It's Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

* * *

Clack!

“As a token of friendship towards you whom I’ve come to consider a friend, I’d like to give you a gift.”

“What is it? I’m looking forward to it.”

As Echidna snapped her fingers, one of the Lamias waiting in the lake silently crept out and brought two silver cups that had been on the storage cabinet on the wall of the room.

A very natural action.

From this, I could tell that this gift itself was already planned.

“This is…?”

However, that fact didn’t diminish the value of the gift. It was because of the appearance of that gift now visible to my eyes.

A clean goblet made of mithril and decorated with jewels.

Inside the cup with an ornate appearance that looked like it should be handled in a royal palace or high noble’s mansion, a clear and transparent liquid was calmly contained without a single ripple.

“One contains medicine. And the other contains poison.”

“Just by looking, I can’t tell at all which is medicine and which is poison. They look like simple distilled water.”

So two cups were placed before my eyes, but to the naked eye, the two looked no different at all.

The color, smell, and texture all looked just like water, and even the mithril containing them showed no discoloration despite containing ‘poison’ and ‘medicine’.

‘Although it’s foolish to judge the presence of poison by silver detection, which is limited to those containing sulfur components… but this is mithril.’

Mithril is a metal with a wider range of poison detection than pure silver. Therefore, the lack of discoloration in those cups also meant that the poison contained in them was that special.

However, it wasn’t that they couldn’t be distinguished at all.

“If you focus magic power in your eyes, you’ll see markings on the cups.”

“I see. I’ll have to handle them carefully to avoid mistakes. But this is…?”

Whether it’s the ‘intuition’ I have, or confirming that there are some markings on the cups with magical senses as she said.

Even if both methods couldn’t be used, couldn’t you choose a sacrificial pawn and try it to know if it’s poison or medicine?

There are also suitable monsters that have just settled near the dungeon that could be tested on.

However, what was more surprising was the identity of this poison and medicine.

“This poison has the effect of magic power deposition.”

“Is that really true?”

Echidna smiled triumphantly. Looking at her face, it seems my reaction was quite satisfying.

“Would I have any reason to lie at this point?”

“I didn’t think you were lying. I was just surprised to suddenly see something so rare.”

“I didn’t think you were being rude either.”

But this was certainly surprising.

Magic power deposition poison is an extreme poison that necroses the magic power nerves of the target. It means killing the nerves that can receive and manipulate mana.

In the end, those who drink this poison become unable to perform magic actions, ending even as superhumans, and even if treated, they live despairing whether they can continue to have power, and eventually even their life is taken.

“Then, this medicine is…?”

“Even if used as is, it can cure most minor illnesses and poisonings, and can slow the progression of more difficult ones. But the most important thing is that it’s the antidote for this magic power deposition poison.”

Echidna gave the expected explanation.

She starts talking a lot about poison, probably because she has great pride in her own power.

Her main power is the power of healing and poisoning. The potions and poisons materialized from that would also fall into the realm of her pride.

Perhaps it’s not just simple use of power but the product of research.

“I heard rumors that you are wise. Meeting you in person, I thought you could use this poison and medicine excellently.”

“That’s kind of you to say. I’ll use them well. The two as a set… I’ll be able to use them really well.”

Both the poison and medicine, and the holy grails containing them are treasures, but Echidna’s following explanation was also like a treasure.

The magic power deposition effect of this poison increases in effect proportionally to the amount used, and inversely, the incubation period increases.

If you don’t use more than twice the amount of medicine compared to the poison used, it won’t be properly cured and the poison will flare up again.

And there’s no need to use large amounts of either.

Also, since the poison itself activates after permeating the entire body, it will take time to become fatal, but recovery will take just as long, so it should be given with enough time left.

“In the end, this is a poison specialized for ‘controlling intelligent beings’.”

“That’s right. That’s why it’s called ‘Flowing Chain’. It will be very useful for training.”

I could quickly understand what it meant to give this to me as a gift.

‘They must have heard that I’m bringing humans into the dungeon. Whether through other queens or obtaining information themselves.’

It seems like something convenient to use on personnel who aren’t important enough to use contracts on, but who are needed immediately and can be used and discarded.

It would also be good when forcing a contract on a specific target in an urgent situation.

The fact that the medicine and poison themselves are colorless and odorless was also a good point.

It would be convenient to mix with other foods.

“It’s a really nice gift. I’d like to give you a gift as well.”

“I heard you didn’t bring anything prepared.”

“Surely not.”

She probably said that considering that I didn’t come pulling a carriage or other means of transport, but I don’t need such things.

Because anywhere with shadows is my space.

“You only use diamonds in your accessories. How about trying a new gem?”

Swoosh…!

As I opened my hand once and slowly closed my fingers, the shadows in the room gathered and spat out something at my fingertips.

A silver bowl, and processed rubies contained within.

These were particularly clean ones among the raw stones brought from Yuran’s dungeon, which were entrusted to craftsmen in the demon realm and then brought back.

Subjectively, I think sapphires suit silver better, but this is what I have now, so I’ll have to make do.

“This is…”

Tension flashed across Echidna’s face for a moment, followed by joy.

She might have expected to be able to put subtle pressure on me by showing the poison, but seeing my current appearance, she would have realized that wouldn’t be easy either.

That as long as there are shadows around me, I’m ready to enter combat stance at any time.

You might say what we’re doing despite declaring ourselves friends, but isn’t this the usual ‘friendship’ between leaders who lead groups?

“It might pale in comparison to the poison you gave, but it’s the most suitable thing I have right now.”

“Not at all. Even if it were ordinary metal, it would feel special coming from you. Let alone precious stones that will further enhance my accessories, and they seem well-processed too. I’m very pleased.”

Echidna’s eyes looking at the rubies were shining with the interest and joy of a viewer recognizing a masterpiece.

Perhaps because she has craftsmen as subordinates, she seems to recognize that the gems are well-processed.

“Let’s toast to our friendship that will continue from now on.”

“Sounds good. Cheers.”

In addition, there’s also a glimpse of her considering the role she called ‘friend’.

“To the affection between you and I that will continue for a long time.”

“To affection.”

I emptied my cup while smiling back at Echidna, who smiled at me as we clinked glasses containing wine.

She was an increasingly interesting being the more I looked at her.

This snake called Echidna.

* * *

“To start full-scale exchanges, it would be good to send envoys. From my side, I’ll send a Lamia to help you handle poisons. When we become closer, I’ll also send those who can be combat forces.”

“Sounds good.”

The conversation with Echidna was incomparably shorter than with Nirvana.

In fact, back then she unilaterally flirted while spending time, so it was too crude to call it a reception or meeting.

“Echidna seemed to have a lot of interest in human culture, so I’ll dispatch one of the nobles I’ve captured this time.”

“Really? But humans are quite weak…”

“Of course, I’ll let you know about precautions for handling them, so don’t worry.”

“That’s kind of you.”

In comparison, the conversation with Echidna was relatively productive and efficient.

We talked about what we could give each other in the future.

“Shall we end it here for today?”

“Let’s do that.”

After that, we decided to part ways cleanly and return to our respective routines.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Libertas.”

“Likewise. I hope our next meeting will be with everyone gathered.”

“I’ll definitely participate then.”

While leaving Echidna’s residence, I didn’t forget to conduct a self-check.

Of course, it was a check for poison.

There was no abnormality at all.

Even if one of the advantages of poison is its secrecy, it should show up in such a thorough search, so I could be at ease.

No matter how high her knowledge of poisons is, it’s not overwhelmingly higher in grade compared to my magical knowledge.

“Is this the culture among human friends?”

Afterwards, I shook hands once with Echidna who came out to see me off.

There’s some distance, but still like normal friends.

As if doing this for the first time, she seemed curious about the ritual itself.

“Humans mainly hold weapons in their right hand, right? It means holding peace together instead of weapons. It’s not just something friends do, it’s a custom everyone does.”

“That’s a good meaning…”

Echidna nodded her head seriously as I spoke mixing half-truths with half arbitrary interpretations as if they were all true.

I feel a bit sorry, but it’s cute again.

After chewing on those words, she soon harbors even stronger curiosity in her eyes and mouth corners.

“Then what do close friends do?”

Although she said she got dwarves from slave traders, it seems she hasn’t properly heard about the life on the continent from those slave traders or dwarves.

Perhaps she thought that showing curiosity about human society itself would harm her dignity.

Either way, she’s quite a lovable queen who knows it.

“Shall I teach you?”

“I’d like that.”

“Then, try bending your waist for a moment.”

“Hm?”

She, who probably hadn’t bent her waist since becoming a strong being, raised her thin eyebrows curiously and carefully bent her waist.

“A little more.”

“This much…? I’m worried it might look a bit unsightly.”

“Don’t worry, you’re pretty. Come on, more.”

For quite a while.

It can’t be helped.

She easily exceeded 2m in height just by raising her luscious tail moderately, and could become even taller if she raised it fully.

Anyway, Echidna completely bent her waist at my repeated requests.

As I stretched both arms towards her shoulders like that, a restraint came once.

“Wait…!”

“Why?”

When I looked up at Echidna without hiding my puzzled expression, she asked me in perplexity.

“What are you doing now?”

“It’s a greeting between friends. Between close friends.”

“Is this really right…”

“It is, so come a little closer.”

A request close to half-coercion.

Finally, I succeeded in embracing her shoulders with one hand.

Of course, there’s also a method of putting hands on the waist, but it couldn’t be helped since there was a huge difference in size between her and me.

“What… do you call this?”

“It’s called a hug.”

“I see…”

Echidna’s face, seen again after separating, was slightly reddened.

“Well then, I’ll be going.”

“Mmm. See you next time.”

A moment later, looking back as I left her territory.

She was still welcoming me with that reddened face maintained.

How should I put it, she was a queen with a really severe gap between her appearance and personality.

Like the effects of the medicines and poisons she handles.

* * *

“Next is the north.”

“You’re quite sinful, Your Majesty…?”

When I asked about her location to meet the last remaining queen in this area, an unexpected answer came back.

Looking back, Serha was staring at me with a slightly reddened face and a pale expression.

“What’s that supposed to mean all of a sudden?”

“No, it’s nothing. The north is correct. It’s the coniferous forest. But will you be alright? They refused the reception, didn’t they?”

As she said, my request for a reception sent to the northern coniferous forest was rejected.

There were two reasons for this, and the first reason was because they openly said ‘Dungeon Lords cannot be trusted’.

An attitude closer to hostility than even Echidna, who was wary of me and asked to meet near her main base.

“Just because they refuse doesn’t mean we have to listen to that, right? Though there’s no need to let our guard down either.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“First, we’ll return to the dungeon. Then we need to go up and check their situation.”

“By situation, you mean…”

The reason for returning to the dungeon this time and the second reason they refused the reception were closely related.

“You told me, didn’t you? That they’re at war.”

Currently, it seems two forces are fiercely waging war in the northern coniferous forest.

The host and the guest.

I’m not sure which side is superior, but at least it’s certain that the side that originally ruled the north isn’t in a completely disadvantageous position.

If that were the case, there would have been support from other monster species according to the existing ‘agreement’ of the four queens.

“Then the war itself might be the key.”

“You’re going to help them end the war easily?”

“Maybe. Or maybe not.”

“What…?”

Serha tilted her head and cutely lowered it.

While patting her head, I just smiled.

There are two options that I’m still keeping only in thought.

‘For now, I should go see.’

Whether that choice is really worth considering, and which of those options to choose.

It would be decided after seeing the situation in the north and how the current queen reacts.

Their lives as well.