Well, all that's left for today is dinner... I wonder what I should do until then?
Even if I wanted to start remodeling the dungeon, it's pointless without a proper meeting with everyone first. And as for increasing my monster units, it's more efficient to wait until the layout is finalized so I can match the spawns to the environment.
"Should I brainstorm some traps?"
I muttered to myself in my room.
"...Traps? For the dungeon?"
Labyris, who had claimed my lap as her permanent residence, looked up at me.
With her long purple hair tied in twin tails and her sharp, doll-like eyes, she's a striking girl. Unlike Aslin, she's quite well-endowed—let's call them two "melons." Watermelons would be taking the metaphor a bit too far.
As I've mentioned before, she's probably under 140cm. I really should do a proper physical check-up for everyone soon. Not for any lewd reasons, mind you—it's for health management.
"Yeah. We're all going to sit down and figure out the dungeon layout tomorrow. If I tinker with it now, I'll just end up changing it again. So, the only productive thing I can do right now is think up trap designs."
"I see. I'll help you think."
"Really? Alright, let's brainstorm together."
"I'll come up with something that'll make people jump in surprise."
"Keep in mind it's for defending the dungeon. It's not just about killing; dampening the enemy's fighting spirit and morale is just as important."
"...That sounds difficult."
And so, the two of us began jotting down every trap idea that came to mind onto sheets of paper.
"Come to think of it, Labyris, you can write. Can Aslin and the others write too?"
"...No. Not many people can read or write. It's not necessary for normal survival."
Is the literacy rate here that behind? Or was Japan's literacy rate just an anomaly? Either way, it's definitely lower than modern Earth. I might need to build a school eventually. It's a grand plan, but since I'm ageless, I can afford to take it slow.
"Hey, how about something like this?"
"Ooh, you thought of that? Man... Labyris, were you born into a high-ranking family or something?"
"...I don't want to talk about it. But believe me, I want to stay with you, Yuki."
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. Don't worry about it."
"Mm."
When I stroked her head, she narrowed her eyes contentedly.
"Hey, Labyris. Why do you trust me so much? To be honest, I feel like it's a bit too early for this level of faith."
All I did was keep a spur-of-the-moment promise. I can't even guarantee I'll be able to keep all my promises in the future.
"But Yuki kept that promise. I believe you'll continue to treat us well from now on."
"Ah, right. That 'Eyes of Truth' skill? Can you really read minds?"
"...Not just anyone's. Only if the other person truly trusts me from the bottom of their heart. And we have to be in physical contact."
"So it's not that convenient, huh?"
"...? Aren't you afraid of me? My father, my mother, even my grandfather... the moment they found out I could read minds, their hearts became invisible to me..."
Ah, the classic trope.
Seriously, people—if you don't want your mind read, don't do things you're ashamed of.
Is it scary to have no secrets? Maybe to a stranger, but for parents to react that way... well, I'm not in a position to judge. It must be exhausting to have your every thought laid bare 24/7.
"Yes. When I was little, I did it because I thought my parents and the people around me would be happy. But the result was the opposite."
She's still plenty "little" now.
"...How rude."
She sat up and threw her full weight against me. Even if she's small, she can pack a punch when she puts her back into it.
"But wait, is it okay to tell me that? Isn't that related to why you were made a slave? I thought you didn't want to talk about it."
"...I didn't 'tell' you. I just explained my skill. Right?"
"Well, I can make guesses, but that doesn't mean they're right or that I have all the details."
I stopped the pen I was using to sketch traps. My gaze drifted to the other two, who were tucked into their futons in the same room, napping away.
"They're out cold."
"...Yes. I never thought I'd see them look so peaceful. Thank you."
"Don't thank me. You know the score. I'm just using you all for my own ends."
I've never tried to hide it; I've stated it clearly from the start. Forcing cooperation would be a poor move for the long term.
"...Fufu."
Labyris looked at me and let out a rare giggle.
"What? I thought I said something pretty cold."
"...True. You're cold, yet gentle. Warm. It's strange. How can someone be cold and warm at the same time?"
"Beats me. You're the one who said it."
"...I know this is considered unrefined, but since you seem so unaware of yourself, Yuki, I'll say it. If you were truly cold, you'd just move us to some place where we wouldn't bother you and say nothing. Our reputation wouldn't change your plans at all. And yet, you go out of your way to explain everything to us—to me. What else would you call that but cold-yet-warm?"
"That's just my personal integrity. Since I'm the one binding you all to my will."
"...You have a way with words. From our perspective, you've given us an unbelievable amount of peace and happiness, yet you—Yuki—feel guilty about it. It's almost as if you want us to say we don't want to help."
Labyris stared straight at me.
Sigh. She really does see right through me.
"If you can read minds, you've probably seen some of it, haven't you? The mountain of problems waiting for us. If you're as smart as I think, you can predict what's coming."
"...I can guess to an extent. Even a child could see that having so many different races living together will be a massive headache... I realized that even more after seeing the 'level' of things inside your head, Yuki. It's definitely going to turn out that way."
"That's why. Honestly... I don't want to involve you, but I will have to involve people. But, seeing you all like this..."
Using them as mere pawns to achieve my goals hurts my conscience. Killing for defense was one thing. Using dungeon traps to kill is technically the same as doing it with my own hands, and I can stomach that. But from here on out, I'll inevitably have to offer up "sacrifices" to achieve our objectives.
This dungeon will definitely be attacked, and there will be times when we have to take the offensive. And those standing on the front lines will likely be Labyris and the others.
I know it. I can feel it. I will end up using them for my own purposes. In the worst-case scenario, they might die. It's the part of me that makes these plans that I hate the most.
...Should I just let them live in peace?
It's dangerous, but if I stand at the front, they won't have to face any threats.
As I was lost in thought, Labyris slapped me across the cheek.
"...Huh? I just got hit? What happened to the skill protection?"
"Ara? I see. Acts intended 'for Yuki's benefit' are permitted. Though I doubt I could do anything lethal."
That makes sense. Otherwise, those under Designated Protection couldn't even spar together, and there are times when a slap is exactly what's needed to snap someone out of it.
"...By the way, you can drop that line of thinking. It's insulting. We aren't baby birds. we'll choose to follow you of our own free will."
Labyris glared at me.
If I said the wrong thing, I felt like another slap was coming my way. I know my thinking is arrogant, but... well. Between my life and theirs, the scales in my heart are wobbling. Actually, if I weren't the Dungeon Master, I'd probably lean entirely toward saving them.
"...Sigh. I'm glad you're the Dungeon Master, Yuki. To say something so sweet... If we had met under normal circumstances, I suppose you would have just kept us somewhere safe forever. Without us ever knowing anything."
That sounds like me... No, I definitely would have done that.
As I thought about it, Labyris hopped off my lap and gave a deep, formal bow. She was in a yukata, of course. Since I hadn't had time to prepare underwear for everyone, no one was wearing any.
"...You really can't stay serious until the end, can you, Yuki?"
"Sorry."
Did it show on my face?
Labyris bowed formally again and addressed me.
"...My beloved. I, Labyris, vow to be with you until the very end—in happiness and in sorrow. As your sword, as your shield, and as your beloved. I swear it."
Her voice was uncharacteristically clear and dignified.
"...Does this mean I can't even use a last-ditch self-destruct move?"
"...If by 'self-destruct' you mean suicide, then at the very least, Ratz and I will be going with you."
"That vow was pretty one-sided, wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was. It was my own selfish declaration. There's no such thing as a marriage that doesn't require the other person's consent."
"...So basically, I can't refuse."
"Exactly. If you accept me, I can even say the wedding vows right here."
"...Err, sorry. Give me a little more time. Back where I come from, laying a hand on a girl like you would get me arrested. I still have some mental hang-ups."
At my answer, Labyris looked bored and climbed back onto my lap.
"...I hate the laws of your homeland. Fine, we'll take it slow."
"Please go easy on me."
And so, the two of us went back to brainstorming traps.
