So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

Come to think of it, he seems as young as Obern. With thick glasses and a flustered appearance, he doesn't look particularly impressive.

"Daemon Richmond, a genius professor recognized by the Magic Tower at a young age. He's even more famous than Professor Obern."

"...I didn't ask."

"Hehe."

Then Professor Daemon removed his glasses.

His bookish impression instantly turned sharp.

"You're too arrogant for a newcomer."

"Is being new really the issue here?"

"You probably haven't even used the instant dungeon before."

He pulled out a forearm-length wand and waved it.

The magic circle in front of the cave began to glow with magical power.

Incomprehensible ancient characters appeared.

"You said you applied directly. Can you even read how the magic circle's algorithm is set?"

While the significance of removing his glasses wasn't clear, he suddenly exuded an aura no less intimidating than Obern's.

"You look young, and without proper knowledge of ancient languages, you can't handle the instant dungeon."

Obern didn't immediately respond.

Instead, he drew out his staff.

His crystal snake cane, which was practically his symbol.

He pulled it out and extended it toward the magic circle.

"Going to use translation magic? That won't..."

"Year 400. These are the settings I requested."

"What?"

"The scale is 150 hectares, traps are implemented, and."

He was clearly reading how the magic circle had been manipulated.

But how?

"Both my requests and your requests have been mixed and reflected."

"...Did you know about this beforehand?"

"Does it look that way?"

"..."

The students weren't exactly sure what Obern had said or why Professor Daemon was so surprised.

But they could at least tell that Obern had done something extremely remarkable and extraordinary.

"Our professor is amazing!"

Nemi suddenly shouted.

Cal, Bex, and others turned to look at Nemi with bewildered expressions.

"Applause..."

Even Nemi hadn't expected Prince Phili to suddenly say that.

"C-clap!"

The applause that started with Phili gradually grew louder.

Clap clap, clap clap clap-

Most students joined in bewilderment.

Only Amain and Nemi clapped enthusiastically.

Professor Daemon and the third-years wore bewildered expressions.

That professor approached none other than the Second Prince and asked.

"Would that be acceptable?"

"The situation has become quite amusing, Professor."

Unlike our side, the professor seemed to defer to the Second Prince.

"How about doing it together?"

"Together?"

"Yes, since both Professor Daemon's and that professor's requests have been mixed into the instant dungeon."

"Ah, a merciful and wise suggestion. Though whether they'll accept it..."

"I'll ask them myself."

The Second Prince strode toward Obern.

"Professor."

"..."

Prince Leon, the Second Prince, was slightly taken aback when Obern didn't respond at all.

But without showing it, he spoke deliberately.

"While the situation has become somewhat awkward, I learned from my royal father that mercy is a prince's virtue."
Continue your saga on empire

"..."

"Thus, I propose to you. How about using the instant dungeon together?"

From the prince's position, this was truly mercy and consideration.

In fact, the third-year students following him even applauded from behind.

Surely this stiff professor would bow his head in gratitude now.

That's what they thought, but.

Obern's head, which seemed about to bow in greeting, stopped abruptly.

He glanced briefly at his staff.

After hesitating very briefly.

"Haah."

He let out a deep sigh.

A sigh, did he just sigh?

"This is even worse than Prince Phili."

Leon wondered if he had misheard.

Did he just compare him to the Third Prince?

"Prince Leon Adenes Solion. You are a student, not a professor. How can a student decide how to teach?"

Obern's cold tone seemed to stab into Prince Leon's solar plexus.

"Stop this presumptuous behavior and go inside. Bring your professor."

"..."

An icy silence fell.

The third-year students and Professor Daemon's jaws dropped.

"Puhahaha!"

The one who burst out laughing was Prince Phili in the back.

The Second Prince's face turned bright red.

==

Phili, you're now my disciple too.

When Phili shouted 'Clap!', I was tremendously moved.

Serve Amain well as your sworn brother, and regard your master as your father.

「A royal family member publicly supports the connection target.」

「You have gained considerable dignity.」

I discovered something remarkable.

While Phili wasn't very princely, he was undeniably 'royalty.'

Just because he publicly supported me, I gained much more dignity than usual.

According to Pelerian's commentary on this situation,

'The loyalty of a vagrant and the loyalty of a knight have different values.'

In other words, regardless of how I felt about him, Phili's support as royalty was that significant.

That wasn't the only benefit gained from being involved with royalty.

That Second Prince brat was quite flashy from his appearance.

Unlike Phili who looked like a wilted cabbage.

I didn't particularly like handsome and bright-eyed fellows, and when he came to override the professor's authority and show mercy, I couldn't see him in a good light.

When I rebuked him.

「The connection target publicly pointed out a royal family member's misconduct.」

「Many admire this righteous behavior.」

「You have gained considerable dignity.」

Having accumulated this much dignity, it seemed I could now strengthen and use other crown skills too.

Obern, maintaining a stern expression, broke into a cold sweat.

'Ah, my stomach hurts.'

'Why!'

'Because of stress...'

'Cabbage juice will help.'

I should bring some cabbage juice next time.

Eventually, we came to an agreement.

To use the instant dungeon together, that is.

Not bad, I'd like to see how well that Second Prince brat performs.

"Snake."

That's when Pelerian called me.

'What is it?'

"I've had a genius idea."

This might sound odd, but Pelerian was a real genius. Unlike fakes like Obern.

'What kind of idea occurred to you?'

"We need to deal with this quickly before the instant dungeon is completed. Go closer to the magic circle."

Though uncertain, I quickly had Obern move.

Obern pretended his stomach hurt again, but eventually obeyed.

Following Pelerian's instructions, he brought his staff to the magic circle.

"The principle here seems to be roughly copying dungeons that exist in the world. While it can't replicate the contents inside, it can copy the mechanisms and structure..."

'So...'

"Let's manipulate the magic circle. Make it copy one of my dungeons exactly."

Is that even possible!

But here's what I'm curious about.

'What's good about that?'

Even if mysterious magic creates a similar dungeon structure, it won't perfectly replicate the contents.

Is there any reason to do such a thing?

"I have a dungeon with special traps."

I'd heard that most traps were implemented in the instant dungeon, but.

'What kind of trap...'

"Monster summoning arrays."

Monster summoning arrays?

Listening to the explanation about something I hadn't known existed.

"It's magic that summons dangerous monsters to repel intruders by designating coordinates in the great forest. If we adjust it well, we might be able to draw out hundreds of monsters or more."

'Uh...'

"We'll cause chaos. With two princes here, we'll take them hostage and lead the monsters to the royal palace. Once we secure the king's person during the chaos, game over!"

I was a bit shocked by the sudden proposal.

I had forgotten for a moment.

Pelerian was definitely a villain.

"Did you enjoy playing house until now!"

'Yes...'

"Then let's go, this kingdom! It will be wrapped in your grasp, no, your coils!"

Honestly, I was a bit tempted.