Stuck As A Dungeon Mob

Ed planned on leaving the Bloodhaven but this first experience he just had with the place also told him that upon his return the safe space they made would not necessarily be left intact. In consideration of that, Ed decided to leave some insurance behind.

'I think I know who to leave behind as well' Ed had previously made two skeletons whose sole purpose was exploration. That was right, Idrisi and Mauro.

The lizardman and orc skeleton duo were in charge of charting the desert lands. So far, they discovered a ruin which Ed had yet to explore.

'Considering that the elves aren't very fond of the Bloodhaven maybe I could put them to work on that ruin and similar discoveries' Ed also figured that they couldn't possibly be against the idea of learning more about how their ancestors lived and acted.

'Here's hoping there's some good things in there…' Ed thought as he mentally noted to pass this task to the elves.

He then finally brought out the lizardman skeleton, Mauro. It was looking much cleaner now that it had spent some time in the system space. 

The last time Ed saw the skeleton it had quite the rough appearance thanks to the harsh sandy winds. Though considering the sandstorms describing them as 'harsh sandy winds' might be an understatement to the ordeals the skeleton had suffered.

Ultimately, Mauro had to be delighted to be able to chill in place and just keep watch over the Bloodhaven hideout.

'It's unfortunate that we have no easy way of communicating however' Ed really needed to level up his link and transmission skills in order to form a reliable net of communication. But just because he wanted something to happen it didn't mean it would.

'Time is limited' Leveling up both of those skills was time consuming. While it would be extremely helpful in the long term, there was nothing more trustworthy and reliable than oneself. That is to say, that time spent on leveling up those skills could be spent on well… Finding materials to assimilate and ways to level up the skills of those under him. It was simply a faster method of improvement.

'Leveling those under me isn't quite myself but…' For Ed it was now also a little difficult to separate himself from all of the skeletons, the orcs, the lizardmen, and now the elves he had met. Were they family now then…?

Well, perhaps not all of them but they were in fact his support group. It was hard to imagine what would have become of him if he never met any intelligent species in the dungeon. Maybe he would try to escape the dungeon and live with the humans?

'But that's not possible' Such an Ed would have met a grizzly fate.

'On that note…' Fate had many things in store for him and he could only find out what they were if he kept pushing forward. Ed left the hideout to Mauro and met up with the elves.

"Everyone ready to set off?" Ed asked the group.

"""Yes!!!""" A thundering roar of agreement.

"Alright then, let's start moving" Ed said before beginning to walk away from the group.

They looked briefly shocked before following behind them meekly.

"Excuse me Mr. Ed…" One of the younger elves of the group said after overcoming any sense of shame.

"What is it?" Ed replied without looking back at the youngster.

"We… We will be walking all the way back, will we?" They asked.

"Yeah" A simple response was all the elf received but that was enough to cause him and the other elves visibly pale. What happened to their comfortable travel room?!?!? Why not use that?!?

Ed smiled without looking back. He couldn't allow them to get too lazy.

"I knew this thing was evil…" An elven mage said between quiet sobs. An arid warrior smacked him in the back of the head.

"Don't say the quiet part out loud you idiot" The words of the arid elf that followed caused the elf to pout and the onlookers to burst into laughter.

"""Hahaha""" "My back!" Very few managed to hold back their laughter.

Ed smiled faintly. They were acting more comfortable around him, perhaps too comfortably. But these were warriors who fought for him, he could allow them some comfort.

"Just keep yourselves busy and we'll be there in no time" Ed told them.

The elves had no choice but to do exactly that and just as Ed had said they arrived in no time. The walls of the Elven city could now be clearly seen.

Opposed to how it was the first time Ed found it however, the city was not entirely desolate. It was night when they reached the city and some lights could be seen from a distance.

Some of the Elves also took notice of this and couldn't help but let out gasps of admiration. They hadn't ventured outside the city up until now and while staying in it they didn't think much of the place.

Yes, they felt it was great and better than living underground but it was only now that they realized the luxury. The city was shouting, we are here! Still strong despite the hurdles and we are only going to get better. Or that was the impression they got.

"Really, what a beautiful place" One said, holding back tears.

Ed didn't know if the long stay away from home was the result of this emotional reception or if they just now realized what they were taking for granted. Whatever it was, Ed himself couldn't help but admire the vista.

'This is the closest thing to my past life' Sprawling buildings shining like stars in the night sky.

'Is there any hope of coming back…?' A weird concern appeared. Logically, he had no reason to return but he couldn't help but wonder.

'These guys really got me in a weird mood, tsk' Ed tossed aside the thoughts.

"Let's go!" He commanded, urging all the elves to pick up the pace.

"""Alright!""" They responded and followed closely behind Ed.

With the arrival of Ed and the other expedition members, the city was thrown into an uproar. In the morning, everyone was gathered in the temple's main chamber.

Ed stood before Azalia while patting the tree's trunk.

'Thank you for your work' Ed communicated to the divine tree before turning to the crowd behind him.

"I'm sure some of you have heard from your friends in the expedition but we came back successfully from our venture into the Bloodhaven" Ed didn't waste time with pleasantries and began to report about the happenings in the Bloodhaven.

Some of the elves that formed part of the expedition might find it odd to describe their excursion as a 'victory' but they certainly didn't lose out. At most they were just a little more mentally scarred for eternity. Just a tad.

"We had no casualties, and everyone has returned practically unharmed. We gained experience and we are one step closer to the truth of this world" Ed's words sounded rather grandiose but they were true. Ed already formed a conjecture about the blight that was the Bloodhaven on the deserted lands.

But since the information was incomplete, Ed didn't feel like sharing it with the elves just yet.

"Most importantly, we will return there eventually and we will do even more" The Bloodhaven was a living thing, that was scary. But Ed was not scared of death, this deep in the dungeon he had nothing to worry about.

Yes death hurt, but Ed knew he'd always come back. As long as that was true and remained true pain could be tolerated.

The reaction of the elves however was far less courageous. They weren't immortal. Yet, at the same time a few of them couldn't help but feel this sense of adventure welling up in their chest.

Zero. Casualties.

To the elves who treated the Bloodhaven as an irreparable scourge this fact was infinitely empowering.

What would happen if there were more of them, wouldn't conquering the Bloodhaven be all the more possible? Wouldn't they only get stronger from thereon. Were they witnessing history in the making?!? This would be the elves' rise to glory!

The scared expressions of the elves disappeared and were replaced with confidence. They also paid more attention to Ed's every word. He would be the one to lead them to a greater future. He… Was the object of their confidence, in him they could place their faith!

"But… That's all for the future. There's no need to talk about it now." Ed poured cold water on the expectant elves. They were really hoping Ed would explain what many more would be done but their object of faith was not interested in sharing.

"We should instead talk about what is happening here in this city" Ed said, donning a devilish expression while looking at a person in the crowd.

Sanev who was being stared at couldn't help but gulp. He was in trouble.