It wasn’t every day that I dropped half of my stolen dungeon wealth in a single morning, but that wasn’t the only reason I was itching to properly toll my bridges again.

It was a constant nagging on the periphery of my mind.

I controlled a lot of bridges, and they let me know in vivid distraction when someone was crossing unimpeded.

This notification, however, was special. And timely.

“You’re on a quest to save the king.

What would you give me for his life?”

I stood on my bridge and delivered a riddle. They couldn’t pass until they answered it, but crossing my bridge wasn’t why they’d come.

Three unicorns walked up the road to my bridge. I didn’t know the herds as well as I would’ve liked as they rarely used the road. Their kind stayed deeper in the forest, in enchanted glades by crystal river streams. All the stuff of fluffy fantasy novels.

The exception to that rule stood in front of me; Brightstar, a unicorn prince.

“Bridge Troll.” He neighed, walking forward until he was at the edge of my domain. My [World Player] ability translated his words to me. “I was told that you are Madame Potts–”

“That is not the answer to my riddle, prince.” I scolded, crossing my arms in front of me.

“Of course. Thank you.” He shook his head and chuffed. “I would offer this.”

Another unicorn approached. She was an older mare with a black coat with four white socks on her hooves and a white star on her forehead. She bowed low, and when her spiral horn touched the road, the offering appeared.

It was a dark blue unicorn horn with light blue tinting the ridges of the spiral. It shone faintly.

“I accept. Here.” I stepped forward to meet them, bending down to pick up the horn. When it disappeared into my storage, I summoned one of my two phoenix feathers into my palm. Brightstars horn glowed and then the feather vanished.

“You need to give it to your father before the sun sets, or it will be too late.” I told the unicorn prince. That was when the Guardian of Death, chosen of Death, was going to come and lay the unicorn king to rest. “And as a favour to me, tell Carter that Chloe looked amazing in her wedding dress. His loss.”

Brightstar shifted his weight from left foot to right, anxious. “I will do as you ask, troll.”

“He won’t shoot the messenger.” I tried to alleviate the unicorn's concern. Many feared the chosen of Death, and treated the man with the utmost respect.

I did not.

I announced ominously. “Now go. Before it’s too late!”

Living in a magical realm meant you embraced the dramatic sometimes. The unicorns did not have to be told twice; they kicked off, racing back into the forest through the field of flowers that stretched out north of my bridge.

With this unicorn horn, I'd almost collected every treasure you could collect in season two.

I sighed; I had three other bridge notifications.

The assassins could wait, since they weren't going anywhere. I popped out to intercept a little lizardkin boy carrying a hurt flying pig on an old trail near Kith Bog, and then a merchant caravan on their way to Drendil.

I chose the same easy riddle for both.

“What can I see below my feet

But also way up high?

A single piece rough in my palm,

Where many blot the sky?”

Surprising no one, the boy got the riddle and the merchant just tossed me a small bag of copper. I would’ve accepted a few different answers; rock, stone, dirt, earth, or anything to the like. The boy said that dirt becomes a mountain, and I let him go on this merry way.

I would've felt bad for abandoning the Duke of the North in my kitchen, except he’d invited himself. The bridges were actually a welcome distraction.

I was hiding it well, but there was only so much I could put up with from my handsome travel companion before I started feeling a bit… feral.

Calm, Gerda. You got this.

I popped back in the kitchen and he was still sitting there.

“Are you all done?” He asked, curious. Julian was undisturbed that I’d left him for almost half an hour sitting alone in my tiny cottage.

“Technically, no. I am ignoring the assassins for now.” I informed him, picking up my sadly cold tea. I poured in some of the hot steeped tea from the teapot to warm it up a bit.

“Will you leave them there?” He asked as I took my seat. We were sitting close, each on one side of the table corner. Close enough that I could reach over and top up his own teacup.

“No.” I sighed and shook my head. “They are high enough in level that they’re costing me an exorbitant sum to ignore.”

“Then why…” He motioned between me and my cup, asking why I was putting it off to sit here instead.

“It might take a while to handle them all.” She sighed. “Bridge troll etiquette and all that. Can’t just throw them all into the river and walk away. I have to issue a proper riddle first. And since they're looking for trouble, I can’t just use my usual loop holes and I’ll actually have to activate my abilities - some of which can’t be undone until the mana runs out or the riddle is answered. Who knows what I’ll get up to. And you’ll be stuck here while I’m gone. I thought we could finish our tea and then I’ll send you back to Fell and then I’ll deal with it.”

Unfortunately, I didn’t capture the bridge in Fell, I simply walked across it, which meant I couldn’t connect the cottage to it and let Julian leave at his leisure through the front door.

“How often do you toll bridges in a day?” He asked, leaning on the table.

“As often as I wish.” I shrugged. “I’ve enough bridges that I could work all day if I wanted too - especially after I connected to the Black Fortress drawbridge. It costs me a fortune to ignore it, but I’m not too concerned. Usually I stick to the four major bridges on the Great Road. That keeps me busy but not annoyingly so.”

“And how do you plan to keep doing that while you are in the north?”

“I’ll cheat.” I stated.

He looked at me. I fiddled with my stir spoon.

“I realized during the Spring Ball… but I can just make my own bridges.” It was a broken system oversight, but it was true. “I can just build up an ice bank, lay down a makeshift bridge, and voila! I have a spot I can portal back to!”

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

“Voila?”

“It’s for emphasis.”

“So you can just make save points.” Julian’s eyes gleamed. “Anywhere. Any time?”

“Don’t look at me like that.” I said, waving my spoon at him.

“I have to admit, I would like to take advantage of your power. But only if you agree.” He lifted both hands in mock surrender, and then rested them on his lap. It was a very nice lap. “I’m looking for a dungeon in the Northern Ice Fields and it’s been a nightmare. If we could leave a save spot to portal back to, it would save us so much time.”

I looked out the window at the setting sun. There was probably only a half hour until night fell.

I turned back to Julian.

“I have a proposition for you.” I broached, and then hurried to say, “You won’t like it, and I don’t expect you to say yes… but if you did it would have to be now. I wasn’t going to even bring it up, but since you’re here and we’re alone and the timing is right–”

“Gerda,” He asked, he reached out a hand over the table and touched mine, “What do you need?”

Quietly, knowing I was probably making a mistake, I said, “Your locket.”

He didn’t withdraw his hand. “Why?”

“I have until sunset to complete a quest that requires the scepter in your locket. When I learned how important it was to you I'd decided to give up but…” I decided to just be honest with the duke.

It was the last treasure I had to find… and the accomplishment wasn’t worth risking the trust I’d built with Julian. I knew that. I knew it but I said it anyway.

“I don’t need it forever, mind, only until sunset. I was going to offer to help you find your hidden dungeon in exchange, but--”

“Alright.” Julian said, letting go of my hand. He reached up to unhook the chain around his neck. Without another word he dropped it into my palm and used his fingers to close mine around the locket.

“What do you mean alright?” I asked, my voice catching.

He smiled. “You said you’ll give it back. So alright.”

“But I’ll have to break the glass to retrieve the scepter!” I squeezed the locket in my palm. “It’s your fathers memento.”

“I didn’t even know it was a scepter.” Julian said, “I’ll still have the locket, and I can carry around the scepter on my belt or in my storage, or ask mother to put it back inside the locket if need be. It is a small price for Madame Potts to help me find the dungeon I’ve literally spent my life searching for.”

“I would've done it anyway. You’re escorting me, and you paid for my travel supplies–”

“I don't mind.” He said.

My hands were shaking. I popped the locket open and there was the picture of young Julian and his family. On the left side there was only a broken piece of crystal behind a thin pane of glass.

I swallowed and asked one last time. “If you’re sure?”

“Break it.” The words were firm, and I pressed the glass with a green thumb, exuding more and more pressure until the barrier splintered.

A bright light erupted from the locket and then a large scepter hovered overtop. From behind the pane of class it had looked crystal, but it turned out to be a shimmering mithril imbued aura.

I hurried to catch it as it dropped. A notification let me know that this was exactly what I’d been looking for.

[Quest: Season Two Treasures Found 10/10

Nova’s Celestial Pendant - glows near celestials, darkens near demons

King Kraken’s Heart - allows you to breath underwater

Unicorn’s Horn - purifies any poison it touches

Calisto’s Personal Magical Elevator - used to reach high up and out of reach places

Valarian Royal Mantle +3 to Charisma when equipped. 6/6 set pieces found

Valarian Royal Sword +3 to Strength when equipped. 6/6 set pieces found

Valarian Royal Shield +3 to Constitution when equipped. 6/6 set pieces found

Valarian Royal Crown +3 to Perception when equipped. 6/6 set pieces found

Valarian Royal Ring +3 to Dexterity when equipped. 6/6 set pieces found

Valarian Royal Scepter +3 to Intelligence when equipped. 6/6 set pieces found.]

[Congratulations, you have completed the [Valarian Royal] set. When equipped together, bonus modifier per item is elevated to +5]

I whistled. That was a disgusting amount of points. When Hit Points were based on Strength and Constitution, and Mana was a multiple of Perception and Intelligence, that plus five in each was broken.

To better understand the ridiculous buff that was the Valarian Royal Set… every time someone leveled up they got +2 points to allocate to their attricubtes, but the set granted +30 points. It was equivalent to 15 Levels in stats.

“On its own, the Valarian Royal Scepter grants you plus three intelligence.” I told him, hefting the treasure with one hand. It was top heavy, and looked like something out of a fairytale.

I handed back the locket with its collapsed glass shards. Julian snapped it shut, shards and all, and put it back around his neck.

He asked quietly, “Do you know what was in my sister's locket?”

“Ah… yes.” I summoned the mantle from my inventory. “The Valarian Royal Mantle grants a plus three Charisma bonus.”

Julian's fingers twitched. “Where did you get it?”

“I pulled it from the wreckage of the Spellscript Symposium. It boosted Julia's Paladin abilities just enough to keep them alive under the rubble. She's lucky her build is Strength and Charisma based.” I stared out the window in the kitchen. The field was cloaked in shadows as the sun sunk beneath the tree line. “It won't be long now.”

We fell into a tense silence, both watching the night creep over the world outside, each window in the cabin reflecting the fading light from a different location.

My notification tab blinked.

[Quest: Survive Season 2 Dungeon Delves & Debutantes:

Welcome to the World of Valaria, an Open World Battle Otome RPG for the ages.

In Season 1 our Heroine Henrietta worked hard to kill the Dark Overlord King Monfort and defeat his minions.

Error:

In Season 1, our Heroine Henrietta worked hard to win the heart of the Dark Lord King Keith and his minions.

After overcoming her traumatic past with the help of her love interests, she finally picked a partner for Duchess Calisto's Spring Ball… but is she ready to take the next step?

Error:

After overcoming her traumatic past with the help of her new-found family and friends, she chose to go to the Spring Ball with the Dark Lord.

Season 2 features three new ikemen love interests, new dungeons, access to Servalt and Sumbria, and new crafting materials! But beware the threat of revenge from the Dark Enchanted Forest!

Error:But beware the threats of revenge, for a new power rises in corruption and cruelty.

Can our Heroine Henrietta complete all of the quests, or will she have even more at stake than she bargained for?

100% Scenarios Complete

97% Map Explored

100% Hidden Treasures Found

98% Characters Found

Come back to your favorite Characters, with even more Dungeons, Dragons, and Debutantes!]

I immediately read Season 3.

[Quest: Survive Season 3 Dungeon Delves & Debutantes:

Welcome to the World of Valaria, an Open World Battle Otome RPG for the ages.

Previously, our Heroine Henrietta worked to defeat the Dark Overlord King Monfort and the new Lich Queen Chloe Watercrest, who turned the minions of the Dark Enchanted Forest into a legion of undead.

Error:

Previously, our Heroine Henrietta worked hard to win the heart of the Dark Lord King Keith, and defended the Dark Enchanted Forest against invading spies.

But a new challenge awakens in the dark wood. A beast of legend is stirring, and Henrietta will have to face her toughest battle yet before she can live her true Happily Ever After.

Error:

But a new challenge arises, for the Dark Enchanted Forest is being overrun by spies. An annoyance to trade and transportation that stirs the ire of the Dark Horde, and threatens her new Happily Ever After.

Season 3 features two new ikemen love interests, new dungeons, access to Baldorin and the Empire of Sands, and new crafting materials!

Can our Heroine Henrietta complete all of the quests, or will she have even more at stake than she bargained for?

10% Scenarios Complete

60% Map Explored

10% Hidden Treasures Found

35% Characters Found

Come back to your favorite Characters, with even more Dungeons, Dragons, and Debutantes!]

The experience points hit me and I leveled up.