Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Aldebaran sighed as he recalled those happy yet sad memories from the past. No matter how powerful he got, he couldn't see himself contending against those people. The least he could do was fulfil his duty of protecting the Forest Spring Spirit clan

However, even that would come to an end after a few hundred years. His body was slowly dying and an aura of desolation emitted out of him. His lifespan was nearing its end and he had already reached the limits of his power.

In these thousands of years, he didn't hear any news about the Emissaries nor did he knew if they were dead or alive. However, just when he was nearing the end of his life span, Cecilia who was one of the reincarnations of the Eight, appeared before him.

He was delighted to see the mistress he had served once again and hence he had no more regrets. if there was any it would be a... Just when Aldebaran was lost in his thoughts, Simon stepped forward and spoke.

"Lord Alder, Cecilia being a reincarnation of one of the Eight Emissaries was a surprise. However, our purpose for coming here is to request something from you. I wonder if lord Alder is willing to listen".

Cecilia who was beside him also nodded her head after his words.

"Haha, what is it young man? You have done a great favour by saving her life. If there is anything you want to request of me ask it without hesitation. If it is within my power, I shall fulfil it no matter what".

Aldebaran smiled as he looked at Simon. He was aware of the calamity that had befallen the Forest Spring Spirit clan. However, since he couldn't move from his location, he couldn't save them in time, he could only hope for the Forest Spring Spirits to enter the area which he governed in time.

The young man in front of him protected the Forest Spring Royal Spirit in his stead. Plus his character was also to his liking. Therefore if there was a request that the young man had, he would try his best to fulfil it.

However, even he didn't imagine that Simon's request would be so outlandish.

"Many thanks to lord Alder for his magnanimous words. In that case, I wouldn't hesitate anymore. Lord Alder may not know but I have created a dungeon inside the Ghastly Winding Forest" Simon said carefully phrasing his words.

"Ah, about that I already know. Haha, nothing stays hidden from my sight within this entire Ghastly Winding Forest. Every event and occurrence that happened inside the forest, I am naturally aware of it. Your presence and dungeon is no exception".

Aldebaran said as he gave a mysterious smile towards Simon. He was could connect with the roots of every tree inside the forest and see through them like it was his own body.

Naturally, the peculiar movements of a demon and the creation of a dungeon didn't go unnoticed by him. However, since Simon was just a low-rank demon, he didn't pay much attention. After all, there were six other beings of his level inside the forest that needed more of his attention.

In these past thousands of years, the humans that have wandered inside the forest were countless but those that returned alive were a handful. Those that managed to escape alive, spread the news about their existence and gave them the title, the Seven Kings.

Collectively, they were the true rulers of the Ghastly Winding Forest. It was also because the neighbouring kingdoms feared their existence, that they did not dare to intrude inside till this date.

By no means does it mean that the Seven Kings were united. Over the years, they had many territorial disputes and conflicts of interest. However, it never erupted into a full-blown war as the other kings were stalking them with the eye of a predator.

Nobody wanted their thrones to be stolen from them. Hence the seven of them formed a weird equilibrium of sorts where they kept each other in check. Although Aldebaran was one of them, he kept his neutrality and did not take action until unless his territory is intruded upon.

The next words that came out of Simon, made both Aldebaran and Fennel shocked.

"I see'¦ so lord Alder is aware. Then that makes it easier. I want to bring the Forest Spring Spirits that are living here inside my dungeon. I am already sheltering some of the people of their race, but they are all children. They need the care and guidance of the adults to grow and know more about the abilities of their race".

Simon said as he tried to explain the situation with all his sincerity.

Cecilia also added as she looked towards Fennel with expectation "Grandpa Fennel you must convince others to come with us. Big Brother's dungeon is amazing, we can live there peacefully. When he becomes strong in the future, nobody would be able to hurt us again".

She then proudly puffed her chest and said "To tell you the truth, I am already helping big brother manage his dungeon and it has already recognised me as one of its guardians'¦ Hehe, how is it?".

Aldebaran was shocked when he heard Simon, but he was absolutely stupefied by Cecilia's words. Did these people not hear him, or did his words just went out of their heads? He was duty-bound to protect the people from the Forest Spring Spirit race.

He was already regretting the fact that he wasn't able to protect their village and was only able to shelter a small number of them. And Simon wanted to bring them to his dungeon, what was he thinking?

"Young man, you must be joking right? Even if I told you to request unhesitantly, you should show some restraints. On what basis do you think that you can keep them safe and protect them better than me? You can ask for anything else... treasures, artifacts, protection and even power. But your request is out of the question".

Aldebaran's ancient voice had an added depth of severity. From his view, the demon in front of him had an impure bloodline whose growth was very limited. Even if he works hard and used various kinds of treasures to alleviate his limit, he would still be stuck in the ranks of Demon Earl.

The powers of a Forest Spring Royal Spirit only worked on members who were closer to the natural energy hence Simon would be unable to benefit from it as he did.

It did not extend to the member of the demon noble. Unless he goes back on his words and uses underhanded means like the spirit orbs, Demon Earl would be his limit.

A Demon Earl in the eyes of Aldebaran was nothing but an ant he could squash with just a thought. It wasn't like he was looking down on demons particularly since even the Lord he served, Samael was a demon.

But how can the weakling in front of him compare to his master, the primordial demon of pride? He was even more shocked by Cecilia's statement. Did she not understand a word he said? Even if her memories didn't awaken, she would be in far too danger if she stayed inside that newly emerged dungeon.

Although she was his master and his current achievement was all thanks to her, he couldn't go along with her selfishness to stay inside the dungeon.

After so many millennials, Aldebaran had finally found the reincarnation of his master. How can he allow her to go back into such a dangerous place? Not when he was aware of the existence of those people.

'After her abilities awaken, those people would come again. Lord Samael is no longer here, I must protect and hide her no matter what'¦ even if it makes me look bad' Aldebaran thought as steeled his mind.

"I cannot agree with your request young man. The Forest Spring Spirit race must stay here under my supervision. If there is any other request, you can freely ask".

Cecilia made an unhappy face when she heard that, pointing at Aldebaran she demanded "What gives you the right to tell my clan what to do?".

Sticking out her tongue, she made fun of him "Blululu'¦ you are not our patriarch".

Aldebaran unaffected by her antics, simply snorted "I will not go along with your selfishness master".

Fennel made a helpless smile when he saw how the two of them were acting. Simon knew that it wouldn't be easy to bring the surviving Forest Spring Spirits inside his dungeon after listening to Aldebaran's story. However, he couldn't just give up now as that would be akin to hampering the growth of the dungeon and his future plans.

Therefore, he couldn't back out. Simon insisted "Lord Alder I don't have any request other than that. I am aware that from your standpoint, I seem no less than ant. But give me a few years and I'll show you that I'm no weakling. I have already promised to protect them and I'm willing to keep my promise till the end".

Cecilia gave a lovely smile while Fennel was amazed at those words coming from their benefactor.

Aldebaran stared at Simon's unwavering crimson eyes and felt his conviction. With an audible sigh, he shook his head.

"Don't think that I don't know what your plans are. I can see that you have lofty ambitions and it is true that you need the help of the Forest Spring Spirits to achieve it. However, young man no matter how high a goal one sets, if he doesn't have the sufficient strength to see through them, then it just becomes meaningless ideals.. I respect your wish to protect them but you are far too weak to promise something like that".