Harriet was currently at the Avian Cavern. As soon as she left the throne's room, she immediately came here and dispatched a few sisters to go scout the road between the dungeon and the city. She needed to make sure no reinforcement was coming from the city.
The harpies were very chatty and asked about what was happening, but they all quickly listened to Harriet and went to scout. Harriet herself flew out. She went down to observe the guard camp at the entrance of the dungeon. She was surprised to see that most of the guards there had left; that could only mean that they all entered the dungeon, but she was not worried.
With all 6 leading monsters in the Throne Room, the situation was well under control, the guards themselves were not strong enough to take over the dungeon. Only if the general and his direct subordinates came would there be some trouble but that was extremely unlikely.
Harriet flapped her long black wings and went back to the Avian Cavern when suddenly, she felt a powerful ominous feeling. Although it was the first time she was experiencing it, Harriet immediately knew its meaning! The dungeon core was in danger!
"What could have happened at the throne room?" asked Harriet to herself.
But she was not the only one to have felt that, all her sisters also felt it and became anxious. Harpies were very sensitive, to the point that one of them even started crying thinking that they were all doomed.
"Do not worry, Elena. I am here! Everything will be fine!" said Harriet as she recomforted her sister with a gentle hug. Although she felt that she needed to go to the throne room, she believed that her presence would not matter much especially since the other six were there to protect the core.
And so, Harriet stayed with the other harpies and recalled back those that went to scout. She was like a mother looking after all her little daughters.
A few minutes later, when she was looking after Ariel who had finally calmed down, Harriet received a message from Mehlroth asking her to come to the throne room.
His tone was gloomy but did not betray his thoughts. Harriet asked why she needed to come but Mehlroth only drily answered back and asked her to hurry up.
Full of doubts and unease, Harriet left her sisters and went to Kroff's room. It was not very far and so, she arrived in less than one minute.
...
As soon as she arrived, she was startled at the tensed atmosphere of the throne room. She frowned upon seeing the scene; she could see Five mockingly looking at the other monsters while holding a lighted torch in his right hand and a white recipient in his left. What surprised Harriet was that right in front of Five, was Kroff's dungeon core. All the monsters were all focused on Five's hands while Kroff was motionlessly standing in front of Five.
Harriet was quick-witted, she immediately built up a scenario in her mind: "Oh Five... What did you do again!?" said Harriet to herself.
When she entered, the monsters quickly looked at her, but their eyes were filled with hostility. It was the first time she was getting this type of looks and it was not pleasant.
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Seeing her arrive, Kroff immediately said: "You finally arrived Harriet. There is something we need to ask you."
Sending a questioning look to Five, Harriet answered, "What is it? Master?"
"I have made a deal with Five and was wondering... Will you agree to be traded and become Five's monster?" asked Kroff while staring at Five. Since she entered the room, not once did Kroff look at her and more importantly, the tone of the question was devoid of expressions; that could only mean that Kroff was currently extremely furious.
"Master... May I ask what is happening, I..." started Harriet but she was immediately interrupted by Kroff.
"Just answer the question! Yes or no?"
Hearing that, Harriet immediately became conflicted. She already got an idea of what was happening and no matter what choice she made, she would end up making at least one enemy. She was already living a comfortable life and had a good position at Kroff's dungeon and so, there was no need for her to move out.
On the other hand, Five was her friend and she had seen how he had a lot of potential and could become a better dungeon master than Kroff. If he was given enough time, his dungeon might turn out to be much more developed than Kroff's. If she agreed now, it would be equivalent to securing one of the highest posts! But these were only if she was completely alone! And Harriet was precisely not alone! She had all her sister harpies with her.
It was normal for monsters to abandon their kin, but harpies were different. They were a societal race and while they all had different personalities, Harriet was caring and considered all the harpies here as her daughters since they were effectively born out of her. She was their leader and their mother! They looked at her for many things but if she left now, how would they do without her? What would happen to them if she leaves? Won't the status of the harpies go down the drain?
There were many things to consider and Harriet simply could not abandon her sisters behind like that! And that was something Kroff was well aware of! It was precisely why he mentioned these conditions. As her master, Kroff knew Harriet very well and took advantage of that to obtain the formula for free!
As for Five, he started to feel nervous as he saw Harriet hesitate so much and even started to question his decision. He was already starting to feel tired. The torch and the recipient were not heavy, but he had been holding them for so long and his arms were starting to ache. In the end, he simply asked: "What is it, Harriet? Is there something holding you here?"
"I am sorry, but I cannot leave like that... My sisters... They will not be able to survive well without me!" said Harriet with a quiet and sad tone. She looked at Five, conflict and sadness could clearly be seen in her eyes.
"Ha! It looks like she refused! We can only go with the second option then," said Kroff. He was delighted to see that this was going as he wanted. He was at least reducing the losses he was making but as he was internally rejoicing, Five ignored him and asked Harriet:
"Your sisters? Is the reason you don't want to come, your sisters?"
The latter lowered her head slightly as she answered, "Yes, how will they live well without me? I have a stable position here and we have good living conditions! If I come with you, what will happen to them? I cannot leave them like that, I am very sorry, Five."
"But if you leave? Won't all the other harpies be freed? Aren't they bound to the dungeon core by you? If you leave, surely the entire link will be broken," said Five.
"Why are you still talking? Didn't she already refuse? I will give you a level 30 monster, let's move to the third request!" said Kroff but the two completely ignored him.
"I have never heard of that. Can you guarantee that my sisters will also come?" asked Harriet full of doubts. It was something she had never heard of, while she was with Kroff, she had never actually witnessed a trade and so, did not know the specifics of this act.
"There is no guarantee. I also have limited information about the dungeon trades! But if you look at Kroff, it is clear that he wants you to quickly refuse! Give it some thoughts."
Hearing that, Harriet fell into silence. She did not know what to do. She could not read through Kroff either. It might be true that the other harpies would be freed but even in that case, there was a lot that she would lose. It was asking her to take a huge gamble and restart her life from scratch! Although she did not have the best life right now and was at risk every day of facing a powerful adventurer and dying, wouldn't that also be the same if she goes with Five?
After waiting for a few seconds and seeing that Harriet was still undecided, Five could not help but sigh internally. He seriously believed that Harriet would be willing to come with him but in the end, that he had been too optimistic. He did not take in consideration Harriet's feelings for her sisters and even other things. There was no guarantee that he would be able to build a good dungeon and if he considered Harriet her friend, would that not be too risky to ask her to risk everything to come with him?
"Forget about it. Since you think your life is comfortable here, I won't ask for more, sorry to have troubled you Harriet!" said Five. In the end, it was like Harriet previously said! Only his own monsters could be trusted. He needed to raise his own monsters to obtain trustworthy and powerful ones, trying to use a shortcut would not easily work!
However, when she heard that, Harriet trembled for a second.