Thankfully, Ximena had quelled her lunacy and had gone back to sulking, letting Vale get in the proper mindset for his training.

After a small meditation to calm his lust for a moment, Vale gathered himself and exited into the open area to spar with Stacy, the Warrior he summoned.

This was not only so Vale could improve, but so the Warrior could as well. Just like the Workers, it appeared Warriors and the other troops could hone their Traits. It seemed like he'd have to create a training hall as the alcove's size was growing smaller as the maze got larger.

'Well, I guess it lost its definition as an alcove when we made the wall… Actually, it wasn't truly one to begin with. It was just the assumption I made before the black wall disappeared… '

But the point stands! They wouldn't have such a vast open area for too much longer. At least not until the grand hub was created.

Focusing back on the Warrior… it appeared summoning a Warrior class meant they had a talent for hand-to-hand combat, as Stacy had her Traits before even fighting anything.

♥︎♥︎♥︎

Name: [Stacy]

True Title: —

Warrior Level: [0]

Loyalty: [100/100]

Traits: [Nascent Swordfighter] [Nascent Brawler] [Emergent Fencer]

♥︎♥︎♥︎

"Start."

With a curt order, Vale lowered his shoulder and squared off with Stacy, both with swords drawn.

Stacy started by placing one leg forward, pointing straight at Vale, and the other behind, perpendicular. Then she put one hand behind her back and held her sword in the other.

'So, really all in on the fencing? Even with a double-edged blade? Interesting choice…'

It definitely wasn't the most brilliant idea for Stacy. But, Vale wasn't going to correct Stacy when it seemed they were comfortable. Besides, it would be best to let his Warriors adhere to their strengths. It would be his job to provide his forces with suitable weapons.

Sadly, smithing was a ways away.

Vale remained still as Stacy shuffled forward, angling her blade 45 degrees. Then, after slightly closing the distance, she lunged forward, shifting her weight to her back foot, and jabbed.

Knowing that attempting to deflect a stab head-on would be idiotic, Vale jumped back out of range and then ran to the side, forcing Stacy to constantly adjust her form to keep Vale in front of her.

As Stacy turned, she messed up a single step slightly and faltered for a mere moment.

Vale, trying his best not to overanalyze the situation, threw himself forward without hesitation, attempting a stab of his own.

As he thrusted, he was mindful of the slight swivel movement of Stacy's blade, which was drifting the wrong way.

However, in blitzing speed, the course of Stacy's blade changed, and his swing was countered. Vale's hands, gripping tightly on the sword, were thrown helplessly in the air as his sword fell from his grasp.

Stacy slid forward and held her blade close to his sternum. The Warrior had pulled off an inhumanly quick maneuver and won their duel, as if she'd already been swinging to counter before Vale even started his attack.

It was a little embarrassing that he was one of the weakest in his own dungeon. But from a different perspective, it just meant he had competent underlings.

Vale spoke to himself in awe, unexpectant of an answer.

"H-how? How did you react so quickly?"

Stacy seemed pleased with the praise and responded jubilantly:

"You're shirtless. Being able to see your muscles twitch gave every intent away… All I did was focus on your collarbone and react accordingly."

'My… collarbone?'

"By looking at your collarbone, I'm not only able to watch your eyes, arms, and sword in my peripheral, but also any shifts in your shoulder or torso. It also helps maintain focus."

Vale stared at Stacy with a befuddled expression on his face.

"If you don't mind me asking… what was your life like before being summoned?"

Stacy cocked its head to the side and asked:

"Before? I'm afraid I don't follow. You created me. I had no life before."

'So… she was created? Huh?'

'...'

'What?'

'I did? I created life? The hell?!'

'And how the hell is she so knowledgeable when she was just born!'

'Well, assuming she's correct…'

'B-but…'

Vale sight and decided not to dwell on it. He locked back in to the bout.

Vale raised his sword once again with a resolute look plastered on his face.

***

Salome jumped gracefully around, gliding over the rocky terrain while Toy stumbled a little behind, dodging the sharp edges. A little further behind, the imps followed, carrying the heavy bowls.

Salome's job was spotting and killing any beasts lurking around.

Salome was curiously looking up and off in the distance, where the gigantic gorge narrowed and rose, leaving only enough space for a waterfall to crash with constant, thunderous sounds, when her cutie disciple with the most squeezable cheeks in the world called out to her.

"Master."

'She is so adorable and innocent.'

'Though she's become a bit of a sadist….'

'That just means I taught her right ᥫ᭡!'

Salome let herself float fully to the ground and landed next to Toy.

"Yes, sweetie?"

Toy nimbly jumped around while staring down at the talus. Without looking up or skipping a beat, she asked Salome:

"That woman… the owl with the floating sash. Why do you hate her so much? You keep telling me to stay away from her, never trust her and that I'll die if I get near her…"

Salome stopped for a moment, causing everyone else to follow suit. Her eyes narrowed on the distant waterfall. The torrent surged forth and fell from the heavens above and toppled into the depths of the ravine. Where the water landed was out of frame, blocked from view by thick foliage, but it fed the river flowing just a little ways below them.

Salome grew her gaze back from the waterfall and looked toward Toy. Then, she stepped forward, placing a hand on the goblin's cheek, then played with her luxurious dark green hair, which had yet to be matted or oiled despite the fact that not a single one of them had been able to wash themselves.

"I just don't want her shitty personality rubbing off on you..."

'And I've done too much to that woman for her ever to forgive me…'

'And she's done too much for me ever to forgive her…'

'One of us would be dead right now if it weren't for Vale.'

'I know not when or how, but the little owl isn't so forgiving that she'd forego revenge just because of her juvenile crush. She's merely constrained her hatred momentarily. Sooner or later, her facade will crumble and her icy mask will return.'

'The same mask she wore when she slaughtered my people and led the Scourge into our citadel…'

'And I'll be wearing the same gleeful face as the day I killed her parents and brother in front of her very eyes.'

'But, whenever that fated day comes… her first target to get under my skin is clear. She knows what I cherish most. She knows my weakness…'

Salome played some more with the little goblin's hair, then she caressed Toy's cheek and stared deeply into her glowing emerald eyes.

"You're too cute to act like a bitch."

A deafening screech sounded from above, begging their attention.

'What was that?!'

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