Harvest Dungeon - 45 Chapter 45

-Vanessa Point of View-

“How?!” Zephirah asked obviously confused and a bit frightened.

I was also surprised and a bit suspicious, was this the real Candice, or that pervert?

Candice smiled at the sprite. “I happen to know another mediator who owed my father a favor.” she replied then looked to Selia, “Your brother is a real piece of work.” she told her obviously unhappy.

“What is your father’s name?” I asked ignoring her previous comment.”

Candice shifted her attention to me for a moment. “Nathan Xavier.” she replied then looked back to Selia.

I breathed a sigh of relief, it had been difficult to figure that one out, his position was special so he was very low key. There was no way Seth’s people would have been able to figure that out in such a short time. “What did Seth do?” I asked.

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“Directly? Nothing.” Candice replied. “However, a number of people he is friends with suddenly have irreparable issues with me and my family.” she said then smiled deviously. “However they didn’t seem to know who my father was.” she said.

I tried to resist smiling but I failed. I always had to follow Seth’s orders, but he had been lax when he told me to find out everything about Jason. I had done as ordered and reported everything I could find out about him, but that didn’t mean I told him everything about those around him. Both of Candice’s parents held positions of importance amongst the magic community that lived on his world. More importantly Candice’s father was strong, really strong. They would have to bring in outside help to handle him. It was a possibility if Seth had the backing of a great family, but by moving too quickly they had been warned of the issue.

“So they sent you here to protect you?” I asked.

Candice shook her head. “No, if they came after me and my parents I am sure someone will come for Jason here. I came to warn him.” she told us.

“A message would have sufficed.” I told her.

“It would have.” Candice agreed.

I groaned, “So those other rumors were true?” I asked.

Candice smiled, “You really are good at your job.” she told me her eyes bright and intense as she looked at me.

I squirmed uncomfortably for a few moments. Seth’s order had been simple and easy to fulfill. While I could claim I spent the extra time and effort to be through, or too stay away from Seth, it would be a lie. After watching Jason for a bit I grew curious about him. Guessing he would be the man I was temporarily paired too, I kind of hoped I could learn more about him. Maybe find a trigger that would get him to deprive Seth of my first time. It wouldn’t have mattered to the bastard, but it would have been a small victory for me. Unfortunately I found that Jason seemed to look better and better the longer I looked at him. I might have even fantsized what it would be like if he could somehow overcome Seth and rescued me. Not that I expected any of this to happen.

Candice had mercy and turned her sharp gaze away from me and back to Selia. “I don’t believe he personally has any friends here in the trial, but it would surprise me if some of the other contestants weren’t linked to the great family backing him. While fractured, the whole family would still back anyone with a chance to become a dungeon master, their value is too high to involve them in their squabbles. Though to be honest I doubt they will give Seth much support now that he has failed, but gaining the coordinates of this dungeon, and potential hostages against the dungeon master… That I am sure they would be interested in.” Candice finished explaining.

Selia hissed. “FOOL!” she cursed aloud. “But that is just like him, if he can’t have it he would rather break it!”

“So what will you do?” Zephirah asked Selia while I watched still too flustered to speak.

“Do you have any proof?” Selia asked Candice.

“None.” Candice replied a bit regretfully.

“Its fine!” Lilian suddenly said flying over to Candice’s side to console her.

I rolled my eyes but kept quiet.

Candice eyed the little fairy that appeared in front of her with stars in her eyes as she gazed upon Candice. “I hope you have been taking good care of Jason.” she told Lilian with a smile.

Lilian almost seemed to freeze then looked over at me.

“He is doing fine.” I replied. He was, I could see the strain on him as the affinity storm raged within him, but it didn’t seem to be causing any lasting harm.

“You are watching him?” Candice asked me surprised.

“I am a gemini.” I replied.

Candice nodded in understanding. “I see, but why does he need to be watched?” she asked.

“Affinity storm.” Lilian replied quietly drooping a bit in the air. “I didn’t realize he was a neutral.”

That wasn’t the first time she had said that. “Would it have mattered?” I asked.

“Not really.” Lilian replied. “I would have waited until more security could have been put in place. He is completely vulnerable right now.”

“Better now while the shield is up.” I said.

“That is true.” Candice agreed then looked around at the other girls. “With all that said, you should all make up your minds quickly. If you don’t want to stay, then you should go before anyone comes.”

“When did you start listening in?” I asked.

“When the wolf made it clear she was staying.” Candice replied. “Though I do have to say that I am impressed with you Vanessa.” she said.

“Me?” I asked surprised.

Candice nodded. “If other women found themselves in your position, they would have done everything they could to push everyone else out.” she told me.

I nodded, I wanted to do that too. “No point, not with you and Melissa around.” I told her making Candice laugh.

“A good point, though I don’t think Melissa will be an issue, she was serious when she dumped Jason. Plus there had been a bunch of off worlders swarming her and her parent’s places.” she added.

I nodded, the great family worked fast, then again they wouldn’t have helped Seth without confirming his information.

I felt a bit relieved, I hadn’t liked anything about Melissa, I had also been temporarily confused about the relationship between the three of them with the rumor that Candice was his fiance while he was living with Melissa. Only later did I realize he had no idea.

Turning to the other women, Selia and Firenne specifically.

Firenne was looking down at Jesaline, who was looking back up at her determinedly. “Fine we will stay.” Firenne said closing her eyes as if she already regretted her decision.

“Good, Vaness and I will work hard to keep him on the right path.” Candice said with a smile which she then turned to me. “Won’t we?” she asked.

I nodded stupidly. For a moment I wondered if she might have any succubus in her family line.

“That just leaves you Selia.” Zephirah said looking to the amethyst snake.

Selia hesitated for a few more moments then glanced at Rena before speaking. “I…” she said hesitantly.

“Personally I would prefer if you left.” Candice spoke up. “I am not completely sure what you have to offer Jason, but for someone who is related to that slime ball and is so wishy washy, keeping you around only seems like it will bring us more trouble than not.”

Selia remained silent.

“The deal was with her father correct?” Candice asked.

“Yes.” I replied.

“Perhaps he has another, more dependable daughter?” she suggested.

“It’s not like I volunteered for this!” Selia hissed angrily.

“Perhaps, but you don’t seem able to make up your mind either.” Candice told her.

Selia made an irritated hissing sound but didn’t bare her fangs.

“Doesn’t matter any more.” Zephirah told her.

“What?” Selia asked surprised.

“Company has already arrived.” Zephirah replied.

“What?!” we all asked excitedly.

“A group of large birds are herding a swarm of rats towards us, the first few have already reached the shield and been dispatched by the golems.” Zephirah replied.

“What kind of birds?” Rena asked.

“I can’t tell, not without going to the surface.” she replied.

“What is the problem?” Candice asked.

“The rats give more experience than the mice we normally see, and with the swarm I can sense, Jason will reach level five.” Zephirah replied.

“How is the arctic floor?” I asked worriedly.

“Good, it should slow them down a lot. The blue grass isn’t fully grown, but it is already putting off a great deal of ice mana, add that to the badgers and we should be fine against the rats that get past the golems.” Zephirah replied.

“But we have no idea what else there is behind the swarm.” Candice stated.

“I’ll go.” Rena volunteered. “I can chase off the other birds and get an idea what else is out there.”

Zephirah shook her head. “No, your level is too low, you would just get yourself killed, and you haven’t even been bonded to the dungeon.”

Rena seemed to want to argue but Selia hissed at her. “Stop, not even he would want you to get yourself killed.” she told her.

Rena finally nodded and remained silent.

“How long do we have?” Candice asked.

Zephirah frowned looking off to the side then seemed to pale. “No!” she screamed.

“What?” we asked but before she could reply Jason started to scream. We could all hear him.

I shook my head as they all looked to me. “He was fine a second ago.” I told them. “Then he just started to scream, he seems to be in a lot of pain.” I said getting flustered as I watched his pain filled face while he screamed in agony.

“What is it?” Candice asked finally losing her calm and collected appearance.

“They mixed in a few weakened higher level rats.” Zephirah replied.

“And that means?” Candice asked.

“He leveled up to level five and the barrier is down.” Zephirah replied.

“Oh no!” Candice said horrified.

“What?” I asked worriedly.

“Mother told me once that uncle left Jason some of his memories, but he wouldn’t get them until he reached level five or its equivalent.” she replied.

“So he is dealing with the memories and affinity storm?” I asked surprised then looked to Lilian, but she was gone. I saw her a moment later flying into the bedroom despite the closed door. Before I could ask her what she was going to do a spell formed in her hands and descended upon Jason a moment later.

“Where did that fairy go?” Zephirah asked angrily.

I guessed that Zephirah was pretty flustered at the moment or she would have easily been able to know where Lilian was through her connection to the dungeon.

“She is with Jason, I think she is trying to help.” I said, since Jason stopped screaming, and seemed more calm since the spell started to emit a bright golden light that focused on his head.

“Good.” Zephirah said calming down quickly. Then she peered off to the side. “Oh, that could work.” she said seeming to be surprised. “She is casting a healing spell on his head, healing the injuries the overload is placing on his brain.” she told us when we looked at her confused.

“Good, guess I should go meet our guests.” Elisia said getting up.

“I will too.” I said standing then doubling both of my bodies. Making two more of me appear in the living room.

“Can you even fight?” Elisia asked.

“I am not an expert, but I can wield a sword.” I replied confidently then looked to Zephirah who quickly bought three swords that appeared in the air before my bodies. They weren’t the blades the company was selling. I partially pulled the blade from the sheath to see a well crafted blue steel blade.

“This should work well.” I said with a smile.

“Good, let’s go.” Elisia said then headed out the door. I followed her out quickly. Hopefully the golems, badgers, and cold would be enough, but it was better to be safe. “We should wait for them at the gate to this floor.” I told Elisia.

“Can you resummon you bodies if they are killed?” Elisia asked.

I nodded.

“Good you can leave a body there, the rest will head up with me to see what is going on.” she told me.

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded determinedly. I would protect him, just as he saved me.