Theodore was getting a bit tired of getting lectured. So, he pretended to check on the hostage Beowulf was carrying while Elder Kendric continued forward. When his senior became startled, he knew that his plan had worked. A butterfly wall [Trap] wasn't exactly something that most dungeons had access to. In fact, Theodore's theory was that there was something special about Violet's dungeon that she had received as part of her initial request for a 'cute' dungeon.

Kendric looked quite upset as he looked back at Theodore.

"Why didn't you tell me there were [Traps] ahead? Also, is there something wrong with this dungeon you haven't informed me about? There shouldn't be any [Traps] triggering on us."

Theodore rolled his eyes as he gestured at the mass of butterflies in their path.

"This barely counts as a [Trap]. I was surprised by it the first time as well and even Violet had seemed confused since it is labeled as a [Trap] by her system. From what I could tell, it seems the dungeon views it as a hybrid with it both counting as a [Trap] and as [Critters] or a special effect. It's like how bees don't stop existing just because we walk past a beehive."

Elder Kendric furrowed his brow, still feeling quite perplexed. Well, it was certainly true that the butterflies themselves weren't exactly poisonous or anything. Still, he couldn't help but wonder what would make a Dungeon Master want to install such a thing if it wasn't lethal. There wasn't even another [Trap] being used in tandem with it. Still, he hardly wanted to ask about it since it would be the opposite of what he had said earlier. It wasn't his place to question a Dungeon Master's decisions, regardless of how strange he thought they were.

Luckily, he didn't have to ask. Theodore was more than happy to brag about Violet.

"The first floor doesn't actually have any [Traps] and all of the [Monsters] are mostly harmless, save for the dungeon boss. I had initially been a bit worried about how well-protected the dungeon would be. That was why I had agreed to let Violet sign a contract with David to learn swordsmanship when she asked. It seemed like a good way to increase the odds of the dungeon lasting long enough to grow stronger.

However, Violet actually doesn't seem to be very power-hungry and she has other goals in mind. She developed her first floor to be a training ground for young children and beginner adventurers. It's also supposed to be safe enough that the locals can come in to gather resources, assuming they take the path opposite of the way we went.

While the emperor slime had been considered far too powerful compared to everything else, something the adventurers keep reporting to me, Violet was still worried about people who make it to this floor. So, she added the butterfly [Traps] to the hallway immediately outside the stairs between floors to act as a warning system. We tend to think of adventurers as accepting the risk of death when they enter a dungeon, but she really seems to want to give them a fair chance."

Beowulf sneered, scoffing as he remarked

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"They don't deserve her kindness. You shouldn't be encouraging such behavior."

Elder Kendric said nothing, still feeling a bit conflicted about things. Soon enough they came to the first room with pixies in it. The room was full of rose bushes of a rainbow of colors as well as enchanted trees, which easily towered over them all. A pixie immediately flew up to greet them, but Theodore knew there was another one hiding somewhere in the room. Well, all of them could sense the presence of the [Monsters] in the dungeon, but Theodore had actually met the painfully shy Lily.

"Greetings, I'm Cedar! Do you need help with..."

Cedar trailed off as he realized Theodore was with them. Recovering from his surprise, Cedar asked

"I wasn't expecting you here today, Theodore! Did you need to see Miss Violet today? She doesn't seem to be feeling too well since last night. I'm afraid she is, probably, still hiding away in the dungeon core room. I can help show you the way, if you need?"

Theodore smiled gratefully, but still replied

"That's awfully kind of you. However, it would likely be better for you to stay here with your wife. I'd hate it if you were to accidentally become separated if we get too distracted. I'll see about asking one of the others further in. Here, you can have this."

Theodore took a small dried fruit out of his pocket and handed it to the male pixie. It was small enough that Cedar didn't struggle too much with it and he happily took it home with him. Their group continued forward and Elder Kendric continued to observe Theodore carefully. The next challenge room didn't actually have any pixies in it. The flower hunt room used to have slimes, but Theodore didn't see any sign of them nor any replacements now. So, they continued to go through the rooms one after another until they arrived in the hopscotch challenge room where they met Jasmine and Daisy.

"Theodore!"

"We're so happy to see you!"

The two pixies cried out in joy. Theodore returned their enthusiastic greetings with one of his own.

"Yes, it's lovely to see you as well! I hear Violet has been in her room since last night. Has she been sleeping a lot this week?"

The two looked concerned, but neither seemed sure what was wrong. So, Theodore settled for asking them to lead the way through the dungeon. The new fae circles and mystery falls challenge rooms were new even to Theodore, so he wasn't familiar with Iris, Orchid, Aster, or Hawthorn. However, he was still friendly to them all, greeting them each in turn, but none of them quite seemed sure what was wrong with Violet. Hawthorn did have a theory, though.

"She came back from training last night quite upset. She mentioned before that a man comes to train her in swordsmanship each day. Then she comes up to have a tea party with us while she draws maps and plans what to build next in the dungeon. She always seems troubled, but last night she seemed more upset than usual.

Miss Violet certainly tried to hide it, but the child seems to forget that we have a connection to her. Maybe that would work with the adventurers, but we can tell when something is wrong. She made all of us homes and threw a more extravagant party than usual, but I think she was just trying to distract herself. She still seemed upset this morning when she went to work on things downstairs as well."

Theodore nodded in understanding. It would seem David had been causing trouble again. Oh well, that was what they were here for today anyway. After getting directions from Hawthorn, he said his goodbyes, promising to do his best to remember to return the others to their rooms when they left.