Chapter 101
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Subordinates
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Demons worship strength.
Of course, differences in personality, ideology, and so on arise depending on the race or individual, but fundamentally, the vast majority of demons existing on the continent regard strength as the highest value, revere power, and yearn to grow stronger.
So here's the question.
When a new dungeon suddenly appeared in the south, mercilessly sweeping away heroes—including not just 3-star heroes but even a 4-star hero who was one of the key players in conquering the Demon Realm—and then shattering the alliance that had been rampaging through the south in a single night, what would the demons' reaction be?
The correct answer is...
"Please accept our loyalty..."
They prostrate themselves flat on the ground.
Although the southern dungeons were weaker compared to those in other regions, they still had their pride, naturally. Even demons who worship strength have a sense of pride as dungeon masters, along with their own self-respect. But this time was different.
'What the hell is this monster.'
When the rumor first spread about a new dungeon appearing in the south, the southern demons didn't think much of it. They just felt a bit of novelty at the fact that a new dungeon had appeared after so long.
Then, when they heard that this dungeon had taken down the heroes dispatched from the human city of Delron shortly after emerging, they thought it seemed pretty capable. Even though they were only 1-star heroes, heroes generally possessed unique abilities that made them tricky opponents.
And when they heard it had defeated the famed disciple of Radiance, they were quite surprised. By the time one reaches 3-star hero status, they typically have the strength to take on all but the most exceptional dungeon masters. Defeating such a hero and their accompanying comrades implied that the new dungeon's master was absolutely not beneath them.
And finally, when word came that the 4-star hero, the Iron Wall Fallen, was heading south, everyone panicked. They trembled at the thought that this insane new dungeon had brought disaster upon the south.
In the process, some dungeons banded together to form an 'alliance.' And while they didn't step forward openly, others with similar thoughts began considering uniting among themselves.
But...
"...Dead? That monster?"
Demons generally have longer lifespans than humans, and among the dungeons were some like the elves' 'Cradle of the Forest' that had avoided the flames of war during the human conquest of the Demon Realm. Quite a few still remembered Fallen's strength.
For them, the news of the 4-star hero Fallen's death hit like a shockwave. There was a rumor that the new dungeon had collapsed as well, but...
"The alliance? The alliance?"
"What the hell happened?! It was fine just yesterday!"
As soon as the news of Fallen's death spread, the alliance—which had been explosively expanding its forces, seeing the situation as an opportunity—dispatched a massive army to the site of the supposed new dungeon, only to be annihilated overnight.
What was shocking was that there were no traces of a large-scale battle or any forces moving. The three central dungeons of the alliance had no survivors left whatsoever.
In the end, the few dungeons that pieced it all together...
"Please. Become our leader."
Volunteered to become subordinates of that insane monster.
"...I see."
I looked down at the demons prostrating at my feet, trembling with expressions full of strange fear.
What they were proposing wasn't an 'alliance' like the one I'd recently crushed. They were outright volunteering to become my subordinates. Like the relationship where the elves had provided resident labor in these ruins in exchange for the World Tree seed, periodically offering tribute of information and goods.
"You pledge your loyalty... What can you even do?"
Even though they were volunteering to become subordinates out of the blue, I couldn't just accept them blindly. So, with the intent to rigorously evaluate their proposal, I decided to hear them out.
But...
"Yes! The dungeon I reside in is the 'Abyssal Mine'! It's mainly inhabited by us dwarves, and we can offer the minerals mined within the dungeon, as well as the weapons crafted by us dwarves!"
"W-We are from the 'Spider's Nest.' It's mainly inhabited by Arachnes, and we can produce venom, with tailoring as an additional specialty!"
"I come from 'Walpurgis Night.' Witches including myself live there, and we're skilled in basic magic and alchemy."
"...????"
What is this? Why do they all seem ridiculously capable?
"It's only natural, Master."
As I stared at these dungeon masters, each seemingly possessing highly useful abilities, lost in confusion, the knowledgeable Alfred began explaining.
"As you're already aware, Master, when a new dungeon core is generated, the first demon to make contact with it is chosen by the core and awakens as the dungeon master."
"That's right."
"However, during the humans' conquest of the southern Demon Realm in the past, most demons with exceptional combat abilities participated in the war and perished, leaving very few powerful combatants in the south."
That, they say, is the decisive reason the south is rated as the weakest region.
"Naturally, when dungeon cores appeared afterward, they were more often claimed by demons who had avoided the front lines rather than the few remaining combat elites."
"...Ah."
Like the elves peacefully farming in the rear, or dwarves mining, or witches brewing potions from the back lines.
Demons who hadn't participated directly in combat had survived the war's flames and were chosen by the dungeon cores. As a result, most dungeon masters in the south were demons whose direct combat prowess was a step below.
'So that's what they meant by the southern dungeons being weak...'
Even to me, their direct combat abilities sounded lacking. But their other skills all seemed top-notch... If most southern dungeons were made up of types like these, it made sense why the south was considered the weakest.
For some reason, the alliance from before—made up of just three dungeons—seemed overly arrogant now. Those guys must have been among the strongest in the south.
"So. You're pledging loyalty just because you worship the strong?"
I felt a bit tempted but eyed them suspiciously, probing for the underlying motive. No matter how much demons revere strength, it was odd for ones who hadn't personally felt that power to come seeking subordination and offer up their dungeons.
But the envoys responded as if it were the most obvious thing.
"Well, didn't Master defeat the humans marching toward our dungeons?"
"...????"
"The human forces that entered the south this time. Judging by their advance direction, their target was our location. If we'd stayed put, at least one of our dungeons would have been destroyed."
"But they were blocked by Master's dungeon in the middle. Who would have thought you'd halt the relentless human advance in just one day...!"
"...????"
Suddenly, they praised achievements I hadn't even accomplished, showering me with goodwill.
It was a mix of fear-tinged awe toward the being who had swiftly eliminated their threat. The dungeon masters, already in reverence after the overnight annihilation of the alliance, had decided to submit to this new dungeon—this was the decisive factor.
'What are they talking about? I wiped out the humans? When did I...'
I was utterly baffled upon hearing it.
I gained subordinates. Three dungeons, no less.
Subordinates each with highly useful abilities. Their direct combat skills were lacking, so they couldn't provide military support to defend their own dungeons, but they could assist in other fields.
"Oh ho. Dwarven armaments... They're all exceptionally skilled at working with metals."
"Wow! This fabric... It's so soft...!"
"Potions...? Hah! The dungeon merchants always overcharge for these...!"
High-quality weapons in bulk, clothing made from soft yet tough fibers, and potions for various uses...
'No need to give them anything in return.'
The elves who had first volunteered as subordinates had received the World Tree seed as a token of loyalty, but these guys wanted nothing like that. If anything, one could say they'd already paid upfront by me wiping out the humans.
Gratitude for eliminating the humans targeting them, combined with the demons' tendency to worship strength.
'Though I have no clue what they're talking about...'
...Well, if I had to pinpoint something, it was that they said the humans were completely wiped out three days ago. That timing lines up with...
"Tsk. Don't tell me it was Aqua?"
Right after unlocking the [Staff Dispatch] function, I'd accidentally sent Aqua outside briefly. Come to think of it, a ton of points came in around then...
'...No way she took out that whole force by herself?'
Now that I thought about it, I hadn't tested Aqua's combat abilities yet... She seemed way stronger than I'd imagined.
"Well, if that's the case, it's all good... Wait, hold on."
Whatever happened, I'd ended up with useful demon subordinates under my command, receiving their tribute, so all was well—or so I thought until I recalled the assumption that Aqua had wiped out the humans. My expression hardened.
"...Doesn't that mean more humans will come charging in?"
"S-Sir Lumen!"
On the northern continent.
In a blizzard-swept white mountain range, a blond knight clad in armor as pure white as the surrounding snow silently regarded the urgently approaching knight.
"What is it?"
"A-An urgent report just arrived from the capital...!"
"Kuaaaargh!!"
"...!! Sir Lumen! Behind you!"
As Lumen turned his back to converse with the knight, a Yeti King—having hidden its body beneath the snow, waiting for that exact moment—burst forth, attempting to crush Lumen with its massive fist.
Among the Yetis, elite upper-grade monsters born with inherently tough physiques, the Yeti King was an ultra-rare supreme-grade monster.
Empowered and even more ferocious by the blizzard raging around it, the beast seemed poised to pulverize the far smaller figure in an instant.
-Slash!
Just before the Yeti King's fist reached Lumen, his hand twitched once, and a faint slicing sound pierced through the blizzard.
-Halt!
Right at Lumen's side, the Yeti King's form froze in place before crumbling apart.
-Grrrgh...!!!
Neatly bisected, the Yeti King's body split diagonally, spewing hot blood as it met its end. The knight, watching in awe, hurriedly handed over the letter in his hand.
"........."
-Crumple.
Lumen read the letter with sunken eyes, then quietly crumpled it in anger.
-Rumble rumble ruuumble!!!
Behind him, along the exact trajectory where the Yeti King had been cleaved, the edge of the mountain range collapsed in a massive fissure.