I Am A Table [LitRPG Isekai Progression Fantasy]

"You haven't won yet," Master Sensei snarled as he was restricted within a floating gummy ball.

The Dragon Queen and her entourage reached the dungeon after the chicken had been banished, followed by the human party (except for Ducaz). Fearing that a structural collapse of the palace could bury Blorbo, of course Lena had to strap him to her back and carry him along. The dungeon was big enough for everyone to be inside, and Sensei was the only prisoner there, conveniently, so the author didn't have to add more spatial details.

Nobody had even replied to Master Sensei's earlier comment before he said, "This is a change to the structure happening on an universal scale. There's nothing you can do. Nothing! Mwahahahahahaha!" He craned his neck. Bubbles of gummies surfaced from his mouth.

"What do you mean by that?" Marin asked. "The Knight Order have ensured no alien could so much reach the borders. There's no way that big a change can slip past us."

Master Sensei corrected, "First, wrong. Your borders are a mess and you aren't even there. Second, also wrong. You can't even prevent your own people from passing through portals."

"Explain in human language you gargoyle," Anders smashed his wand on the side of the ball. The ball spun, and Master Sensei spun with it.

"Archmage. You must be familiar with the concept of Dimensional Rifts?" Master Sensei asked.

"Every archmage worth their salt would," Anders replied.

"Good. Because while you've been amusing yourselves with petty candy wars and chasing rogue poultry, there's a force at play, far beyond your meager understanding, that is threatening to tear your pitiful reality asunder."

"Okay, back to gargoyle language again."

"Someone," Master Sensei continued, leaning forward conspiratorially within his gummy prison, "is threatening to open 400 Dimensional Rifts at once. Four hundred. Not a single, cautious tear, but a coordinated, overwhelming assault on the very fabric of existence. And what do 400 Rifts mean, Archmage?"

Master Sensei, seeing the dawning comprehension on Anders's face, provided the answer. "Invasions."

Lena gasped.

Anders said, "I don't care about all that. Everyone else can die. Where are my knives?"

Sensei growled, "The world is ENDING and that's all you care about? You people from the Mage Order are all corrupt narcissists!"

"It's EMRCAR. And yes, they are corrupt. That's why I left."

"You were banished, Dad . . ." Lena whispered.

"Banished on my own terms, of course," Anders explained.

"Who took your knives?" Sensei asked.

"Your friend! Master Shifu! The sleazy accomplice."

"Then it's as good as gone!" Master Sensei broke into a maniacal laugh. "Either it's been assembled into our ultimate anti-invasion weapon, or if the weapon is of mediocre quality, it's auctioned off to fund our defense. Conspirators need money too, you know."

Wasn't the last clue about the knives was that they were in an auction house?

"What are you saying about my Legendary weapon?"

"Ah! So it's just a Legendary weapon! Not even Mythic. Pfff."

"You think you're so tough, huh? You're coming with us. I know exactly who can get more answers out of you." Anders extended his arms, and the gummy ball shook. The ball rose with his rising hand movement, and soon, it was flying with him. He turned to the Queen and asked, "Do you have a need for this prisoner?"

"You can have him." The Queen said.

Lena, clutching Blorbo, stepped forward and bowed awkwardly to the Candy Dragon Queen. "Thank you for everything, Your Majesty! For the feast, and... for letting us help with your Gummy Bears!" She even managed a small curtsy. "And for saving us from the chicken!"

The Candy Dragon Queen, despite her earlier irritation, softened slightly. "You are... a most peculiar human, Lena," she rumbled. "Your unintentional contributions were... memorable. And your little flat companion proved surprisingly durable." She glanced at Blorbo. "Farewell, little human mage. And do try to avoid opening any more unfortunate portals." She then reached inside a pouch on her belly, a pouch that Blorbo didn't know existed. "But before you leave, I must compensate you for your trouble. A little reward for your bravery, if you will."

"Oh, you don't have to—" Lena stopped speaking after she saw the Dragon Queen pull out 5 gold coins. 5 GOLD COINS. They would never have to worry about finances ever again. "What I mean is... Id be most grateful to accept!"

DON'T LEAVE! Blorbo screamed internally. The Invasion quest has NOT finished! We're just leaving?! MY 8000 EXP! This is unacceptable! What about the Marshmallow Citadel?! My progress! NOOOO!

[QUEST COMPLETED: The Deepest Secret (1)]

Reward: The first clue about the Secret Artifact Stealing from Respectable Magi project

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

Oh look! Quest done!

[COMPULSORY QUEST RECEIVED: The Deepest Secret (2)]

Objective: Avoid arrest from the Congregation of Magi while suspending Master Sensei in the air

Reward: The second clue about the Secret Artifact Stealing from Respectable Magi project

Failure: Eternal stupidity

Accept: YES/NO

WHERE ARE THE ACTUAL REWARDS? YOU SCAMMER!

Anders, holding the floating gummy ball containing Master Sensei, led the way out of the Candy Dragon Queen's opulent dungeon. They emerged from the back entrance of the Sweetmeat Spire into a small, secluded grove of lollipop trees, the same spot where they had first arrived. The twilight glow of the Candy Realm was still soft.

There, leaning casually against a particularly large gumdrop tree, was Ducaz. He stretched languidly. "Ah, there you are!" He called out. "I've made all the preparations for you, of course! A seamless transition, as always!" He gestured vaguely at the empty space around them, which was, in fact, nothing but lollipop trees and marshmallow ground.

Preparations? That's nothing! He's done nothing! He was just waiting here! The audacity!

Anders merely grunted. He raised his wand, and with an effortless sweep, conjured a black portal in the air. It pulsed with disorienting energy.

"Through we go," Anders stated, stepping towards the vortex. The others followed.

Marin let out a sigh as he followed Anders and the others through the swirling portal. "Finally, back to normal."

Anders replied, "I risked a significant amount of cosmic power to establish that direct connection. Crossing realms without proper preparation... we might be in trouble."

Lena bounced slightly as they transitioned through the void. "What's the worst that could happen, Dad?"

They stepped out of the portal. Before them stood a solemn congregation of magi, their faces stern, their robes impeccably clean. They were arrayed in a precise, intimidating formation.

Lena was still eating peanut butter, but then a sudden realization hit her. "Wait. Where's Tabby?"

Oh yeah. The CAT. That must've been why the trip was so peaceful.

The one in front, an imposing figure stepped forward. His eyes, sharp as ice, fixed directly on Anders, then on the floating gummy ball containing Master Sensei. "Anders Maximilius Oakward," the lead mage declared. "You are under arrest."