The first thing that stands out is the scent. Mice aren't exactly the cleanest of creatures, but even they are taken aback by the waft of rot, filth and death coming from all directions. The chamber is massive, and while far from an architectural marvel, it shows considerably more evidence of intended design than the previous tunnels, a series of elevated rings surrounding a singular central chamber, and, as one would expect from a kings court, countless rats crowded among these rings, talking, laughing, looking down at the three comparably small creatures with eyes that aren't predatory or those of a hungry beast but rather those a bemused audience eager for the show to begin.

The central chamber is filled with treasure, at least treasures by rat standards. Even with the rather low standards mice hold in that regard, few of the items here would qualify. The goal in collecting them didn't seem to be use, value or rarity, simply shininess, and in that it succeeded, glittering even within the gloom of the chamber. The shine fades towards the center of the room, where seated atop a dark mountain of general refuse, the king sits, smirking, gazing at the party with shining red eyes. His status is visible even at a glance, wearing a golden crown and blood red robe, long, bald fingers adorned with rings and a great jeweled scepter in hand. None of these were actual gold or jewels, of course, but it's not as though the mice could honestly criticize that fact. Their own jewelry tends to be of similar design: Any manner of glass, foil or plastic that happens to look pretty enough.

It isn't the crown or attire that draws Kay's attention, however. It isn't even the unusual size of the rat. It is the number that appears over the name (which is simply stated as "Rat King"). Level 65. Kay has no idea what her own level is, as simply looking at her hand or other part of her body isn't enough, and obviously she has no clear view of her own head. Even looking at her reflection in water or particularly clean metal doesn't work, which isn't too surprising. She can only judge based on the levels of her companions, both of which are now 21. When she first began this journey, she had little sense of exactly what levels entail, and little has changed in that regard, but she still understands the basics: big numbers are better, and she has a feeling that even though her own group is three strong, the numbers don't simply add together. This creature is likely considerably stronger than all three of them combined, and that's not even considering all the other rats about.

"Welcome, my little friends!" the central figure announces in a booming voice, far clearer and healthier sounding than the other rats the trio had encountered. "How good of you to come, and bearing such a precious gift! It's so rare that we have guests, and we do hope our people have treated you with the proper hospitality."

A chorus of laughter bursts out from the audience, instantly quelled when the king raises a single paw.

"We apologise if we have intruded. It wasn't our intention. We've come to your... kingdom in search of something." Mia speaks up, not particularly confident Kay or Frederich could handle this delicate situation with the required diplomacy.

"Well, We are nothing if not magnanimous." the large rat says, sweeping his hand across the piles of treasure which ring the chamber. "You'll find all manner of precious jewels, exotic foods, weapons, clothing, all the sorts of things a silly little mouse might desire. We will be happy to trade as much as you like. They are of little value to us, after all."

"R-really? Your generosity is most appreciated." she smiles, giving a little curtsey. She's still feeling less than comfortable with the situation, but it's hard to complain about how things are going so far. Kay and Frederich, on the other hand, look significantly less relaxed.

"Of course! You three may take as much as your little arms can carry, and then some. Or, better yet, who says you need to leave? While we understand that our species have not existed on the best of terms, we see no reason to harbour any pointless prejudices. We'll happily welcome you three as high ranking members of my court. It is clear you are strong, brave and wise, by mouse standards. You would have never made it this far otherwise. You will find all your needs met and more, able to experience the sorts of joys and pleasures which a mouse could never hope to imagine."

"I... see..." Mia swallows, backing up a step towards the other pair. Even aside from the obvious fact that she has no desire to live among rats, her earlier optimism has evaporated. It's clear that there is something very wrong here.

"All we ask in return is a single petty trinket." the rat king grins, revealing broken, filthy teeth, reaching into his robe, pulling out a single large object. Kay reflexively looks away as she's briefly blinded by blue light. Even without the ability to see the strange and unnatural aura, both the young sorceress and the armored knight recognize the item at a glance. "We believe the woman behind you is carrying it, yes? It must be an awfully heavy burden on those small shoulders of yours. It's much better off with us."

Kay shakes her head, stepping forward. "Sorry, I think you've got things backwards. We're here for the key, and we're not taking 'no' for an answer."

The chamber again bursts into raucous laughter, even the king himself joining in before silencing it with another swift gesture.

"Um, we don't want to steal it!" Mia blurts out, desperate to salvage the situation. "Perhaps we could trade something for it? Or maybe you need some task accomplished?"

"Yeah! We're adventurers. You must have some monster you need killed or some lost treasure to be found." Fred similarly bursts in, with renewed enthusiasm. "Perhaps a kidnapped princess that needs to be rescued?"

The king simply shakes his head. "You mice and your 'quests'. We can assure you, all of our needs are more than met. If we desire something dead, it dies. If we seek something claimed, we take it. If we lose a 'princess', we can always create another one. We do not sit around and wait for some mice to show up and solve our problems for us." he grins. "Besides, we are not fools. We are well aware of the value of these artifacts, and the fact that there is nothing you could hope to offer which would match them."

Kay furrows her brow, raises her weapon and glares up at the king with her unnatural eyes, which doesn't seem to faze him in the slightest.

"We are not common brigands, however. Sure, it would be incredibly easy to simply kill the three of you and take the treasure, but we value strength and diligence. You've done us a great service and it would be rude to return that favor with bloodshed. Our offer was a genuine one. In exchange for that object of yours, anything you seek will be yours, wealth, power, you name it. That's a vastly more generous offer than you three are capable of making in return, or am I mistaken?" the king smiles wider still, leaning forward on his scepter. "Of course we won't force you to stay, either. If you wish to spurn our hospitality, well, I'll simply dismiss it as predictable mouse barbarism, and take no offense. However, leaving with that artifact of yours is not an option. It belonged to me the moment you entered our city. Whether you claim your reward, leave empty handed or your foolish pride requires you to die defending it, the result will still be the same. It only makes sense to pick the more profitable option, no?"

"No deal." Kay says, raising her axe to the king, who simply shakes his head and sighs in response.

"You seem to be the brains of this little band, young one." the king says, looking to Mia. "Surely, you must recognize the folly of throwing your lives away for nothing? I know how much you mice enjoy your little adventures, but there will always be a new treasure to find, a beast to slay or a... princess to rescue?" he says the last part quizzically. He's well aware of the existence of princesses, after all, having raised many, but he doesn't quite understand why they would be abducted and in need of rescue so frequently.

The black furred sorceress looks to her compatriots, who both look ready for battle but their expression softens at the sight of her. It's one thing, of course, to be willing to endanger ones own life... both Kay and Frederich have no fear of that, even if for vastly different reasons, but it's another altogether to drag someone else into it. Mia looks from one to another, then back to the king, lowering her head.

"I understand." she says. "You have, indeed been quite kind and respectful, far more than I would have expected. It similarly would be unfair for me to judge you harshly for coveting this item, seeing as how we feel the exact same way. There are many ways you could have handled this situation, yet you have chosen a diplomatic one, in spite of your obvious power and influence."

The rat king nods his head, wearing a soft smile framed by his ragged whiskers.

"However..." Mia similarly smiles. "We can't back down from this, either. We've journeyed far, and have still farther to go. I suppose to you, we all just look like some silly mice playing hero, and perhaps you're not entirely wrong." she adds, looking up to the robed king. "Still, we've faced great adversity to get this far, and we won't give up just because of a few threats. I must sincerely apologise, and will freely admit that it isn't very noble on our parts to barge into your home and make demands, but we're not leaving without that key."

Angry shouts and jeers cascade from the crowd, hissing, snarling faces angrily glaring at the three mice which, previously stood bravely now stand back to the back, eyes on the angry crowd which outnumbers them to a tremendous degree.

"Your lack of civility knows no bounds." The king says, just a hint of anger appearing in his previously calm voice. "Looking upon that trash while royalty stands before you? What a joke." he continues, rising up from his seated position. "They aren't our soldiers or servants. They wouldn't fight for us, even if we asked. They are just bottom-feeders who smelled the scent of mouse blood and wish to see it spilled. No, we don't know how things work in your puny mouse villages, but here, a king doesn't lead by divine right, popular consensus or rule of law." his grin extends wider, red eyes gleaming. "We are the king purely because we are the strongest, because none can stand against our might. So, little mice, cast your eyes away from those fools. Look only to the death that stands before you, and take in our magnificence with your final moments."

"Heh, I'll admit it, you're pretty tough looking, but you seem a bit overconfident." Frederich says with a grin. "We might be smaller, but we've got you outnumbered."

The king simply chuckles. "Oh, do you now?"

He approaches the trio, yet doesn't move from his standing position. Instead, it is the mountain of refuse which moves beneath him, and as it steps into the light, another pair of gleaming red eyes appears. And another. And another. The king is revealed to not be standing on piled earth, but the shoulders of four other mice, each holding a large body-shield, a club in their free hands. Beneath them are a good dozen rat spearmen, dented helmets on their heads, crudely armored. Finally, beneath, not shouldering the weight on their shoulders but instead their backs, are a great number of other rats, crawling on all fours, heads lowered, garbed in tattered rags, crude metal shackles on their paws. The king looks down triumphantly, but of course that's not really an accurate description, is it? Sure, the one they had been speaking to up this point may have worn a scepter and crown, but he represented just one of many parts of the king, as Kay comes to realize. On the bright side, it does explain his unusually high level. All of these rats are considered a single unit, sharing a level value. On the negative side, the three have just lost their numbers advantage by a massive margin.