Charles Blueflame, High Paladin of Order of Fates Untold

Badlands, near the newly uncovered dungeon complex

“How are our casualties?” I asked my butler while looking at the strange metallic jungle that sprouted from the magical explosion. It was normal for the dungeon influence to extend far during its birth. What wasn’t normal was the actual radius - two kilometers in diameter (and growing). It was one of the largest sizes recorded in Yana history. Ah, but then again our knowledge was far from complete… the cataclysmic events like wars and magical experiments did their number on the Royal Archives. Not to mention that over half of the seeded dungeons were already lost to corruption or simply destroyed.

“About thirty percent of the common soldiers were either devoured by the magical phenomenon or killed by the undead. Another twenty percent are probably trapped down in the dungeon with remaining Luna Kingdom forces. Around ten percent are still unaccounted for.” Adam answered quickly, not even once peeking into his notepad. I waved him off.

“Deaths of these peasants are irrelevant. There are always more of them just waiting for conscription to happen. How are my mounted knights and mages? You know, the people that were actually trained? They’re much more important.” I asked while squinting hard at the setting sun - it was lingering on the horizon, but the temperature didn’t reflect that at all. At least, while it was still cold, the surrounding vegetation seemed weirdly revitalized. Even the common shrubs growing in the badlands were somehow looking more… vibrant than usual. Like the stifling atmosphere of these cursed lands was slowly getting dispersed.

“Out of twenty riders, only twelve returned. All of the Inferno Mages were killed in the retreat. Their acolytes luckily managed to survive the onslaught.” A strange smile appeared on the old butler lips. All according to plan. Ah, but the loss of order knights hurts. “Our remaining forces already managed to create a defensive line as close to the dungeon as was humanly possible. There isn’t a lot of undead activity in the surroundings, but we’re already detected a few stragglers in the jungle. Most are being actively dispatched by the local plants...” Adam's voice trailed off, while he once again digested the written information. This was really some good and bad news in one package.

“I see. Send the messengers back to the capital in order to request reinforcements and announce that the newborn dungeon has been located.” Adam nodded and left the tent, bowing down in the process. “We need to stake a claim.” I muttered while thinking about the royal court and their intrigues.

To keep calm I decided to leave the premises and immersed myself in the chaos that was our camp. My two bodyguards followed. I would hate to get into an accident and die before fulfilling my ambitions after all. The surroundings were a real hive of activity. While our expedition was strictly military behind it trailed camp followers - baggage carriers, prostitutes, merchants, slavers and other, even less savory elements. After all men in the army had their… needs. Uncatered they would spell a disaster for any army.

Yet the manual laborers were walking back and forth happily, with a sense of purpose, carrying rations, equipment, and raw materials. It was easy to understand - a new dungeon meant new jobs and new jobs meant food. And that was all these poor sods wanted from life - to survive from one day to another. Preferably while making sure that their children weren’t starving either.

Some of the alchemists that came with our forces were already testing new flora borne of the dungeon. No animals yet though. Too bad - another source of meat was always welcome. The feverish faces of these lunatics indicated that something interesting was going on. Yet I wasn’t too keen on knowing what it was exactly before they were done with their explosions. Especially because the sheer aggressiveness and vitality of the new plants were staggering. It was a dangerous combination for anyone still treasuring their limbs.

Some of my people experienced local flora firsthand after trying to carve a safe path towards the dungeon entrance. Three lumberjacks were dragged into the bushes before anyone could even react, another few seeing this just ran away and managed to escape with only light injuries. Nobody managed to cut down more than a few trees - not that there were many volunteers after that.

People were already calling this thicket the Silver Forest, because of how the place looked. However while the name invoked a more calm and relaxed feeling, in reality, it was anything but. At least the whole place was consistent. Most of the plants we found had distinct, metallic colors. Probably a dungeon influence. That was not counting these cursed, piss-yellow flowers which exploded into a cloud of acid with the slightest touch. These fuckers were something else entirely. They earned themselves a “special” name too - Boomers - due to their volatile nature.

For now, our progress was halted and short of bombarding the forest with magic, there was little we could do. And since the trees felt, looked and behaved like made from iron, steel or maybe silver I wasn’t so sure that such an attack would even do much. Nor that there were many voices to destroy it. I couldn’t just order the purge, as the expedition was financed by a few other parties. And destroying a potential source of gain wasn’t on their agenda. Just as I was pondering as such one of the surrounding peasants had the audacity to stop me.

“Sire.” A young laborer bowed down. In response, I wrinkled my nose... that was another problem with the peasantry... They hated bathing, the “aroma” of sweat and dirt was very distinct around the man. This guy, in particular, was big and muscular, which was a clear sign that he worked physically. My distaste swelled, but I put it aside as the unease he felt was clearly visible on his face. At least he understands his position.

“Yes? What do you want, knave? Out with it.”

“Sire.” He bowed again. “Master Druid asks for your presence.”

“What druid?” I hollered. The man curled up on instinct, raising his arms defensively and looked on fearfully while stammering out the answer to my question.

“M-master druid…” His quiet voice trailed into nothingness. I was half-tempted to have him whipped right here, right now. The merciful rules visage be damned. Thankfully for him, one of my guards perked up.

“My lord! I think he means the Druid representative that is still staying in our camp!” The laborer quickly nodded in assent. Drat. Why is that guy still alive? I immediately knew who they were talking about. Large, gruff man using enormous Warhammer as a weapon and wearing animal skins all the time was really hard to forget after all.

He too, like this laborer, was reeking of barbarity. Great. Another peasant to deal with.

“I understand. Lead me to him.” It didn’t matter that the man was alone. He invoked the rite of the alliance so I had to treat him like a Luna Kingdom representative. These were the rules. Too bad that the arrows weren’t so kind to put him out of his misery.

We walked briskly towards the less presentable part of the camp. There, surrounded by peasants with axes, stood the said druid, intently staring at the silver trees. Only after I coughed lightly he turned his attention back to the humans.

“You’re the Geinard Kingdom representative?” He asked suddenly.

“Yes. My name is Charles Blueflame, High Paladin of the Order of Fates Untold. Noble of the highest order and a fire mage.”

“Binno. Druid.” He answered laconically.

“So for what reason did you call me to this dreadful place?” I asked looking around intently for anything out of place. Not counting the Silver Forest trees of course.

“These plants.”

“Yes?”

“They’re weird.”

I had to bottle in my urge to scream. No SHIT. Who would’ve thought that PLANTS MADE OF IRON, SILVER, AND GODS KNOW WHAT ARE WEIRD? Some of my thoughts must’ve leaked to the surface because I saw one of the guards stifling a chuckle. I will deal with you later.

“We know that.” I answered in the calmest possible way.

“No.” The large druid shook his head. “You don’t understand.”

“Then explain.” I stared at him for a moment and unwillingly added. “Please.” He nodded his head immediately. After that Binno just stared at the plants for a few minutes and I could feel my patience running thin. Not only was I dragged here, but I also had to wait?! Sighing in exasperation I searched for a comfortable spot. Both of my guards also sat down nearby, hands near their weapons. The Lumberjacks were still standing around though, unmoving. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke with a quiet bass voice.

“The trees and the other plants out here won’t respond to my calls. They’re part of nature and yet they are not. There is no connection between us. It is an uncanny thing. I can feel their pervasive anger, but cannot calm them down. Even now they scream and lash out with all their might.” He took in his surroundings, suddenly saddened. “I’m afraid that the only way through this forest is to burn or cut them down.” Binno exhaled, tired by the long (by his standards) monologue.

“I see. Are they sick, then?” If they were I could very well get hold of enough firepower to flatten this place altogether. Alchemists be damned...

“No. They’re just… different.” He shook his head. This time at least I didn’t have to wait for ages for his response. “Also…”

“Yes?” I was slowly figuring this man out. Without constant prodding and dragging him along the conversation would just stall.

“Their mana feels strange. Hungry.”

“Oh. So it wasn’t an illusion.”

“What?” It was the druid time to ask. My answer, unlike his, was immediate.

“I know that all dungeons convert mana - both tainted and pure into their own. But I thought it was too soon for the dungeon core to start already. And yet here we have it.”

“Mmmm…” The druid continued to stare into the wilderness for a few minutes, but he didn’t say anything else. I decided to leave, but as soon as my group stood up he spoke again. “I would beseech you to start moving towards the dungeon entrance. My companions are there, waiting for rescue in dire straits.”

“I will do whatever is in my power to help them.” I gave him a solemn nod and a safe non-answer.

“I see.” He grunted while petting his Dark Panther that came out of the darkness. “Our messengers were also dispatched.” He said staring into my eyes. Ho. So he isn't just a dumb brute.

We left in a hurry and soon I arrived at my tent. Adam was already waiting.

“Master?” He asked worryingly.

“It seems like we have to redouble our efforts.”

“Change of plans, then?”

“Yes. The Luna Kingdom already asked for reinforcements. We have to reach the entrance before them. It’s crucial.”

“I understand!”

After dumping the remaining responsibilities on my butler I moved inside the tent, searching for my tea and herb pipe. I had to relax, but the situation was growing more and more stressful. And the time window before Beast Princess - Agness Geinard - arrives was growing shorter and shorter.

Just as I was thinking it the sickly sweet voice I knew all too well resounded from the entrance.

“Chaaaaaaaarlie! Well, hello there! I heard that you were awfully busy and I rushed here to see your gallant form. Broke a horse or two, even!” The owner of the voice rushed inside, guards letting her waltz in without problems. “And here I find you relaxing, smoking! Maybe there are some wenches under the beeed~?" The girl asked, while really looking under my sleeping space. "I think there is a need for a little lesson, don’t you think?~~” She came closer and closer, while I tried to formulate the response, as I was shrinking in primal fear. This response was already beaten in my soul.

Agnes Geinard, the Genius, the Monster, the Flower of the Battlefield and also my crazy, battle junkie fiance had already arrived.