How to Survive as a Dungeon Manager in Another World

44 – The Deal

The First Lord, the magician Ekion.

His character, as depicted in the original work, could be summarized in two words.

An extreme rationalist, making every judgment through thorough calculation and reason.

And a ruthless egoist, pursuing only his own benefit.

At first glance, he might appear cold-blooded, but to me, that kind of disposition was actually easier to handle.

As long as I didn’t provoke him first, he had no reason to be wary of me, and even in the original, he was portrayed as the most reasonable among the Lords.

Ekion would surely recognize that he was a guest, and thus wouldn’t engage in reckless havoc, testing the qualities of a Lord in another’s territory.

So, when I first faced him, I actually felt relieved.

Unlike when I met Kwonseong, he behaved politely and offered a handshake like an intellectual.

Of course, as befitting a magician at the pinnacle of his art, the condensed mana in his every step pressed down on the air, but what did that matter?

I was already adorned with the cheat code of invincibility, active at all times.

‘Good thing I finished it before we met.’

Of course, there wasn’t a trace of mana within me, so it wouldn’t cause a significant reaction, but completely suppressing even the slightest physical response was impossible.

Unlike the murderous intent resonating with internal mana, the atmospheric pressure caused by emitted mana was practically a physical oppression.

With the observational skills of a magician standing at the apex of the continent, he would surely have detected a considerable sense of incongruity.

Ekion suggested that since this meeting was a kind of缘分(yuanfen), we should take our time and converse.

I had no reason to refuse, nor any intention to avoid a refined conversation that I hadn’t experienced in ages.

So, when he offered his hand, I accepted it naturally.

I even slightly upturned the corners of my lips to give a good impression.

But.

“…?”

Suddenly, his words faltered.

I didn’t know why, but beads of sweat were forming on his brow.

From the simple perspective of shaking hands, his reaction was perplexing, to say the least.

So, I asked after his well-being, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

“Is something the matter?”

“…”

“Your expression… it isn’t good.”

The blue magical light in Ekion’s eyes flickered ominously as they met mine.

He stared at me intently for a long while, then let out a dry chuckle.

“…Wouldn’t you say this is enough? Let’s cease.”

“…?”

Cease what?

I was speechless at his sudden demand, and so offered no particular reply.

I merely loosened my grip and ended the handshake.

“I cannot fathom it. That one such as you, Sixth Lord, would now reveal your true self. From the tale of you slaying the True Ancestor, I thought I knew somewhat of you, gleaned from whispers… but I was mistaken.”

“…I do not understand what you are implying.”

“There is no particular meaning behind my words. Though, if I must, let us say I have developed an… interest in you. When I heard a mere human had ascended to the Lordship, I questioned the Grand Duke’s judgment, but it was I who was ignorant.”

He muttered in a metallic voice, like scraping steel.

He spouted incomprehensible words ceaselessly, leaving no room for me to interject, and so I remained silent, merely listening.

Seeing that I offered no reaction, he gazed at me for a moment, then gave a slight, mocking smile.

“That is the face of one who finds this tedious.”

“…”

“Then I shall get straight to the point.”

He pulled back the hood of his black robe, and silver hair shone brilliantly in the sunlight.

His features, reminiscent of a beautiful youth, matched the descriptions in the original work precisely.

He slumped down in his seat and began to speak.

“Are you aware of the Outer Gods?”

“I am.”

“I heard that the Council of Lords recently secured its corpse. I requested its loan for research purposes, but the Grand Duke told me to obtain your permission.”

Only then did I understand the reason for his visit.

After defeating the Ouroboros, I had separately requested that Arkan recover the corpse.

The Ouroboros’s corpse itself was worth as much as a national treasury.

To abandon the corpse, from which nothing need be wasted, even after extracting the reverse scale, in the Abyss, was pure extravagance, and so I had requested Arkan recover it and have it stored at headquarters.

‘I was originally planning to give it to the protagonist later…’

The pivotal moment, when the original plot would inevitably bring me face to face with its protagonist, was drawing near.

I intended to pass it along then, with some suitable pretext.

A gift, of sorts, for the lad who’d likely be bewildered by a future diverging from what he’d expected, thanks to me.

So I planned to keep it secured at headquarters until then, but unforeseen circumstances arose.

That he, a mage, would be interested in the corpse of Uroboros was only natural, but since its purpose had already been decided, I couldn’t simply hand it over.

Ekion, sensing this, subtly observed my expression and asked, with a measured caution.

“You had another use in mind, it seems.”

“Indeed.”

“That implies you hold the rights to the corpse. Am I understanding correctly?”

“Yes. I, not the Grand Overlord, am the one who slew Uroboros.”

A profound silence fell, during which Ekion’s clear, blue irises meticulously scrutinized me.

Then, slowly, he nodded.

“Then I shall rephrase my proposal. Might I borrow the corpse of the Outer God that you killed?”

“Borrow?”

“Yes. I vow to handle it purely for research, without any alteration or processing. Once my research is complete, I shall return it to you exactly as it was borrowed. What say you?”

“……”

Mages are beings who seek to understand the essence of all things.

People generally only think of mages as those manipulating elements and bending the laws of nature, but those are merely tools, not the ultimate goal.

That’s why a mage like Ekion, who reached the realm, was obsessed with Uroboros’s corpse.

The corpse of a being from beyond this world is, in itself, an uncharted territory, and exploring that unknown is the key for a mage to go beyond his own limit.

“And without recompense?”

But I am no fool.

I was well aware of the value of the card I held, and there was no reason to just give it away.

Wasn’t he the one who was lacking?

As I blatantly demanded a price, Ekion parted his lips.

“Of course, I would not expect it for free. I shall compensate the Sixth Overlord with whatever price he desires.”

Ekion began to speak in a voice with his tone weighed down.

It wasn’t a warning or a threat, but an inflection bordering on resignation.

Someone ranked as a First Overlord has quite a few options to propose as compensation.

The ownership of rare magical tools or the magic legion under the First Overlord’s command were typical examples, but, frankly, neither was a particularly appealing condition to me.

For I was no longer so weak as to rely on another’s might.

What I truly needed from him was not his strength, but his influence. Thus, the condition I would demand was naturally decided.

“I’ve heard the 1st Lord’s territory borders the Holy Order’s main temple. They say you maintain a rather close relationship with the Order, is that true?”

“And if it is?”

“There is but one thing I require of you. Sever the ties you have maintained with the Holy Order, and turn to animosity. Proclaim this fact throughout the continent. Adding that the Holy Order’s Saintess is a fraud should be reason enough, wouldn’t you say?”

At those words, Ekion turned his gaze upon me, his eyes wide with shock.

I offered no reply, simply meeting his gaze.

“…Are you serious?”

“Of course.”

Of course, I’m serious.

Now that I had already turned against the Holy Order, a confrontation with them was unavoidable.

So, what choice did I have? I had no option but to throw the first punch.

But even with the title of Lord, a fledgling Lord’s influence was insufficient to stand against the Holy Order.

Thus, only one choice remained.

‘I have no choice but to stir up trouble.’

And the first step was none other than the 1st Lord, Ekion.

The 1st Lord’s territory, known as the City of Magic, was the largest of all the Lord’s territories, wielding immense influence across the continent.

No less than two of the five mage towers that stood on the continent were located within the 1st Lord’s territory, making it arguably the most advanced nation in civilization.

The Holy Order was well aware of this, which was why they had maintained a close relationship with the 1st Lord for centuries.

But Ekion would accept my proposal. Of that, I was sure.

Even if his relationship with the Holy Order was strong, it was merely a connection born from the benefits it afforded the 1st Lord.

Given his thoroughly self-serving nature, he would now be weighing the relationship with the Holy Order against the corpse of an Outer God.

And, as a mage, his choice was already obvious.

I asked, my voice sinking low.

“Will you make the deal?”

At those words, Ekion’s blue pupils narrowed, becoming elongated like those of a predator.

His lips then twisted into a fierce grin, and he let out a chilling laugh.

“Is that all you require?”

I stared intently at Ekion before speaking.

Is that all I require?

Of course…

“It is not enough.”

“What?”

“Besides that, I require separate rental fees, the dispatch of research personnel, and various artifacts. Ah, and a partial transfer of the rights to the Mana Stone mine located in the northern territory of the 1st Lord, preferential access to the Spiritstone Refinery directly managed by the 1st Lord, and 300 volumes of basic theoretical magic grimoires…”

“…Hah.”

Ecion, who had been staring at me blankly, let out a hollow laugh.