It’s Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

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– 1 –

“Is it done?”

“Sort of.”

It didn’t take long to change the condition of Orea, the queen of the ant-human race, to a recovery stage.

Removing the curse and magic was rather easy.

The harder part was changing Orea’s attitude, who was unwilling to receive treatment.

Of course, it wasn’t my effort; it was my younger sister, Etna, who persuaded her.

‘Still, that’s quite a remarkable curse. Ordinary curse casters would have a tough time dealing with it.’

Considering it was cast by a curse caster among wild monsters, even if that caster was the monster chief, it was still pretty high-level…

‘But still, with the right ability, even Echidna could find a way to recover it.’

She might not be able to dispel the curse directly, but she could have made a potion to alleviate it.

As long as the symptoms could be alleviated, even if she didn’t show up before a mage, there would be a way to nullify the injuries.

However…

‘With her personality, she probably couldn’t do that.’

In her common sense, it simply made no sense for her, as a queen during the war, to leave this area, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to request support from another queen, as that would violate the ‘agreement.’

‘Does she think of this war as a life-or-death battle?’

It turned out that my personal visit was a stroke of luck for her.

What Echidna, who was not even a curse caster, could treat, I was certainly able to handle without any issues.

‘Trait – … Specialization: Fire Magic, Advanced Specialization: Curse, …’

For me, curses were the type of magic I was most skilled in after necromancy and shadow magic.

While I was learning it on my own, I was also teaching Sonia, so I had delved deeper into it than any other magic.

If I couldn’t handle this level, I would be disappointed in myself.

Kyaak -!!

Crack!

After finally resolving the ‘remnants’ that rushed at me as the caster, I saw Orea’s relaxed face.

She had now been moved to a bed for treatment, and lying there without her external armor that served as her shell, she appeared much more delicate than before.

Now she looks more like a queen.

“If your regenerative powers are as you claim, you should recover within two days.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty! That’s great! Sister!”

“… Thank you. Libertus.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Etna was overjoyed, while Orea expressed her thanks calmly.

Especially Orea, despite being sick, forced herself to get up from her bed, drew her sword, and extended it with both hands in a display reminiscent of martial arts.

“Having received your grace, we will surely repay it with our honor.”

“I won’t decline.”

“Please.”

No matter how I looked at it, the best situation was to simply accept her gestures so she could lie down quickly.

Even though I responded without declining while accepting the sword, she deeply bowed her waist once more to express her gratitude before lying back down.

“Um…”

“Don’t strain yourself, sister.”

With Etna’s support, Orea lay back down.

Seeing her break into a cold sweat even with that brief movement, I gathered that she wasn’t trying to deceive me about her injuries while feeling no pain.

However, seeing her in such pain brought about thoughts that were not beneficial for her.

‘In the nest, there were no other monster traces either. Even in a situation where they had opposed them. If it were another queen in this region, she could have subjugated other monsters and used them as meat shields.’

In this area, there were plenty of other monsters besides the ants and their opponents.

I heard it had been quite a while since the ants had become the representative species of this region.

However, in the ants’ nest, there were only ants.

There were no signs of other allies or companions to be seen.

So I find myself doubting whether they are qualified leaders.

‘She is definitely unqualified as a chief.’

It is a subjective view, but these women seem incapable of protecting this region.

A stuck-up queen and her younger sister, who seems to have more flexible thoughts but can’t rein in her older sibling.

Leaving the responsibility of this region to them only leads to two possible futures.

Either becoming a ‘fertilizer production machine’ to be maintained by humans, or getting occupied by other monsters, akin to those attacking now, and ending up as slaves once more.

‘Either way, it’s tragic.’

I see no vision from them to prevent such situations.

There merely seemed to be a vague will to respond to whatever circumstances arise.

Then.

‘Before that, I need to choose one of two options.’

Either her or this land under my influence.

It began to seem like that would be better for them as well.

As I thought when I came to this place, it seemed I would need to talk to their enemies too.

– 2 –

“Well then. We will meet again in the conference room.”

“Just as you helped, I will finish this war as quickly as possible.”

“I wish you success.”

After parting with the Muirmikian sisters, we immediately boarded the carriage and headed south.

For about a day.

“Now… there are no watching eyes.”

The decision was swift.

This incident had made me more confident in Xue’s senses.

“Alright. Let’s go, ‘Black Veil.’”

Just before turning the head of the carriage, I cloaked the entire thing in shadow.

This was a barrier magic that engulfed all sounds and presences within, and it was a simple trick as long as one remembered that releasing it would let go of all the caught presences.

Shaaak!

With a sound like a snake hissing, the darkened carriage’s head turned towards the east.

The destination was the battlefield once again.

Probably the very boundary where Muirmikian and their enemies would clash.

From there, I intended to figure out what kind of forces they were up against.

“Your Majesty, may I ask you a question?”

“Go ahead. Serha.”

Among the sounds of running for a while, I heard Serha’s voice.

She seemed to be looking up at me with quite a bit of caution.

When my eyes briefly met hers, I sensed what worries she had even without her having to voice them.

Perhaps…

“May I ask what exactly you wish, Your Majesty?”

“Did you not see? I intend to maintain a good relationship with the one who will become the ruler of this forest.”

“You are not planning to destroy both kings?”

I suppose she was worried that I might wipe out all the monsters living in this forest.

As if to prove that assumption, the determination to receive an answer was evident in Serha’s eyes as she spoke to me.

“I don’t understand why you think I would eliminate them. Did you not see that I have already favored Orea and Etna, the two women?”

“Your Majesty is someone who knows the benefits that can come from ‘pretending to be friendly.’”

“Hmm. Please continue.”

Saaak…

While still surveying the white darkness filled coniferous forest, I listened to Serha’s response.

“There’s much to gain for you in this forest, Your Majesty.”

“Oh?”

Outside, it’s hard to properly observe the interior, and once inside, it’s difficult to distinguish situations.

Aside from the few humans who are cutting down trees like the ones currently doing so, if I maintained a discreet approach using my soldiers to eliminate adventurous or courageous humans entering this forest, I could utilize this place as a second dungeon while also making all the ironwood I’m surrounded by into materials.

Perhaps until I completely arm my entire army.

This way, I could secure useful items that could be applicable for trade with humans or the demon world, or even arming forces.

“However, in this case, the forest’s monsters would be an interference.”

“That would be the case. Everyone’s existence is well-known.”

The kings here do not have the time to hide themselves while at war.

And as the presence of the monsters in this forest grows, my situation with a base nearby will also likely become problematic.

Ultimately, it is a good situation for me if the war ends.

“To stop the war…”

“Cut off one of the two heads, or both. That’s what I think, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

And the easiest way to end the war was through assassination.

Serha, having spoken up to this point, then speculated on the benefits that would come from it.

“And eliminating the leaders would also bring some advantages.”

“Advantages?”

“Soldiers.”

Unlike the forces of other leaders, many soldiers were dying here, and both sides could produce numerous recruits.

Whether alive or dead, they could become my soldiers, and they were resources that could also be used as laborers here.

Thus, it seemed she thought it was possible to take down at least both kings to acquire those two.

“… Serha.”

As I met eyes with her again, a hint of anxiety was now revealed in her gaze.

She had seen that I wished to meet with the leaders of both sides, yet since I hadn’t shared my real intentions with her, it seemed she was filled with thoughts.

However, this inquiry was not necessarily aimed at ensuring the lives of those kings.

The glimmering sharpness at the end of Serha’s anxious eyes was proof of that.

Ultimately, I couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m truly pleased that you, as the heir to the alliance, are so astute.”

“Then, really…?”

“However, that’s only one of the choices.”

This little girl had managed to figure out all the benefits I aimed to obtain in this forest.

She was merely thinking ‘too presumptuously’ about the process.

“When you say choices…?”

“It means I have yet to decide how to proceed in this place.”

“Phew…”

A shallow sigh escaped as disappointment spread.

At least, her relief about the safety of the monsters she has friendships with was evident, while her anxiety as a strategist who hadn’t received any confirmation from an allied ruler about the potential benefits for her forces suffused her exhalation.

‘It wouldn’t hurt to reassure her here.’

Our relationship with her was still merely that of an alliance.

Receiving help from that alliance while saying nothing could be considered rude.

Even though I didn’t like the idea of her trying to weigh me, I acknowledged that her intelligence was useful.

There was no need to dampen any potential.

“However, Serha.”

“Yes…?”

“I will always remember you and Kamaya, who became my first comrades. So don’t worry.”

“Ah, yes! Huh!”

At that moment, Serha realized that her thoughts had been seen through, and her voice slipped into a high pitch, red-faced, she covered her mouth with her winged hands.

The worry from that face had receded significantly.

What remained was concern for the acquaintances engaged in this war in the area.

‘Not that I haven’t confirmed who I’ll kill yet.’

Whether it be the two queen ants or the enemy king that the ants face.

I hadn’t even met any of them yet, and hence the actual calculations of gains and losses hadn’t even begun.

“The scent of blood. Lady…”

“Right. Let’s walk.”

Now was the time to make that decision.

– Kyaaaak!!

– Kiririr…!

In front of me, the battlefield reappeared.

The battlefield of ants and ‘spiders.’