Chapter: 320
The quest failed due to the dungeon being conquered, and as a result, penalties would be imposed.
When I saw that phrase, I neither despaired nor felt defeated.
From the moment I decided to protect my pride rather than clear the quest given by the Lord, this outcome was destined.
I never imagined that the dungeon would be conquered not by the method I designed but by sheer force.
Hmmm… My feelings are quite mixed.
Honestly, I am happy to see how strong my friends have become after all their hard work.
Frey has become strong enough to face a boss based on Karl’s swordsmanship without retreating even an inch.
Arthur showcased what it means to be a versatile magical swordsman, moving between the front lines and the rear.
Phoebe has elevated her divine magic to a higher level by adding her knowledge of regular magic.
Joy has proven her desperate efforts by neutralizing the magic that was designed to be lethal.
The sight of these people, much stronger than I originally imagined, filled me with pride.
If it weren’t for the fact that they crushed the dungeon I created with their newfound strength, I would have been genuinely smiling with ease.
Sigh…
What kind of penalties will be imposed?
Something shameful from my past that I tried to do as a prank?
Or maybe a reenactment of Toto LOL?
If not, will I have to wear Lucy’s old dress?
Reflecting on the past, various horrible things that the perverted Lord wanted to gift me rushed through my mind.
Is this trash really what they call a God who wishes to see his apostle get schooled?
The future of this world looks dark.
Ah! Seriously!
Whatever it is, hurry up and reveal the punishment!
This moment of anxiety is the most annoying!
Since I don’t know what will come, all kinds of thoughts cross my mind!
Could it be that he is aiming for this too?!
Is he enjoying watching me act all restless?!
It’s terrifying because it seems very likely! You perverted Lord!
“Lady Allen.”
As I was expressing my hatred towards the perverted Lord in my mind, the dungeon studies professor tore his gaze from the screen and spoke.
“Did you expect it to be conquered this way? The dialogue is different from the original conquest.”
‘Of course.’
“Why would I ask if it’s obvious? Tsk. That’s why you’re a dumb professor.”
Of course, what I hoped for was to see the perfect end of the dungeon by using gimmicks, but aside from that, I also included scenarios where the dungeon could be conquered without using gimmicks.
I am the one who used every method to mess with dungeon creators in the past.
I knew well how far those conquering the dungeon could go in extraordinary manners, so I couldn’t be fully confident that everything would go as planned.
I expected variables to arise, and I included what might happen at that moment in the design.
It’s disheartening when you work hard to conquer something but find you’re stuck because it’s not the normal method.
I can’t let anyone have such an experience in the perfect dungeon I created.
“You’re quite meticulous.”
‘It’s nothing special.’
“You call that meticulous? Just how stupid is this self-proclaimed professor? Total loser.”
“Hahaha. I’m in the position to evaluate. If there are hidden paths, it makes scoring difficult, you know.”
The dungeon studies professor offered a bitter smile and shared about the scores Arthur and his party would receive.
They had conquered all the floors other than the 5th one just fine, so that would be recognized normally, but not the 5th floor.
Since they proceeded through the dungeon while disregarding the gimmicks meant to test their ability to conquer gimmicks, their conquest of the 5th floor would not be acknowledged in terms of evaluation.
“That’s why, usually, if the progress is not normal, it results in a blockage. So they can realize it’s wrong and challenge it again.”
…Wait a minute. So by the dungeon studies professor’s words, they wouldn’t realize they made a mistake because I created a separate ending?
“I must state that you cannot inform them of this. That would be considered corruption.”
‘R-Right?’
“Hmph. How mischievous. That’s why you end up becoming an auntie with wrinkles.”
“…I’m not at an age where I’d be called an aunt yet.”
While the dungeon studies professor trembled at being called old, I looked with wavering eyes at the people joyfully sharing their voices at the end of the dungeon.
It… should be fine, right?
Even if they get some points deducted, they won’t lose their rank in the dungeon studies exam.
Who among the 1st years could achieve a score higher than them?
Yes. Ultimately, the results won’t change.
Then it’s not my fault either.
– Ding!
What is it, Shoddy God?
Has the content of the punishment finally been decided?
What exactly do you want to see?
I’m curious about what you want to make me do to satisfy your perverted preferences.
Think carefully. If something truly bizarre pops out, I might just turn into something else!
[As a penalty for failing the quest, you must fulfill the wishes of the first conquerors of the dungeon. (Anything)]
The first conquerors of the dungeon would be them, right?
Arthur, Joy, Phoebe, and Frey.
Hahaha. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but you chose the wrong punishment.
I have a bet with them, so I have to comply with their wishes anyway.
A penalty that’s the same whether it’s there or not.
If the Shoddy God truly wants to torment me, I thought he would demand something outrageous, but it’s just this?
Am I really calling you Shoddy God over and over, and you’ve turned into one?!
Looking at the penalty given by Shoddy God made me scoff, but suddenly I stiffened at the phrase (Anything) added at the end.
Wait.
Let’s think this through again.
Could it be that Shoddy God wasn’t aware of the bet I made with them?
That couldn’t be!
The Shoddy God is a completely creepy stalker!
It wouldn’t be weird at all for that creep to be ogling me while I shower!
So, if he gave this as a penalty, he must have some intention behind it.
Anything.
I must grant whatever they desire.
Forced by the penalty.
…This is a dangerously risky penalty.
Just think about it!
What if that right fell into the hands of the Sloppy Fox? What would happen then!?
Imagining the Sloppy Fox licking her lips made me unconsciously hug myself.
I know. They won’t make some awful request like the Sloppy Fox or Perverted Apostle.
But life is never as we think it is!
You can see that just by looking at the dungeon I created!
The dungeon designed to be unbeatable without using gimmicks was smashed by mere personal force!
When common sense breaks, it no longer has any meaning!
As soon as someone makes a bizarre request as if joking, that’s it for me!
To think that those whom I call friends would try to shatter my dignity.
Is this what they call a God?
Is this what the center of the divine beings is really like?!
Hey! Gods! Is this okay!?
Is it fine that such a wicked pervert represents you?!
As I shivered at the wickedness of Shoddy God, I heard Arthur’s party talking in my ear.
“We’ve rested enough, so shall we head outside? We need to inform Lucy Allen about our victory.”
“Hehe. Finally, I’ll get to fulfill one of my dreams!”
“A dream? Joy, what on earth are you planning to ask Lucy Allen?”
I’m curious too, Joy!
What are you planning to ask, that you can achieve your dream?!
Why are you blushing slightly and hesitating in your speech?!
Don’t tell me you’ve become some weirdos like the Sloppy Fox or the Perverted Apostle?!
Please say it isn’t so!
“Um… Shouldn’t you tell us what the prince wants first?”
“Me? It’s nothing much. I was thinking of making Lucy Allen apologize while kneeling.”
That guy won’t say sorry for the rest of his life unless forced to, so Arthur would surely make him apologize for all those times he teased her and misbehaved.
The moment Arthur’s statement finished, the gaze of the three people looking at him, including myself, turned icy cold.
That guy, all along pretending to be magnanimous, had been harboring all those grievances deep inside.
How petty.
What a poor little prince with a small heart.
“What? Given what I’ve suffered at the hands of Lucy Allen, can’t I wish for this much?!”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Yes. Indeed, Third Prince. They might want an apology.”
“…I’ll respect that then. Prince.”
“Don’t look at me like that! Don’t view me with such pity!”
Thinking that if this goes on, they wouldn’t be able to change the mood, Arthur suddenly pointed at Joy, raising his voice.
“Joy! What about you? What do you plan to ask?! Since you look at me with pity, it must be something normal, right?!”
“Huh? Me?!”
“You started the conversation as you had wished! So you better speak! Hurry!”
“I-I was thinking of asking Lady Allen to have fun in the capital together.”
Under the relentless inquiry, Joy stammered out her answer, but Arthur’s eyes didn’t soften at all.
“That’s all? That can’t be it! Tell the truth!”
“I really mean it! I…”
“Joy Partlan!”
Joy, who was so red that she didn’t even think to hide her face with her fan, flailed her eyes around before finally bowing her head in a dejected voice and confessed the truth.
“I… I wanted to decorate Lady Allen as I pleased and ask her to decorate me as well. It’s been my dream for a long time.”
That’s it?
After she finished, not daring to lift her head, it seemed genuine enough.
Puhahah. Ah, seriously. How cute.
If it’s such a request, I can agree without needing to say anything…
Wait a second.
Are you planning to choose my clothes for me?
Not with help from others, but doing it yourself?
With an appearance like a villainess but a girly heart?
For a moment, a horrific scene crossed my mind, but it didn’t solidify.
Before that, Arthur, who finally regained his senses, continued talking.
“Is that your dream?”
“Yes! Most noble ladies are uncomfortable with me. I know how difficult they would be if I asked for something like this, so how could I make that request?”
“You do have a point.”
Arthur, who was initially pressing her for similar flaws, found pure-hearted innocence in her words and seemed at a loss for what to say.
“W-What about you, Frey? What do you want?!”
In the end, instead of managing it, he chose to divert the topic.
This is strange. Arthur seemed to be a decent character in the game, but how did he turn into this gag character?
Is this my influence? Did I do something wrong?
“Me?”
“Yeah! I mean you!”
“It’s about me. I would like compliments. Well done. Amazing. If you call me a genius, I would feel genuinely great.”
Hearing Frey’s words about how she’d feel warm if I stroked her head and said those things, I couldn’t help but cover my face with both hands.
You are too pure! Frey!
When did you become such a sweet child, showing that kind of content expression?!
It seems the destructive power of Frey’s innocence affected the others in the dungeon as well.
Arthur looked utterly frozen, unable to even think of pressing her further.
“Everyone?”
In that moment of silence, Phoebe, who had been a bystander until now, quietly spoke up.
“Shall we head out now? There might be people waiting for us outside.”
“Ah. Right. This dungeon drew a lot of attention. There will be those waiting for the first conqueror.”
Just as Phoebe’s gentle and calm voice seemed to soothe the situation, Joy suddenly raised her head vigorously.
With a fierce expression that seemed to overflow with embarrassment, her eyes bore the same maliciousness befitting a villainess, enough to make even Frey take a step back.
“Are you trying to just slip away on your own, Phoebe?!”
“Huh? No! I just…”
“Speak immediately! What do you want to ask of Lady Allen?”
Seeing Joy take steps closer, Phoebe’s face turned pale as she looked around, but Arthur and Frey had already retreated a good distance back.
“Don’t touch that. Frey.”
“…Yeah. It certainly feels that way.”
Left alone, Phoebe began to back away from Joy, but her escape met its end when her back hit the wall.
“That’s strange. The Phoebe I know isn’t someone who tries to survive on her own.”
“Joy? It’s not like that at all! There are many people waiting outside right now.”
“Oh really? Then it seems you should quickly tell me.”
“Wha…?”
Phoebe looked like she didn’t really want to talk, but she had no choice.
Having just revealed her inner feelings, Joy was already in a state of lost reasoning.
“Um. So…”
“Come on, faster.”
“What I wanted to ask was….”
“You said we can’t keep people waiting, right?”
“I wanted to ask you to pray for me… aaaaaah!”
Once Phoebe, cornered with teary eyes, finally revealed the truth, Joy wore a satisfied smile.
“Good. Isn’t it better to speak the truth from the start?”
…Let’s not tease Joy anymore.
She’s genuinely getting angry, and it’s terrifying.
Overcoming fear and all that, I might end up saying, “I’m sorry.”
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