Chapter 6

★ Revmagic Empire Tent Street ★

The 4th Dungeon Exploration Division, with the cooperation of the adventurer party "Silver Scales," was steadily progressing in the re-exploration of the "Dungeon of Nine Emotions." The first meeting to compare the exploration results was held on this day. Lulusha, the head of the 4th Division, naturally participated, and Dante, from the "Silver Scales," joined as a reference person. Representatives from the various teams of the Dungeon Exploration Division, experts in magical research from the large merchant guilds, and the director of the Dungeon Management Bureau gathered, making the large tent quite crowded with nearly 50 people. Most of them were Revmagics, with only a few humans and other races.

"Director, the 1st Division wants to review all the exploration results. After all, we have a deep bench of researchers."

"Wait a moment. In terms of the number of researchers, our 2nd Division has more."

"Hehe, that's why the Bureau members are like this. The actual analysis of the magical machinery has been done by our guild."

Each party asserted their rights, and the discussion did not progress. The "Dungeon of Nine Emotions" was being re-explored to close the red crack in the sky, and new dungeons that had not been discovered before were found. These dungeons were in a state where all traps had stopped, and magical items could be collected freely. However, monsters were flowing in from the "Uncharted Canyon," and some had been sacrificed in the battles. Still, the prospect of obtaining a vast amount of magical items unscathed greatly stimulated the desires of the Revmagics. They knew the nation was in crisis, but they wanted to secure as many magical items as possible while they could—even those found by other exploration teams.

"A, ah. Well, His Majesty the Emperor has instructed us to advance the research swiftly..."

The director of the Dungeon Management Bureau, who was supposed to manage the meeting, was only flustered. Despite being expelled from the city, his fat body remained fat, and he had even gained more weight from stress.

(Aba, who was forbidden from eating sugar, lost weight. This is the complete opposite.)

While glancing at the director, Lulusha thought. Incidentally, Aba was supposed to be discussing various pending issues with representatives from other countries today.

"Regarding the achievements of the 4th Division, which does not have researchers, the 1st Division can take them over, can't we?"

It is difficult to tell the age of Revmagics, who look like reptiles, but the head of the 1st Division must be over 50. The wily old man tried to gain rights from the easier targets, even if it was difficult to claim all the rights.

"Excuse me, Head of the 1st Division. The 4th Division also has researchers. Due to the continuous influx of monsters from the Red Gate, we have not been able to transport many facilities and materials, so the research progress is slow. However, we are currently conducting a rapid analysis of the dungeon control mechanisms in the deepest parts of the 'Dungeon of Fear' and the 'Dungeon of Wrath.'"

"Oh, good, Lord Lulusha. When will the results be ready—"

The director, finally hearing some positive news, sounded pleased, but the head of the 1st Division interrupted,

"The researchers of the 4th Division are not from the large guilds here but from small guilds. What if they break something? Or are you relying on the human race behind them? If so, it would be a serious breach of confidentiality and a betrayal."

As he pointed out, the Revmagics murmured. Voices like "Are you going to entrust it to other races?" and "Why do you think we didn't invite other countries?" could be heard.

Representatives from the various national troops fighting the monsters falling from the Red Gate in the imperial district were not invited. This was because the Revmagic representatives here strongly opposed it. If other countries were invited, they would have to share the spoils.

"Damn, this is ridiculous."

As he leaned back in his chair, it creaked. Dante's low voice was heard by many Revmagics.

"…Did you say it's ridiculous? For a mere adventurer!"

The head of the 1st Division slammed his fist on the table, and the crowd reacted. All of it was directed at Dante with hostility.

"Lord Dante"

"Ah, Lulusha. Sorry, sorry. But, you know, these guys here are just too clueless… I mean, how can they claim any rights when they're relying on others to protect their lives?"

"Rude!"

The Revmagics stood up from their chairs, but Dante glared at them.

"…The ones protecting your town are the humans you speak of. The one leading them is a young girl. I won't let you say you don't know that."

"Grind…"

The head of the 1st Division ground his teeth, but Dante continued,

"Lulusha, I think it's better to say this here. You risked your life to investigate the 'Dungeon of Wrath,' which no one wanted to explore due to the risk of collapse. Some of your team members were severely injured. When the monsters overflowed, I thought I might die. After all that effort, the 'Heroic Armaments' we obtained should only be used by the 4th Division."

"'Heroic Armaments'!?"

"And multiple ones!?"

The core of the Revmagic Empire's technology lies in the numerous magical items discovered in the "Dungeon of Nine Emotions." Among them, the "Heroic Armaments" brought about technological innovation. Some "Heroic Armaments" granted the ability to fly against gravity, some the power to transmit information through space, and some the ability to warp space. While many looked like weapons, their purposes were often unclear, making them more impressive in appearance. Only 20 "Heroic Armaments" have been discovered in the "Dungeon of Nine Emotions," and they are strictly managed by the empire. This is because the analysis of these "Heroic Armaments" is not yet complete, and many incomprehensible technologies are used. In short, the "Heroic Armaments" are the strength and core of the empire.

"…Bravado. You're claiming to have 'Heroic Armaments' without anyone confirming it."

The head of the 2nd Division said, but Lulusha ignored him and raised her hand to the director.

"U, um. Go ahead."

"Let's make these 'Heroic Armaments' public to other countries."

"What!?"

A shock ran through the tent.

"The researchers within the empire are top-notch, but their numbers are limited, and the facilities here are also limited. We will lend one 'Heroic Armament' each to the countries, the Keithgran Federation, the Light Knight Kingdom, and the Kurvaen Holy Kingdom to advance the research."

"Are you crazy!? Lending the empire's treasures!?"

"Have you gone mad! The human race intended to betray us from the beginning!"

The Revmagics shouted and stood up, but as Dante, who had risen behind Lulusha, crossed his arms and glared at them, their voices grew smaller. Still, the murmurs did not stop.

"A, ah, Lulusha. Please stop making such provocative jokes…"

"Director. I am not joking or betraying anyone. Even if there is a strategy, we should do this much for the countries that have lent us their troops. Since we have not been able to fully analyze the 'Heroic Armaments' even after a long time, it is unlikely that we can analyze everything immediately. We can return to the treasury after a few months or years and thoroughly analyze everything. Our technological superiority will not be shaken."

"But, but, there's no guarantee they'll return…"

"That's why we lend them to three countries simultaneously. If one country does not return it, we can put pressure on that country."

"But what if none of them return…"

"Director"

Lulusha stood up and leaned forward.

"Without these three countries, our temporary refuge might not even exist! We need to quickly obtain new technology and stabilize the situation! Otherwise, we won't be able to stay in the dungeon for long, and the research on sealing the Red Gate will not progress!"

The director leaned back, speechless, while the other division heads and Revmagics from the large guilds glared at Lulusha with hatred.

"Oh, oh…"

At that moment,

"This meeting is supposed to aim at sealing the Red Gate, but it seems many are focused on securing armaments."

An old Revmagic with deep wrinkles entered the tent. Everyone here knew who he was. He was the director of the Foreign Affairs Bureau, who handled all interactions with other countries. The director of the Dungeon Management Bureau knew that he had unparalleled skills in diplomacy. He swallowed hard, unsure if the appearance of this man was fortunate or unfortunate.

"Aba, the guests."

"Yes. —Please come this way."

Behind the director of the Foreign Affairs Bureau, Aba, who followed like an attendant, led in—everyone's eyes widened—a rabbit. A giant rabbit. The rabbit was wearing a hat and ceremonial robes.

"Ah, everyone, I am El G Larun, a Special Priest of the Kurvaen Holy Kingdom's 'Altar Management Bureau.' I believe this is the first time for everyone, but if there are any familiar faces, I apologize. Ah, it's nice to meet you all."

The rabbit bowed.

"I am here to inform you about the connection to the 'Underworld' and to offer my assistance in destroying the crack that connects the worlds."