The Serpent That Devours Worship (1)
After the meal with Bedin—our first in a year, and an extravagantly luxurious one that felt almost entirely new to me—we wrapped up.
He told me he'd have everything I wanted ready within two days, so I should rest easy.
"In that case, Harka mentioned something about the dungeon. I'll go handle that," I replied.
Somehow, that led to me heading toward the new dungeon that had appeared in Bezeina County, with none other than Rihella Leyseras tagging along.
"Wow... A dungeon city really is something else," Rihella marveled, her face far more lively than it had been four days ago as she looked around.
"No dungeons in the kingdom's noble houses?"
"Well... Leyseras had a couple of dungeon cities, but they weren't very cooperative with the royals because of the dungeons."
"...Yeah, makes sense. Why cooperate with the royals if you've got a dungeon?"
Not some minor royal family, but if they wanted, they could ally with the kingdom coalition for immense connections.
Or join the merchant council for vast wealth.
Or even side with the Genos Empire for tremendous power. Who'd want to stay under the kingdom's thumb?
I shifted my gaze forward again and said, "Still, Your Highness has both eyes intact, so you can take in the whole world with your own sight. Unfortunately, I've never once seen this world's scenery in my life."
"Ah... You're right. I'm sorry..."
Misreading my hint as something serious, the princess quickly grew gloomy.
Her reaction caught me off guard.
...Was this not the right way to joke?
Having dealt only with rough mercenaries, lunatic adventurers, and illiterate slave traders less educated than me, I'd gotten excited at the chance for normal conversation and tried a little humor...
Apparently, it didn't fit the mood? I'd blurted out the joke too earnestly, without reading the room.
"Uh... I didn't mean it like that—don't apologize. It's just been forever since I talked to someone where conversation actually flows normally, so I tried cracking a joke."
"......"
As I waved my one good right hand, genuinely flustered, I sensed Rihella—who'd been trudging behind with her head down—lift her gaze to me.
Her stare felt like she was observing some exotic new creature.
Then, suddenly covering her mouth with a muffled pfft, she burst into delighted laughter she couldn't hold back.
"Ahaha! Haha!"
Half flustered, half relieved at her clutching her stomach and laughing out loud, I awkwardly scratched my cheek.
After laughing for a good while until tears welled in her eyes, Rihella wiped them away, caught her breath, and spoke.
"Sorry. I laughed too loud. I always thought Sword Masters were these transcendent beings who surpassed humans in every way... Seeing you, Leon, I realize you're just like any normal person."
Her voice held no mockery or condescension—just pure curiosity and relief.
"...This appearance throws people off, but my dream is just to live treated like a normal guy. No need to be so scared."
"Hehe, got it. I'll treat you completely normally from now on."
The awkward, slightly uncomfortable air from moments ago vanished like mist, replaced by a much softer vibe as we resumed walking and chatting about trivial things.
We were making good progress in that pleasant atmosphere when Harka, walking ahead with some territory guards, slowed to fall in beside me.
He glanced at me and the princess, then cleared his throat loudly.
"Ahem, sorry to ruin the mood, but it's about time I explained the dungeon situation."
I eyed him after his light cough opener.
"I was just about to ask. What's the deal with that dungeon that made you beg for my help the second you saw me?"
Unlike his usual cheeky self, Harka checked the guards' glances at my blunt question.
Then he leaned in uncomfortably close, whispering low.
"The new dungeon outside Bezeina territory... It's a whopping 5-star."
"Five stars?"
A 5-star? The empire itself would move on that without batting an eye.
"Yeah. And it's not some simple cave or ruin—it's a maze-type temple with a ridiculously complex layout."
His breath carried thick greed and excitement.
...This feels kinda gross.
Harka glanced around again, swallowed dryly, and continued.
"Know what that means? Develop the paths right, and you could rake in a whole year's taxes from average nobles in just one month by breathing."
"Damn, a year's taxes? That's like 15,000 gold on average. Insane."
As a former merchant, no need to doubt his math.
But if it's that profitable, why drag me in?
Before I could voice it, Harka beat me to it.
"But we can't open the door to the boss room on the final floor. Hired a high-level Aura User and a 5-circle mage at top coin, threw everything at it—no scratch on the door. No answers, so we were sweating bullets thinking we needed a Sword Master's power..."
He clapped my shoulder with a grin.
"Perfect timing—you show up. So, can you lend a hand?"
"......"
I pondered seriously without breaking stride.
A 5-star maze temple dungeon in Bezeina County.
Not mentioned in the original story, but 5-star changes everything.
Temple mazes especially—the rewards were on another level.
If I could snag solid compensation for opening the boss room with a bit of effort?
Useful opportunities were always better for hunting other disasters ahead.
And securing travel funds mattered too.
I flashed a friendly smile.
"...Sure. For the first clear reward, I'll take three hidden items of my choice."
Harka's breath hitched at my bold demand.
"You punk! Three hidden rewards from a 5-star? That's nearly half! Screw it—generous me says two! Two it is."
"Okay."
Snap.
I thrust my remaining right hand right in his face.
"Deal."
"Uh, wha...?"
Stunned by my instant response, Harka dazedly clasped my hand like he was possessed.
I'd aimed for two from the start—calling three was merchant negotiation 101: start high.
With solid rewards locked in, I quickened my pace.
"Alright, deal's done. Let's move."
Harka groaned belatedly realizing he'd caved too easy, but I brushed it off and hurried on.
All learned from you, old man.
As we climbed toward the mountainside near the southern castle where the dungeon sat, the air flow shifted noticeably.
The biggest change: my always-active protective aura resonated with the dungeon's alien mana, glowing faintly. Every step pulsed with foreign vibrations.
Signaling a seriously powerful dungeon nearby.
And soon.
"......"
I stopped at a certain point.
My cloth-covered vision was pitch black, but echolocation revealed a massive something yawning open ahead.
A huge entrance to an ancient stone temple thrusting from the ruined mountainside.
Even I, a Sword Master, felt a chest-tightening wave of overwhelming mana pulses, laced with a sticky, alien aura leaking out.
"We're here!"
"Then we'll control adventurer access until the three of you emerge, per Bedin's orders!"
The dozen or so territory guards with us fanned out like sentinels around the entrance, weapons raised.
Satisfied, Harka turned to me and Rihella.
"Ready to head in, Leon?"
"Ask Her Highness, not me."
"Your Highness, prepared?"
"...Y-Yes!?"
Rihella, who'd been staring blankly at the entrance, startled to attention at Harka's question.
She glanced between Harka and me a few times, then nodded slightly.
"O-Okay. Whatever happens, Leon will protect me... right?"
"Obviously. At least until you get all the info you want, I plan to keep Your Highness alive."
"...Joking, right?"
"Joke."
Rihella sighed in relief.
Satisfied with landing a proper joke this time, I suppressed a smirk and comforted her lingering gloom.
"Real joke. I've taken responsibility, so I'll ensure not a scratch on your noble person."
"...Thank you."
"Alright! Talk's done—time to enter."
We slowly advanced toward the temple entrance.
At the same time, Harka sidled up, glancing at Rihella before whispering in my ear.
"Hey, Leon, you punk... You really can't see?"
"What're you on about suddenly?"
"How'd you snag such a beauty?"
"Didn't snag. But is Princess Rihella that gorgeous?"
Truth be told, I'd been curious about her looks.
Knight and maids would just gush biased praise.
Harka smacked my arm like I'd said something stupid.
"Idiot, she's the famed Leyseras morning star! Hair embracing the dawn just before sunrise! Blue eyes like stars plucked from the night sky!"
"...What kinda cringey nicknames are those? Anyway, conclusion: princess is pretty?"
"Yes, you fool! So treat her right! Don't go falling for some well-kept 40-something again just from rough face shape!"
"Damn it, Harka. That was four years ago. I was immature. Mention it again, and I'll drown you in this dungeon."
"...Sorry."
