The Dungeon’s Magical Residue (pt 3)

After defeating the monster, Miho and her party continued venturing deeper into the dungeon. Luckily, they didn’t encounter any other “boss-like” creatures like the residue monster.

“Miho, look there,” Karen pointed to the left after she had just defeated a smelly orange goblin.

Half covered by a quick-growing thorny vine laid some discarded equipment. But there was something else that caught Miho’s attention. A glimpse of reflected light entered her retinas. She crouched, trying to get a better look at the item.

“It’s a ring,” she whispered.

Miho reached out her hand, trying her best to avoid the thorny plant. She felt the cold metal touch her palm as she dragged the ring toward her. Opening the palm of her hand, Miho admired the beautiful ring lying within it. It was lined with a variety of beautiful gemstones.

She put her torch behind her back, confirming her suspicion.

It’s like they glow on their own, Miho concluded that the ring must use some kind of magic. She tried fitting it around her finger, but it was way too big for her slender digits.

It must have belonged to a man.

“Wait!” Karen yelled at Miho holding the ring.

“You haven’t tried it on, right? Besides the fact that it’s dirty, you never know what powers such an immaculately crafted ring might hold,” she added in shock.

“No… of course I haven’t, I am not that stupid” Miho responded with a big grin.

Karen took the ring out of Miho’s hand and inspected it closely.

“This must belong to a noble, peasants like us could never afford such a piece of art.”

“We could get so rich!” Karen fantasized in a dramatic voice. Miho however, stole the ring back and buried it safely in her pocket.

“I’ll have Lord Cedric look at it, it might belong to him after all.”

Karen sighed, she must have already imagined herself a rich woman.

“You are right Miho, the steady hand that plays with grace, in the end, shall win the race,” she said with a defeated voice.

Miho transformed Clarice into the sprayer and whisked away the abandoned equipment. She made sure not to leave any magical residue, preventing the spawning of further monsters.

“It seems like we have hit a dead end,” Lorian said while returning to the girls.

With no indication of how late it was exactly, Miho decided to end the mission.

“We have cleaned enough for today, let’s head back to the entrance,” she said while turning away. With the torch in her hand, she let the party back to where they started.

Halfway back, Miho felt something breeze just over her head.

“DUCK!” she yelled as yet another killer bat passed over.

Lorian stroked his sword up, piercing the bat which soon crumbled to dust.

“It seems like our work was successful, more and more monsters keep appearing,” Miho said with a neutral tone.

“Easy said when you’re not the one dirtying your sword,” Karen responded while pouting.

The cave started to get lighter, and soon enough the party could see a bright point in the distance.

“Finally, some fresh air,” Lorian said as he passed Miho by, sprinting toward the exit.

“Not before me!” Karen ran toward her brother, trying to overtake him. She would have if it wasn’t for her oversized sword getting stuck behind a little ledge.

Lorian stood in the opening, with a big smirk on his shadow-cast face.

“It seems like I got the last laugh today!” he proclaimed while taking on a powerful stance, blocking the entrance.

“I admit defeat,” Karen said while pushing her brother away so she could leave.

They haven’t learned anything, haven't they, Miho thought while leaving the cave herself. The bright light made her squint her eyes. Looking at the sun, it must have been somewhere late in the afternoon. They had been in the dungeon for hours. Miho put out the torch and looked at Karen who was doing some stretches.

“Chopzilla, how terrible,” she said after pulling out her sword. She started frantically cleaning it with a cloth she brought along.

“Can't you wait until we get back to town, I am in a hurry,” Lorian said while slowly walking down the path.

“Let’s head down together, I will go to Cedric’s castle to gather our reward and meet you at the guild for your payout,” Miho stated. She felt the ring, still sitting in her pocket.

The now exhausted party strolled down the mountain, splitting off just outside town.

The reward for finding this ring would be good.

X

While heavily panting, Miho ascended the windy road leading up to Cedric’s castle. The cobbled road hurt her feet, which had gotten tired after a day-long stroll through the dungeon.

Why does Lord Cedric have to live so far up, I climbed this mountain this week already to get directions for this mission… Miho thought while stopping to catch a breath. She looked up and got a glimpse of the castle’s immense towers.

I better continue, at this tempo, I won’t be there before dusk arrives.

Miho walked through the castle's gatehouse, the well-armored guards letting her through without question. She looked around the courtyard for Beatrice, the elderly lady who helped her before.

She saw the dining hall was left open, so Miho peeked through the crack. She saw Beatrice who was busy setting the tables.

“Excuse me, can I request an audience with Lord Cedric?” Miho asked the housekeeper.

“Oh dear.. you got back! I was so worried about you knowing you accepted that dangerous mission. It is no place for a girl like you”

Miho laughed away the somewhat belittling comment.

“I had the best support party I could have wished for…”

Aside from that they spend more time fighting each other than the monsters.

“Speaking of a cave, you still reek of it. I can’t have you meet our immaculate lord like that!”

Miho looked down at her clothes, which were all damp and stained.

“Please go to the dressing room upstairs and refresh yourself. You can lend some clothing and join us for dinner, you must be starving.”

Remembering the way, Miho made her way to the dressing room. She undressed and stepped into a magically heated bathtub, the magic crystals keeping it just the right temperature.

I need to get one of these at home…

She soaked all the dirt off her body, after which she grabbed a towel and dried herself. She looked in the cupboard and put on the same all-black maid outfit as before. After tying all the laces, Miho looked at the tall mirror standing next to her and did a little pose.

Ughh... I can’t believe I am starting to like outfits like these.

Her new life in this world started to look like one of these girly fantasies women in her old world used to have. The straight-faced Miho had never been a big fan of these, preferring to read about actual historical events. But now being submersed in one, she started to like playing her part more and more.

Starting a business and getting rich should remain the most important goal though.

When Miho opened the door to the dining hall, she saw Lord Cedric had already taken place at the main table. He nodded at her as she entered the room. Miho was assigned a seat at the side table, reserved for the more prominent servants. When the plates of freshly grilled meats entered the hall, her stomach growled. Miho tried to fight against her instincts, but in the end, her enormous appetite won.

“Can I have another plate of this delicious food?” she asked the servant.

With passion, she devoured the richly seasoned meat. After finishing her plate, she looked around and saw that everyone else had long stopped eating. She made brief eye contact with Lord Cedric, who laughed at her. Her face glowing red, she stared at her empty plate until the servants started cleaning.

Miho stood up and started helping stack the plates and utensils. Suddenly, she was startled by a strong hand on her shoulder.

She turned around and looked into Cedric’s eyes.

“Please stop Miss Miho, you have done enough work for today. Just because you wear that uniform doesn’t mean that you have to help do the dishes,” he said while inspecting her outfit.

Miho put down the dishes, feeling slightly guilty for the castle’s servants, who have more work now. She looked at Cedric who pointed her the way.

“Follow me to my office”

X

Sitting down in the trophy-covered room, Miho told Lord Cedric about her adventure.

“A giant magical sludge monster? I have never had the privilege to counter one of these.”

He looked at his collection of monster heads.

“I don’t think I could hang one on the wall though…”

“There is something else we found while cleaning up the dungeon,” Miho said as she took out the ring. Cedric moved his head closer, closely inspecting the ring. He took it from the table and slid it around his finger. It seems to be a perfect fit.

So it must belong to him.

Cedric made eye contact with Miho, his face lighting up.

“How did you ever find this in such an enormous dungeon? You must have cleaned with incredible care,” he responded.

“As is my duty,” Miho said with a small bow.

Cedric leaned back, looking at a small portrait standing on his desk.

“I got this ring as an engagement gift from my now wife, and lost it about a year ago in the dungeon,” he said while rubbing the ring with his hand.

“We looked around everywhere but weren’t able to find it. Until today,” he smiled.

“Your wife, what was she like?” Miho asked.

“Her name is Seraphina, a wonderful woman. Calm and clever… the best woman I could have asked for,” he said with a saddened voice, turning around the portrait on his desk so Miho could better see it.

Silver hair… that is quite rare in this world for a young woman…. wait… I’ve seen her before.

Miho remembered the frozen woman she saw in the Magnolia princess’s mirror. It must have been Seraphina… She started panicking a bit. Did the princess freeze her in that cave? Not wanting to stir up any conflict between the country's most important nobles, Miho decided not to say anything about it.

“Are you feeling okay Miho?” Cedric said while grabbing her hand.

Miho nodded.

"I just can’t help feeling a little sad that your wife is no longer here," Miho added.

Cedric shook his head.

“You don’t have to. I still believe she can return any day. As long as I don’t see her dead body, I believe she is alive and well,” he said with a stoic voice.

He moved a bag of coin pieces over the counter.

“Here is your reward for today’s mission,” Cedric said with a smile after which he waved Miho goodbye.

With her head full of thoughts about the frozen lady, she descended the hill and returned to town just before dark.

I have to investigate this even further and confirm my suspicions. If it is true that Cedric’s wife is frozen somewhere in a cave, I can’t just stand by idly. She has to be saved.

Oh crap, I am starting to sound like an adventurer, am I not?