I am the Demon King of the Dungeon!

Chapter 137 The Anomaly of the Fourth Layer

When the three returned to Ironforge, it was already dark.

The evening prayer bells rang.

The sounds of blacksmithing in the workshop area were much less frequent than during the day, but the noise in the taverns was much louder. The dwarves, having finished their day's work, gathered in the taverns to drink, arm wrestle, and sing those songs with only a few lines of lyrics that were repeated over and over again.

The aroma of ale wafted from under the door, mingling with the smoky scent of roasted meat, permeating the stone path.

The three walked through the streets of Ironforge.

"Where do you two live?" Ninia slung her staff over her shoulder and turned to look at Arthas.

"Haven't looked yet."

"Come with me. There aren't many inns in Ironforge, and at this hour there are probably only a few with rooms left."

Ninia walked in front, passing through a narrow alley in the workshop district, and stopped in front of an inconspicuous iron gate with a wooden sign hanging above it that read "Willow Beard Inn" in both Common and Dwarven languages.

Pushing open the door, a wave of heat hits you.

The inn lobby was filled with dwarves.

When Arthas and Kahn walked in, everyone turned to look at them.

"Ninia!" the dwarf innkeeper called out, raising his glass to Ninia. "Back so early today?"

"We have guests." Ninia walked to the counter and tapped her fingers on the table. "Give me two rooms."

"I don't need it." Kahn stood at the door, not following him in. "I have my own place to stay."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Arthas stopped and turned to look at Kahn. "Then I'll stay at your place too."

"No, no, no, that's a single room. You're so rich, you don't just stay in hotels, do you?"

"I thought you bought a house in Shenghui City."

"Who said I only have one room?" Kahn pushed open the door and left, saying before he went, "See you tomorrow morning."

Arthas shook his head. He now understood why Kahn never bought equipment at the auction house; he probably used all his money to buy houses.

"Then one room it is," Ninia asked. "There should still be rooms available, right?"

The dwarf shopkeeper saw Arthas's badge of honor.

"Third floor, the innermost room."

Thanks.

Ninia walked towards the stairs, took a few steps, then stopped, turned her head, and said, "Meet me at the North Gate at seven o'clock tomorrow morning. I'll take you to find the last teammate."

"Okay." Arthas nodded and went upstairs with Ninia, each entering their own room.

The room was very quiet.

Arthas leaned his backpack against the bedside, took out his ethereal space from his pocket, and twirled it in his palm. The silver patterns flowed slowly in the candlelight.

He sat at the table and closed his eyes.

Now, the most important things are only two: conquering the other two legendary dungeons and building a village on Origin Island.

The five legendary dungeons of the continent of Ashu are Dark Hemcas, the Well of the Sun, the Stoneheart Labyrinth, Peach Demon Immovable City, and Nifl Abyss.

Splinter, the guild leader of the Monster Guild, requested that two locations be chosen for conquest, excluding Dark Hemkas.

Regarding the construction of a village on Origin Island, Arthas believed in Celine's abilities. He thought that as long as the half-demons could be dealt with, there would be not only land but also villagers.

As my thoughts drifted to this point, a flash of white light appeared.

The island reappeared before our eyes.

Origin Island.

Arthas used his senses and discovered that Celine was not on the island, but on another small island in the southeastern sea.

Under the moonlight, the entire island is visible to the naked eye, with a winding coastline that resembles a torn piece of dark blue silk, less than one ten-thousandth the size of the original island.

To the east is a wide beach, to the west are steep cliffs, to the south is a dense forest, and at the foot of the mountain to the north is a cave.

The cave entrance was small, about two people wide, and was mostly covered by vines and bushes. Light shone out from inside the cave, but it wasn't sunlight; it was the cold light of a crystal lamp.

Arthas landed at the cave entrance and went inside.

It was a huge underground space with a dome more than ten meters high and glowing crystals embedded in the cave walls, illuminating the entire cave as if it were daytime.

There was only one figure inside the cave.

Celine sat on a flat rock in the center of the cave, a map spread out in front of her. She had changed her long dress into light leather armor, her long hair was braided into a neat plait, and a rapier hung at her waist. She was drawing something on the map.

Hearing footsteps, Celine slowly raised her head; she had already sensed Arthas's magical fluctuations.

"Lord Demon King."

"How come you didn't go to the island?"

"Because of the risks. This remote island has no trace of half-demons, and resources are scarce, so it's relatively safe."

"That makes sense. Is there any progress?"

"As you instructed, I have contacted Guagu. He is indeed willing to cooperate, but on one condition."

"What are the conditions?"

"The half-demons have the right to reside on the island and are not oppressed by demons." Celine took out a neatly folded parchment from her sleeve and continued, "This is a draft agreement. Both sides are equal and will not invade each other's territory. We will be responsible for construction and defense against external enemies, while the half-demons will be responsible for farming and gathering. They want to live on the ground and no longer want to hide."

Arthas took the parchment and glanced at it.

"What about the other two tribes?"

"We haven't made contact yet. Guagu said that the other two tribes are very xenophobic and will attack outsiders. He advised me not to approach them and to wait for him to communicate with them."

"Is he willing to help you communicate?"

"He's not helping me, he's helping himself." Celine put away the map and said, "Guagu said that the half-demon has been exiled to this island for hundreds of years, living underground and never seeing the light of day. He has been waiting for this day for a long time."

indeed.

When Arthas contacted Guagu, they said the same thing: the worst-case scenario is to leave one friendly tribe alive and wipe out the other two.

Although he didn't want to see this outcome, he didn't intend to interfere and wanted to see what Celine could do.

If Arthas could persuade the other two tribes, it would prove that his judgment was correct and that Celine was indeed capable.

"Can you manage on your own?"

"Demon Lord, are you questioning my abilities?"

"I'm just confirming."

Celine's lips curved into a slight smile.

"If we can reach an agreement, then we will. If we can't, then we will."

"If we can't reach an agreement, I'll send someone else."

Celine looked at Arthas. Moonlight streamed in through the cave entrance, mingling with the cold light of the crystal lamps, casting a striking contrast of light and shadow on his profile. In his dark brown eyes, there was a warning that said, "You'd better not mess this up."

"Don't worry! I will handle it well."

"How long will it take?"

"One month. Come back in a month. I will have settled things with the three tribes, finalized the village locations, and clearly listed all the necessary supplies."

"Is one month enough?"

"It has to be enough, even if it's not enough. Demon King, you've given me this opportunity, and I will definitely not waste it."

Celine was full of enthusiasm because she was now determined to be promoted to a management position, and she had finally gotten a simple job that didn't involve facing adventurers, which would allow her to prove her abilities.

"Alright. I'll come back in a month." Arthas walked towards the cave entrance, then stopped after a few steps.

"Cerine".

"exist."

"I know you're capable, but don't overexert yourself."

Celine paused for a moment, then bowed slightly.

"Yes, ma'am."

As soon as Arthas stepped out of the cave, a series of system warnings appeared before his eyes.

[Dungeon Alert: Warning! An unknown creature has appeared on the fourth floor. Please identify its source as soon as possible.]

[Dungeon Alert: Warning! The mana flow on the fourth floor is disordered, and a gap has appeared. Please repair it as soon as possible.]

Dungeon stability: 83% → 76%

Unknown creature?!

What is the Mirror Demon King up to now?

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