Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. - Chapter 138

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 138: Dungeons Too Dangerous Are Limited to Volunteers Only
This world contains three continents.
The Western Continent, most advanced in civilization.
The Northern Continent, with its harsh environment.
The Eastern Continent, where people live in harmony with nature.
If we count adjacent dimensions like the Demon Realm or the Heavenly Realm, the numbers would increase, but at least in this world known as the Middle Realm, there are only three continents.
“But people have always imagined secrets that don’t exist, so since ancient times, many have believed in the existence of a fourth continent.”
“Is that so?”
Inside a crowded circular tram moving through Pletika.
Merlin, seated beside me and listening intently to my story, perked up his ears.
I popped a potato into Merlin’s mouth—one Charlotte had packed for me to eat on the way—and continued speaking.
“Just look at Pletika itself. Among explorers, rumors circulate about an ‘eighth S-rank Dungeon’ so dangerous that the royal family keeps it hidden.”
“Wait, that wasn’t real?”
Pendrick, who had been listening along with us, leaned forward.
“Didn’t elite explorers from the royal family attempt an exploration ten years ago and get wiped out?”
“That’s merely a rumor. Had such an incident actually occurred, the royal family would have covered it up thoroughly.”
……
“In any case, people in this world harbor a certain romance toward concepts that don’t actually exist but seem as though they might. The Southern Continent falls into that same category.”
However, the Dungeon we were about to explore this time was a space where that very romance—which had belonged to the realm of dreams—had transformed into reality.
“The Moon Expedition Party.”
I opened the topic gently, gazing at Merlin’s wide cheeks puffing out.
“It’s the third Dungeon among our exploration candidates—the one described as grueling for both body and spirit. True to its name, people who set out seeking the Southern Continent appear within it.”
The Rank was C.
The location was the 3rd District.
It had been generated fifteen years ago.
“The temporal setting is based approximately ten years into the future from the time of its creation.”
“So from our current perspective, that would be five years in the past…?”
Pendrick raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Correct. Such cases occur fairly often. When first created, it was ‘the future,’ but as time passed, it became a Dungeon set in the past or present.”
“Munch, gulp, swallow, munch….”
“Finish chewing before you speak.”
Merlin swallowed the potato that had been in his mouth and straightened his shoulders broadly.
For some reason, a faint smile played at the corners of his mouth.
“Since it was generated as a Dungeon set in a future time period, there must be many aspects different from actual history, yes?”
……
I stared at Merlin for a moment, blank-faced.
“What?”
“Now I understand. You’re a villain in disguise wearing Merlin’s appearance. There’s no way you could know that without me explaining it first.”
“…That’s not true!”
The impolite youth Merlin let out a yelp in a public place, hastily bowing his head apologetically to the people around us before glaring at me.
I quickly took out another potato, peeled it, and pressed it into his hand.
Munch, munch.
Merlin’s expression softened as he accepted the delicious bribe, his mouth working contentedly, when Pendrick spoke up.
“If it differs from actual history, then… is the Southern Continent actually real in that Dungeon?”
“Exactly.”
In the Moon Expedition Party, the Southern Continent had existed long ago but was an unknown land hidden from observation by mystical fog.
Of course, in reality, that location was merely the habitat of ordinary sea Demon Beasts—colossal sea bison or two-legged jellyfish that could induce hallucinations simply by being glimpsed.
“Of course Mom picked this Dungeon. It sounds interesting.”
Bartimir, who had been sitting on my lap this whole time, bobbed his head.
“What’s the exploration difficulty like? I’ve heard the rumors, but I don’t know the specifics.”
“It’s C-rank for now, but that isn’t the final confirmed Rank. It may be upgraded soon.”
“The Rank can change?”
Luxerion, standing ahead of us, smiled gently and began explaining basic Dungeon knowledge for exploration novice Merlin.
“When a Dungeon is first generated, the Dungeon Management Bureau conducts an initial exploration to investigate its interior. Only then do they assign a Rank.”
The Dungeon Management Bureau, directly under the royal family, monopolizes all sorts of Secret Arts and Artifacts specialized for exploration.
Possessing numerous expensive and rare Gate-generation methods, it was a exploration-specialist unit that boldly ventured even into high-difficulty Dungeons.
“However, when assigning Ranks, the Dungeon Management Bureau considers only the Clear Conditions, which often results in discrepancies with actual difficulty.”
“For example?”
Luxerion glanced at me.
“The Hidden Ghoul Pack’s Lair that you entered before, Kar—that’s a perfect example. Honestly, it was nowhere near E-rank difficulty.”
To some extent, I agree.
The sheer ruthlessness of it—a Level 3 Hidden Ghoul slaughtering explorers who weren’t even match-rank, appearing from the outset of exploration.
The difficulty would be perfectly justified for an upgrade to D-rank, but the Dungeon Management Bureau tended to base their ratings solely on clear conditions.
“It’s been underrated purely because the clear condition is so straightforward—just hide and endure for eight hours.”
As Luxerion spoke gently, Merlin, who’d suffered chasing that Hidden Ghoul, grimaced.
“But even so, it being E-rank is really too much….”
“I share that sentiment.”
Luxerion smiled warmly and clasped his hands together.
“In fact, the Hidden Ghoul Pack’s Lair is a relatively newly created dungeon, so its rank hasn’t been finalized yet. It may well be upgraded to D-rank soon.”
Indeed, in the game too, after some time passed from clearing it, the rank was eventually readjusted.
In other words, the Socialite was the weakest class yet started by being sent into a D-rank dungeon from the tutorial itself.
So it couldn’t help but appeal to me.
“Meanwhile, the Southern Continent Expedition has been a dungeon for fifteen years. Yet its rank still hasn’t been finalized. Do you know what that means?”
Merlin nodded readily.
It meant she had no idea whatsoever.
“It means information hasn’t been fully secured yet.”
“…Ah.”
“The Southern Continent Expedition has never been properly cleared in several respects. That’s why it remains a true ‘dungeon.'”
Bartimir tapped Merlin’s temple lightly.
“Do you know how many ordinary explorers who entered the Southern Continent Expedition survived?”
“…Don’t tell me there were none?”
……
After a moment of silence, a mischievous grin spread across Bartimir’s lips.
“Quite a lot, actually.”
“…What?”
Merlin’s eyes widened as she looked at me, all tension melting away.
“If there are many survivors, why is exploration information scarce?”
“Because a Hidden Clear Condition—one that felt far simpler—was discovered before any expedition could satisfy the general clear condition.”
A dungeon never cleared via the normal route, yet already mapped multiple times through the hidden route.
It wasn’t a common occurrence.
“The C-rank rating was determined by the hidden condition as the standard. Of course, the exploration difficulty of the general condition is roughly comparable, so set your mind at ease.”
“…But it’s never been fully cleared. How does Kar even know that?”
“Lidni told me.”
“…Why does this keep sounding more and more like you’re making it up as you go?”
I was leisurely dodging her suspicious gaze when Pendrick chuckled.
“Besides, our captain wouldn’t lead us to our deaths anyway! So no matter how dangerous it is, we’re fine. Excellent!”
……
Merlin cast a peculiar look at the optimistic swordsman for a moment, then ran her hand along the scabbard [Hall of Swords] that held Astrímia.
As if understanding her sentiment, the scabbard swayed gently side to side.
“We’ve arrived. Let’s disembark.”
I led the party down from the transit station in the 3rd District and moved toward the eastern “Climbing Trail of Challenge.”
A region where various dungeons concentrated intensely.
With so many dungeon entrances clustered together, the streets teemed with explorers.
“That’s the Golden Raven.”
“…Yeah, it is.”
Having become famous from the recent Guild War, I was recognized by no shortage of people.
Eyes converged on me from all directions.
With no time for autographs, I, as a newly minted celebrity, blessed everyone whose eyes met mine with a cheerful wink.
“By chance, does anyone here wish to serve Lidni?”
……
The bustling street fell into sudden silence.
“This silence… could it mean you all wish to serve Lyria instead?”
Squirm!
“…Everyone’s going in anyway, so gather around!”
“I’ll buy us all a drink today!”
The quiet street erupted once more into laughter, chaos, and clamor.
Cringe….
《I’m so embarrassed—please find some more dignified way to proselytize.》
Just how much more sophisticated a recruitment method did I need to employ?
Should I be putting myself out there more aggressively next time?
Passing by the entrance of various dungeons along with a Socialite’s greatest source of worry, we stopped in front of a modest building.
“Before we enter, I have some words of guidance for you all.”
I examined each member’s face slowly.
Merlin, Pendrick, and Bartimir — all grown considerably through their training in the Tower of Trials.
Luxerion and Rosalia, who carried their weight sufficiently without any special training.
Abel was absent, needing to formally receive instruction in Martial Arts Mystery from Charlotte.
“This exploration will be extraordinarily arduous. I ask that you all steel yourselves.”
“Captain, haven’t all our explorations so far been difficult? Is there some particular reason you’re warning us anew?”
“Because the exploration ahead will be roughly four times as grueling as the Nightmare Dungeon.”
“Ah, well….”
Pendrick hesitated for a moment, then laughed brightly.
“Back then it was a dungeon where preparation made things easier, so if anything, it would be strange if it weren’t harder to clear! I’m looking forward to this!”
Following the prodigy swordsman, the virtuous Demon-type Being and the priest spoke up in turn.
“I’m fine with it too. An exploration should be difficult, naturally.”
“I am fully prepared to throw myself into whatever comes.”
“Both of you possess a spirit befitting members of the Moon Expedition Party. Excellent.”
Rosalia was already signaling with her chin when we should enter.
I placed a hand on Merlin’s shoulder, taut with tension.
“Don’t worry yourself so much. Would I really bring you to a dungeon that might drive you to your death? For a dungeon where one must truly risk their life to clear, I’ll only take volunteers. If no one wishes to accompany me, I’ll enter alone.”
“…Why would you ever enter such a dungeon alone!”
Merlin grabbed my arm and shook it.
Vigorous strength — perhaps excessive for a delicate Half-Elf Socialite.
It seemed she was adequately prepared for the exploration after all.
“We are entering.”
I lowered Merlin’s hat and stepped into the building.
The interior was somewhat sparse.
In a corner of the neat wooden floor, a puddle of water had gathered.
《Entrance to the Southern Continent Expedition.》
“Welcome.”
A light blue-skinned Elf guild member near the puddle greeted me.
《Ash Gray Wolf Guild member Lai (Water Spring Elf, 73 years old). Those little spirits are going to chatter away again….》
Lai, the Water Spring Elf who had participated in the Guild War with us before.
Water spirits, Naiads, that had been drifting about the area flew over and perched on my head and shoulders, beginning to jabber away.
– Kar, kar, dar!
– Kar, yah!
– Golden hair! Shiny, shiny!
– Pretty, pretty!
I walked toward Lai while listening to the Naiads’ chatter.
“It’s kind of you to come in person. Thank you.”
Having submitted a clear request in advance, Lai, a candidate for the next deputy guild master of the Ash Gray Wolf Guild, had come to guide us.
It was a measure of how Targon viewed me.
“Do you need an explanation?”
“Not necessary.”
“That’s fortunate.”
Lai checked his watch and continued.
“As you likely heard when you submitted your clear request, it’s impossible for only your expedition party to enter under the regulations set forth by the Dungeon Management Bureau. So another exploration expedition will be conducting their exploration alongside you.”
It was only natural, given that the dungeon had gone unchallenged for a full fifteen years.
“Which expedition is it, if I may ask? I’d prefer to become better acquainted with them first, perhaps over tea and refreshments, before we begin exploring together.”
“…That won’t be easy to accomplish.”
“Why is that?”
Lai hesitated, his mouth opening to speak.
Bang!
The door swung wide open, and an exploration expedition of four entered.
“The day of exploration has finally arrived!”
“Let’s do our best, sister!”
“Right!”
“Please let the accompanying expedition be properly… what?”
The explorer walking forward with vigor froze.
Standing shoulder to shoulder, the explorer’s eyes widened.
“You…!”
Before long, the two of them approached me directly, their eyes blazing.
“Kar! We finally found you!”
“You fraud!”
The two were already acquainted with me.
Veldora Iress.
Tilda Iress.
The explorer sisters of the Eyebeam Bear Love Guild, who had contributed considerably to the Guild War victory.
Astrímia, who had been silent until now, let out a sigh.
– …This exploration is going to be far more difficult than I thought.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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