第３７掘：個室の重要性 (Part1)
**Dungeon Excavation 37: The Importance of a Private Room**
**Side: Milly**
After finishing his meeting with Seraria, Yuki-san turned to us and said, "Alright, as you’ve heard, the number of people is set. I intend to prepare a place where 400 people can live. So, what kind of housing do you think would be good?"
I never cease to feel respect for the way he asks for our cooperation without a hint of hesitation. Even though he possesses powers that transcend human understanding—as a Dungeon Master—he chooses to use that strength for the sake of others. His nobility and kindness are far more reminiscent of a true savior than any of the so-called saints I’ve encountered elsewhere.
Under normal circumstances, we slaves were destined to be used and discarded as mere playthings. However, I was purchased by Mauve-san and his group, and then I met Yuki-san, allowing me to witness a new era. When I tell him this, he just gives a wry smile and says, "It’s still nothing, we haven't even started yet."
But I understand. If the future he has shown us comes to fruition, the tragedies like the ones we suffered will become fewer than they are now. He didn't offer some empty, idealistic promise to reduce them to zero; he spoke with his feet firmly on the ground, looking squarely at reality. No, given that he possesses the power of a Dungeon Master, I might even believe him if he said he could make it zero. Yet, he does not grow arrogant with his power; he seeks our cooperation so as not to become a self-righteous tyrant.
Honestly, if Yuki-san were to declare that he would annex this country or the Gartz Kingdom and raise an army, I would follow him. That is how much I trust him, despite the short time we have spent together. Is this what they call fate?
For the time being, he doesn't seem to favor dictatorship or monarchy, and he doesn't force himself upon us to produce heirs. Ratz and Labyris-chan are currently on the offensive, so I am watching from the sidelines. Well, I did force Rurua-sama to accept the condition of bearing Yuki-san’s child. I hold a personal grudge against her, but her abilities are superior to ours. If that is the case, let us make use of her. Rurua-sama, please become a tool for physical gratification for the sake of producing a more excellent child. I only hope this becomes a good catalyst for the concept of monogamy to vanish, allowing him to impregnate all of us.
The others likely view Rurua-sama’s condition as a mere formality and intend to keep her alive even if she fails to conceive, but I see no reason to harbor a harmful creature who cannot even bear Yuki-san’s child; I would rather see her gone. She shouldn't be appearing in public; she should just be performing her duties in the bedroom at night. If a child is born, we will raise it. Don't worry, since it carries Yuki-san’s blood, we will raise it with the utmost care. As for Rurua-sama, she can just wear a collar and spend the rest of her life in a room.
As I was lost in these dark thoughts, Yuki-san asked for my opinion.
"...Or, is that how Ratz feels? Say, Milly, what kind of place did you live in?"
"Me? When I worked at the guild, I shared a room with three colleagues in the guild dormitory. I had a family home as well, but it wasn't much different."
"So, you didn't have a private room?"
"No, a private room is a privilege granted only to extremely wealthy merchants, middle-to-high ranking nobles, or royalty."
Yuki-san began to ponder, looking troubled.
"Eris, what is Yuki-san thinking about so seriously?" I asked Eris, having been too lost in my own thoughts to catch the conversation.
"What do you mean... Ah, Elju-sama? Rurua-sama? I understand, but Yuki-san’s words are more important, aren't they?"
"Sorry, I'll be careful. So, what is it?"
"Yuki-san is saying that he wants to give the slaves who are coming, and the soldiers stationed here as guards, a private room... or rather, if they don't have a family, he wants to give one room per person."
"Eh? Even if Yuki-san is kind... that might make the slaves get ahead of themselves..."
We are forbidden from telling the incoming slaves about Yuki-san’s generosity. His existence must be kept secret within our hearts. Therefore, it is impossible to use the name of a "Dungeon Master" to command respect or fear to make them listen. We must act as the representatives to manage the slaves. Giving them a private room is a privilege reserved for those of high status. If we give them such things, they might forget they are slaves and stop listening to us.
"In the first place, isn't being a slave a good excuse for employment, and perfect for eliminating discrimination? It would be more troublesome if refugees who weren't slaves were brought here suddenly, wouldn't it?"
"I understand that, but... well, if ordinary refugees come in the future, should we just make them recognize that this is the norm here?"
"That's right. Giving a private room to slaves, who are the lowest of the low on this continent, is a good way to strip away discriminatory consciousness, isn't it?"
"But, with the employment system and the way slaves are treated here, I think that alone is enough to eliminate discrimination, don't you, big brother?"
As Ratz-san said, the slaves who are coming probably can't even imagine it, but this place is like paradise. Even without a private room, they have a proper place to sleep and food to eat. For a slave, this is already generous treatment. Normally, one would curl up on the floor and eat leftovers. That is the norm for a slave.
"Yuki-san, shouldn't we have the slaves stay together in rooms like we do? Maybe not 400, but 100? Or 50? Do you have some attachment to private rooms?"
"Ah, I see. You don't understand the meaning of a private room... Alright, everyone, follow me."
With that, Yuki-san started walking, still carrying Labyris-chan. Honestly, I envy Labyris-chan, Aslin, and Firia.
"Oh, isn't this the Dungeon Core room?" Ratz said. Indeed, this should be the Dungeon Core room. It was the place we were strictly ordered never to touch when we first arrived. I didn't understand why before, but now that I recognize the core as the heart of this dungeon, I wouldn't even dream of touching it.
"Yeah, it's a dummy, though. Well, setting that aside, it's this way."
"Hah!? Big brother, this core is a fake!?"
"As if I'd put the real one in an easy-to-find place. Though, this core has nothing to do with the dungeon's functions."
"...So it's real, but not real..." Ratz was beyond surprised; she was dumbfounded. He really is a man who leaves no stone unturned.
Then, the wall to the left of where the core was placed shifted, revealing a door. This room itself was like a hidden chamber, and now there was another hidden room inside? Does any adventurer even exist who could reach this place? From what I’ve heard, it was filled with more vicious traps than any dungeon in history.
"Here we go. This is my private room. Come in."
Yuki-san opened the door and invited us in.
"Yes, excuse us."
We entered the foyer.
"Oh, please take off your shoes there. It’s like a Japanese inn. Please wear these slippers."
And so, we were led into Yuki-san’s private room. It was beyond our comprehension.
"A-ah, ah... this is..."
"My, so that inn was just a part of it for you, big brother?"
The space was smaller than a banquet hall, but it was incredibly clean. I have seen many rooms, but this was a different kind of cleanliness compared to the inns frequented by nobles. Each piece of furniture was not opulent, but refined and functional, without a single wasted shape. On that beautiful desk sat copy paper and a strange object with a glowing screen.