Chapter 40 : Homework

Now that almost everything was finished, I took a leisurely pace on the carriage ride back. There were some things to do stopping by other cities along the way.

As a result, the time it took to return was actually twice as long compared to when we set out.

"I see. So that's how it ended up."

Right after returning to my dungeon, I received contact from the two Cerebrum Skulls I had left in Copzerin.

It was news that the end of the subjugation campaign had been declared in the city.

"It must have really hurt… You've been through a lot."

At the same time, it was also news that one of them had been 'executed' once.

Since the adventurers moved independently but failed to catch the Dungeon Lord and were sacrificed to self-destruction, they probably needed a performance to announce the results and divert the crowd's attention.

The means was an execution ceremony for the adventurer who had entered the dungeon, the person I had injected with a Cerebrum Skull.

Because of this, the relationship between the adventurers' guild and the city must have worsened quite a bit.

-Not at all. For Master's orders…

"What admirable words. I'll consider a reward for you."

It's an honor. If I could receive a Master's reward just for one spine, it would be a profitable business.

"That was impressive."

-Once again, it's an honor.

I had anticipated this and also asked for in advance, even that the execution wouldn't be carried out too cruelly.

The way he was executed was a simple beheading. Since Cerebrum Skulls don't stop unless their skull is destroyed, it wasn't significant to me, though the person himself might not know.

He'll have to rely on the other Cerebrum Skull to regenerate his body for a while, so the level of the information network will be somewhat lowered.

-Then. Looking forward to seeing you again; I'll be gathering information here.

"Alright. Good work."

-May you be in good health.

My summons are very interested in my well-being.

This isn't strange. Summons are basically loyal to the Lord.

Still, I find it strange that I'm certain this situation won't be the case for other Dungeon Lords, though I don't know their relationship with their summons.

Isn't it clear when you look at Serica and Copzerin's war? They raise zombies once, and if that doesn't work, they raise them again, pushing forward, and pushing again.

From the beginning, she only had two objects of attachment: the core and the garden.

It wasn't an attitude that would be shown if she cherished her subordinates.

"How impudent. Little one…"

-Tack!

"You're the impudent ones! How dare you think of a Lord like this, mere mercenaries and summons?! To forcibly escort me like this…!"

Part of that habit is still visible in the current appearance too.

Considering the position of a Dungeon Lord, I had my two most cherished people bring her, but to react like that.

It was an attitude I really didn't like.

"You'd better watch your words. They're not just mercenaries but my cherished people."

"What?! What could you possibly… for mere mercenaries like that!"

"Be quiet. You're not even a human child, yet you're throwing tantrums."

"…! Eek!"

No matter how I think about it, she doesn't seem like the type to cherish other people or subordinates.

Rather, seeing how she looks at me as if I'm strange, even I can tell that my attitude isn't common.

"…So you really did rescue Lady Serica."

The goblin merchant Grim, who came within an hour of contacting him as soon as I woke up this morning, kneels down, and I naturally extend my hand, and he kisses the back of my hand.

…Wasn't I too natural just now?

Although it's partly due to 'Nobility,' this isn't a characteristic that makes me good at things I can't do. I seem to have become really accustomed to it because Evangeline likes this behavior so much.

"It wasn't such a difficult task."

Serica rampaged so much that she drew all attention, and the two groups with unified command systems – the army and adventurers – caused a rift at the decisive moment due to their own greed.

You could call it the ill effects of a hastily assembled group.

It wasn't entirely my ability; I was lucky too.

If I thought I couldn't use the rift that was created on its own like that, I wouldn't have thought of going there in the first place.

"Even so, to dive into the center of the battlefield, extract a Dungeon Lord from among humans, and leave almost no evidence – it's a bold and clear stratagem."

"You're praising me too much. It's something any demon from the demon realm could do, not just me."

"How could that be? It would be difficult even for an established Lord or demon realm noble. Let alone doing it personally. That cleverness, bold judgment, and the ability to lead it to success. This Grim has no way to refrain from praise."

Whether he knew it or not, what came from Grim's mouth was nothing but praise that could make one's face flush.

I wasn't so pleased because I knew he meant it more like 'It's amazing that a child could do this' rather than my abilities being truly excellent.

Moreover, it doesn't feel good to be praised too much when it wasn't that I did well but that we won because the opponents did poorly.

"So. When is the client coming?"

"About that… Do you really have to meet in person?"

"What do you mean? Don't tell me they're not coming?"

"That's not it, but…"

When I forcibly turned the conversation to the original business to break the chain of praise, Grim unexpectedly spoke with a troubled expression.

"Surely you're not suspecting that if I contact a demon realm noble, I won't trade with your guild anymore?"

After thinking for a moment, I probed with what I guessed to be the reason.

It was a question based on common sense that merchants would be sensitive to profit.

"Oh! That's not it. Lady doesn't seem like someone who would do such… disloyal acts."

"Then?"

Grim, who had been making a troubled expression while rolling his eyes at my continuous questions, finally sighed when I maintained silence and urged an answer.

"Demon realm nobles are more… uncultured than you might think. I thought it would be a bad influence on Lady…"

"Uncultured?"

"You probably know well that although Dungeon Lords are nominally successors to the Demon King… that is, candidates for succession, they can't be treated well in the demon realm without actual ability."

Hearing up to there, I could guess what he was saying.

The demon realm values 'power' even more than this ground, so I, who am still weak, am questionable whether I can even be treated as a noble, let alone a lady.

Also, while the Mammon Guild is an extremely loyal neutral faction to the Demon King, so its subordinates don't lose respect for Dungeon Lords, the Archdukes who have each built up forces in the demon realm won't do so.

"You're saying that they might treat me as inferior."

"…That's right. It's difficult to be properly recognized as a Lord with just one request. This meeting could have a bad influence on Lady."

"I see…"

So, Grim's attitude ultimately came out of concern for me.

Why do I have so many people worrying about me like this?

He's just a trading partner, not a subordinate or relative, so I wouldn't particularly keep him in mind, but I couldn't help my tone becoming a bit softer.

"Then I should meet them even more."

"Pardon?"

Of course, I'm not saying I'll yield.

Keep allies close. Enemies even closer.

That saying applies even now, at this moment. They say truth prevails.

"Shouldn't we be able to put a knife to the chin of those who try to trample or sit on me?"

"Oh… That's an excellent saying."

"So don't worry. I won't blame you for this either."

"Never! I didn't think that for even a moment."

"That's a pleasant lie."

"Hahaha…"

When I smiled and spoke to him as he shook his head and hands greatly left and right in panic, Grim wiped the cold sweat flowing down his broad forehead, bowed once, and said.

"Then, they'll be here soon."

"You were prepared."

"We had to ask your intention."

"Excellent attitude."

"It's an honor, Lady. Scarlet! Mari! Open the door!"

""Yes!""

At Grim's command, the two red and blue succubi waiting opened the large gate connecting the room with the core to the guild.

This gate is usually hidden and only opens when the guild side moves. Since it's connected to the dungeon core, it disappears immediately if there's a problem with the dungeon.

In the end, it's something that adventurers conquering the dungeon can never see no matter what happens.

"Entering is Viscount Julian Baritra, eldest son of the Baritra Marquis family, one of the 24 Marquis families of the Demon Realm!"

Over a dozen servants and knights were the first to jump out of the gate.

As if proving the fantasy of vampires, they all ran out with handsome or beautiful faces, laid a red carpet on the floor, and lined up on both sides, with servants raising trumpets and knights raising swords, noisily announcing the noble's entrance.

My impression of this was one thing.

'How trashy.'

I don't tend to curse out loud, but I'm glad I can at least do it in my thoughts.

It's at least a bit less oppressive.

According to what Grim said earlier, a Dungeon Lord's nominal status in the demon realm would clearly be higher than this Marquis family's eldest son or whatever. At least, it should be a position of mutual respect.

Yet they carry out this ceremony without even a word to me, the owner of the dungeon?

And that by a mere Viscount, not even a Count?

Hmm.

"Uh, uh…"

"Ah…"

Grim and Scarlet were already sweating from embarrassment, and Mari, though she didn't know anything, seemed to know something was going wrong and was just watching the situation.

And I.

"That's great, Serica."

"What? What's that supposed to mean all of a sudden…"

I congratulated Serica without explaining the exact meaning.

Given that such an idiot is introduced as the 'eldest son' rather than 'successor,' I can already guess what the situation in the Marquis family is like.

At least in a situation where someone comes to check the results of the family's request, the person in charge is not the successor but the eldest son. And what does it mean to seek out an illegitimate child in such a situation deliberately?

At least, it wasn't because of the Marquis family's pride, as I initially assumed. It's also certain that the succession of the Marquis family hasn't been determined.

In other words, Serica also has an opportunity, though the possibility is minimal since she's an illegitimate child.

"Take this."

I handed her what I had been fiddling with in my hand while pondering.

That 'unexpected gain' obtained in the dungeon.

"This is…"

"A fragment of the core. Some idiot, I don't know who dropped it. You should be able to track it with this."

"Core…"

"You're not calling it 'ma-ma' anymore."

"Don't tease me. …I knew all along."

…It might sound strange to say this to a monster that kills people, but anyway, she's saying quite admirable things like a child.

I wonder if this shows she's a Dungeon Lord with some experience, after all.

"I see. Looks like you've come to your senses quite a bit."

"Hmph."

With the core fragment, she should naturally be able to find the original. She could probably make something like a compass through appropriate magic.

Even if she doesn't consider it 'mother' anymore, certainly, the core is still her object of attachment. If I help with that, maybe the dislike she's had until now will be diluted a bit.

It was an investment made without much expectation and also without any loss.

"Pleased to meet you, Dungeon Lady Libertas. I am Julian, the eldest son of Baritra."

"Welcome, Julian."

However, it's a common sentiment among all investors to hope for great profits even from simple investments.

I also thought I'd like that as I smiled at the fool who approached.

A smile as a mask, without anything behind it.