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

Volume 01 Chapter 14: The Collaborator

Side: ???

“So you can explain from the start—the current situation, the collaborator, and how you stopped the assassination? Gotta say, I thought there was a 90% chance you’d fail.”

“Don’t mess around!! Were you planning to let Aria-oneesama die!?”

On the flat thing called a monitor, Selaria-sama, the second princess of this kingdom, snaps at the man beside her. So, Mauve-san and the others really were involved with the princesses.

“I said I’d explain. Elju, Oriel, keep that drill in check since she’s slowing things down. Anyway, ignoring this princess is a hassle, so I’ll start from the beginning.”

“Chii-neesama, please calm down.”

“Selaria-sama, I get that Yuki’s annoying, but please hold back so we can move forward.”

Seeing Elju-sama pull Selaria-sama away from the man, I feel relieved. Elju Lau Rocheur. Unlike the fake me, she’s the true Saintess blessed by Lilishu-sama.

This whole mess was about assassinating Elju Lau Rocheur.

“Haha!! What a spirited princess. Totally different vibe from Princess Elju.”

Mauve-san laughs beside me. I’ve heard how he met the princess, but getting along after all that is both a strength and a flaw.

“Shut up!! Mauve, was it? I know what you did from Elju. She may forgive you, but I won’t. When we meet, I’ll punch you a hundred times!!”

“What? One punch, maybe!? Well, with a princess’s dainty arms, maybe a hundred’s needed?”

“You said it. This dainty princess is a level 63 Valkyrie, a female-only frontline class.”

“Pfft!? Higher level than me, and a female-specialized frontline job!? Wait, a hundred undefended punches would kill me!!”

“Oh, don’t worry. Like with Elju, I’ll heal you when you’re weak and keep punching. Hehehe…”

That’s why Selaria-sama’s called a martial type. Even I was shocked by her class when we first met. And she’s no figurehead.

She’s slain both monsters and people, stood on battlefields—a true war goddess worthy of her class.

“Do your comedy or execution later, just start talking.”

Who is this man? From the mood, he’s leading the conversation. The princesses are involved, Mauve-san and the others helped me, but who is he…?

“Alright, princess. The hundred punches are on hold. I’ll plead for a reduced sentence.”

“Denied. Now explain everything.”

I guess I’ll have to wait to speak. I want to hear the full story of this mess too.

“Where to start…”

“Mauve-dono, if you don’t mind, start from after I fled with Elju-sama and Selaria-sama.”

“I wasn’t there then. If I had been, would you have gone easier on me?”

“No way. Be glad I was nearly unconscious from poison back then. If I could’ve moved, I’d have beaten you all to death.”

“Scary. Alright, I’ll start from there.”

Side: Mauve, Back Then

“Hey, it’s my first time at this guild. Got any good jobs?”

After splitting from Raya and the others to look for slaves, Yuki said something like “I’m looking forward to your taste,” so I hesitated to buy one alone and planned to drag Raya and them into it.

“Yuki’s annoying hunch was right. We need to dig deeper. As he said, I’ll watch the army’s movements. You go to the adventurer’s guild and gather info.”

That’s what Raya told me, leading to now. Things are getting fishy. This won’t end with just taking out a scheming small fry.

As I’m thinking, the guild receptionist responds.

“Well, quests vary by guild rank, but this branch has the usual amount for all ranks. By the way, what’s your rank? I can’t help without knowing.”

“Oh, my bad. Here.”

I pull out my guild card from my pocket. It records past quests and defeated monsters, and you can store money on it. Only the owner can use it—pretty handy.

When I told Yuki about it, he said, “Tch, it’s half-baked but better than my world. Fantasy’s like that…” Guess his homeland didn’t have guild cards. That’s inconvenient.

“Oh!! You’re Mauve-san!? The ‘Guardian Hero’!?”

The receptionist’s shout draws everyone’s eyes to me.

“Hey, Mauve? That Mauve?”

“Guild cards can’t be faked, so it’s gotta be the Guardian Hero.”

“What’s this Guardian Hero?”

“Don’t know? He’s at odds with them now, but a horde of monsters attacked a Gartz Kingdom town. The lord’s main soldiers were off hunting bandits, and the town faced ruin.”

“Yeah, one guy stepped up, rallied the adventurers there, and defended it.”

They’re talking about my younger days. Normally, I’d hush the receptionist, but this time it’s fine. It’s easier if people know me.

“I heard Mauve-san was exclusive to that town…”

What? It didn’t reach here? I marched on the capital with Princess Elju as our banner.

“…Well, the war wiped that town out.”

“What!? Wait, we didn’t hear that!! Hold on, I’ll talk to the guildmaster!!”

What’s going on? Guilds are tight with info sharing. Not as good as a monitor, but I heard they’ve got communication crystals. The main guild’s in Litea Holy Nation, right?

Guild info alone isn’t enough. I’ll ask some fellow adventurers.

“Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Sure! Talking to an 8-rank adventurer like you’s an honor. What’s up?”

“The recent war situation. I’m 8-rank, was tied to a town, and came out to find a war. I’m short on info. I’ll pay for it.”

I pull out my wallet. Info’s critical for adventurers. You buy it if you have to.

“No need for payment. Gartz Kingdom mistreated a village, and this kingdom’s Saintess saved it. Gartz called it invasion or a fake Saintess. Rocheur’s king, furious, started a war to free Gartz’s people.”

That’s the story here? Princess Elju’s completely framed. I knew that, but the enemy’s no small fry anymore.

“Mauve-san, the guildmaster wants you. This way.”

“Thanks. Take this.”

“Nah, it’s fine.”

“Take it. Gotta do these things right.”

“…Thanks. I’ll be an adventurer like you.”

“Don’t be like me…”

With that, I meet the guildmaster.

“Sorry, we checked with headquarters, and your story’s true, but there’s a problem.”

“What kind?”

“I can tell you. You know about communication crystals?”

“Yeah, handy for quick contact?”

“Right, but there’s an issue. Only guilds use them, so we can easily talk between branches.”

“What’s the problem?”

“Normally, it’s fine, but in a war between nations, it’s tricky. Quick contact makes guilds suspect as spies.”

“Makes sense.”

If you can report enemy moves like Yuki and I, it’s easier to react. Guilds having that would raise suspicion.

“So, we’ve addressed it. Communication crystals only connect to headquarters in Litea Holy Nation. During wars, guild branches in warring nations can’t communicate directly.”

“So, that proves guilds don’t meddle in wars.”

“Exactly. Don’t ask around about this. You’ll be suspected as a spy. Normally, a nation’s adventurers take quests as mercenaries, but given your town, escaping here was closer.”

“Yeah, this was closer, so I fled here. Got it, I’ll stop asking.”

“Good. We’ll say you escaped here. We won’t call you for war quests. You’ve been through enough.”

“Thanks, I owe you.”

“Don’t mention it. Are your comrades safe?”

“Yeah, we’re at an inn in the capital.”

“Good, that’s something. Don’t do anything reckless.”

I’m past that…

So, I gathered info and met up with Raya and the others.

“Makes sense, the guildmaster’s story.”

“My dad mentioned guilds never touch national disputes.”

Raya and Curse agree with my info. Curse, a former lord’s son, backs it up, so it’s solid.

“How’s the castle? Panicking over the kidnapped princess?”

“Yeah, but there’s something interesting.”

“What?”

“Oriel fled about half a day ago, and the kingdom’s already gathering soldiers.”

“Not weird. The princess was kidnapped, whatever the truth.”

“But they’re all elite, the kind sent to Gartz’s frontlines.”

“Coincidence? Maybe for a strategy meeting?”

“Let’s say it’s a coincidence. But they’re already prepping an expedition. Thoughts?”

“Too fast.”

“Yeah, no idea where they’re going, but it’s too quick. Where do you think this army’s headed?”

“To chase the princess, obviously.”

“Right. Let’s head to the inn and contact Yuki. He’s not one to go down easily, but an army’s different.”

We head back to the inn to make contact.

“Hmm, things got messy.”

“Yeah.”

“Info’s still lacking, so I can’t say for sure. Contact me when the army moves. Count their numbers.”

“Got it.”

“About that army, check who’s leading… or if any oddballs are mixed in.”

“Oddballs?”

“People who don’t usually join armies—ministers, merchants, foreign envoys. If they’re there, it’s likely to create a pretext.”

“Pretext? For moving the army?”

“No, for taking over the country later. A justification.”

“Don’t get it. Explain.”

Curse, listening, nods in understanding.

“Mauve-san, this ties to Yuki saying ‘stop the assassination if you can,’ right?”

“Exactly.”

“If a shady guy joins the march and the royals get assassinated, that guy’s got an alibi since he’s not at the scene.”

“Nobody would suspect him.”

Mauve nods.

“Right, that’s the plan. Hire someone for the assassination, get the report, rush back with some soldiers, and he’s hailed as a loyal minister.”

“Yeah.”

“Plus, it’s the royal guard and elites. They’ll take some blame for leaving the capital and letting the royals die. If the shady guy defends them, they’ll side with him. The upper ranks will be in chaos. Other royals exist, but they’d have no influence since they did nothing. So…”

“The shady guy takes power.”

“Exactly, with the military’s elites on his side. That sound right?”

Curse checks with Yuki on the monitor.

“Yup, same as my thinking. Nice job. Wanna be Dungeon Master?”

“No way. Can’t go outside freely? That’s like being a lord’s son again.”

“Too bad. To thwart them, we need to stop the assassination…”

“Tough call.”

I don’t get why they’re stressing. It’s simple.

“Just meet the king and say he’s gonna be assassinated!!”

“…”

Yuki and Curse give me blank stares. Did I say something weird?

Raya puts a hand on my shoulder.

“Think. We’ve got no connection to the king. Saying that gets us jailed for disrespect, or worse, framed for the assassination by the schemers.”

Got it. Why’s it gotta be so complicated?

“Then sneak into the castle at night and guard him.”

“Worst case, yeah, but the odds of success are low.”

“Let’s gather castle maps beforehand.”

“Assassination won’t happen right as the army moves. We’ve got some time, but it’s rough.”

“Using royal connections would make us look like assassins.”

“So, Mauve, don’t snoop too much. Keep looking for slaves. Don’t forget to report if the army moves.”

That’s how we spent the day, each doing our thing.

The next day, the army marched. As Yuki predicted, a shady guy was with them.

“Minister Loire… he’s almost certainly the mastermind. If someone’s behind him, that’s beyond us now. But stopping Loire might force the real mastermind to back off.”

“Here’s our info. About 2,000 soldiers. Survive out there.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got escape plans. I’ll use the army to test the dungeon. Let me know if reinforcements show up.”

“Got it.”

Report done. I go back to shopping.

By the way, Raya and Curse are busy, so they won’t join me… Ugh, this’ll make it look like the slave’s my taste.

While wandering town, I see a classic young punk scene.

“Um, I have important business, so I can’t go with you!!”

“What? It’s no big deal.”

“Yeah, let’s have some fun.”

“Those huge breasts are made to be used.”

…Man, I had my youth, but I wasn’t that dumb. Well, I was messed up until recently.

Her breasts are big—melons, no, watermelons? Massive!! But my late wife… maybe I still love her, ‘cause I’m not thrilled.