第７９掘：王様乗り込む (Part1)
**Dungeon 79: The King Invades**
**Side: Aria las Roschur, Next Queen of Roschur**
"Welcome, Sister."
My precious younger sister stood there to greet me. Yet, I couldn't bring myself to be genuinely happy.
"Honestly, you’ve done something truly outrageous."
That was all I could manage to say. For better or worse, Seraria had chosen a life dedicated to the sword. But through the recent turmoil, she seemed to have found her own path, and she had married a man with startling ease. Father had vehemently opposed it, even tightening the purse strings on her support to the absolute limit, but it had been entirely meaningless. In the end, as Seraria had judged, that man—the Dungeon Master—was clearly a person of extraordinary caliber.
"Outrageous? What could you possibly mean? I have simply been negotiating with those around me to enrich the territory I was granted."
This child... I pressed my hand to my forehead, chewing over her words. Yes, on the surface, everything Seraria had done looked like the result of negotiation. But behind the scenes, she had been pulling strings that could topple a kingdom if handled poorly. Then again, from a nation's perspective, anything could cause a collapse. It is the way of the world that trivial matters often become the catalyst. If this situation had come to pass, the responsibility lay not with Seraria, but with us—Father and me, who stood at the pinnacle of this country.
"Still, it’s quite something that both you and Father left the Royal Capital. Aren't you worried about being usurped while you're away?"
We were currently visiting the dungeon that Seraria governed as her territory. Ostensibly, it was out of concern for my sister; in truth, it was to grasp the level of danger this dungeon posed.
"That won't happen. No, if the throne could be taken just by leaving the capital for a short while, then that’s all it was worth."
"I suppose you're right."
"Now then, I’d like to talk at length, but... may I ask you a question, Seraria?"
"What is it?"
"……Well, it’s impressive that in just over two months, you’ve cleared the trees and erected such sturdy buildings. However, I find it hard to believe that seven thousand immigrants from Litea are living here, as your letter claimed."
As Father said, there were only small, village-like structures surrounding the dungeon. Where was the space for the large number of people mentioned in her letter to live?
"And why hasn't your husband shown himself before me?"
There was a hint of anger in that last sentence. Father is incredibly doting on his daughters. If Seraria hadn't volunteered herself, he had intended to marry off some random noble's daughter to the Dungeon Master. He was furious that the husband of a royal, having received a royal visit, would show such disrespect by not appearing before his father-in-law and sister-in-law.
"Ha! What are you talking about? Normally, we would be the ones prostrating ourselves in gratitude, but what reason is there to show respect to a royal family that hands out noble titles only to force women upon us as monitors?"
"Guh!"
"Furthermore, you try to squeeze taxes out of us. Are you idiots? It’s only fine because my husband allowed it, but if he were a traditional Dungeon Master, as described in the legends, it wouldn't be strange for him to have razed this kingdom to the ground for such a foolish, short-sighted approach."
"N-nuuu! But the tax collection was set for five years from now..."
"……Are you serious? The number of years doesn't matter. Originally, this place is already an independent nation. Despite that, we belong to Roschur out of consideration for your circumstances. The very attitude of trying to collect taxes shows a lack of respect for my husband. ...You shitty old man, if my husband told me to take your head, I’d have it off right here."
An intense fighting spirit radiated from Seraria. ...Has she gotten stronger than before? Even if she had clashed with the hardliners in Litea, one shouldn't be able to see such a visible jump in level...
"M-my, and you used to say you’d become... my bride..."
"…Die."
"Wait!?"
Father, your games go too far. You know full well that bringing that up will make Seraria snap!
*Clang!!*
"Oof!?"
Father’s body was lifted off the ground by the impact of Seraria’s sword, flying sideways until he slammed into the wall.
*Boom!!*
S-she blew Father away with nothing but raw strength!? Father is a high-level individual at level 92, and his sword skill is level 5—the pinnacle of humanity. And she sent him flying while her sword was still in its scabbard!?
"…Please stop playing dead like a child. My husband is busy with the dungeon's assessment. That is why I came out to greet you."
Seraria stared at the rising dust with a bored expression.
"Oh, oh, you’ve improved your strength again, it seems. But to think it would be this much. And you say you came to greet us? Is this not the dungeon city?"
Father walked toward us as if nothing had happened.
"…*Sigh*, well, just follow me for now. It’s too inappropriate to talk about various things here. My husband will come by the time we reach the meeting place."
Seraria walked toward the center of the village, toward the dungeon entrance.
"Qual, make sure the security is extra tight today."
"Yes!! Though, I don't think anyone who enters will come out unscathed."
"Don't say stupid things. If you bother my husband, I'll cut your pay."
"““Security, commencing!””"
Seraria’s direct unit responded with a salute. They were as well-trained as ever. ...I can't help but feel that, like Seraria, they have become exceptionally strong in just two months...
And as we entered the dungeon, our common sense began to crumble. The ministers who had complaints about this whole affair were left stunned by the city inside the dungeon.
"For now, I shall guide you through the city myself. I expect my husband will return by the time we finish."
Seraria offered, but we were all too stunned by the sight before us to react. We were led around the city inside the dungeon. The logical zoning of the city, the unbelievable variety of luxury goods, the entertainment facilities that could fill the national treasury even with commoners using them—it was all beyond expectation. Furthermore, the use of different floors for different facility types, the school that opened knowledge to commoners—a privilege usually reserved for nobles—and the focus on educating children to secure talent... everything was completely different from the Royal Capital.
...Honestly, we were losing. From how they utilized people to the technology here and the advantages of this location—there was absolutely no waste.
"Well, how was it? There are many places I couldn't explain in detail in just one day, but you are scheduled to stay for a week, so please take your time starting tomorrow."
Seraria led us to a conference room in a building called the "General Administration Office," seated us, and served tea.
"But to enjoy yourselves starting tomorrow, shall we hear the purpose of your visit? You can't enjoy yourselves until your work is done, after all."
"O-oh, that's right. However, until Seraria's husband arrives..."
As Father began to speak, the conference room door opened, and the man I had only seen on the call screen entered leisurely.
"Just in time. Dear, how is the dungeon assessment going?"
"It's only the third day, so it's still just the beginning. The assessment period might even be extended."
"It can't be helped. There are at least six medium-sized dungeons, after all."
...I never thought I’d see the day Seraria would converse with a man so happily. Father and the other ministers, knowing Seraria's temperament, were wide-eyed with shock.
"Now then, I apologize for not being able to greet you sooner. I have been working until now to fulfill my duties as the Marquis granted by the King, and to support the lives of my people. After all, I started with absolutely nothing."
This man had casually delivered a stinging remark. We were the ones who had said we would leave it to his discretion without providing any funds. If we complained now...
"Marquis Yuki, isn't that a bit too rude, even for Seraria's husband?"
One of the ministers accused the Dungeon Master, Yuki.
"Yes, that is why I am apologizing here. It is a lack of ability on my part, but I would like to see an example if you have one. If there is anyone here who can bring 300 slaves with 300 platinum coins and create something better than this in two months, please introduce them to me. I would love to use them as a reference. Or perhaps, Minister, you would like to show me?"
"……N-no, that is..."
The minister who had accused him wore a face like he’d bitten into a bitter bug. That’s right—no one here had any leverage over him. In fact, everyone in this room was in Yuki's debt. A debt on a national scale...
"Never mind the greeting. I have heard of your circumstances from Seraria. If the Grand Master of the Adventurer's Guild in Litea has come to conduct a dungeon assessment, then this is a natural procedure. Rather, are you sure it's alright for you to be away from your post?"