81. Black Lotus (1)
81. Black Lotus (1)
- 1 -
In truth, there was good reason for the Alraune Queen to send someone to inquire about my well-being first like this.
After all, a whole month had already passed since she last sent me a positive reply.
Enjoying the ball in Copherin and confirming the rumors, then capturing Eleanor, the culprit behind the terrorist attack.
Stopping by Mozarkar, where the Claiamel family had been hiding and where Yuran had been lying in wait.
Going to Sonyataff, where the auction was held, and even getting briefly bound there by Elias.
On the way back, creating 'dungeon entrances' throughout Hysen, and hunting nearby monsters while traveling.
"It was a truly packed month."
"It certainly seems so. Seeing someone who shouldn't feel fatigue looking tired."
At least on the return trip, we managed to cut travel time down by about a week, which was fortunate, because we crossed quickly using the 'War Gate,' originally meant for wars between dungeons, which links dungeons via Fate (緣).
Otherwise, the promise with the queens might have truly turned into just 'let's meet sometime.'
"Though you sent word periodically, I was worried. Libertas."
"I'm sorry. Kamaya. But it was absolutely essential, and Fate (緣)-bound matters kept erupting one after another."
So when I met the Harpy Queen, Kamaya, again and she said this, an apology was the only thing I could offer.
Being in a 'close' relationship at least allowed me to make excuses.
To be honest, even this meeting only came about because I remembered to visit while granting an audience to the Alraune Queen's envoy, so I felt rather ashamed.
Otherwise, the reunion might have been delayed even further.
"Of course, worldly affairs never go as one wishes. But regardless, the other queens were quite disappointed. They couldn't understand the very situation of a Dungeon Lord going out."
"I must apologize. Though it was unavoidable."
As I said that, Kamaya's eyes widened for a moment before she smiled shortly after.
With her large frame, the momentary widening of her eyes made her clear whites stand out briefly before disappearing.
Not understanding the reason, I met her eyes, and soon she explained why she had been surprised.
"Even knowing in my head that you are different from other Dungeon Lords, I soon become drunk on stereotypes. Thinking, a Dungeon Lord apologizing! like that."
It was an understandable reason.
At the same time, it was a reason to show a somewhat disappointed reaction.
I still hadn't shown her my true self entirely.
Though I had shown a calmer side compared to other Dungeon Lords, I had also displayed a somewhat arrogant demeanor.
So this level was probably appropriate.
"How rude. I believe I've shown a consistent image since we first met."
"Even knowing that, the prejudice against Dungeon Lords is like that. I apologize."
Kamaya, who had been roughly scratching her coarse red hair at my words, spoke courteously.
Given her build alone—her imposing stature and spirit—she seemed like the type to suggest a drinking party instead of an apology. But the overflowing sincerity in her voice made me nod in spite of myself.
Of course, my body's trait wouldn't leave it at that without a proper reason.
"Since I was the one who proposed talks and was also late, you must have had a hard time too, Kamaya. Let's consider it even with that."
"That's not right. It was merely the responsibility I was meant to bear. So... as a gesture of apology, for the audience where Libertas is to apologize, I shall have my daughter accompany you and act as your guide."
Still, after a moment of deliberation, Kamaya ultimately made a suggestion that, while helpful to me, also benefited her.
"How cunning. That's introducing your successor to me and the other queens, isn't it."
"I've been found out."
Kamaya laughed heartily and quickly conceded.
That look was slightly annoying, but...
Since she had also managed the queens for me while I was away, it felt wrong to press her further.
And it was genuinely a helpful suggestion.
"Alright. I accept. But will it be okay for her to be with me? She seemed quite shy about showing her face."
Having met her before, I was a little worried.
Unlike the boisterous Queen Kamaya, Serha had appeared considerably bashful when I saw her last time.
"It will be fine. She has met with the queens before, accompanied by a successor... and look over there."
"Ah."
"She was waiting, saying she wanted to see you."
Where Kamaya pointed, her daughter Serha was peeking out with her pink hair, observing this way.
The small, adorable face she poked out, thinking she was secretly watching, was slightly reddened, still looking cute.
"Serha. Come here. Now that you're here, you should greet her properly."
"Y-yes!"
Raising her voice shrilly, Serha came fluttering over, half-flying.
Then, bending her body, she bowed to me in greeting.
"S-Serha, daughter of Mother Kamaya, pays her respects to the Dungeon Quee... pfft!"
Ah, she bit her tongue.
"Pfft!"
Looking to the side at the sudden sound, Kamaya was already biting her lip, desperately trying to hold back explosive laughter.
"Paayth my reeethpecths, nyah... hufff."
Looking back, though she fortunately quickly regained her composure, Serha continued her words with a face still dyed red from embarrassment.
While glaring intensely at her mother beside me.
"Are you alright?"
"I'b fiyne..."
"Let me see. I can use simple healing magic."
"Eh, ah..."
Approaching her, I briefly examined the inside of her mouth, but as she said, it wasn't a serious wound.
I lightly touched her cheek and injected a bit of mana, finishing the treatment.
It was a simple application of mana to reduce pain, not even requiring a spell.
"Wow! It doesn't hurt!"
"Right?"
Serha rejoiced, her eyes sparkling as I held her cheek.
At that innocent look, a smile naturally formed on my lips as well.
"That's amazing even though you didn't cast a spell!"
"It's just a parlor trick. So, I heard you'll be guiding me. Is that right?"
"Yes! I volunteered!"
That was an unexpected remark.
Which meant it was planned from the beginning.
"Ahem."
Looking at Kamaya, she was awkwardly coughing and averting her gaze.
So it really was planned from the start.
The apology was just an excuse.
I'd have to keep that in mind.
"Ah..."
Serha seemed to have realized it too, as she covered her mouth with wide eyes.
Her expression was clearly filled with the feeling of 'what if my mistake becomes a problem.'
"I'm sorry... The truth is, I really wanted to accompany you."
"It's fine. I won't scold you over something like this."
Stroking her head, I thought. 'Innocent cuteness like Serica is nice, but this kind of clever cuteness isn't bad either.'
After all, wisdom kept twinkling deep within her eyes, and even while flustered, I couldn't miss that she was watching my reaction with an unwavering gaze.
The cleverness of a being who knows she is cute and that it easily gains favor—that is a weapon.
A powerful weapon in fields where charm runs deep.
There was no reason to balk at the cleverness of a child who knows and uses her weapon well.
Especially since the tip of that blade wasn't pointed at me.
"Heehee."
Besides, the goodwill directed at me seemed genuine, at least.
"I look forward to working with you. Serha."
"Yes!"
I looked forward to the short excursion with her.
- 2 -
In fact, it was the first time Serha had ventured outside without Kamaya.
However, the reason was not because she was weak.
Simply put, even though she was already an adult, her stature was small.
Since monsters often underestimated her, considering her prey, and rushed at her, venturing outside alone led to frequent small fights.
'Finally! A journey without my own kind!'
Clever but small compared to her peers, Serha had always resented the constant feeling of being protected. This time, she had finally set out on a journey free from the protection of her kin.
Because of that, her heart was pounding quite a bit, and currently beside her was a presence making that pounding heartbeat even louder.
'Wow, wow... She's really pretty.'
It was the Dungeon Lord, Lady Libertas.
A woman who always exuded a calm atmosphere, wearing a black dress as dark as the long black hair that cascaded down to her legs.
Her purple eyes sparkled like gems whenever she thought about something, radiating light, and her quietly closed lips shone beautifully with a naturally red luster.
Furthermore, sometimes when she looked at her, she even smiled gently, and it felt as if the sunlight shattered above her and decorated her.
'Could I ever become like that...!'
Though a harpy's ideal type was usually a warrior with powerful muscles like her mother, Libertas's appearance made it impossible to resist admiration.
Besides, since she was small anyway, she wasn't expecting to become gallant as a warrior.
"So these are the orcs."
As they set out on their journey, the first beings they encountered were the orc tribes sent to Libertas by the Alraune Queen.
"Are you going to subordinate them to the dungeon as is? If so, you could mediate the contract through that staff..."
The moment she saw them, something flashed in Serha's mind.
It was about a 'test' that could satisfy her curiosity about Libertas.
"No, there's no need for that. I plan to scatter them appropriately nearby and let them live on their own."
"Is there really a need to go that far? They could be utilized immediately as military force..."
'This child is trying to test me.'
Libertas had already caught on to Serha's intent from her first question.
A question laced with a veiled intent to test was something that, if unnoticed, was fine, but to those who did notice, it could absolutely provoke hostility.
Because of this, she grew worried that the successor of a faction that was to follow her might get into trouble.
Historically, there were quite a few cases of people who suffered misfortune for not watching their mouths.
Like the master weaver who became the origin of a spider-human race.
"If monsters don't live around here appropriately, the fact that there's a dungeon here will become known to people. Is there truly a need to ask what you already know?"
Though her eyes hid her intent, her gentle voice carried a clear warning.
A declaration that 'I am not someone for you to test.'
However, the hostility within it was not strong, carrying worry and caution that 'if you don't restrain yourself appropriately, you'll face trouble.'
'She noticed!'
"Ah, you knew... I'm sorry!"
Realizing this, Serha bowed her waist and head with a quick apology.
"Yes."
Serha soon followed the departing presence that had stroked her head, moving with mincing steps and fluttering wings.
As she did, her eyes shone.
'I wonder if her pride was hurt. She looks young, so it's worrying.'
'As expected, she's wise and has deep patience!'
Libertas considered whether Serha's feelings might have been hurt.
But on the contrary, Serha's favorable impression of her deepened even further.
As the representative of a cooperating faction, she was truly ideal, and personally, she was an overwhelmingly likable person.
"Near the northern lake, the eastern stream, and below the mountain south of my dungeon. Lead them to each respectively."
Libertas distributed three staffs to each group of Skeletons, then had them lead the orc tribes away.
These orcs, made more violent and cunning by the Alraune Queen's mana, would survive on their own, capturing approaching humans and offering a portion to the dungeon.
That would naturally become a resource for the dungeon.
"Let's go. Won't you tell me what you know about the Alraune Queen?"
"Ah, yes!"
After organizing her thoughts briefly at Libertas's question, Serha eventually uttered a single word with a troubled face.
"Face-obsessed..."
"Huh?"
It was a word that could only be puzzling to Libertas.
As the Dungeon Lord looked at Serha with eyes full of questions, Serha, still looking troubled, continued her explanation.
"Alraunes absolutely love handsome or beautiful people. To the point where they've sometimes just captured such humans, talked to them endlessly, and then let them go."
"Then..."
"The reason the Alraune Queen keeps showing goodwill to you, my Lady, is probably that too."
"..."
While it was truly good information, at the same time, it was a story difficult for Libertas to exploit.
'It's not easy.'
As already stated.
She—and her own body, for that matter—disliked using her looks as a weapon, after all.