Shotty exploded into action, firing another shot at the still screaming Tiny and silencing him forever. I grinned maliciously at the kill notification, relishing in the small but welcome addition to my hoard: the tattered cloak the super midget had been wearing. It was big but I was sure it would look quite nice on me once I tried it on.

I thought about how it would look even better once I got scales, absentmindedly watching Shotty defend my cage from the hysterical Dwarves around me. Watching the lady midget scream obscenities at me as her entourage hurriedly escorted her out of the throne room was quite hilarious, but I couldn't let her leave.

No, something told me she would try and deny my right to my property. She could not be allowed to live-no, leave. Definitely leave.

It is no matter if the lady mi-er, Head Maid dies. Surely you wouldn't want to risk keeping such a powerful adversary alive? And besides, a being with such intense magical power would make a splendid meal.

Hmm. I suppose that makes sense...I was still quite hungry, after all. And it was true that the lady midget would be a big pain in my butt; she wasn't the type to let a gal peacefully claim the hill she'd stumbled upon.

So I summoned another Shotty and sent it off toward the shrieking Head Maid―which is a really weird title now that I think about it. I hummed gleefully as her eyes widened in fear at the approaching weapon and she began flapping her arms toward it, her mouth moving a mile a minute.

One of her guards spun to face Shotty #2, in the process of unsheathing a dagger hidden in her tunic just as Shotty #2 blasted her in the chest. I cackled as the bulky midget toppled to the round in a bloody heap.

"Food shouldn't fight!" I crowed. "Lay down like good little Dwarves and feed me!"

At my order, Shotty #2 fired off three more shots, killing the last of the Head Maid's guards. The woman in question was cowering against the wall, huddled in a tight ball. Baring my fangs, I watched with anticipation as Shotty #2 pressed its muzzle against her bun-the hat had fallen off in the mad dash to escape the room. I opened my mouth to say Boom when a fist slammed through the bars of my cage, stopping mere centimeters away from my delicate neck.

I looked up with a fearful squeak, my body trembling as I took in the diminutive monster that stood before my cage, holding half of Shotty #1 in his gigantic hands.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"Má tá duine ar bith ag dul a mharú an cailleach sin," his guttural voice rumbled, "tá sé ag dul a bheith dom."

With a light flick of his wrist, his hand came crashing down on my head, knocking me unconscious.

----------------------------------------

When I came to, I found myself in a familiar place: I was back in the dungeon I'd fell in earlier.

Groaning, I rubbed my sore forehead. I had a killer hangover from...whatever I'd been doing. The past events were fuzzy and my head hurt even more when I tried to think about it before eventually giving up. Whatever went down would stay in the past; I had to get out of here again.

"Yer awake now," a gruff voice spoke. My head snapped up at the sound and I took in a short but muscular Dwarf. Something about him set off very loud alarm bells in my head; whoever he was, I did not want to tangle with him.

I retreated toward the back of my cell, snarling at the Dwarf quietly. He only smirked at me and tugged at his trimmed beard.

"So can ya understand me words now, aberrant?"

I nodded hesitantly, unsure of what he would do with that information.

He bobbed his head up and down, satisfaction clear on his face. Folding his hands on his lap like some dainty plantation owner's daughter, he continued speaking. "Good. Yer smarter than ya look, as Ah suspected. Ya wanna tell me what you were doin', tromping around mah hill and conquering me mah tren?"

"...Conquering the hill?"

The Dwarf frowned and leaned forward in his wooden chair―I'm surprised to see something not made of stone in this place. "And ya didn't think for one second that this hill might've already been conquered, eh?"

I shrugged sheepishly. That hadn't exactly crossed my mind although it made sense that it had been claimed before as all these Dwarves were living here. Although the system did say that I was the new owner, so maybe it was a more sentimental conquering on the Dwarve's part?

Either way, something had drawn me here to this place and I'd been dead set on having it. But as I studied this monster of a Dwarf glaring at me from beyond the cell bars, I re-assessed my thoughts on conquering. Perhaps...this hill wasn't for me.

It'd be nice to use the pre-built halls as a storage for my hoard but did I really want to go through the trouble of quelling any dissenters? The thought of killing any Dwarves rightfully fighting for their home didn't sit right with me. Of course, the system took the chance to spring a screen on me right as I was having this moral dilemma.

What a massacre you caused! Σ(･口･) Eleven Dwarves in one mass shooting? Impressive numbers!

But...oh wait. You didn't want to kill anybody, did you? (」゜ロ゜)」

Too bad, so sad! Here are your rewards for such a bloody performance!

1x Tattered Defensive Cloak; 3x Iron Throwing Daggers, 4x Iron Helmet, 3x Earth Magic Spell Component

Good Lord...what had I done?