(Curator POV)

I’M DOOOOONE! After a thousand years of scraping away at the cave walls, it’s finally finished.

The third floor... The shell of it...

Yeah, not quite finished yet. I needed a break, been at this ever since the fuss died down. How long has it been since then? Days? I think. Honestly, I got no clue. It’s just been darkness down here. Yessiree all alone. Just me, the stone, and this horrible red muck.

Speaking of which, I found out that it’s blood. Blood soaked mud. Actually, it was around the time I secluded myself down here. So the shock has mostly passed now I’m just confused by its existence.

Breaching the second floor, the first one to greet me was Alice, bringing me up to speed.

Unsurprisingly it was business as usual. Give or take, a bit slower.

Even before I started digging away, the adventurers were already trickling back in as if nothing happened. The daily grind, I tell you, come hell or high water.

Other than that, after cleaning up the mess they left behind, I have a suite of new plants to work with. Most of them suited for villains, though. SO they’re absolutely perfect for the next phase!

[Divine essences have been broken down]

Oh? To tell the truth, I almost forgot this was still ticking.

[Essence of |------| has been added]

[Essence of |------| has been added]

[New creations have been added]

Hm? A message hung over the notifications, blotting parts of it out.

[My, can’t have you spoiling your surprise now, can I?]

Ah... Good’ol notifications always there to give me a surprise.

[Aiya! Don’t just ignore me like that.]

[Ahem. Is this any way to speak to your BENEFACTOR!]

Wait. Human-Like Being?

[Yep, that’s me.]

Reading my mind?

[Yep.]

So you’re here to explain what this essence thing is all about, right. Right?

[Hah, this is not how I imagined this going.]

Sorry, I’m still a little, uhmm, stoned(?) after all that digging.

[I know, but still, you gotta have expectations in life.]

[Aw, crap. Why are we still going on about this! I’m gonna get an ear full if I keep them waiting.]

[But you can’t meet them like this!]

With a sharp snap, light overtakes my surroundings. And I’m suddenly hit with terminal whiplash, a cold shower, a brisk jog, breakfast, energy drinks galore.

I’m never going to finish the third floor, am I?

(Zhenya POV)

“Freddie! Everything hurts.”

“Quit your whining already. They’ll let us go after confirming our well beings. Also, stop calling me that!” We were waiting to get discharged.

Lacerations, acid burns, poison, a severe concussion, and that’s only the notable ones on a long list. The monster, it only took her a couple of days to recover. Give or take, she was in the intensive care ward all that time but still. She’s up, like a glossy new GP, and here I am still with a sore nose.

At least the bruises around my neck are barely noticeable now. It was uncomfortable walking around, trying not to be self-conscious.

“Alright, you’re all set. Just refrain from any strenuous activities for the next few days.” The doctor pauses to let the words sink in. Shooting an especially heavy glance at Fredrica, who collapsed more than once trying to exorcise. “Especially dungeon diving.”

This warning was blunt and directed at the both of us.

With that, he waited for us to take our leave before calling in the next patient.

“So, what now?” I asked since Fredrica kept insisting on throwing a celebration once we got discharged. Walking to the A.A we swung open the doors to thunderous normalcy and took a seat at the pub.

“I’ll take two chicken on the rocks with ice water.”

“Five chicken on the rocks, three southern-style island salads with prairie sauce *Blah* *Blah* *Blah*” I hope she’s paying for that out of her own pocket.

With our orders hitting the table, we immediately started shoveling food down our pie-holes like no tomorrow. I look like a slob doing so? I don’t give a crap! It’s food, with some actual honest to goodness taste.

Savoring each bite, we almost forgot to address the silver-haired receptionist taking a seat at our table.

“No, no, continue. I’ll wait.”

About an eternity in savory bliss later, chased by ice-cold water, we were satisfied. “Thanks for waiting. So Virgil?” Wiping my mouth, I finally popped the question.

“You forget about your reward for stopping Bargas’s ambition? Without you guys, the casualty rate would’ve been much higher. Actually, even following the tracks Fredrica left, we lost a few good people...”

Oh, yeah. The matter of rewards was still up in the air, but. “Wait. Fredrica left tracks?”

“Yeah, with that heavy armor of hers, the tracks were pretty distinct.” Ah, this had Freddie red in the cheeks. I guess she herself hadn’t even noticed.

“Alright, alright. Let’s move on to the reward we talked about.” Paying our bill Fredrica pushed us along with the conversation out the door.

From there, Virgil led the way to a vacant patch of land not too far off the main road. Give or take a few alleyway shortcuts.

“Ahem, to Fredrica and Zhenya. I Virgil, a representative of the adventurers association, hereby grant you this land for exceptional work.” Cutting back to his usual tone, Virgil continued. “So, yeah. Fredrica here drives a hard bargain.”

“Surprise! It wasn’t an easy sell, but we’re landowners now.” And here I thought she was haggling for extra GP, how ambitious.

“Okay, land is nice and all. But we’re still getting paid, right? You know, money to develop said land.”

“Well. Umh...” She trails off before violently ejecting out of her armor.

“Well! this base ain’t gonna build itself. Is it?” Conveniently drowning my worries under a crashing wave of armor pieces, she was already running around, marking the area.

What’s done is done, I guess.

I would try to pester Virgil for some cash but, he’s already skedaddled. That and he’s been incredibly kind to us since the invasion. Paying our medical bills and brightening our days up whenever it got too dull.

Slipping out of my armor, we started discussing what to do. “First, we’re gonna need extra hands for any heavy lifting, not many but maybe one or two.” Our combined budget isn’t much.

We’re gonna have to skimp a little. “I know someone we can get on the cheap.” The only question is if I can find him...

------

“Fifty GP a day plus additional info on the second floor.” Damn, he drives a hard bargain.

“Fine. You win.” Dropping payment into Nikolaos’s hands, we departed while I briefly told him about the giants and shadow dogs.

“Yo, Freddie. I got one on a discount!”

“Funny, so did I.” She gestures towards Antonia and her crew.

“Seriously, you gotta tell me the story sooner or later.” I’m just curious. They seem really close-knit, so why did Fredrica choose to partner up with me and not them?

“Later, after we get the framework up.” She dodged the question.

Wood was cheap, and if we really wanted to, we could go into the dungeon and chop some down ourselves. The only catch is that it was a bit softer than average.

Noon to dusk, we worked on setting the foundation. Just as I settled down for a water break. Cup in hand, Antonia took a seat beside me.

Finally, seeing her without armor on the only word that came to mind is toned beauty. Boasting muscles that don’t intrude on her womanly side, lucky.

“I hear you hail from the north.” An awkward start, befitting our relationship. Even then, she held herself with dignity.

“Yeah, you’ve been there-”

Her words cut quickly to the point despite being blunt. “I still don’t trust you. But Fredrica does, so I’ll refrain from any further animosity. If you should betray that trust, I won’t hesitate.”

Her calm, commanding tone just made it more ominous...

“And no, I have not been to the northern frontier yet.” Never want’s to leave something unfinished that one.

Going silent, she took a sip from her cup. Not even bothering to move.

Eh, at least we’re on neutral standing now. If I don’t turn on Fredrica, but that’s never gonna happen. She’s a good girl.

But then again, if we’re gonna be roommates. Meh, if it happens, it happens, as long as Fredrica does her share of the chores.

Dusk to night, with the foundation well underway, we decided to call it a day.

(Lyra POV)

“How’s the prisoner.”

“Ma'am.” The guard salutes me, “His condition is stable. Though awake and conscious, any attempts to communicate have been met with silence.”

Peering through the bars. There sat Bargas, his clothes luster all but faded, body confined in bandages. A defeated man, though the defiant fire in his eyes says otherwise. Dim but still smoldering with purpose.

“As you were then. If anything happens, report it to me post-haste.” This isn’t over yet. Those eyes aren’t lying.

Leaving the temporary prison, I navigated the dimly lit streets back to my office for a rendezvous with Virgil. “So? What of Bargas’s men?”

“Well the ones that didn’t poison themselves knew next to nothing. They’re mostly thugs who threw their lot in with Bargas.”

“Keep them incarcerated for now. That will be all for today. You’re free to go home.”

“Here.” Disappearing from the couch and reappearing behind me with a fresh mug of coffee. “Don’t stay up too late now.” With that, he pops out of existence.

Right, let’s finish off this report. The only ones left are the clueless bottom rung thugs. Poison does indicate an organized group with members loyal or fanatical enough to off themselves if captured.

They hold this much resolve for the cause he’s touting, yet they share no association to the man himself. Leads me to believe Bargas isn’t the ringleader.

Also, him being here lines up almost too conveniently, as a herbalist here to cleanse the land, I understand, but as a branch candidate... He has sway, being the leader of an established guild, but enough for him to be recommended? Plausible.

But I think there might’ve been some strings pulled behind the scenes. By Bargas? Once again, plausible.

In the end, it’s those eyes. If he was the end all be all, that would be it, a complete defeat. Captured and his men routed. But those eyes, they’re stirring. Ready to burn alight at a moment’s notice.

“Haah,” Looking out my window. The moon was high up in the sky, beginning its descent. “I should get some shut-eye for tomorrow.” Signing off the report, snuffing the burning wick, and locking up, I headed home. His eye’s still firmly burned into my mind.

(Somewhere)

“And Bargas was captured...” Surrounded by stone walls hung with the bare essentials, a man shuffles through the neatly bundled reports that sat on his desk.

The operation was a failure. He already had what remained of his cell there burn any loose ends that could be followed. All that remained was the issue of Bargas.

Or rather, of Kheru and Sabastian running off to save him. Orders could’ve been issued, but he knew they would fall on deaf ears.

Sabastian had always been a straight forward fellow. A comrade in need? He’ll help out. Only this time, it was bolstered by his guilt, having been the one to force Bargas’s hand.

And Kheru? His loyalties have always laid with Bargas and Bargas alone. Only acting for the cause because Bargas was acting in it.

What bound him to Bargas was due to a deal they had struck. Discretion was most likely key since that was all the information the man could dig up or cared to learn of the topic.

And now it’s here to bite him in the butt.

The pair had left for the dungeon once Sabastian was well enough to walk. And now the clock was ticking.

How long would it take for them to return to the dungeon town?

How long to find where Bargas is being held?

How long for them to break him out?

How long for the A.A to take action?

Taking into account that Bargas was likely heavily guarded and that the duo would be forced go loud at some point, the man planned the Revolution’s next move.