“Master is impressive but does not feel it. Enemy possesses layered magical barriers protecting him of middle grade and up. Even under focused magic, we cannot destroy it due to low level and lack of magical abilities due to our low grade soul gems.” the green haired one said.

“Shit!” I cursed but something suddenly rang in my head. “Wait, low grade soul gems… that’s right! If you two had Medium grade soul gems, what is the chances of destroying the giants and leader?” I asked.

“We would be able to siege them as a group and eventually kill one within 5 minutes. Level up boost would improve killing rate.” the pink one said.

“That’s good enough. You two release your soul gem and you archers and one acolyte release your soul gems.” I ordered.

The six opened their chest and i took the gems and put it on the book cover. They sank in easily and i stored the deactive mana puppets before pressing the gem.

You desire to for a medium rank Soul Gem has been detected. You possess 6 low grade Soul gems. Do you wish to make 2 medium grade Soul Gems?

Yes

No

“Yes!” i said and suddenly the six gems shined and merged in the book.

The tiny gems combined and formed a complete gem but where it was a rough gem before, it became a perfect sphere this time.

I quickly pull them out and put them in the Medium Grade Living Puppet.

WOOSH!

A sudden gust burst from them and suddenly all their magic runes appeared and shined immensely strong before sinking into their body. When they opened their eyes, amazingly, magic runes were swimming in their eyes.

They did not even turn to me and quickly faced the enemy.

“Battle formation! Choire circle, Holy water magic spell formation!” the pink one commanded.

At once i was pushed away by the acolyte and the ten living puppets got into a circle formation with the two medium grade ones at the center.

“Thy divine water pass the land, hells evil be cleansed, water of the blessed thy power beseech us thy divine might, Aquatos Wrath!” they chanted together.

Suddenly a bright light surged from the circle of living puppets and into the sky.

Clouds began to gather and suddenly formed a magic circle above one of the giant undead.

“Damned puppets!” the Demon Lich cursed. “Protect the giant skeletons!” he roared but it was too late.

Suddenly a downpour of golden colored water burst through the clouds and magic circle smashing into the giant skeleton causing it to roar in pain as it suffered from the countless needle like but heavy rain drops.

Suddenly it collapsed as it fell to its knees.

My eyes shined as i took command of the Low Grade Puppet Guardian and close combat puppets.

“Attack!” i shouted.

Suddenly it jumped high into the air and falling like a bombshell onto the back of the skeletons skull. Its feet radiated with the Earth and Vibration rune merging into the incredibly destructive ‘Earthquake’ spell.

The skull instantly burst and the skeleton suddenly began to break down.

The elf side suddenly roared and joy.

WOOO!

Before they could react, a sudden surge of mana and moonlight came from another area where a close giant was located.

These two beans were sword magic and focused together they smashed and the connection between the left knee and sliced the knee cap.

“Insolence! You little brats! Huh...!” the Demon Lich focused on the source of the irritations and suddenly laughed. “You elves are so pathetic! To think you would hide behind the skirt of the human heroes!” he laughed.

Everyone was shocked but suddenly their moral was spurred.

“Master watch out!” the living puppets shouted and suddenly a very large and powerful barrier appeared around me and a bright light smashed into the barrier sending a shockwave inside which sent me to the ground.

The Demon Lich sneered as he found his attack had failed because of the Living puppets. “As expected of Living Puppets, no wonder his majesty only has them as his maids. It is impossible to easily bypass these infernal things.” He cursed. “Attack them!” He roared.

Suddenly the Giant’s began to walk faster and the undead horde surged forward like a tidal wave.

“Attack! The royal army is heading over on the back of flying beasts! We have to withstand this and survive for our nation!” the guild master roared as he jumped and slashed at a giant just in front.

Bang!

The bones were harder than magical steel and gained no injuries but the impact caused it to be thrown back into another giant and both falling on hundreds of undead.

“Fight!” Misaki said lifting her sword and leading the charge with Luna just behind her. The two were the first into the horde and instantly massive bursts of magic surged through the ranks leaving countless skeletons and undead in pieces.

At the same time, magic of all kinds surged from the walls and fell like rain but these were much stronger then normal and numbered in tens of thousands.

Casualties soon appeared as the giants stomped and swung their bony hands killing people in areas without any high rankers.

“Cover that area!” I ordered the puppets and then controlled the close combat puppets.

The guardian suddenly jumped seven meters up and suddenly smashed the back of a Giant Skeleton with his sword. A huge surge of power smashed it causing it to collapse forward. Waiting for them, the several puppets jumped and began to attack the injured vertebrae causing it to crack further before the giant stood up.

“Darkness fall, smog of the dead rise from the faint smell of dead, corpses of the fallen, heed mine call! Undead Rise!” the Demon Lich roared and suddenly an eerie green light in a thick smog poured out of his hand and spread through the land.

The dead elves, to the horror of the living, were covered by the smog and their flesh and blood rotted away leaving only the skeleton that stood up slowly.

Ta! Tak! Ta! Tak!

A sound drew my attention and looked at the source. A strange elf stood there with long blonde hair and a large hat and travelers cloak. His eyes crystal clear but his face without fear or worry.

He waved his hand and a small stool appeared and he casually sat down. His presence seemed to blend into its surrounding.

I looked at him strangely because, although an elf, his magical presence was extremely faint. Elves are the most magical sentient race in the racial alliance between, humans, beastmen, elf and dwarf. The countries further away were unknown because they had long since created a huge rift. A large amount of land separated them and such land was overrun by uncursed monsters.

Still, this elf had little magical power coming from his body.

What was strange was that he stretched out a small hand arm and pulled one string.

Hummmm~!?

My heart felt like something was pulled and at this time, a few others heard the strum and looked back.

He slowly tuned the harp, slowly and casually. The strange feelings vanished as the tuning of each string reached the proper note but this made it stranger.

As he finished the tuning, suddenly the Medium Grade Living Puppets froze while the common ones suddenly collapsed. The Low grade ones flickered and their limbs became stiff making my face serious.

“What did you do!” I suddenly shouted.

“Oh?!” He suddenly said and looked up startled, “My apologies.” he said and strummed the last note he did and suddenly the Living Puppets were all freed.

The two Medium grade ones looked back and walked over and gave a curtsy, “Sir Bard, your magical prowess is well rewarded, would sir like to perform in a trio?” the pink haired one asked.

“Bard!” Someone exclaimed.

The word suddenly shocked those around them and soon the many elves knew about him.

“Two misses flatters me to much, i am just useless apprentice who failed his master's test to inherit all his knowledge.” He said.

“We would still be honored to play with sir.” the green one said.

He nodded and pulled out a small flute and a Clarinet.

Each one took one and began to try them, at this time i turned to one of the elves, “Excuse me, what is a bard?” i asked.

“Bards are magical musicians, they can perform music magic which is very hard and taxing but very powerful because even magic barriers cannot stop sound.” one of them said.

I looked at the puppets strangely wondering how they even know.

“Does sir know the Requiem of Purity?” the green one asked.

“Oh? You miss puppets are knowledgeable in this Requiem? Indeed, demons are weakest to this so my master has indeed taught me.” He said.

“We are only gifted this knowledge by the grand laws of the world. Shall we play?” the Pink one said.

“Indeed.” He said and suddenly a faint flow of mana began to cycle into the harp and he closed his eyes.

The puppets did the same as the instruments were lifted to their lips.

At this time, a Giant had reached the wall and lifted his fist to punch the puppets.

Roar!

A deep ghostly roar came from skeleton but at that moment, they blew the first note and a suddenly wave of energy surrounded them and the bard strummed his harp and they began to play. The notes piled up and rapidly the light expanded where the sound was spreading further.

ROAR!

The giant roared in pain as it held its head in pain and collapsed back. As for the small undead, they were like it but were even worse off because they were weaker and black fog flowed out making them weaker and weaker until they became simple bones and began to collapse.

“GAAHH!” the Demon Lich roared in pain as he felt this energy hit it growing stronger. Waves of warm light and a calming song was slowly played like a life giving light yet countless undead kept falling while the giants could only thrash about.

My eyes hardened, “Attack while they are weakened!” I shouted and the puppets began to attack in the frozen battlefield waking up the elves who instantly attacked like a wave.

The guild master took this chance and suddenly brought down a huge attack on the Demon Lich.

“NOO!” it roared as it weakened barrier was smashed and his skull smashed head on.

The light energy flowed into his weakened body and killing him further and suddenly his soul came out. The light flowed into it and a black mark on it slowly burned and vanished before the soul slowly vanished.

All the undead suddenly began to collapse and their souls flowing out and vanishing instead of returning to the demon nation.

The Requiem kept playing and spread further purifying the land and magically the ground began to swallow the bones to form a sort if graveyard and green light flowed out slowly causing tree sprouts to grow were each skelton was buried to symbolize that life would form a cycle and bones would rebirth as trees filling natures.

As the music stopped, no undead was left and the danger had vanished,

The Bard opened his eyes and it flashed in awe, “This is not the first time i have played but it is amazing how powerful the song became.” He said. He nodded at the puppets, “You are both very powerful and have opened my eyes allowing me to further my music.” he said and turned to leave.

“Sir bard! Please a moment!” a woman walked over. She was one of the guild members. “Please stay for the night as we do not know if there are unknown dangers.” She said and looked at the puppets before looking at me. “You are one of the Human Heroes? You possess the class of Dungeon Maker do you not?” She asked. But simply looked at the book in my hands.

“Yes.” I said.

“Please call your party, we have seen your contribution and will have to properly pay you.” She said.

I nod and recall the puppets and have one puppet call the girls back as well as Hermes and headed to the guild while the adventurers and city guard spread out to find stragglers.

Eventually they met at the guild masters office where the man himself was smiling while a small floating crystal was floating over a special magical platform.

“I first have to thank this sir bard and from the report, Young Hero Ace whose marvelous Living Puppets had joined forces to end the undead siege.” He said.

“Sir, i am but a failed bard who with crippled magical abilities, the force of the requiem reached that scale only because of this sirs Living Puppets.” He said.

“Indeed, i do feel a weak breath of magic on you. Your racial rune is malformed and your mana pool was injured at a young age.” the guild master said.

“Indeed.” He nodded.

“Still, i would like the name of one of our heroes.” He said.

The bard sighed, “I am Raven, Raven of the Wind.” he said.

The face of the guild leader froze and he coughed, “Yes, i have indeed heard your name. We are grateful for your services and shall place 5000 contribution points for aiding in the killing of the demon Lich.” he said

“I thank sir.” He said with a bow.

“We are currently locked down so we will have to ask that you do not try to leave the city.” He said.

“Of course.” he said.

Finally the guildmaster turned to us. “Young human heroes, we have long heard of your exploits as well as your class. Dungeon Maker, the class of our most famous hero Daniel Rock. You should clearly know exactly how important this class is to us right? Without saying much, it's considered the highest class to us Elves.” He said.

“I am very aware, even after 800 years, I have heard his name many times already.” I replied.

“Good, first off, i would like to thank you all for your aid, i shall give you all a B rank contribution of 3000 contribution points each for your aid in both treating wounds and battle.” He said

We all thank him since this would greatly advance our progress to learn magic.

“Now, this is the most important subject. What you all see here is a dungeon core. As you saw, this is what attracted the Demon Lich to us, they wanted to bind it and use it as another source of monsters to further infiltrate the elven forests. We obviously cannot allow that but we have lost many trying to work with dungeons but fail as the demons invade whenever planted.” He said.

“So you want me to raise it and put it down so that you can have a new ally dungeon?” I asked.

“Exactly, Dungeon Makers are known best for this exact reason. Your books lack the ability to spawn organic monsters but can easily make artificial ones like wood, dirt and stone puppets and even repair Living Puppets but still cannot spawn new breeds. From records, this is because your book has not evolved enough and has not analyzed a Dungeon Cores complete make up. Only then can you spawn new creatures and rapidly expand your dungeons.” He said.

“I see.” I reply.

“Before you all arrived, we already knew you were coming because Vine Grove had sent a message to us. The royal family sent this core specifically for this, we just did not expect for it to attract a Demon Lich.” He sighed.

“Why does the elf royal family want me to care for their dungeons? Don’t they fear i will place it in the human nation?” I asked.

“It is actually a good thing to place it there, the human nation, as it is, is the most likely one to fall causing the balance of the alliance to crash. Beastmen and Dwarf all have protected dungeons which they extract many magical items from dropped things monsters leave to medicine that is difficult to find. All nations are growing stronger while humans are growing weaker so they are actually not that against it. As the first Dungeon maker in the last 500 years where the beastmen were the last ones to summon one, only humans have lacked the presence of one and have only grown weaker.” He said.

“Why don’t any of the alliance share knowledge with each other.” I asked.

“We have tried but negotiations don’t tend to work out. Several times we even succeeded which was how the human nation has transport nodes but humans strangely, veer from magic even when it helps so much.” He said.

Misaki and I look at each other and smile wryly. Thinking of Earth’s history, the inquisition had been just that, hunting of anything magical. Humans avoided magic because they lacked knowledge of it.

“They lack knowledge of it… hmm…” I mutter but was distracted by a cough. “Oh right, um… is there any conditions for raising this?” I asked.

“There is.” the guild master said and took out a scroll, “the royal family wish for you to visit all the Great Dungeons and rebind them to your Book of the Dungeon Maker. They do not wish to think badly of the dungeon but they need a way to resist the Demon Lord who can bind them as long as he takes the core. No matter how powerful, it's dangerous to leave them unbound after the death of Daniel Rock.” He said.

“Oh! I see.” I nodded, “That is interesting, meeting the dungeons might also help me learn more about my class so i will accept.” I said.

“Great. Here.” He said moving the Dungeon core closer.

I walked over and took it before putting it on the cover. It suddenly shined and sank into the center of the cover where it was firmly planted and no longer would come out unless i plant him down.

Dungeon Core detected. Dungeon system and biology has begun to be analyzed. Dungeon Soul has been allowed into the dungeons and has been assigned one slot to build his own dungeon with mana absorbed by his own power. As it builds, dungeon abilities will be analyzed. Dungeon Core has been bound to the Book of the Dungeon Makers

Dungeon Archive conditions have been achieved and can now surpass level 15.

“Seems it came at the right time.” I said before putting the book away. “Can i see a map to find the closest great dungeon?” I asked.

The guild master nodded and showed them where the closest dungeon was which was the Great Tree Mira whose dungeon is under her roots.

“Great, so we will go there first.” I said.

“Sirs i shall take my leave as i shall be finding some establishment to rest.” he said.

Before he could leave i called out, “Hey, do you want to stay with us for a night. We have plenty of space.” I said.

He turned back and looked at the book before nodding.

We all leave and head to the carriage and find a spot to open a dungeon and head inside to rest.

“So this is a Dungeon Makers dungeon.” Raven said.

“Not really, we just built our own very simple originally. It's a good place for magic training though.” I said.

We soon reached the rooms, one of which was like a living room with kitchen which was outfitted differently for daily uses.

“So Raven, i heard a bit about bards but… I’m curious.” I said.

“Ah, so this is why you asked me to come?” he said.

“One of them.” I said.

“I see… Well.” he said and his stool came out and he sat and began to strum a non magical song. “The story of bards is like most classes, the original class was not magical, 600 years ago, a human hero was summoned with the Bard Class. He did not have magic or anything but was skilled with the sword. He trained with it and eventually left because he was of no use in the war since his music could not even do anything besides moral boosting. During that time, the elf hero Daniel Rock was still alive and the two met and using elven knowledge from the hero, they evolved his Class into Magical Bard.” He said while still playing the music like telling a bard's folktale. “To play this music, magical wood and metal as well as much more all had to be specially made to make instruments that could play the magic. The technique is to engrave the rune on your fingers where the magical will come and be giving sound by the magical strings.” He said and slowly the music began to turn magical. “The power of the Magical Bard soon grew in fame as his power also grew, his requiems and songs spread far. He eventually founded the Bards Order which found and taught talented children as well as untalented. Tis my story as an untalented.” he said and finished the song.

We stared at him frozen and only woke up a moment later and looked at him strange. “You’re untalented?” I asked.

“He isn’t, it’s because his racial magic rune is poorly formed, he is like a crippled elf with little magic. Maybe even calling him half human is better.” Luna said solemnly.

“The young Moon Elf with such a powerful rune is correct.” Raven said and lifted his hand causing a very weak wind to gather forming a cracked rune whose majesty wasn’t even visible.

“This is a Air Rune.” I said.

“Indeed, I am an Wind Elf.” He said.

“Not just any Wind elf…” Luna said, “... one from the Storm Family.” She said.

“Storm family!” Charlotte exclaimed.

Raven looked downcast.

“Who is this Storm family?” Misaki asked.

“The Storm family were a family of Wind Elf who were unique in their magic, they would study wind and Lightning Magic and merge them into a very powerful magic. They were considered a very powerful family around 300 years ago but there was once an attack on the capital of the elf nation. They used their magic but because storm clouds were brewing already, their magic affected the climate and caused wild random Lightning to rain on friend and foe. Everyone knew it was an accident but they could not forgive the family. We would not kill our own kind since it is not the elves ways of doing it but their racial rune was crippled making them unable to use magic. They also had a curse which would prevent only that generation from reviving the rune and were exiled.” She said.

“Indeed, i am 3 generations from that same family.” He said.

“Three?!” I said, “I thought elves had long lives?” I said.

“Almost all elves have around 300 or 400 years of lifespan but those with their racial rune crippled would have only a humans life span aging like them. He has a malformed rune.” Luna said.

Raven nodded, “I was born as such because my grandparents had crippled runes and causing malformation in the following generations. We can at least use magic but i as an elf, am a child of only 20 but look like an adult of 100.” He said.

We all sigh but i looked at his rune and looked at Luna and thought of something. “Want to travel with us? Luna has a powerful rune because we encountered a power Moon Rune which helped her improve her own racial rune, maybe in time, we can find a natural Wind rune and restore yours.” I said.

His eyes widened and he frowned, “A bard is a wandering man, always looking for inspirations. To be tied group…” He said.

“A bard also has a band or even bard caravans, there is nothing bad about travelling together.” Misaki said.

“I’m a healer so many there could even be a healer remedy for it.” Hermes said. “Also, your music is really nice.” He said.

“You might be surprised by what you see when travelling with others.” I said.

He sighed and nodded, “I shall see what there is to see, i am not good at combat but i shall say this, if we can find a cure, i shall help you on your journey.” he said.

“Great!” I nod, “As a Dungeon Maker, maybe we can even be like dungeon maker and bard in the past.” I said laughing.

“Only you’re a human and i am the elf.” Raven smiled and everyone laughed.

We showed him around before going to sleep for the night.