Dungeon Crawler Carl, #7
This Inevitable Ruin
by Matt Dinniman
Contents
Chapter 26
Overview
Carl and Donut corner Empress D’Nadia in the Prism throne room, dismantle her shields, and expose her hidden weapons and deliberate self-injury. Carl successfully marks her with the Ring of Divine Suffering, turning the confrontation from a simple capture attempt into a personal reckoning.
D’Nadia’s pleas and excuses ignite Carl’s hatred, especially over her treatment of Tsarina Signet and her desire to kill crawlers in Faction Wars. Donut prevents Carl from giving in to that rage, preserving Carl’s control while preparing to let Mongo deliver symbolic revenge.
Summary
Carl and Donut enter the Prism throne room after D’Nadia’s guards are neutralized by hunter-seeker explosions. Carl spares the unconscious rhino guard for the moment, restrains him with duct tape, and orders Rend to watch him. Because multiple factions occupy the room, the Prism capture timer does not begin.
Expecting D’Nadia to have shields, water magic, and hidden weapons, Carl and Donut enter under smoke with their own defenses active. D’Nadia immediately fires a magical crossbow at Carl, but Carl’s shield absorbs it. Carl repeatedly throws non-magical banger spheres to stun and stagger D’Nadia without triggering magic defenses, while Donut notices the throne room has no throne.
The Prism adjutant is revealed to be Nihit, the reporter Carl previously attacked, and Victory recognizes him. D’Nadia tries to shoot Donut from under her gown, prompting Carl and Donut to strip away her layered shield modules. Donut sends the clockwork Mongos to tear apart D’Nadia’s elaborate dress and defenses, exposing her Saccathian body, hidden weapons, and the knife she has been using to keep herself slightly injured.
Carl heals D’Nadia to full health so the Ring of Divine Suffering can mark her, then successfully tags her for Intelligence. Donut keeps D’Nadia hurt but alive while outside threats build: Louis reports Prism mercenaries entering the building, and Boomer warns that enemy artillery is beginning to target his position.
D’Nadia pleads for mercy by reminding Donut that she once sponsored her, but Carl confronts D’Nadia about Tsarina Signet and about D’Nadia’s desire to enter Faction Wars and kill crawlers. Carl’s rage becomes overwhelming, and Carl nearly decides to kill D’Nadia personally. Donut urges Carl to calm down, and when the mark fully forms, Carl steps back from the edge and lets Donut take over; Donut calmly announces that Mongo wants to express his disappointment over D’Nadia’s pet-show judgment.
Who Appears
- CarlLeads the throne-room assault, marks D’Nadia, and nearly loses control to rage.
- Princess DonutCoordinates Mongo and the clockworks, restrains Carl emotionally, and prepares D’Nadia’s punishment.
- Empress D’NadiaPrism warlord; uses shields, weapons, and self-injury before being exposed and marked.
- MongoDonut’s raptor companion; held back while Donut sets up his revenge.
- Clockwork MongosSummoned duplicates that shred D’Nadia’s shields, dress, weapons, and health.
- NihitPrism adjutant and former reporter, silently witnesses D’Nadia’s defeat.
- VictoryAdjutant accompanying Carl’s side, recognizes Nihit in the throne room.
- RendGuards the unconscious rhino samurai outside the throne room.
- LouisReports incoming mercenaries outside Prism headquarters and awaits Carl’s orders.
- Colonel BoomerWarns Carl that remaining enemy artillery is beginning to target his position.