The Runic Alchemist

Damian nodded. He wasn't sure about letting mundane people enter the dungeon.

But with sufficient rules, it was possible. All dungeons were for the party; there were no solo dungeons. One could enter alone, but Damian was not going to let any such brave heroes go through, no matter whether mundane or a pathfinder.

"Concerns of the entry requirements aside, have you seriously considered the repercussions of your free dungeon access for the whole of mainland?" The emperor asked, sliding slightly forward in his seat.

"It affects all countries directly. You should have at least informed us before doing this." Hellstorm spoke up.

"He does not require anyone's permission to do anything with the dungeons in his land." Voidshaper eyed Hellstorm.

"The rumors have been circulating for a month now. If anyone had come to ask me directly through the official channels, I would have answered honestly." Damian replied.

They might think that he had done this in secret, but that was the farthest thing from the truth. Besides, no matter what he said today or before, this act of his will be hated by the people in power everywhere. It was the greatest act of benefit for the commoners, something no one would want to do unless they were absolutely sure of their strength.

The Sanctuary doing this so openly meant that, unlike other countries, which were busy outdoing each other, their ambitions were on a much higher level. Instead of picking one country at a time, Sanctuary was not afraid to have all of them at the receiving end. The only other existence like Sanctuary was the Highswords.

But unlike Highswords, Sanctuary had no oaths holding them back from crushing other countries.

Giving the empire their land back, giving the Faerunians their people back, having close relations with the Eldorians - and now, Sanctuary was something none of them could outright go against without thinking of the lasting effect it would have.

"This act of yours will crowd the streets of Sanctuary, leaving other places on the mainland empty," Alex said in a low voice; all had heard his words, though.

"You guys can do the same," Damian replied with a grin.

"Hmm!" Vidalia made a noise. The others had similar reactions to his suggestion.

"I am a runesmith first and a Keeper after." Damian said, looking at all of their faces, "Those were not empty words I said today. Innovation is the future. I truly believe that. It is not something I will ever stop doing, till the day I die."

"This strong a push for dungeon research will attract the eyes of people who believe it to be a gift from the gods. Every new thing you discover and share with the world will be seen as an attempt to topple the traditional belief." The emperor said with a serious face.

"As long as people in power do not support them, I don't think it will be much of an issue," Damian replied.

The emperor and the Sun Temple priest had worked together to secure the conquered Dawnstar. The emperor was the only one strongly connected to a religious power. The Faerunians also had some influence of both the sun and sea god in their culture, but no top organization or priest was managing it like the sun temple did for the Dawnstar and beyond.

Before anyone else could say anything, the door of his office opened, and Lucian walked in. All eyes were on her for a second, then they returned to Damian.

"If anyone wishes to have some words with me after today, we can manage that." Damian said, using the pause in conversation, "There is much to see and do in these five days. I hope you enjoy your stay here. If not, a waygate will be prepared for you."

"I do have some things to discuss with you," Alex spoke up first.

"I would also like to schedule an official meeting for trade deals, among other things." The emperor followed after.

"We will have those meetings. For now, stop worrying about the future and enjoy the present. I am going for the feast, but the food prepared for all of you here is also our best yet."

"I am looking forward to it," Ilvanya said with a smile.

The elves were the only calm ones. Unlike others, they didn't have to leave after five days. Vidalia was going to stay, and seeing the interest Ilvanya was showing for the dungeon exploration and research, I guess she, too, would extend her visit.

Everyone left his office together, leaving Lucian and him alone in the room. They had to prepare for the feast.

Sam and Einar had arranged parades, showing off their military might with new runic armours and potions Damian had prepared. Sam also used his electricity in a fancy way, displaying his unparalleled speed and deadly attack power. Damian had just suggested it once, and both Einar and Sam seem to love the idea.

They had him make a temporary model of a superfast flying jet and some one-time use runic machines that had spells unlike any runic machine that the mainland could afford to show off to others.

After the feast, they had arranged an event for revealing a massive, Blazur, silver, and gold mixed sculpture of seven heads of Sanctuary, leading a hundred people. It was supposed to represent all of them, guiding the commoners into the dungeons for the first time.

The statue was a hundred meters tall and 70 meters wide, below which was inscribed the new dungeon opening bill that had passed and was made public today. Damian had planned to put it outside the city walls on the other side of the academy building.

Below it will be seven waygates points, that will take everyone to the New Dawn island. These ones, unlike the waygates to New Dawn he had placed in the Sanctum, will stay here forever. Taking people from all over the world and sending them directly to the island of a hundred dungeons.