Chapter 110
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 110
Prologue
In monster society, where strength was the measure of all things, the Seven Great Evil Caves had always been the center of power.
The magnificent mountain range stretching across the northern part of the continent was called the 'White Mountains,' as its peaks remained covered in snow year-round. Most of the mountains were so rugged that humans rarely set foot on them. Lacking the courage for the climb, they simply built their settlements around the highlands, leaving the peaks untouched.
With no humans to disturb them, the mountains naturally became a haven for monsters. Dozens of different species thrived within the sprawling range.
—And even among those monsters, there was a master.
A dragon lair, perched on the highest peak of the White Mountains.
It was also one of the Seven Great Evil Caves that reigned over tens of thousands of dungeons, a place known as the 'Ice Palace'.
<Cradle Margar>
It was a day when unusually thick clouds blanketed the mountain. Even the few dragons that normally soared around the high peaks were nowhere to be seen.
Instead, a heavy, oppressive pressure hung inside the cave at the summit of the steep, rocky mountain.
In the council chamber where the dragons of Margar had gathered, Tarasque, an elder and the gatekeeper of Margar, spoke in a grave tone.
"Azi Dahaka, our Lord."
At his low, solemn voice, the gazes of every dragon turned toward the deepest part of the cave.
Azi Dahaka.
The boss of the Great Evil Cave 'Margar' and the Dragon Lord.
The black dragon, who had been sitting silently in the deepest recess, slightly raised her head, her eyes flashing with a fierce light.
"Are you truly heading to the Primordial Core?"
"The decision has been made."
Azi Dahaka’s reply was curt. Hearing the finality in her voice, Tarasque fell silent.
—In the society of monsters, the Great Evil Caves had always been central. And if one were to ask which among them held the greatest influence, the answer was, without question, the Primordial Core.
To put it bluntly, the Primordial Core was a godforsaken dungeon. In monster society, it was seen as less of a wild card and more of a calamity.
Normally, it rarely made a move, perhaps causing an incident once every few decades. The problem was that the incidents it triggered often caused an uproar that shook the entire continent.
They were not just free-spirited but utterly irresponsible; the concept of 'moderation' was foreign to them.
Every time the Primordial Core stirred up trouble, the landscape of monster factions shifted overnight. For other dungeons, everything they had painstakingly built could crumble in an instant, making it a massive headache for everyone else.
This recent incident was no exception.
They had tried to ignore the fact that it had suddenly destroyed the Imperial Capital and then done nothing. But destroying the Knecht was something they simply could not overlook.
If you were going to crush humanity, just say so. If you were going to drive them to extinction, at least give a heads-up.
Every time Swallow inflicted damage on humans, the humans mobilized their armies. In short, a shift in power was inevitable. And the collateral damage from that shift was borne entirely by innocent monsters from other dungeons.
...Even Margar itself was responsible for overseeing and controlling the monsters of the White Mountains.
Honestly, if the trouble had stopped there, they would have tried to let it slide.
"We have already exchanged letters with the other Great Evil Caves, so there is no time to waste. We depart for the Primordial Core tonight."
But then it was revealed that a clash had occurred between Erebos and Swallow—two bosses of the Great Evil Caves. The movement of a massive undead army had been detected, and considering Erebos's forces were now significantly reduced, the rumor was undoubtedly true.
An unthinkable clash between Great Evil Caves.
—It was something that could never be taken lightly.
Judging by the movement of forces, Erebos had likely ordered the march, but as always, the problem was the irresponsibility that followed. Since neither side offered any explanation, the other Great Evil Caves were left feeling anxious.
A single possibility weighed heavily on their minds.
What if we’re next?
Every single Great Evil Cave was likely thinking the same thing.
"There is no precedent for the bosses of the Great Evil Caves gathering like this," Tarasque said. "Furthermore, there is absolutely no precedent for them to unite against Swallow."
The fact that the Great Evil Caves were attempting to gather at all meant everyone viewed the situation with extreme gravity.
"The behavior Swallow has shown is that of a tyrant. We must put a stop to his actions now."
"Our Lord, we understand the gravity of the situation and your resolve," another elder dragon, sitting opposite Tarasque, spoke up. "It is just that we cannot help but worry."
Azi Dahaka replied immediately. "I understand your concern."
"But it is the Primordial Core, of all places."
The Primordial Core was a demon realm. Since no human had ever returned alive, it was a place where wild rumors flourished in place of truth. None of the dragons of Margar had ever been there, either.
Based on past events, they imagined it to be a place crawling with thousands of monsters, where even the dungeon's gatekeepers were powerhouses leading armies of hundreds of magical beasts.
"Lord, you are the sole bloodline capable of inheriting your title. If anything were to happen to you in that demon realm, our Margar—and indeed, the entire dragon race—would suffer greatly."
"Your worry is excessive. Did I not say the other Great Evil Caves are also gathering? This is a meeting where Hexabel, the Mother of Insects; Orc Legion Commander Kurak; and Bathory, the nightmare of the Astrisha Forest, will all assemble. Even with Erebos absent, we will have four bosses on our side. No matter how strong Swallow is, he cannot possibly stand against us."
"Erzsebet Bathory's Cheite Castle is located very close to the Primordial Core. There is a chance those two factions share a friendly relationship."
"...I, Azi Dahaka, do not require your worry. Even if every elder opposes my departure, I will not bend my will."
Finally rising from her seat, Azi Dahaka looked down at the elders with a fierce gaze.
"I do not lose to anyone."
With those final words, the meeting concluded. Stepping out of the cave, Azi Dahaka spread her wings. The so-called elders only worried about her safety; there was no need to wait until nightfall.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Great Evil Caves to gather.
This time, I will deliver a warning so severe that Swallow can never act so recklessly again.
Whether the Primordial Core held thousands of monsters or the strongest gatekeepers in the world, it didn't matter.
She carried the blood of the Dragon Lord, the noblest of the noble dragons, and she had several bosses of the Great Evil Caves who shared her resolve.
And above all…
Ha! Did they say Bathory might have a friendly relationship with Swallow?
That was utterly absurd. Bathory was a monster who loathed interacting with other dungeons, so much so that Cheite Castle was called an impregnable fortress.
That worst of all vampires probably carries herself with such arrogance.
There was no way she would be close with Swallow.
Phase. 1
"Oh, Miss Rene. Are you just coming back from the Boss's room? What's he doing?"
"Um... He got caught sleeping and is currently being kicked by Miss Bathory."
"That's exactly what I expected, which is strangely reassuring."
Even as he said it, Patrick let out a sigh toward Swallow's room, clearly still frustrated.
Today was the day the other bosses of the Great Evil Caves were scheduled to arrive at the Primordial Core. Despite this, Swallow's attitude hadn't changed one bit. From his perspective, since uninvited guests were coming of their own accord, there was no need for him to prepare anything.
Cleaning the dungeon and welcoming the incoming bosses fell entirely on Patrick and Rene.
"Is there some kind of periodic banquet where the Great Evil Caves gather?" Melju asked, swinging her legs from her perch on a stalagmite.
Rene, who was busily sweeping the dungeon floor with a broom as tall as herself, turned her head slightly. Patrick took the cue and replied.
"Of course not. Something like Judeca is only possible because of the solidarity among the Demon King species. The Great Evil Caves differ in species and nature from dungeon to dungeon."
"I see. Unlike the Demon Kings, the Great Evil Caves aren't inherited by offspring, so it must be difficult to pass down their will."
"The strong pride between dungeons probably plays a part as well. Even if they did meet, it's unlikely anything productive would come of it."
"Mmh, then I'm really about to witness a historic moment."
Having finished his reply, Patrick glanced at Melju while pretending to polish his sword. Her eyes, filled with curiosity and tension, sparkled brightly.
She's as excited as a child.
Ever since Patrick had delivered the news that 'the other Great Evil Caves are gathering at the Primordial Core,' Melju had been in this state. Her lack of composure, unbecoming of a Demon King, was bordering on emotional instability.
A historic moment, indeed, Patrick murmured to himself.
He had never heard of the Great Evil Caves gathering in one place. This was a first for him as well, and judging by what Bathory had said, it was by no means a common occurrence.
"You're not wrong," he said.
Only after polishing the blade until not a single speck of dust remained did Patrick set the sword down. He then picked up Tanabella, running his eyes over its massive blade as he continued.
Though he had spoken jokingly to Swallow, the Boss likely knew as well. This was not a situation to be enjoyed.
"To put it another way, it means the Boss has caused that much of a mess over the past few months. I understand your anticipation, but we need to be prepared. After all, factions that aren't our allies are flocking to our dungeon."
Rene quietly added, "If worst comes to worst, Miss Melju, you must be prepared to fight the bosses of the Great Evil Caves as well."
"...So you mean it could come to blows."
"They probably aren't coming with good intentions," Patrick answered in her stead.
Melju, who had been looking on with sparkling eyes, shuddered slightly at his response.
"I wish they would all just relax like Miss Bathory... but you know how much the Great Evil Caves fight humans to expand their own influence, don't you? Other monsters already worship the very phrase 'Great Evil Cave,' so imagine how arrogant those bosses must be."
Even Bathory possessed a certain pride that Cheite Castle was one of the Great Evil Caves. While it was amusing for monsters to accept a standard created by humans, they couldn't exactly wage bloody wars to sort out their hierarchy every time a new dungeon appeared. Thus, the human-made standard of the 'Great Evil Cave' was the most objective and useful yardstick for establishing rank.
In a society where every monster acknowledged the status of the Great Evil Caves, Swallow was the only boss who couldn't care less whether his dungeon was one of them or not.
As if to prove his point, Patrick held up the letter they had received. The only thing written on the parchment was: 'I am heading to the Primordial Core.'
There was no context whatsoever. In short, it was a notification that neither asked for permission nor stated its purpose.
"...A letter without a shred of respect. To think they would dare send something like that to the Primordial Core."
"They're reckless enough to send a crazy notice like that without a second thought. Of course, that doesn't mean we intend to pick a fight first."
With those words, Patrick set his sword down. The next one he picked up to polish was Tanabella, which had a broad blade.
"Isn't it always best to assume the worst?"
"Yes, I understand completely."
According to Bathory, at least three bosses of the Great Evil Caves were heading here.
Excluding the one boss who realistically can't come, the remaining ones are... Mother Hexabel of the Sand Hell, Kurak of Nilkumbal, and Azi Dahaka of Margar.
Erebos definitely won't show up. His skull would be crushed the moment the Boss laid eyes on him... So for now, it's safe to assume there are three.
The problem was that neither Patrick nor Rene had ever seen them. With no idea of their personalities or intelligence, there was no way to fathom their true intentions. If the three Great Evil Caves had plotted beforehand and arrived intending to fight Swallow from the start, the worst-case scenario would unfold. They would truly have to risk their lives.
"If we don't fight with everything we have from the start, we'll lose in an instant."
Patrick, who had even polished the rust off the throwing knives on Rene's body while cleaning his swords, tossed a bundle of blades toward her. Setting down her broom, Rene caught them, bowed her head, and pulled up her skirt to replenish her weapons. The sight of her hands caressing her thighs as she slipped the blades into her garter belt was quite sensual, but Patrick remained entirely unmoved, simply turning his gaze back to his sword.
"If our opponents are the bosses of the Great Evil Caves, there's no need to size them up."
He set Tanabella down and picked up a thin sword resting beside it.