume!

"M-Maybe. But I am happy, fake happiness or not. Due to this, the dungeon makes you an offer. You will be let go, provided you do your best to convince the current invaders to not destroy my- much of anything. The dungeon wishes to live, but it sees people entering it as hostiles. This need not be so, for everyone's sakes... Please..." I laid it on pretty thick, even making a kind of praying hand gesture and some fake tears. It seemed to work.

"*Sigh* Alright, if the dungeon will hold its end of the bargain. Avoid any more deaths for the time being. I swear I will do my best to convince the army to retreat to Floor 1 and not attack even if it pains me to have lost 3 comrades. But we all knew the risk..."

"I'm sorry for your loss." (Not really, your people have been plenty awful so far.)

I raised a few of the steel poles so Anastasiya could exit her cell. She insisted on taking my hand as we ascended the stairs and pushed the trapdoor open. It had been a while since she saw this much sunlight - dungeon-made as it was - and needed to orient herself for a moment.

She dragged me to the river and, with only one hand, scooped up some water and threw it into her face.

"This is... quite good. Cool and pure, not at all like the industrial run-off we have at home."

She sniffed the fresh air, a light scent of maple was carried by a faint breeze to her. She inhaled deeply, her eyes closed. The outside was a snowy wonderland, but on this Floor ruled the permanent early summer.

"If this was no a deathtrap I might call it a paradise."

A nearby fallen tree, which even I had not noticed before, proved a suitable bench, so Anastasiya dragged me over and sat down. Her long white bunny ears twitched, but she only heard the river and some rustling of leaves.

"No birds. No insects either. This shows how fake this place actually is."

"It's still pretty though, you know?"

She stared at me, which made me uncomfortable once again. Not least because, while we were both adults, she was the only one who actually looked the part.

"I have been wondering, Feema. How do you understand the dungeon?"

"Huh? What do you mean, can't you understand it?"

"No, of course not. Dungeons don't speak to us. There are only two types: the ones we can exploit for their riches, 'mine' dungeons, and the dangerous ones suitable for training. Well, I guess there are three types."

"Those who're enemies and must be destroyed?"

She nodded grimly.

"I'll say it again. You must come with me. I can free you from the dungeon's influence!"

She suddenly stood up and pulled hard on my wrist!

"Ah- no, nooo! Y-You promised!!!"

"Oh please, a promise under duress means nothing! Now come with me, I think I can see my comrades."

"St-Stooo-"

At that moment I knew that, once again, people couldn't be trusted to do the right thing even if the right thing stared them right in the face or maybe kicked them in the ass. Whether it's asking you to help them and then they treat you like disposable tools or trash, or someone who swears an oath only to break it not 15 minutes later, nobody actually has any honour - or even just common sense - to not lie for even the most meagre benefits.

And yet I could do nothing but be dragged along by this powerful bunny woman. It literally was the difference in strength between a trained soldier and a little girl, after all. I just hoped Mimissa wouldn't do anything rash since I was confident I could still speak reason into at least the other Commander. To be safe, I stealthily tagged Mimissa to inform her.

"Commander Anastasiya!? We thought you- uh- ahem, it's great to see you alive, Ma'am!"

The scout saluted stiffly.

"At ease, soldier."

"Who is that little maid, Ma'am?"

"A benefactor of ours."

~~~~~

Anastasiya insisted on actually bringing me all the way to the entry point. The colder ambience of Floor 1 did not bother her in her rush, though admittedly she had received a coat at least.

The other Commander woman had already been informed via what I by now had realised was a bulky communication tool. It did not feel very magical, which made me assume it was perhaps more mundane or at most magically enhanced rather than a true magic tool.

"Commander Anastasiya, reporting for duty!"

Like the soldiers before, she saluted.

"It's good to see you alive, Ana." The two women smiled. "So this is the little benefactor who helped you escape?"

"I didn't-"

She glared, making me shut up on the spot.

(Why are these military women so scary!?)

"I was incarcerated on Floor 2. I managed to trick the dungeon into letting me go free, and dragged her along. On the way I have been informed that 3 members of my squad are dead. I will take full responsibility for my blunder!"

The other woman raised an eyebrow.

"Nonsense. You managed to get an intelligent dungeon monster under your control. She even speaks our language. That is worth the price of 3 deaths." She rolled her eyes. "Why, imagine if me losing a mere 11 soldiers was grounds for punishment. Perish the thought." Then she finally addressed me. "Now about you. What kind of monster might you be? [Identify]."

The spell shattered my [Identity Protection], and the Commander woman keeled over dead, her mouth foaming. Everyone was shocked, including myself...

"Wh-What!? Alert!"

Anastasiya smartly let go of my hand. Suddenly no less than 10 soldiers had their rifles aimed at me, from a sensible distance. I slowly, very slowly, raised my arms.

I changed my tag again.

'Plan C, now!'