Theanore was worried. Marinus had run away from home and had told Eliza that he was divorcing her. Had been mean about it, too. Cassius had thrown a tantrum and had gone to his room without dinner when they found the news.

He thought that she would do the same as Marinus. Theanore didn’t know how to explain to him that she was not going to leave him. Her mother had explained to her that the war will rekindle if she were to leave Cassius. The Emperor and Empress had said the same. Theanore had gone to Old Dany. She was her only true friend in this place.

“Old Dany, why do I have to stay here if I don’t like it here?” Asked Theanore, the old nanny.

“It is a crime what these adults are doing to the four of you. Forcing you together without you knowing what a marriage really means. But I know a way for you to be free and to go to your merman. You are a dungeon core. Proclaim your independence again and this time, ally with another, stronger, dungeon.” Said Old Dany.

Theanore’s thoughts immediately went to grandpa Thinker, but he had been relieved that he didn’t have to go to war. Someone else had to be her ally. But who?

“Check the dungeon register in the library for any new and powerful dungeons who can help you. Remember, girl, you deserve to be happy.” Said Old Dany and Theanore ran out of the room and towards the library.

Right on the first page were the newest dungeon cores. Theanore saw her name in the middle, but at the very top was Luca’s name. Was it her friend Luca, or some other Luca?

If it were her friend, he would ally with her. He would definitely support her. Furthermore, he liked both her and Marinus. She began to write him a letter.

Dear Luca,

It is I, Theanore. Mari left Lizzy and now everyone says that there could be another war. If there will be one regardless, why can’t I be with Mari? I miss my apple grotto and everyone at it. I miss you too and Elm and Di and even Dede. If you are my friend, whose name is also Luca, then write to me right away. Ally with me and stop a war.

Please be my Luca,

Theanore the nymph.

She placed the letter in an envelope and put a mana crystal inside and sent it to Luca. Then, she went to the fairy tale section of the library to get a new book. She needed something to cheer her up.

Luca saw the blue flames right as he was making the mills in the canyon. He knew now where he was. In No Man’s Land. But he wasn’t afraid. He had an entire goblin tribe that had taken a shine to Glob as minions, and he was working on getting giants too.

But the giants required more food. And so, the mills. He was lucky it was still February. People still had grain in their barns. Grain he could buy. In late summer he was going to plant the top of the cliffs with wheat, but along the river even now he placed all kind of vegetables.

Potatoes, carrots, peas and many more. The soil was fertile, although he wouldn’t get any vegetables until late spring. For now, his goblins ate what he conjured for them from the crystal. But the conjured food tasted and smelled off.

That said, he was feeding goblins, and they weren’t picky. They ate the food provided to them and even thanked him. He was happy that he didn’t need to get them water, at least. The river outside his cave provided plenty.

Inside his cave he had dug deep and made many tunnels. One led to a spider’s lair, the biggest spider he had ever seen. But he had had the goblins slay it and use it and the smaller spiders of the nest as food.

Luca went and took the envelope and when he read the letter, his expression grew grim. Theanore was in trouble. He couldn’t leave her in such a situation. He had a goblin tribe, an entire war band in it. It wasn’t much, but if she needed official allies, then he would be the first.

Granted, he had known that the marriages wouldn’t last when they happened. All four involved were toddlers and thus prone to selfishness. Adorable children, good children, but children.

Luca quickly wrote Theanore back a letter, it read:

Dear Theanore,

It is I, Luca. The same Luca you housed in your grotto. I will be happy to ally myself with you. I even have soldiers, although your dragons will have to do most of the fighting? Do you feel safe where you are? If not, I will teleport you to me.

Write me as soon as you can,

Luca.

Luca sent the letter and waited. Then he heard a commotion from the tunnels and one goblin ran to him. Heaving, he had both his hands on his knees.

“Master, humans are coming together with goblins in the spider tunnel. The goblins look hazy.” Said the goblin, and he ran off.

Luca knew he couldn’t stall anymore. He was 102 years old. He couldn’t look like a two-year-old his entire life. He poured mana in his crystal core and became twenty years of age.

He had on a cotton mage’s robe and gloves and shoes, with a shirt and pants underneath the robe. He moved his legs to get acquainted with his new size, and he went towards the spider tunnel, ready for a fight.

But that wasn’t needed. What he found there were Elmar, Diana, Dereck and one more man who he didn’t know.

“Friends,” Said Luca, arms spread wide. “You are in the Canyon Rush Dungeon. I am Luca, the Luca you know, just grown up. I welcome you. Come, you must be hungry.”

The four looked relieved to see him. He led them to the feasting hall of the cave and made them food with the crystal. Then, he listened to the story of their journey thus far.