It's Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

* * *

The morning after getting information from Scarlet, that is, the second day of the declaration of war.

In the dungeon that had become quiet with many subordinates absent, I proceeded with other preparations one by one.

"It's more excellent than I expected."

Among them, what I considered most important was, of course, the equipment that would keep my subordinates unharmed.

"I'm glad you like it. Regarding the custom order you mentioned, here's a prototype..."

"Yes. But it seems we'll have to postpone choosing weapons for later."

The reception of mass-produced items was already finished, and unfortunately, the production of weapons for other subordinates had to be postponed for a while.

Hearing my words, the blacksmith opened another hand with a spirited face, pointing to another object.

"I heard that news as well. Those consumables are also here..."

"You're very skillful. Of course, I'll try to make sure to pay the full amount."

"Lady will surely pass through this hardship as mere obstacles."

"Thank you."

"Master. Two queens have come to visit."

Meanwhile, a slave who was one of Eleanor's family members approached and delivered news to me.

It was news that Kamaya and Orea, the queens leading the harpies and myrmekians, had come.

As soon as they saw me, they approached with worried looks and opened their mouths.

It was about the upcoming war.

"Master. Are you sure we don't need to participate directly?"

"You need to play a crucial role at a more dramatic moment. Didn't I already say this?"

"That's true, but..."

This was close to a re-discussion of an already decided matter.

But I didn't feel bad about it.

Because the emotion I felt from them was closer to pure concern than doubt.

"Are you worried that I might lose?"

"That's not it. We can't even imagine a scene of you being defeated, Master, but we're worried that something might happen in the process."

I nodded at Orea's words.

If they weren't really worried about me, then their hope for me must be great.

While faith and worry are inversely proportional, worry also grows proportionally with hope.

"Don't worry. Such things you're worried about can't happen."

"Is that so."

"Yes."

I could nod confidently about this part.

After all, war isn't fought only through all-out battles.

"They've only temporarily allied, but they're separate forces in the end. Unlike us."

"You mean...?"

"An alliance of individuals who've only grown in size tends to have many cracks."

Raising the specs of my subordinates was just in preparation for failure in this matter.

Also, there's no need to use all the forces I have.

"Don't worry. They will collapse even before the battle begins."

To Kamaya and Orea, who just had puzzled expressions, I gave a smile.

Things were already in progress.

"By the way, Kamaya. Don't you lack blankets?"

"Ah, that's true, but..."

"Feel free to take more. We're one family now. Orea. You too. I've brought honey from the demon realm, take it for the children."

"Thank you, Master."

So the queens only needed to worry about the prosperity of their own races.

At least for now.

* * *

The afternoon of the day Libertas was talking with the queens.

Scarlet was in a different office from the Central Division 2 where she usually worked.

"Hello, Mr. Dark Elf."

Han-sol, the deputy of Eastern Division 1 in charge of contacting unaffiliated dungeons located in the eastern part of the East Continent, opened his eyes wide when he made eye contact with the visitor who came to see him.

She was a likely candidate for the next department head while handling a dungeon that was causing a big stir in the guild recently.

"Manager Scarlet? How did you come here... Oh, if you're looking for our manager or department head..."

"I'm here for you, not for them, Deputy Han."

"M-Me? Why..."

Scarlet raised her head and glared around.

"Ugh."

"..."

Because jealous glances from women were flying from all over Eastern Division 1.

Of course, it stopped there, and they didn't directly reproach her.

Scarlet knew too.

That Deputy Han-sol, who had a delicate and young appearance for a dark elf but had risen to deputy shortly after joining, was quite popular.

'I'm not even interested.'

Of course, Scarlet just inwardly sneered.

She wasn't interested in men in the first place.

"Let's go. Let's talk."

Inwardly shaking her head as it wasn't something to discuss publicly, she gestured towards Han-sol and turned first.

An attitude that didn't even doubt he would follow.

'Did I do something wrong...?'

Of course, Han-sol too, even though it was a different department, didn't have the capacity to refuse the words of a manager mentioned for department head.

"What do you like?"

"Ah, I..."

"It's for my business. It's fine, so tell me."

"Then... coffee is good."

The man and woman who each received a drink at the in-house cafe headed towards a room where voices wouldn't leak outside, following Scarlet's lead.

'C-Could it really be...'

While Han-sol, who didn't know this pink-haired succubus's preferences, was inwardly drawing rosy pictures, Scarlet, seated, remained silent for a while, drinking her beverage.

She knew her own appearance and reputation, and was a person who didn't hesitate to use it.

She knew well that the longer you wait, whether misunderstanding or feeling pressured, the easier the conversation becomes.

After a while like that.

She bluntly stated her business.

"I know you're connected to Archduke Astaroth's forces, Deputy Han."

"What? T-That can't be!"

Han-sol, who was startled and strongly denied as soon as he heard the words.

That appearance was extremely natural, but...

'It's a prepared action.'

Scarlet was already certain from the fact that there wasn't even a very short interval between his surprise and action.

'Oops. Too fast.'

And Han-sol also realized he had been caught.

Nevertheless, the dark elf young man brazenly maintained his surprise. After all, the expression he made was surprise, and there was no need to show it particularly.

'How did she know? It was a project proceeding in secret...'

As Scarlet said, Han-sol was in contact with Archduke Astaroth's forces.

Because he's in charge of the Dungeon Lords in the eastern continent.

If he successfully builds a cooperative relationship with Eligoth or Astaroth, the archdukes there, aiming for rapid promotion like Scarlet wouldn't be just a simple dream.

"Let's not hide things among seniors and juniors. I came knowing everything. I've brought something that can help you."

"I don't know what you're talking about..."

"Hmm."

Looking at Han-sol who was pretending not to know until the end, Scarlet narrowed her eyes, making an alluring gaze.

Then, she immediately stood up from her seat.

After all, outside the guild, it might be different, but inside, she was in a situation where she didn't have to yield at all.

"Well, fine. If you won't listen, I can't help it. Know that next time we meet, I'll be your competitor."

"What?! What do you mean by that?!"

Sure enough.

The dark elf, who was really surprised, grabbed her first.

'What on earth is this about...!'

Although high-ranking employee positions are scarce, he's an employee in charge of the east, so even if he gets promoted, normally there shouldn't be friction with the central department.

Competition within the guild is limited to within departments, and one business department is large enough with just that.

Also, generally, even if he becomes hostile to a manager working in the central part, the direct influence wouldn't be great.

But Manager Scarlet had wide connections and many acquaintances, and her subordinate, rookie employee Mari, was notorious in other ways.

If he becomes at odds with them, he might really have his path to promotion blocked.

'That can't happen!'

"Didn't you know nothing?"

"You'll keep it a secret, right...?"

"That depends on you."

After grabbing her and rolling his eyes while pondering for a moment, the dark elf finally surrendered when he saw signs of the succubus about to stand up from her seat again.

"That's right! I'm trying to connect with Dungeon Lords to make connections with Archduke Astaroth!"

"I knew it."

"It's quite successful! I won't sit still if you interfere!"

"It's okay. It'll be something that helps you too."

When Scarlet, seated, spoke with a gentle smile, Han-sol felt his heart flutter despite it not being that kind of situation.

That's how strong the succubus atmosphere Scarlet exuded was.

"Isn't Lady Quirisia among the nobles you're connecting with?"

While it's mainly the Mammon Guild's role to assist Dungeon Lords on the ground, supporting those who show potential is also something that nobles from both the ground and demon realm often do.

For those belonging to ground archdukes, it's to survive and expand their power, while for demon realm archduke nobles, it's mostly out of interest.

'There's no way to connect to the main force from the start.'

And in the case of such ground archdukes, it was common to sprinkle the title of 'baron' here and there to the Dungeon Lords they contact.

To raise and use them.

This was the reason Scarlet could find an appropriate conversation partner as soon as she heard the baron's title.

"To that extent...? How did you know?"

"Well..."

In fact, it was her subordinate Mari who found this out, but Scarlet decided to gloss over that part.

She knew from Libertas's hint that Mari was hiding herself.

Although it was vexing that she had failed in work while trying to hide herself, as a superior, it wasn't something she couldn't understand that she had her own difficulties.

In fact, the reason she was overlooking her was just because Libertas told her to do so.

Anyway.

"That person has recently stepped into forces hostile to the dungeon I'm in charge of."

As soon as Scarlet's words fell, Han-sol, who had been listening intently while leaning forward, distanced himself from her again.

"Wait a minute. Isn't that overstepping? Getting involved in fights between ground dungeons..."

The next words he said were a rebuttal at a common-sense level.

However, Scarlet smiled.

Because it was words that gave her a chance to give carrot and stick simultaneously.

"But it's not a senior's duty to let a promising junior lose an important connection either, right?"

"Is that so...?"

"Also. You wouldn't be unaware that it's also against the rules for you to instigate a Dungeon Lord's behavior aiming for an archduke?"

"Ah."

The dark elf, whose face had turned pale for a moment, soon composed his expression and leaned forward again.

This action was possible thanks to not forgetting that Scarlet had said she came to help him.

"Then... you saying you'll help me means?"

"Anyway, even if left like this, Lady Libertas would quickly overcome this level of obstacle. But wouldn't that just leave you at a loss?"

At Scarlet's words, Han-sol frowned. For a moment, his credibility in her words dropped.

"How can I believe that? Aren't you actually trying to turn the tables on your Dungeon Lord's disadvantage?"

But even to such an obvious question, Scarlet's expression didn't change at all and remained relaxed.

Han-sol felt his doubts gradually disappearing at that face.

"You could see it that way. But I believe in the Lady I'm in charge of."

"Hmm..."

Scarlet believed.

That Libertas could overcome the attack of three high-rank Dungeon Lords and rise high even without her help.

But that would be troublesome.

'If you keep rising so quickly like that, my share will disappear...!'

Of course, although what was invested initially won't disappear, it's inevitable that the proportion will decrease over time.

This was unacceptable for her, who was aiming for Libertas.

[Connect her through connections within the guild. And I'd like you to deliver this letter.]

"Please deliver this letter to Lady Quirisia."

"Is it a letter from Lady Libertas?"

For Scarlet, this request from Libertas, or rather what she reads as an order written as a request, was something that could increase her share in her even a little.

So she couldn't help but consider it essential to assist in such important matters like this.

"And you should know this much too. Lady Quirisia is..."

"Ah, I see... I hadn't thought of that part..."

This collusion between two dungeon merchants.

This was the cause that allowed Quirisia and Libertas to meet.

* * *

The meeting between Libertas and Quirisia was, strictly speaking, not a 'face-to-face' meeting.

It was just a conversation through magical communication from a distance.

Libertas wanted a face-to-face meeting, but Quirisia didn't, so this was the method that was realized.

-You said you wanted to meet me.

-Yes.

And at that first meeting place thus realized.

Libertas prophesied.

-If you continue like this, you'll die, Quirisia.

-What did you just say?

Her death.