“But still . . . Underwater?” Nick groaned.

“I like it,” Lucas said. “But we don’t have the path at the moment to handle an aquatic monster for the dungeon, nor the points to handle three paths.”

“I think Katie is right,” Viola said, moving over to pat the blushing Naga on the back. “Between the two, the aquatic route is clearly the way to go. We can give up the forest idea for now and come back to it later.”

“I hate admitting that a water dungeon is a good idea more than Nick does,” Bonnie began with defeat obvious in her tone, “but she’s right. No idea why she didn’t say something sooner.”

“Well, that’s settled then. I’ll go get some workers to dig us a pool,” Lucas said, pointing to the lake that was close to his manor. “Once it’s done, we’ll have three entrances—one for every type of environment but the sky—but we won’t find the advanced winged raced on noob island, so it won’t be any issue with someone being left out.”

“There. Finally, you’ve got a plan as a real villain should,” Viola said, smiling broadly.

Lucas closed the map, crossed his hands behind his hand and leaned back while looking between everyone. “Right. This plan requires you all to scour the net for nearby monsters. And I mean actually scouting for information. Don’t just walk through the tall grass and tell me about the first monster that pops out. Put some thought into it since we will have to figure a way to evolve them later on. Now, go get us some dungeon mobs!”

“Information? You can count on me, boss.” Bonnie gave Lucas a mock salute before awkwardly pulling her hood down and vanishing into the surroundings.

“That cloak is so broken. Why in the heck would you ever give it up?” Nick asked.

“Because it suits her role, and Lucas should never hide his face from anyone. It is the beacon that will draw the enmity of a whole world of players,” Viola answered proudly.

Katie nodded and then said in a hushed voice, “It’s a good face.”

“The difference between a true villain and some wannabe lackey is the villain’s charisma and charm. You should learn something from him,” Viola said to Nick.

“I’ll let you guys work. I’m off to get a tunnel dug,” Lucas said. He then headed out of the manor toward town, straight toward Hermann’s tavern where he had eaten after first arriving at the village.

——-

Aaron stood in the middle of the Waldberg royal chamber, staring at the well-dressed madman with a princess over his shoulder, the heavily-armored Human, and the Were-Fox girl dressed like a pirate—especially her—as the trio jumped down through the hole in the floor. He then watched in stunned silence as two others ran forward and jumped after them. He heard a sharp cry and then a series of loud, sickening crunches a second later, and some strange curiosity urged him to walk forward and spy on what exactly had happened, yet he stood rooted, unable to move. He heard and saw all these things, yet his mind couldn’t process them. He glanced over at his friends, Lars and Prax, and he found the same vacant, searching expression written on their faces that must have been on his too.