It's Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

Sonyataf is a fortress city located at the transportation hub connecting the Kingdom of Heisen and the small Kingdom of Kiza to its northwest, serving as both a border region and a fortified city.

However, oddly enough.

There were almost no records of wars fought between Kiza and Heisen over this place.

Despite being a strategic point that is even a port city beside a large river.

“It’s strange.”

That was Serica’s assessment as we sat side by side looking at the same book.

When she said she was bored, I randomly picked a book, and it happened to be a history book.

However, contrary to my thoughts, she was quite focused. Even while fidgeting while holding my hand tightly, she showed a very diligent and cute appearance as she frowned and concentrated on the book.

“In what way?”

Her eyes were filled with doubt as she turned her head and faced me.

“Looking at the map here, Heisen completely blocks Kiza’s land. The only open areas are the sea and the west. But it’s strange that they haven’t fought. Humans are greedy.”

“Excellent. That’s right.”

Though the Marquis House must have taught her, it was still an excellent insight for someone who grew up mostly alone for most of her life.

However, there was one element written in the book that allowed for a rebuttal to those words.

“But what if they were brothers who have continuously shared blood?”

“Brothers? The countries?”

“That seems to be the case.”

The most important reason there was no war here is one.

The quasi-basin area of Grakhysen, blocked by mountains to the east-south and sea to the northwest.

Most of that land is held by the modern Kingdom of Heisen and the small Kingdom of Kiza, and from their origins, they arose as brother states here and expanded.

“Moreover, it says they’re soon to become one country.”

“I see…”

In addition, since there is currently no heir to the royal family of the small Kiza Kingdom, which was originally the older brother’s side, it is said that it will soon be naturally absorbed into Heisen.

Though there are heirs to the Kiza royal family if one were to look, it’s a decision made at a high level by the two countries in a situation where they have the large Kingdom of Xenota to the west and the Norn Empire aiming for the Kingdom of Heisen to the east…

…Or so it was written in the history book.

“It’s still strange though.”

“Which part?”

“Humans are as greedy as demons. Because they’re smart.”

I agreed with her words too.

The history of the two countries is as long as half a millennium. It’s said that it’s already been 100 years since they solidified into the current situation…

Moreover, at the time of ‘Mildun 1’, they were both earldoms.

No matter how much their origins were as brother states, it seems there were several times in history when the two countries’ national power was similar and the situation was frustrating.

Yet during that long time, they never had a big fight even once.

It’s natural to feel that it’s strange.

‘It’s still strange even if the two countries actively mixed the bloodlines of their high nobles and royal families.’

If inter-country affairs went as one wished, there wouldn’t be many complicated matters in this world.

Even real brothers fight over wealth, so isn’t it rather strange that countries, which are aggregations of humans, don’t fight because they’re brothers?

“…Well, it’s not our business anyway.”

“Yeah. That’s right!”

Feeling the carriage stop at some point, I closed the book and stood up, grabbing Serica’s hand to raise her. It was the hand she had been holding continuously while we were in the carriage.

It was just a book I happened to grab when she said she was bored, not something I intended to read and discuss seriously.

Of course, I’ll have to look into it once more later.

“This human city is incredibly big…! It’s… twice the size of the cave that was my dungeon.”

The sight visible as we went outside was a commercial city with countless people moving about between high-rising castle walls. Far in the distance, the sight of a port with two sailing ships docked could be seen.

Needless to say, it was the appearance of Sonyataf.

A giant city that is currently a border fortress of the small Kingdom of Kiza, but is expected to soon become the western capital of the unified Heisen-Kiza kingdom.

“Be careful with such words.”

“I couldn’t think of an appropriate comparison.”

According to the contact we received in advance, the black market auction should have already started.

It’s now the second day of the auction, and the auction schedule is three days in total, so it’s exactly the day before the core is supposed to come up for sale.

Of course, it was Baroness Hailey who informed us of this.

[Since the most important items usually come out on the last day anyway, you can come at your leisure, Master. I’ve reserved seats, and the order for that item is near the very end, so it’s fine even if you come on the day.]

[You’ve worked hard.]

[It’s nothing. Serving you is my joy, Master.]

Hailey, the external collaborator of the black market association I had discovered in advance in Copzerin. Thanks to her, we were able to move with leeway in matching the schedule.

‘No matter how I think about it, putting her under my control was a good choice.’

Of course, the option of freely manipulating people is not welcome.

It’s just that I’m not being picky about means because I’m still weak and there are many strong ones who could become enemies.

It’s a method I’d rather not use if possible.

However, even so, this method was also the one that made me feel most at ease.

‘Variables that can be controlled are ultimately those caused by people. To block variables as much as possible, controlling people’s actions is best.’

Perfect control over people doesn’t exist.

Power, rewards, violence, mercy or justice.

They all have loopholes. Loopholes caused by changes in human desires or profit and loss situations.

‘In that sense, magical power is much more intuitive and stable than such methods.’

Although the hatred that the controlled person has towards the former controller becomes much greater if the control over the subject breaks, that’s not much different from the unreasonable hatred that all traitors have anyway.

Moreover, if the control is forcibly broken by external forces, feedback returns to the caster, so you can even predict the former controlled person’s counterattack.

If you can endure the moral hazard that necessarily occurs…

‘The more I think about it, the more I have no choice but to choose it.’

“Princesses. We’ve been waiting for your arrival.”

After passing through the inspection at the city gate and waiting for a moment, the result of such judgment approached through the main street and greeted us.

“Hailey. Have you been well?”

“Good morning! Hailey.”

“Of course. I trust the princesses have been safe as well.”

Currently, Serica and I were mysterious foreign princesses who had heard rumors about the existence of the black market and become interested, and Hailey was a bold noblewoman who approached such princesses to raise her position within the black market association and social circles.

There might be some who find it strange that Hailey, who had been complacent in her position until now, suddenly started to be greedy.

However, since she had been living luxuriously until now, the depth of that suspicion wouldn’t be deep.

Isn’t human greed like that?

“This is actually a secret, but the sale of the item the princesses want is scheduled for tomorrow. So how about sightseeing the city today? I’ve arranged restaurants and lodgings.”

A greedy person wouldn’t be greatly suspected even if they leaked such trivial secrets.

Of course, it would impact her performance evaluation, but if we keep our mouths shut, no one would know.

“We’ll follow your thoughtfulness.”

“Yeah. We’ll follow!”

“Fufu. Then, this way.”

And so began the Sonyataf tour.

“This house is the villa of King Friedrich, the hero of the Kingdom of Heisen and its 2nd king. It’s now open to the public. If you go inside, you can see the noble lifestyle of that time, which is quite popular.”

“It’s said that Heisen and Kiza swore eternal brotherhood as they arose as nations in this square.”

“This port of Sonyataf is the largest port in Heisen. There’s also one in the capital Hairashi, but it’s inferior compared to Sonyataf. All sea-based logistics from the northern part of the Eastern Continent gather here.”

Hailey’s tour guide was more authentic than expected, and quite enjoyable.

“If it’s through the sea, do pirates also… come? I’ve never seen pirates.”

And Serica, who had been holding my hand all along, was very enthusiastic about the tour.

Currently, she and I had dyed our hair the same gold color, and she had said it was amazing when my hair color became the same as hers. Now she was looking at Hailey with eyes still containing that sparkle from then.

It’s cute.

Her manner of speech was clumsy, but the way she clumsily imitated my speech rather suited her appearance.

“Of course, Princess. Though we can’t officially acknowledge it, many pirates gather here hiding their identities to sell their loot. Most of those goods come to the special place we’ll go to tomorrow.”

Hailey’s story was soon about the black market.

By the way, pirates.

I heard that ordinary pirates find it difficult to operate because there are many sea demons in this world’s oceans, and there are even two ‘demon realms’ centered on the sea.

I heard it’s an environment where it’s hard to even launch ships, so can there really be that many pirates?

“Are they numerous? It would be difficult to operate on the open sea without aquatic beastkin.”

“As you wisely say, Princess. Without beastkin crew, one cannot detect the movements of sea demons. However, pirates are surprisingly numerous in coastal waters. This is a secret, but they’re those eating the country’s salary.”

“I see.”

So they were privateers.

If they’re receiving support from the country, detecting demons would be no problem. Even if they don’t have sailors familiar with the sea, they could just put mages capable of detection magic on board.

Since many countries border the sea, developing maritime trade and navy is essential for most countries in the Eastern Continent.

‘Though there are the Demon Archdukes, Gaap and Astaroth, who rule the sea demon realms, they’re not around here.’

However, the navy created like that is just a money-eating monster in normal times. Even if you try to train them, you never know when demons might appear and cause damage.

It’s highly likely they disguised them as pirates to somehow extract profits.

Of course, it’s probably not just one or two countries doing this.

“Hey Miss. You’re very pretty? Huh?”

“If you don’t leave right now, I’ll call the city guard.”

Now that I was conscious of it, I noticed some riffraff who were clearly not ordinary citizens.

Though they’re called privateers, those who profit by plundering others’ property are easy to corrupt if they don’t pay attention to themselves.

Especially privateers often make the mistake of thinking they’re close to nobles because they work with nobles.

Like this scene right now.

“You look like a Miss from a precious family. I earn a lot of money.”

“I have a husband and child. If you keep doing this…”

“Hey, doesn’t some lubrication work even if there’s someone in charge?”

The man clinging to Hailey and behaving indecently while we were briefly separated looking at a stall was wearing clothes that were quite flashy but utterly vulgar… with all sorts of jewels dangling.

No matter how you look at it, it’s not a noble’s style.

At best, a wealthy merchant. Or…

“I’m telling you I’m the vice-captain on the sea.”

Right. The pirate we were just talking about.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

‘He’s stupid and annoying too.’

Of course, I’m not saying people absolutely shouldn’t be corrupt.

What does it matter how one lives as long as they don’t harm others? … But it’s just unpleasant to see things like this living while also causing harm.

Though that harm might be small compared to the harm I’ll inflict on humans in the future.

Saying it like this makes it sound like self-hatred, which makes me dislike it more.

“Hailey. How long do I have to wait?”

“Princess. I’m sorry.”

“Wait. Did you say princess? Oh my…”

Still, he seems to know what level he’s at, as the vice-captain immediately recoils upon hearing our title.

It seems he wasn’t thinking of rubbing shoulders with high nobles no matter what.

“Let’s talk…”

“Wait. Mr. Guard. We’ll just go. Sorry. Okay? I’ll leave money here too. Miss… I mean Princess. Please forgive me. Okay?”

As Xue who was guarding me approached, the vice-captain who was backing away as if seeing a large beastkin spoke directly to me while putting down his money pouch.

If it were an ordinary high noble, they would have cut off his head for being displeased that a pirate dared to speak to them, but it seems he knew high nobles were dangerous but didn’t know to that extent.

I nodded to Xue who was asking me with her eyes.

“Know you’re lucky…”

“Oh thank you. Thank you!”

There’s no need to cause a big commotion.

We’re planning to participate in the black market tomorrow and leave this city, so I’d rather not get entangled in troublesome matters.

“You dare waste my and Rita’s time…?”

However, it seems Serica didn’t feel the same way.