^^ 'Emperor' Arden Arcata ^^

— Arcata, Royal Castle, Grand Hall —

A seemingly endless pile of paperwork sat in front of the Royal Scribe, but this was no deterrent; this was a normal days work, managing a city that functioned as a kingdom. The scribe was experienced in this work, and had been doing this same job for the past thirty years, so to be honest, the amount of work had actually shrank to around half of what it was when she started, with the territories failing and being reclaimed by the wilderness or other countries, or simply proclaiming their independence.

A messenger burst through the doors today, though, which was highly irregular; the boy rushed to the Scribe's desk, evading the Guard's attempts at capturing him, and slammed a report down in front of the Scribe, ignoring the scattered documents and ruined filing system he'd caused. "A Dungeon Spawned in the Entertainment District and Killed Duchess Anitra the Storm!!!"

The guards stopped trying to seize him, shocked, and the Scribe snatched the report, reading it in a mere second due to her massive Int and Dex stats, then bolted out of her seat, dragging the messenger with her towards the room behind hers, the Grand Hall, where the Emperor and his advisers were currently discussing matters of National security. Or drinking, but who would know? Well, anyone who burst through the doors and physically threw a young messenger boy at the Marshal of the city's Military, that's who.

The marshal dropped his glass of expensive enchanted whiskey in favor of catching the boy, and the Emperor watched the boy fly in a slow, -to him at least,- arc through the air, before looking at the heaving Scribe with a raised eyebrow. "I'm sure there's a reason you're chucking around small boys?"

"Your daughter Anitra the Storm is dead, for one, and your youngest granddaughter is believed to be missing, but not dead. A Dungeon Spawned on top of her Tavern, and the Church of Stone and Ore has already dispatched a force to clear it entirely, at the order of their deity, and, so they say, Muradin themself."

The emperor frowned slowly, several different skills activating to calm his mind and help him think subjectively about the situation. Grief made very poor decisions, after all. "That is... concerning... a dungeon has never spawned inside of the city before, to my knowledge... why now? Anitra should have been capable of sensing such a thing and running away in time... unless something was inhibiting her? As for the Church of Stone and Ore, and their clearing of the dungeon... it doesn't make much sense for them to do such a thing altruistically, but they've been known in the past to do things simply for 'The Good of All', as vague as that is... and Anitra the Younger is missing, you say? We don't believe she was with her mother?"

"Not in the Tavern, no; she was believed to be in a room upstairs, sleeping at the time of the incident. Her whereabouts are currently-"

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—System Message—
Disciple of Muradin, Anitra the Younger, has Founded the First Human-Made Dungeon in the city of Arcata, the Fallen Mageocracy!!!
(((The Dungeon Merchant awaits their first customers...)))
—
Title Awarded: Dungeon Master
Effects: Dungeons you make are far more profitable, and contain a storefront for the Dungeon Merchant, an extra dimensional merchant who buys exclusively from the Disciples of Muradin, and sells their goods to anyone who is willing to brave your dungeon and pay their steep prices.
—
Dungeon Item Trade and Upgrade System unlocked: Items can be given to the Dimensional Merchant, alongside payment in the form of Mana Crystals, and an upgraded version will be received in return, empowered in ratio to the Mana Crystals given.
—
The Dungeon Merchant will now accept requests from non-disciples of Muradin to process all remaining Monster Corpses within the dungeon, post-clearing, for a Fee of 50% Mana Regeneration Rate for two days or a Tier Four Mana Crystal!!!
——————————————————————————

There was a great deal of slow blinking at this message, as everyone present processed the concept of a Human-Made, Human-Managed Dungeon. Then this 'Dungeon Merchant', another head-scratcher.

The Emperor cleared his throat, addressing his Master of Coin. "Will... a Dungeon Merchant... affect our Funds?"

"Not that I can parse... it seems to be specifically increasing the money that adventurers make, which benefits our taxes directly. Though, whether or not a Dungeon Merchant pays Taxes... remains to be seen. They seem to be directly subordinate to Muradin, and as such are not within our realm or right to Tax, but the adventurers can be, and already are. Also, considering they will be harvesting all of the creatures in the dungeon, the price of dungeon materials will likely lower significantly over the course of the coming months and years; this will make enchantments cheaper, which benefits our plans to equip the military with enchanted gear rather well. Secondarily: the message clearly states that dungeons made by Lady Arcata are 'far more profitable'; this can be interpreted many ways, but perhaps the most obvious is the Dungeon Rewards... another could be increasing the amount of Magic Crystals found within, or perhaps Loot Rooms... it can mean anything, really, but nothing negative. Lady Arcata has just managed to make herself a National Resource of unimaginable value."

The Emperor raised a bronze-gold eyebrow. "As Duchess-in-waiting and my granddaughter, she already was incalculably valuable, I would say... but now a portion of her value is, in fact, calculable... well, I cannot be seen to be desperate or crude, so we cannot simply go and scoop her up now; I've ignored her, as I have my other children and grandchildren, while they have their succession battles. I cannot now show favor where before was none, simply because of this."

The Marshall, one of the Emperor's children himself, shook his head. "Can't you? Can any of my siblings and nieces and nephews bring this much value to the Empire? Even the Tier Sixes like Anitra or myself? Military value, Mercantile value, System value, she is a gold mine of untold fathoms! If she's able to make more dungeons, right in the middle of an enemy city or camp? If she's able to transport materials for the nobility through the Dungeons? I'm not a Scribe or Bean-Counter, but even I know the importance of provisions to an Army on the March: someone, anyone, who can produce Rations on command, is completely irreplaceable. And if she can transport people through Dungeons? Troops?!?"

The Emperor nodded, raising a hand to stay the Marshall's enthusiasm. "Your point has been made, Eric, and I agree... perhaps there's a way, then, for me to show favor, but not seem reactive to this event... Anitra's Funeral will be held in seven days, as is tradition, so perhaps I can speak to her then? Offer her a position in the Royal Guild as a Merchant?"

The Master of Coin nodded solemnly. "Even my own position would be lacking, as the Marshall wisely stated; she herself is essentially a walking Diamond Geode. Still, it is better to keep her close and safe, so no one tries to crack her open."

"Then it is agreed by three of four that we wait, patiently, keeping an eye on her from a distance, and then invite her to the Royal Guild as a Merchant after the Funeral... how do you vote we should proceed, Grand Sage Hothien?"

"Hmm... I personally wish to speak with her about her knowledge of Dungeons, and her conversation with Muradin... after all, one does not simply Create a Dungeon without a teacher, and Anitra the Storm clearly stated the girl had no talent for magic, and was instead destined to be a Shield-Bearer or a Heavy Plate Tanker, due to her low mana, high athleticism, and her wide and sturdy physique. Now, she is making Dungeons, and is the Champion of Muradin?"

Eric the Marshall shrugged casually, uninterested as always in magic and politics; it was what made him a good general, but a terrible choice for an Emperor. "Perhaps because she's Anitra's daughter, and Anitra had just died? Anitra was the last Champion of Muradin, so maybe they just need a champion, even if it's an unimpressive one, and the Dungeon thing was revenge for the dungeon killing her mother?"

The Mage stroked his long white beard, nodding seriously. "That is entirely possible, actually... gods are known to make bargains with their champions, after all... Anitra asked to be able to control the skies, and was given the power of Storms... maybe Anitra the Younger wanted to destroy the Dungeon that killed her mother, but as a level one, that wasn't possible? That would also explain why the Church of Stone and Ore said that Muradin sent them to clear the Dungeon; Muradin and Stone Eye are famously allies, in all the legends about them."

"Good, so we have an explanation for her power? That does make this easier; inexplicable power always breeds fear and resentment, after all, even if it was just a Unique Skill she had, there would be jealous people looking to figure out how they could get it for themselves... but a Deity's Blessing is different. It's ineffable, and unquestionable... so, your vote, Grand Sage?"

The bearded Sage halted his muttering and beard-stroking, looking up at being addressed. "Hmm? Ah, yes, I agree with your plan, but I must insist that we be ready to intercept any unreasonable danger headed her way; I understand allowing your children their spats and battles of succession, but if the power to create Dungeons is a Deific Blessing, then it is imperative that she is kept alive and well! I say allow her to handle any Tier Two or below threat on her own, as a Tier One Mage is equal to any other Tier Two class except a Rogue, but any other threats should be intercepted and prevented before she is even aware of them!"

"Fair; I do this for all the other children who do not have a Tier Six protector like Anitra the Storm, so I will simply extend this protection to her as well. This could not be misconstrued as Favor, but rather Fairness. All agreed?" With a round of mods from the table, the Emperor glanced at the scribe, who was still standing where she had been since entering, now holding the Messenger in front of her with her hands over his ears. "See that it is done: increase the security and information gathering around the Duchess to Tier Three and above. Clear away threats above that level in her vicinity."

"About that, Your Majesty... another report has come? She's currently embattled by a Tier Five Rogue and his entire band in a tavern?"

The Grand Sage literally disappeared from the sight of everyone on the room except for the Emperor, -the only other Tier Seven Demigod in the room,- as he activated several dozen spells and skills simultaneously to fly out of the room at speeds unthinkable to mortal men. Only the slightly burnt floor and door gave evidence of his trail, but it was enough to make the Master of Coin, a Tier Six Non-Combat Class, faint, humorously enough.

"Well... I suppose with a Demigod going to assist her, she'll be alright. There goes the concept of seeming aloof, of course." The Marshall chuckled to himself.

"Mm. And subtlety, don't forget subtlety. Lost that as well." The Emperor agreed, sighing in a deeply aggrieved tone.

"Ah, yeah, he'll probably drop a meteor or something on their base, won't he?" The Marshall laughed boisterously, unconcerned for the fate of the thugs and thieves that were always so difficult to root out in the City. Their claws were in the city deep, and pulling them out was like trying to pull up mushrooms. You could pluck and pluck forever, but the mycelium beneath was untouched and unbothered by one less mushroom cap.

Another deep sigh ripped its way out of the Emperor. "I really hope not... it causes so much damage to the surroundings..."

— *Dungeon* District, Guild Hall, Anitra —

"Lady Anitra, fear not, I have come to deliver the King's Justice and release you from this Den of Iniquity!!!"

My heavy, annoyed sigh seemed to echo in the perfectly silent room, and the floating wizard slowly stopped glowing, and then floating, his feet tapping onto the stone floors as he examined the room closely; I could see his eyes tracking the blood stains on the floor, the scorch marks, the grease that was still splashed on the stone floors, my sigh and the petrified gazes of everyone else in the room, staring down at their tables in sheer terror, and finally the Dungeon Gate, wherein his attention was instantly caught like a cat with a laser pointer.

"Amazing! A White Gate!!! It's a bit smaller than the others, I think, but-"

"Exactly 1 Third smaller, in fact. And it's Platinum, not White, with Bronze trim. My design. You are also standing within my Guild Hall, stranger; it is not a Den of Iniquity, and I take great offense to my guild being referenced as such! Now, unless you'd like to leave, you will pay the Toll."

The old man smiled warmly at me, instantly taking a tone that set my teeth on edge: it reminded me of any and every old man who'd ever seen me act in my capacity as a business owner, treating me like a little girl playing at business in a man's world. "Oh? And what toll would that be, little Anitra?"

My icy stare seemed to warn the man from continuing to speak, and my response solidified his impression of me, I hope. "My name is Anitra the Dungeon Master, Champion of Muradin and Guildmaster of the Dungeon Merchant's Guild. You stand within my Guild Hall, and Demigod or no, you will pay the Toll as have all who have entered, or you will follow the way as those who have ignored me and entered my dungeon without my leave, or the thieves and thugs who entered my tavern looking for trouble; you will either be dead or subordinated before you leave here."

His snowy eyebrows raised at my claim, but the kindly look in his eyes did not leave. "I see... I apologize, Anitra, I did not mean to infantilize you. What Toll must I pay to enter?"

"One Gold Piece for first-time entry to those under the Fifth Tier; one Silver Piece for those under the Third. As you are a Demigod, I imagine, I'll say Ten Gold for Tier Seven, and Five Gold for Tier Six. And you have to fix my door you busted open like a Drama Queen."

He chuckled good-naturedly at the reminder of the door he'd scorched when he'd forced it open, but it was a simple wave of his hand that activated a complicated spell to repair and clean the interior and exterior of the building, leaving a small dust Devil that seemed to wander the room searching for any dirty dishes or spilled food like a magical Roomba. A second wave of his hand had ten golden coins flying out of his sleeves to form a tower in front of me on the bar, and he took a seat behind them while the room relaxed. "There; all fixed, and the Toll Payed, yes?"

"Yes, I suppose. Now, who are you and why are you here? You're too powerful for the Dungeon, it's only a Tier Two, so you must be here to see the Dungeon Merchant, huh? Our store is obviously brand new, but we have a few things, so you can take a look if you'd like. You are also welcome to the food and drink, as you have paid the Toll, but I imagine we don't have anything you'd like." The stack of coins disappeared into the Warehouse with a simple flicker of Magic, but again, I saw this person staring directly at the magic as if he could track its passage with his eyes alone. Once again I was struck with the feeling that I really needed to increase my Dexterity, eventually... all of my next Stat Points would go into Dexterity and Charisma, I decided, as those were currently my Dump Stats.

"Curious Spell... I've never seen it before. Why is that?"

"It's a Muradin-Faithful-Specific spell called Magical Warehouse, coupled with Magical Butcher and Magical Appraisal. They're new, gifted to all of Muradin's Clerics and available to their Faithful through the Dungeon Merchant, for a price. Several dozen other spells were added to the Lexicon as well, all available from the Dungeon Merchants, that do not require being a member of the Order of Mana to learn, though they're very expensive, from what I've seen. At least, to me, several Tier Three Cores is expensive, but I guess as you get into the Upper Tiers, that kind of money is a little easier to come by, eh?"

The old man chuckled softly, nodding at the exploratory statement. "Indeed, money is less and less of an obstacle as you reach higher and higher in the world of Magic... I'll go see this Dungeon Merchant, I think. They prefer Mana Crystals and magic cores to Coins, you say?"

"So I hear. Enjoy. The monsters inside are of no danger to you, so long as you don't let them touch you or charm you, so do as you please." I waved him away towards the Gate to the dungeon, where a party of adventurers was exiting just now, holding an Axe that looked suspiciously like it had been enchanted with 'Green Flame Blade'.

Spotting just what I had, the old man paused, then glanced at me. "The Dungeon Merchant... they can Enchant items instantly?"

I shrugged, smirking at his eagerness. "If you have the right materials, and the coin and cores to pay."

He instantly turned and marched towards the dungeon, ignoring the fresh party who was scrambling out of his way as he approached it; they'd been next on the docket, but now they had no choice but to get out of his way. The doors opened, revealing the respawned interior and allowing the next group in, and the old wizard floated once more, surging into the tunnel in a crackle of electricity and thunder, cracking every glass in the building.

"DAMMIT!!! YOU'RE PAYING FOR NEW GLASS YOU PONCEY FUCKING DRAMA QUEEN!!!" I shouted after him furiously, unsure if he'd heard me as the doors closed behind him.