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60 – Starting the Dungeon Strategy

60 – Starting the Dungeon Strategy

Laer had been wary of Calix ever since he declared his intention to conquer the dungeon.

She had seen many lords in the world.

But this was the first time she had witnessed a lord challenging a dungeon and courting death.

She acknowledged that his knowledge of dungeons was impressive.

However, if he knew so much about dungeons, he could simply share that knowledge with other adventurers and let them tackle the dungeon.

The only reason he didn’t do that, as she saw it, was one.

‘He must want to show everyone that he can conquer the dungeon and become a hero of the West.’

He had supported soldiers for dungeon management, something no one else did.

Just this alone would have countless bards spreading Cron’s fame throughout the West.

But if the lord himself stepped forward to conquer the dungeon, it would signify the birth of a new hero.

Moreover, Lord Calix had already become a hero of the people through “numerous reforms,” “the liberation of Dreyhart’s slaves,” and “the punishment of the mad lion.”

If he added dungeon conquest to his reputation, he might grow to become a force greater than a grand lord.

It was fine for a lord to have ambitions.

Even if it was hypocritical, it helped the world, so she understood well enough.

The problem was that Sharen was involved in that ambition.

From her perspective, Sharen was already deeply infatuated with that lord.

With a face so smitten, like her mother’s, how could she not notice?

If he was using Sharen for his ambitions, Laer thought she would have to step in and stop him herself.

“What is your purpose in conquering the dungeon?”

“The purpose of conquering the dungeon… is to help the people of the West, as I have told everyone.”

“Lord Calix, I am not asking for such superficial reasons. I want to know the ‘truth’ behind your challenge to the dungeon.”

As Laer spoke with Calix, she began to sense magical power.

Through years of training, she could feel whether someone was lying by the magical waves that resonated during their conversation.

While it wasn’t 100% certain like a Blessing, it was still enough to grasp the other’s true intentions.

“I don’t understand. Lady Laer, I believe that the Red Magic Tower has nothing to lose from my dungeon conquest.”

“Sharen is my disciple. That reason is sufficient.”

Laer was officially Sharen’s master.

This alone was enough reason for her to ask Calix this question.

After a moment of contemplation, Calix sighed at Laer’s words.

“Ha… I understand. I will tell you, Lady Laer.”

Calix wore a truly serious expression.

Laer felt a bit tense as she awaited his answer.

“The real reason I challenge the dungeon is…”

“The real reason?”

“It’s my hobby.”

“…Hobby?”

At Calix’s words, Laer thought she had misheard.

Had her ears grown too long to hear correctly?

While she pondered this, Calix spoke again.

“Yes, I find conquering dungeons enjoyable. That is why I challenge them.”

Laer felt her mind go blank at his words.

She knew it was rude, but she asked directly.

“Do you… often hear people say you’re crazy?”

“Not often, but I heard it recently.”

Calix recalled what Lana had said to him the day before.

Laer was honestly flustered.

“A hobby… that’s an answer I never imagined.”

She had expected ambitions or greed, but a hobby? She truly hadn’t seen that coming.

Yet Calix answered with complete seriousness.

“All life exists for enjoyment. For me, that enjoyment is simply ‘conquering dungeons.’”

In response to Laer’s reaction, Calix became even more proactive.

“Have you never felt that way, Lady Laer? Have you never felt a sense of pride after taking risks to learn new magic and successfully using it?”

“Well…”

“There must have been moments like that. I’m not a magician, but I know that to stand as a Magic Tower Lord, one must be that passionate about magic.”

Calix’s words reminded Laer of the moment she first learned the Flame of Lanix.

It was undoubtedly the moment she felt the most joy in her life.

“I’m similar to you, Lady Laer. It’s just that my focus is on dungeons.”

From Calix’s words, she felt no magical waves.

It meant he was speaking sincerely without fluster.

Though it was a surprising reason, it somehow made sense, leaving Laer even more flustered.

“Alright… I will believe your words as truth. But remember, if you sacrifice Sharen, I will not forgive you.”

“That will never happen.”

Calix answered firmly to Laer’s words.

“Just as Sharen is a precious disciple to you, she is a precious retainer to me. I will never sacrifice her.”

“Okay… I will trust you, Lord Calix.”

While she somewhat empathized with Calix’s claim that dungeons were a hobby, she didn’t fully believe it.

However, at least the sincerity in his eyes when he spoke of Sharen being precious felt genuine.

She thought to give that sincerity a chance.

The next day arrived.

I packed the equipment needed for dungeon conquest, including a bow.

After gathering all my gear and looking in the mirror, I felt like a ranger.

I looked pretty cool.

I struck a pose in front of the mirror, enjoying a brief fashion show.

“Lord, it’s time.”

“Y-yeah, I got it.”

“?”

My brief fashion show ended abruptly with Lana’s sudden entrance.

I hurriedly stepped out of the tent with Lana.

As we walked toward the dungeon gate, I looked around.

It seemed like there were more people than yesterday.

“It seems like there are more people.”

“They are soldiers from other territories. They said they gradually sent soldiers to follow us.”

“Such show-offs…”

“Indeed. It’s quite petty.”

They had sent soldiers to show off that we were leading the charge.

Damn them, they should have sent them earlier. Just as I was getting annoyed, I spotted some unfamiliar faces.

They were holding lutes (a bard’s instrument).

“Are those bards?”

“Yes, they are bards.”

“Why are they here?”

“They came after hearing the rumor that the lord is conquering the dungeon.”

“Oh.”

I later learned that my music was quite popular among the bards.

It seemed they rushed over to create a song about me making headlines.

They looked like YouTube clickbaiters.

When we arrived at the dungeon gate, everyone was waiting.

And there was Sharen, fully armed.

Sharen was equipped not only with her red staff but also with comfortable leather clothing and scrolls for emergencies.

“You’re really well-prepared, Sharen.”

“It’s only natural to prepare this much to protect the lord.”

After we finished our preparations, Lord Rier approached us, activating the Third Eye.

After confirming that our visions were connected, she spoke.

“Then, as planned, we will respond to the Scream of the Dungeon that occurs while you conquer it.”

“Yes, please take care of it, Lady Laer.”

“Thank you, Master.”

As the dungeon was conquered, it would spawn minor monsters around.

People referred to this phenomenon as the Scream of the Dungeon.

“Sharen, if anything happens… use the return scroll. Do you understand?”

“That won’t happen, Master.”

“At times like this, just say you understand. Damn disciple.”

I remembered from the setting book that Laer and Sharen were related by blood.

Was that why? They looked more like a mother and daughter than a master and disciple.

“Then let’s set off.”

“Yes, Lord.”

I headed toward the dungeon gate.

As I approached, the verdant gate opened, and the dungeon activated.

Everyone around wore worried expressions, and I said to them,

“Don’t worry, everyone. I’ll conquer it lightly and return.”

I said this to everyone as I lightly jumped into the dungeon.

The cool magical power of the dungeon enveloped my body.

That nostalgic cool sensation… it was time to return as the Dungeon Master.

As Sharen jumped into the dungeon, she felt a buoyancy like teleportation magic.

However, the roughness of that sensation caused her to lose her balance for a moment, resulting in a rather flamboyant landing.

“Ahhh!!!”

Splash-!

Feeling that she had fallen into a puddle, Sharen hurriedly lifted her head.

She had learned that one should never let their guard down for even a moment upon entering a dungeon.

As she quickly raised her head, she saw five goblins slowly approaching her.

Thinking that she had to protect the lord, Sharen hurriedly tried to use magic.

But…

“Calm down, Sharen. It’s not time to use magic yet.”

“W-what?”

Before she knew it, Calix was standing beside Sharen, preventing her from casting magic.

He then swiftly drew an arrow and aimed.

The target appeared to be the goblin chief behind the others.

Squeak- whoosh-!

Thwack-!!

Calix’s arrow pierced the goblin chief’s head perfectly.

As the leader fell, the goblins vanished into blue magical energy, and the locked door behind them opened.

“First room, clear.”

Calix looked like a truly skilled hunter.

Was our lord someone like this?

In an instant, Sharen thought she was under an illusion spell at Calix’s new appearance.

A word from the author (Author’s note)

Thank you, [Satoshi]!!!

I will always remember and repay you with good works!!!

??? : Newbie, this time I’ll finish it with one arrow.