Chapter 7 [Forced travel]
Afolia: And I greet you. Is he still stupid and in good physical shape? As they say, you don't need to have the power of mind?
Fedfrosl: Yes, I'm in good physical shape, but why do you think I'm still as stupid? From your behavior, can I say that you are still as cheeky and important? Is it just me, or are your breasts still the same as they were?
Afolia: Hmm! Yes, I think you're just as stupid to ask such questions. Yes, my breasts haven't grown, but you know, the size of your head is already a lot. In general, my height has increased by 1 centimeter.
Fedfrosl: Ha ha ha ha. She's grown up! Don't make people laugh. Everyone already knows that you can adjust your height with the help of mana, turning it into heels.
Afolia: So! That's it! Why did you contact me? Is there really a good reason to contact me instead of walking to me?
Fedfrosl: Yes, there is a reason for this. I have the progenitor's son visiting and he needs to talk to you.
Afolia: And you must be really stupid. The son of the progenitor. Hah! This can't be happening!
Fedfrosl: Do you think I haven't tested his abilities?
Afolia: It turns out you checked, right?
Fedfrosl: That's right. He can teleport using divine mana.
Atholia: And how did you know that she was divine?
Fedfrosl: When he was creating portals, I didn't feel any fluctuations in the usual mana.
Afolia: Let's say you're right. Then please ask him to come to the gate so that I can see him.
Calm madman: No! I refuse. This will leave long conversations in its wake.
Afolia: Oh, I heard him. Isn't that him?
Fedfrosl: Yes.
Afolia: Then, son of the progenitor, what did you want to discuss with me?
The calm madman: I want to ask you something. Do you have an artifact that will absorb or seal an unlimited amount of God's mana?
Afolia: Soooo... Let me think about it. Oh, that's right! I'll ask and come back, okay?
Calm madman: Good.
--- It's been almost 5 minutes---
Afolia: I'm back. The son of the progenitor, I want to upset you, but I was told by the warehouse workers that we do not have such things, but in general, there are no such things.
The calm madman: I understood you. In that case, I'll say goodbye to both of you.
Afolia: Stop!
Fedfrosl: I'm not much different from my brother...
Afolia: Don't you want to visit? Or, for example, take a gift with you, from me?
The calm madman: I'm not going to visit yet. But it depends on what kind of gift?
Afolia: We have an artifact that seals any mana for 10 minutes. Are you interested in this?
Calm madman: Yes, this is already interesting. And what do you want in return?
Afolia: Hee-hee. Could you be my husband, hmm?..
Calm madman: Maybe I would agree. Especially since you have such a beautiful face. And the horns look good on you. They show your influence on the society of hell. But I can't. All because I have no sexual characteristics, so I cannot become either a wife or a husband. I have to refuse you.
Afolia: What a pity. Then the price for this artifact will be... Come visit me, and I'll tell you the rest later.
Calm madman: Okay, but I don't think you'll be happy to see me.
Afolia: Why is that?
Calm madman: You'll find out. Where do I need to go?
Afolia: My brother has a magic ladder. Although it leads down, but in fact the first half is on his territory, and the second half is on the other side of the mainland, as well as on his territory of hell.
Calm madman: So I'll be on your property when I go down the stairs?
Afolia: That's right. Brother, you don't mind if he leaves, do you?
Fedfrosl: No, I don't mind.
Calm madman: Then, Fedfrosl, be kind enough to take care of my companions. For example, to feed them, to give them a room to rest. I'm going to see Afolia for now. Ok?
Fedfrosl: Yes, of course. Liich! Come here!
Lich: Yes, master?
Fedfrosl: Take these two to the spare rooms, and also bring them some human food.
Lich: I'm listening. People, please follow me.
"The Lich went to the left aisle from the entrance to the throne room. He was followed by the companions of the Calm Madman: Bella and Dragr."
Calm madman: And now that they're gone, where do I have to go to get to the stairs?
Fedfrosl: So, Afolia, I'm saying goodbye to you. A Calm Madman will come to you soon.
Afolia: That's his name, the Calm Madman... Okay, bye, my brother.
"Fedfrosl closed his hands and the gate closed."
Fedfrosl: Please go there. There you will find the dark knight. He will open the door to the stairwell for you.
"Fedfrosl pointed his finger to his left."
Calm madman: Okay, then I'll see you soon.
"The calm madman bowed. In response, Fedfrosl also rose from the throne and bowed. After that, in silence, the Calm Madman went to the right behind the throne, the emerald Hermitage."
Calm madman: * I'm moving straight ahead, but shouldn't I turn off somewhere?*
---After 3 minutes of walking in a straight line---
Calm madman: * Oh, I see a right turn. Should I go there? I just don't understand if there is a straight passage, as it is very dark here. So much so that I can't see my hands. Except for a small glow in the distance to the right, I don't see it. Therefore, most likely, I should go there.*
"The calm madman reached the right turn in 2 minutes. In the new corridor, for him, there was a dark purple door, near which stood either a skeleton or a zombie in dark armor."
Calm madman: * Most likely, I'm going there. I wonder if this is a skeleton risen from the dead or a rotting corpse with a soul binding? I'll have to ask Fedfros.*
"The calm madman reached the door with the knight."
Calm madman: Hello, I have arrived at the stairs here, at the request of Atholia. Can I come through?
"The Dark Knight didn't make a sound except for the rustling armor and the sound of moving bones, and opened the door to the stairs."
Calm madman: Thank you.
"The calm madman walked through the doorway and started down the stairs."
Calm madman: * So they are circular, but I thought it would be ordinary.*
"The calm madman was just coming down. Sometimes examining the design of the stairs and touching the walls."
--- At this time---
"Dragr and Bella calmly followed Lich. But Bella became interested and she started a conversation with the old man, but in order not to attract attention to herself, she did it in a whisper."
Bella: Listen, do you think there will be a bed? Will there be a table, a wardrobe with clothes? Maybe a bath? Eh?
Dragr: Do you think that's what's important right now? * Women as always.*
Bella: Well, why are you so angry? And then what do you think is important now?
Dragr: Like what? What will we be fed and how long will we be here? We don't know how long a Calm madman will be in Hell.
Bella: Oh, yeah. It's really important, I'm sorry. Then what are your guesses?
Dragr: Well, if the stairs are not long, then we will stay here for about a day. If the stairs are long, then I think 3 days. I don't even have any ideas about food.
Bella: And I hope they'll feed us some meat, because I'm already hungry.
Dragr: At your age, all women watch their weight, and you're not interested in that?
Bella: I don't know. I've never thought about weight. I've always been like this.
Dragr: I see.
Lich: Okay, stop whispering. We reached the guest rooms. The girl on your left, the one with the dragon on the door. Man, and yours is on the right, you see a handle with a dragon's paw on your door.
Dragr: And why are they made in this style?
Lich: In the room with the dragon, there used to be a half-dragon who tamed dragons and became the husband of the Dragoness of Chaos. The door handles were made in such a style to show that it was one of his hands. For example, your room is the tamer's right hand, namely his assistant. The room to the left of the room with the dragon is the tamer's left hand, namely his walking butler.
Dragr: What do you mean, a walking butler?
Lich: That's what they called him, because the tamer didn't have his own house, he was always traveling. But he had a butler. Since the butler is in charge of the master's house, he became the butler of the dwelling in which he was at that time. Therefore, the walker, as belonging to the impermanence of his place of responsibility.
Dragr: Understood. Well, thank you for seeing me off. We then went to the rooms. And when to expect lunch?
Lich: In about an hour. Yes, please come in and make yourself comfortable. This is not your home, especially since the undead and monsters live here. Therefore, it is only cozy.
Dragr: Yes, I understood you perfectly and without explanation. Thanks again. We are going.
Bella: Thank you.
"Bella and Dragr went into their rooms. Their reaction to their rooms was not long in coming."
Bella: * Wow! I've never seen such beauty. A huge room, comparable in size to the royal bedroom. Everything is done in black and burgundy. Burgundy curtains, linen on the bed with black edging. The whole room, along with the chair, bed, and table are made of iridescent obsidian with violet and emerald light. The seat and armrests of the chair are made of maroon fabric. Wow, how beautiful everything is! I would live here all my life, but black obsidian spoils everything. But it'll do for a couple of days.
Dragr: * And not bad... The whole room is made of dark metal. I don't even know what kind of metal it is, but it looks very majestic. All the details of the room have been worked out so much that it seems that they have been working on the design all their lives. This huge metal dragon portrait is engraved so that it looks like a real one. As I understand it, these dragon paws are made as hangers, but I can't use such work as a hanger. I especially liked the window frames. They are made in the shape of small dragons that later hit each other. It is a pity, of course, that the curtains are made of fabric metal, and there are no metal shutters. So, the bed is like a bed, but the base is made of the same dark metal, but nothing else attracts attention. Not, of course, a chandelier made in the shape of a hydra, which has rare, purple, magical essences on each paw and in its mouth that produce light. Such essences can be bought on the black market for 23,000 gold.* Yeah, it's rich here. I'm going to lie down, or my leg hurts.
"Bella and Dragr lay down on their beds. Bella fell asleep immediately. Dragr, in turn, lay down for a while and began to examine in detail all the frescoes and sculptures in the room."
--- Almost 2 hours later---
"The Lich knocked on Dragr and Bella's rooms."
Lich: Please pick up your lunch. Now a dark elf will come to you and give you your food.
Dragr: Yes, well, come in.
"The maid, the dark elf who was standing at the door to Dragr's room, came in."
Lich: A girl?! Are you asleep? Food has been brought to you! Okay, come in, if anything, apologize, and I'll keep all the blame on myself.
"The maid, the dark elf who was standing at the door to Bella's room, came in. Bella was still asleep, so the maid left the food on the table and went out."
Lich: * So she's sleeping.* Man, can I come in?
Dragr: Yes, come in.
"The Lich came into the room."
Lich: I welcome you again.
Dragr: Yes, good afternoon.
Lich: This is Vaga's personal maid. If you need anything, then contact her. She will show you where and what is located, and can also tell you.
Dragr: Okay, thanks a lot.
"The Lich bowed and left the room, closing the door behind him."
Dragr: So, what's your name?
Maid Dragra: I'm sorry, but I don't have a name.
Dragr: And then what is your name or address somewhere?
Maid Dragra: No way. If I need to do something, they just tell me. If I'm called, I usually call all the maids and choose those who are needed.
Dragr: So that's the thing, everyone here is like that. Then it's clear.
Maid Dragra: Excuse me, but how can I address you?
Dragr: Just Dragr.
Maid Dragra: Mr. Dragr...
Dragr: Let's do without the 'master'.
Maid Dragra: Understood. Dragr, the Lich asked me to tell her, if the girl with whom you are temporarily staying with us is sleeping, to tell her all the necessary information about being here, which you received after my arrival in the room.
Dragr: Okay, I'll tell you.
Maid Dragra: Then please inform us of a new request, if necessary.
Dragr: Well, nothing is needed right now. Therefore, as soon as there is a question, I will inform you immediately.
Maid Dragra: Okay, sorry for the intrusiveness.
"The maid Dragra knelt down by the closet, head down, and humbly waited for the request of the temporary owner."
Dragr: Eh? Will you be waiting here?
Maid Dragra: Yes, they didn't tell you that I was going somewhere and I was going too, so I have to wait here.
"The maid Dragra was still sitting with her head down."
Dragr: Ahem. In that case, I would like to ask you.
"The maid Dragra raised her head and smiled a little, as a sign that this is the only joy."
Maid Dragra: Yes, what did you want?
Dragr: You may not understand me correctly, but still. I wanted you not to sit on this metal floor, but to sit or lie, as it would be more convenient for you, on the bed. I'm going to eat now anyway.
Maid Dragra: Okay, thank you very much.
"The maid Dragra got up and got down on one knee. After which, she took an uncertain step and walked towards the bed."
Dragr: Don't be afraid. I'm not going to do anything wrong.
Maid Dragra: That's not why I'm insecure. But because it is not for a maid to sit idle, and even more so on the master's bed, albeit temporarily.
Dragr: It's okay. As long as I am your master, it will be my will, which means it's up to me to decide what and how to do it.
Maid Dragra: Yes.
"The maid Dragra sat down next to Dragra. And Dragr, in turn, opened the closet and was surprised."
--- At this time---
"Bella was still asleep. Her maid was still sitting at the entrance, looking at the door and waiting for Bella or the visitor to wake up."
--- At this time---
Calm madman: * I still go down the stairs and it doesn't end. I wonder how long I have to go. Okay, I can walk, because I've walked about 3 kilometers, but I'm more concerned about the behavior of my companions and the treatment of them. So, it makes no sense to think about it, because in order to find out about it, you have to go upstairs, and it's pointless when I didn't come for this and at the same time it would be stupid to come back when I've already gone so far.*
"In fact, the Calm madman did not know that the ladder, if taken as a straight line, is 8 kilometers in distance. He also didn't know that his way back would be up the same stairs."