Raised in Dungeon



Allen and Rodion sat down as Theda ordered.

"Allen, I want to say that I'm actually a fan of your soup. Especially the one yesterday; it was amazing."

"Thank you."

"But before that, I received a soup that wasn't very appetizing. You said it was to save the food supplies, but somehow I felt that something else made the soup taste bland, especially the potatoes and mushrooms, which tasted like they had lost their original flavor. What exactly is this based on?"

"Before answering the question, may I ask why you came to our tavern in disguise?" asked Rodion.

"I wanted to mingle with the commoners and experience the same cuisine that the commoners experience. How their situation is, how they feel, and how commoners treat other commoners."

From that answer, Rodion tried to deduce what kind of person Theda was. He hoped that Theda was a person who could care about people, and from her explanation and then from the way she was interested in Allen, Rodion felt that Theda was a person who would not just abandon his people; NO, rather he hoped that Theda was such a person.

Because he wanted Theda to understand Allen's condition, and if Theda understood, she would be a good weapon against the enemies that MIGHT come.

"Thank you for answering my selfish question," Rodion said, "Are you interested in buying our food supplies?"

"Ah, actually I wanted to talk about that. Based on my observations, you guys have a good amount of food for everyone. So I'd like to buy them from you so I can give them to the remaining soldiers here. Also, I will sell the rest to the people so they don't starve."

Allen then asked in confusion, "Why do you need to buy them? If you also intend to sell it again, why don't we work together to sell this food to the people?"

It was not a question that either of them could think of. Because from the start, the idea of working together like that would only happen if the two already trusted each other.

"Hahaha yes, that could be too. I would like to cooperate like that." Lady Theda put her tea back on the table, then stopped crossing her legs. "How about it, Mr. Rodion? Can you just trust me? I'm a regular customer at your place; can't you just conclude that I'm a good woman?"

Allen's innocence made Theda speak her intentions clearly, without hiding anything or planning anything. She just wanted to gain the trust of the two of them first because Theda believed that they were the key to solving the difficulties they were currently experiencing.

"Alright, I'll trust you. I can't think of any other way to save the city from the attack without your help."

"Save the city? An attack?"

"Right. In the near future, the enemy might take advantage of the famine to attack the city," Rodion continued.

"You're presumptuous! You can't talk about such foolish imaginings in front of a lady!" shouted Branwhait at his desk.

Theda raised her hand, signaling Branwhait to be quiet.

"I will listen."

"Do you know a soldier named Wyncall?" asked Rodion.

"Yes, I have heard of him from the army. He is the mastermind of this incident; my soldiers still haven't found him."

"He incited the children to destroy the fields, and then two children tried to kill their parents because of his incitement. If he still hasn't been found, we shouldn't look for him anymore. It will only waste the soldiers' energy."

"For now, let me keep your suggestion. Do continue."

"Wyncall is the one who disguised himself using a soldier's clothes to get inside; we can conclude that he is a spy. Spy means he is under someone's subordinate, and his superior's order is probably to destroy the fields to starve the soldiers and people."

Branwhait stood up and pointed at Rodion "Hmph! From what I've heard, it's all just this old man's imagination! You're just overthinking things."

Theda then said, "Yes, I also more or less feel that you are overthinking it. That wouldn't be the reason this place was attacked."

Allen began to speak "I heard that the landlord went to Herrwade to buy food supplies, but why hasn't he returned yet?"

Theda's face turned worried. "Actually, he said he would be back in five days. But he hasn't returned until now."

"About that, I heard from my acquaintance that there are enemies of the kingdom and enemies of the church in Herrwade. Did the barony go there with concern because he knew about it?"

"No, I'm not sure. What enemy do you mean? And where did you know?"

"From my acquaintance, she's the priestess of the Church of Fire, named Lavinia. She's in the same party as Birawa who once visited here. Is it true that Birawa didn't say anything about his mission to Herrwade?"

"N-no, I didn't hear anything about it. Branwhait, do you know anything?"

"I-I don't know about that either."

The atmosphere was getting heavy, and Theda's worry filled the room. Theda who initially doubted Rodion and Allen slowly gained a sense of trust in their story, even though she didn't want to know.

The problem was that everything made too much sense.

The spies, the destruction of the garden, the departure of the barony with many soldiers, the arrival of Birawa and his party at the manor house, the suspicious movements in Herrwade, the enemies of the kingdom and the church, and then her husband's late return from his trip.

Suddenly there was the sound of fast-moving feet from outside the room.

-BAM, the door rudely opened.

Outside, one soldier was panting.

"What's going on?! How dare you enter a nobleman's room without greeting!" Branwhait shouted.

"Ma-sorry sa-I..."

The soldier took a deep breath, then continued.

"Lady, Mr Branwhait, I'd like to inform you of something urgent. An explosion was occurred in the city prison and freed all the inmates inside."

"!!!"

"WHAT?!"

"Explain in detail!" shouted Theda.

"The villager you had arrested at the estate, he suddenly screamed and blew himself up. As a result, three soldiers died and damaged the prison cell; all the prisoners inside are now escaped and roaming the city."

It was then that Theda couldn't help but believe Rodion's prediction.

To solve the hunger problem, Allen distributed food at a low price; perhaps the somewhat-enemy-party perceived it as a threat to their plan, so they sent someone to make the people hesitate to buy Allen's food. But their plan failed, and the guy ended up in prison.

He chose to commit suicide, meaning he didn't want to spread any information about their movements.

"Rodion, Allen. Explain to me every piece of information you have."