It’s Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

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– 1 –

After finishing my conversation with the Lamia Queen Echidna, I returned to the Dungeon.

I needed to gather my strength before heading to the Coniferous Forest in the north, and I had some unfinished business to attend to.

Since I had been tasked with scheduling at the request of the Alraune Queen, I had postponed my ongoing tasks to move forward.

“Master!”

“Sonia. Were you on your way to train?”

“Yes. Didn’t you say we would be starting later?”

The first person I encountered upon returning to the dungeon was Sonia, who was descending the stairs leading to my room.

“The work isn’t done yet. Sorry to interrupt, but could you take this little lady to the reception room before your training?”

“Ah, yes!”

“Serha, she is my apprentice. Be nice to each other.”

“Understood! Lady.”

As I watched Sonia and Serha exchange glances, Sonia soon turned to me to inquire about my intentions.

“So, Master, what about you…?”

“Let’s talk after I handle the current matters. We need to catch up on your lessons as well.”

“Yes!”

Excited, Sonia nodded once and disappeared, leading Serha away with her.

Leaving them behind, I headed straight to where Eve was likely situated.

It was a spacious room on the second floor, named the training hall.

” Huh… Huh…”
– Snap!

“Ah, I know…!”

It was still midday.

As I had instructed ahead of time, they were continuing their training here.

Only Elias was subjected to harsh training.

“Eve. Elias.”
– Snap!

“Ah, Lady…!”

Evangeline, who had been watching me before I called, and Elias, who turned to face me upon being called, both lit up with joy.

Evangeline was always delighted to see me, while Elias was simply glad that her training had concluded.

I greeted Elias with a glance and immediately spoke to Eve about the matter at hand.

“Eve. How is she?”

The first priority was to bring Elias into the family.

She had been left in the dungeon, not sent to the family yet, and was currently receiving overall weapons training from Eve.

This was one of the many reasons I had left Eve in the dungeon.

– Snap!
“Alright. Good.”

Rather than creating a talent from nothing, it was more about expanding an existing one, so correcting just a few bad habits would suffice for her.

It was surprising that she could smoothly use and even teach a weapon skill that she originally had no particular traits for, but Eve had a lot of potential from the start, so it wasn’t that shocking.

What kind of martial artist knows how to assemble furniture, craft bows, train battalions, and even manage dungeons?

Compared to that, being adept with various weapons wasn’t that astonishing.

『Specialization: Swordsmanship, Advanced Specialization: Weapon Skills』

Since becoming Advanced, she had possessed both of these traits for some time now.

‘… No matter how I think about it, this seems less about obtaining and more about something else. Rather…’

… No, let’s think about this after finishing the northern business.

“Elias. It seems you are ready, so prepare to return to the family.”

I turned my gaze to Elias.

With a determined grip on the spear I had bought from the demon world, her aura was different from before, but her gaze remained unchanged.

Even while sweating, her gaze was not muddied, and it was now even more tightly bound to her ambition.

The effect of reminding her of her sins and will after our contract seems to have lasted quite a while. I believe I won’t have to worry about that anymore.

“Understood. But how will we move…?”

“You’ll find out once preparations are complete.”

“Yes, Lady!”

Still, her attitude had improved significantly compared to before.

This might be partly due to her change in perspective, but also thanks to Eve’s diligent efforts.

Naturally, my hand headed towards her waist as always.

“Good work.”

– Snap!
“It’s nothing really. You did well.”

– Snap!

As I tapped her lightly, she responded with her usual posture filled with tension and loyalty.

She had never once changed her attitude from the very start.

Though it seemed that Shu-e standing nearby was looking at her with pity, it must be an illusion.

Why would anyone mock such a diligent attitude?

“Are you ready? Then let’s go.”

“Yes!”

We headed to one of the ‘entrances’ within the dungeon.

Of course, Elias was essential to go, and Shu-e and Eve, who had recently taken on the task of guarding me, followed behind.

And then, moments later…

“Wait, is this… the house from earlier?”

“Suddenly, what…”

“Ah, it’s a person.”

“My goodness. An accident has occurred.”

Just then, I spotted a dozen adventurers entering the dungeon.

Originally, I had kept the “trap” inactive to send Elias, but it seemed that during the brief moment the door opened, they received a request and entered the mansion.

“Um, there… are you the owner of the mansion?”

“See? I told you it’s not an empty mansion.”

“No, we just accepted a request for a survey.”

It was clear that these weren’t veteran adventurers.

I briefly considered the situation, but indeed, I had no other use for them…

So, I gave them simple instructions.

“It seems we don’t have time to waste.”

I instructed them to make them aware of the impending misfortune coming their way.

“Okay.”
– Snap.

Clang!

As soon as I spoke, two white figures charged out.

“Enemies?!”
“Warriors, brace yourselves…!”

The adventurers reacted quite swiftly, but they had to be cautious not just of them.

“[Murderous Crows].”

Boasting elite-level capabilities on paper, they wouldn’t take long to dispatch.

However, I had no hobby of toying with those who were destined to die anyway.

Flap!

– Caw caw!
– Caw!

As I uttered the spell, dozens of dark beasts burst out from the shadows around us.

Monstrous crows with deadly beaks and blades for wings quickly surrounded the adventurers and launched a surprise attack.

“W-what is this!!?”
“It’s a dungeon! We have to run…!”
“Where to!!?”

– Clang.
“I’m heading to the right.”

Meanwhile, my two esteemed white figures rushed in, and it didn’t take long for the adventurers to be cleaned up.

“There’s no special ones here. [Summon: Skeleton].”

After adding eleven skeleton soldiers to the dungeon, we resumed our prior path.

“… No way.”

And finally, having passed through the ‘gate’, Elias found herself unable to shut her mouth, astonished by the surroundings.

“This is Mamilé, isn’t it? You know where we are.”

We had arrived in the city of Mamilé.

Though not as large as Sonataph, it was one of the fortress cities of Kaisen situated on the border with the Principality of Kija.

In the future, it would be expected to play a role in transporting goods coming in from the western port of Kija through Gobah, connecting to the Ironfield Marquis’s territories.

This was also one of the locations where I had bought a mansion to serve as the ‘entrance’ and set traps.

“How did I end up here? We were definitely in Sonataph…”

“I could tell you, but I’m busy now, so let’s talk when we meet again.”

“But when will that be…”

“It doesn’t really matter, does it?”

That conversation ended there.

I immediately began sharing one of the pre-prepared stories I had concocted for Elias.

“It’s a story about how I was cursed by a cursed tribe while I was flirting with a lady and transformed into a woman’s body.”

“Then, I must look like a rogue…”
“You don’t seem that different.”

“…”

Naturally, the background and characters needed for him were all set.

“Having been called by my Master, here I am. Please command me what to do.”

“Master, we are ready.”

Elenore playing the fortune-teller’s old lady.

Serabrum Skull serving the lady role.

One sacrificial pawn who will be the victim before Elias’ transformation, and Elias herself, who will become the transformed version.

“Hailey. Thank you for coming.”

“I’m not deserving of your words, Princess. Call for me anytime.”

“I’ll be waiting to reward you. Be sure to seize the right moment.”

“Yes, please…!”

Lastly, the witness who will testify about Elias in the Ironfield Marquis House, Baroness Hailey.

“Then. I’ll see you next time. I hope you remain undetected. Elias.”

“May you be safe as well. My Master.”

“Don’t worry unnecessarily. Hailey, you too, take care.”

“Yes. Princess.”

With that, we returned to the dungeon hours later, completing Elias’ alibi creation.

– 2 –

“It’s already night, and I’m sorry to take your rest time, Sonia.”

“Not at all, Master. Thank you for taking your time like this amidst your busy schedule.”

It was late at night.

Coming at this hour is indeed quite rude by general standards, but Sonia genuinely thought it wasn’t impolite.

When she was at the Magic Guild, it was a reality that it was hard to see her Master’s face even in the daytime, let alone at night.

“Such a kind one.”

It felt a bit strange when someone older than you praises you so lovingly.

Yet, it wasn’t a bad feeling.

Having rarely experienced compliments in life, the awkwardness came from the fact that the person giving the praise seemed younger than herself.

“First, let’s see the results of the assignment I gave you last time.”

“Ah, yes! [Open Magic Circuit]!”

The stern gaze of Libertus watching Sonia’s actions settled heavily.

The task she had set was using detection magic on magic power and utilizing that sense to perform magic beyond her original capacity.

Though this was impossible for an ordinary advanced mage, it was a method I proposed thinking it might be possible for Sonia in her current state.

『Attribute – HP 19, Dexterity 30(◀ 29), Endurance 31, Magic Power 51(◀ 50), Resistance 37』
『Traits – Advanced Specialization: Detection Magic, Advanced Specialization: Curse, Advanced Specialization: Frost Magic…』

Through relentless practice, Sonia had leveled up her Dexterity and enhanced her magic further with ‘Magic Overadaptation’.

The method proposed by Libertus was based on her magic which easily surpassed early elite level and the detection magic inherited from Leonis.

She believed Sonia would succeed with this method.

“… [Ice Flower]!”

The only problem was time, but that had just been resolved.

“I did it! I did it, Master!!”

Sonia conjured several ice flowers on her hands and shoulders.

Normally, this magic summons flowers that restrain enemies’ movements in the air and then functions as automatically tracking mines when enemies approach.

Defeating foes from a distance was relatively easier, but this was a defensive technique that brilliantly blocked the approach of warriors.

“Excellent. You’re progressing so much that I’ll have to check on you again tomorrow.”

“Hehe…”

Seeing this, Libertus’ eyes softened with satisfaction.

Her eyes were filled with pride and contentment, which Sonia could easily recognize.

“It’s thanks to Master’s teachings.”

“This method only highlighted the talent you possess. Your lacking observational skills and magic manipulation have all been compensated by your efforts. You truly are amazing.”

“Hehe…”

“Come here. I’ll give you a compliment.”

“Uh… yes!”

Sonia, who had been shyly tugging at her hair, cautiously approached and sat beside her master.

Then, her master reached out and began to pat her head.

“You’re doing well. Just keep it up.”

“Thank you…”

When Libertus stroked her head like this, Sonia naturally recalled the time they had spent in the cabin together.

It was a painful day, having just lost friends who felt like family, but it was also a peaceful time when she was healing her heart.

The warmth and care of someone who solely looked after her.

[You did well. As my first apprentice.]

Yet, recalling that ‘time’ could also evoke painful memories, and sometimes it made her resent her Master…

Strangely lately, that pain has been gradually diminishing, and her heart races instead.

She knew it was odd, but she didn’t want to resist, as it felt comforting.

Thanks to her Master, who endlessly recognized and encouraged her despite never having accomplished anything.

However, today’s feelings were a little different.

‘How dare you…’

“Ah…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I’m sorry.”

Startled by a sudden thought, Sonia found herself surprised again by her master’s curious gaze, pressing her chest and closing her eyes to breathe deeply.

Of all things…

‘Why did I overlap that book with my Master? What in the world…’

Feeling once more the warmth of her Master’s hand as it swept through her hair, a different emotion mixed in this time alongside comfort.

Guilt and embarrassment.

“…?”

Cautiously lifting her head to meet her Master’s gaze, she saw her Master’s hand moving from her hair to her chin.

Filled with clear ‘affection’.

‘How dare you have lewd thoughts about me.’

Once again, visions of her Master overlapped with her fantasies, where a noble lady looked down upon her.

Sonia shut her eyes, trying to chase away those thoughts.

“What’s the matter?”

[What’s wrong?]

But thoughts tend to crowd in more whenever you try to empty them.

As Sonia shrank from her Master’s touch, Libertus now cast her a puzzled look.

“Oh, no, I’m sorry. I…”

But Sonia was not in a position to accept her look or touch freely either.

“… I think I’m tired.”

“Come to think of it, I’ve taken up a lot of your time. It would be good to rest. From now on, consider the assignment as an optional one for the time being. It won’t take long for you to return.”

“Ah…”

“Yes?”

Sonia, with her head bowed, exhibited a sense of ‘hesitation,’ and Libertus refrained from reaching out again.

Sensing this, Libertus let out a sigh of regret.

“Ah, no! Goodnight!”

“Yes. Sleep well.”

Fortunately, or perhaps scandalously, she managed to conceal the feelings that had caused this disruption until her Master left the room.

‘No, I can’t…’

However, she had already felt the sensation.

As if a corruption crept into the most beloved, comfortable, and sacred time of hers, that impure feeling.