It’s Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

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– 1 –

After receiving information from Scarlett, the next morning. That is, on the second day of the declaration of war.

In the now quiet dungeon, where many of my subordinates were absent, I proceeded with one preparation after another.

“It’s more impressive than I anticipated.”

Among those, what I deemed most important was, of course, the equipment that would keep my subordinates safe.

“I’m glad you like it. As for the custom order you mentioned, here’s the prototype…”

“Right. But I think we should postpone choosing weapons for now.”

The reception of the mass-produced items was already done, and unfortunately, the production of other subordinates’ weapons must be delayed a bit longer.

Upon hearing my words, the blacksmith, with a zealous expression, spread out another item with his other hand.

“I’ve heard about that as well. This consumable is here…”

“You’ve got quite the skills. Of course, I will make sure to pay you.”

“You will surely pass through this hardship as merely an obstacle, my Lady.”

“Thank you.”

“Master. The two queens have arrived.”

In the midst of this, a slave who was one of Elenore’s family approached me and delivered the news.

It was word that Queen Kamaya, leading the harpies, and Queen Orea, leading the Muirmikian, had come to see me.

As soon as they saw me, they approached with worried looks and opened their mouths.

It was about the impending war.

“Master, do we really not need to participate directly?”

“You must deliver a lethal blow at a more dramatic moment. I’ve already mentioned this, haven’t I?”

“That is true, but…”

This was akin to a re-discussion of a matter that was already decided.

However, it didn’t feel unpleasant.

The feelings I sensed from them were closer to pure concern than suspicion.

“You’re worried that I might lose, aren’t you?”

“That’s not it. I simply can’t imagine you losing, Master, but I worry about whether something might go wrong within the process.”

At Orea’s words, I nodded.

If they were genuinely concerned for me, then their hopes for me must be great.

Trust and worry are inversely proportional, but worry can also grow in proportion to hope.

“Don’t worry. There’s no way the things you’re worried about could happen.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

I was able to nod confidently about this part.

After all, a war isn’t fought as a full-scale war alone.

“They’ve merely formed a temporary alliance; they are still separate factions. They are no different from us.”

“What do you mean…?”

“An alliance of individuals that have only increased in size has many gaps.”

Boosting the specs of my subordinates was merely a precaution for when this endeavor failed.

Moreover, I do not need to use all my forces.

“Don’t worry. They will collapse before even starting the battle.”

To the now puzzled expressions of Kamaya and Orea, I smiled.

The plan was already in motion.

“Kamaya, by the way, aren’t the blankets insufficient?”

“Ah, that’s true…”

“Make sure to take plenty more. Now we are one family. Orea, you too. You brought honey from the Demon World, so take it for the children.”

“Thank you, Master.”

Thus, the queens only needed to worry about the prosperity of their respective races.

At least for now.

– 2 –

That afternoon, when Libertus was conversing with the queens.

Scarlett had come to a different office than the usual Second Department of the Central region.

“Hello, Dark Elf.”

Han-sol, the deputy from the First Department East, which handles communication with the independent dungeons in the eastern part of the continent, widened his eyes in surprise as he met the gaze of the guest who had come to see him.

He was a promising candidate frequently mentioned as a successor while managing the dungeons causing a stir within the trading company.

“Scarlett, are you here? How did you… um, if it’s our manager or chief…”

“I didn’t come for the two of them; I came to see you. Han-sol.”

“Wh-why me…?”

Scarlett lifted her head and scanned the room.

“Ugh.”

“…”

Women’s jealous glances were flying in from all over the First Department East.

Of course, that was all it was; they didn’t directly shout at him.

Scarlett knew too.

Although Han-sol had a delicate and youthful appearance for a Dark Elf, he was quite popular despite having been in the company for only a little while, reaching the position of deputy.

“I’m not interested anyway.”

Of course, Scarlett only scoffed inwardly.

She wasn’t into men in the first place.

“Let’s go. Let’s have a talk.”

Since it was a conversation not meant for the public, Scarlett shook her head and gestured towards Han-sol, turning her body first.

There was no doubt in her mind that he would follow her.

‘Did I accidentally cause some trouble…?’

Of course, though Han-sol was from a different department, he couldn’t refuse a request from someone mentioned as a potential chief.

“What would you like?”

“Ah, I…”

“It’s about my business. Feel free to speak up.”

“Then… I’d like coffee.”

The pair, having received their drinks at the café, followed Scarlett’s lead and headed towards a room where their voices wouldn’t echo outside.

‘No way, is she really…?’

Han-sol, who didn’t know the pink-haired succubus’s preferences, was fantasizing in pink hues, while seated, Scarlett remained silent for a while, sipping her drink.

She was aware of her appearance and reputation, and she was not hesitant in using them.

The longer they waited, the more comfortable the conversation would become, whether it led to misunderstandings or a feeling of pressure.

And after a brief moment.

She got straight to the point.

“I know you are connected to Duke Astaroth’s faction, Han-sol.”

“What? That can’t be true!”

Han-sol reacted with alarm, vehemently denying it upon hearing her statement.

While that was a natural reaction…

‘A prepared action.’

Scarlett had already concluded that there was not even the briefest gap between his panic and actions.

‘Oh snap. I was too quick.’

Han-sol also realized he had been caught.

Nevertheless, the dark elf maintained a farcical demeanor of surprise. After all, the expression he wore was one of panic, and there was no need to reveal it.

‘How did she find out? This was a project we were conducting in secret…’

As Scarlett had mentioned, Han-sol was indeed in contact with Duke Astaroth’s faction.

He was in charge of the Dungeon Lords in the eastern part of the continent.

If he could successfully establish a cooperative relationship with Duke Eligos or Astaroth, aiming for a rapid promotion like Scarlett would no longer be a mere dream.

“Let’s not hide anything between colleagues. I’ve come knowing everything. I have something that can help you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“Mm.”

Seeing Han-sol refuse to acknowledge it until the end, Scarlett narrowed her eyes with an alluring gaze.

Then, she immediately stood up.

She wouldn’t mind if they were outside, but inside, she was in a situation where she had nothing to be afraid of.

“Well, fine. If you won’t listen, then there’s nothing I can do. Just know that the next time we meet, consider me your rival.”

“What?! What do you mean?!”

As expected, the dark elf was genuinely taken aback and quickly grabbed her.

‘What on earth is this…?!’

Although high-ranking positions were scarce, since he was responsible for the eastern region, advancement wouldn’t typically involve problems with the central department.

Competition within the trading company is limited to the department, and one business unit was large enough that it didn’t need to compete with others.

Also, generally, while having a conflict with a department manager from the central region wouldn’t have a huge direct impact.

Scarlett was well-connected and had many acquaintances, and her subordinate, new recruit Mari, was notorious in other circles.

If he ended up at odds with them, it really could block his path to promotion.

‘That can’t happen!’

“Weren’t you supposed to be oblivious?”

“Please keep it a secret…?”

“That depends on you.”

After grabbing her for a moment and hesitating, the dark elf, noticing Scarlett was about to stand up again, ultimately succumbed.

“Yes! I’m trying to establish a connection with Duke Astaroth through the Dungeon Lord!”

“I thought so.”

“It’s quite successful! If you interfere, I won’t just sit back!”

“That’s fine. It’ll probably be beneficial for you as well.”

As Scarlett, seated, smiled softly, Han-sol began to feel his heart racing, even though the situation didn’t call for it.

It was due to the strong aura of succubus that Scarlett exuded.

“Among the nobles you’re connecting with, isn’t Lady Quirisia included?”

Supporting the Dungeon Lords of the surface is primarily the responsibility of the Mammon Trading Company, but among those, the nobles from the surface and the Demon World often lend support to those showing promise.

Surface Grand Dukes do so to survive and expand their influence, while nobles from the Demon World do it out of mere interest.

‘There’s no way I could connect with the main force right from the start.’

In the case of these surface Grand Dukes, it’s common to sprinkle the title ‘Baron’ here and there to the Dungeon Lords they’re interacting with.

In order to nurture them for later use.

Scarlett immediately found a suitable conversation partner as soon as she heard the title of Baron.

“Up to that point…? How did you find out?”

“Well, I can’t really say.”

In fact, it was her subordinate Mari who found this out, but Scarlett chose to gloss over that part.

She knew from Libertus that Mari was keeping herself hidden.

Although it was somewhat resentful that she had failed due to her need to remain hidden, as her superior, she couldn’t ignore that there might be difficulties.

In reality, her leniency was merely due to Libertus having instructed her to do so.

At any rate.

“Recently, that individual has dipped their toes into a faction that’s hostile to the dungeon I’m in charge of.”

The moment Scarlett’s words fell, Han-sol, who had been listening intently while bending forward, pulled away from her again.

“Wait a minute. That’s overstepping, isn’t it? Getting involved in a conflict between surface dungeons…”

The next thing he said was a reasonable counterargument.

However, Scarlett merely smiled.

It was an opportunity to give him both a carrot and a stick.

“But isn’t it also against the duty of a senior to stand by while a promising junior loses a significant connection?”

“Is that so…?”

“Also, you must know that provoking a Dungeon Lord with the goal of a duke is against the rules, right?”

“Ah.”

The dark elf’s complexion turned pale for a moment, but then he composed himself and bent forward again.

This was possible because he hadn’t forgotten that Scarlett had said she was there to help him.

“Then… does that mean you’re going to help me?”

“Anyway, if things are left as they are, Lady Libertus will easily overcome this challenge. But shouldn’t you avoid being taken advantage of?”

At Scarlett’s words, Han-sol frowned. For a moment, his trust in her words waned.

“How can I trust that? You’re not planning to turn the tables since your Dungeon Lord is at a disadvantage, are you?”

But even to such a natural question, Scarlett’s expression remained unchanged and relaxed.

In that face, Han-sol felt his doubts gradually fading away.

“That’s one way to look at it. But I trust the Lady I’m in charge of.”

“Mm…”

Scarlett believed.

That Libertus would rise to the top, successfully fending off the attacks from three high-level Dungeon Lords without her help.

But that would make things difficult.

‘If she keeps climbing so quickly, my share will disappear…!’

Of course, the initial investment wouldn’t disappear, but the portion would inevitably diminish over time.

For someone targeting Libertus, that was unacceptable.

[Connect her through the network within the company. And I’d appreciate it if you could deliver this letter.]

“Please deliver this letter to Lady Quirisia.”

“Is this a letter from Lady Libertus?”

For Scarlett, this request from Libertus, or rather, this order, was something that could help her increase her stake a little.

Thus, it was deemed essential to assist with such a significant matter.

“And keep this in mind. Lady Quirisia…”

“Ah, I certainly hadn’t thought of that…”

Thus began the alliance between the two trading company merchants.

This is what allowed Quirisia and Libertus to finally meet.

– 3 –

The face-off between Libertus and Quirisia was, to be precise, not a ‘face-off.’

It was merely a conversation conducted through remote magical communication.

Libertus wanted to meet in person, but Quirisia did not, thus leading to this format.

– You said to meet me.

– Yes.

And so, during this first meeting, Libertus prophesized.

– If things continue as they are, you will die, Quirisia.

– What did you just say?

Her death.