The path to the Primordial Slime's chamber was long and silent. Every echo of his footsteps seemed to fade into the vastness of the dungeon.
Along the way, Lucien's thoughts drifted to his pets. He had chosen not to bring them.
Strangely, he could sense their auras lingering outside the dungeon. Through their mental link, he could feel their desire to follow him.
But then, he sent one last command through the bond they shared.
"Take care of everyone while I'm away."
A wave of emotions rippled back to him. Then, silence followed… as though the entire world was holding its breath.
They had grown far beyond what he first imagined. Now, they could open the cube drops on their own. It's a feat that once only he could accomplish. Ever since they learned to wield divine energy, that privilege had expanded to them as well.
"They'll manage," he murmured under his breath. "Maybe even better without me."
