第１１掘：「運営する」と「守る」ことは同じではない (Part1)
Chapter 11: "Managing" and "Protecting" Are Not the Same
"Managing" and "Protecting" Are Not the Same
Side: Yuki (Real Name: Kazuya Torino)
"Oh, they're gathering. There are so many, I can't tell how many there are."
I monitor the inside of the dungeon.
Currently, nearly 1,000 soldiers in proper armor are continuously entering my dungeon.
"Um, Yuki? What are we going to do? Those people are practically our country's elite, mainly from the Royal Guard... I hate to say it, but..."
Elju speaks from behind me, sounding apologetic.
"Do you really understand the current situation?! If things continue like this, you'll be killed! Both me and Elju!"
Seraria seems displeased with my reaction and is indignant. But for Elju's sister, she's quite... unique.
And on one side, drills... no, what do you call them, curls? No, they're not that cheap, drills will do.
The only similarity is that their hair is the same silver color, I guess?
"Are you listening?! Even if we were followed, there's nothing we can do like this!"
Yes, the reason Roschur Kingdom's soldiers are currently in this dungeon is because Seraria and Elju fled here.
Being followed, it's a classic trope, really.
Moreover, it seems Elju is being accused of impersonating a "Dungeon Master."
Completely framed, huh.
"Right, if they advance any further, we'll have to fight back. No choice. Dungeon Master, please make a surrender recommendation or something."
"Huh? What are you saying? You're the Dungeon Master, aren't you?"
"Ah, to those who know, yes. But if I show up here, it'll just cause confusion. If we're seeking reconciliation, isn't it better for Elju to appear and for Seraria to be safe?"
"Eh?! Are you going to push through with me as the Dungeon Master!?"
Side: Seraria of Roschur
"You don't mean... you're going to use Elju as a decoy Dungeon Master, are you?"
From his previous statement, that's what I concluded.
This man, Elju said she trusted him, but he seems suspicious. He might really be the Dungeon Master, but he's still suspicious.
"Sister?!"
"Elju, be quiet. If you're thinking what I just said... then I'll respond in kind."
"Oh, how? Seraria, my skill-based protection prevents not only attacks but even poisoning, you know?"
"If Elju dies, I'll immediately go to the other side and tell them the Dungeon Core is still active."
She says, pointing to the Dungeon Core on the throne's orb stand.
Elju told her that the Dungeon Core is connected to him, and if it's gone, he can't live.
"...The one leading them is that minister who framed you two. You might be killed the moment you step out, you know?"
"I don't care. If Elju isn't here, this world has no meaning anymore. I'll definitely kill you and Loire."
Silence follows for a while... but then he suddenly bursts out laughing and collapses.
"Pfft... Ahahahahaha!!... No, I'm sorry. That's right. That's what I told Elju. That was a lie."
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
As I stand confused, he pulls out two familiar objects from his pocket... Dungeon Cores.
"Well, it's not all a lie. Without a Dungeon Core, the dungeon can't be maintained. But I never said I didn't have spares, and I never said I wouldn't escape the dungeon. In fact, I've already made an escape route."
"Haaaaaaah!?"
"Ehhhhhh!?"
He said something unprecedented... the Dungeon Master is saying he'll abandon the dungeon.
"No, I haven't decided to run away yet."
Side: Roschur Army, Seraria's Direct Command Unit, Captain Quar Estia
Currently, we are in the dungeon believed to be their base, by His Majesty's royal decree, to rescue Seraria and subjugate the Dungeon Master who is impersonating Elju.
The fake Elju supposedly snuck into the royal castle to poison Seraria, mixing poison into her tea.
What an effort. However, the higher-ups concluded that "the Dungeon Master has not yet accumulated power and is trying to seize the country using underhanded tactics."
They made this judgment because the imposter, with Seraria, fled into a "dungeon."
Honestly, I'm not convinced by this judgment. Because Seraria had told me there was a disturbing shadow within the country and had ordered an investigation.
The investigation began when Elju was supposedly ordered to subjugate a village.
I've had several opportunities to speak with Elju through Seraria, and she is a kind and compassionate person, worthy of the title of Saintess. I myself felt something suspicious about that story.
And then, Elju's carriage was attacked, and she went missing. Seraria, of course, immediately ordered a search for Elju... but the place where the carriage was attacked was deep within the country, a place that would take 15 days to reach on foot from here.
Ultimately, the wreckage was identified as Elju's carriage, but that location was not near a battlefield like this place.
And now, Seraria's poisoning and kidnapping... Hmm? Here, I had a question.
"If they poisoned her, why would they bother taking her away?"
I mutter. Wait a minute, why is this mission called "Seraria's Rescue"? Since she was poisoned, shouldn't we assume she's dead?
"No, they were convinced she was alive... because they knew the so-called fake Elju was the real one."
Yes, Elju's body was never found. It was Minister Loire who saw the "poisoning" scene and caused a commotion, saying "Elju would never do such a thing."
And those who witnessed the scene were all under his influence... So Minister Loire is the most suspicious one, huh.
However, Elju fled into the dungeon, an action that reinforced the theory of her being a fake... or perhaps he intended to handle it internally and report it afterward, even if she hadn't.
At this moment, Elju is considered a fake and a weak Dungeon Master. If I say anything careless, I'll likely be deemed an enemy too.
What should I do...? Should I take the initiative and protect Seraria and Elju?