Learning about the neighborhood

I spend the next few days sending my Imps to explore the surrounding areas to gather both food and information. Fortunately, my minions are sustained by the mana of the dungeon and don't need food, however the same doesn't apply to me, and both Lucy and Ariel also need to be fed. The Imps are lousy hunters but at the very least they are able to forage food from the nearby forest or steal it from nearby farms and with each successful expeditions my map is slowly starting to expand.

North of my dungeon there is a long mountain range, but because of the steep, treacherous terrain my Imps are ill suited to explore the area. To the west there is an immense forest, at first glance it looks serene and peaceful however when I sent my minions deeper into the forest the entire group was suddenly wiped out, they may be expendable but it still takes time for the Imps to respawn so I decide to avoid sending them further into the forest for now. Finally, to the south there is a dirt road that connects a city to a smaller town located to the east. Spread between these two settlements are a couple of small villages and a few farms.

From what my Imps tell me, the city and the town are well protected, with soldiers constantly patrolling the road that led to the city and various adventurers coming and going to the town. On the other hand, the villages and farms are far more ****, every now and then a group of adventurers stop by but they never stay more than a few days. I wish there was a way to explore the settlements themselves but there's only so much my Imps can do without getting caught, and Lucy is still... indisposed. She spends all the time in her room and every time I visit her, she just spreads her legs and begs me to fuck her. Not that I'm complaining but her knowledge about her hometown and the region could have been useful.

"Hey Ariel how about you go and-"

"No!"

"You didn't even let me-"

"I refuse!"

"But if you just-"

"Ok fine! I'll go outside if you go!

"Don't be ridiculous! Venturing outside only brings danger!"

We have had the exact same discussion every single day so far...

Meanwhile a much more friendly conversation is taking place in one of the gardens of the castle that overlooks the city of the region. Two young, beautiful girls wearing regal dresses are talking and having tea while a lone female knight stood guard nearby, she was just as gorgeous as the other two girls but she also radiated strength and fortitude that one wouldn't expect from a young woman.

"Would you like another cup Princess Amelyn?" The one with bright red hair asks the other girl.

"How many times have I told you that when we are alone you can call me Ame, or could it be that you enjoyed me calling you Queen Krea so much that you don't want me to stop?" The girl with long blonde hair responds with a playful, warm smile.

“Forgive me Ame, it's just that these past days have been even more exhausting than usual, I knew that it wasn't going to be easy, to take the throne and restore Vintis Kingdom after the war, and without my father or brother at my side..." Krea answers, doing her best holding back her tears as she remembers her departed family.

"I know, they were both very brave men, my father always spoke highly of them, but their noble sacrifice allowed you and so many others the chance to escape to Crisal when the forces of Dark attacked Vintis. The Hero and the other Saintesses were the ones who defeated the Demon King however is up to us to rebuild and restore the land from the devastation caused by the war." Ame consoles her friend and holds her hand to help her calm down.

"Thanks Ame, you're right, I need to give it my all in their place. Now that you mention her where is the Hero now? I was under the idea that she was to accompany you on your trip." Asks Krea inquisitively after she dries the tears forming in her eyes.

"That was the original plan yes, but apparently something came up and she couldn't come, you know how the Hero is, she is always helping someone, even after defeating the Demon King I don't think she has rested for a single day." Responds Ame with a sigh.

"What an amazing person, truly an inspiration for us all, after hearing that I feel a little guilty for complaining about endless meetings and mountains of paperwork." They both laugh and continue talking for hours until it's time for Ame to go and return to Crisal.

"I really wish I could stay longer but I practically had to beg father just to have this -diplomatic visit-" Ame says as she is about to enter her carriage accompanied by her silent female knight escort.

"Don't worry, I understand, I too wish we could have spent more time together but we both have responsabilities with our people. Maybe once things are more stable here, I'll be the one paying you a -diplomatic visit-." Krea answers smiling before waving her friend goodbye and returning to her castle to resume her duties.