My platoon of hobgoblins dragged bags and bags of assorted weapons and armor, taking the time to strip every little piece or part they could find. Included among them were the bodies of the men Edward killed and the unconscious cleric who killed the one I saw before. The corpses I absorbed, gained a new monster called the [Death Flower Growth] a weak but tricky plant. But more than that I gained a prisoner in the form of the cleric dude my hobs captured. So far, he was unconscious from the hobgoblins choking him a bit too much on the way but otherwise fine, but what I would do with him was still up in the air. My first thought was to pick his brain about the world and whatever tidbits I could get from him, maybe promise his freedom somewhere in there, and eventually figure out how he heard me.

Cough, cough "The real question isn't how I can hear you, but for how long, good dungeon."

Oh shit, you're awake, Glub kick him to see if I'm imagining things.

"Ng, I'm not sure that's how that works, but for an entertaining fight I will answer your one question, I am Harklan, the junior- sorry, Head Cleric of Kruul, of this region."

Nice to meet you then Harkland, now answer the question.

"Two warriors meeting in battle can always understand one another, if not through words, then actions, but as a follower of my lord Kruul, I can ignore such frivolous things such as language."

I'm not speaking though.

"It matters little."

Sigh, fine, what did you mean by how long we can talk?

"...? Oh you said something, seems it's already happening. Only through combat can I speak with you, and seeing as you have caught me, I shall soon no longer be able to speak with you."

Wait that doesn't make any sense still, but never mind that, I have a million questions, and can't I have Gloob here kick you around some?

It took him a few minutes before perking up, only just hearing my words.

"I'm afraid that's not how it works, and as much as I would enjoy experiencing your wonderful dungeon, I have a house to put in order. So, I would ask that you release me so I may travel home."

Hmmm, I'm not unwilling, but I'm not entirely sure I want to. I have little use for a hostage and even if I demanded all the exotic metals and jewels, I could handle I doubt the heat from it would help me in any case.

What can you give me that might convince me to release you?

"...."

Hey, it's rude to ignore someone when they're talking.

...

.....

"By your silence, I guess our time is up then, it was an interesting, talk."

Dang it

Sigh

At least I got something of an answer despite its strangeness. Still, there was more than one way to talk to him, and I have plenty of questions and perhaps even offers. After a quick minute, my speaker arrived, proudly wearing an employee of the month sticker in a breast pocket.

"And you are...?"

"I am the great shopkeeper"

He gave an elegant bow, or at least the attempt at one.

"Uh huh, Cammy would love you."

"What was that?"

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Nothing, nothing, just thinking of old friends, now what does the dungeon wish to speak of?"

"The master wishes to know what might be given for your release."

"A ransom is it, well, you're out of luck as far as that is concerned. My people have little use for large amounts of gold and silver."

"The master is skeptical; the items you brought were of high quality."

And they were, nothing magical sadly, but according to my inspection, the armor and weapon were made of high-grade steel and leather.

"Is it so unusual for a warrior to carry the tools and garments of their trade? Besides, my people's wealth isn't in gold and jewels."

Not an unreasonable point, he was a clergyman for a warrior god, and if he is telling the truth then it was likely a point of their belief that made them not seek riches, that or they spend most of it on something or other once they got it. But that didn't mean they couldn't possibly have something I'd want, special material items, knowledge, and worst-case I could ask for people to regularly go into the dungeon, but for battle nuts that's probably more of a gift than a punishment. All that being said, I did have the option to just, let him go. If he was a follower of that hotdog water of a god Kannor then mercy was out of the question, but Kruul I've never had any real interaction. Arguably we should be buddies at this point but that alone wasn't enough to ease things.

Entity [Kruul] wishes for their servant to be returned, however, as the dungeon is the highest authority of the winning side that defeated the servant in question, it is up to them to decide their fate.

Entity [Kruul] will respect honorable decisions.

Well, what a swell guy, I think, not sure if letting your guy's fate be determined by something that gets better the more I kill, but if he's cool with it then cool. What exactly would I get from the guy anyway, he's apparently on the higher end of his group so he's gotta be powerful, right?

Indeed, the death of the captured individual would grant [Ashes of the Faithful].

This may be redeemed for 100 DP or a level 1 perk.

Hmm, not much if I'm honest, a paladin would have given much more than this, if the jerk hadn't stolen it from me. But I guess I shouldn't toss it out, it was still a benefit to me, regardless of its level.

"The master wishes to know what else you can offer, perhaps weapons or armor?"

He looked down for a moment, his face moving in different directions as if organizing a thought, but he looked back up with a smile.

"Perhaps, but you would need to kill their owners first, an opportunity they would thank you for, of course, if that is what you desire, I could easily send a group of my brothers and sisters."

"The master declines the offer."

"Your loss."

"Is there truly nothing your people could offer, not only would it secure your own release, but also put you in good favor with our master if the tribute is found sufficient."

Close enough, if promising a bit more than I actually meant.

"Hmmm, I'm certain the now former head cleric had one thing or another stashed away, but only the head cleric could access it, which I am now."

Which also meant letting him go, bringing me back to what I have to consider. The dungeon could always use more defenses and upgrades, and growth was always a good thing, but letting him go would begin, (tentatively) good relations with a sect as well as any goodies they could send my way for their lost leader. This would be on top of Kunntor's reparations as well as the goods and payment from Ed and Arthur, wherever that guy went.

Hmm, it might be a bit strange, but I do have a somewhat interesting idea floating around. Any goods they gave me would be good and all but perhaps I could collect on something else they had in abundance, experience.

"The maker wishes to send a sortie of comrades to temporarily join your people to, learn, your ways."

Surprise colored his face.

"I-Wha, I mean, it is unheard of, a monster learning such warfare hasn't been heard of, there is no precedent!"

"What is the battlefield but a place of the unexpected?"

"I-"

He sighed and sat down.

"Regardless of whether it could happen, such a thing would need to be put to a vote. Most if not all of our number would need to agree to it to prevent issues."

"If you are the leader why not just order it then?"

"Ignoring that they likely don't even know I'm their head cleric now. Many come to our doorstep to learn how to kill monsters or those who would act like monsters. For us to accept a monster into our ranks could splinter the temple!"

"Then would it not be best to hide that fact, perhaps reveal it to your people once they have been accepted as one of your, brothers?"

"That's a horrible idea for several reasons... but not impossible, yes, it could work if we- I convince the others that he's some manner of gnome or halfling, but he would need to be covered in armor head to toe constantly, and knowing monsters, also likely their posture and stench."

Rude but fair, I doubt ratkin and hobgobs smelled all that great.

"The master accepts that plan, if he decides to release you that is."

"If he decides indeed."

Free him and get some stuff as well as a small group of monsters to train sent with him or kill him and get a small improvement to the dungeon, and if nothing else I could hold onto him, maybe put him in the fort's dungeon, Ed's fort that is.