“Alright, everyone, nice work!”
Celia gathered the monsters in the heart of the dungeon.
With the success of this operation, the Sail Kingdom had fallen under their control. This was a follow-up meeting to celebrate.
She began by praising and encouraging the monsters.
“Goblin Lord, you guarded the dungeon well in our absence. You did an excellent job.”
The Goblin Lord nodded.
When the high-ranking monsters left, there was a gap in the dungeon’s defenses.
To fill it, the Goblin Lord and the entire Goblin Scout Team maintained vigilance.
Of course, there were no intruders even in the adjacent forest, let alone the dungeon itself.
Still, the Goblin Lord felt he had perfectly fulfilled his duty simply by guarding the dungeon.
Celia’s praise continued.
In this mission, Necros had played a role in increasing Irena’s recognition by turning some people into skeletons.
The newly acquired half-vampire Dampier and the young Hydra were driven towards humans in the outskirts of the Royal Capital. Despite it being their first time working together, they performed well.
In addition, monsters such as Skeleton Knights, Hobgoblins, and Zombies, dispatched to the Sail Kingdom, threatened people and destroyed buildings, creating an atmosphere of fear.
“And as for Death Knight…”
The Death Knight had reverted to its original form.
As a consequence of its temporary evolution, the Death Knight was currently incapacitated.
“Master originally wished for Death Knight to remain quiet. However, since the outcome was favorable, there will be no repercussions for this incident.”
Normally, Death Knight would have been punished.
Despite being told to stay quiet, Death Knight had acted on its own, nearly escalating the situation.
But in the end, it turned out well.
Therefore, Celia decided not to pursue any punishment.
This also meant it would not be reported to Master.
Upon hearing Celia’s words, the incapacitated Death Knight wore a beaming smile.
“Instead, you will be responsible for overseeing the humans that Death Knight brought here.”
There was one human brought from the kingdom: Count Beerton.
In place of the immobile Death Knight, Count Beerton was assigned to fort construction.
He held a pickaxe in one hand.
Once the general discussion concluded, they moved on to the next agenda.
“The biggest change for us is that some of our restrictions have been lifted.”
This incident had expanded their operational range.
Previously, due to restrictions, they could only go as far as the forest around the dungeon. But now, things were different.
“It seems we can move to the Sail Kingdom without difficulty.”
As soon as Celia felt the restrictions lifted, she immediately confirmed it.
The result was that they could travel to and from the Sail Kingdom without any issues.
“Therefore, our workload has increased.”
Celia’s words continued.
“Now, we must manage the kingdom in addition to the dungeon.”
In short, they had more places to manage.
This would naturally require more manpower.
However, since they couldn’t neglect any one place, they would need to allocate their forces appropriately.
“First, Dampier.”
Dampier was the first person Celia called.
“Head to the Adventurer’s Guild in the Sail Kingdom.”
Dampier was a half-vampire.
Being a hybrid of a human and a vampire, their appearance was close to that of a human. There was no risk of being discovered unless one looked closely.
“Increase your recognition as an adventurer and blend in among the humans.”
Dampier bowed upon receiving Celia’s command.
Meanwhile, Banshees had already spread throughout the continent.
Banshees, who could control other humans, had no restrictions on their movement.
Using this fact, Celia had previously dispersed Banshees to various regions.
The seeds sown then would eventually sprout and bloom.
Planting another seed, Dampier, was part of the same logic.
They were like pawns that would be useful someday.
“Next is Necros.”
At Celia’s indication, Necros, the guardian of the first layer, nodded.
“I apologize, Necros, but you will also have to manage kingdom affairs from now on.”
“Just like that?”
For now, there was no issue with dungeon defense.
In this situation, there was no need for Necros to also guard the dungeon.
“What Necros will do is establish a subterranean organization in the kingdom. No, it’s closer to managing one.”
Management of subterranean organizations.
The Sail Kingdom was in chaos, with many nobles being executed or imprisoned.
As a result, the vested interests and the underground order that the nobles held had become destabilized.
“Upon questioning Count Beerton, whom we kidnapped, I learned that there are also hidden clandestine organizations in the Sail Kingdom. They are reportedly growing their power by operating businesses such as human trafficking, drugs, and gambling arenas.”
Subterranean organizations were bound to be a source of instability in the kingdom.
However, it was also a burden to eliminate them outright.
If they were removed, new organizations would inevitably fill the void.
Celia thought it was better to manage them directly.
Things were only safe when they were in one’s own hands.
“Necros, please manage these organizations.”
However, Necros seemed indifferent.
Rather than such troublesome work, he preferred to remain in the dungeon—
“You may autonomously manage the profits generated by these organizations. I, Celia, guarantee this.”
Necros thought that going to the Sail Kingdom was better than staying in the dungeon.
After all, great positions came with great responsibilities.
Necros nodded at Celia’s command.
“Now, let’s move on to the next agenda. Most importantly, the monsters in the Sail Kingdom…”
The meeting continued in the heart of the dungeon.
***
The special mission concluded faster than I anticipated.
I thought it would take at least a few months for Princess Irena to become Queen.
Becoming the ruler of a nation was not an easy task, after all.
However, events concluded shortly after dispatching the dungeon monsters.
“It was definitely the right decision to assign Maru to the princess.”
Although she was now Queen, the objective of this mission was to make the princess the monarch.
This required raising her public profile, and the strategy of throwing the Sail Kingdom into chaos had been effective.
Thanks to that, Princess Irena was able to show great performance.
Reading the report sent by Celia, it was confirmed that Princess Irena’s recognition had significantly increased due to this incident.
As a result, the King of the Sail Kingdom announced his intention to step down, taking responsibility for this situation. Conversely, Princess Irena, whose status had risen, was immediately enthroned as the new Queen.
“It’s certainly convenient when everyone performs well.”
The fact that everyone acted with one heart and one mind facilitated the smooth resolution of matters.
I touched my smartphone with a proud smile.
A significant change occurred with the end of this mission.
The monsters’ operational radius was extended to the Sail Kingdom.
In addition, they gained the absolute loyalty of Irena, who had become Queen.
“At this point, the Sail Kingdom is practically in my hands, wouldn’t you say?”
My owned monsters could now freely operate throughout the Sail Kingdom.
Celia would undoubtedly try to seize the kingdom’s interests.
After all, the Queen herself was now on our side, so there would be no one to raise objections.
This was sufficient.
“I might as well have them manage the mountain ranges properly now.”
The management I referred to here was closer to control.
It would be easier to manage the mountain ranges by utilizing the Sail Kingdom.
Of course, complete control would be counterproductive.
It would be enough to allow some freedom while preventing adventurers from approaching only my dungeon.
This would naturally reduce the number of intruders and ensure the dungeon’s safety.
I immediately issued the command to Celia.
I trusted her to understand my intentions and entrusted the task to her.
“Perfect.”
It felt like just finishing the tutorial in a game, but I couldn’t suppress my smile.
After wrapping things up, I turned off my smartphone screen.
It was almost time for lunch.
“Maru, please make me some food.”
As I left the room, I said to Maru.
“Just like that!”
Maru nodded and headed towards the kitchen. The skeleton soldier Koko was assisting beside him.
A perfect harmony.
As I watched them with a proud smile, a voice came from beside me.
“Um, excuse me…”
The owner of the voice was Shiel.
Shiel was an elf brought through an auction held by the Underworld Merchant Guild.
However, she was very quiet, and there were concerns about communication. Yet, after accidentally infusing her with magic via Gargoyle, she had started to speak a little.
“Uh… Master?”
I never ordered Shiel to call me Master. It was simply a title Shiel chose to use.
“Yes, what is it?”
Of course, Shiel speaking first was a great gain, so instead of correcting the title, I carefully replied.
“Uh, someone… is coming…”
“?”
Someone is coming to the house?
How did Shiel know this?
“…My contracted, wind spirit… told me…”
The contracted wind spirit told her?
I was curious how it told her, but that wasn’t the important thing right now.
“Are you sure they are coming here?”
The house I live in is an apartment villa.
It’s possible the other party’s destination isn’t here.
“This is… the place…!”
“How many people?”
“Uh, well… there are quite a few…”
Meaning it’s not just one or two people.
If Shiel’s words were true, it was important to know who was coming and why.
‘Is it the Association?’
No, that was unlikely.
The Association usually notifies hunters to visit them directly.
‘Surely it’s not an intruder?’
Even if it were an intruder, I was no longer the same as before.
Maru, a 5-star.
And Gargoyle, who became 5-star after receiving Shiel’s magic.
It would be difficult for ordinary hunters to even enter my home.
‘Since I don’t even know if they are intruders yet, let’s stay calm for now.’
I became unnecessarily sensitive, recalling the father and son who tried to eliminate me last time.
I calmed myself down and waited.
And a moment later.
Ding dong—
The doorbell rang.
“Is anyone inside?”
It was a male voice.
Shiel’s words were true.
“Who is it?”
I replied to the other party’s words.
It was important to know who they were first.
Fortunately, the other party answered my question immediately.
“We are from the Fire Bird Guild.”
The Fire Bird Guild?
An entirely unexpected party appeared.
Why had the Fire Bird Guild come to me?
‘Surely it’s not about the Monster Wave?’
The Monster Wave that Azmo had caused last time.
The dungeon where the Monster Wave occurred was managed by the Fire Bird Guild.
The problem was that I had moved that dungeon after the Monster Wave ended.
When the dungeon where the Monster Wave started disappeared, the government thoroughly investigated the Fire Bird Guild.
The media constantly reported on the Fire Bird Guild, and people pointed fingers at them.
They were even framed as traitors who tried to ruin the nation.
Since the cause of the dungeon’s disappearance was ultimately with me, I felt a pang of guilt.
Surely they weren’t here for revenge, would they?
‘But they couldn’t have found a connection with me?’
One thing I was sure of was this.
Then why did they come to my house?
As various thoughts raced through my mind, another voice was heard.
“Lee Kanghyeon, it’s me.”
It was a woman’s voice.
“This is Yerin Jeong, do you perhaps remember me?”
Yerin Jeong?
It was a name I had heard before.
Moreover, the voice sounded familiar, as if I had heard it before.
But unfortunately, I couldn’t remember who it was.
“We met at a cafe last time…”
When I remained silent, the other party mentioned a specific place, a cafe.
‘A cafe…’
It was only then that I remembered who the person was.
There was only one time I went to a cafe after returning to Earth.
Moreover, how could I forget that peculiar person?
The woman who approached me without preamble and handed me the Fire Bird Guild’s business card.
And she had thanked me and left abruptly.
In short, she was a strange woman.
Although I thought about ignoring her, I ended up opening the front door.
After all, Maru and Gargoyle were at my house. If the other party tried anything foolish, they could stop them.
In essence, this place was as good as a dungeon.
***
“As expected.”
After the meeting, Celia, who was working, nodded.
A moment ago, Master had given her an order.
“You mean to manage the mountain ranges through the kingdom.”
However, Celia did not take the order at face value.
The Great One would not have simply ordered her to manage the mountain ranges.
There must be a hidden true meaning within the command.
This was a test.
“Managing the mountain ranges…”
It definitely didn’t mean simply managing the mountain ranges.
“Perhaps you mean to hide the dungeon?”
She quickly shook her head. That wouldn’t be it either.
If the dungeon were hidden, there would be no intruders.
Without intruders, there would be no sacrifices to offer to Master.
That would be absolutely unthinkable.
“That won’t do. Bring me the map.”
Celia had the skeleton knight, who served as her attendant, bring her a map of the continent.
“Just like that!”
It was a map for adventurers obtained through Queen Irena.
A map that lower-ranking adventurers could not access, showing even the Demonic Realm.
“Hmm…”
Celia frowned as she looked at the map.
There must be a deep meaning contained within it.
After gazing at the mountain ranges for a long time, she suddenly had an epiphany.
“Ah!”
Currently, there were three countries adjacent to the mountain ranges on the continent.
Excluding the Sail Kingdom, only the Free City Alliance and the Kalrn Empire remained.
And the Free City Alliance was the country closest to the Sail Kingdom.
“What you meant by managing the mountain ranges was precisely that!”
This was a signal to prepare.
Preparation to conquer the Free City Alliance, which was close to the Sail Kingdom.
“I’m sure that’s what you meant.”
Today too, Celia, having understood the Great Master’s intentions, could not hide her pride.
