^^ Honey the Sweet, Archbishop of Purity ^^

— Arcata, Tower of Muradin, Library of Dreams —

In one corner of an endless library, three thousand young people were wandering, following a few dozen copies of one small woman in a blue robe; she explained the library, who had built it, how they had accessed it in their dreams, and who was paying the Mana Crystal Bills, namely Anitra the Dungeon Master and Muradin, Deity of Magic. "Now, your time here is not limited, you can stay as long as you like, but you must follow the rules of the library: you must not shout or fight, you must not damage the books, and you must not disturb anyone else who is studying; if you can follow those rules, the Library of Dreams is yours to use for Study! There are also study groups forming, and each one has a Mentor to assist in any questions you might have, those are usually formed in the library's 'Practical Magic Studies', which are the large areas every few levels with no books, only desks and a few Golems to try spells out on. Any questions?"

A few dozen children had questions, but thankfully there was enough of the Blue-Robed woman's simulacra to handle them all, repeating the questions and answers to the group if she felt that the question covered something she missed. That finished, she clapped her hands and released them into the stacks, each of them being teleported to the subject they wanted to study most. A good majority of them, however, ended up in the Magical section, and they were all given a book called 'Mana Sense and Mana Arrow, the Introductory Spells of Magic'. Of course, many of them could only read basic words, and most of them couldn't read at all, so they were given a Skillbook called 'Languages and Runes', a Scribe Skillbook, and they went through several months of learning inside the Divine Realm that hosted said material before returning and getting to work on their new reading material. Satisfied, the blue-robed woman nodded, moving to catch a student who had fallen off a step-stool and handing her the book she'd been reaching for before moving on to another little fiasco, all while grinning an honest and pure smile of adoration for the little ones.

—

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): How goes the teaching? Are the Simulacrum working properly? )))
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The blue-robed woman smiled at the sudden message, sitting in her office at the top of the library with dozens of black and purple screens spread themselves before her, each showing a different person's view, each one being a Simulacrum crafted through magic unknown to her. "It's wondrous!!! A little disorienting, at first, until you put them all into the Status Screens like this, but wondrous no less!!! I can teach thousands of children, all at once!!! It's like having Skill Book Avatars in the real world!!!"

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): That is the intention, yes; I'm happy it's working for you, Honey. Any children with Mage Talent yet? )))
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"A few promising ones... it's only been three days for this batch, but several of them have already gained the Mana Sense Skill, and one of them has the Mana Arrow and Fire Arrow Spells already learnt, though they only have enough mana for one at a time per hour or so. I've placed them under Luxos's Direct Tutelage until their niche is discovered and a more accurate teacher could be found."

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): Two Spells in Three Days? That's an unnatural brightness... good, I agree, Luxos will handle them well for now, but She is an All-Rounder, and not suited for a direct disciple... though, with this teaching style, that may not be necessary. Just make sure you keep an eye out for any more gifted ones, but don't separate them completely; keep them near each other, interacting, playing. I don't want to destroy their childhoods, after all. )))
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"Of course, I ensure they have ample time for play, distractions, and food on a strict schedule. This is still technically an Orphanage, after all, even if we're teaching them things all day... what did she call it? An Academy? Like the Royal Knight's College?"

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): Yes, but instead of Knights we're producing Mages, Clerics, and Magic Warriors. )))
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"Mm, and don't forget the Shadow Thieves; I've seen a few of them sneaking off into the stacks to hide from me and level their Stealth Skills... I don't know how I feel about that."

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): Thieves are a part of my world; they provide an immeasurably valuable socioeconomic service in the form of forced wealth redistribution. )))
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"So stealing is good for the economy?" The woman in blue frowned, confused by the concept.

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): Yes. Hoarding wealth in vaults and mansions deadens the economy and ruins lives; redistributing that wealth is best for everyone. After all, if they have enough to hoard it, they don't actually need it that badly. They'd be spending it, otherwise. )))
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"Hmph, like those Banking fellows? Never did like them, they're quite distasteful."

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): Exactly. They are parasites on the world I made, and knocking them down a peg is a legitimate and necessary event. Hence why I created the Rogue Class in the first place. )))
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The woman in blue smiled warmly. "Ah, I see; I understand. Thank you for enlightening this unworthy being, Knowledgable One. I shall endeavor to encourage their skills, whatever they may be, so they can better serve your purposes."

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): Always so devout... I suppose you're not called an Archbishop for nothing, despite me not having a full Church anymore... how many members of the Order of Mana remain? )))
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The woman's smile fell into a somber expression. "There's... only about fifty of us left. Or, them, I suppose, as I am a member of the Order of the Tower, now."

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): Soon you all will be. The Order of Mana is finished; I will have the Order of the Tower take its place, with the Order Buff of 50% XP Gain... hopefully that will help us regain our power to its old height. )))
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The woman nodded, her back straightening and her eyes narrowing at the screens in front of her; one of her Simulacrum was watching as a Rogue entered the Library, hidden from all except her eyes, and the Truesight Spell. "Rats... Excuse me, Knowledgable One, as I deal with this issue with all of my attention..."

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): That will not be necessary. I believe my Child has it handled. )))
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"Your... child?" She blinked slowly, confused, then flinched as a silver-armored individual seemed to step out of the air behind the Rogue, swinging a blue, glowing longsword in a sharp movement that took off both of the Rogue's legs in one savage strike. "Who is that, Knowledgable One?"

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): My Child, an Empyrean created by myself and Anitra the Dungeon Master. They are called Wayland. )))
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The silver being looked directly at the simulacrum, dragging the bleeding Rogue over to the blue-clothed mage and dropping them at her feet. "I have removed this threat; can you interrogate it? It does not respond to Telepathy."

The simulacrum nodded slowly, healing the stump legs of the Rogue first to halt the rapid exsanguination of her new prisoner, before pointing at the legs on the ground. "Bring me their legs, please?"

"Ah; I shouldn't have removed them, unnecessary mess... a stab in the spine would have effectively achieved the same effect, wouldn't it have?" The empyrean nodded seriously, retrieving the legs and handing them carelessly to the Cleric.

"Yes... it would have been. In the future, do your best not to damage or muck up the library, will you? A blunt weapon strike to the skull would have been even better." She shook her head and focused, reattaching the legs with magic before touching a small golden pendant to the person, sending them through a Portal. "Very useful Relic you've given us, Knowledgable One."

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): Thank Anitra, not me; she sacrificed her Champion's Gift to make it. )))
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The blue-robed woman paused, staring at the screen in shock. "She... did that?!? For us?!?"

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): Yes. And now she will not speak to me. I fear I have mishandled the situation... perhaps a woman would be better suited to calm her? )))
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"I shall do as you ask of course, Honored Muradin, but I wonder at your choice, has she not already met Luxos and worked with her?"

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): Yes... well, Luxos is also not talking to me, for the same reason. )))
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The woman smiled, shaking her head slowly. "Requiring a messenger to talk to both of your women companions for you, Hmm? What would Stone Eye say?"

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): Please don't tell him?!? )))
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"I would never betray your trust, Honored Muradin. I shall speak to her, and attempt to appease her anger, whatever it's source. As for that Rogue, what knowledge and purpose did they have, may I ask?"

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): Attempting to find Anitra's Weaknesses... following their Patron's Orders. Anitra was right, Rackhavic coming here was just a Herald that the USS was beginning to interfere more heavily here; my ability to control Dungeon Spawning in my world is likely worrisome and infuriating to them. )))
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"So that Rogue had a Pact with a Deity?"

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): A lesser one... the Elder Demigod of Silken Threads, a sometimes ally of Rackhavic's. )))
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"Seeking their newest Contractor? You mentioned her weaknesses, are they not Allies?"

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): Ha! These beings do not view killing each others' Champions and Contractors as anything but a game of Chess. Worthless, Faithless Beings that do not deserve the power they have. )))
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"Ah, right... well, that was well done, Wayland, just make sure to be careful in the future! Come see me if you wish to speak to someone, my door is always open!"

The silver humanoid tilted their head slowly. "That seems unsecured: you must close and lock your doors, to avoid these Rogues. Is this how they entered? Was the door left open?"

The blue-robed mage chuckled softly at his naiveté. "No, I meant-, well, yes, this is a Cathedral, there are no locks on the front doors, they're always open to all those who would like to seek out Muradin's Wisdom... but no, what I said was an Idiom, I meant that I am always happy to help you, if you need me for anything."

"Oh, I understand. Thank you. Are there any children with a talent for Paladin or Cleric Magic yet? I am to instruct them on how to mix Magic and Combat, once they are ready."

The blue robed mage nodded, leading him away and flicking a hand to cast a purification spell; the blood on the ground disappeared soon after, and the blood on Wayland and their sword as well. "Yes, there are a few of the older children who have a talent for physical combat and are showing the signs of gathering a Mana Core, so I'll lead you to them, okay?"

The real body of the Blue-Robed Mage stood up from her desk, dismissing the screens and letting Muradin handle watching them all, trusting that they would let her know if anything interesting happened. "Now, where would I find Lady Anitra?"

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): I... don't know? She's hidden herself from me with magic, but I would imagine her room? )))
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"Hidden? From you? With magic?" With her brain slowly short-circuiting, the blue-robed mage shook her head and just set off walking towards the Dungeon, which used to be the girl's Tower; she had to have kept a room for herself, after all, right?

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): Lady Anitra is... bright, when it comes to magic. Many of the spells she uses were not designed by me, but instead taught to me by her, and then only perfected by me. She is what many, including myself, would call a Genius. )))
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The blue-robed mage shook her head to clear it, gazing into empty air for a few minutes. "She... taught the Deity of Magic... new Magic?"

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): Indeed. Human knowledge has no bounds, so it is Humanities purview to craft new magics, not divinity. )))
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"I... I don't fully understand what you're saying, but I suppose that's as it should be... I will seek out your champions, Honored Muradin, and speak to them." The blue-robed mage wandered off listlessly, hopelessly confused for a few long minutes, until she found herself at the entrance to a golden door with a square diamond in its center, looking oddly like a Dungeon's Gate despite its coloration, decoration, and positioning, flat on the ground instead of standing up.

Originally a prison hidden beneath the Dark Market, the Golden Gate had been shifted to the Entrance of the Tower, situated directly beneath the Mythallar as a presentation; this Dungeon was now the main attraction of the city, as it was a Tier Seven Dungeon, unheard of in all the world, but even more interesting, was the fact that inside the Dungeon Arena, Death was a minor inconvenience, and anyone, of any Tier, could go inside and find trials and combat and XP Missions for their specific classes. With a 50% Mana/Spirit Regen debuff being the only downside to failure, the number of people entering and exiting the dungeon had reached heights untold... but the Creator, the Dungeon Master, was in hiding, unseen by the public after the state-led funeral for her mother, some two months before.

Stepping into the dungeon, the blue-robed mage found themselves inside a proper Guild Hall, with two stories total, surrounded by a crowd of people going in every which direction like a busy city center; to one direction went first-timers, to see the information kiosk of the Dungeon Merchant's Guild on the Top floor, which included a map of the small town and its various extensions. On the bottom floor, those who already knew where they were going exited the Hall to the Town around it, many with the intention of purchasing or selling things in the Bazaar that surrounded the Guild Hall, as the Market from the Tower of Muradin had been moved into this place during its reconstruction. Some others were traveling to the distant Arenas, wherein the Dungeon spawned monsters and challenges just like any other Dungeon, if only they weren't separated by enemy type and Tier, with new types being added every week or so. Each one also had a Gate, which one could use to travel around the continent, if one paid a significant fee of several Gold Coins.

Approaching the Information Kiosk, the blue-robed mage spoke to the merchant in front of her, a silver-masked being that showed no personal information at all. "Greetings; my Deity, Muradin, has sent me to inquire as to the status and location of their Champion, Lady Anitra the Dungeon Master."

An emotionless voice exited the silver mask, the hidden being speaking after a swift thought and referencing a booklet of prices. "The information you have requested will cost you... Two Hundred Platinum Coins."

"Two Hundred Platinum Coins?!? What is that pricing based upon?!? I am Honey the Sweet, Muradin's Archbishop of Purity!!!"

"If you were not, the price would be 1000 Platinum Coins. The Location and Status of our Guildmaster is deeply secretive and highly controlled information, not cheaply acquired. Your Guild Discount, due to your position as Muradin's Archbishop, is an 80% discount on all goods and information, once per day."

The Archbishop sighed slowly, nodding her head. "Alright, fine: what about her Health, not her status or location?"

"The information you have requested will cost you... Five Platinum Coins."

The woman's eyebrow twitched slowly, but she paid the money with gritted teeth. "Fine... and?"

"The information you have requested is: Lady Anitra the Dungeon Master's current Health Status is above 95%. She has no current serious debuffs."

"Sigh... I suppose that's... good to know. Can you at least tell me where her rooms are, here?"

"The information you have requested will cost you... One Hundred Platinum Coins."

The blue-robed mage sighed slowly, shaking her head and turning away, walking out of the tower and into the Bazaar spread around it; this place was the new Dungeon Market, and it was bustling, so much so that she had to exit swiftly to avoid being lost in the crowd, finding herself in front of the Tier One Slime Arena, the smallest and easiest Arena in the entire Dungeon, according to most who visited, as well as the newest, having appeared only yesterday.

A thought occurred to her, as she watched someone pay a silver-masked merchant a bag of coins and be allowed entry into a golden door. 'Wouldn't these dungeons be the ones that Anitra is making? Meaning... she's not in Arcata?!?' The Archbishop rushed for the door, standing in line impatiently until she finally reached the door, some five minutes later.

"Three Gold for Passage... with your Guild Discount, that comes out to 600 Silver." When the Gold Coins were tossed into their sack impatiently, the being simply nodded and opened the door. "Enjoy your Trip; remember the Dungeon Merchant's Guild for your Traveling Needs..."

The woman was already rocketing through in a way only a Demigod could; flying up into the air after she'd exited the small building on the other side, she examined the surroundings with a critical eye. "Hmm... Southern Wastes, perhaps the Coast? A six-day ride from Arcata... there's a small town down there, they'll have information about her passage, I think..."

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): You believe she is traveling around the Continent? I was under the impression that she was just connecting the Dungeons to the Tower through Magic... but I suppose it would be easier if she were just entering the Dungeons herself and conquering them. The fact that her health is not in danger is good, though. )))
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"Mm... yes, I shall go down and ask them if they have seen her."

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((( Divine Message (Muradin): I watch, as always, and give you my blessings. Please be careful, the Thieves' Guild is still Hunting the Order of Mana in most of the World. )))
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"I will abide your commands, Honored Muradin." The Archbishop landed in the center of the town casually, walking towards the Town's Temple, this one dedicated to Stone Eye.

—

Some hundred kilometers north, a small caravan was moving forward towards the next Dungeon, visibly surrounded by at least four Paladins and four Knights on armored warhorses, with four white-robed people sitting unseen inside a large caravan-vardo alongside six other people; seated at a desk at the back of the Vardo was one younger woman with blonde hair who was currently reading a map and drawing out her path forward; a moment later, a gently glowing magic crystal hanging from her ear pulsed once, informing her that she had received yet another Divine Message from the Deity she'd put on Mute two months prior, or maybe the Elder Demigod of Shadows she'd trapped in an Inescapable Prison to siphon powers from. "Ferkacte fucking deity doesn't know when to shut up and let a woman stew on her own..." she grumbled in response to one of the rogue's questioning glance, and the female rogue nodded understandingly.