The Way to Absolute Dungeon Administration – There Is No Reason To Meet With the Opponent! - Volume 02 Chapter 02: The Saintess Who Supported a Nation Is Just a Person, and the Child Grows

Volume 02 Chapter 02: The Saintess Who Supported a Nation Is Just a Person, and the Child Grows

Side: Lulua

Thanks to Elju-sama, my life was spared.

No, the one who truly saved me was the master of this dungeon.

And now, I’m in a strange room with a grassy floor. Around me, the dungeon’s residents sit on things called “cushions” (?), holding a meeting.

“Well, we saved Lulua. Now, how do we handle her going forward? Let’s hear everyone’s opinions.”

The dungeon master, the king of this place… Yuki, was it?

He’s a figure of legend, said to be more terrifying than a Demon King or a true dragon, a walking disaster.

I’d spoken with him a couple of times through the [Call] skill under [Designated Protection], but this is my first time meeting him in person.

He looks like an ordinary young man.

Yet, he’s the one who saved Rocheur, Gartz, and Litea from plunging into war.

A remarkable figure who casually proposed a solution that saved countless lives during that conflict.

So, I found it baffling when he spoke.

Why ask for others’ opinions?

“Onii-san? …Uh, what do you want to do?”

The one who spoke is likely one of the slaves he bought.

The rabbitman woman, questioning his words, throws the question back at him.

More to the point, why is he letting a slave speak like this?

“Nah, my opinion comes last. It’s a bit early, but this is perfect timing. From now on, I’ll save my thoughts on management for the end. Didn’t I say I want you all to run this place?”

“Yes, you said you wanted our help…”

“If I speak first, it’ll be hard for you to disagree with me, right? I want your help—not to just follow my opinions, but to share what you think.”

“But wouldn’t that go against what you want, Onii-san?”

“Hmm, sounds like a misunderstanding. Ratsu… no, to everyone: because I saved you, gave you food, clothing, and shelter, and revealed I’m a dungeon master, don’t you think everything I do is right?”

His words prompt the rabbitman woman to respond on behalf of the group.

“…Looking back, I can’t think of anything you’ve done wrong.”

“It’s just gone well so far. But that doesn’t mean it’ll always be that way. Don’t get it twisted. I’m just a person. I can make mistakes. That’s why I need your help. Please, lend me your strength. Even just sharing your opinions matters. If I mess up, stop me—even if it means hitting me. Worst case, kill me to stop me. I’m begging you.”

He bows deeply to the slaves.

I can’t hide my shock at his words.

For someone in a position of power, he’s unnaturally humble. This undermines authority.

A nation stands on the authority of a king or a symbolic figure—like the Saintess I played the role of.

I’ve never seen a ruler so lacking in dignity.

Bowing to mere slaves?

That’ll just make them arrogant and act out.

“Onii-san…”

Ratsu, the woman, seems to share my thoughts.

She’s clearly bewildered by his words.

The others don’t know how to react either.

“…I’ll address you as Yuki-san. Forgive me, but your way of thinking won’t sustain a nation. As a dungeon master, you must show the way and lead. That’s the role of a nation’s ruler…”

I try to correct Yuki-san’s misconception, but…

“Lulua, a nation doesn’t need a king. It needs a representative. Someone who protects, nurtures, and listens to the people living there. It just so happened that kings have been representatives until now.”

“That’s not true!! A king, a symbol, is essential to a nation!!”

“A symbol? You, who was ousted as a Saintess due to public backlash, are saying that?”

“! That was because of scheming…”

“Because you didn’t listen… because you failed to hold their loyalty, right?”

“…”

“They replaced the so-called symbolic Saintess so easily. Don’t you get it? What’s needed isn’t some decorative Saintess.”

…He’s right. A king or Saintess only has influence.

If all your retainers turn against you, you’re no king, no symbol.

“…Royalty, symbols… they’re sacred. The law is tied to bloodlines… nobles are meant to uphold it.”

I muster every argument I can think of.

Yes, the law is meant for specific people to uphold.

It’s decided from birth.

Unless you revere the gods with piety and train rigorously, like I did, you can’t reach that position.

“Hah, that’s a laugh. Tell me, Lulua, Elju, how old are your nations? How were they founded?”

“…? Litea Holy Nation was founded about 400 years ago. The first Saintess brought salvation to the people of the exhausted Reus Kingdom, defeated the Reus king, and established the nation.”

“My Rocheur was founded around 300 years ago. A wandering swordsman arrived in the ravaged Hirni Kingdom, defeated its tyrant to save the people, and built the nation.”

Why is he asking this?

“You said it yourselves. Your ancestors were just people. Not royal blood, not nobles, but outsiders who showed up.”

His words hit me like a flood, sinking in all at once.

“The people who founded your nations saved and led others. How? By listening. By watching. By knowing. That’s why they could save and lead.”

Yes, our nations’ founders were just people.

That’s why they understood what their people… no, what the nation needed.

“So, I’ll bow to them. They—the slaves, the commoners, the races, all of them—know the reality. They see it. They hear it. I think they’re the ones fit to be the symbols… the representatives of the dungeon village or town we’ll build here. Far better than someone like me. Claiming I’m absolute or always right is arrogance. Sure, I might have knowledge or abilities that surprise you. But that’s it.”

He’s saying that creating special figures makes you deaf to people’s voices.

So, don’t create special figures.

A dungeon master, a special being like me, isn’t needed.

Just people should be the nation’s representatives.

“B-But… Yuki-san, what are you after? That idea requires everyone to have knowledge. It’s an impossible dream. That kind of naivety can’t build a nation.”

For ordinary people to be representatives, everyone would need the knowledge to shape laws.

Giving that kind of education to every citizen is impossible…

In reality, only nobles have such learning.

His idea is a dream. A naive, naive fairy tale.

But he easily counters my words.

“Naivety, huh? That’s a weak excuse. Who’d join a nation without dreams? Who’d gather in a place with no hope? Don’t hide behind ‘it’s impossible.’”

I’m speechless, and he continues with a smile.

“A nation built on the ‘naivety’ you talk about lets ordinary people have a say in laws, lets many get involved. Sure, there’ll be troubles. But I bet that nation would be fun. Better than what we have now. So, Ratsu, tell me your opinions. Or would you rather I be an absolute king?”

He turns back to Ratsu-san.

“…Onii-san, that’s a grand speech, but… I see, so we’re about to get very busy…”

“Yup, I’m basically handing over the management of the dungeon village and town to you all.”

“What!? You just casually dropped something huge!? We’re amateurs, you know!?”

“I get that. That’s why, at the end of meetings, I’ll chime in with opinions, revisions, or point out what’s missing. Good luck, Rabbitman Tribe Representative Director.”

“What’s with that ridiculous title!? I get it, but I don’t want to get it!!”

The other women of different races are wide-eyed, stunned.

…I see, that’s why there’s no overlap in races here.

…This is on a different level from me.

I thought it was my duty to lead the people.

I worshipped the gods, studied the law, trained in magic—all for that.

But yes, I was just a person who worked hard.

Not special. I just became special.

Why did I decide no one else could do the same?

…Arrogance. It’s only natural I was stripped of my Saintess title.

“Yuki-san. No, Yuki-sama. It’s presumptuous of me, having been saved by you, but may I offer my opinion on how to handle me?”

“Huh? Sama? Well, Ratsu and the others are like this, so go ahead and speak. It’ll move things along.”

“Then, I’d like you to shelter me in this dungeon…”

The moment I say it, the chaotic women fall silent, staring at me.

“What kind of nonsense is that? There’s not a shred of benefit in taking you in right now. Onii-san said he wants our opinions, so I’ll be blunt. You’re a liability. Get out and die somewhere else.”

Ratsu-san’s words are met with nods of agreement from the other women.

“W-What are you saying!? Lulua-sama, you don’t have to leave!! Yuki-san, don’t do this!!”

Elju-sama steps forward to shield me.

“Elju-sama, emotional arguments hold no weight here. I appreciate your feelings, but please step back. Look and listen closely. This is the world I, Selaria-sama, Aria-sama, and King Rocheur didn’t want you to see.”

I steel myself and say this, gently pushing Elju-sama back.

“Ratsu and the others are all against protecting you. Don’t expect me to override them. Convince them yourself.”

Yuki-sama sips tea, utterly relaxed.

Truly, he’s on another level.

“That’s my intention.”

I reply to Yuki-sama. I didn’t serve as a nation’s representative for nothing.

“Alright, let’s hear it. But being a former Saintess or Litea bigshot? That’s worth nothing. You were just targeted for assassination, and ten of your escorts were in on it. You can’t return to Litea Holy Nation and reclaim your position. If it were me, I’d write you off as a fake if you went back. Even if you somehow returned, you’d be surrounded by enemies, never knowing when the next assassin would strike.”

Ratsu-san’s clearly educated and sharp.

No wonder Yuki-sama bowed to them as representatives.

But she’s naive.

“Indeed, as Ratsu-san says, I’m just a person now. To those who know me, I’m a nuisance. And it may seem there’s no benefit in sheltering me here. But if I die out there, or by some miracle survive and return to Litea, this dungeon’s information will reach the nation. Then I’d seek revenge on the dungeon that didn’t protect me.”

“What!?”

“Lulua-sama!?”

“If you shelter me, I swear to accept Yuki-sama’s [Designated Protection]. Restrict my actions, silence me about the dungeon—I’m fine with that. And I swear to share everything I know about Litea Holy Nation: its inner workings, military details, policies. Embarrassingly, I was at the top of Litea. I believe I can help with the management you’ll undertake.”

“N-No!! That’s betrayal against your nation, Lulua-sama!?”

Elju-sama tries to stop me.

“Elju-sama. As you heard, my only path to reclaiming my position in Litea is betraying this place. Even then, the chances are slim. So, no matter how pathetic it seems, I’ll choose the path to survive.”

“Hmm. So, Ratsu, what do you think? She says she’s still useful.”

He doesn’t seem fazed by my earlier threat, nor does he try to back me up.

Yuki-sama really intends to follow Ratsu-san and the others’ lead.

If they decide to kill me here, he’ll make it happen…

“…We could kill you here and dump you in some town.”

“Who’s going to carry me there? Think no one will see? That’d give people a reason to target the dungeon. Isn’t that why you saved me? Even if you hide and transport me without being blamed, what about that town? Litea would have a perfect excuse to condemn it.”

Ratsu-san counters me head-on.

“Then we’ll kill you here and turn you into fertilizer. You’d make good Dungeon Points, Lulua-sama.”

“…!?”

I messed up. If they kill me here, there’s no issue at all.

There’s got to be some way to survive…

“No way!! I absolutely won’t let you kill Lulua-sama!!”

Elju-sama shouts, intimidating Ratsu-san and the others.

“Quiet down, useless Saintess. You have no say here, got it?”

“I do!! If you save Lulua-sama, I’ll ask my Father and sisters to ensure stronger support for this place!!”

“Oh? Onii-san, have you finalized details on aid from Rocheur?”

“Nah, you know I’m a homebody. We’ll talk specifics when Selaria gets back.”

“Hmm… Useless Saintess—no, Elju-sama. What if you break that promise?”

Ratsu-san glares at Elju-sama.

Her legs tremble. It’s understandable—she’s never dealt with negotiations like this.

“If that happens… I-I’ll take Lulua-sama’s head myself!!”

Her words stun me.

The gentle Elju-sama didn’t wager her own head—she wagered mine.

“…If you’d said you’d stake your own head, I’d have kicked you out. But I see, you’re still royalty, rotten or not. Hmm, increased aid from Rocheur, Litea’s information, and if the aid doesn’t come through, we can just kill Lulua-sama. A fair compromise? Hold on, let me talk it over with everyone, as Onii-san wants.”

With that, Ratsu-san starts discussing with the others, and Elju-sama collapses, trembling.

“I-I’m so sorry. If I hadn’t, Lulua-sama…”

“No, Elju-sama. You saved my life again. I couldn’t have convinced them alone. Even if I die now, I won’t resent you.”

I hold her trembling hand and thank her.

She’s grown, even a little. If I die, it’ll have meaning.

Ratsu-san’s group finishes their discussion.

She steps forward to deliver the verdict.

“Alright. We’ll shelter Lulua-sama here. But we’ll impose a few conditions.”

It seems I’ve managed to survive… for now.