Dungeon King: A Lady Knight Offered by My Goblins



As Eileen recounted her experiences and observations, Ethan began to grasp the depth of her implication. 

However, contrary to Eileen's assumption, Ethan's desire to be deployed to the front lines wasn't driven solely by the pursuit of points; those were just ancillary. 

His primary goal was to confront the monsters, to face adversity head-on, a crucible through which he could test and hone his own strengths.

Now, it seemed like his plan was falling apart despite having joined the army.

"I don't quite agree with your perspective," Ethan shook his head gently before continuing, "Even at the frontline, I would still be able to wield the Holy Light spell to heal the wounded soldiers on the battlefield."

"No." Eileen interjected firmly, dismissing his argument with a resolute shake of her head.

"You have a far more crucial role to fulfill. Healing those soldiers is a task for ordinary medics. Your Holy Light, capable of neutralizing the poison of the Green Claw Beast, might very well counteract the venom of other monsters. This is far more substantial than aiding a few soldiers." Eileen elucidated her stance, showcasing a broader vision for his abilities.

Without waiting for a reply, she grasped Ethan's arm, pulling him along as she urged, "Come with me!"

As they exited the tent, they encountered Sherry and Mawei standing anxiously at the doorway. 

Rushing forward, Mawei blurted out, "Commander Eileen, Miss Sherry is concerned about Mr. Black Dragon and wanted to know why you've taken him..."

"Mawei, since when was it your place to intervene in my affairs?" Eileen retorted sharply, her demeanor commanding and authoritative. 

Yet, she refrained from punishing Mawei, a consideration extended for Ethan's sake.

Turning to Sherry, her expression softened, "I have some matters to attend to with your beloved. You may come along if you're worried, but be prepared to step aside when necessary." After saying this, Eileen paused, giving space for the other's response.

Ethan chimed in, encouraging Sherry, "Stay here in the camp and wait for me."

"Alright." Sherry nodded, not insisting on following them.

With a teasing smile, Eileen reassured her, "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to your sweetheart." 

Then, addressing Ethan, she beckoned, "Come with me."

Subsequently, Eileen led Ethan out of the military camp, heading towards the southern region of Maya City, an area dissected into five distinct sectors.

To the utmost north lay the administrative region of Maya City, a haven for the aristocrats and military commanders, a place where state affairs were deliberated and rested. 

Dominating the landscape here was a colossal castle, flanked by a church, structures that symbolized power and sanctity.

Following this was the heart of Maya City, the bustling epicenter teeming with vibrant life, hosting the Blacksmith's Shop, taverns, auction houses, apothecaries, and various other establishments. 

It was a hub of commerce and culture, where the heartbeat of the city pulsed strongest. 

Flanking the central city were the eastern and western residential areas, somewhat similar in architecture and offering homes to the city's inhabitants.

Further south, where Eileen was guiding Ethan, the setting transformed drastically, giving way to a quiet, almost reclusive region. 

Here, squared structures stood firm, forged from rock, embodying strength and resilience. 

A towering wall stretching over ten meters enclosed the area, with guards stationed meticulously at the entrance, hinting at the mystery that lay within.

"What is this place?" Ethan couldn't resist asking, a sense of foreboding permeating the air, lending a somber tone to the surroundings.

Eileen remained silent, only presenting her commander's token to the sentinels before entering. 

Once inside, she finally divulged, "This is the Maya City prison."

"Prison?" Ethan echoed, somewhat perplexed. 

The grandeur of the security seemed a bit excessive for a mere prison. 

His observant eyes noted the formidable prowess of the guards at the entrance, each exhibiting a might of at least a rank S, and among the higher echelons at that.

Sensing Ethan's misunderstanding, Eileen elucidated, "The Maya City prison doesn't house ordinary criminals; there are other facilities for that. This place, also known as the monster cage, contains prisoners brought back from the front lines, creatures far from human."

"For research?" Ethan inferred, pieces of the puzzle finally falling into place as he understood the gravity of what lay before him.

"Exactly. To defeat those monsters, we must understand them thoroughly," Eileen replied affirmatively.

Moments later, the duo had traversed a stone pathway winding through the monster cage, heading toward a three-story building nestled at one side. 

Ascending to the third floor, they were greeted by a long corridor flanked by individual rooms, each bearing a label that hinted at the occupants' nature.

"Dark Red Terror Beast..."

"Forest Vine Creature..."

"Mechanical Goblin Army..."

"Deep Blue Strange Bird..."

"Soul of the Undying..."

"..."

Ethan whispered, reading aloud the peculiar labels adorned on the iron doors, the names themselves evoking a sense of the formidable creatures that lay within.

They continued their path, arriving finally at the room situated furthest inside.

"Research Room."

The name on this door diverged from the monstrous titles that had preceded it. Eileen knocked gently, calling out, "Professor, it's Eileen."

"Come in," responded a somewhat raspy voice from within.

Eileen opened the door and ushered Ethan inside. 

Upon entering, Ethan was immediately enveloped by a potent aroma of chemicals. 

The room was meticulously organized, with shelves lining both sides filled to the brim with vials of various reagents. 

A long table stood at the room's center, cluttered with diverse apparatus and more reagents.

At the moment, a disheveled elderly man was busily engaged at a workstation, skillfully extracting juices from various plants before combining them with other materials. 

This concoction was then placed upon a small Magic Circle, which flashed brightly before the elder retrieved the now-transformed reagent.

"Iron-horned Elk experimental batch number 13, finally complete," he murmured to himself, seemingly oblivious to Eileen and Ethan's presence, his attention firmly fixed on the silvery liquid in his grasp.

"Iron-horned Elk experimental batch number 13? What is that?" Ethan whispered to Eileen, seeking clarification on the term the elder used.

Eileen responded directly, "The Iron-horned Elk is a type of monster bearing steel-like pointed horns capable of easily piercing through rock and steel; a truly formidable creature. Moreover, it emits a fragrant scent that can confuse the senses of those who inhale it, causing substantial trouble on the front lines in the past."

"However, with the development of the Iron-horned Elk serum, one can attain immunity to its scent. The '13' that the professor holds indicates that this is the thirteenth iteration of the serum's development. Yet since it has not been deployed, it retains its experimental status," Eileen explained meticulously.

This detailed explanation drew the elderly individual's attention to Eileen's presence.

"Eileen, you're here—"

Halting mid-sentence, the elder noticed Ethan, his face morphing into an expression of shock, he questioned, "Eileen, who is this? I recall making it clear that strangers are not permitted here!"

Ignoring the elder's astonishment and directive, Eileen stretched out her arm, stating, "Professor, my arm has healed."

"Healed?" The professor eyed her with evident skepticism. 

Upon close examination, his eyes widened in utter amazement, exclaiming, "It truly has healed! How did you manage this? The poison of the Green Claw Beast is incredibly tenacious. If it can be neutralized, countless lives could be saved!"

Pointing towards Ethan, Eileen disclosed, "Professor, it was the black dragon who purged it."

"Him?!" The elderly man was taken aback once again.

Through the ensuing conversation, Ethan learned of the man before him, an apothecary and Eileen's nominal mentor. 

He bore a fairly common name, John, which to differentiate from other Johns in Maya City, people affectionately referred to him as "Old Apothecary John."

At this moment, Old Apothecary John had to concede that he had misjudged. 

The young man before him was not just anyone — he was a prodigy with a mastery of Holy Light, a purity that even the holy maidens of the church could not achieve. 

Could this young individual be the chosen heir to the temple foretold by Lord Sano? 

An influx of thoughts swarmed Old Apothecary John's mind, turbulent and uncontrolled.

It was Eileen's call that snapped him back to reality, prompting him to ask, "Eileen, you brought him here because…"

Nodding affirmatively, Eileen articulated firmly, "Yes, professor, just as you surmised. The black dragon's Holy Light can dispel the toxin of the Green Claw Beast, and potentially be effective against other monsters as well. I believe he can collaborate with us to develop serums targeted at monsters."

"You're right, but it might be too late now," Apothecary Old John said, without a trace of happiness on his face.

Eileen sensed that something was wrong and urgently asked, "Professor, what do you mean?"

Apothecary Old John heaved a heavy sigh, explaining, "The front lines are on the verge of collapsing. And the latest news is that the Angry Dragon Haviss is about to break free from his bonds. Once he is released, the front lines will completely collapse, and Maya City will cease to exist."

"What? Angry Dragon Haviss?!" Eileen exclaimed, her face turning extremely unpleasant, and her demeanor becoming increasingly agitated. "Three years ago, didn't the dwarven master blacksmith Henry Powell come and reforge the chains binding Haviss? How could there be a problem now?"

She had harbored the hope that Ethan's emergence could turn the tide of the battle. 

Yet, hearing such devastating news from her teacher, it felt like everything before her eyes was about to be destroyed, rendering life meaningless.

Old John sighed repeatedly, shaking his head as he said, "It isn't the fault of Henry Powell; he is a true master of forging. The chains he reforged could have bound Haviss for a hundred years. The reason Haviss can break free so quickly is due to Lana Mokos aiding him. Moreover, during his time in captivity, Angry Dragon Haviss learned to absorb the power of the magma, becoming even more powerful."

"Therefore, child, prepare to leave."