By: Indumati Eveningnight
Gran refitted the airship and even made it into a dungeon in and of itself, and modeled it after some of the designs that Azure shared of the fears of the "Dark Lord" she saw in Protagonism soldiers that had raided last time, namely the spider. Gran decided it would make a great ironic symbol if he co-opted the spider's mark into a design that would incorporate the fortress design into it or a maze. His friends voted on a few design ideas and shared their own. Since Gran thought they should all have fun too. Gran then said to Azure, Maria, and Alucarda, "So, we agree that the design with the spider web with a giant boss spider on it over a maze-like web is the best?" Azure then said, "It's a cool idea to use their own fears against them. It's a shame that the information gathered from their minds shows that the priests already suspected "New Moon" due to Ruri going back to Lord Lodestone of Iron Mountain." Maria then said, "Sadly, we may need to change our disguises and operate in the shadows more. That's a bit sordid for my tastes." Alucarda then responded, "I'd say it's perfect, it means less distractions and we can focus on what we're doing without the Guild's interference." Gran then thought for a moment and said, "I have a proposal then. How about we prove that "New Moon" is actually innocent and not involved in "The Ziggurat of Shadow" or "The Architect" as they call me instead?" He then laid out a plan before each of them. Maria liked it. Alucarda winced at it, saying, "It'll be difficult to pull off." However, Azure looked at it curiously and said, "I find it amusing." Gran then said, "Now, Maria, are the invisibility devices installed on the ship?" Maria saluted and said, "They are." Gran then said, "Azure, will you come with me to the meeting with Apophis later? We're closing in on her people's former territory, in the jungle near our main objective." Azure nodded and said, "She's already waiting for you with the others." Gran then said to Alucarda, "And how's our patient doing, Alucarda?" Alucarda then said, "Ah, the "Valkyrie?" She's starting to come around and get a bit braver. The therapy for her is coming along nicely." Gran then said, "Excellent. Now, we have a busy day ahead of us, so let us quickly get the ball rolling, shall we?"
Gran then met with Apophis, and Apophis told him, "There are slavers in the nearby town who have captured many of our tribe as well." Gran then said, "Then, of course, we should free them. Are you confident enough in your abilities?" Apophis held up a curved dagger marked with black jewels and said, "I, a proud lamia, would be happy to assist our "Dark Lord"." Rose then said, "Shall you be coming with us?" Gran then said, "Our "eyes" in the sky are getting the report on the situation now." He then brought up several screens of the Eye Bats, invisible stealth spies, looking into a slave market going on right now. Gran then said, "It's time for the Big, Bad Evil "Dark Lord" to make an appearance." Apophis then said, "I assume you have a plan for this?" Gran then said, "Azure's ready to rain down the confusion and the pain upon them. Her part won't stop there. She'll be capturing one of the slaver's higher ups in order to steal information from their dreams. I, on the other hand, will unleash a bunch of monsters to sow discord and...do a little presentation." Rose then said, "And we will join from the rear with Alucarda?" Gran then said, "It's a bold plan, but since our enemy already fears the return of the "Dark Lord", why not have fun with it and show Protagonism as well as the Scorpion's Sting true terror?" He then did an imaginary mustache twirl. Rose smiled a bit and said, "I like this." The Dragon Princess then said, "What should I do?" Gran then said, "You'll be working with Azure, of course. I intend to wipe out the slavers quickly. We just need...a few controlled burns at keys points." He laid out the plans before them. Gran then said, "Of course, we should expect resistance. Also, you remember, of course, if anyone is being enslaved or forced to fight or they surrender, we are to not kill them but subdue them peacefully. Also, we are to not kill non-combatants." Everyone agreed, and the operation began.
At the gates before the city of Swampmire, which were off the muddy dirty swamp leading into the city, the guards at the gate, who didn't know about the suspicions, saw Gran and his team approach and said, "Ah, B-Rank? You guys gonna help out against the Merfolk?" Gran then responded coolly, "We actually have some business to take care of in Swampmire." The gate guard then said, "Ah, you should consider joining the war effort. Orders on high though have gone nuts...they're talking about some guy named The Architect and saying he's the new Dark Lord...can you believe it?" Maria responded kindly, in her human guise, "The Dark Lord? You mean Arachne, right?" The gate guard then said, "Personally, I think that's crazy talk. After all, the Dark Lord and his guys were defeated long, long ago, along with the Daemons." He then opened the gate and said, "Good luck with your business, okay?" Gran and his team, New Moon, went through. And when they entered the city, Gran decided to go to the guild. The guild leader there, however, heard of the suspicions of New Moon having something to do with The Architect, so naturally, Gran and his team got surrounded by guards. Gran pretended to be confused by this and asked, "Hey, what's going on?" One of the paladins of it then said, "We just have a couple of questions about what happened with Bazza's Gang. You remember them, right?" Gran then asked, "Ah, you mean The Scorpion's Sting? You guys looking for clues into them? We handed the evidence over the guide there and they gave it to their local lord, right?" The Paladin then took him and his team to a room, but didn't officially arrest them, and he grilled Gran and his team separately. He used a crystal to detect the lies from the truth, but all of them knew how to fool the crystal, unknown to the Paladin. The Paladin was confused. "So, you believe, based on the evidence you found, that they may have had many slaves that were taken elsewhere?" Gran then said, "Probably?" The Paladin had, however, heard that a slave caravan in the region had been attacked, though it was clear it wasn't Gran and his team. In fact, it was Dwarf Loyalists. The Paladin then said, "Err...yeah, anyway, do you have any more information about the Scorpion's Sting?" Gran then said, "Aside from Bazza and his gang and the evidence that was recovered? Not much. Though they're a big deal, right? And they've been doing a lot of bad stuff, so if I see any of them again, I should take them down." The Paladin then said, "Yeah...sure." He was hiding his own brand under his armor. Gran however anticipated that the church corruption had gone to the top. Gran then said, "Well, if there's nothing else, are we free to go?" The Paladin then said, "There is something else..." But then, a guard came into the room and said, "Sir, we need to get all hands on deck. There's something wrong. At the slave market." The Paladin then said, "What?" Gran then responded, "Hey, should I help too?" The Paladin sighed and said, "Huh? Well, I guess so. It is an emergency." Gran gathered his team and headed out with the Church of Protagonism team with a group of C to D rank adventurers to "investigate" what was going on. Even though he knew...
A few moments before Gran was arrested and when he was being questioned The Slave Market, which operated under a shell organization connected to The Scorpion's Sting, was underway. The Market had several cages with a bunch of slaves, from beautiful elves, to salacious monster girls of various kinds, to even a few monsters being sold as pets, to even a dragon egg from the mountains. The place was abuzz with excitement at it all, and a bunch of rich creepy men gathered from all over to this one big square to check it all out and buy some "property" that they hoped to "make use" of. Then, they presented the big catch of the day! It was a merfolk, one that looked like a humanoid woman mixed with a winged angel and a bright yellow and black fish like tail, and crowned in shells and coral, with a slave collar on her to control her, and her features covered only by her golden locks. The creepy auctioneer, an ugly man in purple makeup with a purple robe and a rotund appearance then said, "And look what we have here! One of the "Princesses" of the Merfolk Tribe! Now, let us start the bidding at 1 million kern! Do I hear one million kern?" However, a dark mist started to roll in. Which freaked everyone out. Especially as everyone started coughing from it as viral looking round greenish virus creatures came from it that struck many of the people down, and then snake like monsters appeared from the mist and started to bite into the people and envelop and engulf them, and Naga Warriors that resembled cobra-men drew near and started attacking the people. The auctioneer looked on in horror and said, "What the fuck is going on?!?" And then, a presence loomed behind him! It was Apophis! She wrapped her tail around him and choked him out and bit him with a special venom to knock him out, to capture him for later. She then started laughing at she was causing chaos and a bunch of priests and warriors of the guild and the Protagonism cult drew near. They wanted to fight her, but where quickly defeated by her minions. One of the Paladins was bitten through his armor, a priest was sprayed with acid that melted his face, and a Naga Man quickly got in the way of a fighter and blasted him with toxic gas to blind him before delivering a Numbing Needle that paralyzed him and then it struck him dead with a Sadistic Blow, which inflicted more damage based on ailment and struck him dead as he collapsed. The rest of the goons were having a rough time. Then Gran and his friends drew near with the Head Paladin and a group of higher tier opponents. The Head Paladin asked the mighty viel-wearing snake woman, "What is the meaning of this?!? Who are you?" The snake woman Apophis then said, "I am Apophis, one of The Architect's Followers and Leader to the Death Serpent Squad! My children and I will be taking this city by force and making all of you kneel before the Dark Lord!" The Head Paladin couldn't believe it and his knees started shaking, "I-It can't be! It's as Father Dual feared! The Dark Lord! The Dark Lord is back!" However, Gran held his shoulder and said, "Hey, keep it together, you have to protect the city." The Head Priest and his men then said, "Yeah, you're right!" He then rallied his men to fight and said, "Men! We're taking the city back from this vile serpent!" But Apophis only smiled a knowing sickly smile and then said, "You're already too late. The other division leader has already begun their operation." The Head Paladin didn't know what she meant. And then a report came in from one of the men that ran to him that said, "Sir, the Factory! Where we produce the toxins!" The Head Paladin was angry.
Because right now, up in the sky, a massive red dragon clad in silver bikini armor with red rubies on it was being ridden by Rose, the Dark Elf, and the Dragon roared and let out a blazing red hot scotching flame of fire right at the factory, which bathed it in flames that spread and just wouldn't go out no matter how much water was put on them by the panicking workers! Then the fire spread to the toxins and the toxins exploded, taking out most of the factory-and mainly of the burning workers who were working with the Church of Protagonism-with it. Because of this, the toxins being poured into the waters came to a halt and started to clear up.
Cut back to the Head Paladin who said, in an angry, disheartened, frustrated voice, "So it was a joint attack then?!? You and your snakes were just a diversion?!?" Apophis then laughed and said, "Gwa ha ha! That's right. What will it be now? Will you surrender to the Dark Lord, or die fighting?" The Head Paladin said to Gran, "Make sure the slaves are okay, alright? Me and the boys are going fight Apophis and her minions!" Gran agreed but where quickly blocked by a bunch of monsters in their way. Gran. however, wasn't worried. After all, they were ordered to make it look good, and Gran could summon them all back weaker monsters back anyway, so it wasn't a big deal to pretend these guys were an actual threat. Which Apophis sent her snakes to attack the group led by the Head Paladin, who were having a rough time due to the Contagions in the air attacking them too and making them violently ill while the snakes avoided their weapon swings and struck at their weak points. The Head Paladin himself got into a fight with a Cobra-Man and a Cobra-Man Mystic who themselves rushed to protect Apophis. The Paladin then said, "Stop hiding behind your minions, you coward!" Apophis then replied to him coldly but seductively, "Oh? Can you not handle it, little man? After all, you can hardly expect The Dark Lord to play fair, right?" The Paladin fought tooth and nail as he dealt with poison spells and strikes that struck him that numbed him and poisoned him slowly while snakes started latching onto his feet as he tried to struggle and struck them off, and the Cobra-Man aimed a big hit aimed for his heart and-But Gran stepped in and used his wires to slice the Cobra-Man, while Maria struck the snakes and Azure distracted the mystic with a basic illusion. The Head Paladin gasped and wheezed as Gran got him up and Maria healed him a bit, just enough to cure his statuses and keep him alive. The Head Paladin felt a sense that Gran cared. Gran then said, "Are you okay? Can you get up?" The Head Paladin locked back at his men as Alucarda was fighting off the monsters, but...many of his men didn't make it. The Head Paladin then said, "It's a disaster...it's the end." Gran then told him, "Pull yourself together! Heroes don't give up, no matter what!" The Head Paladin then got up and tried to stand with Gran against Apophis but shock his sword weakly and said, "I don't hear no bell." Apophis grew annoyed and said, "Foolish little man." She then struck him into Gran's group hard and knocked them to the side. Apophis then said to them, "Be grateful. Because I am only taking the slaves with me. After all, they'll be useful to the Dark Lord's cause. Also I'm taking this auctioneer with me. However, I am leaving some of my precious serpents in the city to cause a bit more chaos." Which was an impassioned performance by her, to make herself seem scary. She took out a dark crystal, and summoned more snake monsters, including Death Adders, Cobra-Men of various types, Winged Eden-Serpents, and Fiend Cobras, as well as a Giant with a Single Eye that had the ability to shoot heat rays and carried a massive spiked ball n' chain with the creature's name being Balore, and sent them off into the dark corners of the city. While she used an Escape Crystal to steal all the slaves and the auctioneer from view, and take them far, far away from the city, including the Merfolk Princess. The Paladin, when he got up, fell onto his knees and cried and said, "It's not right...It's not fair. Now everyone has to suffer in this city." He then looked at Gran and his friends and said, "We shouldn't have suspected you guys, not one bit. You did what you could to save us and failed." Gran put his hand on the Paladin's shoulder and said, "I know, we all did." The Paladin then said, "And worse, the Church's plan to poison the Merfolk to get the Sapphire of Wisdom is falling apart. Without the keys, how are we gonna keep everyone safe from The Dark Lord?" He then slammed his hand on the ground and said, "The Architect, he'll pay." He then ordered his surviving men to take the dead home to be buried. While Gran and his friends decided to leave the city quietly...and head deep into the Swamp off into a poorly maintained path.
Gran Mason and his friends soon found the ruined lamia civilization. Only a few were left and the city had been wiped and picked clean of most anything of value by the church. The old lady who ruled it was shriveled and frail and not much of a fighter, and the people were demoralized, and injured, and just waiting for more church officials to come and finish them all off once and for. Gran came in there with his friends and the people hid, fearing the worst had finally come. The old snake lady before them was too old to run or fight anymore. So she asked, "Have you come with the church? There's nothing left here for you. What more do you intend to take from us?" Gran then replied, "Actually, we're here on business from Miss Apophis. I believe you may know her?" The old lady thought for a moment. "My daughter? What of her?" Gran opened a portal to dream space, and let Apophis rejoin her grandmother, after so many years of being missing and captured. The eyes of the old snake woman lit up as Apophis hugged her. The old lady asked her about what was going on, and Apophis said, "They're friends. They saved me when I was in a bad spot in my life, and also...Mr. Gran is a dungeon architect. I asked him to help fix up our village and make it into a powerful new dungeon, to protect my people. Also, him and his friends are fighting the Church of Protagonism and have freed a great deal of our people from the Scorpion's Sting." The old snake woman was impressed and said, "Oh is that so?" She turned to Gran Mason, as the people slowly came out upon hearing this. The old woman then replied, "Can you really do it, mister? Are you up for the task?" Gran nodded and said, "I actually have a few ideas that I want to discuss with you about it, if that's okay." He then laid his plans out, which he thought about carefully, seeing the village and it's state, as well as the natural mangrove swamp environment, which is perfect for swamp-themed creatures and monsters, as well as a more swamp-themed dungeon as well as making it into a big snake theme for Apophis, with the intention of installing her as the boss of it. Apophis and the people warmed up to this idea, and Gran got to work making it.
He set up a large swamp like castle fortress with mighty snake-like fountains modelled after lamias and nagas with a massive cobra head like entrance, complete with a welcoming swamp and a rotating bridge puzzle going in with some sneaky Bunyips guarding the waters and Eden Snakes flying in the air while there were monsters hiding in the ground to spring up traps to launch people up from below that resembled purple snakes hiding under tiles that they also used as shields against attacks. Also there was a path going across water lilies where a giant crocodile would chase intruders, though all set up to allow whoever the Lamia clan wanted to pass. Inside, there was a large maze of caverns and heating and cooling spots for various snake-like and reptilian monsters while keeping heroes distracted with fighting various monsters waiting in ambush and various traps and puzzles centered around snakes, complete with a silver snake puzzle meant to test memory which led to a miniboss that was a snake shaman that rode in a cloud of purple poison that commanded many snake monsters under it, as well as dark corners where giant snakes known as "Rainbow Constrictors" lay in wait to pull people into darkness. The living quarters itself was cut off from most of the dungeon and actually a pretty peaceful chill area where the lamia clan bonded with various snake monsters to command them much like Apophis had and had a healing spring inside that would trigger a trap to boil people if they tried to use it against the clan. Of course, Apophis herself was the boss of the region and the protector of her clan. In fact, Mr. Gran had brought in various members of her clan that the mission in Swampmire had saved and freed from the church's control to learn under her and grow and thrive as well. Apophis hugged Gran softly in her coils and said, "You've done so much for me." Gran then said, "I did what I could. Now, of course, you can come to the Ziggurat whenever you want. Let me know if anything else is needed or if anything happens, okay? I do wish you guys best of luck." Apophis then said, "I think I like you." Alucarda however grew jealous and said, "Hey! Knock it off!" Gran then said, trying to maintain professionalism, "I, uh, still have a lot of work to do. For a lot of other people, yeah?" Apophis let him go and teased him a bit saying, "Ah right..." she sounded a bit disappointed. Gran then smiled a little and said, "After all, lots of people do need help to in these lands. And, of course, so do your people. Do what you can for them. Of course, we will still be looking to free even more from the church's grip and bringing them here." Apophis then said, "In that case, I shall guard and maintain this place, for my people. I appreciate everything." She did a polite bow and let Gran take his leave, with Gran waving as he did.
Later, at the Ziggurat, Gran looked at the monsters raiding Swampmire. In truth, Balore was a mere distraction meant to get the church and the heroes focuses on defeating it while most of the other monsters slipped into the shadows and carried out their own raid, thanks to the information Azure gained from the dreams of the Slave Auctioneer, who was still imprisoned in the Ziggurat's garden area where he was trapped in an enchanted sleep by her. He then said, "Looks like our operation is going well...and soon, all the slaves in the region will be taken here and freed." Rose then reported, observing the church's troubles with a bit of a smile, saying, "They cannot focus on rebuilding the factory either, so we're clear to help the Merfolk." Gran then said, "Then me and my team will be going by airship in secret to their region soon. I have already modified it for both sea-and undersea-travel." Maria then said, "And how do we breathe?" Gran gave all of his team special amulets that would allow them to mimic mermaid forms. He then said, "I made these with magic item creation for the job. Water won't be a problem for us." Alucarda then asked Gran, "So, what about The Valkyrie?" Gran then said, "Leave that to me. We don't want to frighten her or trigger any bad memories, yeah?" He then turned to her observation chamber. It seems she was getting brave enough to stand on her own and thinking clearly enough to solve a variety of puzzles. In fact, her healing was coming along nicely. Still, her dreams were full of nightmares and troubles based on all the horrors she experienced, which is why Gran had Azure put some calming magic to help soothe her into some sweets for her. After the meeting, Gran decided to go visit her and to make she sure was okay, though he ditched the "Dark Lord" costume just in case it triggered any violent or painful reactions because he figured if someone closer to herself talked to her, she would calm down a bit and be more open to talking. Which is also why he only had his friendliest and least threatening of his servants visit her to feed and bathe her while encouraging her to take care of herself and get a bit more independence, which Gran knew from his own past under his father was important. Alucarda wondered if, maybe, he was a bit fascinated with her and asked, "Hey, what do you intend to do with her, exactly?" Gran then said, "I was just thinking by myself, sorry. Anyway, what's up?" Alucarda then said, "I actually wanted to give you this from Lord Lodestone and Mr. Lark. It's a letter of recommendation to the Merfolk Queen." Gran took it respectful and said, "Thanks Alucarda." Alucarda then said, "I was the first, right? So have I done good, for you?" Gran then said, "Of course you have. Along with Maria and Azure too. After all, I made you guys based on my favorite adventurers I made back on Earth. Of course, back then, you guys were just pen and paper and a dream. I'm glad I held onto that." Alucarda however, then said, "Oh...I see." she was a bit disappointed, and Gran didn't understand why. Alucarda then said, "Wait, you...created us before all that?" Gran then said, "Yeah, back when I was little and building dungeons on pen and paper. But my dad, he destroyed all that stuff and beat me and berated me for it. He did it as revenge for me looking for a job on my own away from him back on earth because of in his words, responsibilities. It was just him having control issues, honestly. I didn't forget about any of you, or what I made for you, though. In fact, I think Luna and The Constructor restored a lot of my lost memories of what I built back then." Alucarda then said, a bit shaken, "I had no idea..." Gran then said, "It's fine. In fact, I would like to share all that with everyone later sometime." Alucarda then said, "Okay." before she left, with a bit of a weight on her. Gran wondered if it was right to reveal that, but then shifted his attention on his current task-his meeting with The Valkyrie. He hoped that the salve he made could fix the scars which were clearly left by whips.
The Valkyrie herself was having a fun time, though she wondered why The Architect, from what she remembered, had trapped her in this place. Though the so-called "Armor of God's" control, she remembered he held no malice, not towards her, or to Claire. She also knew, however, he eliminated the team that was accompanying her. However, she didn't feel sad, though since winced at the memory of Claus and his disgusting orders to her. In fact, she remembered a lot of stuff like that from similar men. However, it started to hurt less, but she wondered why even still. The, suddenly, a person appeared. At first, she thought it was another servant. She knew drugs and poisons well, but felt none of that. He had a bottle in his hand. He looked also...normal. Though his clothes were strange. A graphic t from his world of a favorite anime he used to watch, a pair of black shorts with a red stripe going down them, and black tennis shoes with some sort of symbol she didn't recognize on them. And dark-brown hair and glasses that looked not bad with gold-plated trim. She said to him, "The Architect has hoomans as servants? All I've seen since then are monsters." Gran then said, "You're mistaken. I am not employed by him or a prisoner to him. I am The Architect." The Valkyrie backed up a bit and said, "Then why?" He then said, "Hey, I got you some medicine here to help you. I noticed you were heavily scarred and wanted to help them go away, so I made this with alchemy skills that I worked on all night to try to make it just right." The Valkyrie took it cautiously and asked, "Then why? Why keep me here?" Gran then said, "When I first saw you enter, I knew something was off, and...one of my friends confirmed it. That armor was some sort of high-tier brainwashing magic, it was hurting you even. So, that's why I took you to this chamber. And removed it. I apologize if it was a bit rough." The Valkyrie then said, "Who are you really?" Gran then said, "My name is Gran Mason. What is yours?" The Valkyrie was taken aback. A normal name. Not only that, she was being asked her name? When she was first summoned to this world by that crooked king and his court magicians, she was never once asked her name. Not ever. In fact, they only expected her to do what they wanted and when she wouldn't? They locked her up in a dungeon below the palace with monsters with collars on them and forced her to fight. And they regular had her beaten to obey or else. And when she collapsed, she was healed and revived just enough to keep her alive to continue with it. However, she felt trapped still. What was Gran going to do to her? She then answered, "My name...no one has asked me that in the 20 years of being brought into this hellish world. I almost forgot it, even. My name is Peony Lovelock." Gran then said, "Peony. I will remember that." She then looked down and said, "Am I to be jailed her then?" Gran then said, "Ah, sorry about that. If you feel up for leaving, you can. Though, would you allow some parting gifts, before you go? After all, I can't send you out into the world with nowhere to live or nothing to do. I am a dungeon architect and can build you a nice base to go to, if you like. That way, you'll have a place to call your own." Peony then said, "It's funny, isn't it? You know, a dungeon used to be a hell for me, now you want to build a different one, for me, to live in? And to make a home for myself? It's like a video game, back home, in the Human Plane." Gran then said, "I am actually from there as well. And I understand what you mean." Peony then said, "Mr. Architect, maybe the church is wrong about you then. You aren't a bad guy. I...need a bit to think though. About what I want to do. I would like to stay far far away from The Church of Protagonism. But sadly, those horrible people are everywhere in this world. The whole world worships and praises them and their goddess as good people and yet they brainwashed me and made me fight to the death every day against my will. Needless to say, I do NOT want to end up in their hands ever again." Gran then said, "Them using their goddess and their power and influence to abuse people is certainly a running theme I've observed." Peony then said, "In that case...would it be okay if I stayed up here, with you? I...I...just want to be safe. And I know I can't be with them around." Gran then hugged her and said, "I don't blame you." She embraced him back and said, "Thank you for all that healing, by the way. Your monsters were actually pretty nice to me." Gran then said, "Thank you." Peony then said, "Also, I...don't want to stay up here, all the time. Which is why if you're gonna travel the world and oppose the church, even if you are or aren't the Dark Lord, you were much kinder than them and saved me from them. That's why I want to help you fight them." Gran then said, "And I want you to be able to. You are welcome to try any path, any vocation, that will help you stand on your own and fight them however you like. Whether you want to do with me or on your own is ultimately your own choice. If you're committed to it though, I will do what I can for you, to help you, if that's okay." Peony liked Gran's sincerity and said, "I like that, thank you. I shall take you up on it." Gran also gave her another gift, from Azure and said, "Here, a sleep aid. To help with the nightmares." Peony took them happily and said, "Thank you. I appreciate that. I think I might actually have some good dreams tonight." Gran then asked, "Do you want to look around the fortress? I have all sorts of things including video games, manga, and even a food court." Peony then said to him, shyly but happily, "I would like that, very much." And he proceeded to lead her all over and show her all those things, which made her happy...and healed her mind a bit more. After all, Gran thought, it was good to get her mind on happier things, on things that she enjoyed, and in building good relationships. In fact, many of the monster servants treated her with kindness as well, despite her being scared of them at first. Peony then ended the big day by sleeping in her own bed, in her own room, that Gran made for her on her recommendations, with all the things she asked for and wanted. Gran even offered to give her more if she asked for it. Peony delighted in this and said, "I think the Dark Lord is a very kind person, it seems. Thank you." before she went off to sleep. Gran then went back to his office. He was happy it was going well. He then started his work on his next plan- to visit to Merfolk. After all, they were trouble as well and could use a bit of a helping hand too. In fact, he spent the night building tons of plans for many of the former slaves too...in fact, he decided to start making them in secret. They would appear all over the place. An empire, to be sure, but intended as sanctuaries and places of protection for many of those unable to fight back against the Church itself. When he finally rested, his mind was still on fire. In fact, Alucarda put a blanket over him, wondering if he overworked himself again, before laying down herself.
Meanwhile, at the Head Church of the Cult of Protagonism, the reports came in to the acting-head priests and the elders while they were having a meeting. The priest was annoyed and said, "This meeting is very important-" But the guard insisted, "It's important, it's from our soldiers in Swampmire. They were attacked by The Architect's forces! Not only that, we received word that one of the Architect's henchmen set up a base in the Lamia's old village in The Deepmire Swamp!" The head-priest was shocked. The elders more so. They had questioned this "Architect" business before, but the guard had an official seal from The King and everything about it. In fact, The King, King Galron, wanted the church to call in additional support from every available hand immediately, because Galron learned from previous experience that The Architect was going to go to The Merfolk and build them a dungeon too. And he needed his best men to be on the job. The acting-head priest was a bit miffed. "The King knows we're shorthanded as is, and many of our best of the best are either busy dealing with the other keys or have already fallen to The Architect's forces. After all, we tried sending several of our best teams to deal with the dungeons that were already made and the survivors were lucky to even make it back alive! In fact, the High Elves and the Dwarves are already making political moves themselves to unite against us! They're getting stronger somehow! At this rate, with them and the Architect business going down and the other keys giving us trouble, we're losing our shirt here!" The guard then said, "Sir, what should we do?" The acting head-priest then said, "We have to stop the Architect. He's our number one priority, understand? If unchecked, it's gonna snowball into something we can't stop. Tell the king we're sending additional support to The Merfolk Kingdom Frontlines, immediately!" The elders all were in agreement. After all, this was a serious conflict now that needed to be addressed posthaste. An order from the Church went out. They were requesting as many additional hands as possible for the key to the Merfolk Kingdom. The guild was in full-on emergency mode, and prospecting adventurers heard about this from everywhere and poured in to reign in the return of the Dark Lord. In fact, the guild was calling upon a retired group of Veterans, The Shining V, to return to the frontlines. An official to the church came upon their leader, Silver Hawk, who was a blonde one eyed man with a handsome appearance, said unto him, "The church of Protagonism-and the world-has need of your services." Silver Hawk then said, "Oh? But we're retired..." The official then said, "It's about the Architect. We know he's the next Dark Lord. And if you and your team can bring him to justice, there will be a massive payday for all of you." Silver Hawk heard the amount and got dollar signs in his eyes and said, "Ooh we'll be living like kings we can do this. Sure, I'll get the crew back together. For one last job." He then used a magic device that alerted Red Ox the fighter, Blue Crow the rogue, Green Snake the Cleric, and Yellow Dragon the martial artist through a bunch of bells that they still wore in case the world needed them once again. They heard the call and left everything they were doing from running a bar, making love to their wife, to doing charity work for the Cult of Protagonism, to some gardening for their misses, to suit up once again in their power-rangers inspired medieval outfits and head on out to defeat The Architect once and for all, all under the idea of restoring justice and order to the world once again! The Shining V went out of town and hurried towards the Merfolk Kingdom on the double as if expecting tons of trouble!
End of Part 6