Side: Kazuya Torino (Alias: Yuki)
After the King finishes his long bout of shouting, I continue the conversation.
"I don't have proof. Whether you believe me or not is up to you. But don't worry—I'm not helping you out of the goodness of my heart."
From the start, "goodwill" has been a secondary concern. Sorry to be blunt, but I'm going to use this situation for my own survival.
『...You certainly speak plainly. However, I wouldn't believe you if you claimed there was no hidden agenda. In fact, your honesty is quite refreshing in this setting. Nuhahaha!!』
Roshure VI laughs it off. Judging by this short talk, the King himself isn't a bad guy, but I guess the times he lives in are just that messy.
『Dear Father, for now, why don't we listen to the Dungeon Master's demands?』
『True. Dungeon Master, what do you desire in exchange for lending us your aid? And what benefit do I receive?』
Well, I've pretty much got them cornered. Though, even if they refused and raised a subjugation army, that would have its own "benefits" for me.
"It's simple. By your order... no, I'll handle that part myself. I intend to establish a village or a town within this dungeon. So, I want you to spread the word to your people that this dungeon is harmless."
『A village inside a dungeon? A town? Why on earth is there a need for such a thing?』
"I'll have to explain that from the beginning. It'll be a bit long. Elju, Oriel, and Seraria—I know it's tedious, but listen one more time. What I'm about to say is the core of my vision."
"Yuki, what do you mean? Were you still keeping secrets from us?"
"Of course. Who shows their entire hand right from the start?"
I pause for a moment. Everyone in the room fixes their gaze on me.
"Alright, let's begin the explanation. We'll do it Q and A style as we go. It's a long story, and if we wait until the end for questions, you'll probably forget them."
"Understood."
"I understand."
"Very well."
The three on my end agree.
『I don't mind either.』
『No problem on my part.』
『...Understood.』
『We three agree as well.』
Everyone is on board. Let's do this.
『Hmm? Do they not simply occur naturally?』
『Father, that's not it. He's asking about the fundamental reason why they occur.』
『In that case, here is my own interpretation. Based on historical texts, dungeons appear to be structured in a way that lures in humans and beasts. In a normal cave, things like treasure chests wouldn't exist, but in a dungeon, they are common reports. Therefore, a dungeon must have a reason to attract life... perhaps food to sustain itself?』
Ho. This Saintess named Rurua is actually quite sharp. I guess that's why she was shunned by the higher-ups.
"You're mostly right—at least regarding this dungeon. Don't assume every other dungeon is exactly the same, but listen..."
I then explain the concept of DP and the various methods used to acquire it.
『I see. So, as the Dungeon Master, you believe that instead of earning DP through constant conflict, it is more efficient in the long run to have people living within the dungeon?』
"I don't think it's any different for you. If you occupy your own territory or an enemy nation, do you tax the people so heavily that they starve to death?"
『We do not. However, how do you explain other dungeons? Many Dungeon Masters in the records are passed down as legends of pure calamity.』
"You know the answer to that. Are your countries composed entirely of noble souls who are never blinded by gold or power?"
『No... our current situation is proof enough of that.』
The King shakes his head with a self-deprecating look.
"...Wait a minute. Then isn't our current situation quite bad?"
Seraria interjects.
"What do you mean, Chii-anesama?"
"I see... Elju-sama. How is this dungeon currently perceived by the world?"
"They are seen as gateways to death that must be subjugated immediately. However, some dungeons are used for training... compared to those, the dungeon Yuki-san is building is... ah."
"Yes, that's the problem. I don't know the exact results of the battle before we reached this room, but..."
"He just achieved a perfect, bloodless victory against Roshure's Royal Guard..."
Seraria says, clutching her head.
『W-What!? Even if their numbers weren't large, they're my elite forces!』
『...!』
The King and Rurua are shocked. In contrast, Princess Aria is actually smiling. I'm really not good with people like her.
"So, Yuki, what are you going to do about that? Right now, the reputation of this dungeon is undoubtedly at the level of the legends. It'll be seen as the 'Worst Dungeon' imaginable."
"That's not an issue. Even though it was a total victory, the actual casualties aren't that high. Over 1,500 are still perfectly fine. If these survivors return safely, it shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"No, Yuki, you're wrong. The mere fact that the Royal Guard was sent packing without being able to do a single thing will cement this dungeon's reputation."
『And if you try to build a village or town under those circumstances, the backlash from the citizens and officials will be immense. I wouldn't be able to provide any support.』
Heh heh heh heh. This is mostly going according to plan.
"Well, if you only look at the reputation inside the dungeon, sure. But tell me, what happens if word gets out that the Royal Guard was defeated by a force outside the country?"
『...Considering the Holy Nation of Rithea's schemes, they would see it as a perfect chance to conspire with Gartz and conquer Roshure. They'd use Elju's situation to claim we disturbed the world order with a 'Fake Saint'.』
"Exactly. So, what do you think the solution is?"
『Either making this dungeon subjugation appear successful, or a total gag order on the defeat.』
"Which do you prefer?"
『Which...? Do you have a plan?』
"Yeah. We just make it so that Elju 'died.' That settles everything—domestically and internationally."
"Eh!? I'm going to be killed!?"
"Calm down, Elju. He said 'make it so.' It's a fake. Don't worry, I will absolutely protect you!!" Seraria shouts.
Yeah, if she didn't say that, my ears would probably fall off from the drama. I've stopped being subtle.
『I see. Elju being alive is a hindrance to the Holy Nation of Rithea. If she lives, they know the Elju in the dungeon is the real one. They would surely target her for assassination. Furthermore, they likely have spies everywhere. This would give Rithea the perfect excuse to attack.』
"That's the gist of it. It doesn't matter if the dungeon's reputation isn't 'fixed'. I can just build a new dungeon and start a village or town there anyway."
"Oh, right... you mentioned you could do that as long as you have a Dungeon Core... Yuki, you really didn't care which way this went, did you?"
"I told you, it was an experiment. I confirmed I can handle an army. Whether I build a new one or improve this one, I can make it even stronger now. I have to create an environment where the people living in the dungeon can stay safe, after all."
"Stronger than this? That's terrifying. Even now, it's already like this..."
Seraria says, exasperated.
『W-Wait a moment!! What do you mean you can just 'make' one if you have a core!? Can a Dungeon Master even survive without their core!?』
Rurua is astonished. I guess I hadn't explained that part to her.
"The things you probably thought were 'Dungeon Masters' were likely just the Bosses of those dungeons. If they disappear when the core is taken, it means they were controlled by it."
『You casually revealed something incredible! So Dungeon Bosses and Dungeon Masters are not the same!?』
"I've heard the rough stories from Elju and the others. If they're the same as me, then real Dungeon Masters are extremely rare."
『T-To think... how do you even generate a Dungeon Core!?』
"I can refine them with DP, of course."
『Please wait—then does that mean every time someone enters an existing dungeon...』
"It means they're helping other Dungeon Masters earn DP to refine more cores and expand their dungeons. Congratulations. Though, if the Master dies, no further construction happens and DP just accumulates in the core."
『Does that mean even the dungeons used for training...』
"It's possible. If I touch a Dungeon Core, I could take control of it."
『Then please come immediately!! It would be far better for you to control them than for some unknown person to create more dungeons!?』
Rurua looked like her head was spinning.
"No way. I don't want to die yet. If you want to drag me out into the world, accept my conditions first and stabilize the political situation."
『If I refused to cooperate and decided to crush you instead, what would you do?』
King Roshure looks at me, testing me.
"I told you, I don't care either way. If you return a favor with a grudge, I won't be merciful next time. I'll kill you and turn you into DP. Even if you break our promise, I'll just abandon this dungeon and build another elsewhere. What I've gained here is already more than enough—it's only been 23 days since I started this dungeon. At this point, everything else is just a bonus."
"Um, Yuki-san, does that mean the only ones who have entered the dungeon so far are..."
"Yeah, just Elju's group and the Roshure army currently here."
『To achieve a total victory against an army in a dungeon that has existed for so little time... it is as Seraria says. You are truly frightening.』
"So? What'll it be? I'm fine with either choice."
King Roshure slumps his shoulders.
『I shall accept your proposal. However, I have one request I must insist upon. Will you shelter Elju? There is likely no place safer than your dungeon. As a father, I am a failure, but if I am asked to choose between Elju and the lives of my citizens, I choose the citizens. You may think me heartless.』
The King bows deeply toward me.
"No. I respect that decision as a ruler. King Roshure, I have decided to trust you. I swear to protect Princess Elju as long as you do not betray my trust. If she lives, and once the situation settles, there may come a day when the truth is made public and she can walk in the sun again."
When I reply, everyone stares at me for some reason.
What? I pay respect where respect is due.
"...What's gotten into you, Yuki? It's not that it doesn't suit you, but it's unlike you."
Seraria looks at me as if she's seeing something unbelievable.
"Yuki-san... thank you... thank you so much...!"
Elju is sobbing.
The others are looking at me like I'm some strange creature.
"Alright, the cooperation is decided. We'll worry about dungeon management after we get through this mess. First, since we know Rithea is involved, we need to change the plan. Your Majesty, there are things I need you to help with."
『I understand. That comes first. So, what is the plan?』
I grin and continue.
"First, we smoke out the pests inside Roshure. At the same time, we'll send a little 'deterrent' to the Holy Nation of Rithea."
Well, this is the grand finale.
To think that in the process of running a dungeon, I'd end up having to stabilize an entire kingdom. I had it as a goal eventually, but I didn't expect to get my hands on it this early.
Whether this is good luck or bad luck... who knows.
