My Dungeon was resetting now that it was empty of visitors. After the last group got mauled, I wasn't sure I would get any more today. It was going to take a few minutes to be fully restored. I made sure the (former?) slave was removed by Larry chasing her out.

I was returning my attention to the bodies left behind.

"Looting time!"

I loved this part of being a Dungeon. I was hardly using anything I had acquired right now, but I was a hoarder by nature—four bodies, plenty of gear and what appears to be a dimensional storage bag. I will start with the one who did …….

"Bhaldor, I have a request and a question."

Queen's voice threw off my train of thought.

"Er…. Sure, what are they?"

"My request is to allow me to keep the bodies. The question, why did you leave the last prey to live and escape?"

"If you want the bodies, keep them. Does that include the one killed before they reached you?"

"Alas, I cannot get to that one."

"Ok. I will deal with that one. As to your question, that is a bit complicated."

I sensed she wanted me to explain, so I tried.

"The one you called the last "prey" was not a willing Adventurer. Those who come and try their luck against my Dungeon do so with the power of their own agency. She was brought here against her will, so I chose to let her go."

"You grow stronger with every death. Would another even as weak as it be a benefit?"

"No. She was just too weak to interest me."

I felt the giant intelligent spider did not grasp the morality of my decision; she was a predator, after all.

"I respect and obey your right to kill or not in this case."

"Let me strip these bodies and then you can do what you will with them."

I changed the subject to avoid a more extended conversation. I did not want another team showing up and stopping me from claiming the gear of the dead. I absorbed everything but the bodies. Alerts piled up in the corner of my vision, adding to the ones already there. I held off opening them, shifting my focus to the entry room. Larry was in his usual spot and the doors were closed but not locked.

"Here we go. Open Alerts."

Alert!

A level 14 Human (Lifeguard) has died in your Dungeon.

A level 18 Human (Slave Lord) has died in your Dungeon.

A level 16 Human (Lifeguard) has died in your Dungeon.

A level 14 Human (Lifeguard) has died in your Dungeon.

Essence gained!

"Well, one of those I am not unhappy about killing in the slightest."

There were still more, so I moved on to the big one.

Alert!

Enchanted Scale mail coats (Quality - Good + 3 DAM resistance) x3 gained.

Large oval shields (Quality - Good) x3 gained.

Longswords (Quality - Good) x3 gained.

Bronze helmets (Quality - Good) x3 gained.

Enchanted scale mail coat (Quality - Good +5 DAM resistance) gained.

Enchanted longsword (Quality - Excellent +5 DAM) gained.

Enchanted bronze helmet (Quality - Excellent + 3 DAM resistance +3 Mental Attack resistance) gained.

Dimensional storage pack (Quality – Rare – 50 slots) gained.

I noticed the alerts changing as they seemed to adapt to my preferences with information and how I liked to consume it.

"That is a lot to get into, but there is more!"

Alert!

Dimensional storage pack contents.

Food (Quality - Excellent)

Wine (white) bottle x3 (Quality - Excellent)

Wine (red) bottle x3 (Quality - Excellent)

Wine (purple) x1 (Quality - Rare)

Clothing x4 (Quality - Excellent)

Ostrul Silver coins x150

Ostrul Gold coins x 50

Ostrul Platinum coin x1

Healing tonics x25 (Quality - Excellent)

Healing potion x1 (Quality - Rare)

"Jackpot, baby!"

I should have known better to celebrate because of the following alert.

Alert!

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

The Dungeon Core lacks the skills and knowledge to recreate the enchantments or the alchemist potions acquired.

…………

"Motherfuck……"

I ranted for a time.

## ## ## ## ##

Ranus Goldwind, Lord of the Dungeon town of Shadow Vale, questioned his choices over the last year as a headache was brewing.

Halor had been protesting for the last few minutes for the return of the Adventurer Myma and the slave girl. Myma had appeared first with not one member of the group she entered with at first following. Many speculated about a group death and she painted that story at first, but then the girl emerged. Myma was taken to the Adventure's Guild by Woodland for further explanation and Ranus dealt with the slave.

The envoy had made his presence known while she was wrapped in winter clothing and warmed next to a fire, telling her story. He had commanded her to return to the ship; she had started to obey but then said no. That shocked him at first and caused Ranus a terrible concern. He had tried to have two guards escorting him move her, but Ranus had blocked them, and they retired to this room, where the envoy did not threaten but made his wishes clear.

Ranus had sent for the Arbiter of the Church of Lawdrun God of Laws, Contracts and Courts while manoeuvring him into the room.

"Please, Envoy Halor, your requests will be ruled upon as soon as the Arbiter has arrived." Ranus wanted to tell the man to shut up and wait but could not.

"Lord Goldwing, Ostrul will not look kindly on this situation. The loss of one of its sons will need answers to be supplied. The situation is clear as to the legal standing. Adventurer Myma and the slave are under contract with Ostrul and will be taken back to answer for what has happened here if required."

"That may not be what is before us anymore." Ranus answered softly.

"How so, Lord Goldwind?" Halor asked sceptically.

Before Ranus could answer, there was a knock at the door and the Arbiter entered. Nextom was of average height and build with a head and beard of dark grey. Dressed in a light grey robe with a chain with the symbol of his god hanging from it, he was easy to miss until he spoke, then you paid attention. He stood before Ranus and bowed slightly.

"You seek legal knowledge, Lord Goldwind?" His voice was deep and carried. When raised truly, its power was something to fear.

"Yes, Arbiter Nextom. Thank you for coming on such short notice." The priest bowed slightly again to him. "Have you heard what has happened at the Dungeon?"

"Indeed, the town is rife with rumour and speculation."

"I expected no less. Envoy Halor has asked for an adventurer named Myma and a slave girl named Trixis to be handed over to him. He has cited they are bound by contract to Ostrul." Nextom had closed his eyes and was nodding now and again as Ranus laid out the situation. "Guild Leader Woodland is speaking to Myma right now and will release her when finished as her contract demands."

Halor was nodding happily to this as Ranus continued.

"My legal issue is with the former slave Trixis. That is why I have called upon you, Arbiter Nextom."

"What is your concern, Lord Goldwind? I noted your use of "former slave". You cannot release her from a slave contract, and if Ostrul has not, then she is to be returned to their representative." He was frowning slightly, clearly wondering why he had been summoned.

"My concern and question are twofold. First is her present standing. I ask this as she refused a command from the envoy. Upon investigation, it was discovered that her collar had been removed. When asked, she spoke of a Dungeon monster removing it and sparing her life. My second is, does this count as an act that falls within the Dungeon right of domain?"

This stopped the Arbiter mid-nod.

"What do you mean the Dungeon right of domain?" Halor asked, confused.

"What Lord Goldwind is asking about is an ancient law that applies to what area is claimed by a Dungeon." The Arbiter spoke, but his eyes were distant, and his eyes were flashing. Some form of skill, Ranus thought, allowed him to look through legal documentation rapidly. "Lord Goldwind, your question is a valid one. I….. That would mean….. Could it be….. I must seek further advice on this. Please excuse me."

Suddenly, he turned and left the room, leaving both men speechless. He had never heard of an Arbiter not being able to make a ruling almost immediately. Ranus felt his headache getting worse.

## ## ## ## ##

"Dungeons do not have the right or ability to break magical contracts!"

Oda was not having a good day and was developing the equivalent of a divine headache. Nictor, Xandus and Astraus were in his domain but were joined by Lawdrun. Lawdrun was legendary for his composure, so the sight of him frantically walking around the room and yelling was quite disconcerting to them all.

"This is incredibly dangerous! We may have to cull this Dungeon! Astraus, how could your fairy allow this!"

She never answered, but all three looked at him. Oda sighed and spoke.

"Lawdrun! Stop pacing and listen. I have a few things to explain, starting with…"

Oda walked him through what was happening to the world and why this Dungeon existed. Lawdrun went through confusion, concern and fear, but the fear was for something different from what they had thought.

"The Soul Contract with the Dungeon! I need to see it!" Lawdrun was getting frantic again. Oda made it appear and handed it to him. He opened the tube, pulled out the contract and read through it. The other gods waited for him to speak. They all noted the look of growing concern.

"Oda…..What have you done?" That was not the question he expected.

"I have created a means to help restore balance to the world. What have I done? Speak Lawdrun"

"Yes, the plan to get rid of this corrupted essence is legally sound it…its…..its what you have left out that is the problem!" He started calm but by the end was shouting again, waving the contract around.

"Calm down and explain, Lawdrun!" Oda was getting annoyed now. Lawdrun was almost frantic again.

"ODA! There are no safeguards in this contract!" The god of laws was yelling again.

"Of course there is. They are all clearly listed."

"Oda! You have created a Dungeon that has no oversight or restrictions of what it can do in its own domain!" He slammed the document onto the table.

"What!" Astraus was on her feet, the first to understand what Lawdrun was saying. "That is madness."

The other three were not seeing what he was trying to say. Lawdrun focused and calmed himself.

"When a Dungeon is created, a series of limitations and restrictions are written into its soul contract along with the fairy to advise it. These are put in place to prevent things like this happening. Things like respecting divine laws and magical contracts and not taking Mantals!"

That final thing caught everyone else's attention.

"You have created a Dungeon with a few safeguards but none of the most important ones. Dungeons are effective demi-gods in their domains and we have no control over this one."

Oda suddenly understood the scale of his error. Mortals had more power over the divine than they realised and mortals created each Mantel they had. It was their prayers that fuelled most of the god's power. He and a few others were exempt, but what Lawdrun was saying was he had, in essence, created a minor deity that was outside of the usual restrictions. How far could a demi-god like that go?

## ## ## ## ##

The entire town council was present, with every other person of note crammed into the Shadows Rest's common room. Halor was here too, all awaiting Arbiter Nextom's verdict on the status of the girl Trixis. It had only been a day, but the whole community was interested in what was happening. Nextom had taken the floor to speak, but the room was silent, awaiting his words.

"The last day passed, Lord Goldwind brought a legal point to me for clarification. He requested that the status of a slave named Trixis be confirmed, believing her releasing was within the Dungeons right of domain."

Most in the room looked at each other, confused, not knowing what he was speaking about. He was going to have to explain.

"Ages ago. In the Starlight Lands, there was an elven princess who had fallen in love with a commoner. Her father had forbade her from seeing him, but they had snuck into a Dungeon to find something valuable enough to get him to change his mind or die together. While travelling through it, they professed their love and desire to be wed. The Dungeon was moved by this, creating two rings for them. They spoke their vows to each other, calling on the Gods and Dungeon to witness their bond. Upon leaving the Dungeon, the commoner was arrested, but the Gods intervened as the Dungeon they told the king had the right to allow the marriage in the domain it controlled. Thus, it became known as the Dungeon's right of domain. It allows a Dungeon to do what it desires as long as it is within the rules laid down by the Gods and its decisions are to be respected."

Muttering had been building slowly during his tale died down.

"Taking this into account. The Dungeon here has made its will known by freeing the woman named Trixis from her slave contract to Ostrul. Lawdrun has confirmed the breaking of the contract and she is a free woman."

The room exploded into noise. Arguments and demands for more information were being hurled across the room. Ranus sat in a chair, ignoring everything, looking at Nextom, who, in turn, was looking at him.

Ranus had not expected the Arbiter to back his interpretation of that ancient law. In truth, he had only vaguely read about it when he was researching Dungeons in his teens. He had invoked it to buy time to see if he could secure a way to have Ostrul give up its claim to her. He was never expecting this.

What did this bode for the future?

He had no idea. Ostrul would not be happy with this or the death of the noble scion, but he at least knew the town was safe from reprisal. Yet he could not get rid of the feeling that there was a lot left unsaid by the Arbiter. A magical contract had been broken and during his research, he had never heard of that happening.

He had been getting more reports from the south at the numbers awaiting the winter's end to travel to the town. Adding this now to his ever-growing list of concerns was unwelcome, to say the least.