Side story 3

Evaluation

Arth`s POV

“Are you about this Marduk? You know that kid got some sensing ability and can detect us even if we hide our intentions.”

He was insane about this idea. However, even if I intervene, he will just find another way to do it. Might as well see what this kid can offer.

“I`m sure about this Arth, besides we need to know if he might cause another war. I have doubts about him being passive to people, he even made a monster that could rival a new born floor master or an elite monster in dungeons.”

“I get your sentiment about him being able to give life but there are records that clockworks and constructs are able to make that kind of species. Even if it was used for war, just look around us, we are more advance than that time before they arrived. I was thankful somehow, that`s because of them many counties and tribes resolved their issues to unite in order to stop the conquerors.”

“I get what you are saying Arth but I want to see it with my own eyes.”

*sigh* He`s really a hardheaded person and very straight forward sometimes.

Then I sense the kid is coming back but the muggers are now on the move and attacking the kids. Even if they are slum`s kids, I need to protect them from harm because I`m also one of them.

Even if head master gave me a good position for my cause still, it was really hard because some nobles asshole are keeping my work slow like funding an orphanage or a school for kids to learn and become productive adults.

Somehow, I can help these kids as I have deals with the traders and crafters that they will teach or at least give work for kids at a fix income. Even though the salary is small due being not a trade route for main merchants, shop owners are just giving them coins to make them able to live day by day.

“He`s here”

I looked down the window and saw Raiser in a donkey pulled cart but what made me really interested about him is that in one moment he stops then next thing the muggers know is that they get their ass kicked. That wolf head that has steel rope is really impressive for capturing.

His guide also works fast as she tied them up with nature ball but it was more powerful than the normal ones that fairies use. Then he stop and looked at us then something passed right through the wall and just a very small gap from Marduk`s face. Then I saw a rock falls down my ceiling and it turned to crushed rock. It shouldn`t be able to pass the barrier that is built to repel a normal boss class monster.

I can see clearly that this Clockwork was no push over or just special for being alone. I was also able to see Marduk`s face to be cramped for the longest time. He is a person who wouldn`t should his expression to people even if it was the king`s order. But this, this is the few moments that I saw Marduk`s face get cramped.

“That`s what you get”

“Did you said something?”

Hmp. This dragonoid got his pride for being one of the best Dungeoner be stained by a piece of rock, let alone passing his face with a small margin. If that stone hit his face, I can`t reassure Raiser`s safety but I won`t let my rising star be mutilated by him.

“Nothing, guess shows over. Better check the muggers later this evening”

“Might as well, but keep watching your clockwork before you send him off to dukedom.”

“Don`t worry about it.”

You really impressed me clockwork. Better, include him in my exploration team even if he will just be a guide or pathfinder. Nevertheless, I know he will exceed my expectation as always.

*

After the exploration`s great defeat with monster train that endanger even my junior team, I hold the subjugation quest for the fourth floor master and let them rest and compose themselves again. I didn`t expect them to be beaten up badly like this. Maybe I`m pressuring Gerhard and the others to finish this quest as soon as possible. But as always, Raiser was able to think something in crucial situation. That metal cart is really something that pumped my blood to run wild and think of things that this cart could do. Maybe I should consult head master about this.

*

After a week of suspension of the quest, they will rechallenge it again but this time an increase of descendant team. I was expecting them to finish it this time as the allotted time was long and they could improve their fighting coordination and team fights more polished.

Raiser still tag along with his monster or what he called Cerous, the moving furnace and forgery. I will asked him again if he could make me one like that.

While waiting for them, I talked to Kreisia about things like her rising teams that are quite a talk inside the guild. She said that they were strong but sticks within the village. Some are here right now but she gave me the work of giving them recommendation for the dukedom. She`ll still lazy or laid back as ever.

However, what made that lazy elf to be attentive was the clockwork. She is like a slum kid being fed with good food after a long day of work. I know that I can`t hold her from coming here but at least she should tell me when will she comes here so I could be prepared for troubles that she will bring.

“Really?! He did that monster out of corpses of the Queen ant. That was amazing. I`m really eager to see him personally and talked to him about many things. Maybe I could asked if he could make a small monster for me.”

“That`s not going to happened.”

“You`re so mean Arth. Why not? He`s not even talking to you either right.”

“Actually we talked a lot of things but mostly about business. But your request of making one monster is not going to happened.”

“Why not?”

“Because he denied me also. And I still attempt to ask him different request to craft things for me but everything was turned down quickly even before I could finished my request.”

I couldn`t even count on how many times I asked him for different items to be crafted but he keeps denying me. Kreisia was even laughing at my failures. Hmp, I will laugh at your face when he turned you down when you met him.

“That was hilarious Arth but, he won`t deny a request of this beautiful elf.”

“Oh, he will and I`ll bet on it.”

“Ohw, so you’re gambling about it. Fine I’ll take that challenge.”

Great she misunderstood me again but gambling with high chance of winning is really good. Better, take this chance to humiliate her or have a favor. That`s right.

“Game. If I win, you will listen to one favor I will asked you.”

“But you know that if your favor will humiliate or offend me in any form, you better run.”

“Don`t worry, I won`t do that kind of things.”

So no embarrassing event. What a turn down.

“Then, if I win and I know I will, he will be transferred here for a month.”

“Fine, I`m good with that.”

Sorry kid, I have to close a deal using you.

*

After a day, Gerhard and the exploration team return with the prize loot of the fourth floor master. What really drop my jaw is that they subjugated the dungeon. At first, I was not believing them because they don`t have the dungeon core but Gerhard explained to me that they needed to destroy it or they will die down there. Then what comes next is really unexpected, I saw Raiser on top of Cerous lying down and beaten up badly that I could see his inner parts from large gaps. They explained to me what happened inside from the floor master to where Raiser brawled with the Dungeon Guardian and able to win.

He never failed to amuse me. I send them off so everybody could rest, I will give the recommendation letter a few days later, but they need to rest first. It was rare for a dungeon to be empty when they defeated the dungeon, but maybe the reward is the place also the dungeon is still young.

After days of rest, I conducted promotions and give recommendation letters for the subjugation team main force. I also asked them to go with the silver team that is going to the dukedom, which almost all of them agreed. Then I saw Raiser came in just a day after so I gave him a letter but asked him to evaluate the fifth floor, what they call the sanctuary. I think that the withered dungeon can be used for merchants and crafters place especially that there is a large place to stay but I trimmed it down so the value of the people flocking it won`t make the ceiling collapse.

*

“I got a request for you Kreisia.”

“What it is”

“I need you to convert part of the fifth floor to be edible for consumption but keep a part of the forest to be metalize as Raiser`s suggestion.”

“Fine, I’ll do your favor but I will win next time.”

I just nodded as she got out of my office. Raiser was dependable person. I just asked or requested him to estimate the whole place but I got a land development plan with things that will be need and need to change. I`m still wondering on Kreisia being here all of the sudden. Maybe she promised another thing for Ahya, mentor like master. I hope Raiser was safe now, being chased down by Kreisia is not a laughing matter especially when she so interested about it.

Day by day, workers and common people are flocking the dungeon but it wasn`t dangerous now because the monsters are not able to come out again. But there are still some monsters to be killed to make the place livable to everyone, I`m planning on sending the slum people there to work and even have them their own place to stay.

On one occasion, Raiser said that he could make a tamed clockwork monster that could be used for agriculture and be domesticated. I really like the idea of him so I agreed to it quickly but he needs to let others be the owners before he leaves this town for his adventure.

Dizm, who was my appointed person to develop the sanctuary, is giving me tons of good news from the promised monsters to good vegetation. More and more people are starting to ask for work inside the dungeon even if it was just baggage carrier, which made me think that people here could live a hard but normal life. Merchants and Crafters here and far are making some request of space inside the dungeon. My problem might be solved by this, I could raise more funds for charity works, the await orphanage and the school might be seen in the future.

I`m thankful that the gods have chosen my town to host this clockwork. He is really a blessing for me and to everyone that needed help. Maybe this time clockwork might help us to be a better kingdom for everyone.

______

A/N

Okay another SS.

for the editing thing. i`ve found an editor but he`s a creepy pasta. But he`s good at it. i think/

anyway. He said that we might not able to release it on sunday. so i`m asking for more patience but i`ll post the last SS on sunday.

To everyone stay safe and continue reading this series.

:D