Side: ???
I wonder... how much time has passed since then?
My life changed from that day forward. Everything I once had vanished. No, perhaps a few things and a single friend remained, but for most people, I suspect they would say they lost everything.
On that day, my motherland was destroyed. Literally wiped out. It would have been better if it were a natural disaster. But it was a war sparked by men. An invasion from another nation. A massacre without mercy.
I couldn't protect the people I was meant to serve; my father the King, my mother the Queen, and my sister the Princess—all of them died.
Yet, somehow, I survived, along with a single maid... no, she was more like a dear friend to my sister.
...On that day, I became a Dungeon Master and clung to life. She had been pulling me by the hand, desperate to help me escape, but it was nearly impossible. Even in the warehouse where we sought refuge, the enemy's reach was closing in.
It was then that a woman claiming to be a Goddess granted me the abilities of a Dungeon Master.
"Do you want to live? Then use this power. The price... well, we'll settle that once you've mastered your role as a Dungeon Master."
I didn't understand what was happening. But somehow, I intuitively knew how to use the skills.
I immediately created a path to a small dungeon within the warehouse and we scrambled inside. I killed the soldiers who pursued us with traps and monsters.
We hid within the dungeon for several days. When we finally peeked at the world outside... the castle was in ruins, the city was scorched, and not a single survivor remained.
I traveled around my former territories with her. Everything was burned to the ground. No survivors. Or, if there were any, they had already fled...
"Young Master... what shall we do?"
"...I didn't think it would be this bad. Tell me, Anna. How far is it to the nearest neighboring country?"
"...Let's see. At our current pace... it might take two months on foot."
"...I see. It's too dangerous for us as we are now."
I tried to assess our situation. Even if we made it to another country, we would just be treated as refugees. I couldn't prove I was a prince, and there was no guarantee of safety.
"Anna. Listen, I want to stay in the dungeon beneath the capital for a while and gather my strength. I want to mourn my father, my mother... and my people. What do you think?"
"I believe that is a noble decision. I, Anna, will follow you to the very end."
"...Thank you."
And so, Anna and I returned to the dungeon under the capital.
I used monsters to clear the rubble and gave everyone a proper burial. Since there was no one left to protect the graves from looters, I took the liberty of enshrining them in a chamber within the dungeon.
* * *
Time passed.
The ruined capital weathered away, and adventurers seeking treasure began to swarm the area.
"Young Master. More intruders."
"Again? They just won't leave us be. Repel them as usual. If you find any being treated cruelly, like slaves, protect them."
When I gave the order, the Dullahan saluted and departed.
"We've known him for a long time now, haven't we?"
"Yes. He's been protecting us ever since the capital fell."
The Dullahan was the result of me summoning the strongest-looking monster I could find back when the city fell, without a single thought for DP consumption. His level was 130—a monster on par with legendary heroes and demon kings. Through the defense of the dungeon over the years, he has risen to level 150.
As I watched the Dullahan leave, a small girl came running toward me from the residential area in a different direction.
"Raie-sama! Where is Dullahan-san?"
The girl looked around restlessly, searching for him.
She was a girl who had been brought along as a mere decoy by adventurers who came to conquer this place.
Anna and I had discussed many times wanting to establish contact with the outside world, but we couldn't trust adventurers. We tried to hold talks several times, but they would either attack us as monsters or try to take Anna hostage. In the midst of all that, she is our only ally—our precious family.
"Lily. He went to work."
"Ehh!? I'm going after him! I'll use my sword to defeat the adventurers! I won't forgive anyone who bullies Raie-sama, Anna-san, or Dullahan-san!"
"Ah, calm down. It'll be fine, okay?"
"Really?"
"Yes, he is very strong."
Days went by like that. Believing that someday, someone we could talk to would come.
* * *
"Raie-sama, today marks 225 years."
"You've kept good count. I feel like it's only been about 200 years. You still look as young as ever, Anna."
"I've gotten used to it, but it is strange, isn't it? I'm already 182 years old. It's quite a shock."
According to Anna's count, 225 years had passed.
Around the dungeon I created, a town had formed, an Adventurer's Guild was established, and it became a bustling place. Our companions have increased and decreased repeatedly over the years.
I can grant immortality with my authority as a Dungeon Master, but few actually desired it. While people could still die from external factors, the fact that they stopped aging or getting sick was the main reason they feared becoming something "not human".
This town is also the result of a group of slaves we rescued in the dungeon who worked hard to build a home here. To the very end, none of them spoke of us; they took our secret to their graves.
"I might be being persistent, but..."
"I do not regret becoming immortal."
"I don't mind it either. In fact, I get to have all-you-can-eat Raie-sama and Anna-san... hehehe."
"Ahem. Lily, don't say such things..."
"Okay, sorry~!"
Well, our appearances don't change, but as men and women, we still have biological urges and desires, so the three of us get along quite well. We haven't been able to have children because of our unique circumstances, but I hope to have them someday.
"Now then, I'm off to the Adventurer's Guild as usual!"
"Yes, be careful, Lily."
"Don't forget the shopping."
"Got it!"
Lily now visits the Adventurer's Guild regularly to exchange materials for cash and buy goods from the town outside.
Since it would be bad if our immortality were discovered, we have ten-year periods every thirty years or so where we don't go outside, but right now is an active period. Lily has grown strong over the years; she is now Level 150, just like the Dullahan used to be.
By the way, the Dullahan is now Level 310. I feel like he could take on a hero, a demon king, or anything else. I think I finally understand why dungeons are called natural disasters.
And then, that day became a day of destiny for us...
* * *
"What!?"
"No way!?"
Anna and I cried out in unison.
"W-What is the meaning of this!? It's impossible!?"
"I-I can't control the dungeon!? It's being... stolen!?"
Yes, we were monitoring the adventurers currently exploring as usual. But suddenly, we lost control of the 1st floor. Then, approximately every seven minutes, the number of floors we couldn't control increased.
"Anna, how many adventurers are currently inside!?"
"Yes! We've confirmed 55 individuals!"
"Investigate the status of every single one of them. Something strange is mixed in there!"
"Understood! I'll use a Doppelganger to contact Lily!"
"Please!"
But heartlessly, control of the dungeon was gradually stripped away.
Five hours.
In just five hours, 47 floors of our 50-floor dungeon became uncontrollable.
"...What on earth is happening?"
"Young Master, it will be fine. Lily and the Dullahan should be going to intercept them."
"Yeah... I don't think the Dullahan will lose, but I wonder if Lily is okay..."
"She has worked hard and is a higher level than us. I'm sure she'll be fine. Besides, we've released the elite monsters we've trained."
"Dammit! If I had known this would happen, I should have raised my level too......!!"
"That cannot be. It is because you are here as the Dungeon Master that everyone can bring out their strength. You just need to give us orders until the end, as a King."
"But!"
"We've talked about this many times. Both Lily and I are prepared to throw away our lives if it means letting Raie-sama live. You promised us, didn't you? That you would survive no matter what."
"...Right."
Please... Everyone, stay safe...
...Was I wrong?
...Is this punishment for sitting idly on the power of a Dungeon Master?
To lose control of the dungeon... what was the owner of that voice thinking when she gave me this power?
I found myself, far too late, pondering the meaning of this strength.
* * *
Side: Lily
Today was supposed to be the same as any other day. I was just supposed to go to the Adventurer's Guild, exchange materials, and go shopping.
"Yo!"
"Oh, you're still alive?"
"That's mean. I'm a Rank 7 adventurer, you know."
"It's hard to believe. Rank 7 solo... I'd think you'd be dead if you spent all that time in the dungeon."
"Well, anyway. Here. Exchange these, please."
"Yeah, yeah."
The usual conversation at the trade counter.
I've lived a long time, so I've seen how this town has changed. But for now, I'm just an adventurer who's lived here for five or six years. I've repeated this cycle many times.
The small body I had back then is gone, replaced by the well-defined body of a woman. Raie-sama seems to enjoy it, so I have no complaints about our current situation.
As I was thinking that, a few people... looking like nobles... came out of the Guild Master's room.
"Hey, who are those people?"
"Hm? Oh, some big shots who came to inspect the dungeon. If you ask me, I'm just worried they'll die by mistake and the town will get blamed for it."
"Heh~"
I looked at them.
They were all beauties, the kind that made even me sigh in admiration. Among them was only one man. He didn't look like much, but his companions were likely his slaves or followers.
...If they try to do anything cruel to them in the dungeon, I'll cut their heads off in an instant.
* * *
"Here, 4 gold coins."
"Thanks."
"You gonna shop and go back to the dungeon for a while?"
"That's the plan."
"...A girl with your looks could have any man she wanted. Don't push yourself too hard."
"Too bad. My heart is already set on someone. But thanks for the advice."
As I left the guild and did some random shopping, a Doppelganger for communication ran up to me.
"What's wrong?"
"Emergency in the dungeon. Return immediately."
"Understood."
I immediately turned on my heel and headed back to the dungeon.
There, I heard that control was being stolen. Judging by the situation, we decided it was the work of the invading adventurers. Therefore, we began the elimination... the killing... of all confirmed intruders.
There were adventurers I knew. There were rookies.
I killed them all. Of course I did. I won't let our precious home be defiled.
But control of the dungeon continued to slip away.
"...Right. Everyone gather on the 48th floor. The floors currently under control are those below it. We won't make it to the 45th or 46th in time. Is that alright, Dullahan-san?"
Dullahan-san, who was a long-time friend and like a father to me, swung his sword in agreement.
"Alright! Everyone wait at the stairs and make sure to finish off any adventurers who come!"
"""YEAH!!"""
* * *
And just as I expected, the adventurers who were likely the cause descended. The moment they arrived, the dungeon map became invisible... so it's these people.
"Oh my, quite a group we have here."
"Indeed. Looks like we finally get some decent exercise."
"...Yuki, get back."
"Yes. Please step back, Danna-sama."
"Eh? Eh? Usually the guy is supposed to be in front here, right?"
"Do you want me to put a collar on you and drag you back?"
"Wait a second. Seraria, how about a little roleplay with a collar...?"
"...Pervert."
"But it might be nice. Dear in a collar...!."
"Stop it!! I don't have that kind of hobby!!"
Against these people who were chatting so casually, the monsters didn't stand a chance. While they talked peacefully, Level 100 monsters were falling without being able to do a single thing.
"N-No way!?"
While I was stunned, Mr. Dullahan charged forward.
"Hey, that Dullahan is in a league of its own! Level over 300!"
"Heh."
"Hoh."
"...Hmph."
"Oh my."
They didn't even seem fazed. I feel like they might be the nobles from earlier, but if we don't finish them here, it's dangerous. I followed after Mr. Dullahan to strike...
CLANG!
"I didn't train with Derieu for nothing. A level difference like this won't stop me."
With her beautiful silver hair fluttering, the sound of a mysterious sword returning to its scabbard echoed.
"A-AHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
Dullahan-san... vanished...!?
I.... I'll kill them....!
I have to—!
I'm sorry, Raie-sama, Anna-san...
I can't back down. I'm sorry...
Raie-sama, the house name you gave me. I'm grateful you gave me the same name as your sister. It seems the time has come to return it. But, if I could have wished for anything, I wanted to stay by your side and keep smiling.
"I will not permit you to defile my master's dungeon any further! If you wish to proceed, you must go through Lily Le Cossel!"
One last roar. There's no way I can win against the woman who defeated Mr. Dullahan so easily. But still... I will resist until the end. I gripped my sword and waited for an opening.
"""Le Cossel!?"""
For some reason, the opponents tilted their heads and looked shocked.
Why?
