It’s Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

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– 1 –

The sunlight pouring through the carriage window warmed my skin ever so slightly.

It was winter, so the weather was chilly, but it wasn’t a major issue for us inside the carriage. We were, after all, beings who were hardly affected by the weather.

“Ah, this feels nice. The sunlight.”

It had been ages since the last proper outing.

From the declaration of war by the three barons, to the behind-the-scenes manipulation of the Territorial War and Arpina’s attack.

Ever since the official declaration of the Magical Realm’s launch, we hadn’t had a chance to step outside the dungeon at all.

Therefore, this long-awaited outing felt rather special.

“Should we have walked instead of taking the carriage, Master?”

“It’s fine. Given our tasks, indulging in leisurely activities isn’t necessary.”

Of course, this outing wasn’t purely for leisure; it included work as well.

Still, it was undeniably more pleasant than just staying in the dungeon.

“Look at these adorable little ones.”

– Hahaha!

Plong…!

In my sight, I could see the spirits approaching with curious eyes.

Pure elemental souls.

To these spirits, the concepts of good and evil don’t exist. There’s only the difference in the results they wish to create while caring for nature.

Even if other races categorize it as good and evil, the spirits don’t agree with that.

So, like this.

『Trait – … Advanced Specialization: Spirit Magic, …』

Tok

– Ahahaha!

The little spirits came close to me, soon being tainted by my power.

Their bodies darkened a bit, and those who held the hands of the darkened spirit were soon tainted as well.

But there were no feelings of pain, anger, or disgust present.

Just a pure joy and something akin to ‘play’.

– Ehehehe!

As I waved my hand, they joyfully waved back at me before flying off to their respective domains.

Now, the land nearby would become a bit more friendly towards the demon clan.

“Eve.”

“Yes, Master.”

I turned my gaze towards her.

She glanced up at me, having been carefully examining the documents while fiddling with the sword granted to her.

In the sunlight streaming through the window, her eyelashes sparkled.

Clack!

“Oops.”

As the carriage jerked slightly, her shoulder leaned towards me while she tried to catch the falling documents.

For a moment, her subtle fragrance brushed past me.

Eve quickly composed herself, though I didn’t miss the slight blush on her cheeks.

“Could you tell me the schedule?”

“Oh, yes. Our destination is…”

In truth, it was a request I made knowing full well what the schedule entailed.

Her eyes crinkled beautifully as she began to speak.

“Talhan currently has full control over Copgerin’s guild…”

Her voice was calm while she recounted the schedule and reasons, but her fingertips trembled slightly.

It was a sign of her desire to get closer.

‘To love is to endure together… Such a childlike promise. How much do we trust each other and how close are we?’

Her serious expression while reporting made her even more endearing.

When she intentionally cleared her throat to adjust her voice, I couldn’t help but smile.

Sensing my gaze, Eve paused for a moment before continuing her report.

Sitting next to her, Evangeline’s fingers twitched before she grasped the hilt of her sword again.

Tok tok

“Master?”

“Just keep at it.”

I tapped her fingertips lightly, intertwined our hands, and leaned back against the carriage seat, gazing out the window.

– Fwoosh.

Clop clop…

The surroundings were quite serene, save for the sounds of the horses carrying our guards. This outing was just the two of us.

Xue had to stabilize the empty dungeon in my absence, Lan was busy handling important matters related to the western territory, and Sonia was overseeing the Arpina issue.

While I wanted to spend time with Evangeline, whom I had always trusted deeply, it turned out we naturally ended up traveling alone together.

“Most of the humans inside the guild have been replaced either by monsters or Cerebrum Skulls…”

The feeling of the wind from outside tickled the back of my head, and I enjoyed the sensation of her quiet voice resonating in my ears and mind.

Clop clop…

We were heading to Copgerin, the stronghold of Talhan; it was the hub of the southern part of Kaisen and the base for the information guild members spread throughout the south.

And now, the document she was reviewing was one submitted by Talhan from that very location.

Information from a continental organization that swayed the balance of power was, in fact, held by someone else.

People would be quite astonished if they found out.

“Those sensitive enough may have sensed that the information guild has changed. What’s the response in the vicinity?”

“Most seem calm, but…”

Eve’s hands turning the documents were remarkably orderly even now.

While her hand trembled slightly from holding mine, the rest of her body was kept under maximum restraint.

I could sense her hesitation.

“Though it seems outwardly calm, there are indeed some who have contacted us in a state of anxiety…”

Raising her head slowly, her eyes met mine.

Her voice, continuing the report, paused for a moment.

She was a being that didn’t need to breathe, but her reaction was like a person forgetting how to breathe.

“… Ah. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. Please, continue.”

I heard a soft inhale.

Keeping her fingers tightly intertwined with mine, she continued speaking.

“Especially those with connections in the information trade or the nobles. They’re gradually blocking the flow of information entering the south from Kaisen, and it seems they’ve picked up on that. Though it’s merely a suspicion.”

As the carriage traveled down an unpaved road, her shoulder once again leaned towards me.

This time, she didn’t bother correcting her posture.

She kept her gaze fixed on the documents, her ear slightly reddening.

The scent around her deepened just a bit.

“What are they doing?”

“Yes. Talhan is currently first contacting merchants to gather their movements, and then plans to utilize the capabilities of the information guild to gradually convert them into allies. And…”

Eve’s voice quivered as she spoke.

As I raised my other hand to cover hers, she was startled and lifted her gaze.

“You seem tense.”

“Ah… Yes. I’m sorry.”

“No need to worry.”

I held her hand tightly.

With quivering eyes, she looked at our intertwined hands, then closed her eyes momentarily before continuing.

“Next, we’ll be stopping by Count Giless…”

As she spoke, the wind began to calm down, and the wheels started to rumble on a paved road.

We were closing in on our destination.

“Master….”

Having paused her speech, she fell silent for a moment before cautiously speaking.

“… I felt inadequate last time.”

For a moment, I didn’t grasp what she meant, but then I quickly realized.

She was clearly referring to the previous fight.

I could feel my smile broadening.

“If you mean the matter with Arpina, we’ve already forgiven each other.”

She maintained her silence for a brief moment before slowly revealing her true feelings.

“I… don’t want you to have to step into the fray. I’d prefer it if you just enjoyed tea or books whenever possible.”

That revealed her mixed feelings of remorse as a protector. It meant that my risking myself burdened her as well.

I understood, yet I decided to turn it into a joke. It was a matter that was hard for me to accept, after all.

“Are you trying to make me lazy or turn me into a slacker?”

At my words, she immediately looked up, then quickly averted her eyes, scratching her neck with her other hand.

“That’s… not it.”

The expression she wore clearly showed she was flustered.

Perhaps that was indeed her true intention.

“How could I not understand your feelings? My feelings are the same as yours.”

“… Yes.”

Her words contained more than usual.

An unwavering loyalty, and a deeper heart beyond that.

Before long, the corner of the stronghold of Copgerin started to come into view outside the window.

“…”

I didn’t release our intertwined hands and took one last look at her.

She met my gaze, and then…

Sliip.

I pressed my lips against her forehead, which was looking up at me with heated eyes.

A somewhat impulsive decision.

“Master…”

When I opened my eyes, she was smiling, her face flushed, and I could feel the heat rising on my own face as I looked at her.

“This… is hard to endure, Master.”

It was a whisper that seemed mixed with the growl of a beast.

“Should you not endure? You are friends, after all.”

“More like comrades. … Yes. Comrades who have built trust. Hehe.”

With a tightening feeling in my chest, I felt the carriage gradually coming to a halt.

After the carriage stopped.

Her platinum hair, now transformed, reflected the sunlight as she stepped down first, with her reddened eyes meeting mine.

“I will escort you, my master and lady.”

“Willingly. My brave one.”

The blush on her face had vanished, and I also placed my hand atop hers as she extended it.

As the commotion of Copgerin brushed against my ears, my gaze was solely focused on her eyes.

– 2 –

“… What do you mean you’re doing what…?”

Talhan looked incredulously at his subordinate. His expression was filled with perplexity.

The subordinate’s face flickered for a moment, but he soon regained his composure. He straightened and reported again with a clear voice.

“Currently, they are enjoying a snack time in the city. With the General.”

“… Hmph.”

With his subordinate before him, Talhan rubbed his temples.

There was no way his master was simply passing time without any thought. She was someone who always had her actions deliberate, never engaging in meaningless behavior.

While Talhan pondered, a light flickered in his eyes.

He realized what his master’s intentions must be.

“… She must certainly want to test our abilities.”

“Do you think so?”

“Without a doubt.”

Some expressions of doubt appeared among a few subordinates, but Talhan’s voice carried a strong conviction.

“Master is pleased with our loyalty, but she is also pleased with our growth. Everyone knows that.”

“Indeed.”

“Master is that kind of person.”

The subordinates smiled in agreement.

Be they monsters or humans, those who had worked with him for a long time all concurred.

Only the newer members, having recently joined, just observed the veterans’ reactions and thought, ‘That seems to be the case.’

The intelligence officer for the Dungeon Lord nodded in satisfaction as he observed their reactions.

“She must know that ordinary guild members cannot escape their detection. Send out the best assassins and trackers to lie in wait in the shadows.”

“If the master makes contact first, we will respond without hesitation, but under no circumstances will we take the initiative. We will show our capabilities.”

“”Yes!””

Watching his departing subordinates, Talhan’s gaze intensified.

Even if his assumptions were proven wrong, there was still meaning in the action itself.

After all, what master would dislike a loyal subordinate worried for their safety?

– 3 –

In the vibrant streets of Copgerin, I was relishing my date with her.

Since it had been a long time since we had gone out, I heavily wished to enjoy this peaceful time.

Whether human or monster, never taking a break would eventually lead to exhaustion.

Sometimes, appropriate rest becomes a way to catch one’s breath for the long haul.

So, it was wise to take a break when one could.

“The gazes are increasing. Master.”

“Is that so?”

I could feel the watchful eyes that Talhan had sent growing, but it didn’t bother me much.

After all, I had sipped drinks calmly while surrounded by countless enemies before.

The loyal eyes of my subordinates wouldn’t disturb my heart.

… The only things that could shake my heart were the ones I cherished now, or perhaps unresolved matters from my past.

“Are you nervous?”

As I asked her while she had ice cream in her mouth, Evangeline firmly shook her head.

Her gaze had been fixed solely on me all along.

“Why would I be? It’s such a pleasure spending time with the master.”

“But you’re feeling annoyed, right?”

“….”

Evangeline didn’t respond, but the slight crease on her brow and the sharp atmosphere radiating from her conveyed her true feelings.

That look was adorable enough to bring a smile to my face.

“… Hehe.”

“Master?”

“You seem too anxious. We need to ease that.”

“No, I wouldn’t want to inconvenience the master…”

At my comment, she hurriedly smoothed out the crease on her brow, but it was already too late.

Just as I was shaken up by them, they too were inevitably swayed by me.

Of course, such a display wouldn’t appear in front of enemies, but for now, it was merely a peaceful outing.

“If my date partner is frowning, how can I fully enjoy myself?”

“I’m sorry.”

As I shook my dessert spoon, Evangeline bowed her head in apology.

I looked at her and tilted my spoon.

The hiding places of the informants were all “blind spots,” and, in other words, were connected to the “invisible” realms of darkness.

“‘Withdraw. I will come when the time is right.’”

I perceived everything in the blind spots intersecting within our views and infused magic to convey my intentions.

Swoosh!

I felt the signs of surprise dissipating from various directions, fading into the distance.

“Is that enough now?”

“I’m sorry.”

Leaving behind the empty ice cream cup, I reached out my hand, presenting my palm towards her as her expression darkened.

“Let’s move. I want to enjoy the date course you chose even more.”

“I didn’t select it with such intent…”

“I know. You would have wanted to treat me to some delicious food, right? Then it’s certainly a date.”

This time was not only for me, but also for her.

“… Master.”

Though she was blushing, she still maintained her perfect escorting skills.

I could vividly imagine Talhan wracking his brains trying to comprehend my intentions, but now wasn’t the time to consider such things.

The troubles I faced now would surely yield rewards in the future.

After all, I had come here to reward them.

The ability test was merely a bonus.