Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

"However, when they arrived at the Harpy's territory, the place was already empty. That's right, there was no one to be found nor any soul to be seen".

Gufardus and Shasurna arched their brows at those words "What do you mean? How can they just disappear out of the blue?".

Gil-Garna looked toward the seven kings and smiled "That's right, they didn't disappear but rather relocated to a new place?"...

Relocation?!!...

"What nonsense. Gil-garna if you have called us like this to tell us some made up stories, then you have wasted our time" Vesgard the most composed of all, spoke offhandedly.

One of the king clans, if the clan of the harpies were to move to a different place, such a big movement would naturally attract everyone's attention. But forget about any news of relocation, they did not see even one harpy coming out of their territory.

And even if considering that the harpies did relocate, where would they even move to? The current territory of the harpies was the most perfect place for them to inhabit. There was no other place that could suit their natural disposition in any place else in the entire Ghastly Winding Forest.

"Wait… wait, I'm not done with the explanation. Don't jump to conclusions, at least listen to everything that I have to say. I have said that they relocated to a new place for a reason. What's more the place they had relocated to, could easily harbour all of them and allow them to live in their natural habitat"…

"Are you meaning?"

The seven kings were no idiots, although most of them had more brawns than brains, the quick witted ones naturally sensed the underlying meaning behind his words.

"That's right, they haven't relocated to a new place in the ghastly winding forest but rather inside the dungeon. A few days ago, I sent my subordinates to the territory of the harpies with a message from me for their queen"

"Though we didn't find them, we did end up discovering the shortcut they used to relocate all the harpies in the dungeon. It was created deep in the heart of their territory and was hidden quite well"

"The shortcut leads directly to the deeper floors of the dungeon and is wide enough for a big army to pass through. As for whether I'm lying or not, I'm sure all of you know it better". Novel Fire - novelfire.net

Gil-Garna's words caused the seven kings except for Yverza and Aldebaran to make quite an unusual face. Of course, they knew fully well whether he was lying or not from the memories of the world they inherited.

As such, they knew that the dungeon indeed possessed an unusual power to create a shortcut that connected with the outside world. Just that only some powerful dungeons which have existed for hundreds of years or probably even thousands, are able to do something like this.

How long had it been since the dungeon in the east emerged? For it to be able to create something that is exclusive to only old and powerful dungeon, it was hard to believe.

"Are you guys finally starting to realise how unusual this dungeon is? If it ranks up at this rate, soon a point will come where the entire ghastly winding forest would be too small for it. As such, I suggest creating an alliance to attack the dungeon and snuff this growing plague from our forest once and for all. The Ghastly Winding Forest is ours, the seven kings and not the Demon Noble's territory"

Gil-Garba timed his words perfectly causing even the composed ones like Vesgard to have their emotions fluctuate for a slight moment.

"I see, so you plan to use the very same shortcut created by the dungeon to attack it. I must say, it is quite an ingenious plan. However, have you considered all the possibilities? Possibilities like at what cost will the victory be for? Or what if you lose?"

Aldebaran suddenly placed an odd question with a smile on his face.

From the start to finish of his presentation, this old monster had been unfazed only showing slight interest at times suddenly asking a question. Even Gil-Garna was unable to determine what was their objective behind placing such a question. Nevertheless, he still replied confidently.

"Of course, since I am doing this, naturally the possibility of us winning is 100 per cent. As for defeat, the chances are zero. I have calculated all the power the enemy might possess, tricks they could use and based on that, I have assessed that if I have the aid of three of the seven kings, we can completely win this battle".

"I see, in that case, when are you planning to attack?"…

"As soon as possible" the ogre king grinned "Our clan is already ready and is on standby near the territory of the harpies.; Of course, if any of you wish to join us we can wait for a day or two for you and your clan to arrive".

Gil-Garna glanced at the seven kings, the reason why he invited all of them here was because he hoped to reel some of them into his plan. Of course, he didn't expect everyone to respond to his call.

Beings like Aldebaran, Vesgard and Gufardus who were quite mysterious and usually kept to themselves, their presence here was a pleasant surprise.

"Haha, this old man is much too aged for all of this. If it was in my prime, I would have lend you a hand or two. However, it's impossible now. I will leave you youngsters to your plan. Now then, please excuse me" Saying that, Aldebaran stood up from his seat.

"I will leave too. I have no interest in attacking the dungeon. As long as they don't antagonise me first, I'm willing to let them continue on like this" Vesgard spoke his intentions too.

"I would have liked to give you a hand, I am quite interested in this dungeon which is able to increase in rank so fast. However, I am busy with something right now and can't separate myself out of it" Gufardus also stood up to leave.

Gil-Garna didn't say anything to stop them from leaving. It was impossible from the beginning for the seven kings to work together anyway and besides he already knew these existences won't help him either.

He chose to invite them and reveal his plans to them because he didn't want them to get in his way.

"Haha, I pray for your success king of the Black Ogres. We shall meet again"

Aldebaran looked at Gil-Garna for one last time, threw some words full of deep meaning before leaving. Earth rumbled and with a gust of wind, the tree that had morphed into the appearance of Aldebaran, returned to its previous state.

His exit just like his entrance was as mysterious as ever.

After Aldebran left, thunderbolts started charging in the sky and with a flash of blinding crimson light, Vesgard flew into the sky and disappeared from sight.

At the same time, a deafening lion roar sounded out and a flaming conflagration that looked like a hideous chimaera, formed carrying Gufardus into the sky.

Once all of them left, the peace that had been shattered by their powerful presence returned once again. The heavy pressure disappeared and the ogre and teraquake rhino subordinates could finally breathe again.

"Since you are still remaining does it mean that you are on board with our plan?"

Gil-Garna tore his eyes away and looked at the sole remaining seven kings other than Yverza still seated in his seat. The person he was looking at, was none other than the king of the swamps, the Emerald Viperlord, Shasurna.

"ShaShaSha… do you think I'm like those idiots who can't see the bigger picture? Out with it Gil-Garna, I know you don't just want to defeat the demon. Destroying a dungeon is a waste of treasure, especially one as unique as the one the Demon of the East set up"

"I know you are planning much more than those simple lines you threw at us. I want to join you, tell me your real objective?"

The last remaining seven king smiled, his onyx like eyes seemed like it was able to pierce through one's soul.

"What do you mean?" Yverza asked keeping a straight face.

"Don't use that trick on me. I know when a face is lying when I see one. ShaShaSha… If you want my help, you must include me in your real plan" Shasurna licked his lips with his slithery tongue.

"It seems like it was foolish of us to think that we could trick the first variant shaman of his race. You are deserving of your fame Emerald Vieprlord. Very well, I shall brief you about our real plan. However, before that you must order your clan to assemble. The shortcut is still open but we aren't sure how long it would stay like that. Before it closes, I would like all our three clans to enter it" Gil-Garna instructed.

.

.

A few hundred kilometres away from the territory of the black Ogres, a crimson thunder light flashed and the figure of Vesgard appeared with it.

"What do you of it Alder?"

His voice carried by the wind echoed across the surroundings. However, there was no one to respond to him. Vesgard wasn't bothered by it and simply waited for some time.

Suddenly, the trees started swaying with a mysterious wind and the land became more verdant. Thud…thud… thud… footsteps sounded out and the figure of Aldebaran who had once again taken arboreal form, appeared beside the Wind Lightning draconic falcon.