SSS-Rank Overlord: Defend the Dungeon or Die

Episode 142

On the highest floor of the Celestial Realm, a trial was convened in the Celestial Crystal Palace, a place only the highest-ranking angels could enter.

The judge was the Archangel Kamiel. At her call, all the archangels had gathered. Those with four pairs of wings took their places on the dais, while the rest were seated below. They all stared down with unified displeasure at the sinner kneeling before them.

The sinner, Eclat, had been dragged to the Crystal Palace on the charge of colluding with a demon.

"They say she's the angel who became a Dungeon Master's subordinate."

"Oh my. She only has one pair of wings, and she became a demon's dog. What a disgrace to all angels."

"She should be beheaded immediately. We have no need for such an angel in our Celestial Realm!"

The Crystal Palace grew noisy with demands for summary judgment.

'BANG! BANG!'

Kamiel struck the Gavel of Judgment. The hall fell silent. She glared down at Eclat.

"Sinner Eclat. How dare you defile the sacred Celestial Realm. Did you intend to serve a demon from the very beginning?"

"N-no! I was summoned against my will! My friends saw it…"

She remembered the magic circle. Claire and Nariel had been right there with her. They would speak to her innocence. Eclat looked toward them, her eyes welling with tears. But as soon as their eyes met, Claire and Nariel sharply turned their heads away.

"Eh?"

"You there," Kamiel's voice boomed. "The two lowest-ranking angels. Do you know this person?"

Eclat watched in horror as all eyes turned to her friends. Claire and Nariel hesitated for a moment, then answered in unison.

"W-we don't know her! We have nothing to do with a wretch like that!"

"She dared to join forces with a demon! She should be executed immediately! That wench is defiling our Celestial Realm!"

Their attitudes had completely reversed as they shouted their innocence. The palace erupted in murmurs again, with some angels now eyeing the two of them with suspicion.

"Claire…? Nariel…?"

The world Eclat had known came crashing down. Her two closest friends were now looking at her as if she were filth. They weren't the people she knew. She understood that being associated with a sinner meant they couldn't escape judgment, but the betrayal was too sudden, too absolute. They were desperately trying to prove their own innocence to avoid any connection to her.

"This is too cruel… We were together. You were my best friends…"

"Silence!" Kamiel commanded. "Sinner Eclat, raise your head."

"Sob, sob…"

"Hah. So even an angel who sold her body to a demon knows how to shed tears."

Contemptuous glares bore down on her. The atmosphere was thick with calls for judgment. Lost in her deep wound, Eclat couldn't lift her head. The stares became terrifying.

Kamiel looked down and delivered the verdict.

"Considering you were suddenly summoned from the Celestial Realm, and that a magic circle appeared in the lower levels, I will spare you from summary judgment. However, it is an undeniable fact that you joined forces with a demon. Therefore, I sentence the sinner Eclat to exile from the Celestial Realm. You shall never set foot in Pletas again!"

Divinity flared from the Gavel of Judgment. Eclat was exiled on the spot, and the trial in the Crystal Palace was brought to an immediate close.

---

That same day, Kamiel, who had presided as judge, ignored meetings with the other archangels and returned to her private chambers. She approached a crystal sphere and initiated a communication.

"I apologize for the trouble, Lady Kamiel."

"I have passed the verdict of exile, just as you requested," Kamiel said coolly. "The other archangels are protesting, but things should quiet down soon."

"If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. A request from Lady Kamiel…"

"Don't spout such insincere words, Duke Nikunbel."

The smiling face of the high-ranking demon Nikunbel slowly materialized in the crystal sphere. She was communicating with the current ruler of the Demon World. Demons and angels could never coexist, yet Archangel Kamiel and Duke Nikunbel were speaking as confederates.

Kamiel scoffed and began to strip off her clothes.

"Oh, my. It seems I should take my leave. Please excuse me."

"Hmph. Hurry up and cut the connection."

"If I may say one thing, shamelessness is not a particularly attractive poi—"

The crystal sphere went dark. Kamiel, now completely naked, turned around. Deeply seared into the skin of her back was the brand of a demon. Though she controlled the demonic energy with her immense Divinity, she could not hide the mark itself.

Slowly, Kamiel made her way to the chamber of purification.

---

[Crybaby Eclat]

[Rank: A (Named)]

[Level: 61]

[Race: Angel]

[Class: Priest]

[Title: Celestial Harmony]

[Affiliation: Balak (Permanent Contract)]

[Loyalty: 0]

[Favorability: 0]

[Obedience: 0]

[Skill: Melody of Blessing]

[Special Ability: Harmony's Tune]

[Strength: 1] [Endurance: 1] [Agility: 1] [Stamina: 1]

[Mana: 1] [Divinity: 45] [Affinity: 32] [Luck: 20]

[Status: Despair]

'Correcting a system error? Her affiliation changed to Balak.'

Eclat, whom he had sent back to the Celestial Realm, had been exiled. Due to an error in the mercenary system, her affiliation was now permanently Balak. Her position had been corrected to that of a permanent mercenary, but that wasn't the important part.

"F-for the first time in the history of Dungeon Masters," Riel stammered, "you've made an angel a member of your dungeon."

He fell silent.

"Master Taehyun, what should we do? What should we possibly do?"

"Don't make a fuss. Calm down," Taehyun said, his mind already racing. "It says she was exiled, so she has nowhere else to go. It's only natural her affiliation would be changed to Balak."

Eclat had been a temporary mercenary, affiliated with Pletas. Since she had become a demon's subordinate, her exile was inevitable. Taehyun was suddenly reminded of Duke Nikunbel. The Faction War rewards were distributed by rank, but it was surely the Duke who set them. Perhaps even this angel summon was part of his plan.

'I will be looking forward to it.'

Nikunbel had expressed high expectations from their very first meeting. His mind was still full of questions about the Duke.

'What in the world do you want from me, Nikunbel?'

The current ruler of the Demon World was a figure he had to constantly watch.

Taehyun let out a belated sigh and looked at Eclat. It seemed even her tears had dried up as she sat with her head bowed, utterly defeated.

"Hey. How did you end up getting exiled?"

"It's because of you," she whispered, her voice hollow. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been exiled. The other angels wouldn't have looked at me with such contempt. Claire and Nariel wouldn't have pretended not to know me. It's all your fault."

Despair radiated from her. Eclat lifted her head, her eyes lifeless. The 'Despair' status he'd seen in her window was clearly the cause.

'The Celestial Realm or anywhere else, it's all the same, isn't it? Persuading her right now is impossible.'

Betrayal, contempt, exile. With her heart so deeply wounded, using her immediately was out of the question.

"Riel. Have the soldiers lock her in the prison for now."

"What if she resists?"

"Her class is Priest, so her physical strength is negligible. And in that state, there's no way she'd resist."

"Yes. Understood."

And so, Eclat was taken to the underground prison. Left alone, Taehyun checked the soldier population, which had grown to 3,500, and began summoning A-rank soldiers.

'I need to invest in the dungeon as well, so I'll just summon a hundred for now.'

His current finances couldn't support a level befitting an A-rank dungeon. The price of A-rank soldiers was exorbitant, and Deshkar already took up a hundred population slots. For now, he had to invest a little at a time in both the dungeon and his army.

And so, the final room began to fill with A-rank soldiers.

---

"You've already summoned a fair number of A-rank soldiers. How have you invested in the dungeon?" Riel asked.

"I just installed one or two A-rank traps and measures. It's only a one-rank difference, but the price gap is severe. By the way, how's the Balak Merchant Guild?"

"They are gradually approaching the Depay Territory. It's located at the very edge of the West, so it's taking some time."

"Good. Report back to me separately later. For now, it's more important to finish what needs to be done before revealing the A-rank Balak."

Taehyun scowled and opened the faction community window. He had tried to avoid it, but he had no choice.

I'm planning to visit your dungeon soon. How do I get there?

…There's a visit button under the faction member's name.

Ah. Found it. Thanks.

The lightning-fast reply sent a shiver down his spine. Taehyun stared at the visit button under Songyi Han's name and pondered.

'I said I'd bring some people. Who should I take?'

Riel was out of the question; she had to manage the dungeon in his absence. Taehyun quickly summoned Raviz, Grai, and Kadum.

"You called, Master," Raviz said smoothly.

"I heard you summoned me, my Lord," Grai rumbled.

"…Can I finally rest?" Kadum groaned.

Raviz was free, and while Grai was busy training residents, he could afford to miss a day. As for Kadum…

"You seem to have had a tough time," Taehyun said sympathetically. "You can rest a bit now."

"Hah. What a relief," Kadum sighed. "I've been suffering at the hands of the High Elves for a while, but finally, I can be by Vera and Kalisia's side…"

"Of course," Taehyun cut in, his tone turning mischievous. "You'll just have to visit another dungeon with me first. Why? It's good that you can rest. What's with the glare?"

The contract was absolute. He had to follow. Taehyun gave instructions to Riel and was about to leave when he thought of Larkan.

"Come to think of it, Riel. Try contacting Larkan."

"Yes."

Riel reached out to him, but her expression quickly soured.

"He said to absolutely not look for him."

"Hmm. Well, I've worked him to the bone. It's probably good to let him rest."

"W-wait a minute! If you put it that way, I should be allowed to stay in the Silent Forest…" Kadum started to argue, but it was too late.

Taehyun's hand had already pressed the button.

[Visiting the dungeon of Resistance faction member Songyi Han.]

[You will be transported to Antelos Dungeon in the southern part of the Astral Continent.]

[You will be transported with the pre-designated soldiers affiliated with Balak.]

And so, Taehyun and his three companions were transported to Antelos.

---

'Hmm. Well, since Songyi is the Dungeon Master, I suppose this makes sense.'

Before them stood a large, colorful castle that looked like it had been plucked from a fairy tale. It was an aesthetic that perfectly matched Songyi.

Taehyun surveyed the area. It was quiet, as if the raiders had already been cleared out.

"So this is Antelos, my Lord," Grai observed.

"Yeah. Let's go inside. Open it."

"Understood!"

Grai heaved the castle gate open. An ominous light immediately shot out, swallowing the party whole.

[Welcome to the A-rank Dungeon Antelos.]

[Resistance faction member identification complete.]

[You will be transported directly to the Master Room.]

'So this is how it sucks in raiders,' Taehyun mused.

It was a rather unique method. He opened his tightly shut eyes and took in the Master Room.

"Taehyun!"

Songyi, who had been waiting, ran over and threw her arms around him. She was wearing cute bunny pajamas and looked overjoyed.

"This is my dungeon, Antelos! And this is my supporter, Rubin, my guardian, Badon, and… the other two."

"Master, we're 'the other two'?!" one of the elves protested.

"That's so mean!" cried the other.

The main forces of Antelos were introduced. Taehyun stroked Songyi's head and observed them one by one.

'Rubin seems to be a butler type, like Edchan. That Badon fellow has a considerable physique, so he must be a melee guardian. And the other two are twin elves? To think I'd see elves here, too.'

Antelos, an A-rank dungeon from the start, had guardians that looked formidable. Taehyun briefly introduced Raviz, Grai, and Kadum before taking a seat.

"So, why did you call me all the way here, Songyi?" he asked gently. "You didn't just ask me to visit, did you?"

"Taehyun… form an alliance with me."

"An alliance?"

An alliance between dungeons. It was the opposite of a hostile relationship, a pact to help each other in times of danger.

Songyi, still hugging him, nodded. Taehyun considered it for a moment.

'After the Faction War, Songyi follows me around like a puppy. Antelos is a long-standing, unconquerable A-rank dungeon. An alliance with her wouldn't be a loss. But any help I'd get against a raid party would be limited to one guardian at most. It's better to use this little girl to prepare for what comes after the Faction War. I'm leaving the Resistance anyway, and by then, Balak will be a top-tier dungeon.'

He would use Antelos to prepare for the future. In other words, he would use Songyi in the inevitable competition against other Dungeon Masters. By then, Balak would be a power in its own right. Whether he devoured Songyi when her usefulness waned or used her as a disposable pawn wouldn't matter.

Satisfied, Taehyun smiled. "Songyi, do you like me that much?"

"Yeah. I like Taehyun."

"Then… could you abandon all the other faction members for me?"

"Yeah!" she answered instantly, without a hint of hesitation.

Taehyun's lips curled into a wide, predatory smile as he asked one more time.

"Then… if I told you to die, would you?"

A low rumble shook the room.

The entire Master Room trembled. No, to be precise, it was Badon, standing behind them, who had released his immense aura. In a flash, Grai had his sword pressed against the guardian's neck.

"What insolence is this toward my Lord?" Grai snarled.

"That precious Lord of yours is being disrespectful to our Dungeon Master," Badon growled back.

Their auras clashed—an A-rank Hero Guardian against an A-rank Guardian. Naturally, Grai was bound to be pushed back.

Whether she noticed or not, Songyi seemed to ponder the question for a moment before answering.

---