My Dungeon Life – Chapter 1641-1643

Chapter 1641

“That fat cow probably told you something like she was the one who spared Sapphire’s life, right?” Anne looked accusingly at me. “I’ll have you know that I’m the one who put my neck on the line to save her. That fat cow only helped a little when the church was ready to toss me out.”

“Don’t you mean Mary?”

“Geh! Don’t use her name! She’s the worst.”

“Isn’t it about time that you two put your differences besides you? The church once belonged to the mother and the daughter. The deep dwarves didn’t follow the religion of the humans, but I seem to recall that you were once stronger together.”

“S-sapphire…” Anne started pushing her fingers together timidly. “I don’t know if we should. We don’t want to lose our individuality. We’ve changed over the years, and we don’t want to lose ourselves just for the sake of rejoining…”

Anne’s argument sounded logical. I thought my ears might have been full of wax and I misheard. I had a feeling that if such arguments had been said by anyone else, Anne would only scream at them, call them blasphemers, or look at them with disdain. However, when Sapphire spoke, she was almost different. This treatment even seemed to surprise the inquisitor, who looked at the now timid and reasonable Anne with shock.

“You know that I love both of you. I even changed my name once for you. A lot has happened since then, though. For example, we have this peace talk. Aberis and the Ost Republic are no longer at war. Your church was originally supporting the Ost Republic, but now that the Osterians left, you’ve lost both your political clout and your opposition. If you’re unwilling to change in this new climate where species are joining together, then you may only be left behind.”

I’d be lying if I wasn’t shocked by Sapphire’s extremely smart words. It caused me to remember that at her core, she had once been a king’s daughter, and she had a mind just as bright as Eliana when it came to speech. I saw Eliana’s lips moving, repeating her words like she was committing them to memory. Was she looking to use some of those words on the council members who were still resisting peace?

While the peace talks had been destroyed by the arrival of the fey, Eliana was trying to use their threat as a means of uniting them anyway. They had already negotiated an agreement on defense for this island. It wouldn’t be too hard to turn that into an agreement for the entire country. A common enemy and a battle could unite the tribes even faster than a summit. It was a harsh reality, but she was going to seize on it.

“I… will think about it.” Anne gave a reply that I never would have expected of her and never would have come from anyone except for Sapphire.

“Speaking of joining…” I cut in awkwardly. “What are you doing here? I thought I was going to get reinforcements?”

“You’ve got the reinforcements.” More girls started to walk through the portal, and when I saw who it was, I couldn’t help but give a weak wave.

They were all glaring at me angrily.

“H-hi… First.”

The lionesses had arrived.

Chapter 1642

“Chance!”

“Y-yes, leader!” Chance jumped to attention as First barked her name.

“Report.”

“I’ve kept successful watch over my lord for the last week. He is healthy and safe.” Chance was nearly shaking as she was under the predatory gaze of her big sisters, specifically first.

First narrowed her eyes, looking at Chance very acutely. Just when I thought Chance was going to pass out, First stood back to attention.

“Good job! Back in line!” First declared.

She didn’t give a smile or any indication that she was pleased by Chance’s progress, but by the looks of the sisters behind her, that was probably the most compliment she’d receive. However, rather than moving immediately, Chance glanced over at me and Cici uncertainly.

“Chance…” Cici looked at Chance a bit sadly.

The two girls had been traveling together for a while now, and they had formed a bit of a sisterly bond as well. This bond was different than the one between the lionesses. They had an extremely territorial hierarchy, but her friendship with Cici was gentler and more loving. I could see the reluctance in both of their faces to be broken up.

“What are you doing?” First’s expression started to darken at Chance’s seeming defiance.

I cleared my throat. “Chance has been in my party for a bit now. I’ve been personally training her. I think, if you see her levels, you will see that.”

I didn’t lie. I had taken her to give her some experience, and the time through the dungeon had leveled her up quite a bit. My multipliers didn’t hurt too bad either. Few low-level soldiers got the chance to take only level 50 bosses with an experience multiplier, so such a leveling was nearly unheard of.

When I finished speaking, First lowered her head, her previous dark look being over-stripped by her natural subservience. “My apologies, my lord! I hope our youngest hasn’t been too much trouble.”

“She hasn’t.” I smiled. “I’d like her to remain by me, at least until we finish with this dungeon.”

“Of course! As my lord commands.”

I wasn’t commanding it, but I’d let it go. I gave an awkward laugh while scratching my cheek. Chance gave me a grateful look, and then returned to Cici’s side. Cici gave an audible sigh of relief. If I had any chance of deprogramming the lionesses, it’d have to start with the youth, I figured. In that respect, her relationship with Cici was probably good for her. She might end up normal… well, as normal as any of the girls in my life tended to be.

“Are any of the others coming?” I asked.

“We are your bodyguards! We are all that is needed!” First insisted, and the other lionesses also gave defiant looks.

I gave them a helpless look, not sure what else to say about that.

“The other girls are busy working on some things,” Sapphire spoke up. “If you need them, they are can be here quickly, but the lionesses are nearly their equals and should be able to defend you properly.”

I slowly nodded. The lionesses had fought the girls to nearly a draw. Their victory was mostly because of the power I gave them. In retrospect, these lionesses were probably the best defense I could ask for.

“Alright, but then, why are you here?” I asked.

“Master is in a battle.” Sapphire smiled. “I’m here to bring the new weapons and armor.”

Chapter 1643

I wasn’t the only one who had been busy the last few weeks. With the battle behind them, the deep dwarves who had opened up their new forge in a special floor of my dungeon where continued to work. They intended to retrofit an entire army’s worth of armor and weapons for the soldiers. The Blacksmith Master was working alongside Sapphire and the other deep dwarves while using the armory of rare metals that Diorite had managed to save for them.

Of course, the best stuff wasn’t being handed out recklessly, but even basic dwarvish steel was several times better than most Aberis stuff. Only magical items and things found in dungeons have any chance to compete with it. A very small selection of the lower-tier stuff made by the apprentices was sold to start bringing in money to Chalm. The rest had been being stored in an armory, with a few pieces being distributed when a promising young recruit rose in the ranks.

Of course, all of the girls were getting armor custom-made to their tastes and needs. This was armor that hopefully wouldn’t get destroyed the next time we were in a dangerous fight. The lionesses, as my newly prescribed bodyguards, were also prepared armor and weapons. Sapphire brought out several storage rings and pulled out the armor for them. The girls started getting changed right there in front of me as Sapphire began their fitting.

I had a feeling that Lydia had a hand in this. They could have gotten fitted and arrived in their armor, but it turned out to be a show. I tried to be a gentleman and keep my eyes away, but the girls kept asking for me to check their armor and see if it looked and fit right. I found myself having to check many thighs, busts, and hips as Sapphire was overwhelmed with the task at hand.

“My lord, can you make this tighter?”

“My lord, don’t be afraid to be a little rough.”

“Please, my lord, can you check if my chest is right? You can use your hands.”

While I was doing my lordly duty, my pregnant woman was watching. She had chosen that moment to be completely stone-faced. I had no clue if she was upset, amused, or anything else. At least I had seen Sapphire smirk a few times, so I knew this was deliberate on her part.

The only saving grace is that I did have Carmine with me. After this was all over, I’d take my frustrations out on her.

“So, Master was being truthful with this armor.”

“I’m sorry we didn’t start your custom armor. We didn’t have your exact sizes. Hopefully, this armor will do?”

“It’s not as heavy as I’d like, but it’ll do for now.” Carmine was wearing something that had ended up in the deep dwarf armory from before Twilight.

It wasn’t the typical white and shiny attire that Carmine was used to. This outfit was nearly black, fitting the dark environment of the deep well. It also didn’t show off any of her body, but that was more my personal preference and I couldn’t let it come into play.

When everyone was fully dressed, I had to say that it made an impression. The lionesses wore armor that seemed scandalous, but also still covered the skin. It sort of reminded me of Amazon. It gave them a lot of flexibility, but also protected them properly. They included a small shield they could pull onto their arm from their back, and a weapon of their choosing, which were mostly swords. With them, all dressed the same and in such fine armor, they did look like an imposing military unit. Even Chance had been fitted in a smaller version of the armor, which Anne had thought was adorable, and started drooling over inappropriately.

“This is also for you.” Sapphire pulled out something and handed it to Cici.

“Eh? Me?” She flipped open a metal fan, but it had sharp edges.

“Faeyna has recently taken to learning some combat training, and she’s taken a liking to war fans. They’re small and can be held on your person, but can be used to defend yourself or attack if necessary. She says they will become costume attire for the maids.” Sapphire explained. “For now, she says to just get used to having it on you at all times.”

“I-I will!” Cici clutched it as if it had great importance to her.

So, even my maids were going to become warriors? Just what kind of territory was I building?