It’s Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

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Now that everything is almost finished, I took a leisurely return trip in the carriage. I had some tasks to attend to in another city along the way.

Thanks to that, the return took twice as long compared to when we set out.

“Yeah, so that’s how it turned out.”

Right after I returned to my dungeon, I received word from the two Cerebrum Skulls left behind in Copgerin.

It was news that the eradication operation in the city had been declared over.

“You must have really suffered… You’ve done well.”

At the same time, it also included news that one of them had been ‘executed’ once.

Since the adventurers moved independently and couldn’t even manage to capture the Dungeon Lord, they must have needed a performance to divert the crowd’s attention by publicly announcing the results of their failure.

The means for this was the execution of the adventurer who had entered the dungeon, the very person I had injected the Cerebrum Skull into.

Because of that, the relationship between the adventurer’s guild and the city might have soured quite a bit.

– No, for the master’s command…

“That’s a commendable statement. I’ll consider a reward for you.”

– It would be an honor. If I can receive a reward for just one spine, it would surely be a great deal.

“That was an impressive response.”

– Once again, it is an honor.

This was something I had anticipated and had advised beforehand. I also thought the execution wouldn’t be too brutally carried out.

The method of execution was a simple decapitation. The Cerebrum Skull doesn’t stop unless the skull is destroyed, so it was meaningless to me, even if it was significant for the person involved.

For now, I would have to rely on the other Cerebrum Skull still with me to regenerate my body, so the information network might lower in quality for a while.

– Then, I will await our next meeting and gather information here.

“Yeah, keep up the good work.”

– Please take care of your health.

My summons are quite concerned about my well-being.

This isn’t weird. Summons generally show loyalty to their lord.

But what I find strange is that while I don’t know how other Dungeon Lords interact with their summons, I’m sure they aren’t in such a situation as mine.

Just look at the war between Serika and Copgerin. They raise the undead once, and if that doesn’t work, they do it again and again.

Initially, the objects of affection were only the core and the garden.

If they cherished their subordinates, they would have shown different attitudes.

“How arrogant. You little brat…”

– Exactly!

“You guys are the ones who are arrogant! What do you mercenaries and summons think of your lord?! Forcibly taking me away like this…!”

Even in the current scene, some of that habitual attitude is visible.

Considering the position of a Dungeon Lord, I had brought my two favorite people, and yet they reacted like that.

That was quite the attitude that made me feel uncomfortable.

“It’s best to watch your words. They aren’t just mercenaries; they are my cherished ones.”

“What?! What does that mean for such a mercenary…!”

“Be quiet. You aren’t even a human child and yet are acting spoiled.”

“…! That’s unfair!”

No matter how I think about it, they don’t seem like the type to cherish others or their subordinates.

Rather, from the looks they give me, it shows they realize that my behavior is not typical.

“… You really brought back Lady Serika.”

Less than an hour after waking up and contacting me this morning, the goblin merchant, Geum, kneels in front of me, naturally extending his hand to kiss the back of it.

… Did I just act too naturally?

Though it might be due to ‘nobility,’ it’s not a trait that builds the ability to do things I shouldn’t be doing. I seem to have gotten quite used to this because Evangeline enjoys such actions so much.

“It wasn’t that difficult.”

With Serika causing such a commotion, she gathered everyone’s attention, and the two groups of military and adventurers, with no unified command structure, created critical cracks due to their ambitions.

The fallout from hastily gathered groups, so to speak.

It wasn’t entirely because of my ability; I was just lucky.

If I thought I couldn’t exploit those self-created cracks, I probably wouldn’t have even considered going there in the first place.

“Even so, to push into the central battlefield, to extract a Dungeon Lord among humans, and leave almost no evidence, that shows bold and clear intentions.”

“You’re overpraising me. Regardless, any monster in the Demon World could do it.”

“That cannot be true. It’s difficult for most existing Lords or nobles in the Demon World. Let alone doing it personally like you did. That cunning, bold judgment, and the ability to bring it to success cannot be understated.”

Whether he knows it or not, the praise flowing from Geum’s mouth made his face flush.

I understood that the praise was more along the lines of “amazing for a kid to accomplish this,” so I didn’t feel that happy about it.

Moreover, it doesn’t feel good to be overly praised for winning through the faults of others.

“So, when will the client be arriving?”

“Well… do they really have to meet directly?”

“What do you mean? You’re not saying they haven’t come, are you?”

“That’s not it, but…”

When I steered the conversation back to the original business to cut the chain of praise, Geum, surprisingly troubled, started speaking.

“I’m not doubting you’d have dealings with our company upon contacting the Demon World nobility, right?”

After thinking for a moment, I pricked at the reason behind it.

After all, merchants are sensitive to profit, so it was a question based on that common sense.

“Oh! That’s not it! It seems you, Lady, wouldn’t do such… dishonorable things.”

“Then?”

As I continued to question, Geum rolled his eyes and wore a troubled expression. When I maintained my silence and urged him for an answer, he finally sighed.

“Demon World nobles are less… refined than one might think. I believe it would leave a bad influence on you, Lady…”

“Less refined?”

“Dungeon Lords are nominally successors of the Demon Lord… As candidates for succession, but if they lack actual ability, they won’t be treated well in the Demon World. You understand that.”

Hearing this much, I began to guess what he was saying.

In the Demon World, where the value of ‘strength’ is higher than on the surface, it’s questionable whether I—a weak Lady—could even be treated as a noble.

Also, since the Mammon Trading Company is a neutral faction loyal to the Demon Lord, its subordinates also maintain respect for Dungeon Lords, but the Grand Dukes building their own power in the Demon World wouldn’t act that way.

“The absence of charm you speak of means they might regard me as beneath them.”

“… That’s correct. A single request won’t suffice for proper recognition as a Lord. This meeting could have a bad influence on you.”

“Alright…”

So, Geum’s attitude was ultimately due to concern for me.

I wondered why so many people worried about me.

Though they’re neither my subordinates nor close kin, I can’t help but soften my tone when speaking to them.

“If that’s the case, then I’ll meet them.”

“Excuse me?”

Of course, that doesn’t mean I would yield.

Allies must be close. Enemies must be even closer.

That principle applies even now, at this moment. Truth is universal.

“I must be able to present a dagger’s tip to those who would try to step on or sit on me.”

“Oh… that’s quite profound of you.”

“So don’t worry. I won’t bear any grudge against you over this matter.”

“N-no! Not at all!”

“That’s a sweet little lie.”

“Hahaha…”

As I spoke, smiling at the frantic Geum who shook his head vigorously, he wiped off the cold sweat trickling down his broad forehead and bowed once before speaking.

“Then, he will arrive soon.”

“You were prepared, huh.”

“I can’t proceed without inquiring about the matter.”

“Excellent attitude.”

“It is an honor. Lady. Scarlett! Mari! Open the door!”

““Yes!””

As soon as Geum gave the order, two red and blue succubi, who had been waiting, opened the large gate connecting to the trading company from the room with the core.

This gate usually remains concealed, only opening when the company moves, as it’s connected to the dungeon’s core, so if there’s a problem with the dungeon, it can disappear instantly.

Thus, it would become invisible to adventurers attempting to conquer the dungeon no matter what happened.

“The firstborn of the Baritra Marquis House, Julian Baritra, the heir, has arrived!”

The first to leap through the gate were a dozen attendants and knights.

Proving the fantasy of vampires, each had a handsome or beautiful face as they rushed out, laid a red carpet on the floor, with attendants raising trumpets and knights lifting swords, noisily announcing the aristocrat’s entrance.

My only impression was one thing.

‘How low-class.’

While I usually refrain from cursing, I was thankful I could do so in thought.

At least it felt less suffocating.

In any case, according to Geum’s previous words, as a Dungeon Lord, I would undoubtedly rank higher than that marquis heir. Surely, it would be a position of mutual respect.

Yet, they carry out such a ceremony without consulting me, the owner of the dungeon?

And not just a count, but a baron no less?

Hmm.

“Uh, uh…”

“Ah…”

Geum and Scarlett were already sweating cold beads of panic, and Mari, though clueless, sensed something was off.

And me?

“Things have gone well for you, Serika.”

“What? What do you mean all of a sudden…”

I congratulated Serika. I didn’t specify the meaning.

From the fact that such an idiot is introduced not as the ‘successor’ but merely ‘heir,’ I can already guess the situation of the marquis family.

At the very least, a person arriving to confirm a family commission is not a successor but an heir. And amidst such a situation, to specifically seek out a bastard means what?

It surely wouldn’t be because of the marquis’s pride in the initial request; it was clear the succession of the marquis’s heir was uncertain.

In other words, there may be an opportunity for Serika. Even though the chances are quite slim, given she’s a bastard child.

“Take this.”

I handed her the thing I had been fiddling with in my hand while still contemplating.

The ‘gain beyond thought’ that I obtained from within the dungeon.

“This is…”

“A shard of the core. I don’t know whose idiot it is, but they dropped it. With this, it’s possible to trace.”

“The core…”

“So you’re no longer calling it ‘Mama.’”

“Don’t tease me. … I knew that all along.”

… I might sound weird saying this to a monster that kills people, but nonetheless, I must say she sounds like a pretty impressive kid.

Maybe she’s doing quite well as a seasoned Dungeon Lord after all.

“Yeah. You seem more aware now.”

“If you say so.”

With the core shard, it should be possible to find the original. I could likely create a compass-like item through the right spell.

While I wouldn’t consider her ‘Mama,’ it’s certain the core is still an object of her affection. Helping her might just dilute the unlikable sentiments she gives off until now.

It was an investment I didn’t expect much from, nor would I suffer any losses.

“Nice to meet you, Dungeon Lady Libertus. I am Julian, the heir of the Baritra.”

“Welcome, Julian.”

However, it’s only natural for every investor to hope for great returns, even from a simple investment.

I also thought it would be nice if that were the case as I smiled at the approaching fool.

A smile with nothing behind it, merely a mask.