141. The Plan (1)
141. The Plan (1)
- 1 -
The previous meeting was held in the grand hall of Solemio, but this time it was held in a slightly different location.
This place, deliberately set up on the first floor out of consideration for Nirvana the Alraune, was a meeting room renovated from the long corridor where the first hunt had taken place.
'Well, there was plenty of space, after all.'
"We congratulate you on the victory!"
""We congratulate you!""
As they entered the newly furnished meeting room, Kamaya's leading cry was followed by the greetings of the queens.
'It seemed a bit excessive, but...'
Given the recent victory, it would have been odd to oppose the celebration.
Above all, the sight of the queens greeting me simultaneously unmistakably stirred something in my heart.
Was this the magic of power?
The temptation to see more of this scene surfaced, but I suppressed it and simply smiled back.
"Thank you, everyone. Has nothing unusual happened while I was away?"
"Under your watchful eye, Master, we are all focused on expanding our influence. There have been no clashes or internal conflicts yet."
"Good. Then, let us sit."
When I looked around the meeting room, the only ones seated were myself, the queens, and one or two of each of their close aides.
This was because this meeting was not to discuss new matters, but merely the follow-through on what had been decided at the previous meeting.
Establishing an armed group for the internal stability of the dungeon.
Setting the next attack target for which the force would mobilize all its strength.
These two were the core topics of the day.
"First, I would like to hear from Daniel."
"Yes, Master."
For that purpose, others besides the queens were also present today.
At my call, Daniel Smith rose from his seat and bowed deeply.
"To begin with, the mercenary group has been established, and we're counting down to the start of their activities. First..."
While listening to his report, I checked his growth status.
『Attributes Stamina 52(◀ 44) Technique 69(◀ 50) Endurance 42(◀ 37) Magic Power 59(◀ 52) Resistance 48(◀ 43)』
『Special-grade Specialization: Guerrilla - A special-grade specialization complex trait that includes archery, one-handed swordsmanship, and assassination. Receives significant corrections to each action.』
『Keen Insight - Sees farther and more accurately. Identifies the target's weak points and predicts movements. Can precisely assess the target's current status from a distance.』
'His attributes and traits had each improved by a step.'
A specialization trait with a broader scope than a simple, focused one—something like "Guerrilla"—would naturally earn a higher grade.
The fact that he had received this trait with a "Legend" grade was proof of his tireless effort.
Because it seemed that a Legend trait could not be obtained through simple sacrifice strengthening.
'It was rewarding to have diligently fed him sacrifices.'
It was only natural to pay more attention to the safety of those who operate outside.
As I thought about that, I suddenly remembered Alexis, his "junior".
I had invested in him just as much...
'He wasted his opportunities indulging in laziness and pleasure.'
It was a shame.
I had already found candidates to inherit the special armor and traits granted to Alexis, so that wasn't a problem.
But that didn't mean everything I had invested in him would be completely recovered.
'It was probably because I hadn't given him enough wealth or women to satisfy him.'
For someone prone to indulging in pleasure like that, you have to continuously provide rewards to guide their actions.
It was a principle that I couldn't have known when the subject was just a cluster of dots.
Among my current subordinates...
'Would it be a rule applicable to those like Haley or Nirvana?'
Of course, just because I knew that didn't mean I would have satisfied his greed.
'To want to sleep with all the princesses in the whole world, huh.'
What he'd written in his diary was an overly presumptuous desire.
If I had known all about his tendencies in advance, I would have simply used him as a sacrifice from the start or turned him into nourishment for the dungeon.
'I would learn as I went along, I guess.'
No matter what anyone said, I was a novice who hadn't even completed a year in organizational management.
It was only thanks to good subordinates, favorable circumstances, and memories of my previous life that I could demonstrate effective leadership.
"Master?"
"Speak. We are all listening."
At Daniel's puzzled voice, I collected my thoughts.
He seemed to have realized I was thinking about something else.
With a chin gesture, I urged him to continue the presentation.
Since I had been storing his words in memory while thinking, there was no problem.
"Yes... The biggest issue was the integration with the demon beast mercenaries, but for now..."
Twilight Hunter.
It was his current alias among the mercenaries, and the name of the mercenary group I had instructed him to form.
In the future, this mercenary group would likely be recorded in continental history as the first demon beast mercenary group.
The first mercenary group where demon beasts were not merely included but actually became members.
But for now, the group had many worries—including problems that had not yet materialized.
"Wait, Daniel. Nirvana, Orea. What do the demon beasts who joined the mercenary group think?"
Stopping Daniel, I asked the two queens. Rising from their seats, they bowed once to me and spoke.
"You need not worry about my side. The ones I sent are nothing for you to be concerned about, Master. It's the Myrmekians you should worry about."
Nirvana's words had pinpointed my concern exactly.
Indeed, there was no reason to worry about demon beasts sent after simply suppressing their minds.
Even the Alraunes who went along to suppress their minds possessed lethal power against humans.
"I see."
"Wait. I cannot simply let that remark pass."
"Oh?"
Orea showed a somewhat indignant look.
It seemed she thought Nirvana was doubting their ability and will.
But at that protest, Nirvana only smiled a bewitching smile.
"We are full of the will to prove our loyalty to our new master. You need not worry that they might harm humans."
"That is not my worry. Rather, it's the opposite."
"Pardon...? Um. It's alright. We are always ready to stand at the forefront of honorable sacrifice..."
Not fully grasping the situation, Orea thought the harm the Myrmekians might suffer was simply being called upon to act as sacrifices.
As I was at a bit of a loss on how to explain, Etna and Nirvana approached her.
"Queen Orea. That is..."
"What the Master is worried about is probably human..."
"...dragging into the night..."
What they were now explaining was the most disgraceful thing the Myrmekians could suffer.
Since the Myrmekians were ant-like humanoids, they inherited the traits of the original species, "ants".
That all except the male ants were female.
'This was the biggest problem.'
As someone who knew all the dark and deep sides of humans, I couldn't help but worry about the atrocities of the "possibility bugs".
"Such... such...!! No way...!"
The voice of Orea, queen of the Myrmekian Cleber clan, quivered.
Her face, having understood my concern, gradually reddened.
"But even among demon beasts, there certainly are those who exist. Species that receive the seed of other demon beasts or reproduce through crossbreeding..."
"That... you're talking about us, right?"
"Ah, I'm sorry, Queen Nirvana. I didn't mean it like that..."
"It's fine."
Even though it was a somewhat rude remark, Nirvana simply smiled.
A smile that was soft but had a bewitching edge to it.
"Because it's true. Though there will be little need for such things in the future. After all, there will be better seed..."
The subtle desire in her last words was directed at me, but I simply ignored it.
I turned my gaze back to Daniel.
He too had an embarrassed expression, but when he received my gaze, he composed himself.
'It seemed there were some signs, after all.'
The rough temperament of the mercenaries seemed even worse than the rumors I had heard.
I let out a deep sigh, but only inwardly.
"Anyway, it's still okay for now, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is."
Daniel's reply was careful.
Because he, too, would have known how the members of the "Twilight Hunters" currently thought of the demon beasts who had joined them.
Above slave, below subordinate. That was their current place in the hierarchy.
In fact, he didn't need to care about my opinion. Because this had been started at my instruction.
'For now, this was the best way to reduce the aversion between the members of the mercenary group.'
Of course, I didn't like it.
There was no way I could be pleased that beings who belonged to me and relied on me were treated like slaves by others.
But changing perceptions to reduce the aversion toward demon beasts was something that would take a long time.
Because the ideology spread by human kings and gods was already deeply rooted across the continent.
That demon beasts were enemies of humanity.
So it was inevitable that they felt that way.
At the same time, it was something I could take measures about.
"You must have brought all the elite mercenaries?"
"Yes. They are waiting in the dungeon's guest rooms."
"Good. Bring them right after the meeting."
If the core figures of the mercenary group did not lose their courtesy and caution when dealing with demon beasts, they would set an example, and naturally the attitudes of other mercenaries would change as well.
Even if they couldn't prevent the discriminatory glances from outside, they could at least alleviate the suffering within.
I was expecting that, at the very least, there would be no absurd losses outside of combat.
"Thank you, Master...! On behalf of all our kin, thank you...!"
Orea and Etna simultaneously bowed deeply.
Though the two normally seemed to have opposite personalities, it was amusing how they showed amazing teamwork in moments like this.
"No. It's my fault for not explaining it in advance."
"No! How can you say such a thing!"
"That's right! You are the one who will make demon beasts see the light again! Carrying out your orders is the greatest joy!"
When I shook my head in denial, they jumped up and made even more of an uproar.
Naturally, my worries faded, and a smile rose to my lips.
"Thank you, both. Continue, Daniel."
"Yes. Now, regarding the achievements we have accomplished..."
The achievements of the Twilight Hunters had already begun to emerge.
They had started to gain fame by subjugating a few elite demon beasts and a high-grade dungeon lord in a distant area whose information I had passed on, and from now on, the north-central part of the Haisen Kingdom and the southeast of the Kiza Kingdom would serve as their main stage.
"I've confirmed everything you brought. You keep becoming more remarkable."
"After today, if the mental armament you will bestow upon the elite mercenaries is complete, the results will improve even further."
Originally, when my identity was still hidden, I hadn't intended to meddle with the mercenaries' minds.
Now, at least two surface demon realm archdukes or their subordinate nobles, perhaps even part of the underworld organization, would be watching me.
I could no longer afford to take my time for the sake of stability.
It became necessary to deal with less important matters more boldly.
"I look forward to it."
"Yes!"
Anyway, thanks to that, I had already secured two intact elite demon beast corpses suitable for use as sacrifices.
The sacrifice required for a high-grade dungeon lord to reach elite rank was the corpses of three elite demon beasts.
'It would be soon.'
By the time the territory was prepared, I would be able to climb one step higher.
- 2 -
"Kamaya. Echidna. I would like to hear from you two."
After the discussion about the mercenary group ended, I turned my gaze to the two who had returned from scouting the region that would become my land.
Echidna had been in charge of scouting the swampy southeast, while Kamaya had handled the south and west beyond the cliff.
"..."
The two queens exchanged glances for a moment, then simultaneously spoke to me.
"The opportunity has come, Master."
"It seems they are preparing for war, Master."
That was a story that intrigued me greatly.
"... Tell me in detail."
What appeared on the faces of the queens who heard my instruction was fierce anticipation and determination.