It’s Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

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– 1 –

It’s already been a week since the war with the Marquis.

In this war, I successfully obtained the Dungeon Cores of Melzeros and Zarkra.

It’s not wise to hastily decide on their use, but these materials cannot be left for long.

‘The Dungeon Core and its Lord are one body.’

A Dungeon Lord left without a Core goes on a rampage due to all sorts of emotions and uncontrolled power, and the reverse is true as well.

It’s a kind of meltdown phenomenon where they consume themselves and release an uncontrollable number of monsters.

That summarizes the phenomenon of a Dungeon Core going out of control.

‘Though I’m stabilizing it for now…’

I can’t keep carrying the Dungeon Core around indefinitely; it’s imperative to find its master quickly.

I have five candidates who can become Dungeon Lords…

“Just as I thought, it’s the two of them.”

The first candidates to become Lords have just been selected.

“It has been decided.”

“Hehe. Just as you expected, right?”

I decided to grant Zarkra’s Core to Harpy Queen Kamaya and Melzeros’ Core to Alraune Queen Nirvana.

Kamaya is the first queen I made contact with, and Nirvana is the oldest among the five.

Furthermore, Nirvana is situated to the northeast, while Kamaya’s location allows her to oversee the southwest beyond the mountain range.

To establish this grand strategy, Kamaya even moved her nest to a location more conducive to expansion.

This treatment of both the pioneer and elder serves to support my current grand strategy.

“I’m sure you can guess this, but even though I decided to give them the Cores, that’s not the end of it.”

Dungeon Cores are immense aggregates of power that can grow.

As such, granting ‘qualifications’ to those who possess them is a sensitive matter in the Demon World.

It wasn’t something I could handle unilaterally.

Otherwise, I could be attacked as “the Demon Lord who insulted the Demon Lord’s succession.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“Please tell us what we should do, Master.”

The two responded with a heavy demeanor.

Kamaya usually maintains a deliberately serious attitude, but Nirvana was equally grave in that moment.

Though she has not hidden her desires since serving me as a lord, she has never forgotten to respect me anywhere and anytime.

It was the wisdom of a monster that had experienced the chaos of at least 100 years ago.

“Alright. Then… please greet the person who will assist you in this process.”

I introduced them to someone entering the room.

Someone who would become a senior figure to them in various ways.

“Come here, Serika.”

“Okay.”

The one entering is a small woman with a heavenly smile, but an aristocratic grace emanates from her being.

Elder Vampire, High-level Dungeon Lord Serika, who had been lurking in the mountains near Copgerin, has just arrived at my dungeon.

Clip-clop. Clip-clop.

Her steps were much more elegant and polished than before.

With a straight back and shoulders that didn’t wobble, and her head held high to the point of appearing stiff.

Serika’s transformation was remarkable.

Even though I had seen her two or three times in the past, I am surprised every time I do, as if witnessing someone miraculously change.

However, as she approached me, that atmosphere dissipated as she beamed her smile even wider.

“I missed you, Rita.”

She came close to me, shedding the noble air that arose with every step, and hugged me tightly.

She now sat casually on the armrest, as if her previous demeanor had all been a lie, draped her arms around my shoulders, beamed her smile at me, then kissed my cheek.

“I felt the same.”

“I thought I was the only one… we were supposed to visit more often.”

“I remember you said you’d come by a few times. And I kept that promise.”

“Not fooled, huh?”

From her pouting lips, a charm that had been there before along with an unexplainable allure seeped out.

It was astonishing that she could change her expression so easily, but it was equally delightful that her attitude toward me hadn’t changed.

“You’ve become very skilled.”

“Of course. I practiced a lot.”

Nodding her head a couple of times, she couldn’t hide the joy of being complimented and smiled widely while burying her head in my shoulder.

I praised her efforts while gently patting her head.

“You really worked hard.”

“I struggled a lot…”

“I know.”

She had gone through a lot in those two months.

Constantly proving herself to the noble families, doing various tasks.

Maintaining her status as the heir of a Count family while attempting to return to being a Dungeon Lord on the ground after having lost a Core once.

And in the end, she succeeded in that endeavor, returning to the surface.

To my side.

Perhaps that’s why, even with her still innocent smile, there was an undeniable mental strength emanating from her.

A resilience characteristic of someone who has truly endured adversity.

This meant that the time for consolation and praise didn’t have to be very long.

“Are these the ones who will become your ‘maids’ anew?”

Standing up, she began to exude grace over her red dress and stood next to me.

Her tone remained casual, but she had the demeanor that demanded a sense of decorum.

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Hmm…”

Serika’s gaze was clear with intent as she surveyed the two around her.

It didn’t take long at all.

“Truly splendid for natural monsters, you all.”

After just one round of inspection, she said this.

“Thank you, Lady Serika.”

“… Thank you.”

Nirvana made an elegant response, whereas Kamaya briefly shot a glance at Nirvana as if to say, “Who is this one to evaluate me?”

For now, this was in front of me, and I had directed this, so I imagined she wouldn’t hold any dissatisfaction.

But it seemed she would want to exert some authority.

Even though she had returned to the level of a High-level Dungeon Lord, the power disparity between Serika and them was likely still considerable.

“She is the second in line to the Marquis family in the Demon World, and she is also a close friend of mine. At the same time, she will help you adapt to the power of the Dungeon Core, so ensure you treat her well.”

“Yes, Master.”

Both of them responded in unison.

Having come to this world with a Dungeon Core since the start and having never experienced losing one myself, I found it hard to provide the essential help to them. Lan was the same.

That’s why I entrusted Serika with them.

Just recognizing that fact would bolster her authority.

“You didn’t have to say that.”

“How could I not say it? You accepted my request.”

Though her words suggested otherwise, her eyes sparkled with happiness.

Perhaps it was joy at the fact that I was being considerate of her.

“But I won’t be able to help you much.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s because I have a past of failure that made it hard for me to gain qualifications while they don’t have that issue.”

There was no wound reflected in Serika’s eyes as she spoke of her failures and past losses.

She had an attitude that seemed completely unfazed.

It can only be one of two things: she had adequately healed or she had matured enough to cover those past hurts.

‘Whichever it is, I guess I’ll find out as we talk.’

It would be wonderful if it were the former, but the latter would also be fine.

However, if it’s the latter, we might need to talk more. After all, I would be the senior in discussions of loss.

For now, it’s about the Core.

“That’s the case. So… who should we discuss this with?”

“If you ask the merchants first, they’ll help with most of the paperwork. I’ll bring in a clerk to report to the Demon Lord about the new Dungeon Lords. It’s not something that can be processed remotely.”

“Alright… Can I ask you to take care of that?”

“Of course! You can ask for anything related to Rita!”

Serika clasped her hands at her waist and spoke with an air of ease and confidence.

She must also be quite busy returning to the state of a Dungeon Lord, yet she seemed completely unconcerned.

Well, now she isn’t alone.

At least I’m here.

“Instead… you have to praise me again once the work is done, okay?”

“That goes without saying. I have to thank you.”

“It’s not just gratitude; it’s about praise. Praise.”

“…?”

Her carefully made request sounded quite confusing. However, it wasn’t difficult, so there was no reason for me to shake my head.

“Okay. I got it.”

“I promise.”

Serika, smiling widely, embraced me again tightly and crossed through the gate.

It was likely to bring back the clerk she just mentioned.

“… Strong… stubborn…”

“What are you talking about, Kamaya? It’s our senior here.”

“Pretending not to know…”

A faint whisper from the queens brushed past my ear.

However, the moment their gazes met mine, they just smiled at me.

While there were things on my mind, I felt no bad premonition, so I encouraged them to do well and left.

According to Serika, it would take some time for the ‘inspection’ period, so I would have to send in the report and wait a bit.

– 2 –

“Master, I have completed my orders and returned.”

“You moved quite busily, didn’t you, Eve?”

– Moving indeed!

“I wanted to finish quickly and see you, Master.”

Evangeline’s mischievous smile instantly brought a smile to my face upon seeing her.

Even if she moved through the Tribres connecting the dungeon to the trap mansion, it would have taken at least a week round trip by a regular carriage.

She returned just six days after being sent on a mission to ‘deal with’ Alexis.

Using the Phantom Horse, it seemed she managed her time quite tightly.

“What are those?”

Besides, she was holding something stuffed in her arms.

They looked like quite limited-use items no matter how I saw them.

Most seemed to be snacks and ingredients, but occasionally there were flowers and jewelry mixed in as well.

“These are presents for you, Master. I spent all my remaining travel expenses to buy them.”

Eve said she thought of me every time she saw something outside.

Usually, when there was a reason to go out, she would accompany me, and if she saw something good, she would just buy it on the spot. But now that she could move freely alone, it seemed she really unleashed her spending urge.

“You too…”

‘Not that I’m dissatisfied…’

As a Dungeon Lord, while there might be growth, there would be no change.

Nutrients gained would all be converted into magic power, and from that magic power, I’d gain activity and maintenance for my body.

Basically, I maintain the same form I had since birth until I die.

In some cases, Dungeon Lords may grow as their magic power increases…

But…

‘I haven’t gained an inch or an ounce in size thus far.’

It’s unlikely I’ll ever end up obese, no matter how much I eat moving forward.

I may feel full, but I still wouldn’t have indigestion or overeating.

‘Still, I wish I could grow a bit taller.’

Temporarily growing my body is possible, but that would be mimicry or transformation, not growth.

As I pondered what seemed like an impossible wish, I bit into the first piece of chocolate that Evangeline eagerly offered.

“Here you go.”

Crunch.

While medieval chocolate might lack sweetness, I was grateful for this. I can’t expect the same sweetness from this world as I would in modern Earth.

That said, I’ve recently had a chance to taste things that are closer to that flavor… thanks to Evangeline, Xue, and Lan’s efforts.

“Please wait a bit. I’ll melt it and make something new.”

They know my taste by heart, as they have been making the main dishes and desserts for my table.

It felt somewhat embarrassing.

How could they know my tastes without me telling them?

“That’s not necessary. You must be busy with other tasks too. Your well-being is important.”

“Don’t worry. We don’t need to sleep. But our beautiful Master must.”

Even if I tried to wring myself out of it with those words, all three of them smiled brightly, making it harder for me to push back.

“What are you talking about?”

– What are you saying!

“Hey, you’re distorting my speech lately.”

“Oh, I forgot for a moment I was seeing you again, Master. Look at this, Master.”

While I scratched Mary’s head, making her rub her cheeks against my fingers, Evangeline pulled something out to show me.

“How has it been long? It’s only been a few days. So what’s this?”

“I found it at Alexis’ residence.”

Her face, which hardened slightly, seemed to brighten as she presented it—a card with a golden handprint drawn on the back of a hand with gray eyes.

“It’s the emblem of the Underworld Trading Company Midas.”

“What?”

I had brushed against it lightly with Hailey’s matter before, and I was still receiving information from that organization.

This was a report that Alexis was connected to that Underworld Trading Company.