The Way to Absolute Dungeon Administration – There Is No Reason To Meet With the Opponent! - Volume 02 Chapter 07: Melon & Rabbit vs. Peach

Volume 02 Chapter 07: Melon & Rabbit vs. Peach

Side: Yuki

It’s been a while—well, about 20 days, hasn’t it?

The capital’s a 10-day trip one way. After the recent commotion, the fake Elju and Selaria returned to the capital, while Mauve and the others came back here.

In the meantime, I’ve been messing around with DP quite a bit.

Those 400-plus elite soldiers, mainly Rocheur’s Royal Guard? Deliciously absorbed.

Selaria’s side seems to be moving along fine. Her energy was clear from her greeting.

It irritated me, though.

I figured it’d take her longer, but her charisma and skill seem decent enough.

“I’m ready to hear your report. Go ahead.”

“…What’s that? We haven’t seen each other in a while, and you’re being cold?”

So annoying… as always.

“I’m not being cold. You’ve been busy, and we need your report to plan the dungeon’s setup. You might be catching a break, but this is where the real work starts for us.”

“Fair point. Alright. For now, we’re sending about 300 slaves as immigrants to the dungeon. I’m the only one who knows your situation, right? The council won’t allow dumping refugees there outright, so we’re sending slaves first.”

“Those slaves aren’t criminals or anything, right? It’d be a hassle if we have to stay on guard.”

“No worries there. They’re people sold off during this conflict—basically refugees. You get why we’re sending them as slaves, don’t you?”

“…They’re refugee slaves from Gartz Kingdom, right?”

“Exactly. Selling our own people as slaves after this conflict would be a national embarrassment. Sure, some Rocheur folks were sold to make ends meet, but most are from Gartz. Keeping them as refugees could spark trouble, but sending them to you? If it works, we can say we protected their citizens with goodwill. If it fails, the trouble’s gone. Win-win.”

Selaria makes a face but lays out the facts.

She’s solid in moments like this. Personally, I rate her higher than Elju.

“By dumping them on me, you’re also cutting costs and manpower for national management. Opening new land for refugee slaves would be a pain. For Rocheur, it’s convenient pest control. Anything else?”

“You understand I’ll be the dungeon’s public governor, right?”

“Of course. We needed Rocheur’s official backing. Anyone else as governor would be a problem. This is as planned.”

Right, Selaria’s role is critical for the dungeon.

Rocheur’s endorsement. A second princess’s approval. Hard to get better than that.

To other nations, it’ll look far safer than me shouting, “It’s safe!” myself.

That’ll draw people, making future expansion easier.

“It’s just for show, though. You’re the real governor, Yuki. I’ll take it easy. Also, my direct command unit will handle dungeon defense and escorting the slaves. You can use them freely through me, as long as it’s reasonable.”

“Nice, that’s helpful. You sure you trust me?”

“What’re you saying? You went out of your way to fend off an army without killing them. I know you don’t do pointless things.”

Selaria’s no fool. She’s got some weird battle principles, though.

“Anything else?”

“Let’s see… It’s basically pioneering, so we’ve got some funding and supplies on paper. About 300 platinum coins—sounds like a lot, but it’s not enough for pioneering. A regular house costs 1 to 5 coins, a noble’s mansion 10 to 40. That’s assuming builders and materials are nearby. For 300 people’s homes, it’s short. And that’s all the funding.

Supplies include materials for about 30 simple houses, barely enough for 300. Food’s the bare minimum—15 days’ worth. The trip takes 10 days, but that’s for lone riders or armies. With immigrants, 15 days is tight. You’ll need to hunt immediately or they’ll starve. The only upside? No taxes for about five years.”

“Sounds like they’re saying, ‘Go die.’ Couldn’t you squeeze more from the council?”

“Maybe, but I thought this was fine. Too much support, and they’ll meddle when we grow. This disadvantage lets us fend off interference later. What, you saying you can’t handle 300 people and us?”

“No, I’m prepared… It’ll probably be enough. I hoped you’d inflate the aid, but your point makes sense. Meddling’s inevitable, but we should minimize risks.”

There’s a downside to relying on Elju’s aid.

I didn’t expect much, though.

“What? Wanted specific aid?”

“…I’m planning to set up a wage-based employment system in the dungeon. How much would it cost to employ all 300 for a month?”

“I see. You don’t plan to keep them dependent using your Dungeon Master powers. Smart. You won’t always be here. If the place shuts down without you, it’d be too scary to live in. You’re building a system for residents to sustain themselves, right?”

“Exactly. So, how much?”

“Hmm… For reference, my unit’s monthly wages are 3 to 5 gold coins. Regular soldiers get 3, lieutenants 4, captains 5. Didn’t Elju tell you? A family of four can live on one gold coin.”

“Just confirming. A price mismatch could be disastrous.”

“Fair. I’ll check general wages.”

“By the way, the unit coming with the slaves—Rocheur’s covering their wages, right?”

“Of course. Even with high loyalty, they’ve got families to feed. I’ll arrange for monthly wage requests to reach the dungeon, along with other reports. Unless they’re single, they’ll send money home. They won’t starve here.”

Hmm, wait—this is a chance to earn foreign currency, isn’t it?

“Hold on. Make sure the unit brings some funds.”

“What? There aren’t shops in the dungeon, are there?”

“Not yet, but I’m planning to build some. You get it, right? With DP, I can do almost anything. I’m thinking of selling shampoo and conditioner you liked, in limited amounts.”

“What?! That’s huge. I’d bring a fortune for those. But there’s more, right?”

“Yeah, for employment, we’ll sell consumables, clothes, food, you name it.”

“…So, even if they farm or hunt, they won’t starve in the meantime. But is that okay? If word spreads about shampoo, conditioner, or soap—luxury goods—troublemakers will flock from all over.”

“Not immediately. You need people to start anything, and no one visits a place without specialties. I’d like the refugee slaves to settle in quietly for two or three months.”

“That long? No need to hide then. Without a skill like this Call, info travels by horse or foot. I’ll order the unit to keep quiet. It won’t be perfect, but if you set a reveal date, they’ll stay silent until then.”

People spill secrets if told to keep quiet forever, but give them a deadline, and they’re surprisingly good at it.

…Selaria’s got real leadership qualities.

“Oh, Selaria. I want to set up an adventurer guild in the dungeon. Know what’s needed?”

“…Got a death wish?”

“Nah. You’re supposedly able to control the dungeon freely, right? So, as proof, we make training dungeons inside for novice adventurers. It’ll draw people too.”

“Interesting idea. Let me in on the dungeon-making. For the guild, I’ll bring the necessary people. Mention training dungeons, and they’ll jump at it.”

Selaria’s muttering, excited about dungeon-making.

…Let’s pray it’s not some brute-force monster gauntlet.

“Sorry to interrupt your planning, but give me exact numbers for who’s coming. I need to prepare housing.”

“Oh, sorry. Ugh, parchment is such a pain. I miss copy paper… Here it is. 325 people. Plus my unit of 54. Total 379. It might grow, but won’t exceed 400. Supplies wouldn’t hold.”

“Got it. I’ll prepare housing for 400.”

I glance over, and Eris and Ratsu are jotting down our talk on copy paper.

They’re sharp. They’d be top talent even in modern Japan.

“Alright, we’ll wait for your arrival. I’ll contact you once housing’s ready.”

“That’d help. Knowing there’s a safe place will ease the journey’s stress. It’ll take us about five more days to prepare.”

“…So we’re finally starting, huh, Yuki?”

“Yeah, Labiris. It’s about to get busy.”

Labiris finally chimes in.

She probably waited for the talk to wrap up.

As I pat her head, Selaria looks curious through the screen.

“By the way, what’s with that little girl?”

“A kid Mauve and the others bought… Oh, Selaria! Can you gather kids—slaves or orphans—for me?”

“Huh? Sure, but what? You into that sort of thing? No wonder you didn’t react to me.”

Labiris hugs me tightly. Feels forceful, but probably my imagination.

“Nah, not that kind of hobby. I like Labiris, though. Look, isn’t she cute?”

“…Yuki, that’s embarrassing.”

I lift Labiris toward the screen.

“…Her chest is unnaturally large. Why kids, then? If there’s no reason, they’re a burden on a long trip.”

“A place without kids has no future, right?”

“True… You want to raise the next generation.”

“Yup. Preferably girls.”

“Why?”

“Who’s easier to underestimate, men or women?”

“Women. …You’re putting them in leadership or key roles to root out residents’ biases, right? Is she part of that?”

“Partly. But I’ve known Labiris longer than you, in a way.”

“…Selaria-sama. I’m Labiris, Yuki’s main wife. Nice to meet you. And keep your hands off Yuki!”

The air freezes.

Huh? I didn’t think Selaria did anything wrong here.

“Huh?”

Selaria’s stunned, not grasping the words.

“Labiris-chan’s got some fire! Well, I’m Ratsu, Onii-san’s second wife. Nice to meet you, Selaria-sama. I don’t mind if you make a move on him.”

Ratsu jumps in, and Selaria’s anger flares.

“You’re pretty relaxed while we’re swamped over here!”

“Calm—”

“You dragged Yuki into this mess, didn’t you, flat-chested Selaria-sama?”

“What?! Big isn’t always better! I’m known in the army for my peach-like, elegant chest—”

“Doesn’t matter if no one uses it, Selaria-sama. Got anyone like our Onii-san to appreciate it?”

“…No. I’m the second princess. I won’t accept anyone weaker than me…”

She’s getting sulky.

“Indeed. Few could meet the standards of the war princess Selaria-sama… Maybe lower them a bit?”

Ratsu tries to cheer her up.

“…I went too far. Selaria-sama, if you cherish him, I’ll share Yuki.”

Labiris joins in.

…Wait, am I divisible?

“Really?! Yuki doesn’t even flinch when I press my chest against him. I was losing confidence. I was hoping this time would be different!”

“I get it. Onii-san’s annoyingly good at controlling himself.”

“But I don’t love Yuki or want him as a husband!!”

“…What a troublesome personality. Fine. Help us out, and we’ll get you in a bath with Yuki.”

“No choice, then! I’ll join him! Look forward to it, Yuki!!”

The screen cuts off.

…Huh?

We settled the important stuff, but… something’s off, isn’t it?