It's Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

* * *

The next morning.

The first thing I checked was the inspection of those who would be in charge of military power while Eve, Xue and I were away from the dungeon.

『Name – Sonia Mediv』

『Occupation and Rank – Advanced Curse Caster』

Although she’s not yet skilled in using abilities like curses or elemental magic, judging from her actions during the recent Copzerin raid, I consider Sonia capable of doing her part now.

She probably can’t kill people yet, but at least she should be able to subdue them.

『Name – Mire』

『Title/Individual Name – Delicate Skeleton Tracker』

『Name – Axe』

『Title/Individual Name – Giant Skeleton Warrior』

My advanced archer and warrior who have accumulated attributes and characteristics through steady battles and training, aided by my support.

Although there are other advanced soldiers, none are as good as them.

They have continued to grow based on distinct individuality, and when together, they’ve reached a level where they can engage in delaying tactics even against elite-grade enemies.

『Name – Eleanor Claimel』

『Occupation and Rank – Advanced Berserker』

Eleanor, who is adapting to her lowered abilities but is quickly becoming strong again due to her excellent underlying talent, and her relatives of the same rank.

These young fanatics will fight desperately, if only for their mothers who show exceptionally loyal behavior towards me.

『Name – Moon Yu Jin Kyung』

『Occupation and Rank – Elite Spirit Mage』

Jin Kyung, the elite mage from Copzerin whose magic power as a spirit mage was too strong and had been sealed until recently, but today completed the contract and was released.

『Name – Maria Olas』

『Occupation and Rank – Advanced Fighter』

And Maria, whose abilities I plan to return today.

“…You’re returning my abilities, Master?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Why…?”

Of course, it’s because I judged that after observing her all this time, she seems to have reached a stage where she won’t cause any more suicide or escape disturbances.

In other words, it means she’s starting to consider this place as a ‘sanctuary’.

But I said something else.

“To protect each other with Sonia, it’s better for you to have stronger military power, isn’t it?”

“That’s great, sister!”

“Oh, oh oh…”

She just froze after hearing those words from me, and rather Sonia seemed more delighted.

It was exactly the reaction I expected.

If you achieve your goal through someone else’s power at the point when you’re about to get used to the sense of powerlessness and gradually regaining something day by day.

Clang!

“So easily…”

“There’s no need for it to be difficult. Not for me.”

“That’s… right. Master.”

Although their immediate feelings and reactions may differ, everyone would be somewhat immersed in a sense of emptiness.

How she directs that sense of emptiness she’s likely feeling now depends on what follows…

But she won’t be buried in such negative sensations for too long.

I can tell just by looking at the results only visible to my eyes.

『Attributes – Health 13(◀ 29) Technique 14(◀ 31) Durability 12(◀ 27) Magic Power 13(◀ 30) Resistance 6(◀ 17)』

『Attributes – Health 31(◀ 14) Technique 38(◀ 19) Durability 29(◀ 13) Magic Power 28(◀ 13) Resistance 17(◀ 6)』

The top is the state she obtained when her magic power was sealed before, and the bottom is the attributes obtained by the restored magic power after releasing it this time.

Among them, it was particularly noticeable that her technique had increased quite a lot at a glance.

Although her magic power somewhat deteriorated as it was completely frozen so she couldn’t use it at all, other physical-related abilities also increased slightly.

‘It must have been a big deal just to adapt to the weakened state of her body, but to have trained to this extent in that state is really amazing.’

This ‘attribute’ represents how much magic power contributes to the current body’s output, but the fundamental physical training can also increase the efficiency of the already bestowed magic power.

This is now reflected in the information window like this.

Of course, even without this, she’s worked hard enough that it’s impossible not to know she hasn’t stopped her efforts.

『Characteristic – … ‘Hard Worker’』

As a result of continuously training in her weakened state, she hasn’t stopped training and effort to the extent of acquiring a new characteristic.

『Hard Worker – The speed of attribute increase due to training randomly increases slightly.』

Although the characteristic itself randomly activates or not each time training is conducted, and the amount of increase is also random within a small range.

Still, it’s obviously much better than not having it.

This characteristic likely has a share in her technique ability score right away.

Clang!

I dropped the steel that had been restraining her neck and magic power into the shadows, and brought my hand to the back of her hand that was touching the wound on her neck.

“I know how hard you’ve worked.”

Whoosh!

After grabbing and lowering the hand that was touching the area where the wound had been, I restored the wound and scar through healing magic.

It was a trace of intense physical activity while wearing restraints on her neck.

“How… do you know?”

“Well, because I was watching.”

“You were… watching.”

“Of course.”

Swoosh!

Answering her question with a truth that’s not truth, I filled my eyes with magic power and checked the status of magic power acting on her body.

This was to adjust the magic power that had been stiffened and suddenly activated before it caused other harm to her body.

It was just preparing for any contingency, and the probability of it actually happening at her level of realm and training was not high.

“As expected. The magic power has settled in excellently.”

“Thank you.”

Seeing that she immediately understood my words, it seems she was also guessing what I was doing.

However, Maria’s attitude was more sincere and respectful than I thought.

She bowed with her hands politely clasped together.

With an attitude almost like addressing a half-teacher or parent.

“There’s no need to be so excessively polite.”

“No. …Objectively speaking, Master is truly an excellent senior and teacher.”

Thinking about it in connection with Sonia’s case, it’s probably because in this world, even in master-disciple relationships, capable people rarely bestow ‘grace’.

‘Their stance is understandable too.’

In a world where abilities are common, ability is also property.

When the world is in great turmoil, monopolizing abilities might become a great sin, but once the world stabilizes, there’s no need to distribute such high-grade property like charity.

This must be the reason why a more sensitive relationship to profit and loss is established in the master-disciple relationship within guilds.

The difference between them and me is just that I have more reasons to bestow abilities more generously.

‘Because I need to strengthen the fortress around me to survive.’

So Maria’s excessive courtesy was really burdensome to me.

To be frank, I’m just trying to make people stronger to use them.

“I see. I understand, so get up. I’d like to receive your gratitude through your performance in actual combat. Not with such excessive courtesy. I’ve only returned what I took away.”

“…I’ll do my best. As long as those who come to the dungeon are not my relatives.”

“Right. That’s natural.”

Her parents are still out there, weren’t they?

According to separate investigations, the couple was recognized as elite grade before leaving for the demon realm, leaving Maria and Remia in the inland.

That was 3 years ago.

So now they must have reached at least the mature stage of elite grade, or if they were luckier and their talent supported it, they might be at a stage to aim for the grade above that.

‘A whole family of adventurers… If they’re the ones who passed on talent to these two, it wouldn’t be strange if it’s the latter.’

“Phew…”

-Clatter.

My gaze swept between Maria and Mire.

Their parents are dangerous enemies who could chip away at my dungeon’s power just by appearing.

The extent of that loss will also depend on how much Maria performs from now on.

-Clack.

“Eve? …Alright. It’s okay.”

When that time comes, I will have to struggle again between the choice of morality and practicality.

But if there are people to support me like now, it will be fine… or can become fine.

At least now I won’t have to push everyone away or drive them out by my own hands.

Like in my original life.

* * *

After checking the key personnel, what needs to be done is naturally the maintenance of the army and dungeon.

Of course, the current equipment is being maintained as usual, so there’s no problem even if we go into battle right away. What’s needed is equipment to be used as I raise the grade of my soldiers in the future.

For that, I checked the progress of the trade I had ordered in advance with the Mammon Guild.

“No matter how I think about it… this is a waste of money…”

The person designated as the person in charge of that trade was not Scarlet or Grim, but her subordinate Mari.

It seems she originally had connections in the blacksmith field… but.

This one is saying something that will get her scolded.

“It’s not for you to judge that, but me. Mari – Malis – Mare.”

How dare she express this as a waste.

The execution of costs to arm my people and my army that I cherish, and finding the right partner to properly use those funds.

“Aah…! I-I’m sorry…!”

Mari quickly noticed the meaning of my words and quickly bowed politely.

Seeing that she noticed very quickly even though I spoke quite calmly, she seems to have good intuition.

This is different from the evaluation I heard about her.

[She’s an unreliable child. She does ordinary work well… but she causes some accidents. She’s also a bit tactless.]

It seems she’s not as tactless as her superior Scarlet evaluated.

I wonder if Scarlet’s standards were high, or if this child hid herself.

[This is a secret… but she’s actually an illegitimate child of Archduke Greed.]

Recalling what Scarlet said about her identity, I guessed that she probably has talent in hiding herself.

Otherwise, the ‘unpredictable difference in ability’ can’t be explained.

“Mari Malis Mare. I don’t know what you want to do, but know that there’s no place for you to stand before me.”

To put it simply, whatever your goal is, if you interfere or hinder my work incorrectly, I’ll get rid of you somehow.

It’s true that I can’t freely antagonize her because she’s a daughter that Archduke Mammon cares about to some extent, but.

‘However, there’s no need to be suppressed by her background.’

Because it’s been officially announced that I’m not paying attention to it for now, and also because Mammon is an archduke loyal to the Demon King.

He respects and cherishes the demons who will become the Demon King’s successor in his own way, so he operates the guild to support them.

“I’ll keep that in mind!!”

She seems to know this too, as she just bows her head without rebelling.

After nodding once, I reached out my hand towards her, and Mari, sensing this presence, held up the list with both hands.

Seeing that quick action, I’m certain.

‘I don’t know why she’s doing it, but it’s true that she’s hiding herself.’

After glancing once at Mari who had stiffened up, I dropped my gaze towards the document she handed over.

Rustle.

What’s written there is a list of guilds or craftsmen who expressed their ‘hope’ to supply weapons and armor to my dungeon.

There are only guilds and blacksmiths related to general weapons and armor that have opened routes according to my current demand, but it seems there are still quite a few besides these.

“It seems the rumors about my friendship with the Baritra Marquis family have certainly spread.”

“Ah, yes. Lady’s rumors are gradually spreading… The guild and the Marquis House are only blocking bad rumors and unfounded gossip.”

“They’re taking the trouble without being told. I should remember this.”

“Everyone will consider it an honor…!”

Well. Even so, it’s unlikely they’d be so pleased with the recognition of a still unknown Dungeon Lord.

The reason for the rumors is due to Serica’s impulsive decision to accompany me. My existence, which came to walk together on the surface with her, who was the lost child of Baritra, became known in the demon realm.

Although it’s a rumor that spread regardless of my will…

I don’t care whether the fame rising in the demon realm is high or low, as it has its pros and cons.

‘While the probability of other surface Dungeon Lords obtaining my information increases, the possibility of demon realm sponsors and guilds flocking to see a ‘promising investment target’ also increases.’

And as I said before, I’m quite confident.

Confident in being a promising investment target.

Although there’s a possibility of incurring hostility from other archduke forces if rumors spread that I’m friendly with Baritra, who is under ‘Wrath’…

Unless they’re walking around with their brains removed, they won’t freely express such hostility.

‘Serica is just an illegitimate child of the Marquis, and her position as successor isn’t firmly decided.’

My position isn’t firmly established yet too.

So subordinates of other archdukes won’t think of picking fights with me to make me an enemy or incur the wrath of the Mammon Guild.

Unless they have friendships with the opposing faction to Scarlet within the Mammon Guild, but that’s an area they should be cautious about on their own.

“This place, and this place. This one too. These three would be good.”

“Understood! I’ll arrange the seats right away!”

“I need to leave my position for now and handle the aftermath of that matter, so set it for about two weeks from now.”

“Leave it to me!”

Mari, whose gloomy aura that always enveloped her body had completely disappeared while tensing her whole body.

I patted her shoulders a couple of times.

After using the stick, I should give some carrot too.

“Just listen to my requests well. Then, I have no intention of doing anything harmful to you.”

“I-it’s an honor!!”

“There’s no need to go that far. You probably wouldn’t like being entangled with me either, right?”

“That’s not true! Actually, I ad…mire Lady.”

“…?”

That’s unexpected.

Mari’s face was slightly red.

“Well… if you say so.”

After looking at her with a perplexed feeling for a moment, I ended up just nodding my head to mean she could do as she pleased.

I had no intention of stopping her if she wanted to show goodwill on her own.

* * *

“Then, I look forward to seeing you next time.”

“Yes!”

While watching Mari withdraw and thinking about the attention that would flock as rumors spread, my thoughts quickly turned to one individual.

To the one who showed rejection close to hostility towards me, although I still don’t know their true intentions.

‘What kind of person is she? The queen of the north.’

The identity of that antagonist is the last queen who is probably waging a war with blood and mucus splattering in the north right now.

Click.

On the map spread out before my eyes, the terrain and military strength of the coniferous forest, the territory of the northern queen, were roughly drawn.

In the highlands, there were relatively few blue-gray bishops and a great many pawns of the same color following them, while in the lowlands, there were more bishops with a bluer color but significantly fewer pawns.

Kings were placed at one point in the highlands and one point in the lowlands, and numerous bishops and pawns were positioned around each of them.

As you can easily guess, this is a magically created battle situation board.

An object that will reflect the movements on the battlefield in real-time.

“Do the final check. Eve. Sonia. This is the place where you’ll contact me. Report whenever there are big changes.”

-Clack!

“Yes, Teacher!”

By the time I finish my work in the coniferous forest and come down, the fate of the two kings will already have been decided.