Side: Seraria
『That is absolutely unacceptable!!』
『Precisely! Your Majesty, please, regain your senses!』
Kukuku... sending Sheila to the briefing for the ministers was definitely worth it.
Currently, King Gartz and his sons are explaining the plan for exchange and trade with our dungeon... and the construction of a dungeon beneath the Gartz capital.
Well, if you're wondering which part is causing the most friction, it's the "dungeon beneath the capital." It's only natural, really. Normally, you'd never dream of placing an unknown entity directly under your seat of power. We anticipated this during our morning discussion, but still...
『We do not object to exchange or trade with the dungeon Seraria-dono governs. Indeed, the trade goods we were shown are magnificent. We are in favor of establishing a connection.』
『Then—』
『However, building a dungeon beneath the capital is like having a knife held to our throats! From the standpoint of security and various other concerns, we cannot agree!』
Just as expected. Based on what we heard from the King, the Prince, and the Princess, the ministers don't seem to harbor any rebellious intent or hostility. On the contrary, they seem fiercely loyal.
...Unlike that piece of trash, Loire.
I'd already compiled a list of predicted reactions based on that info.
"Fufu, look at them flip-flopping."
『Indeed. Just as Yuki-sama predicted.』
Yes, it was my husband who first guessed that they would reject the capital location.
"Next, the discussion will turn to where the dungeon should be placed." I mused.
"Well, I hope it's my neighboring town." (Ratz)
"I wonder. I'm betting on the Lithea cathedral."
We're all gathered in our room, relaxing while listening to the situation via Call. It has basically turned into a betting game on where my husband's dungeon will eventually be laid.
『So, you are saying there is no issue as long as the dungeon is located somewhere other than the capital?』
『Yes. We trust the word of the King, the Prince, and the Princess, and the trade goods are tangible proof. The others would surely be at ease with that as well.』
One minister looked around, and the others nodded in agreement.
『Umu, I understand that point. Then, where would be best? This is not a decision I can make alone. However, we cannot spend ages in a long-winded meeting. Seraria-dono and her group plan to create direct paths to each nation, and they cannot remain in Gartz indefinitely.』
『Father is right,』 Teak interjected, driving the point home to prevent further dissent. 『We understand the ministers' anxieties regarding the capital, and we do not deny them. However, Rithea has already permitted a dungeon beneath their Great Cathedral, and one is already deployed in the Roshure capital. If we do not place ours nearby, we will fall behind other nations in terms of trade security and information speed. Even if safety is proven later, we cannot simply ask Seraria-dono to go out of her way to build another one. We cannot be that selfish.』
While it's technically easy to set one up, if we do it too readily, we'll be looked down upon. Plus, it's a hassle for me.
『Seraria-dono's stay is only five more days. We must decide by then.』
『Five days...』
『As I mentioned, they also have business with the Gartz branch of the Adventurer's Guild. Assume the actual time to act is even shorter.』
And so, the debate over the location began. It won't be settled instantly, so there's no point in listening further.
"As expected, it won't be decided today."
"I suppose so."
『They want to think it over carefully. We'll just have to wait for the result to see who won the bet... Anyway, I'm leaving the meeting and heading back to you all,』 Sheila said.
"Thanks, Sheila."
With that, the Call with Sheila ended.
"Well, I guess we just relax until Gartz gives us an answer. Though, I still have to handle the Guild business, market research, and advance the trade talks through Princess Sharl," Yuki said, getting up from the bed and walking over.
"True. But I didn't expect the King and the Princes to see through our real aim so easily."
"I could think of it, so it's not weird that they did. If anything, it saves us the trouble of explaining."
Yes—the Gartz royals reached the conclusion during our first talk that our goal is the stabilization of war through a dungeon-based information and transport network. And they correctly guessed that this "personal exchange" was a bid for support for the dungeon's independence. I wasn't rattled, but Kaya's eyes had gone wide. She might need more training in that area, or she'll leak information.
"I've heard the stories, but using a dungeon to pacify war... the Adventurer's Guild is on board with supporting it, but man, it's something else. The Grand Master is behind it with both hands raised. Anyway, leave the Guild stuff to me. I'll head over today and get the talks moving," Rock said.
"Yeah, thanks... Ah, wait a moment."
Ny husband stopped Rock as he was about to leave.
"What is it?"
"Can you think of anything we can do to kill time? You've been here before, right?"
"Killing time, huh. I mean, Yuki, you're technically an important guest, so wouldn't it be better to stay quietly in the castle? Come on, you had promised something with Sheila-sama, didn't you?"
"That won't take up the whole five days. Staying quiet in the castle is a no-go... I know, are there any dungeons nearby? I'd like to see what other dungeons look like."
"Oh, that sounds good." I chimed in, fully supporting the idea. "We have the car, so we can make it a day trip to most places."
Since our bodies are doubles, we're powerful enough that it's not a risk, and it would kill the boredom. I'm curious about other dungeons too.
"Oi, oi, are you planning to conquer one? If there happens to be another dungeon master there, wouldn't that be bad?"
"That's part of the goal. I want to dive in and find them. If they aren't hostile, I'd like to establish a connection. If something happens to Seraria, the control gets shaky. The backup plan is to transfer authority to Labyris, but having another option would be better, right?"
"I guess... Well, 'nearby' is relative, but considering the car's range, there are about two dungeons within reach."
"Oh? Are dungeons that common here?"
"Nah, Gartz just naturally has a lot of them. Or rather, considering how dungeons work, there was likely a Dungeon Master in this land once. There are seven dungeons within our borders."
"It's true," I added. "Roshure has three at most."
"Rithea has five, but they've all been cleared. Three of them have had the dungeon cores taken." Rurua noted.
"Well, that's because it's the Grand Master's backyard. For Lithea's dungeons, we've already gathered complete data on the floors and even the monster distributions."
Indeed, given the number of dungeons, it does make sense that they must have existed since before my husband came to this continent, so there's a high chance Gartz has a dungeon master.
"Do you have info on the two we can reach?"
"I was the Guild Master of Gartz, remember? Of course I do..."
"Rock, would you mind telling us?"
"...Seriously? Even you're going, Seraria-sama?"
"Of course. I'm not letting my husband have all the fun."
"That's right. If we say we're going out for business, there's no problem. So, what about the dungeon information?"
"I guess there's no stopping you. I'll make it quick. There's a 'Cleared' one and an 'Uncleared' one..."
"""The uncleared one!"""
It looks like we've found a way to kill time during our stay.
