Neve after internally running the numbers on both options and after a gruelling awkward silence on Frost’s part had come to a decision. To a decision that would forever change the fate of her race, the Lunar Maidens.

She locked eyes with Frost, unwavering in the face of his natural charisma, her expression filled with determination as she stepped away from her seat. Taking no more than a few heavy steps she suddenly fell to her knees and pressed her head against the floor with an audible thunk.

"In the name of our ancestors the mighty Primordial Ice King, Shivali and his first wife Lyubava I Neve, Matriarch of the Lunar Maidens hereby swear the unwavering fealty of all my kin and myself to you, Lord Frost." Keeping her forehead pressed against the ground Neve raised her hands in a solemn and subservient manner, presenting everything to him without any reservation. "My choice is eternal service, Master." The moment she completed her oath Neve felt a sense of relief blossom in her heart, a feeling that quickly spread throughout the rest of her body. That painful and sometimes agonising weight that rested on her shoulders ever since they were attacked by the ogres had vanished, the burden now resting upon Frost’s far more sturdy frame.

Her people will have to change and from this point on they could no longer be considered as independent entities but despite this shackle being placed around their necks, binding them to Frost she felt no regrets. Even if their situation wasn’t as bad as it was now such terms were too hard to ignore. Under his wing they would once again rise to their proper place whereas without him they’d be destined for nothing but extinction. The choice was always clear she just had to put on a little show before ultimately accepting.

"Hahahaha marvellous, I welcome you Neve and all of your kin into the fold." All of Frost’s frustration dissolved in an instant, he smiled from ear to ear and even laughed loudly. "From this point forward this place is your home, your sanctuary." He boldly declared in a booming voice before invisible tendrils started to spread from within the Dungeon’s core. These twenty odd threads sought out the Lunar Maidens currently residing within the city, Neve included. Invisible to all but Frost and those with authority over the Dungeon these threads entered their bodies causing each and every maiden to suddenly freeze in place. An instant later they heard Frost’s voice ringing in their heads.

"Neve has agreed to my terms, so you are now my subjects and thus I need to establish a connection between us. That energy you feel coursing through your body is changing you, making you into one of us so don’t fight it, accept it and.... Welcome home." His voice was soothing and comforting, eliminating the natural resistance they felt towards this foreign energy in their bodies. They had previously agreed to follow whatever decision Neve came to and thus after hearing Frost’s voice each and every one of them responded in the exact same way before allowing the energy from the Dungeon’s core to change them on a genetic level.

"Thank you, Master."

Frost felt each of the Lunar Maidens willingly accepting the energy and the changes it brought them through his connection with the core and couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear, finally after 18 months he had finally succeeded in converting monsters not born from his Dungeon.

The small levels of DP he was receiving from them due to their presence on Dungeon ground gradually dwindled until eventually becoming non-existent just like his other monsters.

Neve who was still bowing started to shine, the lustre of her skin unable to be hidden despite the many layers of cloth she bore. It was reminiscent of an evolution, but the energy present was merely changing not growing in quantity or quality....but still eye catching, nonetheless. Thankfully the others were remanded to private quarters otherwise they may have caused a scene in his bustling city.

"How long does the process take Master?" Quietly asked Findley not wanting to disturb the process in any way.

"No idea, first time I’m trying it, but I don’t think it’ll be much longer." An evolution especially a higher ranking one was a volatile event that involved repeated charges against a wall until it shattered this however felt much meeker and simpler in comparison.

After about five minutes of being a miniature sun the glow surrounding Neve died down and Frost could feel a connection to her no weaker than the one he had with Findley.

"I think she’s done. Can you feel it Findley?"

"Yes Master I can feel a subtle sense of comradery." The Dungeon’s monsters especially the higher ranked ones with high intelligence could all feel a fellowship with one another, as though they were all on the same natural team.

When the transformation finished Neve rose to her feet and started inspecting her body. "So this is what it feels like to be bonded with you Master." Her voice sounded bubbly, more youthful.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes....it’s like a warm embrace from a loved one, comforting and empowering." She repeatedly opened and closed her fists as a sense of unity with her kin as well as all the other monsters under Frost’s command flowed through her. The feeling was so strong and heartwarming that tears started to fall from her eyes.

"Welcome to the family Neve." Frost got up from his seat and wiped away her tears affectionately with his thumb, but his efforts served only to aggravate her crying, reminding her of the time before the ogres attacked, when she was surrounded by thousands of her kin in harmony. Before she knew it she was wrapping her arms around him and bawling her eyes out, the tension and adrenaline that was pumping through her system since the attack finally running its complete course. She wasn’t Neve the young Matriarch of the Lunar Maidens but simply Neve in this moment, a young woman who had been forced to bear an unbearable duty with her small shoulders.

Instead of pushing her away Frost held her tight allowing her the chance to let out the feelings she had been bottling up.

"T...Th...Thank you Master." After some time had passed Neve ran out of tears and the wounds in heart started showing the first signs of recovery.

"You’re welcome Neve." Responded Frost with a warm smile before guiding her back to the sofa.

"Ma’am" Findley passed her a box of tissues like the perfect gentleman as she sat down.

"Much appreciated Sir Findley" Neve quickly took out a few of the tissues to pat her puffy eyes and wipe away any stains from her makeup before thanking him.

"My pleasure." His smile and even his expression was similar to the one used by his Master when he was charming someone but the intention behind his was completely innocent....but that didn’t make much difference to Neve who felt a small blush don her cheeks.

’He really is quite handsome.’

"Now that you’re a part of the family I’ll assign you and the rest of your kin your first duties." Frost was completely oblivious to the brief interaction between his right hand man and his new subordinate as he cast clean up magic to quickly dry his robes. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"By your will Master." Neve saluted in the same military like fashion Findley did earlier, placing her right arm across her chest and bowing her head slightly.

"Positive response gooooodd." Frost rubbed his hands together in a playful manner as his lips formed into a snide smirk. "For your first task I want you to fuck Findley."

"EH!!!"

"WHAT!!" Both Neve and Findley were equally shocked by his words.

"Hahahahaha the looks on your faces, priceless hahahahaha relax I’m obviously kidding. I wouldn’t give you such a ridiculous and cruel order."

".....Was the cruel part really necessary?" Findley felt that the comment was somewhat personal.

"For that you’d have to ask Neve here?"

"Eh? Me? Why?" The poor Lunar Maiden was so confused.

"It’s a joke Neve, a slight mocking on my part about Findley’s appearance and your supposed tastes hiding behind your aversion to such acts." It was less funny when he had to explain the joke but oh well.

Neve started to process the information, her cheeks swiftly donning an even more pronounced blush as she glanced at Findley and unconsciously whispered under her breath that cruel might be an inappropriate adjective for such circumstances, but her voice was unfortunately too quiet for either of the two to hear.

"Alright I’ve had my fun here’s the real order. Findley here who introduced himself as the commander of my forces is also my literal right hand man and the one who pretty much runs the entirety of the Dungeon." Findley stood a few orders higher than both Khuno and Yuna when it came to hierarchy. "That means he has a lot on his plate, far more than one person should." The amount of documents he produced for his earlier report dwarfed that of Yuna and Khuno. "Therefore I’d like for you to serve as his capable assistant, help take some of the load of his shoulders while at the same time getting a front seat to the inner workings of the Dungeon." Two birds one stone kinda thing.

"Ahuhha I don’t know how to run a Dungeon, Master." Such activities were beyond her scope of expertise.

"I know but you were groomed to be a leader amongst people were you not?"

"Yes."

"So you have experience managing subordinates, dealing with reports, chains of command etc...."

"Yeaaahhh."

"Then you’ll be perfect since such skills are transferrable. Once you understand the situation at hand you should recognise the similarities." Neve was a key asset, one with a wealth of experience in running a large tribe so of course he wanted to leverage such skills to his advantage.

"Findley do you have a problem with taking Neve under your wing?" The ice troll commander looked at the young woman by his side.

"If she has the skills to keep up then no." He tried several times to enlist his fellow ice trolls as assistants but none of them could take the pressure.

"Skills? Oh I’ll show you skills Sir Findley." Neve’s competitive spirit was ignited.

"Great so we’re in agreement, Neve you’ll help Findley with his work while I’ll order the rest of your kin to mingle and interact with the city and Dungeon at large, get them used to their new home and hopefully they’ll come to understand that there’s no reason to shun others." He wanted to start cutting away at their traditions by first introducing them to a world beyond isolation.

"Come with me newbie there’s a lot you need to learn."

"N...Newbie?"

"What you don’t like the nickname?"

"I preferred it when you called me ma’am like a gentleman."

"Hmph that was before you were my subordinate, chop chop."

Findley quickly used the teleportation function of the Dungeon to bring Neve to his office so he could start her orientation.

"Haaaaa so much work, I need a break." Once the two left Frost let out a sigh before a lustful expression appeared on his face. A moment later he teleported to the private space and stormed into the master bedroom to see his lovers awake and just polishing off the meals Nanna prepared for them.

"Ahh not now dammit we just started to recover!"

"Damn insatiable beast!" And thus Maya and Daki had to suffer another session of Frost’s boundless loving.