FIRST DENIZENS
"Please use the Treant Guardian's title and employ the fairies inside the dungeon! Not only will you get free labor, but I will also allow you to provide a new home for them to settle in! It's hitting two birds with one stone!"--
Gus was surprised at the System's reply since he didn't expect the System to allow Strangers to live within the dungeon. After all, he is the "Senior" and the System is somewhat a part-owner of the Dungeon.
"But you heard what the Queen said, they have only resided near the Great Tree for centuries and the last one was just recently destroyed,"--
"That ancient husk thing?! Pfft... Please! The Dungeon Core is way better of with a more suitable host such as yourself! Before you came along, It was practically living on a knife's edge! The Great Tree is struggling inside a decaying forest. Food is scarce, every living thing within the forest is killing off each other just to survive. One cannot even grow anything on its infertile soil, and because of the King's foolish actions, the forest's mana is completely gone!"
The System made sense. Gus witnessed how miserable the fairies lived. Everyone was hungry. Scavenging for food is like placing one foot inside the grave, and to make it worse, their anxiety was high as the sky since they have to be on guard all the time.
"Then what made you allow them to live within the dungeon? And are you really sure that I am a suitable host for the Great Tree? I'm sure the Queen herself would have been a more suitable candidate than me," ---
"User, You underestimate yourself. After you devoured the core, I can feel that the Great Tree has chosen you and you alone to inherit its legacy. This specific core will not activate its full potential unless it accepts anything that is more powerful than itself. It accepted you since it knows that the synergy between itself and your abilities is perfect with one another. As for your question, I'll make it simple. They Serve the Great Tree, The Great Tree serves you, so in this case, the fairies are no longer "other beings" and are now titled as your "subjects... urm... your people."---
Gus gave an estranged look at the system upon hearing the word "subjects" but he will let this one slide. I guess Systems will really have a domineering attitude no matter what form they take in.
"They were originally bound to serve the Great Tree, and since the Great Tree now serves you as its host and its Master, they are fated to serve you. In contrast, you are also bound to provide them with the Mana they need. In my opinion, they get the better end of the deal since Mana is not the only thing they will benefit from your domain," ---
Treant Guardian seems a fitting description for this responsibility. Even though he had no choice, Gus still felt remorseful for taking the fairies' home and deity, but it's not all bad. Compared to the decaying Sugarglow forest, this new place will provide them with all the food, basic necessities, and more. They don't even have to fight or risk their lives just to be able to eat! Of course, they must work in the dungeon in return, but isn't that how life works anyway? Eat, work, play, and sleep.
"So based on what you said, I am also the Great Tree itself?"---
"Exactly! There is no better place for them than here inside the dungeon! I told you so, Dear User!"
There is only one more thing Gus wanted to know.
"Then what would've happened if the Great Tree didn't accept me as its master even though I used TERRITORIAL IMPERATIVE?"
"Then you will simply gain the land itself but the Great Tree will not bless you with its' own Mana, thus will deny you of your Title Treant Guardian,"
---
While enjoying her second serving, little Trina tugged at Gus' arm since she noticed that he is spacing out longer than usual.
"Hey, Are you done daydreaming? How exactly will you take responsibility for all of this?!"
If there was a hole where the Queen could crawl into, then she would've been 10 feet underground hiding in shame. She was about to help Gus get out of Trina's intrusive question, but she decided to remain silent for a little bit longer as she herself wanted to know what is in store for them.
"Is everyone willing to stay here?"---
Little Trina felt a little bit of Ice cream run up through her nose as she choked from Gus's response. She didn't expect such a ridiculous answer from him. At best, Trina thought he could maybe look for a new lush forest to live in with an abundance of Mana, but to be a resident inside another creature's dwelling? She must have thought that he had lost his mind! How would he even feed all of the fairy folk? Can Gus really house each and every one of them? Even Queen Aoivah herself was curious about how Gus would take responsibility for the words he just said. Is it really possible?
"Everyone doesn't have to worry since this place can provide all the food, clothes, and shelter you will ever need. If you don't believe me, please feel free to roam around and see for yourself. I think everyone needs a little walk after eating all those pizzas and ice cream. Although I would like to point out for everyone to avoid to the first floor and please avoid going outside till I say so. Trust me if I say that it's for your own good since I cannot protect you if you are outside of my domain. If anyone feels tired or sleepy, Please approach my companions, Henry or Amanda. Tomorrow, we shall tackle everyone's concerns, Is this okay for now Trina?"
"Urm, Yes... I guess that will do for now."
"Then please excuse me as I make preparations for everyone. Oh... and you really should finish your ice cream. It's not as good when it melts,"
Not long after, Gus took off as he needed to talk to everyone, including his servants Henry and Amanda leaving Little Trina in a daze as her ice cream started to drip from her hand.
After dealing with the fairies, Gus explained everything to his newfound companions including Victor. Besides being a transmigrator, he told them that he is a unique creature who runs a tavern upstairs. Of course, Gus also told them that they are free to roam around but the tavern on the first floor is off-limits. The reason why Gus doesn't want anyone to go inside the shop is that he didn't want anybody to disturb the children sleeping.
Queen Aoivah couldn't believe there was such a Good-natured creature who is so selfless. There were only two things she was curious about. The first thing she thought about is their "work" that Gus mentioned. Based on what Gus said, the work must be extremely laborious. But since they do not have to fight for food or shelter, this offer is already better than what they were living on before. Tired of thinking, she decided to walk around the dungeon while everyone else trailed after her.
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Gus walked away grinning from ear to ear. Of course, Gus wouldn't walk away empty-handed. For him, cheap good labor has always been every restaurant owner's fantasy. He did wonder how he would lighten his workload. He figured he would really need a lot of resources and manpower to take on his Main Mission. Having a community of skilled fairies is indeed a Godsend to him.
"I don't sell clothes User, I am not some boutique!"
"I know. I am planning to put up a request to make clothes in the town hall. I'm sure Victor would appreciate this since this is an opportunity for the women and children to earn money,"
Of course, Gus didn't forget about YellowLeaf's residents. He knew he has to take care of his future customers, so a day would come where the residents would be wealthy enough to frequently visit his tavern or his grocery. Gus didn't mind rewarding 5 or even 10 silvers for a simple set of clothes. He is rich and he wants to develop YellowLeaf village as soon as possible.
"I thought you should know Master, but there is no place for them to sleep on."---
Amanda reminded Gus that he also doesn't have the facilities to house anyone as of yet. Poor Rita and Molt were even lying on a makeshift table where the fairies dined on. Gus was deep in thought as he didn't think that far ahead yet. Meanwhile, Amanda and Henry took the opportunity to clean up after everyone since the fairies were busy admiring the grocery, the tavern, and the farm.
The third level is lacking since it's just a recently created level, so the first thing they saw was the farm and the grocery store. Normally, these beasts were very aggressive and attack any adventurers who would enter a dungeon, but inside their pen, they were surprisingly docile.
"Your majesty, What is wrong with these beasts?! I feel like they wanted to be chosen and be... killed!"
"I...I'm not sure myself Little Trina. Have you noticed that they are not as aggressive as well? I cannot believe I'm about to say this but It seems that they are bred purely for consumption,"
They weren't wrong. the animals spawned by the dungeon have their minds set on being killed as they would enter euphoria by being spawned back in the dungeon.
The other fairies such as Elder Brine were busy roaming around the Grocery store admiring the craftsmanship and the artistry of the establishment. They were most curious about the different types of fruits and vegetables that were sold inside. It is the first time they have laid their eyes on such fresh and healthy produce. the fruits and vegetables were brimming with Mana which is strong enough to stimulate their hunger even if their bellies were still full. Other than that, they were especially curious about the snack section where different types of chips and chocolate were lined up in the aisles.
"Choc...colates? Potato Chips? and even Nectar! This must be a place of trading,"---
"What is this beast that is acting like a human? Che..etos? Is this supposed to be food?"---
"Such a strange shape for a fruit? It doesn't smell sweet at all!" ---
The fairies are not familiar with the concept of money since they use the Barter System to get their wants and needs back in their village. For the first time, their curiosity for human inventions and creations were born.
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After they were done looking around, the Pizza Palace brigade came back first and gathered around Gus. Daniel, Hawkes, Murphy, Ben, and Victor's expressions were no different from what the fairies had. Who would've thought there was such a mysterious dungeon under the Citadel! Gus made them swear not to tell everybody about this place without his permission. He threatened them that they will return to the metallic bodies forever if ever they should break their promise. Not knowing it was all a lie, the former pizza palace brigade shuddered and agreed very quickly. Then finally came the moment Gus was waiting for. It looks like the fairies are back and they are ready to give their answer. Even Little Trina smiled just for a little bit before she returned to her usual snobbish look. Queen Aoivah stepped forward toward Gus and smiled.
"Mr. Gus, we have decided! We the fairies want to stay in the dungeon."
Suddenly, The 3rd level was wrapped with a warm green light. A sapling appeared in the middle of the dungeon rapidly growing into a full-grown tree that wouldn't compare to what it formerly was.