The reason I didn’t force them to follow me was that too large an influx of people would cause problems. Among the villagers here, there could easily be two hundred to three hundred people — feeding them would be a hassle, not to mention providing adequate houses.

It was also important to note that most of them were peasants or even serfs (if I had to be frank). While serfs in this kingdom weren’t slaves, they were “technically” owned by their lords, just that their children weren’t bound to stay in their villages as long as a certain number of populations were maintained.

Fortunately, the area around Xenonia City wasn’t under the jurisdiction of any noble or lord and was directly ruled by the kingdom, so most were freemen that settled down as pioneers in the past. The only problem was those that came from outside; it would drag unneeded trouble once I accepted them, but it was a risk worth taking.

In the end, only a bit more than a hundred villagers agreed to follow me in making a new settlement. Even though more than two hundred among them had lost their villages, they were skeptical about living in a dangerous place such as the Great Elion Forest.

It didn’t matter. So long as rumors about a grand mage that controlled dozens of golems that could easily destroy a large evil organization like the Axiom Order spread, the benefit would outweigh the detriment of not keeping them with me.

As for the two hundred or so remnants of the Axiom Order, I decided to keep them here as miners. Of course, I took precaution by binding them through cuffs I found among the goods inside the limestone cavern that had been imbued with [Programming] to restrict their freedom. Furthermore, I entrusted the command here to Phantom B, which was still in the body of the Axiom Order member.

The bandits must taste their own medicine.

Likewise, the magiclum stone from the mine would be worth a lot of Zernial when sold to the market, despite being of the lowest grade, though I needed a proper channel to do that on a large scale. Later, I planned to turn them into the city to boost my reputation or even CP in times of emergency, but that was only a plan for now.

Once the treasures were loaded up inside the transport golems, we began our journey back down the mountain. There wasn’t enough space inside the five transport golems to bring all of them, so it would take a few round trips to retrieve all the goods in the limestone cavern — this was not counting the many bodies of the deceased bandits.

To minimize the time needed to traverse the large forest, I divided the fifty golems into three groups: twenty stood guard on the mountain, fifteen would escort the unwilling villagers back to the city, while the rest would accompany me back to the makeshift settlement near the dungeon. Since this was near the outskirts of the forest, there was nothing to worry about dangerous beasts, but as there were a few elderlies, the journey had to be slow.

With my forces stretched thin prompted me of the importance of boosting my ranks as soon as possible. That would be homework once I got back.

“Let’s go, Blizzard.” I rode on Blizzard on my way back to show off my charisma — I mean, to give the impression that I had an impressive mount. Ugh… So embarrassing. Does riding an oversize wolf even look cool?

Shoving that rhetorical question to the back of my mind, I rode ahead while reading Zero’s diary. This diary was nothing like what little girls liked to write, nor was it similar to journals that scientists write, but more like a jumbled collection of notes. Other than the previous information, the book also mentioned all the secret dealings and business they held in Xenonia City and several surrounding territories.

It was safe to assume that although I had taken care of most of their members and all their leaders, the Axiom Order still had members scattered about. However, they wouldn’t become a problem in the grand scheme of things. I would cross that bridge when I came to it.

Gradually, as the sun rose higher, droplets of water began trickling down from the sky. The smell of petrichor brought by the wind prickled my nose. It was raining… How rare. Maybe because this place was quite far from the sea, it got low rainfall. Only rarely would it rain, but it would be a small drizzle more often than not.

“A drizzle it may be, I’m afraid I’ll be soaked wet by the time we reach the dungeon.” I sighed.

But Blizzard’s body shone lightly, and a transparent light wall emerged above me, reflecting the water droplets from reaching me.

“Wow! I didn’t know you could do that.” I patted her head.

The villagers at the back began taking large leaves from the surroundings to be used as umbrellas. You could even see a line of large green leaves lining up from here like a line of ants carrying leaves. At the side of the formation, the children were running around under the rain, playing around before getting scolded by their parents.

What a rare occurrence.

***

Reina’s Perspective

Out in the middle of the forest with a view of one of the many mountains in the Obsivel Mountain Range, Reina clicked her tongue. She used the monocular in her hand to observe the place, her complexion getting uglier by the moment.

Agh, I’ve had enough! That useless Zero, dying after being given the new pills. Who would have thought that he would be this stupid?!

She had returned to the outskirts of the mountain that the Axiom Order occupied after dealing with other matters, but when she arrived, she found that their base had been attacked. No, they had been massacred and razed to the ground would be more appropriate here.

At least her initial intention had been fulfilled; she gained enough information about the result of the pills out of the lab on a strong individual. This should make up for the kidnapped villagers that would otherwise become guinea pigs.

In any case, the one responsible was actually an army of golems, to her surprise. They sure were enough to make her squint her eyes at them through the monocular — the band of golems along with the kidnapped villagers before finally setting her sight on the strange person in all white and silver.

…No, wait. This figure couldn’t possibly be…

The prophecy that her master, Sabrina, had told before was exactly this. This was why she had been dispatched to monitor an insignificant organization like the Axiom Order, instead of focusing on something larger like she used to do.

“I should report this to Lady Sabrina… He has appeared.”

Reina quickly began to move away from her location, disappearing deep into the forest without leaving any traces.

***

Vincent’s Perspective

The rain had long subsided by the time we arrived at the makeshift settlement. Now, there were a number of wooden shacks everywhere; they were crudely made but about good enough to weather rain and heat.

I had one concern with all this, though: What would happen when I mixed up a bunch of humans and fox beastkin? Would they start discriminating against each other? But my worries were unneeded as they quickly interacted with each other after learning their backstories. Perhaps the same hardships they experienced made them sympathize and forget their differences.

I asked Rupert to take care of the matter regarding the villagers since he seemed to be a trustable and reliable figure. Small matters should be taken care of by the right individuals, after all, only then would I be able to make a prospering and self-sufficient city.

Since they had known that I controlled golems, I decided not to use the self-improvised iron golems as the dungeon’s defense — doing so might cause suspicion. Moreover, this would enable them to be used as the city’s protectors and builders instead. Although, I would still place a considerable number of them deep inside the dungeon as the final line of defense.

The people were still keeping some level of wariness toward the golems, but I figured that giving them accessories such as a band or tag would make them more amicable.

Once that was taken care of, Blizzard and I went to the ravine mouth, and after ascertaining that no one was nearby, I took off my mask and made a portal leading to the Artificial Realm.

“C’mon, I’ll bring you to a special place,” I said to literally my shadow but received no answer. If I didn’t know better, I would think I was insane for speaking to the air.

Anyway. I immediately met Lorelei’s emotionless face as soon as I got to the other side which made my heart almost jump out of my throat.

“Whoa there, Lorelei.”

“Vincent! Are you insane?!”

“Gah,” I let out as she pounced at me with her hands around my neck tightly.

“Idiot! Reckless! Do you know how worried I was?” She stared into my eyes, and despite her outwardly expressionless face, I could feel a deep worry from them. “It’s all your fault for giving me these human emotions that I’m acting like this.” She threw a punch at my chest.

“Ow! Why all of a sudden?” I tried to play dumb.

“I. Am. A. Dungeon. Core! All information can be obtained through the monsters I created. So don’t play dumb with me.” She glared daggers at me.

“Ugh…”

“I’m just worried about you, got it?” Isn’t she more human than I thought?

I had realized as time went on that she was becoming more and more “human” in a sense as though she was now treading on a thin line separating a human and a Dungeon Core, but I never paid much attention to this matter.

But more importantly… Th-They were touching…! She clung so close to me that I couldn’t help but feel conscious about them. Something must be done or else.

“I don’t know what I’d do if you never return again,” she whispered, voice trembling.

“I’m sorry. That was my fault.” Should I return the hug here to make her less worried? I don’t know… Aah…! This is too much for a programmer like me…

“Then, don’t overdo it again.”

“Well… I can’t promise you that, but I would never have done this if I’m not certain that I can win.” Every action I took would have a consequence… so I must seize every opportunity.

“You know, I would even lock you in the dungeon, inside the Artificial Realm, as long as I live only to keep you safe.”

“Scary… Then, you might as well kill me.”

When I uttered that sentence, Chloe had reappeared behind Lorelei and brandished her dagger, and was about to slit her throat.

“Kill!”

“Stop!” I frantically pushed Lorelei’s body to dodge her sudden attack.

“My, my, who’s this girl? Are you bringing another poor, helpless girl to be taken advantage of?” Lorelei tilted her head, scurrying to hide behind my back and using me as a shield.

“No!!” And there she goes again with her snarky remark.

In reality, she always spoke in a laconic manner and all the vocabulary she used was “kill” and almost nothing else; there was no way that she could introduce herself that way. Besides, with appropriate training, she would become the best shadow guard I could hope for. This would ensure my safety whenever and wherever.

“I never asked her name, but I know what it is thanks to my Vocation… Her name is Chloe. She’s a girl I saved from the Axiom Order, and she got a ‘unique’ circumstance going on. Regardless, please don’t try to murder her… Lorelei is important to me.” Even if only her physical body died, I didn’t know what kind of consequences it would have.

Chloe nodded her head and returned to my shadow.

“Important? My… I see that you’re a magnet for attracting an eccentric bunch.” Yeah, you’re included…

“Master! You’re back!” Suddenly, Fuku came out of the mansion and rushed toward me. “Hmph! Fuku’s mad that Master left Fuku here.” She puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms like a child.

“Sorry.” I patted her head, deflating her inflated cheeks.

“Mm! Fuku forgives Master.”

“Actually, Vincent, there’s something that I’d like to show you, something that is solely for you. So…” She blinked at me and glanced at Fuku and my shadow, Chloe.

Hm? What is she planning this time? Oh well, guess I’ll let her do her shenanigan.

“Chloe, would you mind staying with Fuku?”

Chloe resurfaced from my shadow and strode toward Fuku, but she glared at me for some. Was there something wrong with calling her by name?

“Whoa! A girl came out from Master Vincent’s shadow!” Fuku exclaimed, then sniffed her around. “You stink! Come, Fuku will show you the bath.”

Chloe sent me a pleading look, but I decided to ignore that. Even after casting {Cleanse} on her, she was still dirty for not bathing for who knew how long, so this would be a good chance to do just that.

As for Blizzard, she had long since gone to meet her children.

“So?”

She reached for my wrist and pulled me toward the other side of the mansion’s garden in haste.

“Please. Keep your eyes on me.”

The once sunny day abruptly turned into a beautiful night sky. Standing a few meters before me was her beautiful figure, her silvery lilac hair brilliantly reflected the moonlight like a firefly in the middle of darkness.

As she started humming softly, her steps shifted, creating a pitter-patter, in a formation that adorned the surroundings with the vibrant energy of a beautiful soul. I was awestruck in a daze, almost unable to keep my poker face in place.

Her hands swayed in motion that was longing for something. Deep it might encompass, unknown to the observers. Resembling a fairytale princess, she might very well not exist.

She exuded confidence and pridefulness in her movement as if she was the center of the world. Even the word “enthralled” would fail in describing what I felt. My eyes couldn’t escape from the clutch of her riveting grace.

Soon, she picked up her pace, spinning like an ice-skating performer. I couldn’t help but be drawn to the emotions that she tried to tell me. As if marking the climax, she slid to the ground, ending her dance.

Her finishing move stirred me to clap in amazement. “Amazing! That is such a wonderful dance.” She must have practiced a lot to be that good.

“Dance…” Lorelei smiled satisfied, breaking the emotionless face she always wore. “Yes. My dance is only for you, my Dungeon Master.”