The Way to Absolute Dungeon Administration – There Is No Reason To Meet With the Opponent! - Volume 01 Chapter 16: Explaining My Dungeon Management Goals and Negotiations

Volume 01 Chapter 16: Explaining My Dungeon Management Goals and Negotiations

Side: Kazuya Torino, Alias Yuki

After the king and the others finish shouting, I continue.

“No proof, but believe it or not, that’s up to you. Don’t worry, I’m not helping out of kindness.”

Right. Kindness is just a bonus. Sorry, but I’ll use this to survive.

“…You’re blunt. But claiming pure kindness would be less believable. Honestly, it makes you more likable in this setting. Nuahaha…!!”

Rocheur VI laughs it off. From talking, he doesn’t seem like a bad guy. Just the times, maybe?

“Otousama, shouldn’t we hear the Dungeon Master’s demands?”

“Indeed. Dungeon Master, what do you want for helping us? And what’s in it for me?”

We’re almost at checkmate. Even if they refuse and send an army, that’s fine by me—tasty, even.

“Simple. I want to build a village or town in this dungeon. So, you declare to the people, ‘This dungeon’s harmless.’”

“A village? A town in a dungeon? Why do that?”

“Gotta explain from the start. It’ll take a bit. Elju, Oriel, Selaria, I know it’s a hassle, but listen again. This is my raw goal.”

“Yuki, what’s that mean? Are you still hiding things from us?”

Selaria jumps in.

“Who shows their full hand from the start?”

I pause, and everyone’s eyes turn to me.

“Let’s start. I’ll go question-and-answer style. It’s long, and holding questions till the end might make you forget.”

“Got it.”

“Understood.”

“Alright.”

The three here agree.

“No problem here.”

“I’m fine with it.”

“…Alright.”

“Same for us three.”

The others are on board. Let’s begin.

“First, I wanna ask you. Why do you think dungeons exist?”

“Hm? Don’t they just form naturally?”

“Otousama, that’s not it. He’s asking why they form naturally, the root of it.”

Aria-oujo corrects the king. Selaria takes after her dad, huh?

Then, the Saintess speaks up.

“My own take, based on records… Dungeons are designed to lure in people or beasts. A mere cave wouldn’t have treasure chests, but dungeons do, as if it’s normal. So, dungeons must have a reason to draw in outsiders—like bait for something’s survival.”

This Saintess, Lulua, is sharp. Probably why she was sidelined.

“Mostly right for this dungeon. Not all are the same, so keep that in mind…”

I explain the concept of DP (Dungeon Points) and how they’re earned.

“So, as a Dungeon Master, you think it’s more efficient to have people live in the dungeon for DP than to fight for it.”

“You’d do the same, right? If you conquer an enemy nation, would you tax the people to starvation?”

“No. But what about other dungeons? Records say many Dungeon Masters are called disasters.”

“You know the answer. Is your kingdom full of noble folks immune to gold or power?”

“No… The current mess proves that.”

The king shakes his head, self-deprecating.

“…Wait a sec. Doesn’t that make this situation bad?”

Selaria cuts in.

“What do you mean, Chii-neesama?”

“Elju-sama, how are dungeons viewed by the world today?”

Oriel answers Elju’s question.

“They’re death traps that need immediate subjugation. But some dungeons are used for training. Compared to those, Yuki-san’s dungeon is… Oh!”

“Yes, that’s the issue. I don’t know the results of our battle to reach this dungeon, but…”

“This time, we beat Rocheur’s royal guard without a scratch…”

Selaria holds her head.

“What!? Even if not many, those are my elite forces!?”

“!?”

The king and Lulua are shocked. Aria-oujo, though, is smiling. She’s kinda creepy to me.

“So, Yuki, what’s the plan? This dungeon’s reputation is at legendary disaster level now. The worst kind.”

Selaria presses.

“No issue. Sure, it’s a complete victory, but enemy losses aren’t that high. Over 1,500 survived. If they return safely, it’s fine, right?”

“Yuki, that’s wrong. The royal guard being sent back without doing anything will still boost this dungeon’s infamy.”

“Forcing a village or town here would spark backlash from the people and vassals. I can’t support that.”

Heh, half as planned, king.

“Sure, if you only think of the dungeon’s rep. But what happens if word spreads that the royal guard lost, inside and outside the kingdom?”

“…Litea Holy Nation would see it as a chance to attack Rocheur with Gartz, claiming Elju’s a fake Saintess disrupting order.”

“Exactly. So, what’s the solution?”

“Make this dungeon conquest a success or gag order the defeat.”

“Which is better?”

“Which? You got a plan?”

“Yeah. Make it seem like Elju was killed. That settles it, externally and internally.”

“Ehh!? I’m gonna be killed!?”

“Calm down, Elju. He said ‘make it seem like.’ It’s a ruse. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you!!”

Selaria frantically reassures her. Yeah, don’t scream like that, or my ears’ll go nuts. I’ll stop beating around the bush.

“Exactly, king. Elju’s a problem for Litea. If she’s alive, they know she’s the real Saintess blessed by Lilishu-sama and will keep targeting her. This whole thing’s probably an open secret to them. It’s a perfect excuse for Litea to attack.”

“That’s it. The dungeon’s rep doesn’t need fixing. Just build a village or town here.”

“Oh, right. You can make one with a Dungeon Core…”

“Said it was an experiment, Selaria. Handled an army fine. Whether building new or improving, I can make it stronger. Gotta make a safe place for people to live.”

“Stronger than now… That’s terrifying. It’s already this bad.”

Selaria looks stunned.

“Wait!! Making it with a Dungeon Core—what does that mean!? Doesn’t a Dungeon Master die without one!?”

Lulua’s shocked. Oh, I didn’t explain to her.

“Probably, the Dungeon Masters you’re thinking of are just monsters set as dungeon bosses. If they vanish when the core’s destroyed, they’re controlled by it.”

“You just casually dropped something huge!? Dungeon bosses and Dungeon Masters aren’t the same!?”

“I’ve heard about this world’s dungeons from Elju and the others. True Dungeon Masters are rare.”

“What… How are Dungeon Cores made!?”

“With DP.”

“Wait. Then diving into dungeons…”

“Helps other Dungeon Masters earn DP to make cores and strengthen dungeons. Congrats. If a Dungeon Master dies, no more building, just DP piling up in the core.”

“Even training dungeons…?”

“Possible. I could take control of a core by touching it.”

“Then come now!! Better you than some unknown controlling it!?”

Lulua’s eyes are spinning. That’s the vibe.

“Nope, I don’t wanna die yet. If you want me out, accept my terms and stabilize the kingdom.”

“If I don’t cooperate or try to destroy you, what then?”

The king eyes me, testing.

“If you repay kindness with betrayal, I won’t hold back. I’ll kill the royal guard, turn them into DP. If you break the deal, I’ll ditch this dungeon and build elsewhere. I’ve got enough from here. It’s been 23 days since I started. It’s just a bonus if it succeeds.”

“Uh, Yuki-san, so the only ones who’ve entered this dungeon are…”

“Yup, just you guys and the Rocheur army here.”

“A dungeon controlled for so little time beat my army… Selaria’s right, that’s terrifying.”

“Your call. Either way’s fine.”

Rocheur VI slumps.

“I’ll accept your proposal. But one request. Can you shelter Elju? Your dungeon’s the safest place. As a parent, it’s shameful, but if it’s Elju or the people, I choose the people. Call it heartless.”

The king bows deeply.

“No, I respect that choice as a ruler. Rocheur-ousama, I’ll trust you. As long as you don’t betray that trust, I swear to protect Elju-oujo. If she lives, when things calm down, we can reveal the truth, and she’ll see the light again.”

Their eyes lock on me. Hey, I return courtesy with courtesy.

“What’s with you, Yuki? It’s not out of character, but it’s not like you.”

Selaria looks at me like I’m unbelievable.

“Yuki-san… Thank you… so much…”

Elju’s sobbing.

The others look at me like I’m weird.

“So, cooperation’s settled. Dungeon management comes after we get through this. Since Litea Holy Nation’s involved, we need a new strategy, and I need the king’s help.”

“Got it, let’s start there. What’s the plan?”

I grin and continue.

“First, smoke out the bugs in Rocheur. While we’re at it, let’s check Litea Holy Nation.”

Here’s the climax.

Stabilizing a kingdom to run a dungeon? I planned it eventually, but not this soon.

Lucky or unlucky?