It’s Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

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– 1 –

In the year she turned fifteen, Arpina enrolled in the Royal Magic School of Kakia Kingdom.

It was at a much earlier age than her peers.

“Lady Arpina’s talent is quite special.”

“But her bloodline…”

“Ah, in the face of the great path of magic, such things are mere trifles.”

At this point, she was already a psychologist and simultaneously an excellent mental mage.

“Maelthrom, be careful. Delving into a person’s mind is like wielding a double-edged sword.”

“Yes, thank you, Professor.”

Replying with gratitude to the professor who took special care of her, Arpina secretly chuckled.

She already knew.

The secret that he abused his wife and children every night.

“I’m already being careful enough. I’m still keeping your secret.”

Watching the professor’s face turn pale with a sneer as she manipulated him from behind.

Thus, growing up in the school, at twenty, Arpina became the youngest professor in the history of the Royal Magic School of Kakia.

“Professor, I have something to discuss…”

“Hello, Professor. I have a dilemma…”

At this point, she had established her reputation as the kingdom’s top psychologist and counselor.

“Who says what’s in your heart is unreasonable…?”

“Open your heart. And be free.”

Students continually visited her laboratory, and she helped countless students bring their ‘true feelings’ out little by little.

As a result, many twisted desires began to emerge within the Royal Magic School, but that problem was quietly buried.

“Someone high up has taken an interest in your research.”

“It’s an honor.”

It was because all the twisted suspects were nobles, but it also mattered that the ones presiding over it were the royal family, who began to sponsor her.

“Professor, I…”

One day, while living like this, she made a great discovery that became her new source of pleasure and desire.

“I want to erase my memories. Can you help me?”

– 2 –

On the fourth day after the outbreak of war.

The madness and chaos surrounding the southwestern battlefield grew thicker at a rapid pace.

Of course, there were various reasons behind it.

Including several tricks created by Libertus.

“What are these bastards…? Ah, mercenaries from the humans.”

The mercenaries hired by Evangeline invaded behind Mathefit, looting freely. However, their reckless rampage came to an end just three days into the conflict.

Libertus originally planned to ‘deal with’ them after some time had passed.

But fate has a strange way of working.

By coincidence, a few days earlier than planned, the paths of the monsters from Nirvana wandering to torment Mathefit’s rear clashed with those mercenaries.

“What should we do? Great Master.”

– …

The Alraune, Camellia, who was leading the monsters, cleverly waited for night to fall while receiving instructions from Libertus.

– Do as you please. There’s no need to deploy others.

“Run! Run away!”

“Where are we supposed to run to! We’re surrounded!”

“W-where did these monsters come from—!!”

Just before dawn, Camellia commanded the monsters to slaughter them brutally. Not a single one was spared.

“Let’s go.”

Her and the monsters’ footsteps headed straight for Mathefit’s rear.

Currently, Damalon’s strength was relatively high, but the humans of Mathefit needed to be made to starve.

“They’re dead? Ha! Good!”

“Damn it, Fleth…?”

Mathefit believed their end was poetic justice, while Damalon’s side gnawed in anger at the gruesome death of their comrade.

This mercenary group was notorious for pillaging in Mathefit, but they had also brought Viola’s heritage, the daughter of the Duke of Damalon.

Opinions within both factions differed, but one commonality remained.

The mercenaries believed their deaths were the handiwork of the Mathefit Knights.

The cruel marks etched on the corpses of the mercenaries felt like personal ‘revenge.’

“Here! There’s a corpse!”

Meanwhile, another incident occurred by the riverside where the Lizardmen had retreated and vanished.

In that area where supply lines were disrupted due to unidentified attackers, the knights of Damalon discovered Mathefit’s military equipment.

“This equipment… it’s the standard issue from Mathefit! So it was those bastards!”

“Wait. This is odd…”

“Let’s make them pay!!”

“Those damn bastards… messing with our food?”

The opinion that it was strange for them to bring standard issue equipment with a rear attack and disruption soon faded, swept away by waves of anger and vengeance.

Moreover, when the mercenaries heard that the reason they were forced to fight was due to Mathefit’s actions, they became even more engulfed by greater anger and hatred.

“Let’s kill those monkeys…!”

“Rip apart the dogs of the Empire!!”

Revenge begets more revenge, and one revenge leads back to hatred.

It was even more malicious in the direction of all that revenge being misplaced.

“Ah, Siena…!”

“Viola… Viola…”

Now, only the families of those who remembered the young girls who became the starting point of all this tragedy were left.

“But why is the culprit here?”

“Well…”

Except for these women, who unintentionally recalled that original hatred.

– 3 –

According to the analysis of various national leaderships and Libertus’ plans, the ignition point of the southwestern front of Kaisen was the horrific death of a girl.

This incident incited the public outrage of Mathefit and created the initial emotions that would trigger the war.

Damalon amplified Mathefit’s fury by refusing to investigate the incident, intending to provoke their declaration of war as a result.

Originally, if the plan had gone as intended, this would have ended as a small-scale war.

A few sacrifices would have been made, and it would have ended there.

Though the emotions between the citizens of both nations would deepen, they would have learned that a peaceful state was preferable.

“But why is the culprit here?”

“Perhaps they saw things escalating and simply fled.”

The perpetrator who created that sentiment was originally slated to be found by Damalon and handed over to Mathefit to end all grudges in an execution in the end.

But due to unexpected coincidence.

That perpetrator hid in the mountains out of fear of impending death, only to encounter Kamaya’s group, who had been hiding there first.

“Okay, I messed up…! Please! I was just following orders!”

“No, I should be thanking you.”

“Y-yes?”

“So let me end it quickly.”

A hand holding a weapon was raised towards the sky.

Libertus’s forces gained a significant opportunity thanks to this mercenary.

However, there was no reason to keep him alive.

Especially since they had spotted the ‘suspicious individuals’ accompanying the sleeping Viola.

“Wait a minute, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm?”

Josephine stopped Kamaya. She found an interesting part in his last words.

“Who told you to do anything?”

“Uh…? Didn’t you come from Mathefit? To investigate that incident…”

Kamaya and Josephine’s eyes met.

The perpetrator seemed to have misunderstood upon seeing Josephine’s noble attire and their shabby hiding place in the cave.

Thinking they were investigators dispatched from Mathefit.

Before the perpetrator could harbor suspicion, Josephine acted swiftly.

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Y-you’re right. But I was just following orders! I did what those who kidnapped my wife told me! They said I’d get her back if I followed their orders…!”

As Josephine calmly nodded, the perpetrator began to spill everything without hesitation.

Although he didn’t directly state it, his words were filled with implications that the root cause of this conflict lay within Mathefit’s plans.

Swoosh -!!

Immediately after spilling all his secrets, the perpetrator fell beneath Kamaya’s blade.

Just as she initially stated, it was a swift strike that he didn’t even register as a death blow.

There was no reason to keep him alive in an uncontrolled state.

Even if this information was used, Libertus possessed the power to recreate everything needed using just his corpse.

“Violence against one’s own kind to maintain power. To cherish one’s own child while treating the children of one’s neighbors, who are not enemies, as mere tools?”

“…”

As Kamaya muttered while cleaning the crescent-shaped blade, Josephine silently nodded her head.

She felt it was a statement she could sympathize with too.

Kamaya and Josephine were people who could love other people’s children as much as they loved their own.

Yet they were just cool-headed enough to make ‘choices’ when the time came.

“I report to the Master.”

The Harpy Queen opened communication with Libertus.

Her calm and heavy voice was as steady as always.

– Well done. There was really no need for a report.

“I thought you should know about any irregularities.”

– I see… Your loyalty always brings me joy.

At Libertus’ words, a small smile flickered on Kamaya’s lips.

Though it was brief, the emotion it contained was undoubtedly one of excitement.

– Please wait a little longer. Movements will be occurring from the north. If the harpies observe the battlefield, it will greatly aid Elena.

“I understand.”

After Kamaya nodded and clenched her fist to thump her heart, she said.

“I look forward to seeing you again, Master.”

– Yes. Keep up the good work.

Once communication ended, Kamaya turned toward Josephine.

The noblewoman was already prepared for her journey on foot. To take Viola to Libertus.

“Isn’t the escort really unnecessary?”

At Kamaya’s blunt yet caring question, Josephine smiled, trying to hide her reddened face.

“It’s fine. Since a war has broken out in the south, it’s only natural for the Outskirts Duke to monitor the territory, and the bandits will keep their heads down too.”

“What I’m wary of is that Outskirts Duke getting a look at your face.”

Kamaya’s caution was reasonable.

Josephine had an appearance that would easily be recognized as noble, and Viola, even more so, was renowned for her beauty as the daughter of a high noble.

The awake noblewoman and the dormant noble girl in a carriage would draw attention everywhere.

However, Josephine merely smiled leisurely.

Because she already knew a reliable insurance was nearby.

“Well then, I think we can ask Lady Elena for help. She might have prepared for it in advance.”

“That’s true.”

Kamaya quickly agreed.

This area was already in their hands.

To be precise, in the hands of a small yet grand Dungeon Lord.

“Well then, as you said, I’ll head back first. See you in the dungeon.”

“That is…”

As Josephine hesitated to speak up, Kamaya’s eyebrow raised slightly.

“Is there something on your mind?”

“Am I really of help?”

“Of course. You’ve been a great help.”

“Then…”

Josephine’s voice trailed off.

Feeling puzzled by the embarrassment contained within it, Kamaya listened closely.

“Could I ask that a reward be given to Queen Kamaya?”

“A reward…? If it’s something I can grant.”

Kamaya nodded in agreement.

She thought that it was only natural for a subordinate who had contributed to demand a reward from the leader.

Although she was more of a manager than a leader, it was still easy to understand that she held the right to grant rewards.

“Well then…”

And shortly afterward, Kamaya’s eyes widened upon hearing Josephine’s request.

It was such a simple and humble request.

“Sure.”

“I understand.”

Flap –

The Harpy Queen unfurled the wings she had hidden under the mercenary’s hood without hesitation. And lovingly enveloped Josephine’s entire body.

‘Ah…’

In the warm and cozy embrace, Josephine’s face turned crimson.

Kamaya, who failed to grasp the situation correctly, merely comforted her gently.

She thought there must be some reason behind requesting such a reward.

“Human woman. You seem to possess potential. You can surely do even better in the future, and the Master will surely acknowledge you. Your family can thrive once more.”

“Thank you…”

Josephine certainly felt that sincere consideration.

Her face, still bright red after parting from Kamaya, was still ablaze.

“Are you alright? You seem to have a fever.”

“No, I’m fine. Thank you.”

Seeing the puzzled look on Kamaya’s face, her clever daughter, who had been observing from the side, exchanged a meaningful glance.

‘Ah-ha…’

An insightful smile as if she caught on to something.