The Way to Absolute Dungeon Administration – There Is No Reason To Meet With the Opponent!

Volume 01 Chapter 07: Helping People Out of Goodwill Is My True Intent!! Just Kidding!!

In front of me, two women huddle together on a simple bed, warily watching my every move.

Wait, why are they sharing a bed?

Oh, the princess went to the maid’s side.

Being dragged to a place like this, no way they’d just quietly recover.

Or maybe it’s the other way around—the maid went to the princess? Realistically, with both legs broken, that’d be commendable, but it’d be straight-up horror at night.

“Oriel, don’t push yourself. Any more and…”

“No, I will stay by your side until my life ends…”

1. Horror it is.

“Alright, alright, hear me out. I can heal you, but I need you to agree to a condition.”

“Don’t mock us! Do you know who this person is, you…?”

“Wait, Oriel… Can we hear your side too? Why didn’t you try to forcibly subdue us?”

Huh. She’s got some capacity to think.

What? Why not force them into submission and live it up with slaves?

Let’s keep it simple. Slavery doesn’t sit well with a Japanese guy!!

…You wouldn’t buy that, would you?

In light novels or manga, “Japanese kindness” or “protagonist traits” would cover it, but…

“Sorry for answering a question with a question, but what’s the benefit of forcing you into slavery?”

Exactly. The issue here is “slavery.”

The princess looks like she doesn’t understand what I’m saying.

“Uh… labor, or… indecent acts…”

Including that last part, that’s the “benefit” of slavery. Right, “forcibly.”

Earth had slavery too. So, it’s somewhat useful.

But only somewhat. Nowadays, openly supporting slavery isn’t accepted on Earth.

Because it’s inhumane?

Don’t be ridiculous. That’s not the real reason you’re asking for, is it?

It’s just too inefficient overall.

Short-term, it’s efficient, sure. But if that’s what you want, just pay people to work.

“Rebellion,” “riots,” “stagnation of technological progress”—slavery has tons of downsides. Earth’s humanity figured that out.

There are still plenty of people on Earth treating others like slaves behind closed doors.

No way? Don’t be naive. There are still tons of countries caught in civil wars.

That’s not slavery? Oh, really? Then just peacefully replace the country’s leader, right?

Like how Japan swaps its leaders all the time.

But that doesn’t fix it, stop it, or end it.

There are countries like that.

Honestly, being a corporate worker isn’t far off from being a “slave” bound by national laws or company salaries.

But you’d never publicly call it “slavery.” In an information society, that’d turn every nation against you.

Got carried away there. Point is, using a system like slavery might help short-term dungeon management, but long-term, it’s a bad fit.

“Hm, so you think forcing slaves to work is the way to go.”

“Yes.”

…She’s a princess, right? Is her head full of flowers?

“Then is the person next to you your slave? Was everyone in your town or village a slave?”

“Of course not!! I trust Oriel completely!! I’d never degrade her by calling her a slave!!”

“Strange. If you don’t need trust, just make her a slave, right?”

“I’d never want…”

She stops mid-sentence, her face showing a flicker of understanding.

“You want to trust us… Or rather, you need to.”

“That’s it. You can refuse. It’s not like I’m forcing you into slavery. But we’ve got our own circumstances. I don’t need slaves, but I do need trustworthy allies.”

“Then, to earn our trust, please heal Oriel.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t know this Oriel person, but there’s no guarantee she won’t attack me the moment I heal her.”

Healing someone glaring at me like I’m the enemy, without any assurance? You’d have to be super confident in your skills or a complete idiot.

Personally, even if an isekai protagonist has cheat abilities, I’d stamp “idiot” on anyone who heals a stranger right away.

“I swear on my life that Oriel won’t attack you.”

“That’s not enough. Just hear my condition first.”

“…Fine. Come to think of it, you haven’t told us your condition.”

“Simple. I want you to accept my skill [Designated Protection].”

“Designated Protection? Never heard of it.”

“It ensures [Safety Guarantee], [No Movement Outside Designated Areas], and [Prohibition of Harming Others]. There’s more fine print, but that’s the gist for you. No forced obedience like slavery.”

“It’s like being a captive, just without the coercion. But there’s more, isn’t there? That alone doesn’t make a condition. It’s just for your safety. From what you said, I assume you have another purpose.”

“Oh? I thought you were just a decorative noble, but you’re thinking things through. I’m impressed.”

“Yes, well, I’ve fallen as low as a ‘slave.’ No matter how much hope I lose, if I can protect Oriel, who’s stayed by my side, I’ll do my utmost.”

“My condition is your cooperation. I can’t say why, but I need information about this continent. You seem to be from the upper class, so I want your knowledge. Not for free—depending on your cooperation, I might free you and help you return to your country.”

“Understood. I accept your terms. Oriel, is that alright?”

“…If Elju-sama says so.”

“OK, I’ll apply the skill.”

“Wait. The men from before are still alive, right? Unless you free us from them, we can’t truly be under your protection…”

“Oh, I’ll try to get them to release you if I can. For now, let’s apply it.”

Luna told me slave collars are imbued with magic to “force obedience” and include things like “no harming the master.”

But my [Designated Protection] skill overrides and cancels those bindings. According to Luna:

“Negotiating with every master is a hassle, right? Especially when you’re trying to save someone who’s about to die.”

Just spam [Designated Protection], then? Nope. As per cliché, the skill requires the target to “genuinely accept” it.

As I activate the skill, Elju-sama is enveloped in light, and her slave collar falls off.

“…”

“It’s really gone!! Now, I’ve accepted your terms. Hurry and heal Oriel!!”

“…I didn’t mention earlier, but this skill only works if the target genuinely accepts it. Look at Oriel-san.”

“…Oriel, your collar’s still there. No way…”

“N-No way!! You must’ve forgotten to apply it!!”

“…Oh, so it’s my fault?”

This woman’s hopeless. Good thing I set up precautions. Proof that goodwill alone doesn’t cut it in this world.

“Please, give her another chance…”

Elju-san kneels and bows her head.

“Personally, I let things slide up to three times, but Oriel-san, will you accept my terms? Your master’s bowing this much.”

“…Understood. I accept your terms. But if you harm Elju-sama, I’ll kill you.”

“Oriel!!”

Elju-san reprimands her, but Oriel-san doesn’t break eye contact with me.

“Fine. I’m not planning to bind you beyond those terms anyway. Here we go.”

Oriel’s slave collar falls off.

“Now, shall we start the healing? Extra Heal!”

Elju-san and Oriel-san are enveloped in a faint green light.

“Extra Heal!? And cast on multiple targets!? Are you a renowned healer!?”

The princess, Elju-san, looks at me in shock.

Oriel stands, clenching and opening her hands, hopping in place.

Confirming she’s healed, she looks at me.

“I won’t say thanks. This is a deal, and I’ll pay you back properly later.”

“Oriel!?”

Elju-san says with a flustered expression.

“As long as you keep the terms, there’s no issue. Trust isn’t built overnight. For now, rest quietly today. We’ll talk details tomorrow.”

With that, I start walking toward the door.

“Thank you. It’s a bit late, but my name is Elju. May I have your name?”

No full name, huh… Probably one of her cards to play.

Fine. I’ll introduce myself too.

“My apologies. I’m Yuki. As you might’ve guessed, I manage this dungeon. If you have any issues, call the goblin stationed outside. We’ll do our best to assist.”

With that, I leave the room.

Who’d give their real name?

Only someone with a head full of flowers would admit they came to this world alone.

Revealing my real name could put me at a disadvantage if someone out there knows anything about me.

So, starting today, I’m going by Yuki.