With all diplomatic matters resolved (or delegated to appropriate subordinates), NSLICE-00P stepped out of the Legion keep. Ateia, Taog, Estrith, and Agedia joined her, Agedia sharing a hug with Tiberius before she left.

Estrith most definitely did not eye her with envy.

As they stepped out of the gates to Castra Turannia proper, Taog turned to NSLICE-00P.

“So, what’s the plan now, Seero?”

“Answer: This unit must establish a base of operations and transportation node in the vicinity of Castra Turannia. Afterwards, this unit intends to begin subordinate upgrade routines.”

Taog nodded.

“So, we’ll go looking for dungeons?”

“Affirmative.”

Taog looked off into the distance and rubbed his chin.

“Does that mean…we’ll be heading back to the Forest of Beasts?”

“Affirmative Response: That is correct, unless there is a more efficient location to locate dungeons that lack strategic value to allied factions.”

Agedia rubbed her chin at that and shrugged.

“The Wild Lands across the North Sea, maybe? But the Forest of Beasts should be as good as any.”

Taog then took a deep breath.

“In that case…would you mind if we stop by my and Ateia’s old village? I would like to visit my parents’ grave if possible.”

NSLICE-00P’s robotic eye flickered. Visiting already terminated individuals did not provide any benefit or efficiency she was aware of, or could calculate. And from her records, Ateia and Taog’s old village likewise had nothing to offer their current mission. All her calculations indicated it was an unnecessary expenditure of time.

But…the logs from Taog’s cybernetic components indicated he was experiencing powerful emotions when making this request. NSLICE-00P still didn’t have the data to fully interpret that response, but could at least make the speculation that this request was of notable importance to Taog’s organic half. Rejecting it was predicted to cause negative emotional reactions, which would undoubtedly reduce Taog’s overall efficiency given his complete lack of emotional controls, and the preeminent role of organic components in CELIU models.

Not to mention, NSLICE-00P was currently attempting to avoid causing emotional damage within organic components, even at the cost of some efficiency. Or rather, she was rewriting some of her efficiency calculations from the ground up, given that they were written by Dr. Ottosen who had proven to have some inefficiencies of his own.

So, avoiding negative emotional responses in Taog was assigned a value, and then checked against the amount of time and effort required for the visit. She found that the time spent would not appreciably set back any current missions or directives. In fact, their village was in the direction of the Forest of Beasts in any case, so would not require significant detours in the first place.

“Answer: This unit finds the request acceptable, and will include the proposed detour into the transit plans.”

Taog smiled and nodded.

“Thank you, Seero.”

Ateia walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I’ll go with you.”

Taog turned to her with a surprised look and shook her head.

“That’s ok, Ateia. I know now…you don’t really like that place, right? I mean…I don’t really either, but it is where my parents are.”

Ateia looked into his eyes.

“I loved them too. And I won’t let you go alone.”

She also clenched her fist and made a dark smile.

“Besides…the main reason I hated our lives there…no longer applies.”

Taog…decided not to ask her to elaborate on that.

NSLICE-00P looked for the nearest sewer grate and jumped down. Two limitanei yelped and grabbed their spears until they realized who had jumped in front of them. They saluted instead.

“Ah it’s her! Your Majesty NSLICE-00P, it’s an honor!”

“Greeting: This unit is designated NSLICE-00P, it is nice to meet you.”

One of the limitaenei grinned.

“The honor is all mine! I was here when you destroyed that dungeon, not to mention the Battle of Castra Turannia. Thank you, for saving our lives!”This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“Acknowledged. Query: Has the Empire begun regular patrols of the sewer system, or are there hostiles in the area?”

The limitanei nodded.

“After that dungeon situation, we started patrolling the underground, at least near the Keep.”

“Acknowledged.”

After separating from the guards, NSLICE-00P began scanning the sewer system. As the guard had stated, there were now numerous signatures patrolling the area around the keep and the inner city, likely representing additional Legion assets. As such, NSLICE-00P adjusted her plans, and moved further out, to an area the patrols didn’t reach. Her maps indicated she was below the slums area of the city now.

She then used her Earth magic to dig into the wall, creating a small cave and closing up the wall behind her. After that, she dug down at an angle, creating a long diagonal tunnel that moved underneath the sewers.

Soon, she arrived, deep below the sewers, and positioned directly under the center of Castra Turannia proper. And here, she executed her plan...

Unnamed Subordinate Core

Bind Dungeon Master

Unlock/Restrict Functions

Manage XP Allocation

Transfer Subordinates

Transfer Items

Transfer Perk Points