Chapter 61
Good morning.
Well, today we’re finally starting the full-scale dungeon creation.
For now, I’ll gather all my subordinates and call them to the depths.
This time, four new creatures from the Yuguru Great Forest have joined the discussion.
I have already introduced them.
They are snake, monkey, dog, and spider.
They are seated next to Ann in order.
There was some debate about who would sit next to Ann.
And for some reason, Ann kept saying, “N-No, it’s not like that, Lord Earth! It’s not what you think!” I wonder what she meant?
Well, never mind.
『Well then, let’s start the full-scale dungeon construction today. Elibel, can I rely on you for the visuals?』
「Okay.」
Saying that, Elibel manipulates the brilliantly colored sphere at the center of the table and projects the visuals.
It’s the same as the one I saw yesterday in the ruins.
The visuals display the 3D image of the blueprint of my dungeon that Elibel showed me.
Wow, murmurs escape from everywhere.
They seem amazed by both the visual technology and the dungeon blueprint.
The reaction from the leaders of the newly added Yuguru Great Forest is particularly remarkable.
All of them have their mouths wide open in astonishment.
The monkey even said, 「Are you serious…?」
While manipulating the visuals, Elibel starts explaining.
「The layers in each area will have 25 floors, and since there are ten areas in total, it will be a massive dungeon with a total of 250 floors. The magical corridors of the dungeon will circulate through teleportation gates. For our movement within each area, we will use teleportation gates too.」
There is a murmur among all the subordinates.
Well, it’s unexpected for it to become this huge.
And I add some clarification.
『Furthermore, the dungeon here in the Eld Desert will also function as an entrance and a dungeon, so it will practically be close to 300 floors.』
Hmm, saying it out loud again makes it impressive.
A super large-scale dungeon with nearly 300 floors in total.
In terms of sheer size, it’s more than three times the size of Elibel’s teleportation dungeon.
It will be over ten times the size of the dungeon I previously built in the Eld Desert.
「Father, may I ask a question?」
Una raises her hand.
『What is it?』
「Don’t you plan to create dungeons in the Lena Wetlands and the Add Snowfields? There are teleportation gates installed in those two areas as well, right?」
Ah, that’s what she’s referring to.
I indeed didn’t explain that.
『We won’t be creating dungeons in the Lena Wetlands and the Add Snowfields. Well, to be precise, we can’t create them.』
Elibel adds further explanation.
「It’s because of the mud and snow. If we were to create dungeons underground in those areas, it would require too much effort and maintenance, as well as technical challenges. So, we decided to utilize those two places as ‘entrances’ for passage.」
「Huh? But isn’t the entrance to the dungeon only in the Eld Desert?」
「Puruu?」
Tres and Pururu also express their confusion.
They look cute while pondering.
Double the loveliness.
『Four entrances will be installed in total. The Eld Desert, the Yuguru Great Forest, the foothills of the Add Mountain Range, and the foothills of the Guor Volcano. Those four places. For other areas, we will solely create dungeons within the underground.』
『…Creating multiple entrances is to avoid concentrating intruders in one place, is it?』
It was Ann who said that.
She’s sharp, as expected.
I nod in agreement.
『That’s right. This also serves as a measure against ‘Dungeon Destruction.’ Additionally, according to Elibel, it’s necessary to create multiple entrances to a certain extent to be recognized by adventurers.』
『By adventurers… I see, I understand.』
Huh, Ann?
Did you grasp that explanation with just that?
I had to receive explanations from Elibel about five times before I finally understood…
Ann looks at Elibel.
『Elibel, I want to confirm something. For the surface part of the dungeon, you plan to have relatively weak defenses, yes? And are you also considering bait such as magic stones?』
「…As expected of our Ann. Your quick understanding is helpful.」
Elibel nods satisfactorily.
Looking around, it seems that the everyone else don’t quite understand.
Una, in particular, has smoke coming out of her head.
Ah, good. I’m not the only one.
「Promotion and prevention of destruction……..」
Dos murmurs quietly.
Dos seems to have grasped the situation as well.
「It seems like only Ann and Dossun understand. Well then, I’ll explain.」
Looking at everyone, Elibel begins her explanation.
By the way, she seems to call Dos, Dossun, huh?
「Now, I assume everyone is familiar with the ‘Eight Great Dungeons,’ right?」
The Eight Great Dungeons.
For hundreds of years, they have remained unconquered and undefeated, still unexplored.
Elibel’s dungeon is included among them, but it seems to be relatively new compared to the Eight Great Dungeons.
The oldest among them is said to have existed for thousands of years.
「To cut to the chase, each of the Eight Great Dungeons is a dungeon that, for some reason, cannot be ‘Dungeon Destroyed.’」
「’Impossible to destroy’… is that what it means?」
Una asks a question, but Elibel shakes her head.
「Strictly speaking, it’s a little different. A clear example is the Teleportation Dungeon I created. As I mentioned before, to completely ‘destroy’ it, you would have to destroy each floor 88 times.」
It’s practically impossible, Elibel says.
「Then, does that mean all the Eight Great Dungeons are teleportation-type dungeons?」
「No, there are only three teleportation-type dungeons, including mine.」
「Eh? Then, what does that mean…?」
「That leads us to the second reason. If ‘Destruction’ becomes detrimental to humans.」
Elibel raises two fingers.
「A clear example is ‘Fáfnir.’ It’s located within the Hà Giang Empire’s territory. That dungeon not only contains gold, silver, and treasures but also provides a large supply of magic stones. It’s even utilized as an important resource for the country. The military often ventures into the dungeon themselves.」
So, the dungeon becomes a kind of economic resource.
「I see, if it’s destroyed, humans would actually suffer the consequences.」
「Yes, economically. Even adventurers wouldn’t foolishly destroy their own source of income, right? Besides, Fáfnir has the capital city built on top of the dungeon. If someone were to destroy the dungeon, the capital would collapse along with it. Only a complete idiot or a lunatic would do such a thing.」
That’s the second reason.
「And now, we’re applying this to our dungeon as well.」
「Ah, I see. I finally understand. We’re going to attract the goblins… I mean, adventurers, and making them hesitate to destroy this dungeon.」
「That’s right. In any case, dungeons inevitably attract people and monsters. It’s impossible to keep it hidden. So, we might as well make use of adventurers ourselves. Fortunately, there are plenty of magic stones and treasures here.」
Well, it’s not foolproof, but it can provide some reassurance.
There may still be people who use ‘Dungeon Destruction’ without hesitation, like that damn dragon slayer.
I hope he will die soon.
And there’s also the possibility of a military force being dispatched to subdue disaster-designated species like Ann.
―――――When that happens, the ‘true dungeon’ from the middle floors onward will come into play.
The surface dungeon, which is accessed from the four entrances, is designed to be easy pickings for adventurers, serving as bait.
However, the dungeons from the middle floors and beyond, which you reach through teleportation, are planned to be hellish creations born from my and Elibel’s wicked ideas.
Ah, I can’t wait to create them.
Creating dungeons like this, just like when I made the dungeon in the Eld Desert before, is quite enjoyable in itself.
I love making things, just like making golems.
Moreover, this time, I have both the manpower and specialized knowledge at my disposal.
And my own safety is at stake as well.
I have no intention of cutting corners.
Next, Elibel and I explained the structure of each area’s dungeon to everyone.
「―――So, that’s why we have to create several floors with exactly the same layout structurally. We have to make each level even more intricate than before.」
『For that, the drawing mannequin golems should be able to handle it. They excel at simple tasks.』
The drawing mannequin golems, simple creatures that only perform the tasks assigned to them, are skilled at repetitive work.
As long as we imprint the blueprints in their minds and give them instructions, it should be no problem.
They are quite handy.
『Um, Lord Earth, may I ask a question?』
Ann raises her hand.
『What is it?』
『I understand the composition and characteristics of the dungeon. So, which part will be your residence in the deep layers, Lord Earth?』
『Oh, right. I forgot to mention that.』
I say, pointing to a specific spot.
『Here.』
Not a part of the blueprints, but the ground I’m currently sitting on.
『Eh?』
Ann is surprised.
『My planned residence floor will be here.』
As the rest look at the designated spot, a murmur spreads among them, even more so than before.
Well, I expected that.
『But, Lord Earth… This place…』
『Yeah, exactly.』
The construction site for my floor.
It is―――――here.
In the “Deep Layers of Eld Desert”—even deeper.
We will make the deep layers of the dungeon the entrance, and far below, we will create my floor and Elibel’s research laboratory.
That’s the deepest floor conceived by Elibel and me.
The reaction from everyone is just as I anticipated—bewilderment.
Taking note of their response, Elibel, in high spirits, explains,
「The magical corridors will not directly connect the entrance area with the lowest floor. Even if someone tries to destroy the entrance, we plan to ensure that the damage doesn’t reach the lowest floor, both physically and magically. Oh, I’m so excited… As a necromancer, it’s bone-chilling.」
Elibel talks with genuine enthusiasm.
The entrance and the goal are in the same place.
Really, Elibel has such a wicked personality.
Ah, of course, I mean that as a compliment.
Well then, let’s start building the dungeon.
The reaction of the forest creatures upon hearing the explanation about the ultra-large-scale teleportation dungeon consisting of 300 floors:
Snake「…I’ve ended up under an incredible guy.」
Dog「Amazing. To be able to join a group led by such a magnificent being…!」
Monkey「…Um, so, what does that mean exactly?」
Spider「(I’m hungry…)」