Side: Seraria
"Seraria-dono, Rurua-dono, we are deeply grateful for this information. With this, our top-secret mission has succeeded. I shall personally convey this to the King of Roshure."
King Gartz concluded after hearing the full story.
"Oh, please wait a moment. As I mentioned earlier, that was merely a side issue for us. There is a main topic we would like to discuss. May we proceed?"
"Hm? Something even more significant than what we just discussed?"
"Yes. What we just spoke of was about maintaining peace. What we are about to discuss is about the future."
"The future?"
"Indeed. You will understand once you hear what we have to say. But first, how shall we proceed? Should we take a short break? I expect this will be a somewhat lengthy conversation."
I scanned the faces of the Gartz royals.
Most likely, this is going to be one shock after another. A break might not exactly "prepare" them, but it might make them a little more resilient.
"Well, we've just finished eating. I don't mind continuing as we are, but what about the rest of you?"
"Is that alright, Father? Shouldn't we hear this formally?"
"In any case, this is unofficial. If it's a proper discussion, we can review it again properly after hearing it here."
"True. In that case, I have no objections."
"I have no problem either."
"We're just relaxing over tea, and it's Seraria we're talking to. I'm in!"
"Neesan... watch your phrasing. She is still a princess of an allied nation."
It's certainly a relaxed atmosphere for a talk. If a problem arises, we can just stop for a breather then.
"It seems everyone is ready. Seraria-dono, would you let us hear this 'main subject' of yours?"
"Yes, of course."
Now then... I suppose I should start with the explanation.
It's a bit of a hassle that I have to be the one to do it. Since I am the public-facing administrator of the dungeon, it would be inappropriate for my husband to lead the explanation. Even if he speaks, he'll have to act as my assistant.
Ideally, I'd love to reveal him as the Dungeon Master, but that would make everyone think Roshure has gone mad. As he said, I have to remain the figurehead.
"The main subject I wish to discuss is trade with my territory—the Dungeon."
"...That sounds standard enough. Why the theatrics? It's only natural for neighbors to trade."
"Well, do you understand what it means to have tamed a dungeon?"
"You mean conquering it?"
"No. We have succeeded in controlling the dungeon. In other words, we can produce things within the dungeon at will. For instance, we can summon monsters."
"...Is that not a massive achievement? But is it not dangerous?"
"You have all already confirmed the safety for yourselves."
"What do you mean?"
Fufu, to think they wouldn't notice until I pointed it out. Doppelgangers really are impressive.
"Everyone who came to Gartz this time—including myself, Sheila, and Killue—is currently utilizing controlled Doppelganger monsters. In short, we are all 'fakes.' Though our consciousness is the real thing."
"""WHAT!?"""
The Gartz royals stared at us, eyes wide with shock.
"...No matter how I look at you, you seem perfectly real..."
"I heard Doppelgangers only mimic form, and that anyone who knows the person would see through it immediately..."
"Yes, that is normally true. However, dungeon monsters can be modified. And a Dungeon Master does not leave the dungeon for the sake of safety."
"...I see. So the Doppelganger was originally intended as a temporary vessel for the Master to interact with the outside world?"
"Well, I only learned of their true nature after we gained control of the dungeon. This is how I choose to use them."
"In terms of protecting high-value targets, there is no better measure. A perfect body double... how remarkable."
Higil noted, genuinely impressed.
"Do you understand now? Despite being monsters, we mean you no harm. If you still doubt us... well, shall I summon a Blood Minotaur?"
"W-Wait! Summoning a monster like that would cause a panic! We believe you about the dungeon control!"
Higil said hurriedly, and the others nodded in agreement.
"Thank you. However, this is only the beginning."
"Th-This is only the beginning...?"
"Yes, as I said from the start, our goal is trade. Shall we show you the trade goods? Ratz?"
I caught Ratz's eye, and she nodded.
"Allow me to introduce Ratz, the commercial representative for the dungeon, and Narjia, the head of the Fairy Clan and our representative for smithing."
"F-Fairies? Where are they?"
"You can show yourself, Narjia."
"Yes, yes. I thought you'd forgotten about me."
"""!!?"""
From the perspective of the Gartz group, Narjia seemed to appear out of thin air, but she had been standing right there next to me, hidden by invisibility magic the entire time.
"I-Impossible! We used special methods to ensure magic cannot be used in this room!"
"Hmm, it certainly makes it harder to manifest... but look." Narjia waved her hand, and several fireballs appeared in the air. "For someone of my level, it's not much of an issue. Oh, don't worry. Normally, no one could pull this off."
She then vanished the flames.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Narjia, representative of the Fairy Clan and head of smithing at the dungeon."
"I... I see. It appears you are the real deal..."
"Yes, that's why I stayed hidden until now. I believe you've seen enough to know we have no hostile intent."
Fufu, everything is going according to plan. Since they are now certain she is a Fairy, any hostility toward us would mean making an enemy of the Fairy Clan as well.
"Um... Narjia took my spotlight a bit... My name is Ratz, and I am the commercial representative for the dungeon. I am also one of Yuki-san's concubines."
"Oho! So Yuki-dono has a Rabbit-kin for a wife as well!"
King Gartz seemed strangely delighted to address my husband.
Come to think of it, Sheila is Rabbit-kin too.
"Y-Yes. She is a wonderful wife."
"Umu umu. I was worried if you could handle three women like Seraria-dono, Rurua-dono, and Sheila, but to have other concubines as well... You don't quite match my record, but you have potential. I shall send some of my secret 'night elixirs' to your room. You might just catch up to me yet—you need at least four or five more, though..."
"...Father. That is a bit vulgar."
"...Father. We are in the middle of an important discussion."
The King was promptly shut down by his son and daughter...
Though, I think I'll take that medicine. It might be fun to see him get a bit more aggressive.
"Anyway. For this visit, we have brought many items as gifts, which we also intend to use as future trade goods. I will introduce them now."
Ratz said, pulling the prepared items from her Item Box one after another. Narjia also introduced the armaments crafted by the Fairies.
"Oho. This 'Whiskey,' you called it? It's strong, but delicious!"
"Indeed. But for me, this sword Narjia-dono brought—is it the same 'Katana' style as Seraria-dono's? The sharpness and enchantment are magnificent."
"Seraria, that's unfair!! This armor is incredible! You have unlimited access to stuff like this!?"
"Ara? This is delicious. You called it a cream puff? I'd very much like this to be a primary trade item."
"W-What is this white paper!? And this pen!? It writes without ink!? No, is the ink inside it? But how...?"
It seemed the goods were a hit.
"Umu. With quality like this... there is no reason to refuse trade."
"Father, please wait. If we only import goods, we'll run dry on our side. Seraria-dono, what do you intend to purchase from our country?"
"That is exactly what we need to discuss. We felt that if we simply forced our convenient goods on you, it would cause chaos in your markets."
"...Indeed. We should start slowly and see how things go. From our side... I recommend our wheat. We have other things, but wheat is what comes to mind first."
"Agreed. We would like to purchase your wheat as our primary import."
"Yes, gladly. Trade is not trade if only one side benefits. Since the cream puffs Sharu-dono liked are made from wheat too, how about we teach you the recipe and have Gartz develop its own unique cream puffs?"
"...That is an excellent idea. We may run out of parchment at this rate."
"In that case, please use this paper."
Ratz handed over a large stack of copy paper.
"Elder Sister, I'll handle the record-keeping here! You don't seem to know how to use a ballpoint pen yet."
"Yes, I'll leave it to you, Higil."
After that, we had a lively meeting for a while, with various lively discussions... The main participants were myself, Ratz, Narjia, Teak, Sharl, and Higil.
The others were busy inspecting and playing with the items we had brought. Good grief...
"However, with trade goods of this caliber... it would be a massive loss if they were taken by bandits or lost to disasters."
"True. Once the value of these goods is known, the number of bandits targeting the shipments will surely increase."
"...We have no choice but to strengthen patrols on the roads between Roshure and Gartz..."
"But that won't stop it completely..."
"...Onii-sama, that's just something we have to accept. We won't have anything to talk about if we don't start importing first."
"I suppose. We'll have to prepare for some losses and raise the selling price to compensate..."
The three of them looked troubled.
For me, however, this was a welcome problem.
"I can solve that worry for you. There is a way to transport massive amounts of goods safely and sell them to the people at a low cost."
"Is that true?!"
"Yes. It would require borrowing the power of the dungeon... would that be alright?"
"...I see. Given everything we've seen, I see no reason to doubt you. Father, what do you think?"
"I think it is fine, but we should adopt a 'wait-and-see' approach for the time being."
"Understood. If we use it for a while and there are no problems, we continue. Is that acceptable?"
"I don't mind. It's a natural decision for someone responsible for a nation. As for the method..."
I took a breath.
The Gartz royals looked at me with anticipation, waiting for the answer.
"Would you allow me to create a dungeon in the basement of Gartz? It would create a 'Gate' directly connecting to our dungeon. We have already opened one with Rithea, and the Adventurer's Guild has certified its safety."
I gave them my best smile.
