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

Volume 02 Chapter 14: So Busy!?

Side: Eris

“Daaaaah!? There’s too much work!! I can’t keep up with all these calculations!!”

Ratsu suddenly bursts out yelling, as if exploding.

Even so, she seems to have enough sense not to knock over the pile of documents.

“Ratsu, calm down. Here, some tea. Let’s take a break.”

“Right. If we push too hard and make mistakes, it’ll cause problems. Let’s rest.”

When I say this and offer tea, Milly agrees with me.

But honestly, as Ratsu says, there’s a ton of work.

Right now, we’re in the comprehensive office on the third floor, the residential district.

This is where the representatives of future immigrants, chosen through elections, will work.

Initially, since the immigrants won’t understand Yuki-san’s intentions, we’re acting as representatives and handling the work.

The construction plans and item selection for deliveries are already done.

So, everyone else is split into different departments, working away.

“Ughhh… Call Onii-san, please. Get him to use the computer…”

“Ratsu, Yuki-san’s at the warehouse handling deliveries right now…”

“Well, computers are convenient, but we need to learn how to use them. We can’t just rely on Yuki-san.”

Ratsu wants Yuki-san to use the computer to do the calculations.

But Yuki-san’s the Dungeon Master.

While he’s given us various permissions, he insisted on overseeing the initial deliveries himself.

Well, it’s more that the other team members aren’t suited for this kind of administrative work.

To streamline operations, Yuki-san provided each of us with a computer in our rooms as equipment…

But there’s no way we can use them yet.

It’s barely been a week since we got here.

We’re still constantly surprised by the convenient things Yuki-san provides, and we can’t use them well yet.

Especially this computer.

Even Yuki-san says he can’t use it perfectly, so expecting us to master it in three days is absurd.

We have calculators as a fallback, which helps, but physically, we’re short on manpower.

“Ughhh~ Why do we have to handle accounting for other departments too~?”

“No helping it. The only ones who can do proper math here are the three of us, plus Yuki-san, Labiris, and Tori. Everyone else who can’t is handling deliveries.”

Milly soothes Ratsu, who keeps complaining.

Well, it can’t be helped.

On top of this department’s work, Ratsu has to handle the accounting for the shops.

I’m managing the accounting for the entertainment facilities too, though.

Sipping tea, I check the paper listing the department assignments.

Current Term Personnel Details

- Dungeon Representative: Selaria Figurehead

- Dungeon Deputy Representative: Labiris De facto leader

- Residential District Representatives: Male – Yuki, Female – Eris

- Work District Representatives: Agriculture – Kaya, Forge – Filia Yuki and Riel assisting

- Multi-District Representatives: Adventurers – Milly, Entertainment – Eris, Leisure – Yuki

- Military: Rocheur Rep – Selaria, Dungeon Rep – Yuki, Police Rep – Tori

- Living District Representatives: Shops – Ratsu, Hospital – Elju, School – Yuki

- Comprehensive Office Personnel: Head – Labiris, Deputy – Asrin, Registry – Eris, Accounting – Ratsu, Complaints – Milly, Events – Riel, Insurance – Eris, Facilities – Milly

… I’m juggling four roles.

Ratsu has two, but she’s also handling accounting for the police and forge departments. As the shop representative, she has to oversee everything there.

Milly’s got three, which is a lot. Managing the adventurer district will get hectic once residents move in and start working.

The other departments are the same. We’re clearly short-staffed.

On top of that, there’s personnel for training the first wave of immigrants.

Group Training Facility Personnel

- Head: Yuki

- Deputy: Labiris

- Operations Instructors: Yuki, Eris, Milly Explaining dungeon’s purpose, management, and goals

- Math Instructors: Ratsu, Labiris, Tori To increase number of people who can calculate

- Common Sense Instructors: Eris, Kaya, Riel Explaining dungeon facilities and item usage

- Work Instructors: Kaya, Filia, Ratsu Explaining main jobs and wages in the dungeon

- Election Instructors: Yuki, Eris, Ratsu Explaining how to choose representatives

It’s a headache to say the least.

We need immigrants to help with operations as soon as possible.

Otherwise, this work will kill us.

…Being an administrator is tough, huh.

“…Goddamn. I can’t keep going without eating some luxury stuff.”

Ratsu starts munching on potechi, crunching loudly.

Regarding luxury goods, we initially discussed avoiding extreme items to match this world, but decided to include them since we’d eventually introduce them anyway.

It’s worse if residents think we were hiding things later, sparking complaints.

“Ahh, potechi are delicious. Especially this aonori flavor.”

“What’re you talking about? Consommé’s the best, right?”

““Huh!?””

Milly’s comment prompts a fierce retort from Ratsu, and they start glaring at each other.

“Calm down. Before you glare over something like that, we need to clear this desk of documents, or Yuki-san will be disappointed.”

Their glaring is basically playful, so I could ignore it, but we really don’t have time to mess around this time.

“After this, Ratsu, Milly, and Yuki-san are set to decide shop item prices, so Ratsu, you need to organize the related documents. Milly, you need to set rates for the adventurer district’s inn and tavern and submit them to me. I’ve got to organize the inn, casino, and amusement facilities…”

“Ugh, stop!? Onii-san, save me… My head’s gonna boil!?”

“…I want a drink.”

Sigh, I drag the two escaping reality back to work.

Before I know it, Yuki-san’s arrived at our workplace.

“Whoa, looks rough.”

“Oh, Yuki-san. Are the deliveries done?”

“Yeah. I’ve placed the necessary supplies in the main areas of each district. Quantities are checked. Essential food is stored securely in four warehouses.”

“So, what’s next…?”

“Set the prices and finalize the training facility details, and we’re good for now. Got a draft ready?”

Yuki-san shifts his gaze from me to Ratsu and Milly, who are buried in the pile of documents, unmoving.

“…If Onii-san gives me a hot embrace, I’ll hand over the documents…”

“…Booze. …Some delicious booze…”

“Alright, alright, I get it. Let’s discuss it with those as incentives, and we’ll wrap up the pricing. Keep it up.”

“You promised!! I want that embrace in the bath!!”

“I’ve always wanted to try Moet◯!! Please!!”

Suddenly full of energy, the two grab their compiled documents and head to the meeting room.

“…Well, paperwork’s like that, huh. Eris, got any requests?”

“No, I’m fine…”

“Hmm. I’ll figure something out for you. It’s not fair if you’re the only one without something.”

With that, Yuki-san heads to the meeting room.

I follow his back.

He looks so young, but inside, he’s so mature—a strange human.

His thinking and knowledge rival even us elves.

I’m grateful he saved me from slavery, but deep down, I’ve been wary and afraid of him.

Lost in thought, I recall what an elder once told me.

“Eris, listen. Fear isn’t just being scared of something. It has a source. Take a strong monster, for example. We fear it because we can’t win, because it could kill us. We fear a parent’s scolding because the scolding itself is scary. So when you feel fear, think carefully about what you’re really afraid of, what’s causing it. That will show you the way. It keeps you from missing what’s important.

Fear isn’t always about protecting yourself. If you fear excessively, you might do unnecessary things. Even actions done with good intentions can be rejected if the other side is ruled by fear. Eris, you’re very wise, so you might face unique fears. Remember this well.”

Staring at Yuki-san’s back, I think about what I fear in him.

What is it… I feel so close to the answer.

Is it his power that scares me?

No, that’s not it. There’s no point fearing it. If he wanted, he could tear us apart in an instant.

Then, is it his sharp intellect that’s frightening?

No, that’s not it either. His knowledge is being used for our sake.

“Ah…”

I get it.

I’m afraid because I don’t know what Yuki-san’s thinking.

He’s an enigma. I’ve heard his supposed purpose, but I can’t bring myself to believe it’s true.

“What’s up, Eris?”

Yuki-san notices I’ve stopped walking and calls out to me.

“…This might be rude, but may I ask?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“I’m scared of you, Yuki-san. …I’m terrified. What’s your true purpose for doing all this?”

“Whoa, you figured it out?”

“…!?”

He raises a hand, and I instinctively tense up.

Oh no. To quell my unnecessary fear, I’ve stirred his emotions.

What matters isn’t what he’s trying to do. He’s treated us so well, and I’ve repaid his kindness with cruelty.

He gently pats my head.

“Well, even if I told you my true purpose now, you’d probably not believe me or think I’m an idiot. I’ll tell everyone once things stabilize, so can you cooperate until then? I’m not forcing you. Once the immigrants arrive, you can step back and forget about it if you want.”

Yuki-san’s expression is somehow apologetic, almost sad.

I knew it, didn’t I?

He’s never forced us from the start.

He’s only shown sincerity, asking for our help, and even though I agreed, I didn’t trust him and threw harsh words at him.

“…I’m sorry… hic What a horrible thing I’ve done…”

Before I know it, I’m crying and apologizing to Yuki-san.

He’s the one who should want to cry, but I have no right to…

“H-Hey!? Did I do something!? Eris-san, you okay!?”

Yuki-san panics in front of me.

“Onii-san, Eris, you’re late…!?”

“Eris!? Yuki-san, what did you do!?”

Ratsu and Milly must have come to check on us since we didn’t show up.

Ratsu, Milly, no. Yuki-san’s not at fault at all.

“…It’s probably my fault. Sorry, but please calm Eris down. Let’s move the meeting to tomorrow. …Sorry, Eris.”

With that, he leaves the scene as if fleeing.

“…I don’t think Onii-san would do something like that, but Eris, can you come back to the room and tell us what happened?”

“…sniff Yes, Ratsu.”

Escorted by Ratsu and Milly, I return to my room and explain everything.

“…Onii-san didn’t do anything wrong.”

“…God, I treated Yuki-san like that. What do I do…?”

Ratsu and Milly hold their heads.

“…I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”

“Well, I get where you’re coming from, Eris…”

“If you look at everything Yuki-san’s done, it’s not something we should worry about… But why did Yuki-san leave without defending himself when he wasn’t at fault?”

Ratsu answers Milly’s question.

“…Onii-san doesn’t really want to drag us into this. He didn’t choose to be a Dungeon Master. That’s why he asks for our help so earnestly. Sure, it’s for the village’s policies, but if we say no, he won’t stop us. No matter the reason, if we want to quit, he’ll let us.”

Silence follows.

“For now, Eris, you need to apologize to Onii-san. That’s a fact.”

“…Yeah.”

“But he’ll probably just accept it and do nothing else.”

“Yeah.”

“So I’m gonna punch you. Brace yourself. That’s your punishment for being a smartass and making Onii-san look like that!!”

At dinner that night, I apologized to Yuki-san.

As Ratsu predicted, he looked a bit troubled but just said, “Let’s keep working together.”

Labiris glared at me fiercely, and I got slapped on the other cheek by Ratsu, causing a commotion.

I’ve decided. I’ll stick with Yuki-san to the end.

I’ll see his enigma, his terror, with my own eyes.

And when I hear his true purpose, I’ll help him.