The Tutorial Boss Gifts a Misconception
The meeting hall buzzed with chaos. Nobles who usually minded their decorum and kept their voices low were today straining their necks, bellowing their opinions with veins bulging. One spat flecks of saliva as he roared from a throat thick with blood.
"We need to enter the dungeon right now! The monster wave won't stop as long as the dungeon stays open! We have to go before more monsters spill out!"
A baron slammed his fist on the round table, shouting. A noble seated across from him snorted, leaning toward the clan leader to borrow his ear.
"Nonsense. Yes, a gate has opened in the dungeon, but charging in without preparation will only lead to needless sacrifices."
"Listen here. A dungeon has opened in the Northern Mountains! A monster den is right on our doorstep—how long do you plan to sit around debating theories? Closing it as soon as possible is the top priority!"
Opinions split sharply into two camps. Both prioritized the territory's safety, but one favored offense, the other defense. Close the dungeon gate before another monster wave hit. Or take the time to prepare thoroughly, even if it delayed things.
But everyone in the room knew the hidden motive: a scramble for profits. It was just a matter of who wanted what timeline for their optimal preparations.
The dungeon. A freshly opened treasure trove untouched by any hand. Rare magic stones. Untapped veins of ore. Natural magic tools. Materials from rare monsters. A massive gold mine that generated immense wealth on its own.
Who would claim the dungeon's rights first? Who would lead the initial exploration team? That battle over interests heated the meeting hall's air like a furnace.
"...."
Lijet sat in the head seat, blankly observing the squabble.
What the hell is going on here?
Lijet reflected on her situation beside her father. Just days ago, this turn of events had been unimaginable.
A dungeon had erupted in the Northern Mountains—dormant since before Leator's history began—and monsters had overflowed in a wave. The city's survival hung in the balance, yet Leator Territory had miraculously minimized casualties and succeeded in defense.
What was the reason?
"Now, now, everyone calm down."
The lord raised both hands to cool the overheated atmosphere. His usually stern face today brimmed with unconcealed benevolence and joy. Normally, opinions would align with whatever side he gestured toward, but today he simply watched in silence.
The lord's gaze turned to Lijet.
"This is all thanks to the wisdom of my proud daughter, Lijet. Without her, Leator would have suffered massive losses to the monsters."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the growling nobles nodded in unison, pouring out praise.
"Well said! The young lady's foresight outshone any sage on the continent."
"She predicted the monster wave precisely and ordered each clan and knight order to build defensive lines in advance—that strategy! She'll be the sage ruler to lead Leator one day!"
"Our house pledges eternal loyalty to the young lady. Oh, the pride of Leator!"
Praise cascaded like a waterfall. Countless eyes fixed on Lijet, sending blind adoration her way.
Lijet clenched her hands tight in her lap. Beneath the ornate lace gloves, her fingertips trembled faintly.
I didn't do anything.
She truly hadn't lifted a finger. She'd merely lent her name to some reckless adventurer out of consideration for her guard knight Barie's face. No funding provided, and inwardly, she'd scoffed at his absurd claims.
The nonsense about the peace—unbroken since this land's history began—shattering had come true exactly as he predicted. The monster wave hit just as foretold.
The potions he'd ordered in bulk beforehand. The equipment procured in advance. The agreements he'd secured with guilds and clans ahead of time. Orders issued in Lijet's name had sprouted into reality without her knowledge.
Even right after the wave broke, defenses formed seamlessly, averting disaster. Every piece of the board had been set by one adventurer's hand.
And the glory poured straight onto Lijet's head.
Eck.
That man's name swirled chaotically in her mind. How far ahead had he seen? How could a mere adventurer predict a catastrophe unknown even to her lord father?
"Lady Lijet."
An elderly count leaned forward cautiously.
"How on earth did you foresee that horrific disaster? Please share even a fragment of that brilliant wisdom with us."
The hall's murmurs hushed. Everyone swallowed dryly, eyes locked on Lijet's lips.
How did I know? Hell if I know.
Cold sweat trickled down her spine. The weight on her shoulders quickened her breath. Should she confess honestly? Say she'd coincidentally accepted a mere adventurer's wild idea? Reveal it was all the work of an A-rank adventurer named Eck?
As she parted her lips to choose an excuse—
Bang!
The massive doors to the sealed meeting hall flew open violently. The guard captain, helmet in hand and panting, rushed in desperately.
The lord's brow furrowed in displeasure.
"What is this commotion? Can't you see we're in an important meeting?"
"S-sorry! B-but it's an urgent matter...!"
The guard captain dropped to his knees, head bowed to the floor.
"Just now, a single party slipped out through the north gate!"
"What? In this situation, why would they leave the city? Why didn't you apprehend them?"
"We couldn't stop them. They... presented an 'Dungeon Investigation Team Appointment' bearing Lady Lijet's personal signature!"
Dungeon Investigation Team Appointment
Lijet's Personal Seal
A stunned silence fell over the hall like a bucket of ice water. Jaws dropped wide among the crowd.
Until moments ago, they'd been debating who would claim dungeon exploration rights—unspoken, but no different.
A dungeon investigation team. An official one appointed personally by Lijet, the lord's heir apparent.
"This is absurd! A dungeon investigation team? How is that even possible?!"
"That's separate from stopping the monster wave! Lady Lijet!"
"Who was the leader of that party?!"
The count shouted at the guard captain.
"E-Eck! An A-rank adventurer—the one who soloed the basilisk during the monster wave—leading the party!"
Eck. Even among nobles, his name surfaced in adventurer talk.
"Lady Lijet! What is the meaning of this? You've already formed a dungeon investigation team?!"
"Without consulting us, appointing that vulgar brute as leader—it stains your honor!"
"This is a matter of the territory! When we need utmost caution, putting a single adventurer in charge...!"
Protests mixed betrayal and greed rained down. Their plans to rush in first and skim the honey had been stolen by a lone adventurer. Clan leaders behind the nobles had clashed with Eck directly—their guts boiled at losing their share to him.
Watching the chaotic hall, fragments flashed in Lijet's mind and clicked into place.
All preparations are complete. I guarantee success. Lady, simply say everything unfolded according to your will.
Eck's words from the letter. Fears of failure vanished cleanly with his party's departure.
"The barrier stone?! Entering a dungeon without one is dangerous! Lady!"
Barrier stone. Essential for entering a gate-opened dungeon. When appointing Eck as investigation leader, she'd had one made and handed to him.
Only the lord's bloodline could craft barrier stones. Unable to produce them at will, everyone in the hall vied for first dibs on exploration rights.
Whoever held the barrier stone first could legitimately claim priority in the dungeon.
Was even this part of your plan?
The tremor in Lijet's eyes stilled. Goosebumps prickled her skin. She had to admire his cunning, meticulous scheme.
Eck had foreseen this entire mess. While nobles gathered to debate and squabble over shares, he'd slipped away with official credentials to claim his rights.
Everything had danced perfectly in that man's palm.
"Lady Lijet, even you must explain this."
A high noble, silent until now, spoke up. All eyes pierced her. Doubting, bewildered glares threatened to tear her apart.
If I say I didn't know...
It would expose her incompetence to all. The praise as heir apparent, genius strategist—gone in an instant like a sandcastle. She'd be reduced to a puppet young lady played by one adventurer.
The truth of being swayed by a single adventurer couldn't come out.
No way.
Lijet rose slowly, with utmost elegance. Swish. The sound of fine silk dress trailing the floor filled the hall.
With the beastly nobles below her, she scanned the room in unflinching poise.
"No need for all this fuss."
Her calm, pristine, cool voice sliced sharply into every ear.
"My dungeon investigation team has already finished all preparations and set out."
A deflating gust swept the hall. Someone gasped.
Lijet tilted her chin slightly, an arrogant smile curling her lips.
"I know you've all been racking your brains day and night for the territory's safety."
She turned to the left-side nobles.
"To prevent the next monster wave, we need to conquer the dungeon swiftly. The waves grow fiercer each time, and we must prepare to resist even more staunchly."
Now to the right-side nobles.
"But rushing in recklessly means failing against the gate guardian and suffering losses. So I thought: if we prepare and anticipate in advance, we can satisfy both sides."
Lijet smiled sternly at all.
"What do you think? Not a bad strategy, is it?"
Silence. Perfect quiet, not even breaths audible.
Then, "Haha. As expected of my daughter."
That one remark exploded the hall's air.
"O-ohhh...!"
"As expected of Lady Lijet!"
Those who'd been protesting moments ago bowed in competition. Who could object when the lord's beloved daughter had resolved both sides' issues at once?
Cheers filled the hall. The lord clapped proudly. Nobles, knights, clan leaders—all united in acclaim for Lijet.
Lijet's cheeks burned hot. Her heart pounded fiercely against her ribs. A hot lump surged from her gut, detonating in her lower belly.
She'd issued no orders. She'd merely picked up the spoon on Eck's laid table. Ignorant of the full picture, she'd relied entirely on whatever Eck would bring.
But everyone was ecstatic. This euphoria of having powerhouses she couldn't touch dancing like chess pieces in her palm. Her legs quivered.
A massive thrill shot from her toes up her spine to her scalp. Dizziness threatened to topple her.
She hid her trembling fingertips and turned her gaze to the window.
Lijet's lips curved in a deep arc.
Eck. Go ahead and rampage as you please. I'll cover your back.
The perfect delusion that she ruled this grand chessboard. In that sweet, fatal intoxication, Lijet sank deep.
Lijet quietly sat back in her chair. Her buttocks clung damply. Eyes wide, feigning composure, she smiled sweetly before all.