Indeed, Lilith’s explanation fits in the big picture like the final puzzle piece. But how could I trust her without seeing it with my own eyes? Sure, what she told me before and what she told me now have no contradictions – there are no underworld cities, humanoids of the outer world want to take control of the tunnels of the underworld, dungeon masters are responsible for dungeons. Yet, she concealed the full truth to manipulate me. There were underworld cities in the past, humanoids attempted to destroy the dungeons and are not in pursuit of taking control of the underworld anymore since they think there are not any remaining dungeons, and I am the only dungeon master to be born in 70 years. Suddenly, the gaps in the previous narrative are filled, at the expense of my blind trust.

Perhaps I really am a beacon of hope for her and others. A beacon of hope nobody thought would appear that just appeared out of nowhere. She waited for 70 years as well… I do not know what to make of this. If I try to put myself in her shoes…

“Is a dungeon master being born that important? I mean, you were born on the outer world, weren’t you? What is the big deal then?”

“It is very important! Underworld is a home for us not only because many are born or summoned there, but because dungeons are to monsters what countries are to humans and others. Underworld creates a sense of unity against the humanoids without which we would be defenseless against their attacks. Also, belonging to a dungeon brings safety and power – It is not only much secure to live in a dungeon where the threats from outer world do not impose a constant danger, but it is also that dungeon masters have skills that apply to their dungeon citizens like an all-encompassing buff. For someone striving to be a strong warrior or a magician, or a researcher or even a farmer, these skills are priceless.”

“Safety, I get it. But I do not possess any skills like that.”

“For now, maybe. But you have great potential, master. That is why I am very glad that you are the first dungeon master to be born after these many years. I do not regret waiting for 70 years for you to appear.”

“Lilith-” Oh, goblins.

I see many goblins with wooden spears roaming around what seems to be a collection of tents in the middle of the forest. After hours of walking, we finally arrived at a goblin village. Although, I still do not know how to approach them – would they be hostile? They were born here on the outer world and were not summoned unlike the goblins in my dungeon who have been nothing but friendly and loyal. It is difficult to predict how these goblins would react to a witch and a dungeon master freely walking into their village. Either way, I think I have to cut the conversation I was having with Lilith short for the time being. We will surely continue that later.

“We found them master.”

“Yes, I can see… but how are we supposed to approach them.”

I am pretty sure at this point that the guards patrolling the area have not seen us partially hiding behind a bush. Yet, we are so close to the tents and have a clear view of goblins walking around.

“You should be able to converse with the goblins as you have summoned goblins before, master. The language skills you obtain upon summoning different races are permanent – they are applicable to all members of the races you summoned whether they were summoned by you or not.”

“How does that even work? I mean… how do the goblins I summoned before know by summoning the language of the goblins here? Are there not multiple goblin languages to begin with?”

“Uh... sure there are dialects. But each race has an original creator that grants them with the language of their own. Goblins by birth know the goblin language but they become better as they grow older, just like any other race. When you summon them, they are not simply ‘born’ – they come to existence at a certain age. That is why they have better manipulation of language than newborns.”

“It makes sense this way, but how do the goblins I summoned speak with the other races I summoned then? I saw them talking many times in the dungeon.”

“Because you are an original creator as well. Dungeon masters grant the sentient creatures they summon or make their own citizens with their own language through origin magic.”

“But then, how can you speak with them?”

“I lived a long life; I learned many monster languages. Still, when you were born, you granted me with your language. I became a part of your dungeon because I was inside your area of effect when you were born. Also, master, I think they saw us.”

I quickly diverted my eyes to the four goblins who were slowly approaching us as they held tightly onto their pointed sticks.