Dungeon Crawler Carl, #7
This Inevitable Ruin
by Matt Dinniman
Contents
Chapter 27
Overview
D’Nadia’s death officially defeats the Prism, transfers its assets to the Princess Posse, and marks Carl’s group as a force capable of reshaping faction politics inside and outside the dungeon. Carl nearly gives in to the brutal power the new recruits’ status offers him, but Donut’s influence and his own unease keep him from slaughtering captured mercenaries.
The victory is immediately undercut by strategic vulnerability, a failing northern front, and the looming live roundtable of warlords. Carl also becomes the party’s official leader, while Donut’s fear of the Ring of Divine Suffering exposes how much Carl’s pursuit of strength is threatening his identity and their bond.
Summary
After D’Nadia’s death, Carl receives Intelligence points, a major achievement, and confirmation that the Empress’s fall has serious consequences outside the dungeon. The system announces that Mongo receives credit for killing D’Nadia, the Prism is defeated, and all Prism assets now belong to the Princess Posse, though their new headquarters is vulnerable because it is non-adjoining property.
Ten gnoll mercenaries rush into the throne room. Eight are automatically converted to the Princess Posse, while two remain aligned with the Madness and the Dream. Donut orders the new recruits to stop, and Corporal Pillbox urges the other two to lower their weapons. Carl recognizes that the converted mercenaries can be controlled and killed easily during their probationary status, but he removes the Ring of Divine Suffering instead of using it against them.
Corporal Pillbox pleads for the lives of Lockjaw and Mange, explaining that the mercenaries are friends who were split among factions and never wanted to fight on the planet. Donut distrusts them, but Carl, feeling hollow after D’Nadia’s death and disturbed by his own rage, chooses a compromise: the mercenaries will be separated, the two enemies disarmed, and the Prism castle looted before the Posse abandons the vulnerable position.
Nihit, trapped by the situation, leaves with a resentful farewell, and Victory reports that Zev wants all surviving warlords on a live roundtable the next day. Victory also warns that Carl will soon hear from the northern front. Florin confirms the bad news: the northern defenses are under severe pressure, may need to retreat, and could use air support and reinforcements.
After the immediate crisis, Donut confronts Carl about a new notification: because Carl’s base stats now exceed hers, he has become party leader of the Royal Court of Princess Donut. Donut theatrically objects to any name change, and Carl reassures her, but their private exchange turns serious when Donut tells Carl the ring is changing him and scaring her. Carl admits he still thinks he needs the ring to grow stronger, and asks Donut to help keep him grounded as more trouble builds outside.
Who Appears
- CarlNew party leader; spares captured mercenaries and struggles against the ring’s violent pull.
- DonutLoots D’Nadia, commands new recruits, and warns Carl the ring is changing him.
- MongoReceives official credit for killing D’Nadia and reacts to Donut’s party-name outrage.
- D’NadiaDead Prism warlord whose killing defeats her faction and transfers its assets.
- Corporal PillboxConverted gnoll mercenary who pleads for his friends’ lives and accepts Carl’s compromise.
- LockjawMadness-aligned gnoll mercenary spared by Carl but detained for discussion.
- MangeDream-aligned gnoll mercenary and Pillbox’s cousin, spared but separated from the Posse.
- Colonel BoomerReports on the front and follows Carl’s order to retreat with recruits and loot.
- FlorinWarns that the northern front may collapse without support or reinforcements.
- VictoryAnnounces an upcoming live roundtable and leaves to observe the northern front.
- NihitResentful naga adjutant who teleports away after Prism’s defeat.