One thing that confused me a little bit, to be honest, is my skill, Lord’s Decree. Its description reads: “You now will only be able to level up as your dungeon improves. You will be able to view your dungeon status on a separate panel.”

Despite my dungeon level is only 2, my character level is 8. If it really is the case that my skill Lord’s Decree caps my character level with respect to the dungeon level, then there is no one-to-one correlation. Then, this makes me believe that it is not really the dungeon level that helps increase my character level, but it is the dungeon level that prevents me from leveling up.

If my theory is correct, then this would mean that by increasing my dungeon level, I am moving my cap upwards for my character level. That is, say, although the numbers do not match while the dungeon level is 1, my character level cannot go past 5. And when my dungeon level reaches to, my character level cannot go past 10, but can go above 5. Well, of course I have no way of knowing the numbers. It means that I need to keep increasing my dungeon level to not get stuck. But this would also mean, fortunately, that as long as I keep increasing my dungeon level, I would have no problem with a level limit or my character.

Yet the issue is I do not know if I can level up my dungeon infinitely. Also, so far it has proved that increasing the dungeon level is more difficult than increasing my character level. I was able to increase my character level by 7 by going into a fight with goblins, while I was only able to increase my dungeon level by two after sending a total of 800 people to build 2 outposts.

While it seems a little disadvantageous at this point, perhaps the real advantage of the skill comes into play when I manipulate the panels. I am now able to see, for instance, how many cities are under my lordship. Although I initially assumed this was because I decided to build two outposts outside the cave, now I also think it might be because I actually was able to increase the level of the dungeon. So it might be the case that I am able to see how many cities I have in the dungeon panel, not because I have more than one city under my control now, but because having more than one city increased my dungeon level and the feature of city listing was unlocked when the dungeon level reached 2. If this is the case, then this would mean as I increase my dungeon level, I will be able to see more details about my dungeon. I bet this will come in handy.

Also, one difference between the character panel and the dungeon panel is that when I tried to manipulate the character panel to add in or change a feature, I ended up succeeding, though the same thing does not happen for the dungeon panel. Quite possibly this is because character panel is linked to me and my existence, while the dungeon panel is linked to the skill I have, Lord’s Decree. I can change my presence and existence while the former remains, while I have no control over the skill. The skill only ever evolves through the system of this world, as did the older skills I had before they were sacrificed for the sake of the new three skills I have now. In contrast, I can change and re architect the magic spells. From this aspect, spells and skills are entirely different. Skills are bestowed or given when a certain condition is achieved, while spells are made on purpose and require deliberate development.

While I was contemplating about the nature of spells and skills, two of the elves visited me. I had hopes that they came with good news. I quickly casted Talamuth’s Words and felt it draining my remaining energy with every word spoken.

“We would like to ask one thing before making our final decision.”

“Ask.”

“In the case that we accept your proposal and join you, will we be in your protection against any people, monster or humanoid?”

“Yes.”

The two elves looked at each other before one of them spoke.

“Then, under the conditions you provided, we accept to stay.”

“All of you do?”

“All of us do.”

“Great, then. Bring me everyone to swear loyalty to me.”

I'm not sure whether it is the fact that elves decided to join us, or that I do not need to use that energy draining spell every single time I speak to an elf.

According to Lilith, elves are prideful and borderline narcissistic. Let alone a monster like a goblin or an orc, they think that they are better in almost every single aspect than any other humanoid. At least this was why I thought that it was almost an impossible scenario for the elves to decide to join us.

However, if what they were speaking of really reflects the truth, that maybe it is the 700 years that passed without the existence of dungeons that softened them, making them less hostile towards monsters. Or as they call, demons. Of course, they must have seen monsters outside before the goblins who caught them. Still, it is clear as they that they have not seen a dungeon before. So it is very possible that they do not know how dungeons work, or that the monsters in the dungeons are essentially the same as the monsters outside dungeons. And maybe it was this ignorance that prompted them to rethink about joining us. Whatever the reason, however, I'm glad. I have full faith that their knowledge and skills will provide useful.

As the elves gathered before me, I realize some of them were still nervous about the fact that they were joining a group of monsters underground. They were becoming a part of a dungeon. Something which did not appear in the last 700 years. Something for which the entirety of humanoids waged war against the underworld. And yet now the most prideful of the humans were not only engaging in peace with these ravaging monsters but were actually joining them in their own country. It is not so difficult to comprehend where this nervousness comes from. Regardless, I still think that it will pass overtime. I let them be for now.

“Pledge loyalty to me, Echo, the Dungeon Master, and you shall be one of us.”

With the elves now a part of the New World, I decided to utilize their knowledge and abilities to the fullest. Many of the elves were proficient in magic, able to cast simple spells for the least. However, they were not fighters. They could not use any magic useful in battle. Still, their knowledge of magic was far beyond that of monsters I summoned.

Since after they pledged loyalty to me, the elves were able to speak Echese and I was able to speak Elvish. So, I decided to make else into teachers to teach to the greater population of the New World. Soon they started teaching classes like magic, Elvish, farming, and herding.

As the time went by, they came to warm a little bit to living with monsters. Even those who isolate themselves a little bit and not speak to anyone else other than their fellow elves, for now having daily conversations with those they called demons. In the following months, the reason they joined us also has come to light. Indeed, they needed a place to go and a safe environment. However, this was not the sole reason they were able to make a decision so fast. Surely the conditions they were in push them to give a serious thought to joining a group of monsters, but it was really the dryads’ advice that gave them a sense of security. Among all the demons, dryads are the only ones the elves normally come close to. Though dryads give them a pinch of fright as, the elves consider them to be the protectors of forests. Elves, a race which predominantly inhabits forests, therefore has undeniable respect for the dryads. With dryad habitants of the New World telling elves that it is safe to join us, they did not hesitate.

Having an abode for many races seems to be more fruitful every day.