Dungeon of Niflheim

Chapter 1007: Chapter 1007: Daki’s methods

"Greetings Master, I’m well. Findley’s been showing me the ropes and has even put me in charge of the officers managing floors one through five." Neve, the matriarch of what remained of the Lunar maidens after being safely escorted to Niflheim by Frost had been assigned as Findley’s secretary, a position he really needed filled given the workload on his shoulders.

So far she’d been a literal godsend to Findley, picking up complicated tasks with little effort and quickly finding herself at home with the officers running the Dungeon. She did however still seem to cover herself up as if she was in danger of freezing to death and found socialising with others that were not her kin or strangely Findley quite stressful and intimidating which was a trait commonly shared by all the Lunar maidens despite their time here at Niflheim.

The children were better; the indoctrination hadn’t had enough time to fully sink in so with a bit of effort they were starting to interact with those beyond their circle even if it wasn’t necessary. The older ones however only did the bare minimum, complying with Frost’s orders but nothing beyond that.

Frost wasn’t all that happy with their behaviour, but he was willing to give them some more time, understanding that rebelling against a nature that had been ingrained in you since youth was not an easy thing to do.

"That’s good to hear, Findley really has been needing someone to relieve him of his burdens, it was a good thing to place you by his side." Frost nodded his head, happy that Neve turned out to be a good fit, Findley had even sung her praises recently.

"I’m happy I could be of help to Sir Findley." When Neve spoke for the second time her voice was higher pitched, a smile was on her lips and through Daki’s knowledgeable gaze a slight blush on her cheek.

’Hoh seems she has an interest in Findley, perhaps this can be a way in.’ Daki was aware of the situation around the Lunar maidens as Frost had confided in her about it, hoping for her to perhaps lend her expertise as someone with a similar nature as them. Alas because of her fervent desire to reach the rank of 4 star blacksmith she’d been unable to find the time to help.

Frost also noticed the unique interest Neve had towards his trusted right hand man; an interest he was keen to see develop but was wary of destroying such a fragile seed so he allowed things to progress naturally.

"So, what are you here for?" Rarely would Neve just pop down for a visit just to see him, she wasn’t Maya or Daki.

Neve’s smile vanished almost instantly, a serious expression marring her beautiful silk covered face.

"It’s about the Lunar Maidens." She was not here to deliver a report on behalf of Findley but because of the Lunar Maiden’s plight, her plight thus her brow was furrowed, and she fidgeted in place, nervous and ashamed.

"Haaaaaa let me guess you guys still can’t seem to take that first step and you want to ask me for a little more time." This was now the third time Neve had come to him for this. He ordered the Lunar maidens to start discarding the values they had been living by, first he wanted them to socialise and interact with either the people of Niflheim or the Dungeon’s monsters on a regular basis, second he wanted them to dress more openly, revealing their snow like skin to the world, third to actively prepare themselves to engage in carnal activities, whether entertaining thoughts, self-pleasuring or working with another Lunar maiden all in the hope that they would remember their true nature and thus embrace his plan for a brothel. But unfortunately the plan had been met with fierce resistance with not even the first request seeing much acceptance let alone the second or third. Even Neve who was supposed to be their role model, meandered around the first step.

Hearing the frustration and poorly hidden anger in Frost’s tone Neve bit her lower lip, her feelings of shame skyrocketing.

"....Yes....But...I’m sure if we just had a little more time we’d be able to adj...."

"No." It wasn’t Frost who spoke up in a firm unyielding tone but rather Daki.

"Lady Daki?"

"The answer is no, Frost has given you more than enough time for you and your ilk to start playing ball, but what do we have to show for it, nothing. You’ve made zero progress and you show no signs of changing so no you will not be given more time." Daki stepped forward taking charge, her eyes glaring down at Neve, pressuring her like a natural Queen would her subject.

Frost was going to put Neve through the business but in the end give the Lunar maidens another chance to show him their willingness to change but since Daki was willing to step in he was more than happy to leave everything to her therefore when Daki stepped up he stepped back, a proud smile lingering on his lips as he allowed her to take control and act on his behalf. She was his Queen, so she had every right to speak for him.

"B...B...But?" Neve floundered, taken aback both by the firmness of the rejection and the attitude of the one rejecting her.

"No buts Neve, you and the Lunar Maidens have ran out of tether so now we’re going to do this my way." The more she spoke the more dignified and imposing Daki appeared. Although likely stronger than her in combat Neve found herself falling backwards, intimidated by the woman before her.

"Frost I’ll be borrowing Neve and the Lunar Maidens for a while." She stated rather than asked.

"Sure thing, I’ll let Findley know." Neve peered around Daki’s frame as she was forcibly marched off, her gaze asking Frost for help in her state of confusion, but the man simply waved and smiled in her direction before calling up Findley her direct superior.

"Master." Findley’s stoic voice answered ready and waiting to be of service.

"Daki needs Neve for a bit."

"....Is it about the Lunar Maidens?" Findley strangely felt a twisting sensation in his stomach but had no idea as to why.

"Yes, I was going to give them more time, but Daki declared otherwise. She’s going to fix the problem her way it seems." He was quite curious as to what manner she meant but it’d be quite improper for him to involve himself after allowing her to take control.

"I see. I had a lot of work for her still to finish but if Lady Daki needs her then there’s nothing I can do." On the other side of the call Findley sighed before shaking his head understanding that he was powerless in the face of Lady Daki.

"If you need the help Findley I’m free." Frost had already finished as much of the new floors as he could, so he was pretty free. He was planning to either visit the kids or start a training session in the training space but if the Dungeon needed him then that was more important.

"Most appreciated Master." Findley accepted the help and soon Frost alongside his right hand man got to work managing the unruly upper floors that were in a spot of bother after Frost decided to pilfer dozens upon dozens of monsters for his pet project and shuffle several dozen more down a bunch of floors.

At the Lunar Maidens private quarters

Boom!

The door suddenly swung open as it was kicked by a strong, thicc, green leg.

"All Lunar maidens drop whatever you’re doing and gather around me, now!" Daki with Neve by her side with a stunned and almost panicking expression bellowed with all she had, her tone brokering no argument.

The Lunar Maidens were shocked by this, their minds struggling to process the command, no one dared speak to them in such an authoritative tone except for Frost. A few even felt anger bubbling in their blood but when they saw Daki and Neve trailing behind her like a submissive dog they nearly bit their lips. They knew who she was, she was their Lord and Master’s partner, his family and therefore of similar standing.

"Yes Lady Daki!" A bunch of them responded before quickly dropping everything to shuffle towards the centre of the building where Daki had struck up shop.

They had no idea why Daki was here nor why she was using such a heavy tone, but they obeyed her, nonetheless.

Daki scanned the room with eyes like a hawk, noting that every Lunar Maiden was currently present including the children, not one was outside the safety of their abode.

’Even if he did give them more time nothing would change.’ What she saw only deepened her convictions, it was time to take drastic measures.

"You four head outside please, Nanna and Loki will take care of you." She lowered herself until she was eye level with the four minors, smiling gently as she ordered them to leave the building.

The four children looked to their elders warily who in turn looked to Neve.

"Go outside, you can play and enjoy a nice meal." Neve was forced to speak up, her lips arched into a strained smile, she knew exactly what was about to happen.

Since Neve was in agreement the four kids made themselves scarce and as Daki promised Nanna and Loki were outside waiting on them as were a few other children.

"Come on we can go and play in the park." Given that a fair amount of people were bringing their children to Niflheim and that a lot of the refugees would likely be children Frost arranged for a simple but quite large park to be made, mainly from ice and snow.

Nanna led the children away as the gentle and smiling Daki disappeared only to be replaced with what could only be described as a demon.