Episode 44

Matriarch Kasuma and Elder Mikhail spills out the unfortunate history to their clans. Still because of the 1st generations rash decision, the now 3rd generations has to bear the consequences. Still it was quite impressive, to preserve an oath, even though the current generations doesn't know if the oath was even truly exist.

Beaver clan is a real shinobi clan, their culture and lifestyle were similar to Ninja clan on earth. It was quite a scene to see a Beaver act like a ninja, comical but impressive. As for the Mole clan, their story was quite funny to put it in a simple term, they were a capable carefree bunch that make a wrong turn at the wrong time. But both clan compliments each other perfectly, Beaver Clan was dedicated, while Mole clan is resourceful. While Beaver clan act as the guardian, Mole clan act as supporter, providing tools and provisions. Mole clan is a Slime Tamer, the foods, cloths, candles and even a waste management were all done by exploiting the slimes.

Apparently slime can be eaten, also there's variety of slimes in this world which quite fascinating for me to hear. Hearing their story makes me even wanted them to work for me.

"well, that kinda unfortunate…..but, I respect such dedications…still there's no need for you guys to continue suffers because of the promise others made....".

"It's true…that is my thought recently…we've encounter so much failure and loss for decades…although it's embarrassing, but as a leader..I have to assured my clan future…..but even that was bleak…". (Matriarch Kasuma)

"Hah~….I wonder if the outside was still beautiful and green as before…is it?..". (Elder Mikhail)

"Huh?…nope it's sand dune out there…desert, but where I come from there's a forest there..".

"Ehh…oohhh…". (Elder Mikhail)

Once again the situation become depressing, Elijah nudge me as I just plainly said that the top side has become a desert.

"If by chance…you guys were able to come out from this place..what would you do?..".

"it's kinda far fetched..but, If it was possible I just hope that our clan won't perished…I want our youngster to live in the sun…". (Matriarch Kasuma)

That's a pure request to hear coming from an old timer like both of these elders.

"How about this…10 years…I got you all out of this place, and in return..I want you all to serve me for 10 years…I will provide the place for you to live, basic necessities, I even pay you a salary..and in return, I want you and your clan absolute loyalty for 10 years…".

".....I'm sorry your highness, but we have been stuck here for century…and you claimed you can free us?…that's a bit unrealistic ain't it?..". (Elder Mikhail)

He doesn't sound condescending but, weird out, as if he was talking to a mad man.

".…in that 10 years..will us be treated like a slave?..I rather die in here rather than selling my clansmen…".(Matriarch Kasuma)

Instead of having the same reactions as Mikhail, Matriarch Kasuma seems to catch on on something.

"No…Aeternum, aren't abusive as any other nations you've seen….I abhor the cruel treatment of caste system, I assured you that your clansmen will be treated the same as all my citizen…".

Elder Mikhail, who's the only one who haven't catch up to whatever is going on kind feels weird as Matriarch Kasuma and me exchange a very long stare. After about 3 minutes of silent exchange (She asking me if I can do it or not using only eye contact) she heaves a long sigh.

"Mikhail…I will bet on this, would you follow me?..". (Matriarch Kasuma)

"Well you know the Moles always on your side…me and my people will stand beside you beavers..like always my friend..". (Elder Mikhail)

The Carefree Elder was sweet, as he hold Matriarch Kasuma hands and smile.

"Thank you.....I agree to your term your Highness…". (Matriarch Kasuma)

"Good….then, you should send someone as a witness..also I will pick you guys up, once I've done…..Elijah let's go…".

Nodding at my words Elijah followed my lead, as we exited the tents and slowly walking away from the settlement. All the beavers and the moles was shocked and still scared as we leave them behind.

"Sir…are they all really worth it?..". (Elijah)

"in my opinion, yes they were…beside look at them, aren't they cute?…besides we still have to clear the dungeon, just treat them as a additional reward…we also need more worker…".

"Are we going straight to the Lord?… ".(Mina)

"not really…we will stop just before fighting the Lord..after we rest up and the witness from the clan comes, then we will start killing the lord…Everyone gear up!..we going to blizt..let's storm this place..".

I don't really know where the lord was but, I assume it at the last floor this time I need to take thing more seriously. Unlike before, I pulled out my SCAR-H rifle and goes for time attack on the dungeon.

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"Attention my brethren…just now, we have come to an agreements!..Hope has come to us!!…just a little more time, I promise we will leave this wretched place!!…Hope is not lost!!…". (Matriarch Kasuma)

Standing before her clansmen, Matriarch Kasuma giving out her assurance speech. The crowd was lightly receptive to her, but still decide to trust her.

"Sasu…I need you and your men to go out and meet with those humans just now…bear witness to what they about to do, but remember never get in their way, also mind your manner..". (Matriarch Kasuma)

"As you wish Matriarch..". (Sasu)

As the most trusted ninja, Sasu doesn't even questions the order, he and 3 of his mates immediately depart, following the path as he was ordered. As they were getting far from the dead end settlement, one of his mates speaks breaking the silence.

"Leader…do you think, this is the time?..".

"It's not our place to questions…we are the shinobi..do what been asked and serve faithfully….if it comes then it comes..".(Sasu)

What Sasu said was correct, as a shinobi they were highly discipline and dedicated to their jobs. But deep inside Sasu was also thinking about the inkling of hopes shown a few moments ago, and honestly he started to believe, why because from the moment they start moving not a single monsters can be seen, accept for a few limbless zombies that was hanged upside down with a hose and a bottle on the ground and a writing saying 'don't touch' on the floor.

"We gonna take a rest here for tonight…".

"Are you sure Sir?…".(Mina)

"It's fine if we take a rest right here…nothing gonna spawn, not at least for a week…also, didn't we just kill everything on our way here…this dungeon was even more safe than an open forest..". (Bar)

It's been a non stop actions for the last 20 hours since we leave the beaver settlement, right now we were on the 20th floor right in front a large iron door. I assume the door will lead to the Lord, since every manga and game have the usual setting for this stuff I assume this time it would be the same. Just like Bar said, it's safe right now, since we have been clearing/exterminating anything that we saw. The bunch already set's up the tent and started coking for dinner and boiling hot water.

"Sir, Here's your coffee..". (Elijah)

"Thank you…<Slurp~>…that's good, so how was it..killing thing with firearms..different right?..".

"it sure is sir…the power, the speed, it was much more deadly than magic..it wasn't exaggerate if I say we can conquer Fantasma should we equip our army with this…". (Elijah)

"Probably..but, if I can want to avoid going to war…I merely want a peaceful and rich life….I prefer other's wage wars among themselves, that way we can gain more fortune…hehehe".

As dinner were served, we started to lay back and relax. Bar were busy with storing the Undeads bloods and other alchemy materials we got, Rafaela were busy with arranging and managing our inventory, she has grown an OCD for details, beside we obtain quite a fortune on our way here, magical items/equipment's and some coins. Mina already deep asleep hugging her shield.

I also managed to obtain a few skills shard on the way, i got a passive skill called [Steel Bone] that would strengthen your bone like a steel, I got it from killing a skeleton warrior with shiny bones that crawling on the floor because it got no lower body on the 12th floor. I also got another passive skill called [Golden Vocal] which makes you become extremely good at singing, the funny thing is I got it from a zombie that have a broken neck. I also obtain a few magic mastery skills which is useless to me. I can give them out, but as for now it's better to keep them, and probably I can use them as a reward or selling them at high price later.