Chapter Sixty-One: An Interest in Outside

Chapter Sixty-One: An Interest in Outside

I think Leo could watch the terrible trio fail at the gauntlet all day. Theyve actually started getting a couple stones through it, but havent managed to clear all of them. I dont think itll be too long before they get through that first challenge, though. Probably tomorrow, after they rest up a bit.

I impress upon Leo the need for him to send a few of the lesser wolves down the ratkins hunting tunnel. At first, I thought the lesser wolves were cubs or something, but they seem fully aware and mobile. Theyre just more sized like coyotes than wolves. I guess thats why theyre called lesser?

Whatever the reason or relation to actual wolves, Leo starts heading to the roof, wanting to talk to Poe. Makes sense to me. Poe has been in charge of everything sent outside, so itd be a good idea to get tips and tricks from him.

He takes a shortcut without much haste, and I notice a familiar person enter from the gates. My birds all make a racket, and I smile to myself as Elf Guy just shakes his head at the greeting. He walks up to the bulletin board and speaks to it.

Dungeon Thedeim, please bring forth your Voice. The Dungeoneers Guild wishes to discuss a matter, he says formally, and I poke Teemo to go see what he needs. It doesnt take my Voice long to get there.

Whats with the formality, Elf Guy? greets Teemo with a smirk.

Tarl can only chuckle. The guild prefers it.

Well, me and the Boss dont. Knock it off and just talk normal.

The Inspector smiles at that. Fair enough, heh. Each individual dungeon has to be dealt with differently. Which is why Im here, actually. The Southwood is another dungeon, one the guild classifies as a toybox. It has few denizens and none specialized towards combat.

Ah, thats why those knuckleheads were talking about a toybox. I thought they were just trying to insult the Boss.

Tarl snorts at that. They might have been. Anyway, The Southwood allows the guild to check up on the core on a condition: that it be given information on the various other known dungeons in the general area.

Teemo perks up at that. Yeah? Does it know about us?

A bit. It knows youre a manor in the city and had a conflict with Neverrest, but my information was out of date even when I talked to it. Its Voice actually told me that you may have destroyed Neverrest. It felt the wasp invaders lessen with your victory.

Huh.

Tarl nods and continues. So I wanted to know what information youre comfortable with sharing with the Southwood. Ordinarily, wed simply give it the basics, but it has specifically asked for information about you, and offered information about the Green Sea in return.The inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.

Whats the Green Sea? asks Teemo as he absently scratches his ear.

Its a massive forest to the north of here. The Southwood is actually named that because its the southernmost tip of it. There are theories that its a massive dungeon, or even a network of dungeons, but its so remote and the trip so arduous that none have actually been able to confirm anything. And the Southwood implied something is happening there.

That is not needed, Warden Leo. We both serve Lord Thedeim, and so need not bow and scrape to each other.

Thats easy for you to say after having a go at my belly, grumps Leo as he remembers how the fight went.

Poe just nods. If not for Lord Thedeim, I would have happily sunk my beak and talons into your belly, but he urged mercy, and his wisdom in doing so now stands on the roof with me. He has a new scion and a new spawner because of you. You should not think lesser of yourself for the method it was achieved.

Leo shakes his head. His new Alpha has some weird Betas. The Alpha has asked me to mount some expeditions, but I dont know why. And I dont really know how. I was just a regular wolf at my old dungeon, I never had to be in charge of anything.

Poe nods at that as well. While only Voice Teemo actually knows the thoughts of our Lord Thedeim, he has a reason for treating us as he does. As for the expeditions while my flocks can detail the maps with ease, they cant detail what lives on those maps. On the wing, there is little care about those moving along on the ground, be they mice or bears. Ive tried to get them to understand the need to pay attention but it is difficult.

Leo sits and lets his tail idly swish back and forth as he absorbs that. So you know the land, but the Alpha also wants to know the life.

Poe fluffs his feathers in happiness at that. Indeed! There is far more to understanding the surroundings than in simple topography. As for expedition advice Id suggest making sure your denizens know to flee rather than fight, should the need arise. Lord Thedeim does not wish undue death nor harm to anyone. The expeditions we send beyond his borders should follow this as well.

That makes sense. Why change policy drastically when outside rather than in? Though that also reminds him of something else. Why does the Alpha have so many scions? How does he have so many?

Poe caws in laughter before turning amused eyes on the wolf. I can only guess as to Lord Thedeims secrets, but I do have an idea for that. Your old dungeon; did it give you direct orders to do things?

Leo nods. Of course. Denizens would get all kinds of orders to do things.

How many times has Lord Thedeim given you an order?

Leo opens his muzzle to answer, but slowly closes it as he thinks. ...being made a Warden was the closest thing to an order hes given me.

Poe fluffs his feathers again. I believe that is why Lord Thedeim can support so many of us. Im honestly uncertain if hes noticed our upkeep costs, partially because Id expect they pale in comparison to what he spends his mana on.

Like the gauntlet.

Indeed. So he gives us directions and lets us pursue them as we see fit, trusting we will do the job to the best of our abilities. He doesnt need to constantly spend mana to give us orders. He challenges us to grow, and so he grows with us, and us with him.

Leo is quiet as he thinks about that as well. He never thought being a scion would involve so much thinking! His old dungeon just had them be strong and fight, after all. His old dungeon also progressed a lot slower. Even in the short time hes been here, hes seen more change than in a month at the old dungeon.

Poe interrupts his thoughts as he speaks up again. Now then, as to how to actually run an expedition, I should be able to help with that. Let me see, where to start