READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 141
– 1 –
The previous meeting was held in Solemio’s grand conference hall, but this time it took place in a somewhat different location.
This place, specially created on the first floor considering Alraune Nirvana, was remodeled from the long corridor where the first hunt took place.
‘There’s space galore here.’
“Congratulations on the victory!”
““Congratulations!””
As we entered the newly decorated conference room, the queens followed suit after Kamaya’s lead.
‘It seems a bit excessive, but…’
Since there was a celebration, opposing it would seem odd.
Above all, the sight of the queens greeting together certainly brought something to my heart.
Is this the allure of power?
I felt tempted to watch this scene further, but simply calmed myself and smiled back at them.
“Thank you all. Has everything been well during this time?”
“Under Master’s care, we are all focusing on expanding our influence. There have been no clashes or internal conflicts yet.”
“Good to hear. Then let’s take a seat.”
Looking around the conference room, it was just me, the queens, and a couple of their aides.
This was because today’s meeting wasn’t about discussing something new, but simply a continuation of the last meeting.
Establishing a military force for stability within the dungeon.
Setting the next target for a full-on attack.
These two points were today’s key topics.
“First, I’d like to hear from Daniel.”
“Yes, Master.”
For his sake, there were others present today who weren’t queens.
Upon my call, Daniel Smith stood up and bowed deeply.
“First, the establishment of the mercenary corps has been completed, and we are now entering the phase of active operations. First…”
Listening to his report, I confirmed his growth status.
『Attributes
Health 52(◀ 44)
Skill 69(◀ 50)
Defense 42(◀ 37)
Magic 59(◀ 52)
Resistance 48(◀ 43)』
『Specialized Skill: Ranger – Specialization in archery, one-handed swords, and assassination. Receives significant bonuses for each action.』
『Sharp Insight – Sees further and more accurately. Identifies the target’s weaknesses and predicts their movements. Can gauge the current state of a target from a distance with precision.』
‘Both attributes and characteristics have improved one step.’
Specialized traits like ‘Ranger’ receive a higher rank than more common ones.
The fact he received this attribute at the ‘Legend’ grade was evidence of his continuous hard work.
It seemed one couldn’t simply gain legendary attributes through mere sacrifices.
‘Guess feeding the offerings was worth it.’
It’s only natural to be concerned about the safety of those operating externally.
As I was thinking this, I suddenly remembered his ‘junior,’ Alexis.
I had invested similarly in him as well…
‘To be lazy and waste opportunities, how unfortunate.’
It’s pitiful.
The special armor and traits I’d bestowed upon Alexis had already been passed on to others, so that was no concern.
However, what I had invested in him wouldn’t entirely return.
‘It must be because I couldn’t provide enough wealth or women to satisfy him.’
Humans, likely to fall into decadence, need continuous rewards to incentivize their actions.
That was a principle not apparent when the target was just a mass of pixels.
Among my subordinates…
‘Should I apply such principles to someone like Hailey or Nirvana?’
Of course, just because I realized that didn’t mean I’d indulge his greedy appetite.
‘Wanting to sleep with every princess in the world.’
That was far too excessive a desire written in his diary.
If I had known his tendencies from the start, I would have simply used him as an offering or made him fodder for the dungeon.
‘I guess learning comes through experience.’
No matter how you slice it, I am still a novice who hasn’t even reached a year in organizing this group.
Thanks to good subordinates, a favorable environment, and memories from my previous life, I’ve only been able to display a high level of control.
“Master?”
“Speak. Everyone is listening.”
I gathered my thoughts at Daniel’s puzzled voice.
He seemed to have realized I was lost in thought.
I gestured for him to continue the presentation.
While I was contemplating, I had also been storing his words in my memory, so there was no problem.
“Yes… The biggest challenge has been the integration with the Monster Mercenary Corps, but for now…”
Twilight Hunters.
This was Daniel’s nickname among mercenaries and the name of the mercenary corps I had instructed him to create.
This mercenary corps would surely be recorded in the continent’s history as the first Monster Mercenary Corps.
Not just monsters included in a mercenary group, but the first mercenary group with them as actual members.
However, right now, the mercenary corps had many worries.
Including unchecked issues.
“Hold on a moment, Daniel. Nirvana, Orea. What do the monsters joining the corps think?”
As I interrupted Daniel’s speech and directed my question to the two queens, they rose from their seats, bowed their heads once towards me, and began to speak.
“There’s no need for you to worry on our end. The ones I sent are ones you don’t need to worry about, Master. The concern lies with the Muirmikians.”
Nirvana’s words hit the nail on the head with my exact worries.
Indeed, the monsters that had been merely subdued didn’t pose a reason for concern.
Even Alraune, who accompanied to subdue their minds, possesses deadly power against humans.
“Is that so?”
“Wait. I can’t let that comment slide.”
“Is that so?”
Orea seemed a bit offended.
It sounded like she interpreted Nirvana as doubting their abilities and will.
Yet in response to that backlash, Nirvana simply smiled alluringly.
“We are filled with the determination to prove our loyalty to the new Master. So you need not worry about them harming humans.”
“My concern isn’t that. It’s rather the opposite.”
“Yes…? Um. That’s alright. We are always prepared for honorable sacrifices…”
Orea, who hadn’t quite grasped the situation, thought the ‘Muirmikians avoiding trouble’ meant simply standing out as sacrificial lambs.
As I struggled to find the right words to explain, Etna and Nirvana approached her.
“Orea, my queen. That is…”
“What Master is likely worried about is human…”
“The nocturnal luring…”
What they were explaining now was about the most humiliating thing the Muirmikians could suffer.
Being ant-human, the Muirmikians inherit the traits of their original species, ‘ants.’
Everyone but the male Muirmikians are female.
‘This is the biggest issue.’
Knowing the dark and deep nature of humans, I couldn’t help but worry about the actions of the ‘possible fools.’
“Such… such…!! No way…!”
Orea, queen of the Clever Muirmikian tribe, trembled as she spoke.
Her face reddened as she began to understand my concerns.
“But among monsters, there are surely those who exist. Species that reproduce from receiving the seeds of other monsters or through a process of fertilization…”
“Are you talking about us?”
“Ah, sorry. Queen Nirvana. I didn’t mean it in that way…”
“It’s fine.”
Despite it being somewhat rude, Nirvana simply smiled.
A soft smile with an alluring quality.
“It is the truth. It’s unlikely to happen going forward, but… because there are better seeds…”
Her last words carried a hidden desire directed at me, but I simply ignored it.
I turned my gaze back to Daniel.
He too wore a look of embarrassment, but as I met his gaze, he composed himself.
‘Seems there’s no smoke without fire.’
The mercenaries’ rough nature seems to be worse than the rumors suggested.
I sighed deeply inwardly.
“Anyway, it’s alright for now.”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
Daniel’s answer was cautious.
He surely understood how the members of ‘Twilight Hunters’ felt about the monsters who had recently joined them.
Above being slaves, below subordinates.
That was their current status.
In truth, he didn’t need to gauge my mood. This had begun at my command.
‘To reduce the rejection among the mercenary corps members, this is best for now.’
Of course, that didn’t sit well with me.
It wouldn’t please me that those who rely on and belong to me are treated as slaves by others.
However, reducing rejection toward monsters would take time to change ingrained perceptions.
The consciousness spread by human kings and gods was deeply rooted across the continent.
Monsters are the enemies of humans.
Thus, it was inevitable for them to feel that way.
At the same time, it was something I could take action on.
“Have all the elite mercenaries been summoned?”
“Yes. They are waiting in the dungeon’s guest room.”
“Good. Bring them here right after the meeting.”
If they maintain politeness and caution in dealing with the key monster figures of the mercenary corps, they would set an example, and the attitudes of the other mercenaries would naturally shift as well.
While we couldn’t avoid the discriminatory gaze coming from outside for now, at least we could alleviate internal discomfort.
I expect that at least absurd losses due to battle will not occur.
“Thank you, Master…! On behalf of all my kin, I appreciate…!”
Orea and Etna bent deeply at the waist simultaneously.
Though typically they appeared to be polar opposites in personality, it was amusing to see them show such astounding synergy in moments like this.
“No, this is my fault for not explaining beforehand.”
“Not at all! How could you say such a thing!”
“That’s right! Master is the one who will bring light back to monsters! Executing the orders of such a person is the greatest joy!”
As I shook my head in denial at her overzealousness, they jumped up even higher in unison, creating quite the uproar.
Naturally, my worries seemed to vanish, and a smile crept onto my face.
“Thank you, both of you. Let’s continue. Daniel.”
“Yes. Now, about the results we’ve achieved so far…”
The results of the ‘Twilight Hunters’ had already begun to show.
A few elite monsters and I had begun to earn a reputation by taking down an upper-level Dungeon Lord from a far region to whom I’d passed information, and soon the northeastern part of the Kaisen Kingdom and the southeastern corner of the Kiza Principality would become their main field of activity.
“I have confirmed everything that has been brought. They continue to improve splendidly.”
“Once the psychological fortification you will provide regarding the elite mercenaries is completed after today, their results will improve even more.”
Originally, I hadn’t intended to interfere with the mercenaries’ psyche.
At least not while I remained hidden from view.
But now, with a minimum of two Grand Dukes of Surface Magical Realms or their noble subordinates, perhaps even members of the Underworld Trading Company, likely watching me, I had no time to slack off on stability.
Less important matters now required more audacious handling.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Yes!”
In any case, thanks to that, I had already secured two intact elite monster corpses suitable for offerings.
The required number of offerings for an upper-level Dungeon Lord to reach elite status was three elite monster corpses.
‘It’s almost time.’
When the territory is ready, I could ascend to an even higher level.
– 2 –
“Kamaya, Echidna. I want to hear from you.”
After wrapping up the discussion about the mercenary corps, I turned my gaze to the two who had returned from scouting areas that would become my domain.
Echidna took charge of the swampy southeastern area, while Kamaya surveyed the southern and western cliff areas.
“… ”
The two queens exchanged glances for a moment, then simultaneously opened their mouths to speak to me.
“An opportunity has come, Master.”
“It appears they are preparing for war, Master.”
Their words piqued my interest considerably.
“… Please elaborate.”
On the queens’ faces, I could see fierce anticipation and determination growing.