It's Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

* * *

"I'm pleased to be able to show my loyalty to my lord through this ritual."

"Even if you don't say it in words, I always feel it."

"Aah..."

With Ran being the last, each queen finished their loyalty oath.

They bowed their heads to Libertas's feet, kissed her fingertips, and went through the ritual of accepting her magic power into their hearts, completing all the contracts.

And after that, Nirvana made one suggestion to everyone.

"Now that we're serving one master like this, shouldn't we no longer call ourselves queens?"

She was usually prone to smiling, but now she was smiling particularly brightly as if something pleased her.

Everyone knew the reason.

It was because Libertas had presented a method for the queens to communicate directly with her dungeon.

'That woman somehow feels like she might make the nights dangerous...'

Libertas inwardly felt nauseated, but at the same time, she didn't consider it too dangerous.

In such cases, even before Libertas could respond, her close aides would step in first.

Especially Evangeline, who currently didn't lack in specs compared to the other queens, so it would be fine.

"That's right."

Regardless of what Libertas was thinking, the conversation continued.

Kamaya nodded, then stood up abruptly, clenching her fist and placing it on her heart in agreement.

She emphasized the necessity of this proposal with her thunderous voice.

"As our master said, if we come to possess dungeon cores, we will no longer be mere leaders of ordinary monsters. In addition to the responsibility we should have as leaders, we should have pride as demons."

What she mentioned was the first reward Libertas had proposed to them.

The provision of dungeon cores.

In other words, she intended to take the cores of Dungeon Lords near her dungeon who were already tamed by humans and 'just not dead' and give them to the queens.

By applying what she learned from Serica's example to them, she would be able to secure at least four new 'maids'.

'Indeed, we can't just call them leaders or chiefs anymore.'

Libertas thought so as she looked at Kamaya.

She didn't think there was a need to reject the title of queen, but she wanted to hear their opinions first.

"How about Grand Chief?"

"It seems too weak to give the impression of being incorporated into a new order."

"How about Mother of the Herd?"

"Hmm. It seems too small in scale."

"Then, how about Prophet?"

"It seems there are others more suitable for that title who serve our master."

After that, several title suggestions came up, but none gained the agreement of all the queens.

Of course, none pleased Libertas either.

"I have seen something among humans, sisters."

Then, Orea raised her voice.

Here, 'sisters' was the title they had come to use to call each other.

They changed what they used to call each other by name or queen to something much more intimate.

While deciding on this title, an implicit atmosphere formed where Nirvana became the eldest and Ran was treated as the youngest.

"There was a word 'Feudal Lord'. Although we don't follow human titles, the word to introduce our master externally will surely be Archduke. It seems nothing expresses us better than this word."

"Indeed, even Dungeon Lords serving other Archdukes call themselves Marquises or Counts."

"Hmm."

Certainly, Orea's opinion seemed the most appropriate.

Nirvana, who had the most experience with humans, verbally agreed, and the other queens didn't seem to oppose either.

'It seems I've heard all the worthwhile opinions.'

"Then."

As Libertas straightened her body that had been loosely leaning on the chair, everyone immediately turned their gaze to her.

"Let's fix the title as feudal lord externally, and keep it as queen internally as before."

"But a king..."

The moment Orea tried to raise an objection based on common sense, Libertas shook her head to stop her.

"Whether you're kings, feudal lords, or even slaves. Under me, you just need to follow the hierarchy I set. Don't attach great meaning to titles others call you."

""Yes, Master.""

Even at a point where even the demon realm is adopting human culture.

It's a statement that directly rejects that flow, but even Amelia, who is human, doesn't object.

"And... having queens is much better than ordinary feudal lords, isn't it?"

Finding this very satisfactory, Libertas unknowingly made a jest.

A statement that sounded very meaningful to others, though she alone had no particular thoughts.

"..."

For a moment, glances were exchanged among the queens.

'My lord, really. This will increase 'misunderstandings'.'

'What a delicious thing to say.'

Ran and Nirvana covered their mouths and laughed, hiding their sinister or lewd auras.

"...?"

Fortuna, Orea, and Amelia looked at each other with puzzled eyes.

"Huhu."

"Hmm..."

Kamaya and Echidna exchanged meaningful glances.

'There are many competitors.'

It was a moment when the most important thing among what they had written down in their hearts was updated for those who knew the current situation.

* * *

We shared the ritual of establishing the 'demon realm', set rules to be followed, and discussed our respective responsibilities and duties.

Now what we need to know is what to do going forward.

"Orea and Nirvana, I have something separate for you to do first."

"We will obey."

"Yes."

Of course, I already had plans.

"Consult with Amelia here and create a mercenary group to operate in human lands. They will mainly hunt monsters, but since they can also carry out wars, you'll need children with excellent survival skills as much as possible."

"I'll look for good ones, Master."

"Mercenary group... understood."

The ant-humans, Myrmekians, are exceptionally good at group tactics, making them perfect for hunting a target or conducting warfare.

If Nirvana subjugates other monsters and adds them, it can reduce the sacrifices of the Myrmekians.

After making only the representatives 'human', if a mercenary group composed of monsters with appearances close to humans carries out excellent activities, it can reduce the aversion to monsters in the surrounding areas.

Then we can achieve one of two things: either my magic will seep in faster and stronger, or the consciousness itself will change.

"I have something I want from Kamaya and Echidna as well."

"Just give the word."

"We're listening."

I brought a map I had drawn directly through reconnaissance, drew a circle near my dungeon, and showed it to them.

Although it looked simple on the map, in terms of size, it was a circle that could easily cover roughly the Korean Peninsula.

Of course, they who didn't properly understand its meaning just looked at me with questioning eyes.

"I'll assign a human who can read maps, so I'd like you to scout the area corresponding to this range and find out the current situation of the monsters. Mainly in the southern Grand Duchy of Arilit."

"I don't know how large the area is, but it won't take long, Master."

"The lizardmen are also swift and clever, so they'll soon find out what you want."

The queens nodded first, even though I didn't properly explain the purpose of the task.

They each had distinct personalities, but monsters had an instinct to thoroughly obey once they properly swore loyalty to someone.

It's a satisfying instinct for a master.

"Organizing this area is preparation for me to reach elite rank."

"I see."

Of course, I don't intend to be a bad superior who just gives orders without properly explaining even the goals.

"When a Dungeon Lord rises to elite rank and it's detected, from that point on, humans will try to summon some of the continent's strongest who are on other demon realm battlefields."

"How strong are they?"

"If three, no, two gather, they are strong enough to at least buy time against the current archdukes of the demon realm."

"Hmm..."

Puzzlement spread across the queens' expressions.

It's natural since they haven't encountered human adventurers above 'high' rank.

But one person.

Only Nirvana filled her usually relaxed face with tension.

"You've seen them before, haven't you, Nirvana."

"That's right, Master. We Alraunes have very long lifespans. A very long time ago... I served a Lord who called himself a marquis, though not archduke level. If they're of that level... we certainly still need to hide."

Right after Nirvana's words fell, I shook my head.

It's troublesome to have such a mindset. It's not like we're really going to do that.

"We're not hiding, Nirvana."

"What...?"

"We're covering their eyes."

What I'm doing is far from simply hiding.

It's not about hiding the body, but removing, stabbing, or taking away the eyes that see me.

So the queens too, as raiders and attackers, should always explore the enemy's weaknesses and prepare to strike them.

It's troublesome if they only prepare to avoid crises or upcoming events.

"The same goes for all of you. Keep in mind that what we're doing is 'attack', not 'defense' or 'seclusion'."

""Yes, Master.""

The other queens answered in unison.

But Nirvana still had a serious face and hadn't answered yet.

I looked into her eyes and said.

"My short-term goal is to make myself unseen until I reach at most high rank beyond elite."

Until I reach elite rank, I can somehow seize human territories and numb their senses, but beyond that is different.

Elite rank is at best about one small country.

Above that, I'd really need to seize the land of one or two countries to cover my presence.

"... Does the story change when that time comes?"

"Yes, Nirvana."

As I spoke in a lowered voice, almost whispering, all the voices around disappeared.

In that silence, and in the minds of the queens who had become accustomed to hiding.

I threw words without smiling.

"When that day comes, you will no longer be able to hide."

Because by then, we'll already be too big to hide, and our strength will be too great.

"Predators only hide their bodies when hunting."

"Humans will have to hide from you."

Now it was time for them to reclaim what they had forgotten.

Not the instinct of recluses, but of predators.

"You are no longer mere leaders of ordinary wild monsters."

They are queens who will become my hands and feet and advance together, and beasts who must grow stronger by devouring humans and demons.

Members of my 'demon realm'.

"Don't forget that."

This time, they couldn't answer properly and just nodded, but.

"Yes. That's it, my queens."

The sharpness in their eyes had come alive a bit more.

* * *

『Congratulations on achieving a feat! Your demon realm has been launched in the world for the first time.』

"Urgent news! Master."

"What is it?"

"This letter has arrived at the dungeon."

That news came when I was checking the message that popped up after our second meeting ended.

It was before the queens could even disperse, but that was actually a good time.

『As a reward for the feat, all attributes increase...』

『To the esteemed Lady Libertas.』

Since there wasn't any particular content anyway, I dismissed the message while receiving the letter.

Soon, I smiled naturally.

Because it gave me one realization while also being something I had been waiting for.

『Baron Melzeros and three others send you one request. ...

...Therefore, send us an answer regarding unconditional obedience along with your body within a week.

…

...If not, we politely inform you that you and we will be in a state of war.』

Yes. My enemies are not only humans.

『Hoping for a quick reply.

Lord Melzeros.』

Demons who own dungeons on the ground are also my enemies.

And.

"Foolish ones have conveniently come looking for us."

They are my prey.