Chapter 59 - Revelations and Rewards

A familiar pair of arms draped around her in a loose embrace as he rested his chin on her shoulder while voicing a complaint, "You are so cruel to me."

She ignored the shocked looks on everyone else's faces, explanations would be in order later, "You should, perhaps, consult the other gods as to why you seem to enjoy it. You should have expected this treatment, particularly with where that monitoring spell was pointed this whole journey."

He chuckled, obviously in a good mood, "I'd advise you to seek the same consultation, then," he purred, though he refrained from being too overly familiar with her, from pushing his luck too far, "Considering you're all too willing to put up with my games," he was silent for just a breath before correcting her slightly, "Also, that spell was further away until you started using the mana from your surroundings and drew it in," another pause followed, "Not that I'm fool enough to deny that I was looking when I had the chance."

She sighed roughly, deciding to ignore his admission of guilt, "What gives you the impression that I am willing to put up with your games, Lucrum?"

He chuckled lightly, "You are the type to speak your mind, even when faced with a god. You would not hesitate to admonish me if I went too far," he grinned a bit, her bold nature was part of what he enjoyed about her, after all, "But far more telling is your father. Were you unwilling to deal with me, he would do all in his power to stop me from nearing you. Because you hold even the slightest spark of interest he hesitates because he values your happiness first and foremost," he gave a rough sigh and reluctantly released her as he straightened, "Though I do enjoy the chance to be near you, that is not why I am here right now."

She contemplated his words as he stepped away from her, a theatrical flair to the way he moved making her grateful for the hood's magic that obscured her expression. It was quite likely that he was using his vast divine power to record and edit everything that was happening in real time. He was putting on a show for an audience that would likely end up spanning two worlds. She did not want her internal thoughts to be part of that and so used his gift to make certain they would not be.

He wasn't wrong. She was not as opposed to him as part of her felt she should be, considering the circumstances of their first few meetings. His attention felt vastly different from anything else she'd ever received. It was at once distant in the way that the gods often were, looking at her as a conglomeration of the influence of all of their power as much as she was an individual, as well as far more interested in her than she was used to.

Her power intrigued him but it did not draw him as it had many of her would-be suitors. Her status as the last of her kind meant only that he would help guard her until he could establish himself well enough to survive the loss of his original world. He seemed to genuinely look at her after that first moment spent appraising her worth. Never once had his gaze gone cold since then, he'd not contemplated any further what he could gain from her after she'd indicated displeasure at it.

She let out a silent breath that bordered on a weary sigh. She was left questioning herself heavily, considering just a bit of attention without negative intent seemed enough to gain her interest. Still, there was work to be done and she didn't know if dismantling dungeons was different in this world than in her own. She put her feelings carefully aside and tuned into his theatrics, confident she'd likely not missed much yet.

He was pacing a bit, praising the job they had done in clearing the dungeon. He positively glowed with power draped about him, far stronger already in just a few days time. He'd found his way to connect with the world of Fantastoria, at least for the moment. His golden eyes moved to her for just a moment, taking note that her attention was back on him and he smiled softly.

"All that to say," he said abruptly, "You have done a wonderful job in the task I have given you. Conferring with the others of the pantheon we have determined that this dungeon cannot remain," his hand waved at the room they were currently in, "The monster that was here alone makes that so," he confirmed Ash's own thoughts on the matter, "It has taken fragments of the essence of many Godsborn and woven them into consciousness. That essence is important to those it was stolen from and it is far more dangerous than any other monster because of it."

He waved a hand and a translucent but easily identifiable pile of things appeared on the floor. They were copies of everything the party had pulled from the chests of the dungeon during their delve so far. He walked over to it, his expression one of dissatisfaction.

"Your rewards, as well, were lackluster," he glanced towards the other room, where Fel was using her skills to open the final chest, "And I have doubts that reward will break the trend," as if he'd timed it perfectly, Fel appeared from behind the throne, tossing a small handful of gems that weren't worth much at all, "This place would need constant attention to keep a dungeon break from happening. Its very existence is a danger to Redwood Stars. The rewards would need quite a lot of tinkering from me to be worth it for the parties that would come here, considering they even included a book of spells that can be learned from most any priestess. Only due to your unique party composition were you able to manage to earn anything close to a profit for this endeavor and I fear even that is a paltry one," he waved a hand slightly as Gardenia began to speak, her head lowered respectfully, "Though I well understand that your party is one that would take on any mission, even at a personal loss, to protect Redwood Stars. I must request, then, that you take on the task of destroying this dungeon."

Once Gardenia had accepted the mission he relaxed ever so slightly, an indication that his recording was done. It was time to discuss the terms of their newest deal.