The Dungeon Inn - English

B02C31 - Deal

I had two options. Either I came to an agreement with them or I got rid of them. The latter was something I could somehow make the guild believe with the Doom Forest. It also felt safer, since dead people could hardly betray you.

But it wasn't just to my advantage. I wanted to keep them as a source of mana for the winter. You could tie them up the whole time, but then someone would have to guard them for security reason. On the other hand, the guild had told me that it wasn't that easy to find someone to meet my requirements. So who could guarantee me that I would get a replacement? The replacement could also betray me at any time. There was no guarantee of their loyalty.

The demis may be hated by humans, but for me they were ideal. They were used to working like slaves. They usually didn't question my orders and accepted every task. If I got humans, they would certainly roll their eyes or refuse occasionally. They would say it's not their job to take care of the fields or the household, for example. Even now, Albert knew he had no choice, so he took the usual path of admitting guilt and accepting any punishment. Wouldn't others argue to the bitter end or resort to violence?

So if I kept Albert's group, things would be easier. But I ran the risk of them betraying us. The jump from a snow woman to a dungeon might not be far off. So I was taking a lot of risks by taking this path. But time was on my side. Winter locked us in here, I could continue to observe and test them. So my verdict didn't have to be final immediately. If they became too much of a problem, I could always get rid of them before spring.

"The punishment doesn't matter for now. My trust in you is shaken. As they always say, trust has to be earned. You have shown insight and admitted your guilt. So I want to give you a second chance.

It shouldn't surprise you when I tell you that you are not allowed to tell anyone about Sarah's nature. I'm sure that even the slightest misstep would spread the news like wildfire. This is your chance to regain my trust. If even one innocent person finds out about it, I don't want you here anymore. The same goes for any other misstep you make, of course."

"Our lips are sealed, we won't tell anyone."

"You're lucky we're locked up here in the winter. Otherwise I'd add something else too."

"We'll accept our punishment anytime."

"I'll remember that. That should settle the matter and you can go clear the snow."

Albert's group moved away, leaving us alone.

"I think you acted wisely, young master. You seem to have seen their benefit."

"Isn't the benefit to you just having a cat demi with us?"

"Not just that. It was only a matter of time before they found out. When you spend every day together, mistakes are inevitable. As Demis, however, we can bind them to us more easily, as their demands will be trivial."

"I agree, sir. People would be more likely to betray us or take advantage of us as soon as they find out something."

"That was my opinion too. However, time will tell whether we can really trust them."

"Master Marco, is the matter settled to your satisfaction?"

"Yes, for now, Sarah."

"May I then go back to the Snow Children?"

"Do you want to visit them more often?"

"The Doom Forest is quite dangerous and the other snow women would appreciate occasional support. So I would like to help them as much as possible."

"Then don't you want to bring them here? Albert's group knows about it now and shouldn't be a problem."

"No, that wouldn't be in the children's interest. They have to grow up out there."

"So Friedrich was right. Your absence only makes our current sparse staffing obvious. As soon as spring comes, I should summon someone else."

"I will of course give you priority, Master Marco. If Albert's group tries something, they won't get very far. I will be here every day."

"That's good, but it doesn't change what I said. Hilda is right, the longer someone is here, the more likely they are to find inconsistencies. If we are understaffed, mistakes will happen more quickly. I don't know how many we need yet, but as soon as the arrival of someone new can be explained, we should expand."

"Sir, do you want to summon another fighter?"

"No, I've changed my mind slightly. I'd like to have Sarah in the kitchen with me so she would provide protection for me. So I only need someone for the counter."

"It would be good if it was someone tough, though, so he could keep up with the adventurers. If Paul is right, there might be a fight or two."

"Perhaps I should summon two after all. Let's wait until spring to see how things develop. Now in winter, I can't summon anyone for the public. So let's leave it at that for now and go about our tasks."

"Master Marco, could I ask you for some pudding again?"

"For the snow children?"

"Yes, they and the snow women have taken a liking to them and I would like to bring some again."

"Fine by me, but shouldn't we get paid then?"

"That will be rather difficult since they have no money."

"Perhaps they can show their gratitude in another way. We are supposed to keep an eye on the forest as an outpost, perhaps they could do that for us in winter."

"They travel around a lot with the snow children. So it should be easy for them. I'll see if I can convince them."

"If it doesn't work, it's not a big deal. I don't think monsters will even get to us at this time of year."

"Now that the others know my nature, would I be allowed to strengthen the defenses?"

"What do you have in mind?"