Worthy Core

Over their long reign the Dragonlord had overseen a great many councils, conferences and assemblies. Even more so if you count the years when the Great Dungeon had been more of a passive observer within the dragon's chest, offering suggestions at most. However, ever since Dragon's Jaw was reorganized as the new capital of the Domain virtually all of those councils had taken place within the gilded, secure halls of the Dragonlord's own residence.

This is definitely the first time they've had one in a tavern.

It is the logical choice, though. The Grassbrook fort had been mostly converted into prisoner housing, with the leftover space being used for the guards and a small garrison. The Challenger's Association office would have been suitable, but commandeering the building in a non-emergency situation would have caused...unnecessary political conflicts. The Highbranch estate had been left trapped, likely by Gilda herself, and although the place had largely been cleared it was still too early to claim that it was safe for high-ranking officers to be wandering around in. That left the Lucky Bastard as the largest, most well-equipped building in the region, unless perhaps the Dragonlord wished to use the Church of Bounty's abandoned compound as their headquarters. And given their...prickly attitude towards the gods, that was not their first choice.

To some extent, the tavern and inn is actually still in business. The owner and a few of the staff had remained behind, and as non-combatants they remained un-harassed. They don't have much choice in who to house or who to to serve, but they are still being compensated for their efforts by the Domain Army's accounting service. They even have a few 'helpers' from the army's cooks assisting in the kitchen, replacing staff who had fled or not reported to work...although granted, for the most part those soldiers are there to make sure the locals don't try to poison the food.

For now though the Dragonlord is simply making use of the space, entering a back room in their draconic form, ironically the same one Lady Highbranch had been using for the same purpose just the day before. Their lieutenants file in after them and take seats around the main table, although the dragon themselves remains standing. All eyes are on the golden-scaled figure, and once everyone is present the leader begins.

"So, it is time to review our progress so far and plan our next steps, but first I must offer my congratulations!" They turn first to the red-scaled draconic sitting to their right. "Commander Gerlosius. The defeat of the local garrison was completed a full day ahead of schedule, and you managed to do so with a minimum of damage to the fortifications. Additionally, you managed to capture all of their ranking officers alive. Excellently done."

The draconic preens under the praise, although he doesn't forget to return some of the credit. "The aid of our 'dungeon legion' was key to our victory, my lord. The variety of abilities which the monsters offer us is simply too much for mere walls and Advanced-tier guards to defend against!"

"It is good to know that effort was not wasted - although Grassbrook is far from the most difficult challenge we will face." They turn next to the succubus on their left. "And Emissary Darktouched - well done on securing a nearly-bloodless surrender of the town itself. Not only will the infrastructure come in handy, but I am pleased that we've already begun our collection of noble Rainlander hostages." The toothy grin they display indicates they intend to make it quite a notable collection by time they're done.

Cerise nods, keeping her expression humble. "Indeed, that was also much thanks to you, my lord. Your decision to fly directly above the town with your winged escorts was fortuitously timed, and did much to sap the resolve of the defenders."

"Glad to know I can still make an impression. It is unfortunate that our scouting forces took such heavy losses around the town and surrounding region, but while the losses are worse than our best-case scenario, they are far better than in our worst. Had the local Challengers attempted to fight to the death to defend the town, it is unlikely much would have survived. Speaking of, what is the current status of the Grassbrook Association branch?"

This time, Cerise looks a bit more chagrined as she gives her report. "Other than a few part-time instructors who had joined the militia, there was only one full employee of the Association who remained to oversee matters."

"Oh? Did Administrator Alizz decide to go down with the ship, so to speak?"

Cerise shakes her head. "No, my lord. The remaining official is...Ruckus Dullspoon. The imp."

"...The imp." The Dragonlord narrows their eyes at the name. "Tell me, just how much do we know about this individual and his origins?"

The Emissary shuffles her notes a bit, but has no need to read them as she recounts her intelligence. "He first arrived in town under forged paperwork and an illusion, passing himself off as a goblin. He was part of the retinue lead by Prince Thaddeus Worthy, although they appear to have fallen out at some point after that party took significant losses in the dungeon. He is assumed to be a 'realmwalker', although he seems to have lived a quiet life ever since joining the Association's inspection team as a rogue-type Challenger."

"Hrmm. Do we have any further information on the specific link between this prince and the dungeon?"

"I'm afraid not, my lord. We have confirmed that he and his remaining retinue were in Grassbrook yesterday, and were a key factor in the final evacuation of residents into the dungeon itself."

"Interesting. We may need to have a meeting with this Dullspoon in the near future. Have it arranged."

The demon writes a reminder, although she certainly won't need it. "Of course, my lord."

The dragon turns back towards the rest of the table, and towards the draconics, demons, kobolds, and one slime sitting there. "Now. As for the matter of the dungeon itself. Are there any further reports on its status?"

An incubus, a commander from the scouting divisions, speaks up. "We estimate several dozen Rainlander soldiers fled to the dungeon, plus the local Valleylander detachment. We expect there to be even more Challengers than soldiers, although it's possible that not all of them would be willing to fight for the dungeon."

His sovereign waves off that suggestion. "They are aware by now of our willingness to accept the surrender of non-combatant Challengers. Anyone choosing to live in a dungeon for an indefinite period of time rather than simply leave can be assumed to be a hostile foe."

"Quite true, my lord. We believe our pre-placed agents made it into the dungeon successfully, although of course we haven't heard from them. We can't guarantee a means of communication from within the dungeon that won't give them away, so we likely won't hear anything unless they discover information that they consider to be potentially worth their lives."

"No news is good news, then." The dragon grips the back of a chair and leans against it, although carefully enough not to destroy the thing. "While I considered the possibility that Worthy's...'friendly nature' with the Challengers would lead to mortals being willing to defend the place, I must say I am disappointed that so many actively chose to flee there. It makes things more difficult, however it does not change our overall strategy concerning the place."

Gerlosius nods at that. "And what is that, my lord?"

"While I am powerful enough that I could potentially spearhead a force and shatter our way to Worthy's core, it would be an enormous risk. I would be limiting myself of a great deal of my powers to enter such a confined space, and against dozens of powerful mortals and an intelligent dungeon even I would be seriously at risk. In any case, I am needed elsewhere for the time being. I must keep the Rainland's response in chaos, not to mention that I will be required to pay a visit to the Valleylands within the next few days as well." They give a wide grin. "We would not want our western foes to gain the impression that they do not need to keep their heads down while we focus on the east."

A kobold mage responds. "We wouldn't have expected you to sully your hands with such a minor target, my lord. What do you wish for us to do in your absence, then? Shall we prepare our core-cracker specialists?"

"No." The tyrant's simple statement surprises a few of those present, before they continue. "Many of those specialists are also needed in frontline sabotage work in these early days, and in any case, starting with them would be a waste. Although every day that Worthy resists is another day that she can prepare her defenses, for the most part, today is the strongest she will ever be. Her mortal defenders are at their fullest strength and their highest morale, not yet worn down from the stresses of living for so long underground. Aside from the dwarves and driders, in any case. Her new tricks - and she will have new tricks, I assure you, are still fully unknown to us. Even should we send in a team of our finest Supreme-tier delvers, I would expect the casualties would be horrendous if not total."

The kobold blinks at the admission of difficultly from his revered leader. "What shall be done, then?"

"We will, unfortunately, have to grind them down. Have the local division broken down into squads that can be sent into the dungeon at a rapid pace. Prepare them for success - wherever possible, ensure that each team has some dungeon veterans among them. I shall also arrange for a unit of the 'dungeon legion' to remain in the area, specifically of those monsters suitable for delving into a hostile dungeon. They are...somewhat expendable, although keep in mind that it may take a week or more for a dungeon guardian to respawn and travel back here once slain. When a floor is cleared, have it set up as a forward operating base and fallback point before pushing deeper within."

Cerise frowns at the suggestion of setting up camp within the dungeon. "There's nothing stopping a dungeon from respawning its monsters and traps on top of a camping team, isn't that correct? That sounds...difficult to establish a secure foothold in."

"It will be!" The Dragonlord nods in agreement. "A monster or trap cannot directly spawn in a way to immediately slay an intruder, but yes, each day at midnight the floors will reset, and Worthy can expend her mana reserves to speed that up if she chooses. However, we can take for granted that shortcut portals will not be an option for us, and so we will have to delve through ten continuous floors. A team which is forced to retreat on Floor Four will surely be slain if they must return all the way to the entrance to be healed."

Gerlosius wears a pensive expression, a rare look for the draconic officer. "Even under best-case scenarios, causalities will likely be..."

"Very high, indeed. There is no escaping that. However, while Worthy Dungeon may not be a priority target in terms of schedule, consider this to be a key position to take on the same scale as the Rainlander capital itself. Indeed, I look forward to Worthy's capture more than that of their foolish king. Do not spend lives wastefully, but you shall have whatever resources you require."

"And what would you wish of me, my lord?" Cerise holds her breath as she asks her sovereign for her orders.

"Remain present in Grassbrook, my Emissary. Consider yourself the primary diplomat in regards to matters concerning Worthy Dungeon. Should the dungeon request negotiations or offer a surrender, send word to me immediately, but until I return you are authorized to act in my stead. Capturing Worthy and the mountain intact is our preference, although if if that is not possible, she will be destroyed. Be sure to emphasize that should she prove...hostile."

Cerise winces as she considers the odds of Xenia simply giving up. "I will...keep that in mind, my lord."

"Very good. I shall remain in town for a short time, but by tomorrow I must be on my way back to the front. I'm sure you will do me proud." They smile, faintly. "Perhaps one day this small town shall be the foundation for a new capital, of a Domain reborn..."