It’s Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

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– 1 –

“Nice to meet you, Lady Libertus.”

The ‘senior necromancer’ called by Xue was a woman of impressive height. Even as she leaned slightly to adjust her height to match mine, I still had to tilt my head up to look at her.

Gray skin, elegant light blue hair, purple eyes, a pretty eye patch adorned with flowers, and a slender figure. With long pointed ears and large horns that sprouted from the sides of her head, she emitted an aura of undeniable magical energy.

‘At least a high-tier user…’

My eyes narrowed instinctively. While I couldn’t precisely gauge her abilities, I sensed she was stronger than me.

If she were combat-oriented and intended to oppose or overpower me, that would mean trouble.

Still, there must be a reason why Xue so easily allowed her into our space.

“I am Myr Relix. My skills may be lacking, but I hold the title of Baron in the Demon World.”

“I saw Talalan just yesterday. Now I see another demon. Nice to meet you. As you know, I am Dungeon Lord Libertus.”

Demon. Specifically, ‘Delph.’

Among the demon races, they are a specialized minority in magic and spirit arts. Known as ‘Infrasheed’ or ‘The Deeper Shadow’ in the continent’s tongue, they are often regarded as high elves among dark elves.

They look very similar to dark elves since their appearance is deeply related to their lineage.

In fact, they are hybrids of dark elves and demons who succeeded in establishing themselves as a distinct race.

‘Though the continent is not aware…’

Originally merely a hybrid, they continued to interbreed with various dark elves and demons until they ultimately became one unique race.

Thus the Delph emerged as the only demon race capable of mastering spirit summoning.

They’re the only race among demons that can have spirit summoners on a large scale.

“I see you’ve met him. I know him too.”

“A warrior of outstanding caliber, just at a glance.”

“What about me?”

“You seem to embody that as well. I greatly anticipate the outcome of our meeting today.”

“It’s an honor. I will do my utmost not to disappoint your expectations.”

“Indeed… this way.”

As we made our way to the reception room, my disciple Sonia and Xue, acting as the introducer, also joined us.

There, Myr began to capture my interest with her story.

“In fact, I have been looking forward to meeting Lady Libertus very much.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I almost felt compelled to toss aside the ongoing research projects I had.”

“…”

Her words, though slightly exaggerated, seemed sincere, and I paused for a moment in silence as she alternated her gaze between me and Xue, giving a sly smile.

Before Xue could intervene, she continued.

“Wait. That…”

“I wanted to meet the one who could tame the rebellious Lin Xue.”

“Rebellious?”

Before Xue could catch on, my interest was piqued. I had heard similar nuances from the trading company earlier, but hadn’t been informed of the specifics.

“Yes. You might be surprised at how violently this werewolf can act when put out of joint.”

In fact, I already knew of her tendencies. No matter how much she tried to hide it, it was apparent.

However, my curiosity about how others perceive Xue was significant as well.

“Master…”

“That’s fascinating.”

Though Xue seemed to be subtly signaling her desire to stop me, she resigned herself once my words fell and sank deeply into the sofa.

While her dissatisfaction showed, her body language made it clear she had no intention of reversing my decision.

Myr, finding her amusing, began sharing stories she knew.

“Once, I received a request for protection, but the requester was displeased with my actions…”

“How audacious to attempt to make me a mistress…”

“At another time, the requester was a mage, and he took liberties with the materials he possessed…”

“I needed them to strengthen myself… but he wouldn’t give them to me.”

“And…”

Listening carefully, with Xue adding her comments in between, it became evident that most actions had reasonable justifications behind them.

They merely disregarded decorum and etiquette in the process.

This was information I hadn’t heard in detail from the Mammon Trading Company before. Initially, they were in a position of ‘selling’ Xue to me, hence they wouldn’t share anything that could be deemed negative.

Also, among those were matters I needed to know.

“Tell me more about that initial story.”

“Master…?”

I gently shoved Xue’s head resting on my shoulder to halt any objections, gesturing to Myr.

This was a matter more important than the main topics we needed to discuss today.

“Was there someone who tried to make Xue a mistress?”

Much more.

“Uh… yes. Um. Do I really have to say this?”

Myr’s expression hinted that she knew she had stepped on a landmine but was hoping to get a pass.

“I must hear this.”

I shook my head resolutely.

She maintained a moment of silence in the face of my unwavering gaze before slowly opening her mouth, keeping a troubled expression.

“… As far as I know, his name is Harpas. He operates under the Duke of Pride and is one of the three Marquises known for destruction.”

Certainly, this was someone with enough notoriety to wipe me out in a heartbeat if I showed even a hint of hostility.

That said, I had no intention of letting it slide or backing down.

“Harpas, huh. I’ll have to remember that.”

Since it was an old story, it could be understood in context. It was merely a matter of when I would next encounter this individual.

If someday we meet again.

‘Should he show greed towards Xue once more and be rude in my presence…’

I’d make it clear what happens to those who dare gaze upon the woman favored by a Lord, even if they were a Marquis.

I wouldn’t be satisfied until I’d gouged out their eyes and tongue.

“Master… that person is…”

“Don’t worry about that. It’s not like I’m planning something reckless… excessively, at least.”

My statement implied that I would act if necessary, to oppose him.

Xue’s face flushed slightly as a worried expression crossed her features.

“And Myr. You need not worry; I won’t disclose what you’ve said.”

“Oh my. That’s something I hadn’t anticipated. Thank you, Lady. But…”

Since it was a different expression from my usual drowsy demeanor or my cruelty on the battlefield, I began to pinch her cheeks, noticing her blush growing deeper.

Myr seemed to perceive Xue’s breathing becoming slightly irregular, glancing cautiously at me.

“… Should I take my leave for a while?”

“Don’t tease. … I’ll bring more refreshments.”

Afterward, Xue left her seat.

There was still plenty of food left, even though it was something typically done by noble fanatics.

In any case, I had learned everything I needed to know.

“Let’s return to the original topic.”

“Oh, yes.”

Though Myr watched me with a peculiar gaze as I regained my calm demeanor, I had no intention of dwelling further on this topic.

It was merely frustrating.

“I heard from Xue that you can help with the magic I wish to develop.”

“Oh. Yes, I heard about that too. You want to communicate with your summons.”

“Correct. However, now that I’ve met you, I think it might be due to your being a Delph that it’s possible.”

Delph, like Dark Elves or Elves, possesses the potential for spirit summoning among all races.

It is a natural fact since their origin is Dark Elves.

At the same time, she was a necromancer.

It wasn’t hard to speculate that the combination of these two talents allowed her superior communication ability with spiritual entities compared to all other existences.

However, she denied such deductions.

“That may not be incorrect. But I can communicate fluently not just with spirits but also with skeletons and zombies that I summon.”

“Really…?”

“Yes. This isn’t a matter of talent; it’s a product of effort. I’m confident it will help.”

“Hmm.”

Nodding, I gulped down my now lukewarm tea and then handed her the document beside me.

“What is this…?”

“It’s a contract document. If you wish to receive knowledge, a compensation is necessary, don’t you think?”

“Oh… what if I’m not much help…?”

It seems that in the Demon World, the norm is not to have contracts before engagements.

Often, they will validate the capability through collaborative actions first.

There are cases where they work for free for a while.

The gremlins who constructed my dungeon were notably favorable to me, and it was related to that as well.

It seemed that a society revolving around stronger beings and having an exceptionally lengthy lifespan brought about such a culture…

“Don’t worry about that.”

I had no reason to follow that norm.

Labor deserves compensation, even if that laborer is my slave.

Of course.

“Once a contract is made, I’ll extract some benefit from you.”

However, that labor must unequivocally yield ‘effective’ results.

Regardless of whether it helps me or not, if it’s due to incapacity, there’s nothing I could do about it.

Yet I cannot offer compensation to those who choose to ‘not yield’ results.

“That sounds a bit frightening…?”

“You’ll do well, so I don’t think it will matter.”

“Sounds like you believe there might be someone who doesn’t do well.”

“Indeed… even among my subordinates.”

This was a statement applying to those who had already joined my ranks as subordinates.

For instance, a certain man currently in Copgerin.

– 2 –

“Greetings.”

“Welcome… Oh.”

Alexis, surprised to see the person his ‘master’ had sent to aid him, widened his eyes.

His muddy white hair hung down, and his body was clad in scarred, imposing black armor.

He bore a long two-handed sword strapped to his back and several other weapons hanging from his waist.

Although he emanated the aura of a seasoned knight who had fought for decades on the battlefield, he had a beautiful and youthful face visible beneath his hood.

He had the appearance that could only be described as sobering.

“So a stunning person like you would come…”

“Beauty can be a weapon at times.”

“Ah, so you know that as well. I too wield that weapon well. Please, come in without hesitation.”

With an overwhelming beauty and atmosphere that could leave anyone astounded, the knight entered, feeling that Lady Libertus had leaped even higher during his time away from the dungeon.

‘The smell of alcohol…’

On the other hand, the black knight, Evangeline, frowned as she stepped into Alexis’s private room.

The overpowering odor could only be described as disgusting.

The smell of alcohol, known as the stench of a widower, mixed with the scents of sexual encounters and the odor of garbage left uncleaned.

It was clear that the maid hadn’t been doing her job properly.

Even if it was just a brief visit, this was still a noble’s household.

“I was surprised by the sudden support.”

“Your master is concerned about the delay in your achievements.”

“However, noble titles must be escalated cautiously. I couldn’t tell you how many are watching me with hostility right now, being an up-and-coming noble.”

Evangeline nodded.

Alexis’s point was coherent.

But the reason he provided was false.

“I heard that rumors are rampant about you having spent the night with the Countess of Copgerin.”

In truth, she already knew all the circumstances.

Under Lan’s surveillance, his behavior had been close to that of a debauched libertine.

She came to inform him of the cost of those actions.

Right after the ‘war’ ended.

“Oh, has that already become gossip? What a surprise…”

With a manner as if he had no grasp of the situation, Alexis scratched his head awkwardly while smiling.

Swift.

However, his body had already moved toward the sword next to him.