New chapter of Let’s Create a Dungeon is out! (3/4 chapters)
Chapter 48
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“Well then, we are going. This time, only you all are here. Be on high alert.” (Nobunaga)
“Rin, among these, you are the strongest. In case of emergency, take the lead.” (Alice)
Early morning, to see off me and Alice heading to the Empire, all subordinates were gathered in front of the door.
There’s no need for everyone to gather, you know?
A similar thing had been done when Volt was driven out, and it wasn’t like I was going to be away for months. In my absence, Ran was acting in my place. Unless the issue was serious, I had told them to discuss and resolve it among the executives.
Next to me, Alice was saying something to Rin. In the dungeon without Alice, the main force was the Lizardmen, and the highest combat strength was Rin.
To be honest, I was uneasy. It wasn’t that I doubted Ran’s ability, nor was I dissatisfied with Rin and the Lizardmen’s combat ability. Recently, Ran had just finished learning multiplication and started division, but her ability to organize opinions was solid. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been acting like a representative of the executives.
The other day, Rin had accidentally won by a landslide, but according to Alice, in terms of ability, Rin was evenly matched with Lyle. Lyle, though he fooled around, had a level of 90. He seemed to have hit the wall of one hundred, but in terms of adventurers, he was stepping into the realm of first-rate. Moreover, he had once been a knight. He was by no means weak.
Even so, if an adventurer of Alice’s level were to come, he wouldn’t stand a chance. Apparently, there weren’t many of them, but I couldn’t be too sure. I should return as soon as possible.
“Take care.” (Subordinates)
“Maou-sama, Alice-sensei. Please be careful.” (Ran)
Seeing us off, my subordinates, Alice, and I stepped through the door.
—
Great Forest of Owa. It was the place where I was born and where the dungeon was located, but all I knew about it was that it was unusually vast and had various fruits. And walking in this forest itself, I could probably count the times. Excluding Orgia and Volt, I wasn’t even sure if I had ever done it. Almost everything had been left to my subordinates. And this was something I had also thought when heading to the Kingdom, but it seemed to be the same when going to the Empire.
The scenery barely changed between trees and grass. Entering alone would be nothing but suffering. Even if it was Alice, having someone to talk to was helpful.
“For now, if we go north, we should reach the Empire’s territory, but how long will it take?” (Nobunaga)
“Who knows? Ah, but when those Hauster Knights explained Maou’s location, they said it was in the central eastern part of Great Forest of Owa, so it should be about the same as when we reached the Kingdom, right?” (Alice)
It was quite a vague statement, but since there was no map, it couldn’t be helped. The fact that Alice had even used her head to answer was already a blessing. Come to think of it, among the belongings of the adventurer Orgia-san had killed, there had been a map. That might be somewhat useful.
This time, learning from the previous failure, I had come fully prepared. Of course, I had brought Owa’s fruits and packed everything that might be necessary. Since there was nothing in particular I planned to buy and bring back, there wasn’t much extra space.
I took out the map and spread it open, but the details written on it were mostly about the scouting routes and information about the Kingdom. There was almost nothing about the Empire, probably because it had belonged to an adventurer from the Kingdom. I couldn’t believe this map’s scale was accurate, so I assumed an error of about one day.
That meant we would reach the Empire’s territory in about two to four days. In that case, there was also a possibility that Empire adventurers were around the entrance of Great Forest of Owa.
Hmm?
“Alice, you came to defeat me on a request from the Kingdom, right?” (Nobunaga)
“Strictly speaking, it was from the Margrave, but what about it? Can I cut you down?” (Alice)
Immediately placing her hand on the sword at her waist in a dangerous manner, I instantly activated ‘Defensive Combat Mode Tungsten Body’. Seeing that, Alice clicked her tongue and removed her hand from the sword. Unlike Volt, she seemed to understand that her current skill would be useless. But just transforming cost magic power, so I wished she’d stop.
“Doesn’t the Empire come to subjugate me? If the Kingdom is coming, then the Federation and the Empire would also allocate personnel, wouldn’t they?” (Nobunaga)
The Federation was just about to allocate personnel, and I was planning to do everything I could to stop them.
“They probably can’t spare any. The Empire has already been in a long-standing standoff with another Maou.” (Alice)
Huh? Maou? Oh, right, there are other Maou besides me. Instead of me, Volt should just go cut down those guys.
“What is that Maou like? Facing off against an entire country, is he strong?” (Nobunaga)
“If I remember right, it’s called the Archdemon Don Ogre. Apparently, they have a decent number of demon followers, but if they fought head-on, the Empire would easily win. They occasionally appear, cause some damage, and escape before the Empire’s army arrives.” (Alice)
…From what I hear, they don’t sound that strong. Though, I do admire the idea of having many demon subordinates. There must be some capable demons among them.
“Why doesn’t the Empire subjugate them? That Archdemon Don Ogre must be a nuisance.” (Nobunaga)
“That’s true, but do you know? There’s a mountain range in the western part of Great Forest of Owa. They’ve made their stronghold there, so it’s difficult.” (Alice)
I see, a natural fortress. Plus, a dungeon and various demons. Judging by the Kingdom’s knights, they would be a threat on flatland, but in difficult terrain, they could be repelled with some ingenuity.
“A Maou in quite the enviable location. So, the Empire doesn’t want to fight on two fronts against Maou. Do you know about any other Maou?” (Nobunaga)
“In the Empire, it’s just that one Maou. The Federation has two. Since they appeared at the same time, they are called the Twin Maou. The Kingdom supposedly has two as well, but their locations are unknown. There haven’t been any reports of damage either, so their existence is even in doubt.” (Alice)
Including me, that makes six in total. I don’t know if that’s a lot or a little.
“With that many, Volt would probably happily go off cutting them down.” (Nobunaga)
“Master said, ‘They are all weaklings who can be cut down in one stroke’. That’s why he was so happy that he couldn’t cut you down.” (Alice)
Even if he’s happy, I’m just scared. And what kind of monster is he if he can cut down Maou in one stroke?
“Hmm, there’s still a lot I don’t understand. So, where’s the nearest town?” (Nobunaga)
“I don’t know.” (Alice)
Huh?
Alice tilted her head as if asking what I was saying.
“Why… why don’t you know?” (Nobunaga)
“I’m from the Kingdom, you know? I’ve never been to the Empire or the Federation.” (Alice)
Naturally, I wouldn’t know, she sighed while looking at me with clear disdain.
Thinking positively that we might meet demons or humans along the way who could tell us, we headed north. However, all we encountered were monsters. Alice, finding it too much trouble to draw her sword, cut them down effortlessly with Sword Hand. After three days, we exited the forest. Then, for two more days, I watched as Alice continued slaughtering monsters, wandering aimlessly until finally, we discovered a large town.
When I learned that walking from the forest to the town would have only taken about three hours, I almost thought tears would spill from my hollow eyes.
I don’t know if it will come out or not.
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