Ashurga finished my weapons only two months later. He had a lot more work to do, but dumped it on his two apprentices and worked only on my order. But even so he needed two months to complete my order.

  I spend the time learning more spells. I finally learned Anti-magic spell. It was level three spell and I needed almost three days to master it. I also learned Freeze and Appraisal spells. Appraisal spell allowed me to see my opponent's stats and skills. Well I will see all of them once my Air magic skill will be at master level.

  I also learned two Light magic spells Armor of light was defensive spell that created, well armor of light. Second spell was Sun ray. It was attack spell that could burn down my opponents, but was most effective against undead, necromancers, demons and other similar creatures.

  Light magic spells were different than elemental or life magic spells. They required changing mana into holy power that I could do thanks to my Light magic skill. It took me a while to master changing my mana, but I did learn how to do that and mastered my first Light magic spells. Unlike elemental or Life magic spells, in order to learn high ranking Light magic spells I needed to increase my Light magic skill. More high ranking spells required the use of more holy power and I needed to increase the skill to gain the ability to change more mana. It was good news for Trevor, since he will be able to use high ranking Light magic spells even without Wisdom skill. Probably why Light magic spells had only four levels. One level for every advancement of the skill.

  Most of the time I lived on the farm that Mesmer bought, not far away from the town. He hired two families who lost their farms, after goblin burned them down and they took care of my cofea trees. I did not remember all their names, since they had a lot of children, but family elders were Gunter and Duvine, and also Shrod and Susan from second family. They were hard working and needed the steady job, to avoid hunger and poverty. I also allowed them to keep some pigs and chickens, for their personal use. We had more than enough land for it.

  Farm used to belong to wealthy family. It had several houses and barns. Among two houses, of which one was probably used by main family and smaller one was for servants. I allowed the families to move in the main house and occupied the small one. I did not need all the rooms inside two-story house, and had more than enough place in a small house. All it needed was little fixing and fresh straws for a bed, along with some bed linen that I bought in Grimsburg.

  I learned Life magic Nature blessing spell. I used the spell to make the ground more fertile and make my cofea trees grow faster. As far as I knew, it would take three to five years for the plant to grow, but thanks to my spell I could expect my first coffee beans in half a year. Well I did need to cast the spell almost every day and used up all of my mana doing it. But it was worse it, since I won't need to wait years for my first harvest.

  The farm had also fruit trees planted on it. Trees looked bad and had some axe tracks on their trunks. But my Nature blessing spell took care of it, and I expected fresh supply of pears, apples and plums.

  For now children and their parents needed only to water the plants. But after my departure they will need to experiment with the soil - for the amount of water needed for the plants and rest of the farming stuff. Especially for my cofea trees.

  Thanks to my spell, I could skip all that stuff and use magic instead. I planned to stay until first harvest, so I could show them how to harvest the beans, dry them and then grind the coffee beans, so I could enjoy my morning coffee cup. But we were still several month away from the good part, even with the use of my magic.

  And for now, I needed to collect my armor and visit Adventurer guild, to find out what goddesses' cryptic message meant.

  Ashurga's work was excellent as always, and after collecting my armor, arrows and two adamantium blocks, which I could use as emergency funds or spare adamantium later, I visited Adventurer guild.

  I kept my hood on, and most of the people already forget about the "heroes" of the goblin war, so I could walk around the town, without unnecessary attention.

  Adventurer guild went back to its usual work, and quest board was again filled with quests. Mostly gathering quests, since people needed to replenish potion supplies after the battle.

  I had no idea what the goddess meant, so I decided to look through the posted quests.

  Usual herb gathering, merchant protection, scouting the area for goblin remnants, and then I found it.

  I grimaced. Dungeon scouting quest. Again the dungeon! I got so tired of them. I sighed and took the quest form.

  I went to Leone and put the quest form on the table.

  - Can you tell me more about this quest?

  - Dungeon scouting quest. I see you really like hunting in dungeons? This one was posted by lord Gilliazar. He financed and helped to establish three new settlements in uninhabited lands. Near one of the settlements, peasants discovered a dungeon. Lord Gilliazar wants for someone to scout it to determine how dangerous it is.

  - Will he be sad if someone conquers the dungeon?

  - For now quest is only for scouting. So I could not say.

  - I see. Where is this dungeon located?

  - Six days walk from Grimsburg. If you decide to take the quest, I will provide you with a map.Six days one way. Probably faster if I ride the horse. But I did not have a horse. And I did not know how to ride a horse.

  - Will you take the quest?

  - Not right away, first can I post a quest myself.

  - What quest? - asked surprised Leone.

  - Let us see. I need someone who will accompany me to uninhabited lands. Need a servant who is good with horses and horse riding. What would be appropriate payment for that?

  - Copper coin a day if you agree to buy provisions.

  - Let us make a quest urgent and promise silver coin every five days. Provisions included. Can you recommend someone?

  - I will find you an adventurer buy tomorrow. I can also reserve the dungeon scouting quest for you. You can take it as soon as I found for you companion.

  - Yes. please do that.

  - Good then. Just do not forget that you will need to write report about the dungeon.

  - That is fine by me.

  Maybe I can force that part of the job on my servant.

  - Also your payment for the artifact is ready. Would you like to receive it now.

  - Yes.

  - Please wait a little then.

  Leone soon returned and handed me small pouch.

  - Twelve orichalcum coins, - she whispered to me: - I heard that bargaining got very heated. Even representative from king's court participated.

  That was more than I expected. Got to love auction houses.

  I ordered my peasants to build stables and next day returned to Adventurer guild. Leone already was waiting for me.

  - Miss Avone. Let me introduce you to Rick. He is a member of Thunder sword party, but agreed to accompany you. His party members will stay in Grimsburg and work without him until he returns.

  I looked at him. Less than twenty years old. Simple clothe, short sword on his belt, and probably a cheap magic bag.

  - What is your rank?

  - I am E rank adventurer. Almost all my party members are.

  - Where did you learn to take care of horses?

  - My father used to breed horses. But I was younger son, and farm was inherited by my older brother. I decided to become an adventurer after that.

  - You are aware that quest could take more than a month.

  - Yes. The longer the better.

  - Fine. He will do, - I nodded to Leone: - When can you start?

  - Today, if you wish.

  - Good. I'll take the quest then.

  - I already prepared everything, - Leone brought me the map. It detailed way to the settlement and was easy to read.

  - You will need to return in a month, forty days the most. Please do not forget that.

  - Fine. Rick you are responsible for counting days.

  - Yes, mam!

  - Feel free to call me Avone.

  - As you wish.

  - Thanks Leone. Now do you know where we can buy horses? - I asked Rick.

  - Yes.

  - Then lead the way.

  Rick took as to animal market and we approached horse traders.

  - What kind of horses are you planning to buy?

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  - Nothing expensive. Look for some calm ones. They should be able to get us to uninhabited lands and back. If afterwards they could be of use for farm job, the better.

  - I can found you what you want.

  - Good. I will leave bargaining to you. Also do not forget saddles and the rest of the stuff for horses.

  - I won't, - he smiled and went to look for horses. We spend an hour looking at animals. Rick told me how to distinguish horses that were meant for soldiers, cart towing or farm work. We spend almost an hour there, before he found horses that I requested. I did not like the place. It smelled, and horses were a little scary up close.

  He bargained with merchant, but did managed to lower the price considerably. Horses along with saddle, bridle and blankets for the horses costed me two gold coin and two silvers. I had no idea if it was cheap or not.

  I wanted to depart as fast as I could, but decided not to hurry. We took horses to my farm and I spend rest of the day learning horse riding. Rick showed me how to saddle them and how to ride the horse.

  He gave them names and called them Blacky and Brownie, by their color. My horse was Blacky, four years old. Merchant told as that their previous owner had many kids and horse was calm and used to all kind of riders. That was fine by me. Rick spend the night in peasants guest room, and we departed next morning.

  Instead of six day journey we arrived at the village on the third day. My butt hurt every evening, but thanks to my increased life force I was fine by the morning. By the end of the journey my horse riding improved, and Rick commented that I finally stopped torturing pure animal. Good for me, and for Blacky too.

  I informed village elder that I have accepted the quest, and that we will need a place to stay for me, my servant and horses.

  - You can stay at my house, - agreed village elder, who called himself William.

  He looked like a former highway robber, but maybe people who wanted to create new settlement in uninhabited lands, had to look that way.

  - We can place you're horses in stables. We build them according to lord Gilliazar's order. Usually Shirzan and his men leave their horses there. But most of the time they are empty. Will your servant go to the dungeon with you?

  - No. He will stay here and take care of the horses. Make sure he is treated well, - I took out my silver adventurer tag, and William bowed.

  - I will make sure he is well treated, lady adventurer.

  - Good.He called some villagers and they took the horses. Rick went with them, to make sure that they are in good hands, and William took me to his house.

  His wife and daughter prepared dinner and set the table by the time Rick returned. To my surprise dinner consisted of meat, and William told us that part of their supplies comes from hunting.

  - At least until the harvest time. Lord Gilliazar helped us to build the village, but we are long way from being independent.

  - Why did you agree to come here? - asked Rick.

  - To get my own piece of land. Also freedom and reduced taxes for first five years. The land here that I owe is three times bigger than I had. Some villagers also came here, after goblins burned down their houses and farms.

  - And what about the dungeon? - I asked.

  - That was unpleasant surprise. We found it while hunting. Looked like big cave, but gave us goose bumps, when we got closer. Heard that dungeons do that. We send word to lord Gilliazar, and he send here his servant Shirzan. He told us that we were right about it being the dungeon.

  - Is it far from here?

  - Two hours walk. I will take you there tomorrow.

  - Rick, you will accompany us, but you will return with village elder.

  - As you say, lady Avone.

  - Good. I want to rest now.

  - I will show you your room.

  My room probably belonged to his daughter, but it had a bed and a door, and that was all that I needed.

  Next day William took as to the dungeon. Uninhabited lands were just as I remembered them. Forest with savannah that I could see far away.

  Dungeon entrance reminded me Grimsburg dungeon. Dark cave inside a small hill.

  - I will go inside alone. If I do not return in thirty five days you my return to Grimsburg.

  - I will wait for you, and pray for your safe return, - promised Rick. I nodded and went inside.

  Dungeons did not scare me, the way they used to. Mostly thanks to my Night vision skill. I did not needed to worry that monsters will jump on me from all sides, since I could see them.

  Dungeons first floor was similar to Grimsburg dungeon. Long corridors with huge dark caverns. Monsters were also similar - big rats, giant insects, spiders and wolves covered with horns.

  I used my usual strategy, slowing them down and shooting them from a distance. Two times I encountered bigger monster packs and had to use my sword to finish the remaining pack members.

  This time I came prepared and had plenty parchments and also ink to write with. I needed almost five days to map the dungeon's first floor. I discovered entrance to second floor on the third day, but decided to complete my mapping of the first floor.

  Once I had complete map of the first floor I used the stairs to went deeper.

  Second floor was illuminated by hundreds of crystals on its ceiling, and looked like one big meadow or savannah. I did not like knee long grass, since there could be snakes or other poisonous monsters hiding in it, but I had to complete my scouting mission.

  I spend several hour walking, but did encounter anything. I was worried about the traps, but there were none. Then several meters long worm came out of the ground, right beneath my feet. I managed to jump aside, when I felt ground movement and avoided huge teeth inside worm's round mouth. He was as fat as middle sized barrel, and all his front side was one big mouth.

  He turned towards me and attacked again. I avoided his attack and cut the monster in two. He fell on earth, with green blood coming out of his body parts. That was easier than I expected. I considered how much I need his magic stone, but finally decided to cut it out. After that I was constantly attacked by these worms and giant moles, who also attack me from beneath the ground. But as long as I paid attention and avoided first surprise attack they were easy to deal with. I tried to get some sleep, but monsters attacked me, even if I did not move. I lost my count after one hundred and fifty and I had to continue my exploration without any sleep. I only got to rest next day when I found the stairs that led to the third floor. They were located in the middle of the floor, and I almost missed the entrance to next floor, by walking past it.

  Third and fourth floor were similar to first one but with glowing moss growing on the walls. All the monsters there were insect like, and on the fourth floor they hunted in huge packs. Smallest of which had dozen flying mosquitoes. Rest of them were giant centipedes, bees, leeches and even dog sized flies that spit acid on me. I had to use my bow and spells, and use my run and shoot tactic to get rid of them. But I also got lucky and found bee hive who collected honey. After getting rid of the bees I gathered their honey, in empty potion bottles that I carried in my magic bag. I had almost thirty empty potion bottles, and I was able to fill them all. That was success. Fifth floor looked like town ruins, filled with half broken stone houses. I noticed some skeletons walking around and guessed that this floor was probably filled with undead. I wanted to explore it, but was not sure about the time. I needed to get back, to make sure that I fulfill my mission on time. Getting back was easy thanks to my maps and reduced amount of monsters. Hardest to cross was second floor with worms and moles jumping from underneath, and no chance for sleep.

  But I did manage to return on time. Rick was still waiting for me, and we even had some time to spare. I could have stayed longer and rest in the village, but I wanted to check my coffea trees.

  On our way back to Grimsburg described Rick what I saw, and forced him to write the report.I returned to Grimsburg month later. Stables for my horses were ready, and I left both animals in children's care.I spend next day on the farm casting Nature blessing spell, but my plantation was doing well and was in good hands, even without me. Next day I visited adventurer guild and handed over my report and sold magic stones.

  - Thank you, - Leone registered quest completion form and handed me six silver coins. My reward for the quest.

  - Please let me know how is this duke planning to deal with the dungeon.

  - As you wish. Also miss Avone we have letter for you, - Leone passed me sealed envelope, and I looked at it surprised.

  - From who is it?

  - From sage Tanot. He asked the guild to give you it personally.

  - Thanks.I took a seat at free table and opened the letter.

  "Dear Avone,

  I am hoping that you are doing well. After your request, to show you my gratitude, I did a lot of research and exchanged several letters with my friends. I found information that may be of use for you.

  You wanted to know how to increase your level or skill level. Sadly I did not discover any way for you to increase your skill level, but I did found a way that you could use to increase your level that does not include killing monsters or other living beings.

  Turns out there are several ways how to do that. I managed to discover two. There is an ancient recipe for a potion, which even I can make, which can increase your level. But it requires an ingredient that I do not have. The ingredient is the blood of semi divine or divine being. The blood must be extracted from a living being, and the needed amount is at least equal to amount of ordinary potion. Also potions would require every time the blood from a different semi-divine being.

  The other way would require help from a sage skilled in making orbs. My friend sage Norris who lives in the capitol is one such sage. According to him it would be possible to create such an orb, but he would need twenty magic gems from low ranking floor guardians, or ten from mid-level, or one from high level floor guardian.

  Best wishes and good luck with increasing your level.

  Best regards,Tanot"

  So all the magic gems that I sold, I could have used to increase my level. That was such a waste. But even so I probably would not have enough of them even for a single orb, and I needed money. But at least there were ways for me to increase my level. Good to know.

  I spend a weak on my farm, and then visited Adventurer guild. Turned out that Leone was expecting me.

  - Miss Avone. Lord Gilliazar received your report. He consulted our guild master about the dungeon and what to do with it. Guild master Fiord wanted to talk to you about it.

  - Fine. Is he available?

  - Yes. If you would follow me, I will call him right away.

  Leone called guild master to discuss the dungeon.

  - Miss Avone. I was hoping to talk to you.

  - What is it about?

  - Leone informed me that you were interested in the dungeon, that was discovered in the uninhabited lands.

  Leone nodded, and I confirmed her words.

  - As you know, left unchecked dungeons could cause monster stampede. We could post yearly quest for dungeon cleaning, to deal with it, but it could influence lord's plans, concerning new settlements. The fact that the dungeon is located so close to Ashgrin's borders also is concern for town lord. And lord Gilliazar, has no obligation to pay for dungeon cleaning quests. All that makes the dungeon a problem. Lord Gilliazar wanted to use the dungeon for magic stone farming, but he does not have men for it, and after the war we also do not have adventurers for that. Especially after Luara's departure.

  - Sounds like a problem. For you!

  - Yes. But if you are interested in the dungeon. Perhaps we could make some kind of agreement?

  - Hmm. Tell your lord that you will try to handle this problem by hiring adventurers. But keep my name out of it. I will need month supply of food. Pay that Rick for his services too. He will need to take care of horses, like last time. Also you will need to supply me with provisions until I am finished. Cannot promise you anything as a result. And I will keep all the profits from my hunts. And no information sharing, it is boring.

  Fiord stroke his beard.

  - Fine. My I hire Rick's whole party?

  - As long as they do not get in my way. Also if they do not have horses, they will arrive later than we will.

  - That will not be a problem.

  - Thank you. I will arrange everything. Leave negotiations with lord Gilliazar and duke Frederick to me. I will send you a messenger as soon as I arrange everything.

  - Good. Also you still owe me a favor for taking Trevor with me, when we conquered the Grimsburg dungeon.

  - Yes. I did not forget. Did you want something?

  - Yes. I want you to change my, Trevor's and Luara's record in the adventurer guild.

  - That is unusual.

  - Just remove the information about our jobs and races before they changed. Or make sure that no one has access to that. This way everyone will think that our levels are lower than they actually are.

  Fiord stroked his beard: - Changing your records is impossible. But I will make sure, that no one except guild masters know how high your levels actually are.

  - Good. That will be enough.

  My negotiations went better than expected. Now I needed to prepare for my next dungeon expedition. I bought all available anti-sleep potions and spend three days casting Nature blessing, when Rick came to my farm. He brought me supplies from the guild and a letter from Adventurer guild's master Fiord.

  Guild master took care of everything and I was free to go to dungeon whenever I was ready.

  - Can you leave now? - I asked Rick.

  - I was hired and I am ready to go whenever you are.

  - Good. Then saddle the horses, we will leave today.