We called them the forest people. Their shock and terror when they found out we took them from the Ancient Forest pushed some of them into depression. Some tried to commit suicide but, fortunately, the appearance of the gods of Arcadia was enough to stop them. It took us days to surround them with much-needed help but it was obvious that most would stay oblivious and vulnerable forever. They were akin to children and it would be a monumental task to educate them. They lacked any of the common sense held by other people living in Arcadia but, in a sense, their presence was therapeutic for my people. Especially among the former slaves of Berna who quickly realised that Bernans weren't that cruel. Vestargo bred his slaves on an industrial scale, cruelly and coldly, beyond any comprehension. Of five thousand, eight hundred seventy-six people, five thousand were women, mostly children and teenagers. Any men were kept purely for reproduction purposes. Most of the boys were killed at birth since they weren't useful for Vestargo or Vespids.

The most terrifying thing, however, was the fact that all those girls were taught that they lived to serve the Vespids. Most of them were aware that they were going to die in the breeding chambers of Vespids' hives. They were indoctrinated to believe that their deaths would bring life to the chosen race of their lord and give him strength. Predictably, all the breeding hives were in the Dungeons serving Vestargo or enslaved by him. The forest people were unable to resist or rebel because they were simply too weak. They were kept at low levels or, rather, if they levelled up at all, it was by mistake or luck. They lived in the most primitive conditions imaginable. Their homes were mud huts covered with fallen branches and grass, barely protecting them from the elements. They were only eating fruit and forest mushrooms while drinking raw river water. They were afraid of fire, or perhaps made afraid of it. Using fire was considered a sin by those who worshipped Vestargo and one of the biggest crimes by everyone else. If they had any meaningful past, everything was lost in the sands of time.

They knew only fear and obedience...

Fortunately, the arrival of Dauntless and its battlegroup changed the fate for those whom we managed to save. With each day, our priests and volunteer caretakers discovered another depressing fact about the life of the Forest People. But most of them trusted us and, thankfully, they were slowly learning how to be free. For their safety, I decided to move them to the Wild Beast Dungeon where they finally calmed down. The familiar sight of the forest allowed them to focus on the things we tried to teach them without being anxious. But, most importantly, it was far away from Vestargo and his cursed forest. Fortunately for them, I could spend the resources necessary to help them. They needed to be uplifted from their primitive, nearly caveman tribe into functioning members of Arcadian society.

The group we saved consisted of High Elves, which could mean they were the descendants of the refugees from the Balantican Empire. It wasn't important for now but Amber wanted to test whether they could control Balantican magitech or not. What was fairly important, however, was the fact that they knew about another slave city and the location of another Dungeon. It took us days to get the information from them but that was expected since they had no concept of maps and measured things in groups of dozens and distance in septs or rough time estimations. Surprisingly, however, they weren't as clueless as most of us expected them to be. For some reason, they were very proficient with math and almost all of them had very strong magic affinities. They also had extensive knowledge about the Ancient Forest which they gladly shared. With the passing days and weeks, they understood how dire their situation had been and they quickly turned their childish admiration of Vestargo and his minions into fear, distress, and slowly but surely into hate.

The girl who first found the courage to run was named Hope and became the leader of the Forest People. She was bright and learned fast. She was one of many forest people who possessed a very rare skill, Clairvoyance. It explained how she learnt about her sister's fate and why so many people knew what their fate was going to be. For generations, they knew but they were broken and helpless to change it. But finally, they were given a chance to change their fate. They were no longer slaves and were granted Arcadian citizenship. Hope was very determined to save as many Vestargo's slaves as possible. Her wrath and fury burned so brightly that she quickly gained the attention of Verka. The Goddess of Vengeance very quickly blessed the previously unremarkable girl and helped her hone her anger and fury into a powerful force that helped Hope to gain all the necessary knowledge.

"I pity them, Master." Demesne poured me and Irene a cup of tea she had made, visibly proud that she had managed to harness her strength.

"I can't even imagine their helplessness in the face of someone like Vestargo..." Kirin shook his head. "I never liked senseless violence and bloodshed. I... I'm at a loss for words, honestly."

Ceallach was silent, his fully crystallised form lowered his head. When he finally spoke, his voice was hollow and full of shame.

"I was almost as senseless and merciless as Vestargo. I regret it... I regret it so much..." He whispered with guilt. "Only now I see how fragile but wonderful Mortals are."

"We must protect them." I took a sip of tea and gave a small smile to Demesne who proudly wagged her tail. However, she wasn't smiling as the solemn atmosphere spread among us. "I'm glad you have grown so much, Ceallach, because I would like to expand your grounds to the nearby forests and build a city that the forest people could call their home."

"I will spare no effort to show them that Arcadia is their new home, my Lord." I smiled more happily this time hearing his determined voice. "A home that will protect them without sacrificing them..."

"Thank you." I nodded. "I invited just three of you for this meeting because there are things that directly involve you and the lands under your protection. I would like to ask for your help, Demesne. Ceallach is going to need your help but that's not the only reason. The south of the Empire is scarcely inhabited and you have to start periodically patrolling the forests. Especially the ones close to the Southern Mountains. I need you to take the brunt of that scouting burden since Ceallach must focus on providing the best protection he can to the High Elves."

"Of course, Master!" Demesne smiled widely.

"It's very important Ceallach," Irene said with a tense voice. "I would rather keep them further from the southern borders, but the protection of the southern mountains has to suffice. They are the biggest community of the High Elves in Aderon. Knowing the plans of the Ibrevell Elves, I can't risk any of them falling into their hands. We don't know for sure if they are descendants of the survivors of the Balantican Empire, but it's the most likely explanation. In that case, they would be more connected with Amber's past. But as I'm a High Elf as well, I understand better than anyone else how dangerous the Ibrevell Kingdom is."

"My predator beasts know very well the scent of Ibrevell's spies. I will guard them, my Lady! My forests will be their sanctuary and I will personally take care of them."

"Thank you, Ceallach." Irene nodded with gratitude. "It means a lot to me."

"The next thing is a warning for you, Kirin. I expect Vestargo to try to attack you. He is going to try to kill you." I looked at the Elven Paladin sitting on the reinforced chair.

"I honestly suspected that." He shortly nodded. "He knows where I am and we know that he is vengeful. After all the blows you dealt to his empire, I expect him to attack me. Starfall and Skybound fortresses are beyond his reach. He tried time and time again to capture them and failed. I was thinking that he could try to capture the Crystal Forest Dungeon but Ruiell is ready for the fight..."

Kirin fell silent for a moment.

"Ruiell's Griphons are patrolling the coast. If Vestargo chose to attack her, we would know in advance, as we did last time. She also has other denizens like Slimes and Skeletons so she is ready to go to war. It will be another disaster for him, but if he chooses that, we'll be more than happy to wipe out another invasion force." I shook my head. "That's why I believe he is going to attack you, Kirin. The main difference between you and Ruiell is that he can move fairly unnoticed through the land instead of risking another aquatic attempt."

"It's true..." Kirin nodded. "Lord Blair ordered the cutting of all trees in a five-kilometre radius of Westwood except for small patches in well-thought-out places. Within them, I placed Lesser Ents whose roots run deep underground. They should detect any movement within the soil and they will warn us beforehand."

"Excellent." I nodded happily. Kirin's solution should solve the problem with Vestargo's minions using tunnels. "From now on, a destroyer will be waiting on standby near the palace of Westwood. Maybe in the lake itself. Have you managed to install all the sentry guns?"

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"Yes, my Lord!" He nodded with a grim smile. "If Vestargo comes for me, I will be ready."

I simply nodded and drank my remaining tea. I looked at Irene and nodded. The doors to the room we were in opened and Sebastian brought Hope with him. She looked in shock at us but her eyes turned wide as her gaze rested on Irene. Like always when any of the forest people saw Irene, they were always on the verge of openly worshipping her. It was one of the reasons why Amber left them in Irene's care.

"Saint Irene va'Theon of Avalon!" She put her hands together and lowered her head.

"Please sit down, Hope." I pointed to the empty chair near Kirin. "We want to discuss a few things with you."

"As you wish, my Lord." She slowly sat down and Demesne used that moment to pour her tea and refill my cup. Once she did it, she took a seat between Hope and Ceallach.

"We asked you to come because we need to discuss a few things about you. Things that all of your people have to understand, Hope." Irene said with a calm and warm voice. "Don't be afraid. You are now our subjects, new citizens of the Empire of Arcadia."

She nervously nodded but remained silent.

"The world is a dangerous place, Hope," I said with a neutral voice. "My Empire is vast and powerful. Within its borders, you are relatively safe but, before you stroll out of your safe place, you all have to get much stronger. Tell me, Hope, after the last two weeks, how do you feel?"

"The people are still uncomfortable and uncertain about the future. However, the more we learn, the more optimistic we are." She said with a lowered head and nervously clenched fists. She slowly raised her head and, while her hands were still nervously closed together, she looked at Irene. "However, most of us are no longer afraid. Now, we all understand that we were living in fear. We had been afraid of everything for so long that we stopped understanding it was wrong. Currently, all who can sense what the future holds speak of happiness and many other things we still don't understand."

"I'm glad you are doing well, Hope." I smiled encouragingly.

"You said that you took us far away from the evil forest but it's hard to believe... But so many Gods are your allies and your soldiers are so powerful that many of us pray for your victory." She lowered her head once more and we noticed the tears trickling down her cheeks. "But not the elders and most of the older men... They hate and fear you, my Lord, my Lady. It pains me to say this, but I'm afraid that they are going to try to return to the evil forest and take as many people as they can. They are misguided and blame you for bringing the wrath of Lo... Of Vestargo on us."

"It's nothing new, honestly." I shrugged. "This is also the reason why we brought you here. The Ancient Forest is nearly two months away if you walk on foot and know where you are going. They won't. Don't worry, Hope. With time, they should realise how foolish their wish to return to slavery was."

"So they won't endanger us?" She looked at me and Irene with hope.

"We can't allow them. Yes, you are free but freedom comes with responsibilities. Don't worry, Hope. You still have much to learn but we are going to help you with everything." Irene smiled brightly. "My closest aide, Arch Cardinal Lanka Goldentail, will arrive with the First Guardsmen Regiment under the command of Major Thiule Greenleaf. They are going to help you with levelling up and teaching you. The primary mission of the Guardsmen Regiment will be aiding Ceallach in your protection, Hope."

"Thank you, my Lady." She lowered her head, overwhelmed by the things she still was unable to comprehend.

"It's getting repetitive, but don't worry, Hope. With time you will understand more things. What you need to know right now, is the fact that both Lanka and Thiule are very important. So important, in fact, that no one except for me and my wives can overrule..." I smiled as I saw her cringe at the last word. "Overrule means change, Hope. No one can change the orders they give. I want you to meet Ceallach as well."

I pointed at the crystal figure of a Human warrior who smiled in turn.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Ceallach!" Hope stood up and, fairly skillfully, bowed.

"The pleasure is mutual, Miss Hope." He stood up as well and bowed to her with respect. "I'm glad you like the forests of my Dungeon."

Hope's long ears drooped in an unmistakable sign of distress.

"It's the most beautiful place I've ever seen. But the Dungeon... I... We are still terrified of them." She managed to admit with a choked-out voice.

"You don't have to be worried, Miss Hope." He said with a serious expression. "I am the Dungeon Core of the Wild Beast Dungeon. No one will hurt you."

"You... You are the Dungeon?" Her eyes went wide.

"As well as I am." Kirin nodded with a smile.

"Arcadia is the Dungeon Empire, unlike Vestargo's," I said, seeing her near panic. "I am the Righteous Dungeon, Miss Hope. Demesne is the Wolf Manor Dungeon. But there are more Dungeons that serve me and have pledged their allegiance to me. It's one of the reasons why we were able to take you from Vestargo. Contrary to him, I don't want to kill my people."

"You don't want... My Lord?" She tilted her head and furrowed her brows.

"Yes." I briefly nodded. "I don't want to kill if that's feasible but that doesn't mean I will hesitate if it's necessary. Some crimes are punishable by death, after all. I was appointed to be a guardian of this world and I promised to protect everyone who pledges themselves to me. I am the Emperor of Arcadia, and I have chosen to rule on my terms. Arcadians can live freely and peacefully under my care, but also serve me. What Vestargo is doing is killing people to obtain mana. I chose to keep my people alive. While I get less mana that way, the people are not terrified of me and, in the bigger scope of things, the difference in mana income doesn't matter. Not for me at least, but I think the Mortals appreciate that."

"I understood most of what you said, my Lord. Especially the part about not killing the people who don't deserve it." She swallowed.

"Hope." Irene put her hand on mine. "What my husband failed to tell you is the fact that you and the remaining forest people won't be treated like most of the people. If some of you commit what is considered a crime in Arcadia, you will be lectured until you understand and comprehend. Contrary to the people of Aderon you lack a common understanding of the law. What you also should remember is that you will be under the care of Ceallach who is one of our trusted friends. As long as you stay in his Dungeon you won't be harmed. However, if you decide to go or run away, we can't guarantee your safety. The world is dangerous and full of various monsters, but we promise to teach you how to recognise them and how to deal with them."

"Thank you, my Lady! My Lord!" She brightened.

"You will have a special position among the forest people, Hope." I smiled at Irene. "Some of your folk would be too scared to talk with us but they should be more open with you. So you have to report to us if anyone needs more help or if the lessons are too difficult. We want to help but our attempt will be poor if we assume that everything is fine while, in fact, you are struggling."

"Oh..." She nodded enthusiastically. "I will do my best!"

"Today, we will build a new town for you." I nodded at Ceallach. "I summoned Ian, Sally, and Myrna to help you. I want you and Hope to assist them and learn something. I want you to get to work ASAP, Ceallach."

"As you wish, Lord Theon." He lowered his head and stood up, offering his hand to the confused High Elf woman. "Miss Hope? If you will..."

Once the two left the room, Janet's and Edward's holograms appeared and took their places. After we exchanged the salutes and pleasantries, I displayed a map.

"As you know, during the liberation of Vestargo's slaves we obtained information about another slave city in the vicinity. But also a Dungeon. While it was tempting to hit those targets as soon as I learned about them, ultimately, I decided against it. Instead, I sent Slimes to obtain intel." The detailed model of the slave city and observation data on the Dungeon appeared on the table. "To my surprise, Vestargo kept his forces away from both. Most probably he doesn't know we learnt about both targets. If I'm right, he has gambled preparing to start a major counteroffensive and doesn't want to spread his forces thin."

"Do we know where he wants to attack?" Janet slowly memorised each detail.

"He, most probably, will try to assassinate Kirin."

"Hmmm..." Edward patted his beard. "He once was utterly defeated in Westwood. Attacking Kirin again would be wasteful..."

"That won't be an attack." I disagreed. "I expect that ridiculous Scion, the one who has that absurdly powerful beam attack, to try to sneak into Westwood and attack the Core. Then, if Vestargo manages to get rid of Kirin, he will attack. It's a long shot assumption as you can imagine, but it's not baseless. The beam shooting Scion stayed put for the last three weeks. Usually, it attacked us every Thursday. The radar images of the forest show a large swarm of monsters preparing right here, in the closest proximity to Westwood."

They studied the map and nodded.

"I will use two battlegroups. Dauntless will save another slave city. Queen Anne's Revenge will provide ground assistance. I believe this time, the infantry will be required to save as many lives as possible. Rhys is currently briefing his company and the Marines who will take part in the mission. The Valiant battlegroup will begin the Dungeon siege." I looked at them with a faint smile. "The stage is set. It's time to kick Vestargo even harder..."

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