Worthy Core Chapter 433: All Downhill From Here

DAY 832

The force the Dragonlord leads to the mountain the next morning is heavy in both quality and quantity. Aside from the remaining high-tier Challengers of Pretty's expedition, the tyrant had brought along their special Scale Wardens unit - an honor guard of a dozen or so high-tier warriors and mages. Most of the unit are draconics, but two of the support mages do feature the red skin and horns of demons. Assorted monsters from the 'Dungeon Legion' had joined in, although many are keeping to the air while patrolling for enemies or easy snacks. They'd also brought along another hundred typical soldiers from the army, which were joined by so of the remaining garrison from Grassbrook.

With the Fort's prison nearly emptied out it hardly needs much of a defense, after all. The few remaining prisoners of war had already been sent south to more secure locations.

As the forces assemble at the checkpoint at the base of the mountain, the Dragonlord calls together their highest-ranking officers to give them a final briefing. Pretty Thing recognizes Commander Gerlosius of course, the red-scaled draconic who had been spending ti at Grassbrook off-and-on since the war started. Aside from him however there's another yellow-scaled draconic from the Scale Wardens, a woman wearing the silvery armor which indicates her position. Finally, the small gathering is joined by a flying woman who lands not far away - although as Pretty focuses on her he realizes she's neither draconic nor demon. Instead the woman seems to have an insectoid body, with chitinous skin covered in black and yellow stripes. Her wings are thin and transparent, and although her outfit seems to be little more than a few modesty-preserving wraps of cloth, the incubus gets the feeling she's much tougher than she looks. Despite his curiosity though the man manages to remain silent and leaves the introductions to his master.

Not one to waste ti, the Dragonlord gets right to it. "It seems all of our forces are here. I know there have been many successes and many setbacks thus far in this particular conquest, but today we will put it into an end. Either we shall be victorious, or Worthy Dungeon shall claim our corpses."

The insectoid woman seems to find sothing amusing in that. "You believe there to be a serious chance of your deaths, Dragonlord?"

"We would be fools to underestimate Worthy, and were she not so capable I may have decided to destroy the mountain utterly." The draconic grins, a fierce look even in their smaller form. "I still maintain hope that our foe will see reason and surrender once her core is in our grasp, but if she does not, then her resistance shall be short-lived. Of course, you don't need to worry about that particular risk, Thena."

Gerlosius raises a brow ridge at that, apparently more willing to voice his ignorance than Pretty. "Thena? I don't believe I've heard your na...or your species, for that matter."

"Yes, introductions." The Dragonlord gestures towards the latest arrival. "et Thena, a Thriae from the Cavern of Webs dungeon in the Valleylands. If you've not been, the Cavern focuses on insectoid monsters - and focuses as well on sapient guardians more often than most. To this point the Dungeon Legion has largely been used to supplent traditional army units, and to be expended as replenishable shock troops. If a monster falls here however we shall not be waiting for them to respawn and rejoin us, so I wish to see them used more effectively. For this mission the Dungeon Legion is to be considered an independent unit, and Thena will be their commander."

The wasp-woman brings a sharp-taloned hand up across her chest and bows in respect. "The Cavern of Webs shall prove its loyalty to the Domain through my service. We shall slay many mortals in your na." Although Thena speaks in flawless Domain tongue, there's a coldness to her tone that causes Pretty to shiver. He doesn't have long to consider the feeling though before the Dragonlord is moving on. "Commander Gerlosius shall be the leader of the standard infantry and mage units. Should this take long enough that we must camp within the hidden reaches of the mountain, it shall be his responsibility to maintain our defense."

"Our forces are ready to serve, my lord."

"Indeed. So of you may have already heard of Sensationalist Pretty Thing, he shall be in command of our high-tier specialists and Challenger rcenaries. Such people...often chafe under strict military command, and operate better under a more flexible form of leadership. Of course, I do not doubt that you shall remain focused on our goals, Sensationalist?"

The incubus smiles, offering a flourished bow that doesn't quite go as deep as those offered by the others. "Your dreams are mine, Dragonlord. Together we shall make them reality."

"A lofty promise, Sensationalist. And finally we have Scale Warden Captain Yelene. She shall be the leader of my personal guard for the duration, and will focus on detecting any hidden threats or ambushes to our forces."

The draconic simply nods, perhaps having already kissed the tyrant's taphorical boots enough before the eting began. "The Scale Wardens shall be your armor."

"As ever. Of course I shall be in ultimate command of this expedition, however we shall be traveling through many long, narrow, and dark underground passages. I will not be available to issue orders in every possible situation, so I will be relying on you four to keep those subordinate to you orderly and safe. I will however be guiding our initial descent through the mountain, as none are more qualified to do so than I."

This ti Pretty does feel the need to speak up with a question. "You know of so shortcuts, perhaps? An old back door to the dungeon we might be able to sneak through? If you'll forgive for saying so, it may have co in handy so ti before all of this."

While Yelene shoots him a look for his rather mild complaint, the Dragonlord seems to be more amused by the question. "While I did have hopes that you and those who ca before you might claim the full dungeon before my arrival, progressing as far as you did was essential for this particular plan. Or at least, it did simplify matters quite a bit." With a wave of their hand the dragon generates an illusion before the assembly which Pretty recognizes as being a three-dinsional model of the known layout of Worthy Dungeon.

The Dragonlord first points to a room near the dungeon's entrance. "The void within the mountain is key to this approach, and so having control of Floor One is essential. The thin barrier between its floor and the void is still the most accessible point of which we know. Of equal importance is control of Floor Six."

Gerlosius nods in agreent. "You intend to have our entire force flown or levitated to the bottom, Dragonlord? It would certainly be far more difficult if the dungeon could rain fire upon us the whole way down. There...was so brief experience with that early on which was not to our liking."

"You are correct. Even taking the 'secured' route to Floor Six through the dungeon with such a large force would be both tedious and risky, giving Worthy far too many opportunities to spring ambushes upon us. I have secured for us enough spellcasters and enchanted equipnt to bring our force to the bottom of the void through the use of Slow Fall effects, while our fliers will provide additional security. Afterwards, once Worthy Dungeon is under our control, we shall of course be free to make our exit through the traditional way."

"Burned boats." It's not until everyone turns towards him that Pretty realizes that he spoke aloud. "Ah, forgive my mutterings. There was simply an aspect of this which reminds of the naval invasion of Hecatia, back during the Age of Warlocks."

While so of the others frown in confusion, their leader quickly catches on. "Ah yes, I have read of that battle. The mages in command were worried that their magical bindings were not sufficient to motivate their demonic soldiers, rely to control them. To provide a little more incentive, they burned their ships after the landing to ensure that the demons understood - there would be no retreat."

The incubus grins. "That's the one! Of course, almost all of the demons were slaughtered in the battle, given that they were considered expendable from the start in any case."

"While the mages remained safely behind." The dragon thumps their chest with a heavy hand. "As you can see, I will not be making that mistake. We are all in this together - unless you wish to back out at this juncture, Sensationalist?"

The demon has to raise an eyebrow at that. "Would that truly be an option? I imagine that would be an...inconvenience."

"My predecessor proved that slave soldiers are a terrible idea. I'm also aware that your contract has an escape clause allowing you to decline 'suicide missions'. If you wish to invoke that clause now I shall not deny you. I want only willing and able combatants on this mission."

Again Gerlosius and Yelene seem to be shooting the man dirty looks for even bringing up this topic, but Pretty answers them with another easy grin. "'Willing and Able' is practically my middle na, Dragonlord. There's still much of interest to in this dungeon personally, so you can trust to see this through."

The tyrant nods in approval. "Very well. Are there any other questions at this stage? No? Then have our forces begin the climb."

Although the trail to the top of the mountain had been repaired for so ti by this point, it's still not a quick process for a force nearing a hundred and fifty people. Most places limit them to traveling two or three at a ti, and the thinning air does make things a bit more difficult for those used to the lowlands of the Domain. Still, it feels like a short few hours before the raid expedition is once again gathered in front of Doorman. Rembering this particular visitor from their first introduction, Doorman doesn't have the most gracious greeting waiting for them.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the Pooplord, and their long trail of Poop Warriors."

This ti there is a flicker of annoyance on the Dragonlord's face, and they don't take many pains to hide it. "An ill-advised thod to say hello, guardian. After all, soon enough you may well be calling your master."

"I highly doubt that! In fact, I doubt you could even pass one of my riddles! Or are you too much of a Chickenlord to try?"

"While in other circumstance I may be happy to...battle wits with you, today we cannot afford any delays. You are in our way, and you shall be removed."

Doorman's wooden face grimaces at the long line of soldiers and monsters behind the toga-wearing draconic. "Oh, going to blow up again, huh? Guess the apologies for last ti aren't so...oh. Oh."

The door's eyes grow wide as the Dragonlord takes on their true form, a massive golden dragon who's only able to fit upon the dungeon's open walkway because most of the soldiers hadn't actually climbed up that far yet. Doorman braces, closing his eyes in preparation for a bath of dragonfire...only to jerk them back open as he feels claws digging into each of his sides.

With not even a grunt of effort the Dragonlord takes solid hold of the dungeon's first guardian and rips him entirely off of his hinges...before placing him gently to the side, allowing him to maintain a good view of the awestruck soldiers. With a grin wide enough to eat a wagon whole, the Dragonlord leans in with a question. "Tell , guardian, when is a door not a door?"

Still reeling from this slightly-new perspective, the first since his new life began, Doorman can only sputter out a response. "W-what?"

"When it is ajar. Co, my soldiers! Worthy Dungeon awaits!"