Interlude 19
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Ryūgūin Ouji can’t remember when it started.
Whenever the topic of favorite creatures comes up, Ryūgūin Ouji answers without hesitation that he likes ants and bees.
It’s not uncommon for people to ask, 「Why insects? Isn’t it usually dogs or cats?」
When this happens, he quickly gets annoyed and brushes it off with a casual 「Yeah, I guess. But small insects are cute too, aren’t they?」
Gradually, even this exchange becomes tiresome, and it becomes his standard practice to give non-controversial answers like 「I like dogs」 or 「Cats, of course.」
When he was young, Ryūgūin learned about social insects, though he can’t remember if it was from TV or school.
The ecosystems of certain insects like bees and ants are very unique, resembling what’s known as a caste system in human society.
The majority of individuals forming the colony are positioned at the bottom of the insect society pyramid, assigned roles such as workers or helpers.
All individuals in the colony spend their lives working tirelessly for a single queen, without question or complaint.
Young Ryūgūin was fascinated when he heard this story.
With excitement stirring in his chest, Ryūgūin came to a realization.
He believed that the position of the queen, the only one in the colony, was where he should be.
While the insect ecology triggered this thought process, it was entirely autonomous.
It wasn’t because someone told him so, but rather, following his innate, hypertrophied self-awareness, desires, and wishes, he concluded that he should be at the top, and the majority should serve him without question, bringing him labor and wealth until they die.
That’s why, for Ryūgūin, ants and bees, which gave him this realization, remain his favorite creatures, objects of admiration even now.
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The panicked Ryūgūin immediately instructs Mika to use Heal and orders Eris to be swiftly taken to the infirmary.
「Hmm, so it’s actually possible to be unable to draw the Holy Sword?」
Ryūgūin asks Mika and Angelica once Eris is gone and only the three of them remain.
「I apologize, Hero… There’s still much we don’t understand about the Holy Sword.」
Mika says, bowing her head, while Angelica shrugs.
「Then we must come up with an alternative.」
「Oh my! An alternative! As expected of our Hero!!」
「I’m in awe of your insight, Hero.」
The Hero being praised for stating the obvious is none other than Ryūgūin Ouji.
The two beautiful heroines before him shower him with compliments.
His chest swells with pride, and he’s feeling absolutely fantastic.
It’s said that on that day, a ridiculous, booming laughter echoed throughout Lemone Guild.
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「This Holy Sword, said to be the greatest treasure of the Arcana Kingdom.」
Ryūgūin muses, poking at the sword lying on the floor with his toe, as if it were a dangerous object not to be touched, now that Eris, its wielder, is gone.
「Mika, do you know of any sword that’s equal to or better than this one?」
It was a question that should never have been asked.
A question that would mark the beginning of a tragedy.
Whether it’s because she’s infatuated with the Hero or because she’s a devout clergy member, Mika never lies.
「A sword comparable to the Holy Sword… There is one that comes to mind. However—」
「However what?」
「No, I apologize.」
「It’s fine. Answer me.」
「That sword is called the Sword of Affirmation.」
And so Mika tells Ryūgūin everything he asks about the Sword of Affirmation: its existence, its use in governing the Sealed Domain, its protection by the Holy Knights, and how breaking the seal would release a terrible dungeon along with a horde of monsters.
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Even Ryūgūin understands that the previous exploration of the Time Dungeon ended in failure and things have become somewhat problematic.
In reality, his usual behavior is tightening the noose around his own neck, but the foolish man doesn’t realize this.
That’s why he desperately wants a divine move, a game-changing strategy to turn the situation around in one fell swoop.
Ryūgūin’s question and Mika’s answer came at just such a timing.
After hearing about the Sword of Affirmation and the Sealed Domain from Mika, Ryūgūin puts his hand on his chin in contemplation. Suddenly, a vision like a light bulb appears in his mind, along with a special, super deluxe idea.
At that moment, Ryūgūin’s excitement skyrockets, breaking through the ceiling, and he’s enveloped in an overwhelming sense of omnipotence.
Genius! Genius! Genius!
The word 「genius」 was truly the most appropriate term to describe himself.
Killing three birds with one stone!! He had come up with a strategy that was truly worthy of a modern-day genius tactician, the Zhuge Liang Kongming who had descended upon this other world.
「Mika, Angelica, I shall bestow upon you a brilliant strategy.」
Speaking grandiosely with rough breathing, he instructs the two with exaggerated gestures about what to do next.
「We’ll simply take this Sword of Affirmation for ourselves. For Eris to use, of course. I’ve seen her defeat the Dragon Bone Swordsman. If we can just sort out the sword issue, conquering the Time Dungeon is as good as done.」
The two nod solemnly, as if deeply moved.
「Hmph, so what do you think? We’ll obtain the necessary sword as a fighting force, and the Time Dungeon will be conquered.」
The two try to praise him at every opportunity, but Ryūgūin, in his incomplete combustion, interrupts them.
「Wait, wait. It’s understandable that people of your caliber wouldn’t get it, but that’s not all there is to this plan.」
Ryūgūin takes an easy jab at them and continues with his foolish talk.
「Think about it in reverse. Wouldn’t it be good if the Hero’s party solved the seal problem too? What do you think would happen then? You still don’t get it even after I’ve said this much? Think carefully! All three issues would be resolved, wouldn’t they?」
At this point, the two finally unleash their pent-up praise.
「As expected of our Hero! It’s like watching a chess champion’s endgame!」
「Amazing! To think you’d come up with a strategy to solve three problems at once!」
Encouraged, Ryūgūin pretends to ponder and says:
「Well, yes. In terms of priority, perhaps the seal should come first. In that case—!!」
He raises his voice with the exaggerated flair of a young actor in a bad late-night show that somehow managed to last a whole season with just weird faces and high tension:
「—Let’s prioritize conquering the Sealed Dungeon!」
But the story doesn’t end here.
Unfortunately, the crazy talk continues.
「Mika! Angelica! As soon as Eris wakes up, go and get the Sword of Affirmation! You may show a little restraint to those who interfere!」
The two respond with an enthusiastic 「Yes!!」
「And once you have the Sword of Affirmation, head straight to the Sealed Dungeon!」
「Yesss!!」
「I have the role of watching over the Time Dungeon here! You three will conquer the Sealed Dungeon!!」
「…」
「…」
Even Mika and Angelica are momentarily at a loss for words, unable to comprehend what they’ve just been told.
「…」
「…」
Mika and Angelica exchange confused looks.
「…」
「…」
Finally, Mika hesitantly asks Ryūgūin:
「Um, Hero, aren’t you coming with us?」
Her question is most reasonable.
What kind of role is 「watching over the dungeon」?
The world would call this slacking off or negligence.
However, in the end, Ryūgūin’s opinion doesn’t change.
He doesn’t know that this irresponsible decision of his will eventually plunge him into hell.
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