Yeah, this is just as hard as I thought it would be. I've had to use up almost all of my recovered mana to get even this far! The process has been a bit like trying to light a piece of paper on fire using just a finger. Well, it was actually more like trying to force a tiny square thing into a tiny circular crevice using a cotton bud. Definitely not the easiest of things. Hell, sometimes I feel like I'm about to remember something important, but then it slips away. I've no idea what I'm doing wrong.

It's weird. I keep getting the feeling Arachea is paying attention to me. For some reason, it doesn't appear too thrilled about being too far away. Honestly, I haven't got the foggiest idea how it keeps making short connections with me when it should be impossible for any of the spiders when outside of my domain. Well, whatever, it's not a bad thing. It's just something else to think about when I have time.

Hmm? Whoa! Stop right there!

Athena is urgently trying to get my attention so I open the link. Of course, what do I see? Some important-looking guy, a kid, a woman in robes, and some guards that look like some serious money has been invested in their equipment. It takes me a moment to realize Athena is leading a small group of owls over the manor where Eraina's group is. There's no sign of, what was his name? Paul?

But this guy looks far more important. I don't want to assume anything. He could be a visiting neighbor of the peerage or a traveling wealthy merchant. So it's best not to get worked up about his presence. After all, if he were the lord that everyone's been worrying about he would have a lot more guards or troops with him. It must be quite dangerous to travel long distances with all the monsters and wildlife out there.

The more I see of him, the more I don't like him. This man gives off the bearing of someone used to having a lot of hidden power at his fingertips. That woman seems like she's a mage, which probably means she has access to a lot of rare items and magical knowledge. But I'm guessing they're not friends. Probably an employee and the employer, judging by their body language.

I see the child's head turn in my direction. Ah, he's just made eye contact with Athena. It's probably not a problem though. I doubt his eyes can make out any details at that distance even if he's spotted my owls watching them enter the manor. Still, that kid either has some sharp senses, or incredible luck, to happen to look up and spot my golems exactly when they were watching him.

Well, there's no way I can get inside to gather more information after what happened before. Athena, fly closer to the manor and see if you can find out what happened to Eraina's group through the windows. I'm willing to bet they're still alive, but how they're being treated will give me a better idea of how things played out after my owl was destroyed.

I cancel our link and leave Athena to do her thing. Hmm, since I'm not making much, more like any, progress in the workshop, I should make some more adjustments to the ruin's defenses now that more of my mana has recovered. Let's see. What else can I add to my territory? Well, I need to complete the maze layout first, but after that.

I'll think about it while I work. I broaden my senses to encompass my territory and start to manipulate the terrain. Adding a wall between buildings, some bridges between rooftops, a ramp here, staircase there. Yep, this is looking pretty good. It's still a long way from perfect, but it's nice to see progress. Though, it looks a bit bland. Just dirt, stone, and metal. Shouldn't I be trying to leave a deeper impression on anyone who tries to invade me?

I guess some decorations wouldn't go amiss. Isn't that why nobles and royals display their wealth? As a form of intimidation and status? I should take a leaf out of their books. My attention turns to the gate I made in the outer wall. Ok, let's try this. The wall ripples on either side of the gate as it turns into two large statues of Athena, watching for anyone approaching me. I think that's quite appropriate. My owls are my silent watchers after all.

Ok, next. Let's make the wall itself look like it has spiders covering it. It's completely impractical, but it should serve to unnerve some folks. Hmm, how about some stone columns to support those bridges I made? Let's go with that. It doesn't take long to fill in those details, and I have to admit my dungeon body has a bit more of an atmosphere to it now.

Yeah, I can tell people are going to be quite spooked by it. I grin, which is more of an instinctive reaction to me than a real feeling. Yep, I'm definitely going to have to add some more detail to this place. Like a bridge that connects those two buildings. Hmm, but how will I do that? It seems a bit too late to be adding that kind of detail now. I guess I should just put my focus on other things, and think of how to improve it more once I have a better grasp of things.

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Suddenly, Athena is desperate for my attention again. As I reconnect with her, Athena quickly shifts through its memories for me. It's only been a short time, but the situation has changed quickly. That rich-looking guy and his group have already mounted horses and seem to be making their way in my direction. I don't know what to think about that. It seems like a stupid decision to me. Especially, when they're dragging a kid along with them. Something doesn't sit right with me about that.

But, there's a more pressing issue. It shouldn't take them too long to get here if they push on and don't stop. However, I feel far from ready. I guess the silver lining is in how few there are in the group. They either feel extremely confident, or they're heading in this direction for another matter.

Athena leads her owls in trailing them, and I use our connection to monitor the situation. I'll need to make the most of the time I have until they arrive. My spiders are starting to pile up felled, and cut trees within the ruins along with stone cut out of the cavern's walls. Meanwhile, I continue to make pitfalls around blind corners, and make stone spikes stick out of walls and the ground around the maze.

It's mentally exhausting and I have to take breaks to recover my mana, but I think it's worth it to be a little more prepared. If I was smart, I'd be making a ton of dead ends. Just walls upon walls that they would have to break through. But, that would mean I'm only thinking about defense, which isn't necessarily the best tactic to use when fighting an enemy. With this setup, it's more like guerilla warfare. That means I should be ready to take the offensive against my enemies if I need to.

It's a good thing I've been thinking this over since before. I can't just ignore what's happening outside of me. Decisions made by others could make my life difficult. In the future, I'll need to be able to strike first, but when that time comes, I don't want to have any issues with my defenses in case of a sneak attack if my main forces of golems are away. I'm still feeling a bit cautious when it comes to going out to fight myself. That whole thing with Tharin was my first and only experience.

I sigh as I look over the dungeon. Well, I don't there's much more I can do. The group Athena's been following has been making fast progress, they passed the outpost some time ago. This means it won't be long til they enter the caverns. I should conserve my mana in case I have to make a rush order of warrior golems from the materials Arachea's lot has collected. Though, I'm quite confident my owls and spiders should be enough to handle this small group.

Hmm, I didn't think about that before. What if this group just wants to talk? After all, their numbers are too small for a serious invasion. I use my mana sense to create stone furniture in a room not far from the altar. Some chairs and a table should be enough in case a friendly conversation happens to be on the cards. It's not hard since the stone is already here, and a quick look at my mana levels shows it's just enough. As they take form, Athena warns me they've entered the caverns, so I recall her group so she's by my side for whatever comes.

I spend a few minutes walking around my domain, making sure there are no more last-minute additions I need to add. It's better to do this than to realize after they arrive that something's missing. Ok, I think I'm good. Time to get ready for some visitors! I leave the room, heading for the door to the altar room at the center of my territory. My body begins to tremble slightly. I can't help it. I've no idea what I'm going to say or do if this guy tries to threaten me. One thing is for sure, I won't be anyone's slave. No matter how nice they try to make it sound.

I sense Athena entering my boundaries, which means my visitors shouldn't be too far behind. Ok, Arachea, take the spiders up to the outer walls and hide behind the palisades. If they try to break in, well, you know what to do. I'll stay here in the center of my territory until I see what their intentions are.

A figure appears in my mind as I concentrate on the edges of my territory, which is just a little beyond my gate and wall. I frown as I spot the figure of a woman in brown robes walking toward my gate with a guarded expression, followed by the guy, then the child, and the armed guards. They all seem confused as they stare at my wall.

"Well, this is certainly impressive, I must admit. But, it wasn't in the report. Which means it's new. Grix wasn't wrong, it is indeed a dungeon connected to ancient ruins, and it looks like it's been preparing for war. These details are really something. What's Eraina been telling you for you to have this kind of reaction to the outside world, I wonder?" the woman says with a slight sneer on her face.

So, this is a mage, and she's not happy to see me. The man is wearing a stern, unreadable expression as he studies my gate. But the kid seems terrified. I see him shiver as he studies my owl statues and the lifelike stone spiders coating the exterior of my wall. Poor kid looks like he's about to wet himself.

The guards don't look too thrilled either. But I guess that's to be expected. They probably thought this would be an easy mission. Hmm, what should I do now? Wait and see how they react. Or should I use this opportunity to have my golems attack them from the safety of the wall?

Suddenly, the guy clears his throat. "Dungeon! I am Viscount Stillwater! You currently reside within my territory, which means your fate rests with my decision. However, I have an offer for you that I doubt you will refuse. How about it? Do you think we could talk like civilized people?"