255 UPROOTING THE DUNGEON OF LUST
The connection was severed, the magic gone.
"Unna is gone," Dassa whispered, sinking back into her chair, her voice trembling with frustration.
"I don't understand," Aseran said, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Lady Dassa paused to consider the situation.
"Are you telling me that after Unna disappeared—or was killed—inside the Rose Dungeon, my shadow… or someone else uprooted the entire dungeon and took it away," Dassa muttered, more to herself than to him.
Lord Aseran nodded.
"Idiots," she screamed.
Her fists clenched as she processed the implications.
"Is there a way to track them?" Aseran asked, his voice tinged with desperation.
The connection was severed, the magic gone.
"Unna is gone," Dassa whispered, sinking back into her chair, her voice trembling with frustration.
"I don't understand," Aseran said, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Lady Dassa paused to consider the situation.
"Are you telling me that after Unna disappeared—or was killed—inside the Rose Dungeon, my shadow… or someone else uprooted the entire dungeon and took it away," Dassa muttered, more to herself than to him.
Lord Aseran nodded.
"Idiots," she screamed.
Her fists clenched as she processed the implications.
"Is there a way to track them?" Aseran asked, his voice tinged with desperation.
Dassa ignored his question for a moment, her mind working furiously. "What is Lilleo Gullee doing in response to the missing dungeon?" she asked instead, her tone cold and calculating.
"He's been scrambling all over town with his soldiers, searching for any trace of the dungeon or anyone who might have stolen it, I believe even he doesn't have control of the dungeon," Aseran replied.
Dassa's lips tightened into a thin line. "At least the dungeon is not in his hands anymore."
"What should we do now?" Aseran pressed, his voice uneasy.
"Idiot, you are asking me what to do after you screw up the mission?" Dassa hissed, slamming her hand on the armrest of her chair.
"It's not my fa…", Lord Aseran replied before stopping.
"We've lost the dungeon… for now," She leaned back, her anger simmering. "We'll have to move forward with our other plan. You better make sure this part goes well."
Aseran nodded, though his expression remained troubled with lack of confidence. "Understood, Lady Dassa. I'll make the necessary preparations."
Lady Dassa watched Aseran. Her doubts about his ability were obvious.
"Why are all my minions so stupid?" she muttered to herself.
"Before we proceed, I have something for you. Give me your palm," Dassa said, her voice calm but firm.
Aseran hesitated, half-suspicious but unwilling to disobey.
Slowly, he extended his hand, palm up. Dassa's fingers hovered above his skin as she began to weave the intricate magic of Hera, the Goddess of Union. A faint, golden glow emanated from her touch, settling into Aseran's palm like a dormant ember.
"What… what is this power?" Lord Aseran asked, his voice tinged with shock as he felt the energy pulse within him.
"This is the power of Hera, the Goddess of Union," Dassa explained, her tone steady. "It will serve as a lifeline for you in times of grave danger. Call upon it when you have no other choice, but be warned—using this magic comes at a heavy cost."
Aseran's eyes widened with concern. "What cost?"
Dassa's gaze softened, though her expression remained serious. "Don't worry. The cost will not fall upon you," she assured him before murmuring a spell under her breath, etching its words into his memory.
Lord Aseran frowned, his mind racing. "Why are you giving me such powerful magic? What do you expect from me in return?"
"Nothing, for now," Dassa replied, her voice carrying a note of finality. "Consider this a safeguard. I'm not always around and you'll need this."
Aseran's brow furrowed deeper. "Where are you going milady?"
Dassa paused, her eyes distant for a moment before she met his gaze again. "As far as you're concerned, nowhere. I'll still be here," she said, her words cryptic yet reassuring.
Though her answer did little to ease his unease, Aseran nodded, the weight of the gift settling heavily in his palm—and in his mind, especially the part about the cost to his safeguard magic.
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[The Fortress of Eoloth]
"Friend, finally you've come to visit me," Rabama greeted Leo with a wide grin as he approached.
"Yes, it's been too long, my friend," Leo replied, clasping Rabama's arm in a firm handshake.
"So, what brings you here? Surely, it's not just to see my charming face," Rabama teased, though his eyes were sharp with curiosity.
"Well, I have a favor to ask," Leo began, his tone casual but with a hint of seriousness. "My family and I would like to have an extended holiday here in Eoloth. Would that be possible?"
Rabama's face lit up with delight. "Of course! You're welcome to stay here for as long as you like. Eoloth is always open to you and your family."
Leo arrived with his wife, Yun-Yun and his father, Lillye, and his uncle, Lillann. The group was larger than Rabama had anticipated, and he couldn't hide his surprise.
"Wow, I didn't expect you to bring your whole family here," Rabama said, raising an eyebrow.
"If it's too much trouble…" Leo started, but Rabama quickly interrupted.
"Don't get me wrong—you're all more than welcome. But I have to ask… are you in some kind of trouble in Sodom City?" Rabama's voice was laced with concern.
Leo sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Let's just say we're avoiding trouble. We thought a retreat here would be the best way to lay low for a while."
Rabama nodded thoughtfully. "And what about your business in Sodom City? Who's managing things while you're away?"
"I've arranged for a body double to handle everything in my absence," Leo explained. "It's all taken care of."
A smile spread across Rabama's face. "Well, that's fantastic. We'll have a great time here. Eoloth is the perfect place to relax and recharge."
After dinner, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Leo and Rabama retreated to their usual spot on the rooftop.