Count Parslov.
He looked much younger and healthier than I remembered.
Of course, health was also a relative thing… … .
“It’s an honor to meet you.”
“No. Rather, I should say that it is an honor to meet Walpurgis’ successor.”
The Count answered my words with a calm face.
‘It’s still the same.’
I know the Count quite well.
He was short-lived but capable.
No, it would be correct to say that his life was short-lived because he was capable.
He was obsessed with the need to raise his family, and would dedicate his mind and body to focusing on his work.
As a result, I made the mistake of obsessing over a dungeon that I couldn’t conquer.
“Are you okay? “It looks like you don’t look good.”
“Oh, it’s no big deal. It’s just because I got a little less sleep. “I’ve been vigil for two days already.”
“… … .”
Yes, he was this kind of person.
The Count took a sip of coffee and rubbed his eyes.
Then he opened his mouth.
“… … Well, okay. “I heard you’re interested in dungeons.”
“Yes, isn’t the desire to explore the essence of a wizard? “Nothing stimulates the desire to explore more than a dungeon.”
“Well, that’s right. I want to confirm the identity of the dungeon… … “There is no shortage of wizards’ desire for exploration.”
The Count laughed at my words.
And then… … .
“But considering all that, it seems like you’re already certain of the dungeon’s identity?”
“Haha, that can’t be possible.”
I also accepted it with a smile.
“Don’t you, Count, know very well that conquering dungeons is not that easy?”
Yeah, it’s never easy.
Even though the count had already invested a lot of money and sent exploration teams several times, they were unable to achieve any significant results.
At my words, the Count tapped the table with his index finger.
“Well, well, it’s true. But even that becomes meaningless when faced with the name ‘Walpurgis.’”
“… … .”
“Walpurgis is the representative magic family of the empire. Of course, they have knowledge or skills that we don’t have.”
It wasn’t wrong.
Clearly, our family’s knowledge and skill level about dungeons is very high.
Moreover, I was the one who noticed the existence of the dungeon and approached it first.
It would certainly be a reasonable suspicion to think that there might be an ulterior motive.
“Here’s what I think. “You are already certain of the dungeon’s identity, and its value is so great that even the Mulrière training method is worth it.”
“… … .”
“My son, his training methods deserve attention. But I’m not. Rather, we are in a position where we have to look at something bigger.”
What the Count means now is simple.
– Looking at your attitude, it seems that the Mulrière training method is not profitable. Tell me what you know.
But even so, it’s just a bluff. In the end, I am the one who has the upper hand in these negotiations.
No matter how great a dungeon is, if you can’t conquer it, it’s useless.
“well. We don’t know exactly how great there will be in the dungeon. Of course, I am hopeful that there is a high possibility that there will be something interesting, but I ask the other question.”
I asked the Count.
“Do you think the current Count Parslov family has the capabilities to attack the dungeon?”
The Count did not answer those words. He just smiles bitterly and takes a sip of coffee.
“Well, I won’t be bluffing when it doesn’t really work. Yeah, none. Still haven’t found a clue. However, a business partner does not necessarily have to be a ‘Walpurgis’ person.”
“It doesn’t have to be my family… … .”
You can attack with other families. If you’re going to carry it in, you don’t have to go with your family, right?
The Count must be saying this.
Then it was over.
If the Count is talking about something like this, it’s time to bring it up.
“Then let me ask you the opposite. “What would you do if there was a reason for that partner to be me?”
“… … you?”
The Count frowned.
“Are you talking about your ‘individual’ and not Walpurgis?”
“That’s right.”
I looked at the count and said.
“There is no need for an exploration party. What if I can definitely conquer that dungeon?”
“… … “How long?”
“day.”
“… … !”
The Count opened his eyes wide.
“What nonsense!”
“It makes sense.”
I did not avoid the count’s eyes.
——————
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The Count looked intently into my eyes as if trying to figure out what I was thinking, and after a while… … .
“What will I do if I fail?”
“Mullière Auror training method. “Well, I’ll just give you what I need.”
“… … ?!”
For a moment, the count’s eyes wavered.
“that… … Girl, you’re just going to give it to me?”
“Assuming I fail. However, on the contrary, if I succeed in my attack… … .”
He continued speaking in a voice full of confidence.
“I will receive half of the stake for conquering the dungeon.”
* * *
After completing the deal with Mikhail, the Count immediately returned to the room with Lian.
The count looked quite thoughtful.
“Father, how are you?”
“Hmm… … .”
The count did not respond to his son’s words for a moment and tapped his forehead.
“It wasn’t bad.”
“Hmm, I thought he was quite outstanding, but in my father’s eyes, he seemed a bit immature.”
The count’s eyesight is quite high.
If he is evaluated as ‘not bad’, it means that it is good.
‘Still, it’s a bit thinner than I thought.’
For the first time in a long time, I thought I might hear a high praise about someone from my father.
In his opinion, Mikhail was at a level where he could not be considered a peer.
From meticulous observation skills, abundant knowledge, and thorough planning.
‘But still, from my father’s perspective, it’s not that bad.’
Well, there are gaps that cannot be resolved with mere talent.
For a father who has gone through countless experiences, it is not surprising that he appears immature.
But then.
“No, that’s not what I’m saying.”
“… … yes?”
The Count shook his head with a stern expression. That was an expression that even his son Ryan had never seen before.
“It just means that I can tell that it’s not that bad, son.”
“What is that… … ?”
“It could be lower or higher than I felt. It’s been quite a while since something like this happened. “It is not easy to determine what type of person ‘Mikhail Walpurgis’ is.”
If it were simply outstanding, it would have been highly praised. If it was not enough, I would have said it was not enough.
But I couldn’t figure it out.
Since he thought he had a good eye for people, he couldn’t help but be even more confused.
“Could it be that there was something different about Mikhail’s proposal? We suffered excessive losses without even realizing it… … .”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.”
Mikhail in today’s meeting was clearly an excellent negotiator.
But, that wasn’t the problem.
as soon as.
“It’s just a hunch.”
“ah… … .”
“He even avoided my eyes at least once. When you were talking, your eyes seemed to waver. People are supposed to be like that. It’s impossible to hide everything you’re feeling. but… … .”
The count’s eyes deepened.
“… … There was nothing like that.”
“… … .”
Rian also became nervous at his father’s reaction.
“I know someone like that. No, rather than saying I know, I should say that I have seen it in history books.”
“that… … Who is it.”
“The first Marquis of Walpurgis.”
“… … !”
He is an archmage known to have reached the 9th Circle, a level no one else in the world has ever reached, and is the origin of a special blood called Walpurgis.
“Ah, anyway… … .”
“Of course, it’s just that it feels similar. I haven’t even met the great mage in person, so how would I know? but… … .”
The Count stared at Lian.
“It will be necessary to watch. Exactly what type it is and how big the potential is… … “Check it yourself.”
“What if Mikhail is really the person my father felt in his intuition?”
“What are you going to do?”
At those words, the count looked at his son with a pitiful expression.
“Let’s die and be friends.”
* * *
The next day, I headed straight to the dungeon with my butler and Lian.
“Master, are you ready?”
“You did it.”
I slowly opened my arms.
“You see, my very existence is preparation.”
“Hey, you’re talking nonsense again.”
I quietly stared at the butler who was giggling. He turned his head slightly, as if he felt his gaze.
“Yes, Master, you are right.”
“I wish I knew.”
Of course, it’s not that I don’t understand the butler’s thoughts.
I have just reached circle 5.
It can be said that he is at an excellent level for his age, but if he is at a level where he can conquer a dungeon, it is not.
I would say it’s very mediocre.
According to common sense, it is far from enough to combat the numerous threats prepared in the dungeon.
“No, are you out of your mind?”
Standing in front of the dungeon entrance, Lian said as if it were absurd.
“You’re exploring a dungeon with just you, me, and this butler?”
“Oh, I guess so.”
“I’ve said it before, but this is a labyrinth that even famous exploration teams failed to do. But what are you… … .”
“Oh, if you’re scared, just leave.”
I won’t stop you.
“Who is scared? “I just said there were too few!”
Even while grumbling, Lian walked towards the dungeon entrance.
“Yes, Parslov never avoids the trials ahead of him!”
“Hmm, well, okay then.”
I raised my head and looked at the dungeon entrance.
If you look at it from the outside, it’s just a shabby historic site, nothing more or less.
“When I first found it, I didn’t even know it was a dungeon. “I thought it was just a simple ruin or something.”
“But when I actually checked, I found out that it was a dungeon.”
“To be precise, I separately called in a wizard to measure mana. A huge amount of mana stones were observed inside. Moreover, the dungeon’s unique… … .”
“Ancient Mana?”
“Yes, that ancient mana was observed again, so it was confirmed that it was a dungeon.”
It’s exactly as I remember.
Why did the Count Parslov family spend so much money to attack this dungeon?
The reason is simple.
This is not just a dungeon, but there is a high possibility that it also doubles as a mine containing a huge amount of mana stones.
The dungeon alone is great, but it also comes with a mana stone mine that guarantees enormous resources?
Then of course my eyes roll.
“Can I just go in?”
As Rian said that, he slowly stretched out his feet towards the entrance.
“Stop moving. <Fuzz>.”
“… … ?!”
Before even reaching the entrance, Lian’s movements stopped.
“… … “What are you doing?”
“The entrance to the dungeon here is a trap. “The moment you step in without any preparation, you will be disqualified from entering.”
“Yes… … ?”
Lian looked at me with an expression that asked what I was talking about.
At that time, the butler made a surprised expression.
“In other words, it is a space that should not be physically accessed in the first place. “It’s simple, but it’s truly effective security.”
“Wait, simple? “What are you talking about?”
Lian frowned.
“There’s an entrance over there. What happens if I just go in?”
“What will go in?”
“Then it doesn’t matter.”
“It doesn’t matter. Even if you don’t do it in return, you will live 40 years faster. Well, it’s nothing special.”
“… … .”
At my words, Lian quietly turned his steps towards the entrance.
“Then how do I get in? “There must be a way.”
“Of course there is.”
I slowly stretched out my hand.
And then.
“<Fire Ball>.”
I just fired a fireball towards the dungeon entrance.
“W-what are you doing?!”
“Because this dungeon is quite a special type. “The strategy is different from regular dungeons.”
Okay, this is no ordinary dungeon.
On the outside, it doesn’t seem much different from a regular dungeon, but that’s the catch.
The interior is anything but ordinary.
“The strategy is different?”
“okay. To put it simply… … .”
I cast the 3rd circle spell again and flew towards the dungeon.
However, the explosion that should have followed was not heard.
He just absorbed my magic as if nothing had happened.
“W-what is it?”
And slowly the dungeon began to beat.
“It’s called a biological dungeon.”
“What is that… … .”
“It’s troublesome to explain, so you can just think of it as a rare type of dungeon that there are only a few.”
How rare is it that before returning, even though I searched so hard, I could only find about 3 or 4 of them?
Anyway, this dungeon is like a living thing.
Just as living creatures need energy to function, this dungeon also needs energy.
“if… … “I wish I had just gone in.”
“You become food instead, right?”
This may be the reason why exploration teams went missing and disappeared one after another.
But on the other hand, what if we first give it proper food called ‘mana’?
“Hold on tight, the door will open.”
Kugugoong!
With a dull sound, the appearance of the dungeon began to change, and the ‘real entrance’ was revealed.
