第１６掘：俺が目指すダンジョン運営の説明と交渉 (Part2)
Seraria said, dumbfounded.
"Wait a minute!! What do you mean a Dungeon Core allows you to create one!? Doesn't a Dungeon Master die without a Dungeon Core!?"
Rurua exclaimed in surprise. Come to think of it, I hadn't explained it to them.
"What you probably thought was a Dungeon Master was just that dungeon's boss. If they disappear when their Dungeon Core is taken, it means they were controlled by the Dungeon Core."
"You just casually said something incredible, didn't you!? So a Dungeon Boss isn't the same as a Dungeon Master!?"
"The stories that remain here are rough, but I've heard them from Elju and the others. If they're like me, true Dungeon Masters are extremely rare."
"W-what are you saying... How are Dungeon Cores generated!?"
"Of course, they can be refined with DP."
"Wait a minute, then entering the dungeons that currently exist means..."
"You're helping other Dungeon Masters earn DP, refine Dungeon Cores, and increase the number of dungeons. Congratulations. Well, if a Dungeon Master dies, there won't be any further construction, and DP will just accumulate in the Dungeon Core."
"Could it be that even the dungeons used for training..."
"There's a possibility. If I touch their Dungeon Core, I can take control."
"Then please come immediately!! You're much better than some unknown person creating a dungeon!?"
Rurua looked as if her eyes were spinning.
"No way, I don't want to die yet. If you want to drag me outside, accept my conditions and stabilize the country's relations."
"What if I don't cooperate, or if I attack and destroy you?"
The King of Roschur looked at me, testing me.
"I told you, either way is fine. If you repay kindness with malice, I won't show mercy this time. I'll thoroughly kill you and turn you into DP. Even if you break your promise, I just have to abandon this dungeon and create another one elsewhere. What I've gained here is already more than enough for me. It's only been 20 days and 3 days since I created this dungeon. From here on, it's just a 'good enough if it succeeds' level."
"Um, Yuki, according to what you just said, the only ones who have entered the dungeon so far are..."
"Yeah, just Elju and the Roschur army currently here."
"To completely defeat an army in a dungeon that's only been around for such a short time... As Seraria said, it's terrifying."
"So, what will it be? Either way is fine."
The King of Roschur slumped his shoulders.
"I will accept your proposal. However, I have one request I wish you would grant. Would you shelter Elju? There is no safer place than your dungeon. As a parent, it's a terrible thing to say, but if asked to choose between Elju's life and the lives of my people, I unequivocally choose my people and myself. You probably think I'm heartless."
The King bowed deeply to me.
"No, I respect that decision as a ruler. King of Roschur, I will choose to trust you. I swear to protect Princess Elju as long as you do not betray my trust. If she lives, and once the situation stabilizes, the truth will eventually be made public, and Princess Elju will have her day in the sun."
When I replied, everyone around me inexplicably stared at me. No, I just return courtesy with courtesy, you know?
"...What's gotten into you, Yuki? It's not that it doesn't suit you, but it's not like you."
Seraria said, looking at me as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"Yuki... Thank you... Th-thank you so much..."
Elju was sobbing.
The others also looked at me as if I were something strange.
"Well then, it's decided that we'll cooperate. As for dungeon management, that will be after we get through this situation. First, since it's been revealed that the Holy Kingdom of Litea is involved, we need to change our strategy, and I have something I'd like the King to help with."
"Understood, we'll start there. So, what's the plan?"
I grinned and continued.
"First, we'll smoke out the vermin within Roschur. And while we're at it, we'll also put a check on the Holy Kingdom of Litea."
Well, this might be the climax.
To think I'd end up stabilizing the country's territory while managing a dungeon. No, I had it as a goal eventually, but I didn't expect to get my hands on it this quickly.
Is this good luck or bad luck?