Around the same time, Shewa and Thuldir reached the City Of Light, where the Citadel Of Light stands. It was an enormous towering structure entirely made of crystals. Also, it was a dungeon. One of three still-standing tower dungeons. Its patron was the God of The Sun, and because of that, its dungeon mistress decided to build up. Also right from the beginning priests and paladins following the God of The Sun started closely working with her. It was a very fruitful cooperation. Holy knights added extra protection for her and they had a place made especially for them to train. Adventurers were allowed to explore the first four floors, resources from dungeons were an important part of the local economy, but the upper floors were reserved for paladins. Because it was a tower dungeon made from crystal, it had only sixteen floors. Despite that, it was almost one hundred meters tall. Dungeon Mistress couldn’t build anything more because of the mana to maintain the structure. She has a surplus of mana from Delvers but she doesn't want to risk the tower collapse and her death. The town itself imitates a dungeon. It was very bright, the walls of buildings were whitewashed, crystals were everywhere, and the mirrors reflected sunlight even to the normally dark back alleys. By night a lot of lanterns dispersed darkness. Roads and alleys were wide and almost pristine and clean. People frequently clean any garbage and horse manure.
“Welcome to the City of Light.” The commander of guards said, after checking Shewa and Thuldir's path. “I was told quarters were prepared for you on the fifth floor of the citadel. Your paladins should know the way.”
“We do.” Holy knight escorting them confirms.
On the fifth floor were the private quarters of the archpriest with few rooms for guests, most important archives, and barracks of paladins. It takes almost an entire day to reach it, however, the road is well known and their escort of paladins takes care of any dangerous animal they meet on the way up. At the destination, the young priestess showed them their rooms and where the mess hall for everyone was. An appointed meeting with the Archpriest was scheduled for tomorrow morning.
“Good morning, Archpriest,” Shewa said, entering a modest office where they were guided by a young priestess from yesterday.
“Good morning, sir,” Thuldir said.
“Good morning, travelers.” Elf smiled. Like any elf, he looks perfect, but the first signs of aging were visible on his face. “Let me present to you the Dungeon Mistress of Citadel of Light.” He bowed to a young woman who stood beside him. She was wearing a modest dress, simple in cut but made of expensive materials. On the front, was an embroidered sun, the symbol of her patron and the entire church.
“Good morning, Dungeon Mistress,” They both said.
“Good day,” She answered.
“Please have a seat. We need to hear your feelings and thoughts about, the younger sister of our Dungeon Mistress here. Rest we can reed from rapports.”
“Yes, sir,” Shewa said and they started talking and answering a very long list of questions.
“Mistress, you got quite an interesting younger sister I believe,”
“Please. We are alone. We have known each other for one hundred years.” Mistress shakes her head disapprovingly.
“My bad. After this long conversation, I forgot, Chino, my friend.”
“That much better.” They met exactly one hundred thirty-four years ago. He was just a freshly appointed grand priest of the sun and she was just an eighteen-year-old girl who had been reincarnated in a fantasy world. They somehow unexpectedly formed an almost familial bond. Chino saw the elven priest as an uncle. He thought of her as a niece. Soon they stopped using formal titles when alone. “And about my new sister. I don't know what to think. She is doing everything differently. She sacrificed one floor and made it as pleasant for people as possible. Her understanding of magic looks profound, but she doesn't use it beyond the necessary minimum.”
“That is true. However, remember that according to the priestess, this woman lived much longer than you. You were telling me that you have only basic knowledge. You were preparing to go to a more advanced school.”
“Yes. And I wasn't a good student either. I have good marks, I needed them to work as a singer but I didn't bother to go beyond what was necessary.” She laughed. "But still, I’m worried. Her place, patrons, and skills suggest soon something can happen.”
“I don't think, that it will happen anytime soon. A few decades at best. Who knows, maybe even a century. In this world news spreads very slowly not like in yours instantly. According to news carried by pigeons, caravans sent from Frayharf should reach Oasis. They will need one month to get back with news. Most likely something like there are two or three floors, and there you can find this and that. This news will reach us a week later and it will be a short message attached to the pigeon leg, not real full rapport. We will need to wait almost two months for the messenger on horse. And the same goes for cultists. Maybe even worse because of the winter season.”
“I know, I know. She isn't so far in the north like Elisabeth and her dungeon. And there are northern kingdoms with their fortress and desert, so she should be safe. But what if? She is only one new dungeon core to our knowledge. Everyone will be concentrating on her, for good or bad.”
“And we are preparing for that. Soon the next platoon of knights will be sent to the On Taram oasis. Adventurers will be traveling there with every caravan, some will stay. With time it could be built into a real town. And towns need an army. She is safe, I will see to that, I promise.”
“Thank you.”
Afternoon when Chino returned to her core room built like a traditional Japanese home she got an unexpected visitor.
“Good afternoon, sir,” She bowed to her patron, God of the Sun.
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“Good afternoon, my protege.” He answered. “I’m here to ease worry in your heart. The new dungeon mistress is more capable than anyone thinks. She lacks experience and needs to learn about this world. However, she also has the strength and courage to face challenges.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate your help. Regrettably, I can’t stop thinking about her safety.”
“Soon messenger will arrive and you will see for yourself.”
Meanwhile, in the north, a small caravan led by commander Arthuros ex-deputy commander working for commander Lucius now Guild Master in On Taram Oasis reached the town of Bragaoss.
“What happened to Commander Lucius?” An officer commanding a team of guards at the southern gate asked.
“He got a promotion,” Arthuros answered. “He is now Guild Master.”
“Good for him I guess. Which town?”
“On Taram Oasis. There is a new dungeon there. We bring news to your King and priests.”
“Fucking shit. If I just a moment ago didn’t see your path I would think you are drunk or worse. If I remember correctly there was a shrine dedicated to the Lady.”
“Yes. The Lady and The Smith are patrons of the new dungeon. I can’t say anything more before I meet with your king.”
“True. You never know if just around the corner is not hiding some fucking cultist or traitor. They are worse than rats or cockroaches. Kill one and the next one appears instantly.” The officer nods. “I will send my two men with you. They will help you get through all advisors and helpers."
“Appreciate.” Arthuros thanked.
Unlike the southern towns and cities, northern lords prefer to reside in proper stone castles and keep. There were two main reasons for that. First was whether. Thick walls and small windows stop the cold outside. Heating systems were marvels of ingenuity. Inspired by stories told by dungeon masters, builders created their floor heating version. It was similar to ancient Rome but one or two fireplaces won’t be enough. They connect dozens of them to the maze of channels under floors. Even the smallest bit of heat won’t be wasted. The second reason was the war with necromancers. Without a proper castle, you can't defend yourself and your people against cultists and their monstrosities.
It takes some time to organize a hearing, even with the help of two officers. The hall was packed to the brim. Everyone won’t hear about the new dungeon. The Lord of the city was a muscular human warrior. Next to him sits Head priests of local temples, leaders or representatives of local guilds and aristocracy. Almost all of them were warriors of some kind and all were even now armored to the teeth.
“Everyone has to shut up!” The powerful voice of the king echoed through the hall. It was another difference between the North and the South. Northerners prefer straightforwardness to etiquette. “Good. Commander Arthuros you said, you bring news about new dungeon.”
“Yes, my Lord. Oasis On Taram Is now Dungeon Oasis. Patrons of the Dungeon Mistress are The Lady and The Smith. She is also watched by God Junos, Goddes Iliana, God Nedo, and God Varo.”
For a brief moment, there was silence, then shouts and loud comments erupted. King Sutr, after shouting and throwing three tankards at more agitated people managed to restore order.
“Commander, you know how outrageous your story sounds. Only, paladins who accompany you and assurance of priests that you are telling the truth to stop me before arresting you.”
“I know, my Lord.” Arthuros respectfully nods. “In this chest, are scrolls with detailed reports.” He pointed to a big one carried by both knights. “I’m not privy to most of them. However, I can tell what I witnessed. Four months ago I was deputy commander under Commander Lucius. We were traveling back to the South escorting merchants. We were struck by an elemental storm a few days away from the oasis. It was a sign that something had happened. What we saw, I still can’t fully comprehend. As you know, an oasis is just a pond surrounded by some trees and bushes. A place where travelers can stop rest a little and draw water for further journey. But this was an enormous citadel with towers bigger than some castle towers. Walls ten yards high clad in blue tiles, roofs of towers made from gold. On the sides of the gates, were depictions of The Lady and The Smith. Also, the god of wisdom and goddess of beauty was present. However, the inside was even more stunning. In the past, the oasis had a few hundred pieces across. Now it's two miles wide, full of green grass, an orchard with fruit trees fountains, and stables for camels. Dungeon Mistress even prepared basic food supplies for travelers.”
“And monsters?”
“This wasn't explained to me. I was only told that priests should know why. The surface level of the dungeon is a safe floor without any monsters. The rest of the floors are underground.”
King looks at the priest of the Sun.
“It’s like the commander said. There isn’t anything strange about that. I or another head priest can explain that after the meeting.” He confirms.
“Good, continue.”
“Commander Lucius, take a team to see the first floor. There are only traps. In the middle of the floor is the shrine of The Smith. Before we leave, Dungeon Mistress, give us prophecy,” Arthuros took a small chest.
“Show us.” Grand priest of the Sun said. The commander placed a box with a scroll before the priests.
“It’s genuine prophecy.” He said after a brief moment and the rest agreed.
“It is about war?” Lord asked.
“No. It is a warning about greed and not following the teaching of gods.”
“Understood. Commander, what about the god of healers and the god of death?”
“It was something that happened when we were preparing an expedition. Dungeon Mistress rescued a woman from one of the desert tribes. Because of that, she got a task from the twin gods to spread knowledge of how she did that.” Arthurors placed a small chest with three scrolls before the priests.
“What a hard-working woman she is.” King smiled. “However I need to ask about war. Where there any message from gods?”
“I’m just commander of adventurers tasked to protect caravan and bring messages. I wasn’t invited to any talks with Dungeon Mistress. However, I was told that she is not the herald of war. Her role is to support the North. In peacetime and wartime.”
“Good. What can you tell about Dungeon Mistress herself?”
“She is inexperienced. Her past life was different. She has such a pure heart that you might think she is naive. But she isn’t. Her oasis for example. She could have two floors instead of one full of traps and monsters. She chooses to sacrifice one to help travelers. But most people forget about the law of hospitality and that she is literally in the middle of the desert. Anyone with bad intentions will die in the scorching sun of the desert. She is also strong. A small band of bandits managed somehow to go through the desert following our trail. Because of her lack of real-life experience, Dungeon Mistress tries to negotiate with them.”
“Negotiate with bandits?” King was amused.
“Yes, my Lord. It went poorly as anyone suspects. It ended with her challenging them to conquer her maze. All bandits die. Because of her pure heart, their deaths almost broke her. However, when we were living she managed to recover. And she was building her new floor.”
“Good. What can you tell us more.”
“That is all my King.”
“Understood. I need to go through all the scrolls your commander brings us. I will prepare a response for the expedition leaders, in a few days. Maybe find someone who can represent me.”
“I will be waiting for the message then, my King.” Arthuros bowed.
