The top floor of the Underworld Merchant Guild.
As the light from a lamp, which sprang from the Abyss, reflected off the darkness, the space was covered in dark shadows.
Here, surrounded by a soft darkness, those who were in charge of the Merchant Guild gathered.
As expected of the Underworld Merchant Guild, all of its members were unusual.
Despite being busy with operations, the reason they gathered here was simple.
Social Gathering.
A social gathering hosted by the Merchant Guild was about to be held.
The reason was to select the Dungeon Masters who would be invited to it.
“Has everyone decided who to send invitations to for this social gathering?”
Someone spoke up first. But was it because of the darkness?
The appearance of the being who just spoke was not clearly visible.
No, it wasn’t just their appearance.
Their voice also sounded strange, as if it had some noise in it.
Since everyone had similar voices and their appearances were hidden, it was difficult to tell who was who.
This was due to the magical treatment applied to the space itself.
It was the Guild’s consideration, ensuring that everyone could speak freely without discrimination, as it was an important agenda.
Furthermore, it was a place where various races gathered, so they paid extra attention.
“Will there be any new faces at this social gathering?”
It was a social gathering hosted by the Merchant Guild.
Although it appeared to be an exchange meeting on the surface, it was not merely a friendly gathering.
The Merchant Guild would meticulously record the combat capabilities of those attending.
It was, in a way, surveillance.
Therefore, the process of selecting and choosing which dungeons to send invitations to was quite important.
Inviting clueless beginners would only muddy the waters.
“The Succubus Queen won’t be coming this time either, will she?”
Many answers immediately followed someone’s question.
“It’s been tens of years since she vanished. Her subordinate has attended in her stead all this time, so will this time be any different?”
“Still, shouldn’t we send her an invitation? According to the information, there are rumors that the Queen is not showing herself because she is aiming for 6-star status.”
“Hoho, the Succubus Queen’s dungeon is not in the Demonic Realm but strictly in the Human World, isn’t it? And yet she’s aiming for 6-star… is she dreaming big or is she reckless? Tsk.”
“Shh, restrain your words. If she truly reaches 6-star, we will be the ones bowing our heads.”
All voices had the same tone and were distorted.
Unknown appearances.
Thanks to the system that made it impossible to know who was who, the meeting proceeded without any hindrance.
“Well, you never know. By the way, you all know about that matter this time, right? The Church seems to have sharpened its blade quite a bit. The damage to the Vampire dungeons is too severe.”
The topic quickly changed.
It was a common occurrence given the many attendees.
“Baalcherit, her damage must also be considerable. She was treated as a high-ranking demon due to her bloodline, but now she must be in quite a predicament. Hahaha.”
They laughed and chatted, greedily drinking the wine on the table.
There was no problem as they savored other dungeons while chewing on them.
Someone else was talking while fiddling with various exotic goods and jewels placed on the table.
Their topics kept changing.
The conversation flowed to unrelated topics before eventually returning to the initial subject.
“Speaking of which, I heard there’s an interesting dungeon.”
At the mention of an interesting dungeon, the place became quiet as if by appointment.
These were the people operating the Merchant Guild.
Most of the Guild’s profits came from dungeons.
It was not strange at all that everyone listened intently at the mention of an ‘interesting dungeon.’
“The dungeon hasn’t even been around for a year. But after the audit team investigated, they said it has already repelled many adventurers. Moreover, its transaction volume with the Guild is overwhelming.”
“Ho. Listening to your story makes me curious. Can you continue?”
“This is a report from the audit team. I’ll distribute copies of the content to each of you.”
As he said that, one report was placed in front of each person.
The author column of the report was filled with “Deputy Maltis.”
“Maltis from the audit team? Isn’t he quite competent?”
Everyone nodded.
Maltis was a monster in charge of the audit team, an owlbear resembling a bear in physique and a bird in head.
There was much discussion about whether the bird’s head was an owl or an eagle, but that was not important.
What was important was that Deputy Maltis was a skilled individual.
He wasn’t of high-ranking demon blood, so he had no connections. Maltis had risen to the position of Deputy Head of the Audit Team solely through his abilities.
But they didn’t know.
They didn’t know that Deputy Maltis was already being controlled by Celia.
Unaware of this fact, they began to read the report written by Maltis.
“Hoh… to think a dungeon like this existed…”
The contents of the report were shocking.
What was that about a year ago?
It was a truly nascent dungeon, less than half a year old.
Although it happened only once, it had dealt with a Silver Rank adventurer.
It was stated that the dungeon was trading extensively with the Guild using the spoils obtained from adventurers, and its future was promising.
“It’s surprising that such a dungeon exists in times like these.”
“I know, right? Humans have become too strong these days.”
This was why new dungeons often couldn’t last long, which was the reality.
And for the Merchant Guild, it was a significant loss.
New dungeons needed to grow well to become clients of the Guild and bring them profits, but reality was that such dungeons were crushed in their infancy.
That said, it was too much of a loss for the Merchant Guild to provide help first.
In such a situation, it was fortunate that even one such dungeon appeared.
“Then, does anyone have any objections to sending an invitation to the owner of that dungeon?”
“I have no objections, but who is the owner of that dungeon?”
“Hmm… according to the report, it is written as a Succubus.”
“Ah, I missed that part.”
When the word Succubus was mentioned, someone asked another question.
“Then, is she part of the Succubus Queen’s brood?”
Succubi, as dream demons, are not monsters that engage directly in combat.
Therefore, they live in groups.
It was not strange to think that this Succubus was part of the Succubus Queen’s brood.
“Hmm, that doesn’t seem to be the case. I heard separately from the Deputy that they have absolutely no relation. Nor does she belong to any group.”
A Succubus who belonged to no group.
Nowadays, there were many monsters that did not belong to large groups.
Everyone nodded and agreed to send an invitation.
They immediately moved on to the next topic.
“Now, the next place to invite is……”
Their discussion continued until late.
* * *
【Underworld Merchant Guild Social Gathering Invitation】
– To all esteemed Dungeon Masters.
Greetings.
We extend our greetings to all of you who are striving for the protection and development of your dungeons.
The Underworld Merchant Guild, thanks to your hard work, wishes to host a special event.
This event is a place for the masters of various dungeons to gather, form new bonds and alliances, and share new challenges and experiences.
We look forward to you making this event more brilliant with your participation.
[Date and Time]
– Time: Two days after receiving the invitation.
– Location: Underworld Merchant Guild Exchange Hall, located in the center of the Cave Abyss.
[Participation Registration]
– Injecting mana into the invitation will complete your participation registration.
– Dungeon representatives may be accompanied by their butler.
However, the number of accompanying individuals is limited to one.
[For any other inquiries, please contact the Guild representative within the application deadline.]
Through this exchange, we anticipate meeting you, strengthening our alliances, and facing new challenges.
We earnestly await you to share this special moment with us.
Thank you.
– All members of the Underworld Merchant Guild –
* * *
“So, the social gathering is happening this time.”
Celia muttered as she read the invitation.
A member of the Guild had visited a little while ago and handed her the invitation.
“An invitation…”
The content of the invitation was simple.
It just said it was a meeting for exchange.
Of course, it wouldn’t be just a simple exchange.
She also knew that this kind of exchange existed.
She was well aware of the existence of invitations as she belonged to a Succubus dungeon in the past.
However, she didn’t know how the exchange meeting would unfold.
“Even so, it’ll just be a place where riff-raff gather and gossip, won’t it?”
She could tell without experiencing it.
And they were potential enemies.
They were beings who would eventually have to be defeated and subdued.
That was Celia’s loyalty to the Great One.
“Speaking of which, it seems our Master is truly amazing.”
Celia had already received a separate order two days prior.
【Dispatch Arch Lich and Azmo to the Social Gathering】
‘As expected of my Master.’
The invitation arrived a little while ago.
But the Great One’s command came two days ago.
He had already chosen those who would attend before the social gathering even began.
This meant he already knew the social gathering was happening.
“I still have a long way to go to follow my Master’s deeper intentions.”
Celia thought with a regretful expression.
For now, she had handled most of the events that had transpired.
Maru had returned to the Master’s side, and the Paladins, already swayed by Maru, had returned.
They would merge with the Church’s envoy as ordered. And then they would re-enter the Sail Kingdom.
Of course, at that time, they would wield their swords against nobles, not the royal family, but that was what Celia wanted.
“I’m already looking forward to it?”
It depended on the Church’s intentions how her planted gifts would be utilized.
“I don’t have to worry about that place for a while.”
The matters of the Church and the Sail Kingdom were already out of Celia’s hands.
It was something she just had to watch, so there was no need to worry about it.
If her help was truly needed, Princess Irena would request it directly.
The problem was the social gathering.
According to the invitation, the social gathering would be held in two days.
“There’s still time left.”
It wasn’t a lot of time.
But it wasn’t a small amount of time either.
She had to prepare the Arch Lich and Azmo in two days.
The moment they attended the meeting, they would be the representatives of their dungeon.
They absolutely could not tarnish the Master’s reputation with reckless behavior.
“First, bring the Arch Lich here.”
The Arch Lich was in the same dungeon, so summoning him was easy.
The problem was Azmo.
Azmo, as an Incubus, had his dungeon on Earth, not the continent of El Dorado.
Celia was contemplating how to bring in a monster from another dimension.
“……”
Fortunately, a dimensional gate was created within the dungeon at a timely moment.
It was a gate connecting to Azmo’s dungeon.
“Bring Azmo too!”
Celia did not miss the timing and immediately gave the order.
In response to her command, Skeleton Knights swarmed through the dimensional gate to fetch Azmo.
Celia’s training was about to begin.
* * *
When Azmo first came here, he was horrified by the appearance of the dungeon.
It was more accurate to say it was on the verge of collapse.
– T-This is not beauty…!
The dungeon pursued only simple and practical designs.
In this process, ornamentation was completely absent.
However, upon realizing that the being who designed this dungeon was the Great One, he immediately changed his words.
– Practical simplicity is the ultimate beauty. Truly, our great Master!
Azmo received various teachings from Celia in this dungeon.
He received education related to the continent of El Dorado and glimpsed life here.
All of this was Celia’s intention to ensure Azmo made a splendid debut at the social gathering.
Time passed quickly.
Before they knew it, the date written on the invitation arrived.
In time, a member of the Merchant Guild came out of the dungeon to greet them.
“Well then, don’t tarnish the Master’s reputation and have a good trip.”
Celia gave final advice and warnings to the Arch Lich and Azmo.
“Certainly!”
The Arch Lich was always positive.
“Of course, Lady Celia.”
Azmo bowed down to his knees and greeted Celia.
Despite being from Earth, he had learned and accepted the continent of El Dorado wonderfully.
Now, Azmo was perfect.
And in his possession was a thick notebook belonging to the Arch Lich.
Since the Arch Lich couldn’t bring the Skeletons, Azmo carried the thick notebook instead.
The Arch Lich nodded after confirming the notebook was safe.
Now, there was nothing that could cause a problem.
