How to Survive as a Dungeon Manager in Another World

Episode 28 – Change

A chilling silence descended.

A silence so icy and suffocating.

While everyone, including Balkan, stared in this direction, I was still gazing at the man before me.

‘…Effective, isn’t it?’

To describe my current state: absolute invincibility.

Or, more accurately, a state of complete stasis.

That is, the fist of the man trapped within my grasp had been imprisoned within a zone of stillness.

It was pointless to twist it with strength beyond reason, or to try and forcibly extract it by summoning magic.

Because the very space enveloping his fist had been frozen in time.

‘…I should probably stop soon.’

It was an ability almost fraudulent in its power, but I lacked the mental stamina to maintain it indefinitely.

More than anything, it seemed if he held on any longer, the brute would lose his temper and hack off his own arm.

Unless I wanted him as an enemy for all eternity, there was no need to push things to the bitter end.

So, releasing the flow of time only around my face, I opened my lips in a low voice.

“Is the confirmation complete, Kwon Seong?”

“……”

He stared at me, his face a horrifying grimace.

Balkan, along with over twenty Arcana operatives, and even a Third Lord.

Here, surrounded by power bordering on a disaster, I was blatantly bluffing.

Accompanied, of course, by an overwhelmingly convincing performance.

The reaction was… unique.

Balkan stared back and forth between me and the Third Lord with a look of shock, as did the others.

The Third Lord, unable to contain his fury, exhaled roughly, then creased his brow as if disgusted.

“…Enough.”

He spoke with a voice as massive as his frame.

“Let’s stop this.”

He glared at me with eyes full of both bewilderment and rage, but his voice, unlike before, was calm.

Once his mind was made up, he never went back on it; he’d clearly accepted the outcome.

Releasing the flow of time, Kallen abruptly withdrew his right arm, revealing the stripped flesh and twisted joints beneath.

Soon enough, his unique regenerative abilities began to mend the damage.

Kallen glanced at his dangling right arm, then suddenly burst into loud laughter.

The earth seemed to tremble with his hearty roar, leaving everyone around him dumbfounded.

Finally ceasing his laughter, he turned to me.

The murderous glint that had filled his eyes was now replaced with eager interest, and a meaningful smile played on his lips.

“You’re no ordinary human, are you.”

Our eyes met.

In his vivid gaze, a fiery competitive spirit flickered like flames.

Straightforward and magnanimous, a man who kept his word no matter what.

He was exactly as I remembered him from the original story.

“I expected the Archlord wouldn’t coddle you for no reason, but this is beyond my imagination.”

I remained silent, saying nothing.

Whether Kallen misconstrued it to his liking or not, there was no need for me to offer explanations or apologies from my own lips. Silence, for now, was the wisest course. Truth be told, I yearned to be away from this place as quickly as possible.

Kallen knew nothing of the true nature of my abilities. And how could he? This peculiar power, stemming from the runes of time itself, was notoriously difficult for the recipient to decipher. All he could grasp was the fact of his utter subjugation. Perhaps, inwardly, he even mistook me for a being of lord-class power or higher.

Judging by his current reaction, the situation seemed to be unfolding as I intended.

Kallen grinned, extending his uninjured left hand for a shake. “Kallen, Third Lord. Known in certain circles as the ‘Sacred Fist.'”

“Luke. Luke Richter.”

“Luke Richter, eh…”

Kallen spoke with unnerving composure, as if not surprised in the least, before fixing his gaze back upon me. “How a man of your caliber has remained hidden until now, I couldn’t say. But no matter. Seems we shall soon be kin.”

*A mere noble like you shouldn’t even know of the Third Lord.* I thought. *We’ve only met now, the connection just formed.*

…*But what did he just say? Kin?*

As I stared back, clearly at a loss, he tilted his head inquisitively. “Haven’t heard, have you?”

“I’m eager to hear the details.”

“A conference was held just days ago. Discussions regarding the appointment of a new Lord, and the establishment of a relationship between the Lord Council and the Imperial Family, were both on the agenda.”

“…Are you implying that the new Lord being appointed is…?”

“Indeed. A certain someone by the name of Luke Richter.”

Kallen grinned, the corners of his lips lifting as he continued his explanation. “Initially, opinions were somewhat divided, but the Grand Lord himself stepped forward to vouch for your qualification, thus bringing the matter to a close.”

“…I don’t recall agreeing to any of this.”

“That’s hardly my concern.”

Kallen stated, his voice calm and matter-of-fact in response to my question. “I did hear that you laid down a condition, however. That the improvement of relations between the Imperial Family and the Lord Council must precede all else.”

“……”

“So, the Grand Duke himself departed for the Imperial Palace. Just yesterday evening, at that.”

At his words, I could only blink, dumbfounded.

Of course, Arkan had forewarned me that he intended to meet with the Emperor.

But to act so hastily, to simply force the matter like that… the thought brought a hollow laugh to my throat.

I was under the impression that matters of such gravity required at least a majority vote from the Dukes.

‘… Could it be that the Council is truly siding with the Imperial Family?’

I couldn’t grasp what was unfolding.

Wasn’t the Council a force that professed staunch neutrality?

The Grand Duke might be the head and public face of the group, but it wasn’t as though the Dukes had sworn fealty to him.

They were more akin to comrades, trusting each other and watching each other’s backs, than subordinates.

Certainly not in a position to blindly obey his every whim.

“You… you also gave your approval?”

“I did.”

“Why? The five Dukes, aside from the Grand Duke, were supposed to be hostile toward the Imperial Family.”

“They were. But the Emperor offered to negotiate the guarantee of each Duke’s dominion directly… there was no reason to refuse.”

“Then why haven’t they negotiated until now?”

“I couldn’t say. Perhaps they simply didn’t feel the need.”

Kallen tilted his chin as if daring me to argue.

But, contrary to his perspective, there were a great many problems.

First and foremost, I had not the slightest interest in a Dukedom.

Furthermore, not a single word of my opinion had been considered in this whole affair, which was the second issue.

Lastly, the mere thought of the repercussions from Arkan undoubtedly spouting nonsense about me directly to the Emperor was already giving me a splitting headache.

Had an Imperial Official ever concurrently held a Dukedom in history?

Not even once.

My name was already at the center of baseless rumors in society, painted as some sort of mastermind… If this were to come to pass as well, I couldn’t even begin to imagine what lay ahead.

“Well, I suppose I’ll be on my way then.”

Kwonseong Kallen gave a wry smile and turned to leave.

But he added one last remark.

“You can probably expect the other Dukes, save for me, to pay you a visit here sometime as well.”

“……”

“Next time, I suppose I should bring a gift or two.”

He spouted words that were enough to make one’s head spin.

“See you again, Sixth Lord.”

With a cheeky grin, he turned and left, ever so coolly.

Balkan, as though stirred by the sound, had a glint of agitation in his eyes.

“…Complete nonsense.”

I, on the other hand, was merely dizzy.

Terribly so.

Meanwhile.

“……”

*Pour*.

The Emperor slowly filled his empty teacup with herbal tea.

Just then, an innocent voice floated from across the table.

“So, have you given my proposition any thought?”

“……”

The Emperor remained silent.

He merely raised his head slowly, gazing at the woman seated opposite him.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Arkan, this isn’t your own, unilateral decision, is it?”

“Well, my influence was… rather strong, but the other Lords weren’t exactly opposed. So, can you give me an answer quickly? I’m a bit busy, you see.”

Dismay filled the Emperor’s face.

Arkan drummed her fingertips against the small table, seemingly impatient.

It was one of her habits, born of her hasty nature.

“Certainly, it’s not a bad deal for the Imperial Family.”

“Are you kidding? This is practically spoon-feeding you.”

“Indeed, if the Council of Lords lends its strength, it would be reassuring beyond measure. And yet.”

The Emperor lowered his head slightly, causing strands of his crimson hair, so characteristic of the royal lineage, to fall across his face.

Golden pupils flashed through the gap.

“Luke Richter. Was his opinion reflected?”

“…”

Arkan blinked dumbly.

He thought he’d spoken, but he hadn’t exactly received permission.

He didn’t want to think too hard about it.

He liked the man, and wanted him by his side, come what may.

“Um… perhaps?”

“…”

Well, it should be alright.

He’d just have to treat him well, wouldn’t he?

To the point of inescapable enticement, thickly clinging.

Arkan chuckled softly to himself, thinking thus.

How much time had passed?

The Emperor and Arkan’s secret negotiation had concluded, and now it was time to speak directly with Luke Richter.

He had to bring him to the Imperial Palace.

But, strangely enough, everyone in the Department of Internal Affairs vehemently refused to go on a business trip to Blackmore.

Especially those who had met Luke Richter before – their complexions were less than ideal.

The person ultimately chosen was…

“…Me?!”

The headmaster of the Academy, the Empire’s finest educational institution, and the Vice-Master of the Red Magic Tower.

Above all, a woman who knew Luke Richter, and possessed a status befitting the task.

“You want me to go and meet Luke Richter?!”

Selena Lugrite.

It was none other than her.