Dungeon Core Academy: Books 1-7 (A LitRPG Series) by Alex Oakchest (book suggestions txt) 📕

“There’s a problem, Dark Lord,” said Shadow.

“Don’t tell me someone witnessed the assassination.”

“Only three of Dullbright’s toughest guards, but I killed them before they could even notice me. The issue is that this mimic smells absolutely terrible.”

“Excuse me?” said the mimic.

“With every offense intended, mimic, you stink in this form.”

“I told you, Shadow, the mimic has a tell, but this will diminish the more he levels. Until then, douse him in talcum powder and perfume. That won’t look suspicious. All nobles are powdered enough that it becomes a second skin.”

“As you wish,” said Mimic Dullbright. “There are many powders in the governor’s chamber.”

“Good. Go with something floral and strong.”

“I do not need such intense management. I will use my initiative.”

“Well done, both of you. When you get back to the dungeon, we’ll have a celebration. Hogsfeate is ours now, my friends! A whole town at our mercy. We just need to replace a few guards, cement our power by assessing who are the most influential people in town and getting rid of the ones we don’t like, and then we’re looking good! Now, Shadow, get your arse back to the dungeon, and we’ll discuss your rewards.”

“What about Eric?

“Our delightful barbarian is going to stay in Hogsfeate for a while. I have a feeling that governer Dullbright wants to appoint him as his personal guard.”

“Oh.”

“You sound disappointed,” I said.

“I just…forget it. Eric will do an excellent job, Dark Lord. Am I to return alone, then?”

I understood the implication in her words. Or I thought I did, at least. Being so far away from the dungeon, the maker-creature bond that made Shadow obey me wouldn’t be effective. If she disposed of my core shards, I would have no way of contacting her. That was why I had asked Eric to keep an eye on her on their journey to Hogsfeate.

 But Shadow had done everything I asked of her, and her attitude seemed changed. It would do no good to start brandishing an iron fist now that we were finally coming to an understanding. Good work had to be repaid with trust, I was learning.

“Leave under the cover of night, and you will be back before you know it. Thank you for your work, Shadow. Now, Mimic Dullbright, here is what I need you to do. First, you need to order someone to bring you a log of the town’s accounts. Next, we need a book of laws…”

“You wanted to see us, Sir Dullbright?”

I heard the sounds of feet shuffling into a room. Chairs creaked as people sunk their weight into them. Next came the glug-glug-glug of wine being poured from a decanter.

Listening to this from my core room and having to content myself with merely imaging the scene in the town across the wasteland was frustrating. I wasn’t used to having so little control. At least with my shards tucked securely in Mimic Dullbright’s pocket, I could listen to the meeting and direct the mimic’s role in it.

“Who’s there with you?” I asked him using my core voice.

The mimic replied without speaking aloud. “The people you told me to summon, Dark Lord. Pvat, from the heroes’ guild. Kathryn Crutchley, head of the town guardship. Marlheinz Torp, town lawmaster.”

“Good. Now just remember what I said; keep this simple and to the point. Brook no objections from them. If they overstep their mark, raise your voice. Pick up a vase and smash it on the ground. Losing your temper befits a governer like Dullbright.”

“Do I teach you how to create traps, Dark Lord? I am a mimic. I already possess more information on this man’s behaviors than you can dream of.”

“My last mimic didn’t have this kind of attitude, you know. Get on with it.”

A man cleared his throat. “How are you feeling today, Sir?” I recognized this voice; it was Pvat.

“I understand you have not left your chambers in two days,” said another man. Even if I hadn’t worked out his identity from having already spoken to Pvat, Marlheinz’s accent would have given him away. “A quite sudden and intense illness, no? I trust you are better. Back home, we crush peppercorn and mix with saffron for delicate…um, what is word for body container that food sits in after we eat…tummies! Yes.”

I might have been paranoid, but I was sure I detected a hint of suspicion in both Pvat’s and Marlheinz’s voices. I just hoped that the mimic could back up his bluster.

“When I want the remedies of mad old housewives, I’ll ask for them, Marlheinz. Are you the town healer? No. Stick to matters of the law from now on,” said Mimic Dullbright.

“Well,” said Kathryn, laughing. “You certainly seem recovered, sir.”

“A blessing,” agreed Pvat. He descended into a coughing fit, no doubt the result of breathing in the stench of powder coming from the mimic. He was, however, wise enough not to remark on the governor’s smell.

“Yes,” said Marlheinz. “Very good. Might I enquire reason for our visit?”

Mimic Dullbright gave a burp. “Sorry. I am still a tiny bit delicate.”

“Good touch,” I said.

“Thank you.”

“Time to tell them what we discussed.”

“Now,” continued the mimic, “There are three things I would like to talk about. Firstly, Marlheinz, I would like to make a change to a town bylaw.”

“You have already pushed powers of taxation to limit, governer…”

“Not that. It appears our town’s laws maintain the freedom of movement of all races, be they kobold, gnome, orc, or even core. On the other hand, some provisions allow our guardship to detain, pester, and search such individuals. No more. I want these laws stripped, and I want guards’ rights curtailed so that warrants and reasonable cause are necessary for any such actions.”

“Preposterous!” said Kathryn. “Strip our powers, Sir?