The Way to Absolute Dungeon Administration – There Is No Reason To Meet With the Opponent! - Volume 01 Chapter 08: Let’s Gather Some Information

Volume 01 Chapter 08: Let’s Gather Some Information

Side: Elju Lau Rocheur

The door in front of us closes, and the sound of footsteps fades away.

“A Dungeon Master? That’s impossible.”

I mutter.

He introduced himself as someone “managing the dungeon.”

Given the situation, it doesn’t seem like Yuki-san is lying.

I was taken into a dungeon. And there, we encountered goblins, considered vile and especially despised by women.

Yet those goblins didn’t harm us and brought us here.

“Oriel, do you believe Yuki-san is a Dungeon Master?”

“Based on the situation, I don’t think he’s lying, but I don’t think he’s telling the whole truth either.”

“We’re doing the same, aren’t we…”

“Yes. He called himself Yuki, but we don’t even know if that’s his real name. I hate to admit it, but he did heal us, so he’s kept his promise so far…”

Oriel’s face sours, probably recalling earlier events.

“Oriel, you were really…”

“Yes, I’m sorry. I didn’t plan to kill him, but I thought about subduing him to take control.”

I understand her feelings, not knowing what intentions he has for protecting us. But Yuki-san has kept his promises so far.

He freed us from the pain we suffered as slaves.

“Oriel, we don’t know what’ll happen next, but as long as he means us no harm, I strictly forbid any hostility or violence toward Yuki-san.”

“Yes, understood. But that [Designated Protection]… it feels like it restricts our actions entirely. I tried to attack after being healed, but I couldn’t move.”

“You…”

I’m grateful for Oriel’s devotion, but this time, she went too far. So far, he’s done nothing wrong. If anything, we should be bowing our heads. Even if Yuki-san is that Dungeon Master.

“We’ll have a chance to talk tomorrow, so you need to properly apologize and thank him, Oriel.”

“…I can’t promise that. My priority is protecting Elju-sama.”

“Oriel!!”

I spent the time until our meal was delivered lecturing Oriel.

Side: Kazuya Torino, Alias Yuki, Technically the Protagonist

Let’s focus on the women’s story for now. The men have their own issues, but they’re too gruff to deal with now. I’ll talk about them later if I remember.

In the end, I told the women we’d talk the next day and returned to my room.

It’s now 8 a.m. I wake up to my smartphone’s alarm, as usual.

On the first day, I doubted I was really in another world, but humans adapt quickly. I immediately open the MAP to check for abnormalities.

If there’s an issue or intruder in the dungeon, an alarm would sound, but I’m still paranoid.

[635 DP Dungeon Points]

Nice, more than I expected. The three men we captured yesterday don’t have [Designated Protection], so their MP is absorbed as long as they’re in the dungeon.

I didn’t apply [Designated Protection] to the princess right away either, so for an hour or two, her MP was converted into DP.

There was a minor battle overnight, likely from non-human monsters or wild animals.

The dungeon is set not to wake me if it judges an intrusion manageable.

Factoring that in, it seems to absorb 1/100th of a captive’s MP per hour.

Capturing someone with four-digit MP is a goldmine.

I’ll think about how to use this later… For now, breakfast, then off to get info about this continent from them.

A PC might cause confusion, so I grab a notebook and pen and head to their room.

The [Dig There, Doggy] shop sells maps of the area, but they cost 10,000 DP.

Better to save DP by asking them directly.

With that in mind, I reach their room.

“Good morning. How are you feeling? Any issues?”

“No, thank you for your concern. No abnormalities.”

“Good. Oriel-san, right? You okay?”

“No problems… I was rude yesterday. The situation made me overreact.”

Oriel bows awkwardly.

“No worries. So, can we talk… about the information?”

“Yes, that’s fine. But is Yuki-san really a Dungeon Master? I don’t mean to doubt you, but you’re completely different from the Dungeon Masters we’ve heard of.”

“Sorry, but I don’t know what kind of Dungeon Master Elju-san is familiar with.”

“What do you mean?”

“I…”

“Wait a moment. You can speak casually.”

“Alright, I’ll take you up on that. I woke up one day and found myself the manager of this dungeon, what you call a Master…”

From there, I spin a web of lies.

I don’t know the continent’s name, where I lived had no dungeons, I was a regular human in a town, I instinctively know the dungeon core is linked to me and its harm affects me, and while confused, I’ve been protecting the dungeon and looking for someone to talk to…

Man, the lies just keep coming. Well, they’re not entirely false.

“That’s how it was?”

“Yeah, I know it’s hard to believe, but bear with me. I was confused at first too.”

“No, your actions make you trustworthy. What do you think, Oriel?”

“It makes sense. There’s no reason for him to deceive us just to talk here.”

“Good, then can I ask some questions?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

I ask them for the information I need.

I’ll list the questions and their answers below.

Dungeon Managers and Dungeons: Dungeon Managers are called Dungeon Masters. Dungeons are ideally targeted for immediate subjugation. Simple ones are monitored and used as training grounds for adventurers or knights.

Dungeons have danger levels. Safer ones are suitable for training, while those with strong monsters are targets for conquest.

Dungeons with a Dungeon Master like me are apparently given the highest danger level. Only about 12 are recorded, each requiring a company of royal guards to conquer or destroy, if at all. Two of them had power enough to swallow a Demon King or a major nation.

Heroes: As expected, they exist, defined by having a skill like “[Something] Hero.” Many have been born and died. The most valued is [Otherworld Hero], with exceptional combat prowess. Tch, so there’s isekai summoning after all.

Demon Kings: Another cliché. Kings ruling demons and monsters. The definition is vague, just a title we use. No Demon King would flash their skills to prove it. Currently, two are confirmed on this continent. Apparently, there can be multiple.

I’ll recall their names if I meet them.

This Continent: This area is designated as Rocheur Kingdom’s territory, with a town about 15 km away. Yikes, 15 km is too close! I panicked, but this world has no cars, only horses for transport, and outside towns, monsters roam freely. Guess Luna was right about this being a good spot.

Rocheur Kingdom: One of the top five nations on the continent, a powerhouse matching its landmass. Currently in territorial disputes with other nations. I sense some pride. I mean, the princess in front of me was a slave…

I wasn’t sure they’d answer about national defense, but when I asked about the capital’s population, they answered easily.

“Supported by 200,000 people, it’s thriving. Under a wise ruler, the population keeps growing.”

Boasting about 200,000? Definitely medieval Europe vibes. Or maybe that’s impressive?

Currency: It’s a base-10 system, thank goodness. Copper < Silver < Gold < Platinum, with one gold coin enough for a family of four to live for a month.

The unit is “Fol.”

Races: As Luna said, there are beastmen with animal ears, elves, humans, and other human-like races. Halflings exist too.

I got a lot of info, but my stomach’s growling. It’s past noon.

“Sorry for taking so long. Let’s get some food.”

I decide to serve dishes from my hometown.

I need to check how far their food culture has developed.