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

Volume 01 Chapter 26: Lingering Bitterness

Ratsu’s freaking out.

No surprise. 490,000 DP—Dungeon Points—is proof of a ton of lives taken.

“No, I’m not saying Onii-san’s bad or anything. But how do you rack up that much DP in such a short time!? All I heard was this dungeon’s where Elju-sama last stood!?”

Come to think of it, I never asked how Elju’s fate was spun to the public.

“Sorry, mind if I ask something? What’s this talk about Elju-sama? I did hide her, but I don’t know what happened after.”

“Oh, so Onii-san really hid Elju-sama. Sadly, after leaving here, she was attacked by the Demon King’s minions and died.

She had about 2,000 elite soldiers, but they were down to around 1,500. Losing that many elites must’ve been some attack.”

I see, I see. That’s the story going around.

I wondered how they’d cover the soldier losses—blaming the Demon King instead of the dungeon, huh?

Saves face. Or maybe it’s to make it easier to form an alliance against the Demon King.

“Onii-san, you don’t seem shocked… Oh, so those 500 elites turned into DP?”

Huh, Ratsu’s already pieced it together.

“Onii-san, can you explain?”

“Of course. You all need to hear this. It’s critical for running the dungeon.”

I pause, looking at everyone’s faces.

They’re ready to listen. Just in case, Mauve and the others are sitting near Milly.

“Alright, let’s introduce someone first. Elju, come in.”

The door opens, and Elju and Oriel step inside.

Elju’s been healing people all over for “the people’s sake,” so her face is well-known.

The women here recognize her. They’re stunned.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Elju Lau Rocheur. Though I’m supposed to be dead.”

“I’m Oriel, Elju-sama’s guard.”

Everyone’s frozen, mouths agape.

After a bit, Ratsu finally speaks.

“…I see. The extra food portions on yesterday’s and today’s expense sheet were for these two. Never expected such big shots.”

Ratsu, half-disbelieving, waves the expense sheet I wrote earlier.

She noticed extra people from those numbers? Ratsu’s gonna be super reliable.

“Now, I need to explain Elju’s situation. Elju, take a seat.”

Once Elju sits, I lay out the whole mess of this conflict.

“…That’s quite a mess.”

Ratsu speaks heavily after hearing it all.

“Yeah, but thanks to it, the dungeon’s flush with DP, and we’ve got guaranteed aid from the kingdom. In about ten days, immigrants will start arriving under ‘Elju’s will,’ led by Selaria.”

“Onii-san, you don’t mess around. Everything’s already set up. Now we just build.”

“Right. I don’t know which villages or towns they’re coming from—that’s out of our hands.”

“So, Onii-san, why tell us Elju-sama’s alive? I get it came up naturally, but keeping it secret would’ve made things easier.”

“Simple. Elju’s joining the dungeon’s operations. For her own sake too.”

“…You’re planning for her reinstatement too. I understa—”

Ratsu’s words are cut off by a shout.

“I don’t understand!! Why let that woman join the operations!? Why’s she hiding here!?”

Milly explodes, hurling her teacup at Elju.

The [Designated Protection] skill’s barrier stops it, and the teacup falls at Elju’s feet.

“You!! How dare you do that to Elju-sama!!”

Oriel snarls, but Milly doesn’t stop.

“You all know it!! She’s the root of it all!! Calling herself a Saintess…!! Because of her, we became slaves!! How many villages and towns do you think were soaked in blood!?”

Ratsu and Eris stare at Milly with bitter expressions.

They probably get where she’s coming from. The others look confused, not quite grasping it.

“Give them back!! My family!! The whole town!! …I’ll kill you! You don’t know how my little brother died, do you!? His arm was chopped off, stabbed to death defenseless!! Then they paraded his head!! I’ll make you suffer the same!!”

Milly’s being held back by Mauve, pinned from behind.

“Mauve-san, let go!! Why didn’t you kill her when you met!? She’s the cause of it all!! Why’s she living so carefree!? She should’ve died!!”

Mauve stays silent, head bowed, no words to offer.

“…I’m sorry. I was thoughtless…”

Elju lowers her head, apologizing to Milly.

“…!? Don’t apologize!! That won’t bring anything back!! …Stop apologizing… It… It won’t… Even if I kill you… nothing comes back…”

Milly’s voice breaks, no longer forming words, and she collapses, sobbing.

She knows Elju isn’t entirely to blame. But she has nowhere to direct her anger.

“Sorry, Onii-san, can we continue this tomorrow? Honestly, I’m not feeling great.”

“Same here. Sorry, I need time to process.”

Ratsu and Eris support Milly, saying so.

Elju’s not entirely at fault, but she’s part of the cause. That’s undeniable. It’s the truth.

“Yeah, you’ve all got a lot to deal with. Rest for now. I’ll bring food to your rooms. Hit the open-air bath to clear your heads.”

“Thanks for understanding. We’ll head back to our rooms, Onii-san.”

Ratsu’s group leaves, followed by the beastman trio.

I just noticed—Kaya was being held back by Riel and Tori.

“…Don’t mess with me. Because of you, everyone in my village…”

“Kaya, calm down.”

“Kaya-san, hold back for Yuki-san’s sake.”

Kaya’s usually soft, barely audible voice is now heavy and intense.

Riel and Tori drag her out of the room.

Left behind are me, the kid trio, Mauve’s group, Elju, and Oriel.

“Elju-sama…”

Oriel calls out, but Elju keeps her head down.

Asrin and Filia break the silence.

Holding hands, they stand in front of Elju.

“Um, Elju-sama, thank you so much!!”

“Thank you for saving us!!”

“Huh?”

Elju finally looks up, confused about why she’s being thanked.

The two continue.

“You might not remember, Elju-sama, but you healed me and Filia-chan’s injuries!!”

“Yeah, my arm was cut by a soldier, and the bleeding wouldn’t stop. Then Elju-sama rushed over and healed me!!”

Asrin and Filia gesture animatedly, recounting the moment.

“The stuff earlier was too complicated for me to understand, but the magic you used to heal us was so warm. So, thank you! We’re alive here now because of you, Elju-sama!!”

“Yeah!! I don’t get what Milly-san’s saying, but Elju-sama’s kind. You’re not bad!!”

Tears stream down Elju’s stoic face.

“…I’m sorry… Thank you…”

She hugs the two, repeating those words.

“Um, Elju-sama, why are you apologizing? We’re the ones thanking…”

Asrin and Filia are baffled.

“Sorry, you two. Stay like that a bit longer. It’ll help Elju-sama calm down.”

Oriel, eyes teary, says to them, watching over the scene.

“Alright, guess we’ll head to our rooms too.”

Mauve’s group leaves.

“So, Labiris, what’s your plan?”

“I’m waiting for those two, of course. They’re cute, aren’t they?”