Cless sat by her desk in her room, admiring her mother's dress. They returned the day before from the rescue delve and she felt completely exhausted. Mentally exhausted, because her body was almost tireless. She had to move. Get away from Tambrill. The small-town life was too small for her, too cramped. Too much of a backstory. She stood up when someone knocked on the door. It opened a bit and Venaris spoke from the other side.
"Sister, the Association secretary is here to talk to you."
Cless stood up, fixed her clothes and hair and went downstairs. Her guild was there, sitting by one of the long inn tables with the rest of her family. Karen, Josefine, Balthus, Olson and the Priest. George was too busy to make it.
The Association secretary, whose name eluded her right now, stood up to greet her, "Guild master, welcome. I don't want to take too much of your time. We received your delving report and assessed the value of the Dungeon. With this, our contract is settled and as soon as winter ends, the development of the support village will start."
She glanced at Venaris, "This is great news, secretary. Just remember the policies we talked about. No discrimination of non-human people races and no blocking of the Dungeon entrance."
The rumble of the third-tier migration could be heard from where they were. Monsters from the forest, valleys, and mountains surrounding the Dungeon were being drawn inside by the sweet lure of miasma. She had no idea if it was sweet or savory though. The townsfolk were scared and the town declared a holiday. George was absent because of that, too many requests to send hunting parties to kill monsters and 'protect' the town.
She felt it was Ironic that the Dungeon was doing exactly that. Removing the monsters from the surface so they could stay safe. She was not one to change an unknown amount of centuries of ignorance and malicious misdirection. Not even the Heroes knew that during their time. Too much. She just wanted to keep the Dungeon safe, to keep the legacy of the gnomes safe, earn some crowns without hard work but boy aren't these crowns a lot of work.
"Yes, guild master, that will be done as you will. I reviewed the reports of your delve and we confirmed the drops from the bosses to be as the report says. The exploratory delving fee was established at three hundred crowns."
He produced three of those white metal coins. Cless used [Coin Sense] and found them to be worth a hundred crowns each. She accepted the three coins without showing her ignorance as to their properties and nodded.
"The Dungeon is off-limits until the end of winter," She declared. "The monsters are rampaging inside and establishing their pecking order. Throwing people in that maelstrom won't do good."
The secretary was already expecting that. The Association had nothing to win with delvers dying as dead people didn't pay taxes. "We are hiring two local guilds to garrison the tower keep and the dungeon entrance. We will also have someone on-site to measure miasma levels at the door."
Cless nodded. "I will go there this week to raise another tower keep near the entrance out of the way of the migratory monsters to house the garrison. We need to discuss the development costs of the infrastructure I already set in place."
"Yes. We will take over the road toll and the management of both towers into account when we send the monthly report through the bank."
They adjourned the meeting after a few more minor details, and Cless returned to her room. She took the spellbooks and worked hard to practice the spells she neglected from the Mage book and the others. She also had to pick one spell for her Vicar level 25 level.
She opened the book and browsed to the end. There they were. Three options as always. She read the entries but was amazed when she realized they were not spells, but techniques. Sanctify would allow her to keep Hallow's effect for around twenty seconds after she interrupted the casting. Redemption increases Revivify's time limit to one hour and raises the chance of success. Sanctuary allows Shield of Faith and Bulwark to follow her and deflect some blows, increasing its durability.
She picked Sanctuary. Extend hallow was nice but not necessary. And she didn't want to use Revivify. The ten-minute limit was fine.
The next three days they spent indoors because the weather was terrible. A nasty blizzard forced everyone to stay indoors. Cless trained her spells and also her tame monsters. She needed to give a name for the monkey-faced sloth. Yes, she decided to keep it. The critter was tough as nails, to begin with, and his trait would make him even tougher in a protracted battle.
"What name should I give him..." She mused out loud from her desk.
The guild was playing that game with bones she never got to fully understand and Kurt turned his neck around. It unnerved Class every time he did a full half-turn with his head. "Who?"
"The boss monster we caught in the Dungeon. What name should I give him."
"Her," The green-feathered boy corrected her, "It is a female."
Blame Cless for not checking for sloth-boy-bits in her new monster.
"Kate then. She will be called Kate. Because she is as tough as a full-plate." She decided.
She checked Shad's status.
> Shad — Level 46 male crystalback drillmole (1,057,355 / 1,081,000 Exp)
>
> Base Stats — Strength: 48 (+13) — Agility: 69 (+7) — Health: 52 (+11) — Intellect: 5 (+7)
>
> Traits:
>
> [Mega Drill]: Once every 10 minutes, increase digging speed by 5x for 1 minute.
>
> [Glittering Shards]: Decrease hit chance of sight-dependent attacks by 30%.
According to Olson, Shad would evolve once he reached level 51. She didn't want Shad to become some big monster.
She kept fiddling with her stationery and thinking of the future. Winter would be over sooner or later and they would move to Glauchester. She had a little over five hundred crowns to her name. A source of income from the gnome village and dungeon when it starts to run and the delvers arrive. But there was also the problem of making her name again in a small town. The prejudice. The looks. Here in Tambrill, she had the status of being the strongest guild master in town, and people were already used to her appearance.
In a new town? Things would be hard. But she craved independence. The Heroes would also become free to do whatever they want to do. She already took a lot of their time. Cless glanced at the dress again. She never harbored hope that her parents were still around but this? It was on a whole different level. She couldn't even interiorize it. Felt like a fairy tale with someone else. Not her.
It might be the reason she didn't break yet. It didn't feel like it was about her. Some other girl, heir of a Kindom and a Realm.
With a tight heart, she ended her day.
The weather cleared, finally. Cless took off and went to the Association with her whole guild in tow. Kate was terrifying the townsfolk and Cless thought she had to make a tabard for her as well. They reached the building and the repairs were almost done. They boarded up the holes that still needed repairs to keep the cold from entering. She thought they made a good job but the looks of surprise as the receptionists stopped shivering reminded her it was one of the Skills she got.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
"Good morning. We would like to use the class selector. Is there one available?"
The receptionists didn't hesitate. They were taken down the hallway into a larger room with a selector crystal on a pedestal. There was a table, a desk, two couches. It was a fancy room and probably not something she would be allowed to use if it weren't for her status. And the fact this Association branch was going to make some serious coin off of her. She ought to make them send in a good word about her to the Glauchester branch.
"We received orders to let you use this room for as long as you need, guild master."
Better than destroying half the building again, she mused. Everyone had to get a third-tier class. Cless sat down and pondered her options. If she took the next class in the clerical scale, it would be Bishop. She didn't get the spellbook but it should give four new spells. Or three and a technique. Her second choice would be entering the world of Royalty. Ever since she claimed her heritage and changed her name in the status screen a notification popped up informing her of the unlocked classes and professions for Royalty.
She would have to climb the class tree for those but due to her Skills granting Charisma already, she could skip straight to the second step. She was getting ahead of herself. Better review the whole thing from scratch.
> As a member of one of the recognized royalty bloodlines in Midgard, you unlocked a special class tree. These classes will help you on your hard journey to lead and protect your people.
Cute. Cute and naïve. Where is the part that stated Royalty can shit over everyone else? Cless sarcastically thought she was sure it should be somewhere.
> Aristocrat (Variable tier, 3rd ~ 5th)
>
> Unlocks the Charisma stat.
>
> Select one path from Arms, Magic (requires Magic unlocked) and Cunning.
>
> 2x to Social proficiencies
>
> 2x to either Weapons, One category of spells (Elemental / Non-elemental / Divine), or Intelligence
Aristocrat was skippable. It only worked to unlock Charisma and keep you in the path of your Stat build. It might give some techniques regarding whatever the nobility does but she decided to skip it for the next one in the chain.
> Princess (Variable tier, 3rd ~5th) - Requires Charisma unlocked.
>
> Select one path from Arms, Magic (requires Magic unlocked) and Cunning.
>
> All progressions function as a tier above.
>
> May learn Royalty-restricted spells and techniques - Potency depends on tier.
>
> 2x to Social proficiencies
>
> 3x to either Weapons, One category of spells (Elemental / Non-elemental / Divine), or Intelligence
That is it. A tier above meant at least 10 Stat points. Given how power scales up as you move tiers, this promised to be very interesting. She'd get power equal to someone above one hundred. It would also set her on a path she wasn't so sure she wanted to tread. From what she learned from Josefine, Divine magic was the path she was already taking. Elemental magic meant large-scale combat magic. Non-elemental had little offensive potential but several utility spells.
She was going to pick Magic. Not Divine, as it would boost her spells too much and she didn't want that Holy Maiden mantle. Right now as she was she could fake having full Divine magic build, without the swaps she made. Elemental was not attractive. The large-scale elemental spells wouldn't be useful in a cramped Dungeon environment. Non-elemental it was then.
> Wizard Princess (4th Tier)
>
> Primary Progression: Magic (+13)
>
> Secondary Progression: Intellect, Health (+7)
>
> Bonus 5n Progressions (+10): Magic, Intellect, Charisma, and Agility
>
> 2x to Social Proficiencies
>
> 3x to Non-Elemental magic.
She confirmed the choice.
> Applying deferred Experience. You reached Wizard Princess level 9. +2 Agility, +2 Health, +6 Intellect, +4 Charisma, +9 Magic.
>
> You learned the [Appoint Stronghold], [Appoint Demesne], and [Appoint Protector] Techniques.
>
> [Appoint Stronghold]: Claim one structure in friendly territory as your personal stronghold. Grants bonuses to defense.
>
> [Appoint Demesne]: Claim one region in friendly territory as your fief. Grants bonus to production and defense.
>
> [Appoint Protector I]: Name one loyal defender for every six levels. Grants bonus to combat ability when defending the Princess.
>
> You can learn 4 spells from the Wizard Princess list. Please refer to your trainer for more details.
Awesome. She focused on the Gnome Village and marked it as her demesne. She became aware of how the valley on her side of the bridge, the foothills, the area of the village and the Dungeon became her territory. It was almost as if she could feel its situation and if there were any invaders. The ruined village felt like an itch she had to scratch. After getting her demesne, she tried to mark the Inn as her stronghold.
> Failed. Location already claimed.
Probably because it already belonged to Karen. She also felt that if anyone wanted to claim a building inside her demesne she would be prompted to accept or decline. Finally, she appointed Shad as her protector, checking what would happen to him. He gained a new trait called [Princess' Knight]. It increased his effective level and all base stats by 4. She shifted the bonus to Silverfang but the lycan was too far away. She would have to stay within ten meters for him to count as a "protector".
She had no idea where she'd find a trainer for her spells. Maybe Josefine. She did tell she could learn any non-divine magic. If that failed, her choices would be to either find some library or research the spells by herself. It could be done but researching would take years and magical expertise she didn't have.
The others made their selections. Silverfang picked [Skirmisher] to aid in positioning and maneuvering. Vic selected [Xylomancer] for wood-based magic. It is one of Olson's classes so he would be able to teach the Lamiak his spells. Better yet, supply him with a spellbook. Kurt selected [Skald]. It was a kind of warrior bard. Venaris also picked [Skirmisher] for the mobility bonuses.
Spoiler: Spoiler
> Name: Queen Cless Hreidmar of Myrkheim and Infernal Realm (in exile)
>
> Race: Human.
>
> Level: 88 ( 3,486,000 / 3,914,000 Exp ) [Experience Threshold > level 38]
>
> Class (tier) level (Experience):
> — Dabbler (1) 25 ( 300,000 Exp / ** ) — Beast Tamer (2) 25 (900,000 Exp / ** ) — Vicar (3) 25 ( 1,500,000 Exp / ** ) — Wizard Princess (4+1) 9 (636,000 / 720,000 Exp )
>
> Profession — Veteran Warmaster 25 (300,000 Exp / **) — Master Instructor 16 (464,072 / 495,000 Exp)
> — Crafter 25 (Skill) — Farmer 25 (Skill) — Herbalist 25 (Skill) — Alchemist 25 (Skill)
>
> Base Stats — Strength: 65 [152] — Agility: 86 [201] — Health: 105 [245] — Intellect: 114 [221] — Wisdom: 151 — Charisma: 105 — Magic: 261
>
> Available Status Points: 3
>
>
>
> Skills:
> S-rank: [Absolute Contract]
>
> B-rank: [Fear Aura] – [Perfect Might] – [Succubus’ Kiss]
>
> C-rank: [Eat Anything] – [Elven Longevity] – [Appraise Immunity] – [Craftsmen] – [Dangersense] – [Earth Magic] – [Master Miner] – [Seductress' Charm]
>
> D-Rank: [Alchemical Tolerance] – [Alchemist] – [Brownie Magic] – [Curmudgeon crafter] – [Dancer’s Grace] – [Darkness Resistance]
> – [Druidwalk] – [Farmer] – [Gemsense] – [Giant's Stamina] – [Great Leap] – [Grounding] – [Heavy Handed] – [Herbalism] – [Merchant sense]
> – [Ore sense] – [Poison Resistance] – [Runner's Dash] – [Sharp Mind] – [Singers’ Talent] – [Snakes' Flexibilty] – [Spell Resistance]
> – [Spellslinger] – [Steelshine] – [Tinker] – [Tremorsense]
>
> E-Rank: [Air sailing] – [Architectural Ingenuity] – [Burrower Bond] – [Coin Sense] – [Enhanced touch] – [Gravebreath]
> – [Hearth’s warmth] – [Howl] – [Pack Rat] – [Seamstress Talent] – [Silk Hair] – [Splinters]
> – [Virility] – [Wanderlust] – [Weavertouch]
>
> F-rank: [Cheat] – [Florist’s Wonder] – [Gardener’s touch] – [Inner Compass]
>
>
>
> Techniques:
>
> — [Beast Taming VI] — [Beast Status] — [Share Skills]
> — [Sanctuary]
> — [Appoint Stronghold] — [Appoint Demesne] — [Appoint Protector]
>
>
>
> Spells (Master Instructor: +1 to all. Spells without a number are at the soft cap / * denotes a level 25th ultimate):
>
> Divine: — Mending — Detoxify — Light — Turn Undead — Blessing — Holy Bolt — Purify — Protection
> — — — Hallow — Flametongue — Cure — Uncurse — Banish — Heal — Warding — Revivify*
> — — — Censure — Bulwark — Mass Mending — Sacred Dance — Judgement — Song of the Accord*
> — — — Water Breathing — Shield of Faith — Sanctuary
>
> Mage: — Detect Magic — Mage Bolt — Armor — Firebolt — Icebolt — Lightning Grasp — Shield
> — — — Fireball — Resistance — Shockwave — Magic Missiles — Wind Blade — Deeppockets* — Blink*
>
> House: — Detect Dust — Doorwatch — Prestidigitation — Never Overdone! — Touch Up — Dry — Repair — Clean — Bloom — Hearth Recall*
>
> Earth: — Soften — Earth Armor — Spike — Stone Shape — Earthen Maw — Earthwave — Terrakinesis — Golem*
> — — — Earth to Stone — Grasping Hand — Spike Wall — Construct*
>
> Wiz.Princess: — ???? — ???? — ???? — ????
>
>
>
> Proficiencies (Master Instructor: +1 to all. Values under 10 hidden / {A} = Automatic Proficiency: Soft Cap +5):
>
> Appraise: Status: 80 — Resistance: (immune) — Forgery: (immune)
>
> General: Prayer: 80 — Reading: 50 — Architecture: {A}
>
> Academic: Magic Theory: 50 — Spellcraft: 50
>
> Crafting (+9 Profession): Tailor: {A} — Embroidery: {A} — Knitting: {A}
>
> Farming, plants (+38 Profession): Foraging: 30 — Forestry: 30
>
> Farming, livestock (+13 Profession): Dismantling: 30
>
> Production (+9 Profession): Mining: {A} — Weaving: {A}
>
> Social: Negotiation: 80 — Persuasion: 80 — Bluff: 80 — Flirting: {A} — Sexual Technique: {A} — Etiquette: {A} — Dancing: {A} — Singing: {A} — Gambling: {A}
>
> Movement: Running: {A} — Athletics: {A} — Balance: {A} — Jumping: {A}
>
> Martial (+18 profession): Leadership: 80 — Intimidation: 60 — Tactics: 80
>
> Weapon (+18 profession): Long Blades: 80 — Unarmed: 80 — Archery: 80 — Maces: 60 — Pickaxe: {A}