Newbie Despair (1)
Edward was enjoying a leisurely morning tea time.
"Excellent."
Based on this mission, he could secure a perfect advantage in his power struggle with Sisilia. After all, a number two who had bowed their head on their own could never surpass the number one.
"Lord Wall and Listrit House have sent letters of support."
But complacency was forbidden. Sisilia wasn't an easy opponent. He needed to widen the gap to an insurmountable level before she could grow careless.
"This secures a majority in the Central Noble Council."
Edward smirked and set down his teacup.
"Well done, Reina. They'll make fine pawns in the future."
Reina bowed deeply.
"So, what is Sisilia up to now?"
"I heard she's leading the Users toward a dungeon."
"Sisilia's always loved picnics since the old days. It suits her."
Sisilia was close to perfection. At least, that's how Edward saw her. But not quite perfect. It felt like the goddess had crafted her flawlessly, then deliberately removed one crucial part.
And that was true even now. She'd gotten the Users cooped up in the barracks to head to a dungeon in just a week. An extremely capable move, but it overlooked the essential point: control over the Windsor Knights.
Or did she overlook it on purpose?
Edward smirked. It was a move he couldn't comprehend. And many others couldn't understand Sisilia either. To her, ordinary values meant nothing; she prioritized things that made no sense to normal people.
"So, which dungeon did she go to?"
"...That's the thing."
Edward was about to brush it off casually, but he looked up at Reina's meaningful expression.
"...Not one of the outer ones? With just five or six goblins?"
"It's in the north."
"The north? The north? What dungeon up there would Users go to?"
Edward's eyes widened. He hurriedly opened a drawer. The filing cabinet with dungeon documents was a mess—clearly someone had rummaged through it.
Sisilia...!
Gritting his teeth, Edward rifled through the papers, quickly realizing one was missing.
The Eternal Tomb is gone.
One of Edward's secret dungeons. No managing demon race, but a long-established monster had gained ego. And for a monster to develop an ego, it took at least 500 years.
Naturally, a 500-year-old monster was powerful. In short, taking Users there was—
"Sisilia, are you trying to get all the Users killed?! Dispatch the knights immediately!"
**
Sisilia hated stairs. They were exhausting and time-consuming. Elevators were better. Just press a button, and it took you straight to your floor.
In that sense, the Windsor Knights were a very comfortable elevator. They'd quickly carried her to the top spot.
So, she decided to give the newbies a ride too.
To level up, you gotta hunt high-level stuff.
Handing over good items, sharing tips—that was the proper duty of a veteran, right?
Of course, the elevator might shake a bit.
"Looks like an ancient temple."
"I've never seen anything like this even in Another World."
"...Is this really a beginner dungeon?"
An endlessly extending hall stretched out. The ceiling was so high you couldn't see it even craning your neck, the floor laid with a red carpet, and mysterious statues embedded in the walls on both sides.
"There."
"Yes?"
"Han Chaeyeon, right? LovePink."
Ruby, tense in the moment, stared at the man incredulously for asking that now. She gazed off into the distance and answered.
"...No. My name is Ruby."
"Your name is Ruby...?"
"I'm Japanese."
"Ah!"
She's Japanese, huh.
Sisilia felt she'd gained valuable info on Ruby and halted.
"There's a door. Shall we go in?"
1B Banquet Hall
Survive against the Corrupted Nobles.
A banquet hall of a scale unbelievable for a dungeon. Nobles there laughed and chatted, exchanging pleasantries.
Nobles with rotting, pus-oozing skin.
"!"
Anyone could see they weren't alive, turning the Users' faces pale.
Then, Sisilia pointed sideways with her thumb. An open lounge room.
The Users followed her inside.
"From here on, we won't intervene."
"...W-what?"
"Too much help wouldn't aid your growth."
In their terrified state, Sisilia's words felt utterly unreasonable.
"You bring us here and talk bullshit?!"
"Y-yeah! That doesn't make sense!"
"This is weird."
Sisilia tilted her head.
"Didn't you all choose to come to this hidden dungeon?"
"...!"
That was true. They'd decided on this hidden dungeon together. With "hidden" attached, it promised value, and they knew leveling's importance.
But...
How do we even fight these?
I thought it'd be goblins at worst.
The undead packing the surroundings were pure terror.
"You little bitch, scamming us!"
Then, the furious Boss grabbed Sisilia's collar.
"You dragged us here, take responsibility! At least make it so we can one-shot them!"
At that moment, still sulking Beatrice drew her sword without hesitation.
Boss paled, released Sisilia's collar, and stumbled back, hands raised like a frog.
"You."
"!"
"I won't forgive rudeness toward Lady Sisilia."
Beatrice said coldly.
"Interfering with Windsor Knights on duty means summary execution, noble or not. Even for Users."
"Betty. I'm fine."
"Fine my foot!"
Sisilia hiccuped and backed away. But then, the tactless med student quietly raised his hand.
"So, non-intervention means even if lives are at risk?"
Sisilia glanced at Beatrice and replied.
"I promise that clearly. Not one of you will lose your life here."
Only then did the Users' expressions ease a bit. The med student pressed on.
"No basic supplies? Monster weaknesses, dungeon攻略 tips?"
Sisilia's tail wagged wildly, but she kept her cool Sword Princess facade and said gravely.
"Just keep one thing in mind."
-Oh, new guests here. What brings you?
A wineglass-bearing noble strolled into the lounge.
"Demons aren't for talking to."
Schwick—!
"!"
A slicing sound. But no one saw Sisilia swing her sword. They just noticed her hand on the hilt.
"They're only for hunting."
Fsssh—.
The noble crumbled to ash. Sisilia's silver eyes blazed fiercely.
The Users held their breath.
"Not just this dungeon—it's the most basic knowledge for surviving this world."
Sisilia bowed slightly, as if her role was done.
"Good hunting."
**
The nobles in the banquet hall couldn't pierce the Users' robes and armor. So Sisilia and Beatrice decided to scout while touring the dungeon.
While walking the corridor, Sisilia grabbed Beatrice's cloak hem with a sulky face.
"Betty."
Beatrice whipped her head around.
"Don't be mad."
Sisilia fidgeted. She didn't know why, but Beatrice was super pissed.
"I'm sorry."
Beatrice was extremely upset with Sisilia, but seeing her apologetic face softened her a bit.
"...Do you know what you did wrong?"
"Yeah."
"Say it."
"Ran up a tab on Betty's name."
"...".
Again?
Beatrice froze coldly.
"I'll repay with my body, so forgive me..."
"Not that."
Beatrice paused, then said.
"...Does Lady Sisilia value those people more than me?"
It sounded childish even to her, but that was the biggest reason Beatrice was mad. Lately, she'd felt Sisilia favored Users over her.
"Of course not."
Sisilia answered firmly.
"Strangers can't be more precious than Betty."
"...Then what's that CrossFinger?"
"...".
Beatrice sighed. Noticing she was mad was progress.
"...Tell me about this dungeon, then."
Eternal Tomb.
"Eternal...".
Demon names indicate Authorities. "Eternal" meant eternal-related powers. Like human Blessings from the goddess. They got power from the Demon God too.
And "eternal"'s weight...
"At least an upper demon, right? Is that okay?"
"It's fine. Only the boss is strong. You saw the nobles? Newbies can handle them in their gear. And..."
Sisilia clasped hands behind her back and smiled.
"Do you think Users can keep up with our knights, Betty?"
Beatrice answered firmly.
"No. The gap's too wide. At least 30 years."
"Right. An uncatchable gap. But war's coming soon. If it breaks out like this, many will die."
Sisilia raised one finger.
"We need something revolutionary."
"Revolutionary..."
What could it be?
As Beatrice pondered, she sensed presence and looked up.
-Intruders!
-Protect the guests!
"Lady Sisilia. Enemies."
Beatrice reached for her sword at the monster's presence. Sisilia grabbed her hand and pulled her into a nearby storeroom.
Footsteps passed.
"...Lady Sisilia?"
"Jealous. Betty feels nice to touch."
"L-let go!"
After one grope, Sisilia looked satisfied. Beatrice wanted to scold her, but worried about the Users more.
"Lady Sisilia. That's beyond the Users' coping range."
"Yeah. Around level 40. Tough for level 1s."
"...I don't get levels, but let's rescue them quick."
But Sisilia shook her head. Beatrice said seriously.
"They'll all die."
"It's okay. They'll respawn."
"...Respawn? Dungeon gimmick?"
"Yeah."
Beatrice relaxed.
"Eternal theme, so fitting Authority. Then we find a clear method..."
"But it's manual."
"Pardon?"
"We have to respawn them ourselves."
"...What does that mean?"
Sisilia smiled meaningfully.