SWNOVELXO Chapter 118
– 1 –
“I am delighted to be able to show my loyalty to you, my lord.”
“Even if you don’t say it, I always feel it.”
“Ah…”
With Lan being the last, each queen completed her oath of loyalty.
They bowed their heads before Libertus, kissed her fingertips, and performed the ritual of receiving her magical power into their hearts, wrapping up the contracts as well.
After that, Nirvana made a proposal to everyone.
“Now that we have such a master, can we still call ourselves queens?”
Although she often wore a smile, now she particularly beamed as if she found something pleasing.
Everyone knew the reason for her joy.
It was because Libertus had shown the queens a way to communicate directly with her dungeon.
“That woman somehow gives me the feeling that she will make the nights dangerous…”
Despite having such a wearied feeling in her heart, Libertus didn’t truly consider it all that dangerous.
In such cases, while she could respond, her aides would act before her.
Especially Evangeline, who currently wasn’t lacking in specifications compared to the other queens.
“That makes sense.”
Regardless of what Libertus thought, the discussion continued.
Kamaya nodded and sprang up from her seat, clenching her fist and placing it over her heart in agreement.
In a voice that still sounded like thunder, she preached the necessity of the proposal.
“As our master said, if we come to own a Dungeon Core, we will no longer simply be the leaders of ordinary monsters. We must carry a sense of responsibility as leaders and, additionally, pride as demons.”
What she mentioned was the first reward Libertus offered them.
The granting of the Dungeon Core.
In other words, she planned to take the cores of the “barely alive” Dungeon Lords who had become accustomed to humans near her dungeon and give them to the queens.
Learning from Serika’s example and applying it to them, she would be able to secure at least four new ‘maids.’
“Surely, we can’t just call them leaders or heads.”
Libertus thought that and looked at Kamaya.
She didn’t think it was necessary to reject the title of queen but was open to hearing their opinions.
“What do you think of ‘Grand Chief’?”
“I think it’s too weak to give the impression of joining a new order.”
“What about ‘Mother of the Horde’?”
“Um. It seems too small-scale.”
“Then how about ‘Prophet’?”
“That title seems reserved for someone separate from our master.”
After that, several suggestions for titles came up, but none could gain everyone’s approval among the queens.
Of course, nothing pleased Libertus either.
“I have seen something among humans. Sisters.”
At that, Orea raised her voice.
Here, “sisters” was the title they had begun to use for each other.
They originally called each other by name or simply as queens, but now had made it much more intimate.
Establishing that title, an unspoken atmosphere formed, implying that Nirvana was considered the oldest and Lan the youngest.
“There was the term ‘Duke.’ While we may not follow human titles, a term to introduce our master to the outside would surely be Grand Duke. I see no other word that better expresses us.”
“Indeed, even Dungeon Lords serving other Dukes call themselves Marquis or Count.”
“Um.”
Certainly, Orea’s suggestion appeared to be the most appropriate.
Nirvana, who had the most experience with humans, personally agreed, and the other queens showed no signs of opposition.
“I feel like I’ve heard all the sensible arguments.”
“Then.”
Libertus straightened her slumped posture in the chair, and immediately all eyes turned to her.
“Outwardly, we’ll use ‘Duke.’ Internally, we’ll keep the title of queen as is.”
“But, about the king…”
Just as Orea attempted to raise a rational objection, Libertus shook her head to stop her.
“Whether you are a king, duke, or even a slave, under me you will follow the hierarchy I establish. Don’t attach great meaning to the titles others bestow upon you.”
“Yes, my master.”
Even in the demon world, they were beginning to accept human culture.
It was a statement that outright rejected that flow, but even the human Amelia did not argue against it.
“And… having queens is much better than being an ordinary duke, isn’t it?”
Pleased with that thought, Libertus accidentally made a joke.
While she had no particular thoughts, it sounded very meaningful to the others.
“…”
In an instant, glances exchanged among the queens.
‘My lord, truly. That will lead to “misunderstandings.”’
‘What a delicious remark.’
Lan and Nirvana hid their mischievous or lascivious grins behind their hands.
“…?”
Fortuna, Orea, and Amelia looked at each other with puzzled eyes.
“Fufu.”
“Um…”
Kamaya and Echidna exchanged knowing glances.
‘We have many competitors.’
In that moment, the most important thing among those who understood the situation was updated.
– 2 –
They shared the ritual for establishing a ‘Magical Realm,’ setting rules to be followed and discussing each other’s responsibilities and duties.
Now what remained to be understood was the tasks ahead.
“Orea and Nirvana have something to do first.”
“We will comply.”
“Yes.”
Of course, I already had something in mind.
“Please discuss with Amelia to create a mercenary group to operate in human lands. They will mostly hunt monsters but can also engage in warfare, so I need you to find children with excellent survival skills.”
“I’ll find some good candidates, my master.”
“A mercenary group… understood.”
The Muirmikian, being excellent at collective tactics, is quite suitable for hunting a target or conducting warfare.
By having Nirvana subjugate other monsters and add them, we could minimize the sacrifices of the Muirmikian.
If we just represent them as ‘humans’ and form a mercenary group composed of monsters close to the human appearance, we could gradually reduce the aversion to monsters in the area.
Then, whether my magic seeps in more quickly and strongly or the rituals themselves change, either could be achieved.
“I also have something in mind for Kamaya and Echidna.”
“Please tell us.”
“I’m listening.”
During this time, I brought out the map drawn from reconnaissance, made a circle around my dungeon, and showed it to them.
On the surface, it may seem simple from the map, but in size, it was roughly enough to cover the Korean Peninsula.
Of course, they didn’t truly understand the significance of it and only looked at me with questioning eyes.
“I will provide you with a human who can read maps. I want you to scout the area corresponding to this range and find out the current situation of the monsters, focusing especially on the southern Arilite Principality.”
“I don’t know how wide it is, but it won’t take long. My lord.”
“The Lizardmen are also swift and clever, so they will soon bring what you desire.”
The queens, initially without a clear understanding of the goal, nodded their heads nonetheless.
While they had distinct personalities, there remained a monster’s instinct to thoroughly obey someone with whom they had properly pledged loyalty.
As a master, that’s a satisfying instinct.
“Organizing this area is a preparation for my elevation to the elite level.”
“Is that so?”
Of course, I had no intention of becoming that bad superior who gives orders without properly explaining objectives.
“When a Dungeon Lord rises to the elite level, and it becomes noticeable, humans will try to summon some of the strongest beings from the continent currently at the warfront of other Magical Realms.”
“How strong are they?”
“If two or even three team up, they could at least draw out time against the Grand Dukes of the current Magical Realm.”
“Um…”
A sense of confusion flickered across the queens’ expressions.
It was natural since they had never encountered individuals stronger than ‘high tier.’
However, one person.
Only Nirvana’s face was lined with tension.
“You have seen them, haven’t you, Nirvana?”
“That’s correct, my lord. Our Alraune have very long lifespans. A long time ago… I served a lord who called himself a Marquis, though he wasn’t high tier. If it’s such strong beings… we certainly need to hide.”
As soon as Nirvana spoke, I shook my head.
Such a mindset would be troublesome. I wasn’t trying to truly hide.
“It’s not hiding, Nirvana.”
“Yes…?”
“I’m simply obscuring their vision.”
What I was doing had nothing to do with merely hiding.
It wasn’t about concealing my body but rather about clearing away or blinding the eyes that could see me.
Thus, the queens too must always act as attackers, searching for the enemy’s weaknesses and preparing to strike.
It wouldn’t suffice to merely prepare to evade future crises or incidents awaiting them.
“You all must realize the same. What we do is ‘attack,’ not ‘defend’ or ‘hide,’ and remember that.”
“Yes, my master.”
The other queens responded in unison.
However, Nirvana still wore a serious face and had not answered yet.
I looked into her eyes and spoke.
“My short-term goal is to make it so they can’t see me until I rise beyond elite tier.”
As difficult as claiming even human territories till then may be, I could at least numb their senses.
However, beyond that was not a possibility.
Elite tier might simply be akin to acquiring a small country.
Above that, I would need to seize land amounting to an entire nation, if not two, to conceal my presence.
“… Once that day comes, will the story change?”
“Of course, Nirvana.”
As I spoke in a hushed tone, the voices around us fell silent.
In that quietness and within the minds of the queens, now accustomed to hiding.
Without a smile, I conveyed my words.
“Once that day arrives, you will no longer be able to hide.”
Because by then, our size would have grown too large and our strength too great to conceal.
“The predator hides only when hunting.”
“Humans will have to hide from you.”
It was time for them to reclaim what they had forgotten.
Not as those who hide, but as predators.
“You are no longer the leaders of ordinary wild monsters.”
You shall be my hands and feet, the queens who will move forward with me, beasts who must grow strong by preying on humans and demons.
Members of the ‘Magical Realm.’
“Don’t forget that.”
This time, while they couldn’t properly respond and merely nodded their heads, their eyes sharpened with renewed vigor.
– 3 –
“Congratulations on your achievement! Your Magical Realm has launched into the world for the first time.”
“Urgent news! My master.”
“What is it?”
“A letter has arrived at the dungeon.”
The news came while we were checking the message soon after our second meeting had concluded.
The queens had yet to disband, making it a perfect moment.
“All attributes increase as a reward for your achievement…”
“To the esteemed Lady Libertus…”
Since there wasn’t much content anyway, I dismissed the message while receiving the letter.
Soon, I naturally found myself smiling.
For that revelation gave me one important realization while also being something I had awaited.
“Baron Melzeros and three others send you a request…
… Therefore, within a week, please send your response regarding unconditional submission with your own body.
… Otherwise, I regret to inform you that we shall be in a state of war.”
Yes. My enemies are not just humans.
“Looking forward to your swift reply.
Lord Melzeros.”
Even demonkind who own dungeons on the ground are also my foes.
And furthermore.
“Fools have come at just the right time.”
They are my prey.