How to Survive as a Dungeon Manager in Another World

14 – Home Training

“Where did something like that even spring from? Don’t you think?”

“……”

Cheong remained silently still at Arkan’s question.

Knowing it wasn’t a question he asked expecting a reply from her.

Besides, regrettably, she too possessed no knowledge of him whatsoever.

All she knew was that he had recently been granted office, and that his first assignment was to Blackmore.

“He was said to wield an unknown power.”

Arkan had been fully informed of the situation that Cheong encountered while inviting him.

That she had invited him to headquarters, that there had been a minor conflict along the way, and that Cheong had been subdued without even raising a hand in the process. All of it, down to the last detail.

“You really couldn’t move at all? Even when channeling your magic?”

“Yes, it wasn’t a mere restriction. It was beyond being unable to move, like my entire five senses had been paralyzed at once.”

“…Is that so?”

An ability that could halt everything but consciousness?

What kind of cheat ability was that?

An ability that could kill anyone, if one so desired.

Furthermore, Cheong was a key member and executive of the Council of Lords.

The fact that even Cheong was helpless against it was not something to be easily dismissed.

“He certainly didn’t possess any magic.”

“Perhaps he suppressed his aura?”

“Well now. This isn’t just something you can simply… contain. And there’s no way he could’ve fooled my eyes. Besides…”

Arkan’s lips curved into a faint, almost ghostly smile.

“There wasn’t even a need to verify it.”

Luke Richter.

He was a type of human she’d never encountered before.

Especially when he maintained his composure while facing her intent to kill—it was truly astonishing.

Above all, Arkan possessed an Insight, capable of piercing through the depths of another’s heart.

Therefore, she knew humans better than anyone.

Knew they were a species who ceaselessly peddled lies.

So, from the moment she first met him until the moment they parted, she hadn’t taken her eyes off him for even a second.

“…Hahaha.”

…Not one thing that left his lips was a lie.

Not the claim that he conquered the labyrinth, nor the claim that he killed a True Ancestor with his own hands.

Not a single one, without exception.

He couldn’t possibly know about her Insight, so at the very least, she could be sure he wasn’t ordinarily of ignoble character.

“Did you see it too? The way that guy was lecturing me earlier.”

“…I did.”

“Have you ever seen a human like that before? I certainly haven’t. Ah! Could it be he’s not human? After all, no mere human could kill Arkantilla, that ancient hag who’s lived for millennia.”

Cheong silently listened.

This side of their master, so talkative, was a first for him as well.

“Rudine, was it?”

“If you’re referring to the girl beside him, then yes, that is correct.”

“That little one, she wasn’t human.”

“Pardon?”

“Ah, well, if you were to define it, she’s human. But only in shell, perhaps? It felt as if some monster was hidden within that outer shell.”

Watching Arkan, eyes shining with clear interest, Cheong cautiously asked,

“Shall we assign someone to watch them?”

“Why would we?”

“…Pardon?”

Arkan added, in a tone tinged with frustration.

“Five years they want to borrow someone, is there really a need to watch from behind like that? Just send someone from our side openly and be done with it.”

Arkan, finishing a cup of coffee, gave a short, amused laugh.

“Select them carefully. It seems we’ll be seeing them often.”

The deal was a success.

He’d solved his most pressing manpower problem, bartering away a troublesome golden goose of a forbidden book.

Furthermore, he secured a promise to deal with the Shadow Society, a group that had recently given him the worst headaches.

Everything was going so smoothly; he couldn’t help but feel pleased.

Humming a little tune, he returned to the office, only to find:

“Luke, the place is a mess.”

“…Indeed.”

Rudine and I could only sigh.

The once-even dirt floor was pockmarked, as if some bomb had exploded, and the neat office was a complete wreck, like a storm had swept through.

We were only gone a short while.

What in the world is going on?

Whose damned handiwork is this?

My head throbs.

Barely managing to swallow my anger, I saw a dark figure running towards us from the distance.

“Luke!”

A familiar tail silhouette.

It was Adina, no doubt.

“Huff… where were you all this time… leaving me all alone…!”

What is she even talking about, this scaredy-cat fox?

“Hey.”

“Hoo… yes?”

“What is all this?”

I pointed with my fingertips.

The traces of a fierce battle, left scattered across the floor.

“Hehe.”

Suddenly, Adina’s tail began to wag gently.

She tilted her head back, arms crossed, adding to the tale.

“I did it.”

“…What?”

“After you vanished, a suspicious lot kept coming around. Every last one of them looking for Luke Richter.”

“And?”

“So, I killed them all! Heh heh.”

A sigh escaped me as I watched Adina preen with pride.

That fool fox.

She fought them without knowing who they were?

‘Wait a moment.’

…She didn’t know who they were?

If they came here looking for me, there were only two types.

Those bearing me ill will.

Or, those with business for me.

If the latter, the scope narrows even further.

“Perhaps…”

“Yes?”

“Were they nobles in regimental dress?”

Adina shook her head, side to side.

“No. Just filthy clothes and stinking humans. Ugh… just thinking about it rots my nose.”

A reply far different than I anticipated.

Thank the stars, it seems the Empire hasn’t come calling.

“How many were there?”

“Hmm… ten? Fifteen?”

“And you killed them all? Without knowing who they were?”

Twitch!

Once again, those triangular ears flickered before she nodded.

“Yes! Every single one. Oh, and I found this too!”

From her pocket, she produced something.

A scrap of paper, stained with blood.

There, faintly, something was scribbled.

‘Luke Richter… disposal… completion fee…’

“…”

This is insane.

Already a commission attached to my name?

What have I even done?

“Luke.”

Ludinne, who had been quietly watching, cautiously called to me.

“Look over there.”

She pointed with her fingertip to the office ceiling.

Lifting my head, I was momentarily speechless.

The very center of the ceiling was blown out, round like a meteor had struck.

Looking up at the sunlight pouring through the hole, my eyebrows involuntarily twitched.

“Ah, that!”

Watching all this, Adina wagged her tail and proudly proclaimed.

“We missed one, and he bolted through the roof. Of course, we tracked him down and killed him, so there’s no need to worry. How is it? Neat, right?”

“But why are there two holes?”

“Ah, one was because of a misaimed spell…”

Aha.

She made a mistake.

Thinking about it, I was struck dumb.

The reason the Lord of the Shadow Union died was because he was a true ancestor’s stud.

— Luke… Richter…

— I… won’t… forget… you…

So he must have muttered my name before dying.

Just like that line Arkantilla left behind as he died.

And the cause of it all.

— Luke, huff…! Richter, huff…! What in the world, did you…!”

Must be because of Adina, rushing in while calling out my name.

“…”

I, too, was quite the rascal in my younger days.

I’d pilfer chocolates from the market, and told my family I was going to the academy but actually went to the arcade.

Thus, I understand.

Adina never knew the embrace of family love, and so, her social skills are…lacking.

Almost like gazing upon a younger version of myself, you see.

But.

Each time such a thing happened, Mother would tell me.

And what she would say was this.

“Rudine.”

“Yes.”

A good thrashing is medicine.

Regardless of age or gender.

“Don’t kill her, now.”

“Yes.”

“Just…impart a little education.”

“What sort of education?”

“Home schooling.”

“Understood!”

“Huh? What in the—Eek!”

Before Adina could even finish her inquiry, Rudine moved.

In a flash, the sound of something cleaving the air—

Thwack!

“Guaaak!”

Adina’s shriek echoed through the office.

A few days trickled by.

At first, Adina protested the education(?) she received from Rudine, but after I meticulously pointed out each and every one of her transgressions, she quickly lowered her tail.

Especially when she heard that she had, because of her actions, unwittingly made me an enigmatic mastermind. She even broke out in cold sweat.

And now.

We were quite exhausted from tidying up the messy office, but all in all, rather peaceful moments followed.

So it was, I was spending my days in comfort, undisturbed by aught.

*Screech!*

A carriage halted before the office.

Nay, not one.

At least five more followed in its wake.

‘What is this?’

Had someone come to offer thanks?

But the season for such gratitude was not yet upon us, was it?

As I pondered thus,

*Clunk.*

The carriage door swung open, and a man in full regalia descended.

The man, upon seeing me, spoke at once.

“Are you Lord Luke Richter, by any chance?”

Having inquired my name, he continued.

“I have come bearing a delivery.”

He consulted his papers, then exchanged hushed words with those who followed.

“Please, just a moment.”

And, moments later…

“!!!”

The doors of the following carriages swung wide, and an unholy amount of gold coins poured forth.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked,

“What is all this?”

“Gold coins, my Lord.”

“And why are these coins for me?”

“Ah, apologies, I neglected to mention it.”

He smiled brightly and began to recite from the document in his hand.

“Katran, Deikal, Bren, Kalix…”

Familiar names poured forth.

The names of criminals, exposed en masse upon the death of the True Ancestor.

“… to this point, these are the criminals slain by your hand, my Lord.”

“What?”

Then this is…

“We thank you for your efforts. A humble bounty, settled by the Imperial Family.”

“!!!”