Mira stared at the doors. She knew the goddess had told her to be here earlier, but it had been hard making a decision. The young dragon girl didn’t know if this was the right choice. Seeking help from a dungeon did not seem to make much sense to her, and going to the guild to find the dungeon made even less sense. Yet here she was about to take the risk. Wrestling with her doubts she made for the door. Mira just did not see how this would help her keep her clothes. She stepped through the door.

What followed was a whirlwind of events before she was ushered into a small office, but no one was there. Not at first anyway. The guild master, and someone else followed soon after. The guild master settled into a chair, and the second person gave her a gentle smile before introducing herself. “I’m Misaki. I hear you wanted to meet with me?”

She nodded nervously. As Misaki settled into a second chair, she introduced herself and tried to relay her problem.

Misaki leaned back and sighed. “Kind of a tough one. Not much I can do.”

She felt like crying. It sounded like her doubts were confirmed, but before she could say more. Misaki continued, “The only thing I can think of, involves you entering my halls. I am, however, not sure you would want that. I do remember you, Mira. You haven’t been in my halls since that one time.  Are you by any chance afraid of my dungeon or something?

That question surprised her, deeply. She had not expected that question at all. It was surprisingly accurate in its assumptions. Mira gasped but said nothing. Unfortunately, the other girl could read right through her. “I thought so, but that will make things more complicated.”

Her lips quivered and she stuttered for a moment before getting out, “um, uh, what... what um, exactly ... does...”

Misaki shook her head. “No need to be so nervous. Anyway to answer the question you tried to ask. The only way I can protect you from Zemoria is for you to sign up for duty as a dungeon guardian. I’m not sure that job is for you.”

Mira was somewhat confused now. Dungeon Guardian? Job? Her questions must have been all over her face, as Misaki elaborated. “Basically the job entails joining my monsters as a defender of my halls. Along with everything that naturally entails. You would be subject to the same rules as my monsters. That includes the dress code. At least you are dressed for the part.”

She blushed, and looked away. Zemoria hadn’t let her leave the house in anything else. Mira felt lucky that she was not naked at the moment, but the armor she was forced to wear wasn’t any better. On the other hand, she wasn’t sure about being a dungeon monster. Well guardian. While she had not been in the dungeon in months, she knew full well what the monsters in there did.

“I’d be expected to try and corrupt people wouldn’t I?”

Misaki nodded, and Phyllis interjected, “That goes with the territory.”

“Along with having sex with everybody I meet. I’m not sure that’s me.”

Misaki gave her a look, “I did say I don’t think the job is for you. Not to mention you don’t seem comfortable in that armor.”

Her emotions got the better of her,, “Of course not! This entire set was Zemoria’s idea. Apparently my old armor covered too much. Only reason she even allowed me this much was that my scales aren’t hard enough yet to really serve as armor...”

When her brief rant came to an end Misaki sighed, “I’m afraid you would have to get used to dressing in revealing clothes if you take my offer.”

There was something in her tone. Mira replayed that statement in her mind, and suddenly she realized Misaki was feeling sorry for her. She didn’t like that, but she liked her choices even less. Mira wasn’t sure which was worse. A lifetime dressing like a lust demon, or a lifetime without clothes. She slumped in her chair.

Misaki, seeing her silence, said, “I’ll leave you alone for a while. It is clear that you need some time alone to consider your options.”

Phyllis stayed behind as Misaki left. She glanced at Phyllis. “Is there any chance that she is wrong and I have a third option.” She sighed, “Who knows maybe I will get lucky and someone would slay Zemoria.”

Phyllis giggled, “If you are willing to wait a few years, Misaki would be able to do that. Although it might be too late by then.”

She had to agree, it would be too late in a few years. Given Zemoria’s aggressive methods she did not think she could hold out against that dragon. Not that long anyway. She would be lucky to last a few weeks against her. Mira briefly had a flashback to what she had seen happen before her eyes. Lucky indeed. With the other choice, by then she would likely be so used to acting like a lust demon that even without Zemoria, she might just continue. It felt like a no-win situation. She just didn’t know what to do. Mira sighed, “I can’t wait that long. I’d be lucky to have a few weeks.”

With that she left. A small voice in the back of her mind telling her that she was forgetting something, but for the life of her she could not remember what. Hopefully it wasn’t important. It likely was not.

Meanwhile, Misaki was talking with Dewari. She had asked Dewari if there were any other options that she had missed. A part of her felt bad leaving the girl with what were obviously dismal choices.

Dewari sighed, “There is one option. You could have offered her a blood contract. Although that is far more involved and permanent then your offer. It would be best if she came back to you seeking it herself.”

Misaki just shook her head, as she remembered what she had read about Blood Contracts. “No kidding. Not sure I want one with such a confused young woman. Although if she makes up her mind before we leave for our trip, I might consider it.”

“That is why I said it was best if she sought the option herself. If she does make up her mind, she could prove quite useful to you, but if not, it is no loss to you.”

Misaki shrugged. “I guess not.” She sighed, “I do kind of feel sorry for her. Zemoria could stand to learn a thing or two from us lust demons. It is so much more pleasurable for both parties to steadily wear down the other’s defenses and corrupt them. Not whatever Zemoria is doing.”

“Zemoria is an old dragon, and she never approved of mortals drifting away from their primal origins. Honestly if she was strong enough, she would oppose us gods and force the issue wholesale. Thankfully she doesn’t have that kind of power, although if she knew what lies in your halls she might try to dominate you.

“I’m quite glad that Arlie saw fit to have you taught that spell. You being dominated by that dragon would benefit no one, and that spell does give you a fighting chance.”

Misaki frowned, “What could I possibly have that she would want that badly?”

“Your mana well. It’s an incredibly potent resource. It makes you strong, but imagine what she could do with it? Or worse what she would do with multiple.”

Misaki thought about it, and then blanched. That would be bad indeed. Suddenly she understood precisely why Arlie wanted her to know that spell. Arlie knew full well that she would be able to adapt it for her own use. The important thing about it was that it would give her a potent weapon for defending against dragons. Something she would need if she was to stand any chance against Zemoria wanting to conquer her.

First the church, and now she had to worry about dragons. It seemed her days of peace were coming to an end. A part of her was wondering what was next. A dragon worshiping cult? She pushed that aside before she could think too deeply on it. That was a spiral she knew full well to avoid. On the other hand, that trip she was planning was suddenly far more important. That broken mech, if it could be fixed, may prove far more important to her than she first thought. Finding that dwarf friend was now much higher on her priorities list. Who knows what she could do with it.

“Thanks for the warning. I guess my upcoming trip is more important than I thought. Anything else you think I should know about?”

Dewari gave a thoughtful look, and said, “Yes. I suggest you pay attention to the Rosewood Empire, but I will say no more than that.”

Dewari left, and Misaki was left scratching her head. Why did she need to pay attention to the Rosewood Empire. They barely paid any attention to Bordertown. Very few people even came from the Rosewood Empire. Although now that she thought about it, she did think there were a few people from that Empire in Bordertown right now. Perhaps she should ask them a few questions, but what would she even ask? In any case, she had something to talk with Phyllis about.

Perhaps Phyllis might have something to contribute. While she wasn’t from Rosewood. Phyllis had been there before. She might know something about the Empire. Something that might give a hint on why Dewari said she should keep an eye on it. In any case, she needed to get that dwarf, and work on that mech. The sooner it was working, the safer she would be. Already she was daydreaming about what she could do with it. Perhaps getting a second mana well would be useful as well. It would make her more tempting of a target, but it would also enhance her resource gain. Perhaps enough that she could add another set of floors sooner than expected. That would help make her safer as well.

Misaki left the room, her mind awhirl with the things she needed to do. Now that she had been warned, she needed to move up her schedule. She went to find Phyllis, she had things to discuss. Time-sensitive and important things. Unfortunately for Mira, that meant her window for a second meeting had just shortened drastically. Perhaps by the time she made her choice it would be too late. The choice having been made for her.