"I'm listening."

Elivyre prompted. Violet smiled nervously before explaining

"Well, I'd like to help the locals out. I've actually been thinking about this for a while, but I didn't have anyone besides you to ask for help. Still, I've already developed several pantry-stable food options and I can make seasoned firewood now. Between that and helping you out with potions, I think I could do a lot to help everyone get through the rest of the winter."

Elivyre looked Violet over carefully as she considered her words. While she already knew better than to compare her to other Dungeon Masters, that still left another problem. Elivyre simply didn't know what to think about Violet because she was too unpredictable. Thus, she could only ask for clarification before further contemplating the issue.

"How would that work exactly? What would you be expecting in return?"

Violet sighed as she felt herself well up with a very distinct feeling of disappointment. She knew her friend likely meant well, but it still felt like a let down that they weren't close enough for Elivyre to know better than to assume she was in it for the profit. Violet genuinely did want to help people and she wouldn't have bothered to offer if she didn't know that there were more than enough dungeon resources to afford it. For goodness' sakes, she was constantly letting hundreds of points of mana go to waste every single day. Mana that could be put to use helping others.

Of course, it would be lying to say that she didn't want anything out of it. She wasn't exactly a saint, but that didn't change the fact that she had mostly good intentions. Deciding to bite the bullet, Violet explained

"I was planning to offer a set amount of free firewood, food, and potions for the remainder of the winter season for free. I don't plan on asking for anything more than I have to. Maybe a contract to ensure my safety is guaranteed and that the goods will be delivered to those who need it. I doubt I'll personally know the person put in charge of the project, after all.

At worst, I'll admit that I would like it if I could build up some goodwill with the locals. Maybe I can convince them that I'm not out to get them and that my dungeon is safe enough for them to venture into. There's hardly much of a point in investing so much time and resources into making a first floor devoid of [Traps] if no one is willing to check it out. I even have a koi pond, where they can fish up edible fish, alongside all manner of edible plants and such. I just wish people would give me a chance."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Elivyre flinched as it registered just how neglected Violet likely was on a social level. She hadn't realized that everyone was still giving her such a hard time. It wasn't like the poor woman had done anything to deserve everyone's mistrust either. It was just a misfortunate result of her occupation as a Dungeon Master. Feeling guilty, Elivyre frowned before apologizing.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound like I was doubting your generosity. I'll try to talk to the town leader today. I don't know how cooperative he will be, but I'll do my best. Worst case scenario, I'll personally oversee the project and just give away the supplies from my storefront to those who I know might need it. I doubt that will be as effective as it otherwise might be, but it's likely to be better than nothing.

I know there was recently a party in the area that said something about mapping out the dungeon. I don't know if you've met them before, but they should be reporting things to the nearest adventurer's guild. Come springtime, I'm sure we'll end up with a noble family being assigned to look over the area as well as some staff for the adventurer's guild that is supposed to be being built in the first part of the year. That should ease restrictions a good bit and we won't have to worry about the town leader telling the locals they can't enter the dungeon until he has decided it's safe enough and then not following through."

Elivyre ran a hand through her hair, clearly looking frazzled. Violet felt bad for making her friend stress out so much. However, another feeling was also present as she also felt grateful her friend was willing to help. Deciding to move the conversation along, she explained

"I'll try to focus on health potions primarily for now. Once you figure things out, just let me know and I'll start preparing some of the other resources for you. I don't think I can just give out magic bags all of the time, so I'll likely just set up some wooden crates with the materials each day. This way you shouldn't have to worry about returning them and I don't have to worry about negatively affecting the local economy."

Elivyre laughed amusedly, looking like she was starting to feel better, as she replied

"That sounds like a good enough plan. I don't know if you should worry too much about supply and demand, though. I would have to keep more than a couple dozen magic bags and then sell them at lower than market value for a while before it would have any real long-term effects. You might be forgetting, but adventurers die in dungeons as well as have their gear break all the time. So, dungeons end up absorbing enough to keep the economy mostly stable.

I suppose if you had too easy of a challenge on an early floor with a magic bag, it could lead to issues. However, I'm guessing you're smart enough not to do that if you're worrying about me exploiting the dungeon resources."

As they had gotten back on decent terms and both were starting to feel better, the rest of Elivyre's visit went much more smoothly. She collected herbs and the two talked, sharing the recent developments in their lives and growing closer as they bonded.