Raised in Dungeon



Theda felt a sense of urgency to finish the soup quickly and find out what Allen was doing there. However, she suddenly paused mid-sip, remembering how selfish she was before. She realized that she needed to appreciate and enjoy the special soup that Allen had made, before she went.

Theda lowered her spoon, slowing the pace of her eating.

"Huff... so good," Theda said with teary eyes.

She savored each spoonful of the savory soup, enjoying the warmth spreading throughout her body. She took her time, enjoying every second of the meal.

"Thanks for the soup," Theda said, feeling content with the moment.

"Fufu, if Allen had seen your face just now, he would have been very happy."

"Really?"

"Yes, Allen always peeks behind the kitchen to see how the customers react. I hope he can see your reaction just now."

"I see..." 'What a strange child,' Theda thought with a slight smile on her face.

"It may not be much, but I think I should leave some extra money for now."

Theda took out a small gold coin and gave it to Susan, "Thank you very much! Please come again next time."

Theda nodded. She went out and intended to find Allen.

...

Since the estate was nearby, Theda boarded a carriage and was driven to the front of her house. She saw a long line at one of the gardens. As soon as Theda got off the carriage and headed there, she saw that at the end of the queue was Allen, along with three people helping him. Peter, Pascoe, and then a small boy with dark brown hair, Jack.

Behind them was a cart with three types of vegetables: potatoes, carrots, and spinach.

The crowd came to buy the vegetables they were selling. Peter took the money, Pascoe and Jack brought the vegetables, and Allen put the vegetables in a bag.

The price of the vegetables was calculated based on how big the bag was.

Theda approached one of the customers and asked,

"What is this queue? Why is everyone gathered here?" Theda asked.

"We want to buy vegetables. The food here is three times cheaper than at the market."

One of the shoppers then commented, "That's right, how can they make a profit if the prices are this cheap?"

"Maybe it's because it's a failed product? I tried it yesterday, and it didn't taste very good; it was a bit bland."

'Bland...' as Theda listened, she remembered the bland soup she had eaten earlier. At first, she thought they had reduced the spice in the dish. But it seems that they didn't. They could mix good potatoes and bad potatoes to reduce expenses.

'But the boy said he was saving potatoes because of the water month. What does saving food have to do with mixing good potatoes with bad potatoes? And what does it have to do with taste? If they were saving potatoes, they should have reduced the portion instead of removing the flavor from the soup.

They seem to be hiding something.'

Theda then moved closer to Allen, "Wait, Miss... you can't break through the queue!" shouted the person at the back.

In the middle of it, before everyone shouted to Theda to not break the queue, there was a louder shout at the front of the queue.

"YOU FRAUD!" the shout made everyone not care about Theda anymore.

"What does that mean?" Peter asked the man.

The man picked up the fallen potato and showed it to Peter and Allen.

"This potato and all the items you sell are highly suspicious!"

The man turned around and continued, "Don't you realize after eating this food for seven days?! Not only does it taste bland, but it's not filling either!"

People started whispering,

"That's right, my son's portions have doubled too."

"No matter how much salt we add, it only makes the food saltier, and in the end, it's just like eating salt."

"The carrot flavor is almost gone, like we're eating raw bread."

"But..."

The whispering changed over as someone else commented, "But what's the harm? We need food too, and it's so cheap."

"True, it's a little suspicious, but it's better than not eating at all."

"You suspect too much!"

The angry man started shouting again, "You fools! Look at the shape! It looks nice and perfect, but why does it taste bland?! What if it's not an ordinary vegetable but something that contains poison?! Maybe these people picked it up in the dungeon! I saw it yesterday! This black-haired kid was standing in front of the dungeon!

None of the plants in the dungeon are worth eating; they are usually poisonous or in the form of potions or medicine, which should not be eaten unless you are really sick. Usually, no dungeon plant looks similar to a plant in the outside world. Still, the possibility is always there because dungeons are known as demonic places, and no one knows what strange things can happen inside.

"Allen, is that true?" asked one of the queues.

"I did come to the dungeon, but only up to the outer door. Other than dungeon explorers are forbidden to enter."

"Huh! Maybe you have someone smuggling your stuff out!"

"I don't. Don't worry, it's not poisonous; all the food here is worth eating, even though it's bland and not very filling."

"I'm sure you're hiding something! Don't eat this food! Go away everyone! I'd rather be hungry than eat this stuff!"

"Wait-"

-SLAP

Theda walked forward and slapped the man.

"HAH?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING WOMAN!"

"Soldiers there, hurry up and capture this guy," Theda said to the two soldiers guarding the queue.

"Eh?" the soldiers just looked at her in confusion.

Theda pulled her hair tie, letting her dark brown hair fall to her knees. She straightened her body, clenched both her hands, and lifted them in front of her stomach.

Standing like royalty, the two soldiers immediately realized who Theda was.

"!!! Lady Barkaley!"

"Sorry for not answering your orders directly!"

The people in the crowd were immediately shocked; they began to put their hands on their chests and bow their heads.

"WHAT?! Lady Barkaley?!" the man shouted; he was then immediately tied up by the soldiers.