Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Cecilia was no exception, she was amongst the forest spring spirits that were dressed differently. If he had to say, her attire was more like that of a priestess.

After the forest spring spirits were done praying, Fennel came to him and explained "Lord Simon, the tree we are in front of is called the spirit tree and according to the records our ancestors have left behind holds special significance to us. It seemed that they used to perform a prayer for the deceased around this tree during every Spiritus Fortuna festival".

"Unfortunately, after that dark history where our clan had to desert our home and live in seclusion, our race had never seen a spirit tree again. That was up until a few months ago when suddenly the tree that was mentioned by our ancestors, sprouted by the seeds that lord Simon gave us".

"The tree must have sprouted because the Spiritus Fortuna festival was drawing near, I believe it was an indication from the ancestors of our coming prosperity. Everything is starting to fall back in place, it is all thanks to lord Simon".

At the end of his sentence, the elder even became a little emotional.

"What is elder Fennel saying, I had nothing to do with it. Though I do agree with your words, the forest spring spirits will prosper and thrive just like how it was in the ancient times, you have my word" Simon declared, looking at Cecilia diligently tying a thin purple cloth in one of the branches of the tree and clasping her hands together in prayer.

He remembered the time when he first found her wounded and unconscious near the territory of the ancient treants. From then to now, not much time had passed yet that delicate doll-like girl, was able to stand on her feet after suffering through that terrible experience and smile along with her remaining clansmen once again.

From a complete stranger, she had inched closer and closer to becoming an existence that was like his little sister. Her presence and the changes she brought to his dungeon were so incredible that they could be seen on every floor.

Although at first, it was just on a whim, he told her that she can address him as big brother. But at some point in time, he just naturally accepted her form of address and even started to think of her as his own little sister.

Even if the festival was just a myth their ancestors had cooked up and the tree of spirit had no special meaning, Simon was determined to have the forest spring spirits continue to prosper inside his dungeon.

From Fennel's words, Simon could tell that the elder did not know about the tree of spirits and what it did. His knowledge came from the incomplete memories that their ancestors passed down.

After Cecilia and the others dressed like a priestess finished tying the many clothes onto the branches of the tree giving it a vivid colourful look, they stepped back and stood neatly in a row.

"Lord Simon please start this event by lighting a fire on top of this staff from those lamps" Fennel instructed.

Simon complied without any question. The staff that he thought looked like a unique torch indeed turned out to be one. The moment he went up to the many lamps placed near the tree and brought the top of the staff on top of it, it lighted up in a brilliant emerald green fire.

Simon had never seen this colour of fire before and it was beyond his logic why it did not produce any kind of heat. Nevertheless, he accredited this uniqueness to the staff since it was said that it was a branch of a world tree and held an immense amount of natural energy.

Weirdly enough, seeing the forest spring spirits praying silently like that and him holding the staff, he felt a sense of déjà vu for some reason unknown to him. He tried to recall if he had seen this kind of ritual anywhere else before or perhaps in his previous life.

However, nothing came to his mind leading to him discarding this thought. Now that the forest spring spirits were done placing the lamps, tying the clothes on the branches of the spirit tree and with their prayers, Simon as asked by Fennel, carried the staff and led them back to the village.

Back at the village square, Simon ignited the fireplace with the fire from the staff and started the Spiritus Fortuna festival. Basically, as an inaugurator, all he had to do was carry the staff, lead the forest spring spirits and ignite the fireplace from the emerald green fire of the staff.

The festivity started the moment he ignited the fireplace. People started dancing around the fire, chatting, drinking, and eating from the lines of dishes placed on the table. They brought out the ample harvest they had and started making unique kinds of dishes to keep the festivity going.

Simon did not shy away from participating in this festival as he tried out every kind of dish that was like a paradise for his taste buds and the unique kinds of wine that can only be brewed by the forest spring spirits.

It must be mentioned that he wasn't the only one enjoying the festival as Irene and the Valkyrie sisters could be seen roaming around the village square and trying out different kinds of foods, chatting, laughing merrily and enjoying the recreation.

Cecilia aided her aunt Daphne in preparing various kinds of foods all the while laughing and giggling with her friends.

He did not know about others, but for the maid sister that he created himself, it was the first time that they had attended any festival. Their joy and curiosity could be seen on their faces.

Simon sat down on a chair with a glass of wine in his hand and looked at the merry faces of each and every one of his subordinates. He felt like this kind of festival was a good opportunity for his subordinates to let loose sometimes, especially after the fight they had on the thirty-sixth floor.

Inside the dungeon it was not every time that they could celebrate a day like this, thus it was important that they enjoyed this day. The festival today also reminded Simon how crucial it was to have a day like this. The dungeon was their home and they who live in it should have a few days in a year like this to celebrate and enjoy.

Simon decided to make a mental note of this and just like that, the dungeon Laplace would have various festivals the inhabitants of this place would enjoy. But that was something for the future, right now, Simon delved on the slight feeling of intoxication and the atmosphere of festivity around him.

The wine brewed by the forest spring spirits was unlike all the other ales that Simon had before, it must be mentioned that the unique types of fruits and vegetables that only a race like them can grow had mysterious effects and properties even in the simplest of their food.

The wine that he was drinking right now, seemed to be made of the extracts of some berries that grow underground. It had a strong burning taste along with the mysterious effects of increasing your physical abilities for a short duration of time.

As Simon silently immersed himself in this peaceful time, Irene approached him and sat next to the chair beside him.

Although this icy cold beauty always maintains a composed face like a lake, at this moment even Simon could make out that small smile hanging at the corner of her lips. Her face was a little flushed with how much she was dragged around by Cecilia who wanted her to try all of those dishes that her clan prepared.

"Here..." Irene said passing over a plate of food that looked like some kind of dumpling.

Simon looked at her with his questioning gaze only for the latter to shift her eyes and state "Cecilia told me to pass this to you. It is something that she made it herself".

Simon picked out one of the dumplings and asked "What is it called?".

"Hmm, she mentioned it was made of five fruit balls so… five fruit balls?!".

Simon smiled at her uncharacteristic reply and put the dumpling down his mouth.

"It's good!! why don't you try some?" He said nonchalantly.

Irene nodded her head, picked a dumpling and chewed on it "You are right, it's good".

"Haha, who knew that girl can cook".

Immersing in the festive moment, the two shared a plate of dumplings when suddenly, Simon narrowed his eyes.

"Where are you going?" Irene questioned when she saw Simon suddenly standing up.

"The new floor where the prisoners are. It looks like some of them have succumbed to the pain and are now willing to talk" Simon answered he was just about to open the [Main Mneu] and teleport to the floor when Irene suddenly said.

"Let me come with you, I want to know how they knew about the forest spring spirits".

Seeing her insist, Simon thought about it for a bit before shaking his head.

"Looking at how happy she is, I can see that Cecilia has been looking forward to this day. I'm sure that if the both of us disappear, she would feel hurt. That is why, at least you should stay here with her clan for their big day".

"Also, you don't have to worry I know how much you care for Cecilia and this clan, I will make sure to get all of the information out of them".

Simon reasoned for Irene to stay while he teleported out of the forest spring village. The next time he appeared, he was on the newly created floor he used to summon the Valkyries. Currently, the floor was turned into a cavernous area where the intruders are held captive.