Well, this is a problem.

Dungeon Interface:

-Type: Warrior Golem Assembly Unit

-Used For: Creation of Warrior Golems, Minion of Core Adam Ark.

-Notes: The Warrior Golem comes equipped with a sword and round shield.

-Resiliency: 25

-Movement Speed: 8

-Mana Capacity: 80

-Weapon: Basic Sword, Basic Round Shield

-Passive Effect: Taunt (Capable of creating a burst of mana that enrages opponents.)

-Construction Cost: 200 points of mana per 5 Units, (No Vault Connection Found. Please Supply The Materials To Be Used.)

-Repair Cost: 50 points of mana per Unit

Yep, that's a major problem. Not only are they expensive as hell, but I need to supply materials to make them! Does that mean my other spawners are connected to a Vault that isn't within my boundaries yet? Why isn't this spawner connected to the same one? Well, there's nothing I can do about it right now.

It'll probably become more clear as I grow and expand more. However, this does mean that I'm going to have to source those materials myself. I frown as I wonder how that would work. I try concentrating on what materials it needs, but it seems like anything will do. Well, anything that can be physically shaped. So, it seems like using wood, mud, rocks, and other things is fine. But it will hurt the quality of the final product compared to the metal used for my other golems.

I'm just glad that there are only a few limitations on what I can use for them. I can even use things like bones to strengthen them. Though, it seems like the amount of mana it needs will increase compared to the amount used for the metal versions. Hmm, I wonder what the reason for that is? Is it a quality, or perhaps a compatibility issue?

Perhaps all these spawners' designs rely on the metal used by my spiders and owls. That could be another possible reason for the increased mana cost. As if it's a conversion cost for using different materials. That means I'll probably have to start focusing on creating new designs that use readily accessible materials. I might be able to come up with some amazing ideas. I can't help but grin as I think about the possibilities. It's certainly an interesting idea to build golems out of living creatures. Well, for the most part.

There's no point in dwelling on this. It's not like I can figure everything out by myself. The best thing I can do right now is to take care of my dungeon and watch through my owls. I have no idea what I'll face, and it'll be better to be prepared for any situation than to regret being caught off-guard later. I sigh as I remember the pain of my previous growth.

I feel my owl flutter on my shoulder as I activate the link with all of my owls and join it on its perch. It feels so good to see all of this through all these viewpoints. My dungeon is amazing! I smile as I watch my spiders golems travel through my territory, opening new routes with their multitools. However, that feeling of happiness is dampened as I catch sight of Eraina's group moving through the outpost. It seems they are finally on the move.

Hmm? Something seems wrong. Rain starts to fall, and patters against the deep green leaves next to my owls as I watch Eraina vigorously shake her head at Grix. The large warbeast seems frustrated with her as he waves her off. I can't help but frown as I watch the guards kick out Eraina's group from the outpost while Grix remains behind. That's definitely strange. Why would they kick out their own as it's getting dark? Maybe I should make Eraina aware of my owls to see if she'll tell me what's going on. It'll also serve as a warning that I'm watching them, which will hopefully make them keep their promise not to reveal any details about me.

I send a mental command for one of my owls following the group to move ahead of them and scout the path they're taking. As it flies through the sky, the view shifts to show a rocky area quite a distance ahead of them. I notice the forest floor below starts to even out into a field. My eyes narrow as I see the field is being used to grow large amounts of wheat. Ah, I see. They must be heading to another village than the one I discovered. I relax my shoulders and watch as the owl continues its path.

The village is surrounded by a high stone wall, and the entire place seems to be constructed inside a rocky outcrop. The village is filled with low houses and stores built from wood. The roofs of most of the houses are made from straw, which makes me think it's probably a poor place. Ok, it's probably best to contact them once they're safe inside the village. I keep one eye on the outpost as I wait for Eraina's group to arrive at this quiet settlement. It's quite strange that I don't see anyone who lives here moving about the streets.

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However, when the group arrives, several guards in old armor full of dents come out of the nearest building. My owl lands on a nearby roof, going unnoticed due to them keeping their heads lowered from the rain.

"We'd like an audience with Sir Manford. There's something he should know."

My owl barely picks up that wisp of their conversation over the growing winds. Sir Manford? Probably a knight in service to the lord they mentioned. So he'll be the lowest level of nobility, but likely entrusted with the lord's operations in this area. It seems the group has been granted an audience with this Sir Manford, which means I should probably act now. I need to know what they say during that meeting, and this seems like their best chance to cause the most trouble for me.

As Eraina's group is being led through a series of twisting alleys inside the village, my owl swoops down and lands on Eraina's left shoulder. I feel her tense up as her footsteps halt right in a big puddle as her face turns to look at my owl. The others with her also freeze, unmistakably recognizing the style of my golems despite never seeing the owl before. Her breathing becomes heavy as my owl gives her a long, deep look. Clearly conveying my message of me watching them.

"Is something wrong?" The guard guiding them asks in a gruff tone as he turns around, noticing the lack of footsteps behind him. "Eh? What's that?"

My owl digs its talons into Eraina's shoulder as I spot the guard reaching for the sword at his hip. Luckily, Eraina gets the message.

"Ah, this is just a golem I own. It was out scouting and just returned."

"Oh?" The guard eyes my golem with some suspicion but takes his hand away from his blade. "Well, if that's all, let's keep moving then."

Nicely done, Eraina! I couldn't care less that she's still tense as hell as they enter a large building made of stone. This must be the knight's manor. There's a group of people standing by the entrance, and I can see a couple of children watching us from behind a door. I squint at the group that looks better off than the villagers I saw as I try to listen in to what they're saying, but it's no use. I can't hear what they're whispering about over the sound of the rain.

The manor isn't particularly impressive on the inside. There are no carpets or rugs covering the cold stone floors, and there's a distinct lack of decorations. I'd have thought a noble, no matter how far down, would display a number of things as a matter of prestige. Perhaps this lowly knight is really poor, with the only symbol of his authority being this manor.

"How was your trip, Eraina?" A gruff voice calls out as a man walks through a door at the back of the entrance hall.

My eyes narrow at the sight of him as my owl tilts its head. The man has a serious look on his face as he looks Eraina up and down with his bushy eyebrows. His clothing has definitely seen better days as it's got obvious signs of being patched up from being torn. To be honest, this man doesn't feel much like a noble at all.

I almost feel sorry for this knight. It must have taken a lot of courage for him to take on the position he has, to lead this poor village and work for the lord that must live a much more luxurious lifestyle without any of the hardship. A sense of irritation rises in me at the thought of him being put in such a position. Huh? Why am I getting annoyed at that? I don't even know this man.

"It was... eventful, Sir Manford, to say the least." Eraina manages a grim smile.

"Please, call me Paul. I've told you this plenty of times now." Sir Manford says with a chuckle as he runs a hand through his short grey hair peppered with the last remains of the black it once was.

Hmm? I'm sure I just caught him giving a sly glance at my owl, but that was probably my imagination.

"Please, come on through," Paul says as he walks through the door he came in from.

Eraina follows the man, her footsteps light, while the others look around the room with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. My owl sits on Eraina's shoulder as they pass by a few of Paul's people before entering a large dining room with a large table. It seems like it was carved out of the rock the town is built inside. Paul gestures for the group to take a seat at one end of the table, and he sits down across from Eraina.

"Now, what did you want to tell me about?" Paul asks, leaning forward and placing his hands on the table as he gazes at Eraina.

"We had an encounter in the ruins."

"I see," Paul says as his expression changes.

"The ruins are active. Golems killed Tharin, and the mercenaries that Grix brought to rescue us."

Paul lets out a sigh as he closes his eyes and sits back in his seat. It's silent for a minute before he speaks again. "What else?"

Eraina frowns as she starts telling him about the battles with my golems and everything that transpired with Grix, leaving my existence out of her story. However, Paul cuts her off as soon as she mentions the Tharin disappearing in a flash of light. I sigh when she mentions that part, I guess she can't really omit it since Grix saw it too.

"Do you know what was the cause of the orange light?" Paul asks as he studies Eraina's expression.

"No."

Eraina's reply is a bit quick for my liking. I wonder if she did that on purpose to tip him off?

Paul frowns at her. "If you know anything else about this, you should tell me. I need to know more."

"Sir Manford, I swear I do not know. There is no one else who does. You know how unpredictable these ruins can be, but I cannot tell you any more than that."

"You're hiding something," Paul says with narrowed eyes as he leans forward once more. "I can see it in your face. There's more, isn't there?"

"I..."

"Tell me what you're hiding, Eraina!" Paul roars as he slams his fists down on the table.

The room is silent for a minute as I take a few deep breaths to calm myself. Don't you dare break, Eraina!

"I'm sorry," she whispers as she looks away from Paul.

Paul groans as he removes an envelope from his pocket and slaps it down on the table.

"Well, I hope you don't expect me to let you go after whatever stunt you're pulling." Paul shakes his head. "Grix has been a loyal and trusted ally for decades. You've got a lot of nerve doing that to him, Eraina. A lot!"

My breath hitches as Eraina's expression changes to one of shock. Ugh, don't say it! Please! Just don't!