My Angel is a Dungeon Core B1 — 30. Let's Break the Economy! (Patreon)

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My Angel is a Dungeon Core Index

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The Butler, Household Report, Farmstead

“Two hundred and twenty-seven arrived through the gate. With the thirty-five, the holding stands at two hundred and sixty-two. Housing is in construction. We are beginning with a communal longhouse with the materials we have. I have marked ninety-one foundations. The longhouses are two stories and may be converted to more permanent structures later. 

“With more residents arriving daily, and expecting to surpass 5,000 within the month, I am organizing project teams. These teams specialize in one task to streamline the process. Each longhouse should comfortably fit 50 people at 150 feet long. I expect we can produce one house a day in roughly three to four days of training.

“Currently, the beastfolk and elves are sleeping under canvases. They are in good spirits. More supplies and support bring new hope. Some troublemakers remain, mostly those captured more recently. Thankfully, the others are helping them adjust.

“The river runs from the northwest, and it is rather expansive, beyond the boundary. It may be miles across. Plans are already being drawn up, and there are quite a few craftsmen whose skills can be expanded.

“As for sanitation, Your Majesty’s suggestion is being tested. Trenches are cut west and downhill of every well site, with dividers for privacy. We shall see if the identity eaters will target the pit. Though it may be a temporary problem, since those of the kingdom do not produce waste.

“One oddity is being reported. It appears seeds planted grow at an accelerated rate. I will keep track of the progress and report on it later. Strides are being taken.”

Daniel extracted the gold and set it on the table. 

“You’ve got a score to settle with Davis. Right, Havel?” He glanced between the two very different men. “We’re kind of in a bind, I think.”

Havel took the gold and stuck the bag in his pocket.

“It isn’t complicated. He caused a commotion that will have half the officials and nobles in the city pounding my door within the hour. What sort of divine strike was that, Davis? What happened to that vow you had?”

The soldier’s deep-set eyes darkened.

“Have you become an Oathbreaker? You aren’t a Paladin. No, I’ll just beat it out of you.”

Davis just laughed at the man’s threats.

“You could thrash me like a weed. I can’t feel physical pain, so not much someone of your talents can do in that department. But I’m not trying to hide anything.”

“I can test that claim.”

“You could!”

He winked at Daniel and lifted a cup toward Havel.

“Truth is, since I was about twenty, I’ve been an emotional, physical, and mental beatstick to busty house ghosts, shadow women, revenants, wraiths, specters, banshees, and poltergeists. I have a type. Know what my response was? Please, be cruel, I’m begging you.”

Havel strode over, shoving Daniel back into his seat as he rose, grabbed the man by his dirty robe front, and lifted him off his feet with one hand. Daniel had to admit, the man was way stronger than he looked.

“I didn’t ask about your weird kinks, Cleric! Are you spitting on our reputation?”

“Bro, chill.” Davis left the bloody mace and bottle hanging at his side without a care in the world. “I’m trying to explain to you that I’m a very specific Class. I’m not a Cleric. I’m not a Paladin. I’m both. A unique Class that is practically non-existent in this world, thanks to making a certain angel laugh.”

“Quit speaking mush, man, before I lose my temper and just kill you.”

Daniel got back up and rubbed his chin with a thoughtful hum.

“I’m trying to follow, and I don’t think he’s an Oathbreaker, whatever that is. What would he be if the deity he made the vow to released him?”

Davis laughed.

“It would mean a city’s ledger-worth of effects. My angel added rewards for completing the vow. It was so long I didn’t even read it due to my age. You see, my vow wasn’t simply nonviolence… Everyone is so ready to reach for the easy answer.”

“Why do you talk so much? Eventually, you’ll run out of healing magic.”

Havel slammed him into the chair so hard it broke the legs and cracked the back. Davis just lay there, staring at the ceiling with an amused smile.

Davis tilted his head to the side as if saying: Weeeellll.

Daniel interpreted it from what he saw earlier.

“Even if his body is destroyed, I don’t think he actually dies.”

Davis dropped his bottle and snapped his fingers at him with a laugh.

“Bingo! Home slice is on fire. Without spiritual damage. I’m chilling.” He flipped to his side and propped his head up. “Bad matchup, buddy. And pride? Your guys have been beating me up and holding me hostage over five iron for a month, after robbing me! C’mon, man.”

Havel hissed, rubbing between his eyes as if he had a headache.

“All you had to do was leave the city, you perverted Cleric.”

“And I said, I don’t know what to tell you. Cel ordered me to come here six months ago. I haven’t heard from her since. I’m on marching orders from an angel. My vow was a challenge to purify an evil spirit without any form of compulsion into accepting the conditions of entering the Silver City… I extended that beyond spirits for the boast.”

“Why?”

“I was a dumb 14-year-old in front of a gorgeous angel. What’s a kid to do?”

He spread his arms with a big smile.

“Regardless, what option did I have, other than taking abuse and trying to play therapist? I just take as many hits as it takes for them to spend all that cruelty, anger, and emotional attachment. But I think I found my new mission, which is why my vow is fulfilled. These are the fruits.”

Havel’s confused stare followed the Cleric’s pointed fingers at Daniel.

“Him?”

“Him! Look. Buddy, I know it’s late. You’re cranky. You’re in a tight spot with these crazy noblewomen. You really don’t even like your job. You’re walking a fine line with your honor and ethics.” Davis got up and brushed himself off. “But think for a moment.”

Daniel went to Havel’s table and poured him a drink, then brought it over.

“Actually, I think we can all be on the same side. Like I said, what I’m doing will benefit your area. Fewer slaves, more jobs for the poor. More stress on nobles who don’t deserve their wealth. More leverage for you. And I’m only here temporarily.”

Havel took the cup, breathed in, and released the air with a long, annoyed sigh.

“Slaves will become unaffordable… My services will rise in the information business instead of enforcement. Nobles will eat each other trying to claw back the market. Getting rid of the filthy elves and beastfolk from my city would be nice… Maybe you are onto something.”

Daniel stood nearby, arms crossed as Davis stretched out, piecing together the details about the massive shift in economics Daniel had initiated while he’d been imprisoned.

“Arrgghh!” The boss sat back to stare at the ceiling. “A Great Temple wants you gone. No one will recognize you. I could collect the reward for getting rid of you. You’d be gone with Daniel in a month, with whatever you’re plotting with those slaves…”

Havel’s tired eyes flicked to Daniel.

“They’ll be gone? How?”

“Does it matter? They’re gone. Guaranteed. When I leave, however many slaves are transferred to me, will not be in your city.”

Havel worked around his jaw, and a rather ugly smile lifted his lips.

“That… That would be nice. Gone?”

“Like ghosts.”

Davis snickered, and Havel ignored him, pondering something.

Several silent seconds later, his lips peeled back. He slipped his hand into his pocket, took out the bag, and shook it.

“If that’s the vision you have for this city. No filthy elves or beastkin. Breaking this disgusting slave trade that brings those beasts into my vicinity? All while destroying these leech nobles and starving them of their lustful sins? Now that’s worth its weight in gold.”

He threw the bag back at Daniel, and he caught it, the man rising to his feet.

“I’ll keep the four you gave me. But I think we can get along just perfectly. I’m going to help you break this economy. It’s worth the investment for a brighter future.”

Havel licked his lips, envisioning a city without all the headaches he’s had to deal with.

“Give the ghost masochist a bunch of copper to give my men. I’ll parade him around as the man who attacked them by a rival gang. Not like he minds the humiliation, the pervert. But, hey… Human ghosts?”

Daniel sucked in through his teeth and looked at Davis.

Davis just shrugged.

“More purified non-human spirits means fewer of them here. Right?”

“Good man! Good man!”

Nice save!

“Only Jeff knows about your de-aging drivel. I can sell your escape as the cause for the holy light. Yeah. Yeah, that will work. I’ll chat with the lad. Let’s keep it that way. The annoying Cleric escaped and fled the city.”

“Got it, boss!” Davis returned with a grin and salute. “So, Danny, you’re loaded, huh? Sweet. My man! Can we, uh, do something about these rags and get some good food?”

Daniel snickered, took out [Vault], and extracted a copper bag.

“I’ve got you.”

Davis held up a thumb.

“Nice.”

With that, Daniel tossed Havel the bag of 50 copper, and the boss burst out of the room in grand fashion. Face red, selling it like a pro, the boss hauled the Cleric out in front of his ready men. They lined the hallway, weapons drawn, waiting to act.

Instead, it was a celebration.

Everyone went home with a grin and two weeks’ pay.

By 11 p.m., Daniel and Davis were walking back to his inn.

I’d call that a successful night.

Though I wasn’t able to test out [Link Summoning].

He summoned Butler and Night, to Davis’ delight.

They appeared in the middle of the dark street, the wolf’s tail wagging and the impeccably dressed man scanning their environment.

“Whoa! I like the powers. So you can summon things from the Silver City?”

“Yup!”

“My report, Sire.”

“Awwooo!”

Daniel chuckled, pocketing the letter Butler gave him, and scratching the happy wolf’s neck.

“I’ll read it before bed. We’ve got a lot done today… I wanted to try [Link Summoning]. Mind testing it out with me? As I understand it, you act as anchors. Is that right, Angel?”

Davis jumped as the screen popped up, and Angel’s sultry voice came through; apparently, his connection to the Silver City allowed him to hear their Crier.

[You may Link Summon with merely one Card, My King. Combining will produce more volatile results, as they may not remember you as their king within the fog. You may link up to a maximum of six Cards. They do not all need to be citizens. Tools and items contribute to the end result.]

“Thanks, Angel.”

“Dude,” Davis grinned. “You’ve got a system? Cel said that wasn’t an option.”

Angel cut in unannounced.

[Might I add, her puff-cheeked featheriness is most perturbed by Davis’ claim of this angel named Celerina. The name rings a bell that twists her feathers, she claims. There seems to be history between them that she has repressed. Yes, My Queen, repressed is the proper word, or would you like me to call it your airheaded nature? I am very cute.]

Davis started to clap.

“Love her. Can we do some digging on Cel? Maybe a Tracking Card?”

Daniel whistled.

“Not a bad idea. But not tonight or tomorrow… I need to punish my wife for her short dress.” He laughed at Davis’ questioning look. “It’s an inside joke.”

“Ah. Nice. So, Link Summoning?”

Daniel turned and called the card.

He threw it between the happy wolf and dutiful butler.

“Let’s see what happens…”

An eight-pointed trigram appeared below them, two squares overlapping. The left and right points illuminated silver. Butler and Night became shimmering energy, drawn into the points. The form of a silvery wolf-like humanoid with large wings took shape.

The ground trembled, cobblestone cracking, the rumble of a wolf’s snarl distorting the air. All other sounds muted. Starlight brought silver feathers falling out of the rips in space.

A deep voice reverberated within Daniel, almost a sniff.

“Who are you? I do not recognize a king with a broken crown.”

The trigram shattered, and the light bathing the street faded.

Davis patted him on the back in the silence that followed.

“Tough break, Danny. Cool light show, though! Would be killer at parties.”

Next Chapter — The Warden Sends a Car