The message [JUDGES' DELIBERATION IN PROGRESS...] shimmered on the giant Scry-Screens, holding the entire stadium in a state of tense, expectant silence. The laughter had died down, replaced by a buzzing curiosity.

No one had ever seen anything like what The Comfy Corner had just done. And no one, even all the judges, don't seemed to know what to do about it.

In my own quiet dungeon lobby, the tension was just as serious as after the second event.

'What's taking them so long?' ​FaeLina's confident coaching persona had evaporated. She was back to being a nervous wreck, zipping back and forth as if she were on trial for her life. 'They're inventing a new rule to disqualify us, aren't they?' her thought was like a worried buzz. 'I bet that's what it is! 'Clause 42-C: Bedtime stories are not a valid form of boss encounter! 'We're really doomed!'

​'Be patient,' I projected, though my own core was humming with a low, anxious energy. All my carefull plans and all my clever loopholes, came down to the opinions of very different and powerful people.

​Finally, the commentator's voice returned, crackling with excitement. "Folks, our judges have reached a verdict! I am being told this was the most difficult and controversial scoring in the history of the Dungeon League! Let's see the results for 'The Chamber of Terror'!"

​Then the Scry-Screen changed, showing a formal scoring sheet. My team and I watched, holding our breath and the first score appeared.

​JUDGE: Archmage Tiberius (From Royal Academy of Magic)

Terror Rating: 0/100

Innovation: 10/100

Comment: Point one: The 'sleep magic' was a simple, low-level spell. Barely worth a mention.

Point two: The 'boss' was a plush toy that offered a bedtime story. This is a complete violation of a dungeon's purpose.

Conclusion: A complete failure.

​FaeLina groaned. 'A zero for terror! We're starting with a zero!'

​But then the next score appeared.

​JUDGE: Maestro Valerius (From the Bard's College)

Terror Rating: 100/100

Innovation: 100/100

Comment: This wasn't a battle; it was a work of art! What's scarier than a monster? Making a hero forget he's a hero! It was a brilliant piece of psychological theater! A tragedy! A comedy! Give this dungeon all the awards!

​FaeLina was now completely confused. 'A zero and a perfect score? That's not helpful! What does that even mean?!'

​The third score came from Inspector Barnaby.

​JUDGE: Inspector Barnaby (DLRB Representative)

Terror Rating: 5/100

Innovation: 75/100

Comment: The adventurers did not scream or run away, which are the standard signs of terror. However, the official report shows they did suffer from 'deep confusion' and a 'complete loss of the will to fight.' According to DLRB rule 113.8, this technically counts as 'morale damage.' The use of a 'bedtime story' as a boss weapon is not currently in the rulebook, so I will have to file a new appendix. And the paperwork for this will be a nightmare.

​Finally It all came down to the head judge.

The screen flashed with High Adjudicator Thistlewick's name. The live feed showed him in the Royal Box, his face have a mask of stone.

​HEAD JUDGE: High Adjudicator Thistlewick

Terror Rating: 0/100

Innovation: 0/100

Comment: This is not a dungeon. This is a nursery. My score reflects my professional disgust.

​The crowd gasped and FaeLina let out a psychic squeak of pure, unadulterated despair.

​Two zeroes. It was over. All our cleverness, all our hard work on the perfect nap room, it all came crashing down. Our average score would be a disaster.

The commentator cleared his throat, a sad note in his voice, ready to announce our failure to the world.

​But before he could even begin to calculate the final, failing score, a new voice boomed through the arena. It was not the commentator's. This voice was deeper, richer, and carried a natural, magical authority that silenced the entire stadium in an instant.

​It was King Caspian, speaking from his throne.

​"As the Royal Patron of this tournament," the King declared, his voice filled with a deep and undeniable amusement that echoed in the sudden, pin-drop silence, "I believe it is my right and my duty to recognize true innovation when I see it. And what I have just witnessed is perhaps the most innovative piece of dungeoneering in a generation."

​High Adjudicator Thistlewick, sitting beside him, looked horrified. His face went from purple with rage to pale with shock. He clearly had not been consulted or informed about this.

​"Therefore," the King continued, a wide, magnificent grin spreading across his face, "I am exercising my Royal Prerogative to award a special, one-time 'Patron's Prize' for the dungeon that has provided the most entertainment to the kingdom, and, more importantly, to myself."

​He let the words hang in the air for a dramatic moment.

​And "The prize," he announced, "is one hundred bonus points, to be awarded to the category of my choosing. And I believe the 'Innovation' of The Comfy Corner was a truly historic moment."

​He turned his smiling gaze directly on his fuming head judge. "Adjudicator, please update the score."

​On the giant Scry-Screen, the score for Thistlewick's Innovation rating flickered. The big, fat 0 vanished, and was replaced by a shimmering golden 100 number.

​The commentator was frantically recalculating, his voice trembling with excitement. "The scores are now finalized! Let's see the final standings for the 'Chamber of Terror' event!"

​A new scoreboard appeared on the Scry-Screen, showing the results.

​"In fourth place, with a respectable Terror score of 70 but a low Innovation score of 10, for a final average of 40 points, is the Blood Pit!"

​"In third place, with a terrifying Terror score of 85 but a lower Innovation score of 40, for a final average of 62.5 points, is the mighty Obsidian Forge!"

​"In a very close second place, with a chilling Terror score of 90 and an Innovation of 50, for a final average of 70 points, is the elegant and deadly Sylvanheart Maze!"

​Then the commentator took a deep, dramatic breath.

​"And now, the final score for The Comfy Corner! With a Terror Rating of... 5... from Inspector Barnaby, and an average Innovation score that has been boosted to a legendary 71.25 by the King's Royal Prerogative... giving them a final, unbelievable average score of 76.25 points! I don't believe it, folks! The Comfy Corner has won the Chamber of Terror!"

​A wave of stunned silence, followed by a deafening roar of cheers and laughter, swept the stadium.

​In their private boxes, the kingdom's powerful figures reacted. Duke Valerius was on his feet, a proud, beaming smile on his face as he applauded. The bearded Thane from the Blackrock dwarves let out a booming laugh, while the elven Lord from the Silverwood just shook his head, a look of elegant disgust on his face. The gnomish representative was furiously scribbling notes, and the lion-man from the Beastkin Clans just watched with a thoughtful, predatory grin.

​FaeLina was speechless and My core hummed with a quiet, disbelieving warmth.

​We had just won the 'Chamber of Terror' event. Not with terror. But with a bedtime story, and the direct intervention of a very amused King.

_____

Author note:

And the King steps in! I love a good Royal Intervention. Mochi just won a 'Terror' event with a score of zero for terror, all because the King thought it was funny. High Adjudicator Thistlewick must be so, so mad right now.

The judges' comments are my favorite part to write. A perfect 100 from the Bard, a technical pass from the Bureaucrat, a zero from the Academic, and a protest-zero from the Head Judge. It's a beautiful, chaotic mess.

Our little dungeon has now won two events through loopholes and royal favoritism. The other competitors are not going to be happy about this. The main tournament is about to get very interesting. Thanks for reading!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.