Chapter 976: Chapter 976: Messing with General Anya (2)
"What’s your opinion on all this Khuno?" After General Anya left Frost sipped his drink and asked his useless bodyguard.
"Inconsequential, as long as they don’t have disagreements within the city it makes no difference to us." They weren’t Northrend so why should they care about squabbles between nobles of a foreign Empire.
"That’s true....guess I’ll simply sit back and relish in the added DP entering our coffers." If the first caravan was anything to go by their daily DP would easily jump thousands perhaps even tens of thousands and that was taking into account the reduced absorption rate from being on an external floor, about 25% or so of what they’d get if they were properly within the Dungeon.
This short term alliance appeared to be nothing but good news for the young Dungeon core and his growing city.
"Milord if you don’t mind me asking why did you purposefully antagonise General Anya. You must be aware that even if we’re fully prepared for an assault she could still end both of us without much effort." Although he sensed no true killing intent behind her earlier flourish Khuno still thought his master had taken an unnecessary risk.
"Oh that, there’s a couple reasons actually." Frost took another sip of his drink not bothered by Khuno’s curiosity.
"First she’s far too tense, you can see her muscles occasionally spasming without her intent, her gaze darting around the room whenever she hears the slightest noise. While her eyes themselves are quite glassy and surrounded by obvious dark bags. I doubt she’s gotten more than a couple hours sleep ever since Avira was placed under my protection. Prodding her in a playful manner is beneficial in relieving her tension, she should sleep better tonight because of it." The suite he arranged for her was of the highest quality and it wasn’t just because of their acquaintance but because he saw the signs of exhaustion in her.
"I understand...what’s the second reason?" Khuno felt relieved, his master really did have proper intentions, he wasn’t just playing around.
"Come now Khuno you’ve been by my side for long enough now, surely you can work out the second reason yourself." Frost’s tone was rather playful, his lips curling into a small smirk as he turned to face his looming bodyguard.
"?????" Khuno was at a complete loss, his mind throwing nothing but blanks which caused Frost to sigh.
"Haaaaa I’m a little petty Khuno, that’s why I messed with her." Being forced to spell it out so directly took some of the fun out of it.
Given the current circumstances Frost was practically untouchable when facing Anya. She not only owed him a great deal, but he was in a strong alliance with the neutral nobles, messing with him could ruin their attempts to offer aid to Duke Runak and by extension Princess Avira thus she who was being sheltered by them and at the same time him really couldn’t offer any protest. She had zero authority here despite her A-rank strength, her might was in the hands of those leading this enforcement, to be directed by their will and their will alone....a tool or rather a weapon.
An attack against Frost would result in her being surrounded on all sides and her sworn liege likely paying the price therefore she bit her tongue and held herself back whenever Frost made a slight against her, noting down every grievance to be paid back in full when the fallen phoenix eventually rises back from the ashes.
Frost was fully aware that he was playing a dangerous game but how often do you get the opportunity to mess with someone with that kind of strength. In their previous engagements she always acted with a heavy hand, dominant and forceful so seeing a chance to even the score he took it.
It might come back to bite him in the ass in the future but at the same time it might not, his strength was growing at a rapid pace plus his new lover, Khione would be more than a match for a little Northrend General like Anya.
It was a gamble but a gamble with decent odds.
".....I want to swap duties with Findley, let him protect you." Khuno rubbed his temples with his right hand while his left tightened around his halberd as he resisted the growing urge to smack his master across the back of the head.
’He really was doing it just to mess with her.’ He felt the noble impression he had of Frost in his heart withering away.
"Denied, his reactions are too innocent and dense, not nearly as fun as yours hehehehe~"
"I want to quit this racket business!"
"Never, you’re bound to me for life muahahaha." Messing with people was so much fun, Maya had unintentionally created a demon with her actions during his formative months.
While the master and subordinate engaged in banter that was becoming more and more frequent things didn’t come to a standstill for the city nor for the influx of people arriving via false caravans.
Whenever a new caravan arrived from Sedrick’s side he’d scan their strength and if the leader had at least peak B-rank strength he’d offer a polite yet cold greeting as they were guided to their arranged quarters whereas for the groups sent by Douglas and the neutral nobles he’d put in much greater effort, smiling from ear to ear and joining them for a lavish meal, the difference in treatment was evident but understandable considering the relationship between the distinct parties. He may have been more cordial with the neutrals but at the same time he never neglected, shunned or deprived those sent by Sedrick thus despite a few grumbles behind hidden doors no conflicts or major disagreements erupted during the past few days.
To keep up the illusion of them being merchant convoys several engaged in active trade with those residing in Niflheim as well as the Lord himself thus allowing Frost to doubly benefit.
However as the number of caravans grew and the passive amount of DP continued to rise Frost’s emotions started to become a little erratic. His heart would beat faster than normal, his blood rising to a boil and he’d feel a ravenous hunger in his stomach. Saliva would suddenly drip from the side of his mouth, and his teeth would push forward as though being drawn to a succulent delicacy.
While he may appear to have the form of a handsome elf that was only half of his existence his true nature was that of a Dungeon, a sentient monster lair that feasted on those who entered his awaiting maw.
Watching and feeling these powerful individuals that numbered in the hundreds practically dancing on his tongue Frost couldn’t resist envisioning biting down, slaughtering them all and feasting on their bountiful life energy.
The golden number surpassed 40,000DP, because of these caravans holding elite reinforcements for Icethorne’s war effort the Dungeon’s daily passive income increased by 45,000....it was no wonder Frost was struggling to maintain his decorum, if he killed all of them he’d have nearly half a million DP, quadruple that if they were within the Dungeon proper. The amount of stuff he could purchase with half a million DP oomph just the thought was enough for a Dungeon core to break into a lively dance.
So pleased by the number he actually summoned an urgent meeting with his officers and family members the topic being how to keep these delicious morsels here in Niflheim for an extra day or better yet two or three.
Unfortunately in the minds of Sedrick’s forces and the neutral nobles time was really of the essence, they had no need to delay their trip once their entire congregation had arrived.
Luckily however due to some delays and a few last minute adventurer parties being convinced at the final hour they did agree to stay an additional day which meant an extra 45,000DP in the pocket, not half a mil but certainly enough to be considered a juicy morsel.
But that wasn’t all, on the final day before their departure Frost while performing his hourly or sometimes even half hourly ritual of scanning the city and measuring the influx of DP noticed something peculiar.
The external room in front of the Dungeon’s main entrance although sporting a wall that cordoned off an area 1km by 1km the actual land under the Dungeon’s purview had been extended to 5km by 5km with plans to expand it even further for the purpose of scouting approaching enemies from afar.
About one and half kilometres southwest of the southern wall there was a group of individuals making camp, not all that unusual but this group was rather large and after inspecting their specific DP outputs Frost immediately assumed it was another false caravan and likely a rather big fish given the strength of its leader, but why would they make camp before the city, another 20 minute trek and they’d reach their goal and enjoy warm beds and hearty food.
"Findley do me a favour." Sensing something suspicious but not having the time to investigate it himself -paperwork on top of paperwork- he called Findley who had managed to delegate some of his more tedious overseer jobs to Neve, his new secretary.
"What do you need Master?" Ever the dutiful subordinate Findley responded instantly and with an eager tone.
"Monitor a group of people camping over a kilometre southwest of the city, I’ve got a bad feeling but so far I’ve not see anything suspicious other than their choice in location." It wasn’t a crime to make camp in that location, perhaps they had good reason, injuries among their group or maybe orders to monitor the rear as the large convoy of caravans made their way into the Glacial mountains. There always needed to be someone to take on the more tedious and less desirable jobs after all.
"Understood." Such a task was rather easy given the use of the Dungeon menu and its ability to monitor any of its established floors but considering it was an external floor the feed wasn’t as clear nor as invasive, a compromise to stop the Dungeon core’s from being able to perfectly monitor vast swaths of land beyond their Dungeon.
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