My Dungeon Life – Chapter 1761-1763

Chapter 1761

“When you say you want me to investigate…” I continued, seeing if I could get any information out of this noble that I didn’t already know.

Seeired put a finger up to my lips. “I won’t say anymore. Many powers are running through Jespain. As long as you attempt to investigate a bit on your own, I believe you may overturn several stones.”

I thought about it for a second and then shook my head. “Such a thing would be extremely dangerous. You’re talking about things that could potentially create an upheaval of the entire government. Do you want to see Jespain burn over this?”

I could no longer act recklessly and just do whatever benefited my harem and me. I was the lord of an entire region, and I represented a country. I couldn’t just casually create civil wars or make powerful enemies. If was the lady was suggesting was true, anything I did would only bring trouble to Aberis.

“We are hardly so uncivilized a culture!” She sniffed, raising her nose, before realizing who she was talking to and blushing slightly. “I mean to say that every territory has a means of repealing a leader. Although the position of lord is a lifetime position, should the other lords have reason to believe the leader has acted out of line, and the people within that leader’s territory call for it, their lordship can be removed. In that case, every territory holds an equal vote.”

It turned out that this country did have checks and balances after all. There was such a method? Since the prepotents consisted of six of the ten territories, that meant that when it came to repealing lords, they had the upper hand. They might not be able to regain the majority vote, but if a new lord was elected, that would mean new alliances could be formed. At the least, the new lord would remember just how he arrived there, and he wouldn’t be as comfortable in his current position and thus more amenable to discussion and compromise.

Even so, such a thing would be difficult. If the lord didn’t step down properly, for example, it could still end up being a civil war. As much as they wanted to talk about how civilized they were, I also came from a place that considered itself the pinnacle of civilization, and yet even we struggled to maintain some of the basic things. I did not doubt that if I started rummaging around in their dungeon, there was a good chance it’d end up blowing up in my face.

“If you want to construct a new body for your friend, only my territory possesses the necessary workshop.” She suddenly spoke up as she noticed the hesitation in my eyes.

“What?”

“My territory is not insignificant and is the wealthiest of the territories. We only lose out because the largest territory holds so many people. We have replaced those people with golem labor. We have the world’s greatest golem workshop, and it is only accessible through me.”

“How did you know?” I frowned.

“Of course, we learned everything that Marina passed on to the refluents. I know what requests you’ve made since you’ve been here. I know the biggest request you made was to see golem construction, and you are traveling with a golem that appears to be completely sentient. The refluents are unable to provide you with access to my territory’s workshop without my permission. That’s why it is in your best interest to strike a deal with me.”

Chapter 1762

“Is that a threat?” I asked, my eyes narrowing.

“Oh… scary… is this the so-called wild side of the east?” She shivered but didn’t seem frightened at all. “How could I dare to threaten you? In the end, if my lord offers me something of equal value, then I would happily allow him to peruse our workshops. However, I do have to warn you that our golems and our capacity to make them is an integral part of our commerce. We depend on that revenue, and if we gave such information away and another workshop was to form outside of our territory, it could potentially destroy our trade and leave us severely weakened.”

“I only intend to use that information to create that golem.”

“Even if you were to swear it on your life, there are always ways to get around oaths.” She sighed dramatically. “Could you honestly swear that you wouldn’t use that information for any other purpose, such as building a golem army or golem workers? Even if you don’t sell them, such creations would be done at an extreme advantage to your nation, and by extension a disadvantage toward Jespain. Let’s ignore the lost revenue from any golems we might have sold to Aberis that you can now make on your own- gasp! If we were to become enemies, we’d give up a strategic advantage. I couldn’t possibly live with myself if I was responsible for Jespain losing strength because of such a thing.”

The longer she went on, the sourer my mood got. “Stop it. You caught my interest because you spoke directly and honestly. I don’t appreciate this roundabout and manipulative way of speaking.”

“Hmph.” She responded, her lips tightening. “Aren’t you the one who started trying to use such tricks on me to ascertain the best deal for yourself? I was merely reminding you of how much leeway I gave you in the first place.”

I thought back and couldn’t help but cringe. She was right. She had come to me extremely openly. It was actually why I had decided to engage her earnestly. Yet, when it came to negotiation, I had tried to pretend I wasn’t interested and even lead her on a bit. She had only changed her way of speaking in response to me.

“I take it that the value of this… event of yours is enough you’re willing to risk losing your golem tech?” I asked directly.

She gave a curt nod. “That’s only one of the things I’m willing to offer. I’m aware you also are interested in our guns. One of the six territories of the preponents contains the 2nd best gun manufacturer.”

“Only second?”

“Well, there are reasons we’re suppressed by the refluents. If we had more golems and more military power, there would be no need for me to have this conversation with you.”

“Alright…” I nodded, “and this so-called investigation, whether it stabilizes, destabilizes, or even puts you in a disadvantageous position, that none of that will affect any deal we made?”

“If my position becomes too… disadvantageous, I’m afraid I might not be able to hold up my part of a bargain, but otherwise, I am a woman of my word.”

“Then, I will… look into… this dungeon. I make no promises that anything will come of it.”

A small smile formed on her face. “It’s been a pleasure negotiating with you.”

Rather than feel relief, I couldn’t help but get a bit of an uneasy feeling though.

Chapter 1763

Lady Seeired dropped the spell that was keeping our conversation secret. She gave a polite farewell before encouraging me to speak with the other lords. As I walked away from her and past the invisible barrier created by her fellow constituents, I could see the fluttering of the ladies who sought to give it a second chance. I braced myself for the incoming onslaught, but at that moment a man in a butler’s attire appeared next to me.

“Sir, would you have a moment? My lord would like an audience with you.”

“He belongs to Lord Vandeer,” Alysia told me.

I had known that already. I had recognized the colors from Cici’s thorough notes, but I still appreciate the reminder. Lord Vandeer wasn’t just another lord. He was the lord of the largest territory and the so-called leader of the refluent faction. My not-too-secret meeting with Lady Seeired must have stressed him out, and he was no longer content allowing his daughters to fight over my attention. A single look from the butler, and the women who had been heading our way immediately scattered.

I knew that this invite wasn’t so much a choice and a necessity, so I nodded my head and followed him. I already knew where Lord Vandeer was sitting. I was brought up to the spot, but the butler came to a stop a fair distance away. Two men stood there seemingly blocking our way. They appeared to be servants, but it was pretty obvious by their physical appearance that they were guards in disguise. There were various servants like them loitering around, effectively creating a small VIP section at the head of the banquet hall. Should anyone not invited try to approach lord Vandeer, they would quickly be redirected away.

There was a large chair at the head and various smaller couches directed toward it. The comfy chair at the head appeared to be where Lord Vandeer sat. Lord Vandeer had slicked-back black hair and a thick mustache. He wore an outfit with large shoulder pads, and he had a sort of commanding presence to him. That was mostly because the other men on the couches were all looking his way, while he leaned back in his chair, listening intently. One of the other men seemed to be speaking in a monotone voice like he was reading off a list.

“The yields from the Hive 2 has been a bit low this quarter, but I believe with some encouragement, the queen will be able to increase production.”

I shouldn’t have been able to hear his words at this distance away, but my ears were far more sensitive than a normal person’s these days, and I was just able to make it out. Lord Vandeer’s eyes snapped to me suddenly almost like he knew I was listening in. He snapped his fingers, and not only did the man stop his report, but the guards moved aside, allowing me in.

I walked past the guards, feeling much like a lord visiting a rival lord’s castle. Well, this was the house of the lords, which was the seat of power for this country, and this was the most powerful lord in the country, so wasn’t this just like meeting a king?

“Good evening, Lord Deekson.” He said with a smile, but he didn’t stand up to greet me or even bow his head.

I wasn’t someone who cared about such little etiquettes, especially when dealing with a completely different country, so I merely nodded. “Lord Vandeer. It’s a pleasure.”

He nodded, taking me knowing his name as expected. “I have a question for you, Deek Deekson. How do you feel about dungeons?”