Unfortunately, Violet couldn't complete any more quests until the next day. Any upgrades or summons also had to wait until she had more mana. So, Violet decided to just call it a day and relax while her kodama slowly brought back [Items] for the dungeon to absorb. Thankfully, the kodama listened to her advice to not work too hard. It only went out six times before calling it a day and it seemed much happier as it rested beneath the oak tree.

This time, the kodama brought back some plantain leaves, chicory flowers, and several repeats of [Items] that Violet already had. Both of the new [Items] ended up being added as a new [Base Resource] and new [Items]. Violet wasn't a survivalist or one to forage by any means, so she wasn't sure what the plantain leaves could be used for. However, she supposed the chicory flowers were likely to be similar to the other flowers. Violet opened her menu and noted that the changes to her DP and MP were reflected in the [Dungeon Status].

Dungeon Status:

Current Mana 13 / 50

Current DP: 173

Current Floors: 1

Current Rooms: 1

Monsters

Critters

Construction

Research

Missions

Violet quickly used 10 MP to summon a new slime and then set it to respawn at the 50 MP spawner in her wildflower meadow room. She now only had enough to set the 10 MP bumblebee queen, but she didn't have enough MP to summon any bees right now, so that would have to wait until another time. Still, it was a relief to know that this slime wouldn't be leaving her anytime soon.

Before Violet could even consider making any more upgrades, the now familiar sensation of someone entering her dungeon came across Violet. She wasn't surprised when she saw that Gregory and Henry had once more returned to her dungeon. Gregory quickly gave a half bow before greeting Violet

"Greetings mistress Violet! I hope it is alright that we have returned once more?"

Violet nodded her head as she replied

"It is quite alright! Did you inform the others as I requested?"

Gregory was quick to respond

"Yes, mistress Violet. Our village leader has decided to employ a few guards to watch over the dungeon. We plan to collect a small entry fee and to restrict entry to ensure that only one group enters at a time and that people don't enter too often."

Violet couldn't help but feel concerned as she inquired

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"Can you tell me more about this entry fee? I've only heard bad things about such things happening from the Dungeon Diplomat..."

Gregory deepened his bow as he reassured Violet

"Ah, I can see where that might be the case, but this is different. They are only collecting a fee of a single copper for entry. It is nothing like the absurd fees that are charged when the problematic groups you are referring to try to monopolize dungeons. So long as we collect the resources in the dungeon when we visit, we should be able to make more than the copper back.

The cost is just meant to help pay the guards who watch over your dungeon. The entry fee will likely increase as your dungeon grows. The normal rate is to charge a copper for every room a dungeon has until it starts to have multiple floors. Then it becomes a cost of one silver per floor for an entry to the dungeon.

We have noticed you seem to have a small contracted [Monster] that leaves your dungeon. As part of the guard's job, they ensure that no one is allowed to ambush the [Monsters] when they leave the dungeon as well as helping to discourage troublemakers and the young ones from entering your dungeon."

Violet looked thoughtfully at Gregory, trying to decide if she should take him at his word. Deciding that there wasn't much she could do to resolve the issue she merely decided to accept it until the next time Theodore visited. Then she could see if this was the normal protocol or not.

"Very well. I don't have much that you can collect resources-wise. My oak tree produces acorns and there are various flowers you can harvest, but that is all I have available at this time."

Gregory merely bowed once more as he gratefully replied

"Thank you for your understanding, mistress Violet. We've brought tribute once more, but I was wondering if there was anything in particular you wish to request. Since we hope to revisit your dungeon regularly, I would like to help you as much as I can."

Violet nodded as she replied

"I don't expect much of you. I know you mentioned that you are just a farmer from a poor farming village. I'm guessing that's also why you feel intimidated into bowing to me? Regardless, you can just bring whatever you can spare. Even if you brought your garbage into the dungeon to dispose of, it wouldn't bother me. Everything has its uses."

Gregory looked taken aback as he replied

"I could never! Giving tribute to you is the same as paying taxes to the king. How could I soil your precious dungeon with my trash? It is only fitting that a weak commoner like me show you the respect that you deserve! It would likely be easy for a Dungeon Master like you to overpower me and end my life yet you have been gracious enough to allow my son to train and become stronger in your dungeon. I could never repay your kindness with such an insult!"

Violet furrowed her eyebrows as she sunk deep into her thoughts. From what she was hearing, it sounded like Dungeon Masters were usually strong and capable of defending their dungeons. It also sounded like Dungeon Masters were treated as if they were kings. Violet supposed that might not be too far off the mark considering how large dungeons could grow to be and that Dungeon Masters were in charge of it all. The adventurers who entered her dungeon were, basically, at the mercy of Violet's choices with only their strength to fight against whatever fate Violet had in store for them.

Still, Violet couldn't help but insist

"Well, if you don't want to insult me, then shouldn't you respect my decisions? I don't want you to bow to me and cower every chance you get. I want you to respect my rules and treat me more familiarly. I've allowed you to call me mistress despite telling you to call me the less formal miss. I have allowed you to slaughter my [Monsters] and leave with your lives intact. I even gave Henry pointers so he could succeed last time. Surely you can do me the favor of accepting my words at face value?

I mean it when I say you can use what would otherwise be trash as a tribute for all I care. You can also speak to me more normally and stop bowing."

Gregory swallowed nervously as he peered at Violet. He could only just barely stammer his next words out

"Err... Yes, mistress Violet. I will do as you say..."

Seeing his chance, Henry stepped forward and began to face off against Violet's new slime. Violet sighed as she sat against a wall, doing her best to relax as she waited. The conversation had already droned on long enough for her mana to fill up a good bit. By the time Henry finished defeating her slime, it was likely that her mana would once more be full once the two left.