267. Foundation Building (1)
267. Foundation Building (1)
- 1 -
I had returned to my dungeon.
My dungeon, whose interior had taken the form of an antique-style mansion, was currently undergoing an even greater transformation.
My ultimate plan centered around Hysen - Orbis - Leophere, the 'Solar Eclipse'.
To execute it, I needed to relocate my dungeon further north, to the center of this domain.
Of course, it was no easy task.
But.
"Huu... It feels good to take in Radium this way again after so long."
The pink-haired succubus beside me, Scarlet Spira Spina.
With the help of the Mammon Company she represented, and provided we had a suitable location, it was possible.
And as it happened, there was a good spot near the south of Hylash, the center of my territory.
"That's a wicked joke to make."
"I was being serious..."
After exchanging banter that had become a habit, I took the documents from her hand.
"It's the plan for the transfer and expansion of the dungeon domain. Please take a look."
"Thank you, Scarlet."
I raised my eyes and smiled at her, and Scarlet's pale cheeks flushed pink.
"Now that I think of it, I heard you got promoted this time."
Now the deputy director of the Eastern Continent Sales Department 2, promoted from section chief, she was clad in a suit of a more demure style than before.
"It is all thanks to your grace, my Lady. Thanks to you looking after the newly born dungeon lords in the central region of this continent..."
She drew a little closer, her eyes sparkling.
Though her black, armor-like suit revealed the dignity of a demon realm bureaucrat, her gaze was far from professional.
"You give me too much credit. I only expanded my own influence."
I gently pushed her back, laughing.
She was still a public official of the demon realm.
It was true that she served me with sincerity, but it was necessary to maintain appropriate boundaries.
Because succubi are exceedingly 'passionate' about love.
Of course, I was well aware that she liked me immensely.
"Hoo! This contract was an exceptional case, so I was busy with various confirmations and drafting new forms."
Scarlet let out a sigh, calming herself, then pointed here and there on the documents.
The areas marked in red on a map filled with complex magical patterns.
It was the mountain east of Copherin where my dungeon would be located in the future.
The location where Serica's dungeon had been in the past.
That place would now become my nest.
"It is scheduled to be a large-scale construction project contracted with three Gremlin construction companies. Specifically, to urbanize a part of the mountain to cover the dungeon, and to incorporate the Atrium and its surrounding areas into the dungeon's domain..."
A faint magical power flowed from her fingers as her sharp nails pointed at the map.
"We have used every expedient method to have it recorded as legal. However..."
"However?"
"Since it is unusual to expand such a vast domain at once, the headquarters is also showing a great deal of interest."
I nodded, flipping through the documents.
"Interest, you say..."
I asked, raising one eyebrow.
"Is that a good thing?"
Scarlet took a step back, bowed her waist, and bit her lip slightly.
It was evident she was agonizing over how much to reveal about the complex politics of the demon realm.
"To be clear, there are many who view it both favorably and unfavorably. Many in the demon realm are paying attention to your growth, Master. Especially several of Their Highnesses."
Her voice trailed off.
To deal with the complex politics of the demon realm, it was right for a bureaucrat to be careful with their words anywhere.
"It seems you have come into contact with the First Demon Queen... my sister."
At my familiar title for her, Scarlet's eyes widened momentarily before returning to a respectful expression.
"As expected of you, Lady... It is a sensitive matter, but Her Highness sent her personal congratulations on Master's success. Here, this is the gift Her Highness sent."
Hearing that Stella was behind it made everything clear.
Under demon realm law, moving a dungeon required many procedures, and the reason those procedures had proceeded so smoothly was surely because of the support of the highest echelons of the demon realm.
"That is joyful news. Please send my regards to my sister."
Scarlet's eyes sparkled.
It seemed she was curious about my relationship with the Demon Queen.
However, this was not a story to be easily shared.
"Any other news?"
At my question, Scarlet paused to choose her words before opening her mouth again.
"The Gremlins are reliable in terms of ability, but they cannot be trusted regarding confidentiality... It is correct to assume that the location will now be exposed to every Grand Duke on the surface and in the demon realm."
"I am aware."
As I nodded, Scarlet unfurled a scroll with a much more relieved face.
"Once you sign this contract, all procedures will be concluded with this. The Atrium and its surrounding areas are now officially recognized as the dungeon domain of Lady Libertas. No new dungeon lord will be born in this region now."
I slowly lifted the quill. A faint red magical power flowed from the nib.
The moment I finished my signature.
Swaaak!
The magic woven into the paper activated, and a red light enveloped the entire document.
That light expanded in an instant, and waves of mana spread throughout this space like a massive swell.
It probably spread to the interior of the mountain east of Copherin, the planned relocation site.
My dungeon began to compose itself.
For the move to its new home.
"Congratulations."
Scarlet bowed deeply, a graceful curve on her lips.
"With this, Lady has officially come to possess the largest dungeon domain in the central part of the Eastern Continent, as recognized by the demon realm. Once the construction of that mountain is completed, I will see you again for the dungeon's relocation."
"Thank you, Scarlet."
A smile also played on my lips as I spoke somewhat more lightly than usual.
While the puppets fell into twisted illusions and sold their own countries to me, I was steadily walking the path to becoming the master of this land.
- 2 -
I looked in the direction of the Kiza Minor Kingdom through the massive window of the Orbis court.
According to the news Eve had delivered, many changes seemed to have occurred in that land overnight.
"Clayvan's rebellion has succeeded."
Evangeline planted a small flag on the map.
It was a red flag marking the places near the capital of the Kiza Minor Kingdom that the former Kiza royal family's rebel army had captured.
"Just as expected."
I looked around.
A total of seven people were gathered in the map room of the Orbis court.
Yuran, Shue, Evangeline, Saya, the official Duke of Orbis, Amelia, and my disciple, Sonia.
Esther could not come as she was fulfilling an official schedule with Yurena.
"The troops provided by the information merchants were decisive."
Saya reported calmly.
No emotion could be read in her pink, karmic eyes.
"Although small in scale, they were elite. It is said that each one fought against more than two of the royal army."
It was a natural outcome. They were undead I had sent.
Artemis and Maria had led the elites on a business trip there and back.
"What are the troop casualties?"
"Some wounded, but no fatalities. The wounded are being transported."
"Good."
Only then did I let out a sigh of relief.
I was bound to worry about my summoned creatures when they were out of my reach.
Even if the battles they fought were not official battles...
That place was not yet part of my demon realm, so they could not return to my graveyard even if they suffered a real loss.
"What of the Prime Minister?"
At my question, Yuran answered.
"He remains confined to his mansion. While Clayvan argued to execute him, the agents Haley planted are protecting him."
"Well done. He is useful to us."
If he truly had been executed, that wouldn't have been bad either.
A ruler unrecognized by the people was easier to control, so I could simply manipulate Hiscliff and Marcus as I pleased.
But, it is said, is it not?
It is the instinct of one who possesses land and soldiers to want to open the door of recruitment for a capable talent for no real reason.
"The news of the capital's fall must have reached the expeditionary force."
At my words, Evangeline agreed.
"Yes. They are probably in shock by now."
Because of their coup, the chaos in the Kiza Minor Kingdom was currently hurtling toward its peak.
The armies of Hiscliff and Marcus, who had gone out on the expedition, would still be far from the capital.
"I wonder if either of them has panicked, realizing that their plans have completely fallen apart."
"What is the distance from the border to the capital?"
Shue asked, peering at the map.
Her languid voice held a subtle excitement, an emotion stirred not by battle, but by my victory.
"A fortnight's distance. Even by express march, it would take ten days, and in a situation where they are leading troops and supplies, it will inevitably take even longer."
At Evangeline's reply, given first to Shue before she looked at me to report again, a soft atmosphere spread through the room.
Because Kiza's chaos was our opportunity.
"Now they have a choice to make. Whether to continue the Hinnes campaign, or return to retake the capital."
Shue added in a languid voice.
"Whatever choice they make... Kiza won't be able to escape a state of civil war for the time being."
The sky visible outside the window was clear.
The feeling of watching the world flow according to my plan was always refreshing.
"Keep a constant watch on the expeditionary force's movements and what decision they make."
I gave the order, bathed in the sunlight streaming through the transparent window.
"And contact the Leophere side to see what's happening."
As I finished speaking, Eve and Ran stepped forward simultaneously.
Ambition and loyalty burned in both pairs of eyes.
"I will take charge of the expeditionary force."
Eve placed a hand on her chest and spoke firmly.
"I will liaise closely with Haley and spare no necessary support."
"I shall contact Elena and report back shortly."
Ran's voice was calm as always, but a subtle allure seeped through it.
"Do so."
I nodded in satisfaction.
Next, I slowly turned my gaze to examine everyone gathered in the room.
And fixed my eyes on one person.
"Present your opinion, Sonia. What more should we do here now?"
"Ah... Yes, Master."
Sonia stepped up to the map, looked at it, and then carefully presented her opinion.
"I think we need to... make more use of that Prime Minister. He wishes for stability, so unlike the other two extreme figures, he will buy us time to seize control of Kiza."
After a moment's thought, she continued.
"Next... we need to incite conflict between Kakia and Elieniesi."
Sonia carefully placed a yellow flag representing Kakia north of Hinnes, and a pink flag representing Elieniesi to the east.
"Both were promised territory by Kiza, but haven't received it... As support for the Duke of Hinnes has practically been withdrawn anyway..."
Having spoken this far, her eyes turned toward me.
Like a child unsure if she was doing well.
I made eye contact with her and gave a single nod.
At that, her eyes sparkled.
"If Hysen seizes the opportunity and moves its army north, they will likely act proactively before we can arrive."
The voice finishing her speech with a smile was filled with more confidence and courage.
"Then... Master could become a mediator of peace. Whether as Hysen, or as Orbis."
At the stratagem she carefully proposed, I placed my hand on her arm and stroked it with a gratified heart.
"Excellent, Sonia. Your wisdom is no less than that of a seasoned strategist."
She, an ordinary human who had become my disciple and revered and loved me.
It seemed she had the talent not only of an administrator but also of a strategist.
"But there is a blind spot."
"What is...?"
At my assessment, her eyes shone not with disappointment, but with curiosity and a desire to learn.
Stroking my excellent disciple's head, I picked up a blue flag and a green flag.
And placed them to the east of Hysen and Orbis.
"It means the Norn Empire has no reason to stay still in such a chaotic political landscape. Now that Eligos's invasion has been largely halted, they will likely try to invade their old enemy, the Hillsa Kingdom, again. And that place is an ally of Hysen."
"Ah... Then."
Her next action met my expectations.
It was because Sonia picked up my flag, the one mixed with black and purple.
She connected it to the east and south respectively, planting the flag that was also the flag of the Orbis Duchy.
"We can choose between two options. Whether to gain moral legitimacy by supporting Hillsa in the east, or to formally codify the territory in Aririt in the south, which effectively belongs to Master, as Master's actual domain."
Practical benefit or moral legitimacy.
A crucial fork in the road had formed before the Orbis Duchy.
I nodded and picked up my duchy's flag.
The flag was splendidly decorated with black carnations and lilies.
"The situation has become clear. When Hysen's army heads north and the Norn Empire begins to move, the time will come for the Orbis Duchy to act as well."
I scanned the map once more and looked around.
The close aides who had received their respective missions were making eye contact with each other and nodding.
Finally, I looked at Amelia.
My second disciple, the one who bore the identity of the Duke of Orbis, was waiting with a reverent expression.
"Prepare the army, Amelia. The time will soon come when my army, intermingled among the human armies, will forge peace on the continent."
"Yes, Master. I shall follow your command."
Amelia bowed deeply and answered quietly.
Natural elegance emanated from her figure.
I raised the corners of my mouth in satisfaction.
The girl who had once been nothing more than the heir to a small territory's lord had now become a Grand Duke, responsible for one axis of the continent, within my grasp.
All the chess pieces were in place. The preparations to usher in a new era for the continent were complete.