第９３掘：本題 (Part1)
**Dig 93: The Main Subject**
**Side: Seraria**
"Lady Seraria, Lady Rurua, I am deeply grateful for the information you have provided. With this, the top-secret mission is a success. I shall be sure to convey this clearly to the King of Roschur."
The King of Gartz concluded the discussion on the recent incident with those words.
"Oh, please wait. As I mentioned, this was merely a side task for us. We have a main subject to discuss, if you don't mind?"
"Hm? Something more significant than this?"
"Yes, indeed. The previous matter was about maintaining peace. What we are about to discuss concerns the future."
"The future?"
"Yes. You will understand once you hear what we have to say. Now, what would you like to do? Shall we take a short break? I believe this will be a rather long conversation."
I said this while glancing at the members of Gartz.
It will likely be a series of shocks, after all.
I doubt it will help them "prepare," but I thought a break might make things slightly easier to digest.
"Hmm, we have just finished our meal. I am fine with continuing as is, but what about the rest of you?"
"Are you sure, Father? Should we not hear this through official channels?"
"Regardless, this is unofficial. If the information is substantial, we can always deliberate on it again after hearing it here."
"That is true. I have no objections."
"I have no problem with it either."
"Well, we are sipping tea at our leisure, and since it is Seraria we are dealing with, I am fine with it."
"Sister, please... watch your phrasing. She is, after all, a princess of an allied nation."
Hmm, it is certainly a relaxed setting. If any issues arise, we can just take a breather then.
"It seems everyone is in agreement. Lady Seraria, would you be so kind as to let us hear this 'main subject' of yours?"
"Yes, certainly."
Now then... I suppose I should start with an explanation.
It is a bit troublesome that I have to be the one to do it.
Since I am the public face of the dungeon's management, it would be inappropriate for my husband to be the one explaining. Even if he were to explain, I would have to step in to provide support afterward anyway.
Ideally, I would like to reveal him as the Dungeon Master, but doing so would make Roschur appear to have lost its mind. As my husband said, I must remain the public representative.
"To begin, the main subject is trade with my territory: the dungeon."
"……That sounds mundane. No, while it is expected, why the dramatic buildup?"
"I see. Do you truly understand what it means to 'rule' a dungeon?"
"Does it not simply mean you have conquered it?"
"No, we have succeeded in controlling the dungeon. In other words, we can freely construct the dungeon as we please. For instance, we can summon monsters at will."
"……That is a massive achievement. However, is there no danger involved?"
"You have already confirmed that for yourselves, have you not?"
"What do you mean?"
Hehe, to think they wouldn't notice until I pointed it out.
As expected of a Doppelganger.
"Including myself, everyone who came to Gartz this time—including Shera and Kirue—is currently controlling a Doppelganger monster. In other words, we are all fakes. Though, our 'insides' are the real thing."
"「「「Wha—!？」」」"
The Gartz delegation stared in wide-eyed shock.
"……I see no difference from the real ones, no matter how I look at you…"
"I heard that Doppelgangers only mimic appearances, and that those who know the person would immediately recognize them as imposters…"
"Yes, that is true in theory. However, dungeon monsters can be controlled. And for safety, a Dungeon Master would never leave the dungeon themselves."
"……I see. So, the Doppelgangers were originally just borrowed bodies for the Dungeon Master to venture outside?"
"Well, I only learned of the Doppelgangers' nature after I gained control of the dungeon, and this is how I have chosen to utilize them."
"Regarding the protection of VIPs, there could be no better measure. A perfect body double. This is truly magnificent."
Higil praised the Doppelgangers quite honestly.
"Do you understand now? Despite being monsters, we have not caused you any harm. If you still have doubts… well, shall I summon a Blood Minotaur?"
"W-Wait!! If you summon such a monster, it will be total chaos!! We believe you regarding the dungeon control!!"
Higil said in a panic, and the others nodded in agreement.
"Thank you. However, this is still just the beginning."
"T-this is just the beginning…?"
"Yes, as I said from the start, our goal is trade. …Shall we start by showing you some of our trade goods? Ratz, if you would?"
I looked at Ratz, and she nodded.
"Then, allow me to introduce our representatives. This is Ratz, our commercial representative for the dungeon. And representing our blacksmiths, the leader of the Fairy race, Narjia."
"A-a Fairy? Where are they?"
"Narjia, if you would."
"Yes, yes. I thought I had been forgotten."
"「「「!!?」」」"
To the people of Gartz, it must have seemed as though Narjia had suddenly appeared out of thin air, but she had been waiting the entire time while using invisibility magic. She had been in the room with me.
"I-impossible!! This room is protected by a special method that prevents the use of magic!!"
"Hmm, it is true that it is difficult to cast magic here, but… look."
Narjia waved her hand, and several fireballs appeared in mid-air.
"For someone like me, it is not much of a problem. Ah, don't worry. Under normal circumstances, magic cannot be cast here."
She extinguished the fireballs.
"Now, once again. I serve as the blacksmithing representative for the dungeon. I am Narjia, representative of the Fairy race."
"A-ah. It seems you are the real deal…"
"Yes, that is why I remained hidden until now. I believe you have confirmed through that display that we harbor no hostility."
Hehe, as planned, I have demonstrated that we have no hostile intent.
Now that they are convinced of the Fairy race's presence, any harm done to us would be an act of hostility against the Fairies themselves.
"…Um. My turn was suddenly stolen by Narjia… but I serve as the commercial representative for the dungeon. My name is Ratz. I am also one of Yuki-san's concubines."
"Hoho!! So Yuki-dono has also taken a Rabbit Beastman as his wife!!"
……Why does he sound so happy talking to my husband?
Come to think of it, King Gartz also knew that Shera was a Rabbit Beastman.
"Y-yes. She is a wonderful wife."
"Indeed, indeed. Seraria-dono, Rurua-dono, I was worried about you handling Shera as well, but to think there were even more concubines. I cannot compare, but you have potential. I shall have some nocturnal elixirs sent to you. You might even catch up to me—at least add another four or five, eh…?"
"……Father. That is a bit vulgar."
"……Father. We are in the middle of an important discussion."
The father was stopped by his daughter and son.
……Though, I think I might actually accept that elixir.