The Demon Lord has been vanquished by the formidable Rift Dragon. Following this event, Pacs embarked on new journeys. Two days after Pacs' departure, Ren announced her own intention to leave Alric's house to resume her journey. She affirmed her return, stating that Alric's house is now considered their shared home. Ren estimates her journey will last approximately three to six months. Eerie requested that Ren send monthly updates to ensure her well-being during her travels.
Ren embarked on her journey, guided by Aelda, who had provided a navigational spell to ensure a safe passage through the forest. After Ren's departure, Aelda ventured outside, her thoughts fixed on the enigmatic woods. She utilized her abilities to identify the creatures inhabiting the area and to delineate its boundaries. Although she successfully determined the forest's perimeter, she was unable to detect any signs of life within. This absence of detection was puzzling, especially considering their previous encounters with both a crystal golem and a rift dragon in that very forest, which rendered the current lack of creatures inexplicable. Consequently, she intensified her efforts to locate any living beings deep within the forest.
Alric and Callie approached Aelda, inquiring about her current undertaking. She informed them that she was attempting to gather intelligence regarding the creatures inhabiting the forest. Alric then asked how many creatures she had identified thus far. Aelda responded that she had detected none. Callie interjected, expressing her disbelief, stating that they had encountered two creatures while en route. Alric concurred, acknowledging the presence of monsters within the forest and suggesting they might be evading detection through some specialized means. Aelda articulated her inability to comprehend how they could elude her sophisticated detection capabilities.
In the kitchen, Belle and Whitney were preparing food for the afternoon when they observed that the meat in the larder was nearly depleted. Upon completing their cooking, they proceeded to call everyone. Meanwhile, Stella, Helga, and Vexanna were engaged in a discussion. Kris and Sion were assisting Eerie with books, as Eerie expressed a desire to review several. Stella and Helga proposed the idea of constructing a large bathhouse, a suggestion with which Vexanna concurred.
Following their meal, Belle apprised Stella that their meat provisions were dwindling. Consequently, the group decided to clear nearby dungeons to acquire treasure and restock their supplies. Aelda and Alric offered to undertake the expedition into the dungeons. Nevertheless, before their departure, Stella proposed the construction of a substantial bathhouse, a task Alric subsequently commenced.
After the grand new bathhouse was completed, everyone gathered for a communal bath. Alric had initially planned to use a separate facility, but the others insisted he join them, not wanting him to feel left out. Consequently, Alric found himself surrounded by women in the bath, which caused him considerable mental disarray. He began to entertain inappropriate thoughts about them. The women, in turn, playfully teased him. The situation escalated to such a degree that all the women present became flushed, contemplating whether intimacy with Alric was imminent.
The atmosphere in the bathhouse had become undeniably awkward, with every woman present exhibiting flushed faces, unsure of how to depart. A collective paralysis seemed to have settled, as each remained frozen in place, bathing in silence. Aelda was the first to break the tension, offering an excuse as she exited, followed shortly by Stella, then Vexanna. Belle, Whitney, and Callie then left in unison. Helga announced she had finished her bath and also departed. Finally, Kris, Sion, and Eerie exited together. Alric, after a moment to compose himself, subsequently left the bath as well.
Alric proceeded to the blacksmith workshop he had previously constructed. There, he intended to craft a defensive armor for Aelda in preparation for their dungeon expedition. However, upon commencing the crafting process, Alric discovered he possessed no materials. With a comically dumbfounded expression, Alric remarked, "I suppose I'll have to utilize my abilities for crafting now and gather materials for the workshop later."
Eerie expressed dissatisfaction with the limited selection of books available, articulating a desire to embark on a quest for literature. She believes that possessing a diverse collection of books is essential to embodying the essence of a great mage, indicative of vast knowledge. Having lost her entire collection, she remains optimistic that some copies of her former books still exist. Consequently, she announced her intention to travel through various kingdoms to retrieve these books.
Kris and Sion decided to accompany her on this journey. Alric provided Eerie with defensive armor, though notably, he did not provide a wand. In contrast, Sion and Kris were equipped with powerful, crafted weapons from Alric. The remaining individuals stayed at the house. Alric and Aelda initially departed with Eerie, Kris, and Sion, but their paths diverged at the edge of the forest.
From the forest's edge, Eerie, accompanied by Kris and Sion, embarked on their journey toward the kingdoms. Meanwhile, Alric and Aelda began their search for dungeons within the forest. Dungeons are dispersed across the lands, serving as sites where treasures accumulate. These locations are created by a vortex that suddenly appears, summoning an abundance of luxurious items, occasionally including extremely rare weapons unknown even to the Dwarves.
The origin of these vortexes and their ability to summon such objects remains a mystery. However, once the accumulated treasure reaches a critical mass, the vortex transforms into a mysterious dungeon—a cave-like structure featuring a clearly defined entrance and well-developed interior infrastructure, ideally suited for monsters to inhabit or remain hidden within. Occasionally, Some demons claim these dungeons and became the Dungeon boss.