As Baalcherit was added to my dungeon, a new alert appeared.
- The number of monsters in your dungeon rated 5★ or higher has reached a certain threshold.
- A special reward will be granted!
- You can create a satellite dungeon.
- A satellite dungeon must include at least one monster rated 5★ or higher.
- Upon creating a satellite dungeon, you will receive a 4★ monster draw selection ticket as an additional reward!
Namely, I could create a satellite dungeon.
“But do I really need a satellite dungeon?”
My question vanished with the next alert.
- A satellite dungeon is a dungeon derived from an existing dungeon and has no separate dungeon core.
- The core of the existing dungeon can be freely moved to the satellite dungeon.
“Oh.”
This was huge.
The very existence of a satellite dungeon could ease one of my current worries.
“It’s basically like getting an extra life, isn’t it?”
If my current dungeon ended up in danger, I could move the dungeon core to the satellite dungeon.
That alone raised the importance of the satellite dungeon.
On top of that, creating one would give me a 4-star monster. Was there any reason to refuse?
I immediately pressed create satellite dungeon.
- Please designate the location where the satellite dungeon will be created on the following map.
- The creation location must be within the monsters’ activity range.
A map of the continent unfolded beyond the screen.
However, my monsters’ activity range only reached as far as the Sale Kingdom.
On the map of the continent, all I could select was the entirety of the Sale Kingdom and part of the mountain range where my current dungeon was located.
And since there was no need to create it somewhere overlapping with my existing dungeon, it was practically telling me to create the dungeon in the Sale Kingdom.
“At least it isn’t random this time?”
Was it trying to show me some consideration?
If so, I was largely given two choices.
‘Do I create it far away from my current dungeon, or somewhere close?’
Even if I created the dungeon in the Sale Kingdom, its future direction would change depending on the location.
For now, the candidate sites could broadly be divided into north and south.
There were also east and west, but those regions were effectively meaningless.
The west had the advantage of being close to the sea at best, but that was of no particular use to me right now.
On the other hand, the north and south each had their own pros and cons.
First, the southern part of the Sale Kingdom.
It was a location that made advancing into other countries in earnest much easier.
It was close to the Free City Alliance, and through Lake Yenarion, it also had the advantage of allowing expansion into the Orovis Empire.
While it certainly had such advantages, there was also the disadvantage that the distance between my dungeon and the satellite dungeon would become far greater.
The farther away it was, the wider the monsters’ activity range might become, but conversely, coming and going would be that much harder.
If travel between the dungeons became difficult, that was the same as saying I couldn’t respond immediately if one side fell into danger.
On the other hand, if I designated the north, close to the mountain range?
‘If it’s the north, then it has to be the royal capital.’
In particular, the royal capital of the Sale Kingdom was in the north, so it was close to the mountain range.
If I created the satellite dungeon in the north, and specifically in the royal capital, two major advantages would arise.
First, since it would be close to the main dungeon, it would be far easier to support the satellite dungeon.
On top of that.
‘I might be able to increase my control over the Sale Kingdom as well.’
It might be awkward for advancing into other countries, but since the dungeon would be in the royal capital, I should be able to solidify my control over the Sale Kingdom in a stable manner.
Even now, Queen Irena was favorable toward me because of the special mission.
However, giving orders from afar and giving orders from nearby were entirely different situations.
I didn’t know when she might change her attitude.
Even if it wasn’t the current Queen Irena, the nobles beneath her or some other third party might harbor different thoughts.
If something like that happened, the satellite dungeon could be considered a card that would allow me to intervene immediately.
“Hmm.”
I was conflicted.
Should I raise my control over the Sale Kingdom?
Or establish a bridgehead for future continental expansion?
I didn’t think for long.
“Yeah, that would be better.”
For now, creating it somewhere close to the main dungeon while also bringing practical benefits was the best option.
I immediately touched the royal capital of the Sale Kingdom.
Then a new alert appeared.
- You have selected the royal capital of the Sale Kingdom. Please choose one of the following options.
1. Beneath the royal palace
2. An abandoned house
3. An underground cave hidden in the sewers
4. The slums
5. Beneath the underworld district where the monster arena is located
The locations I could choose within the royal capital appeared.
‘This changes the story again.’
First, beneath the royal palace was a double-edged sword.
I could directly interfere with the royal palace, but conversely, it was far too restricted a location.
If anything, it would become a choice that limited the monsters’ activities, so I excluded it.
But choosing an abandoned house was also iffy.
This was the royal capital, not some other region.
No matter how abandoned the house was, people would surely come and go often.
‘Maybe later, but there’s no need to stand out from the start.’
The location of the satellite dungeon would be discovered someday, but there was no need to take that risk right now.
The slums were the same.
With those excluded, only two choices remained.
‘The sewers and the arena.’
The idea that an underground cave was hidden within the sewers was interesting, but like beneath the royal palace, its restrictions on movement would likely be severe.
“I’ll have them investigate this place later—”
Naturally, my choice turned toward the monster arena.
The monster arena was familiar.
After all, I had made the rules.
More than anything, because of the unique nature of a monster arena, I figured it could expand the monsters’ range of activity as well.
This time too, I chose without much deliberation.
- Creating a satellite dungeon beneath the underworld district.
- Time remaining until satellite dungeon creation: 1 hour
- Please choose the master of the satellite dungeon within the time limit.
- A satellite dungeon must include at least one monster rated 5★ or higher.
“This is basically mandatory.”
It was essentially telling me to make a monster of 5 stars or higher the master of the satellite dungeon.
I might have been able to choose the dungeon’s location as I pleased, but choosing the monster to manage the satellite dungeon wasn’t something I could push through unilaterally.
“I’ll have to discuss this with Celia, won’t I?”
Celia would know more about this issue than I did.
If I recklessly removed one for no reason and created a hole in the dungeon’s defenses, that would be a disaster.
I immediately touched the screen and sent an order to Celia.
The contents of the order were that I had created a satellite dungeon, so she should choose someone to manage it.
Since I couldn’t send Celia, I even gave her the options.
‘Death Knight, Goblin Lord, Nekros, and Baalcherit….’
The 5-star monsters I currently possessed numbered four in total.
Celia would choose well and tell me.
“Now that this is settled, shall I move on to the next thing?”
The 4-star draw selection ticket that was supposed to be given as a reward for creating the satellite dungeon.
The creation of the satellite dungeon wasn’t complete yet, but fortunately, the draw selection ticket was granted to me.
- A 4★ monster draw selection ticket has been granted.
- The monster drawn with the 4★ monster draw selection ticket granted as a reward will be fixed as part of the satellite dungeon. This cannot be changed in the future.
My main dungeon was overflowing with monsters anyway.
Even if I removed one 5-star monster, it wouldn’t cause much of a problem.
Without hesitation, I used the selection ticket.
- You have used the 4★ monster draw selection ticket.
- Please select one of the following monsters.
Along with the alert, the screen began to glow.
The light filled the smartphone screen, then began displaying the 4-star monsters.
The first one to appear was a monster with an appearance similar to an ant.
At a glance, it looked ferocious, and it even had large mandibles.
Just looking at it, its presence was tremendous.
“So it really is a 4-star.”
I read the description of the monster.
- Name: Tumb, Gardener Ant Who Protects the Forest (★★★★)
- Traits: A being that protects the forest, devoting itself to tending trees, flowers, and grass.
At times, it even leaves the dungeon to tend people’s gardens.
As a special note, it brutally kills any beings that intrude upon its garden with its mandibles.
- Would you like to select this monster?
“?”
What was this?
Some guy I’d never heard of came out.
And despite its ferocious appearance, what it did was far too small-scale.
“Is this right…?”
Why was a monster leaving the dungeon to tend people’s gardens?
Its appearance alone seemed reliable, but after reading the description, my enthusiasm cooled.
“No matter how I look at it, this isn’t it.”
For now, I turned my gaze to the next monster.
The second monster to appear had the form of a woman.
If there was anything unusual, it was that her skin was a pale green, and her hair was decorated with flowers and leaves.
- Name: Silvane, Dryad Who Loves the Forest (★★★★)
- Traits: A being who uses the power of nature and wields powerful magic.
She fundamentally loves forests and possesses the ability to communicate with nature.
As long as a forest exists, she can live forever.
As a special note, she dislikes it if an environment similar to a forest has not been created inside the dungeon.
- Would you like to select this monster?
“What is this, seriously?”
After a monster that protected the forest came a dryad who loved the forest.
And if I chose her, I’d have to change the dungeon concept to a forest, but doing that probably wouldn’t be very efficient.
“She’s out too.”
The third one was a normal monster.
- Name: Hellhound (★★★★)
- Traits: A demonic hunting dog from hell.
It has three heads, making it easy for it to secure its field of vision.
It attacks by spewing fire.
It is a loyal monster that absolutely obeys its master’s commands and will even offer up its life.
- Would you like to select this monster?
Not bad.
Compared to the strange ones earlier, the Hellhound looked like a safe choice.
On top of that, it even obeyed absolutely, so it seemed like it would be a great help in operating the dungeon.
Still, I had opportunities left to choose, so I decided to look at the other monsters before deciding.
The fourth was a flying monster.
- Name: Griffin (★★★★)
- Traits: It has a massive body and the wings of a bird.
Also called the guardian of the sky, it nests in high places.
It possesses tremendous loyalty and is prepared to give its life for the being it recognizes as its master.
- Would you like to select this monster?
And the fifth and final monster had an appearance similar to a human.
Its face was pale, and it had long silver hair.
It wore a robe made of irregularly connected pieces of many colors, and in one hand, it held a staff made of crystal.
Judging by its appearance alone, I couldn’t get a sense of it at all.
- Name: Kaleido, Mage of Illusions (★★★★)
- Traits: “Would you like to explore the realm of illusion with me?”
- Would you like to select this monster?
Even after reading the description, I still couldn’t get a sense of it.
“Isn’t the description way too lacking?”
Its only trait was a single line of dialogue.
The only thing I could tell was that this guy named Kaleido was a mage of illusions.
“Hmm.”
I was conflicted.
It would be right to safely choose the Hellhound or Griffin.
But my interest was drawn a little more toward the Mage of Illusions.
It was simple curiosity.
At the same time, I also had the intention of increasing my knowledge regarding various monsters.
‘This is a must.’
When I thought about it, the Hellhound or Griffin had a chance of appearing in ordinary draws as well.
But I had a feeling that if I missed this chance, I might never see Kaleido again.
“Yeah, let’s choose this one.”
- You have selected Kaleido, Mage of Illusions (★★★★).
- It will be automatically summoned once the satellite dungeon is created.
Now all that remained was to wait and see whom Celia chose as the master of the satellite dungeon.
* * *
Celia was resolving the incident that had occurred in the dungeon.
“Mr. Goblin Lord, you did very well capturing the Lamias alive without a single injury.”
The intruders who had entered the dungeon had already been defeated.
Now they needed to clean up afterward and select the offerings to present to the Great One.
“Let’s make snake liquor with them and offer it to Master.”
First, she intended to make snake liquor with plenty of sincerity.
“Mr. Kazel, please take the trouble of making the snake liquor.”
“Leave it to me, Lady Celia!”
Kazel, who had come up with the idea first, would make the snake liquor.
Then she looked at Baalcherit, who had become part of the same dungeon after this incident.
“Riche, please clean the entire dungeon.”
“T-this body must do all of that…!”
Baalcherit protested, but it was none of Celia’s concern.
“This body never had any intention of belonging to the dungeon! When this body woke up, it had become part of this place! This body has been wronged! This is coercion, I say!”
Baalcherit clung to her while expressing his injustice, but that, too, was none of Celia’s concern.
“Mr. Death Knight, please continue managing the Lamias that turned into ghouls.”
As she managed the dungeon while issuing instructions overall—
【I shall give an order.】
The Great One’s command descended.
Celia immediately knelt and bowed her head.
At the sight, everyone inside the dungeon took the same posture.
【Choose the master of the new dungeon.】
The contents of the order were simple.
A new dungeon had been created in the royal capital of the Sale Kingdom, within the underworld district there, so she was to choose one monster to manage it.
“As expected of the Great One.”
Celia was impressed.
Surely Master was the only being who could create dungeons so freely.
Her admiration was brief.
Right now, carrying out Master’s order came first.
Celia immediately considered who should manage the new dungeon.
No—in truth, there was no need to agonize over it.
Hadn’t the answer already been decided?
“The underworld district….”
Nekros was currently operating the monster arena in the underworld district.
If a dungeon was created nearby, operating the arena would be easy, and managing the dungeon would be convenient as well.
Above all, Nekros was a 5-star Arch Lich.
Since he could create skeletons and easily replenish troops, he was also suitable for defending the dungeon.
Not only that, he had originally served as an inspector as well as the guardian of a floor.
On top of that, he handled his work so neatly that Master had gifted him a robe, hadn’t He?
Celia immediately recommended Nekros as the master of the new dungeon.
And then—
“Mr. Death Knight, please head to the kingdom immediately. I will entrust you with the mission of expanding the new dungeon.”
Expansion work on the dungeon was essential.
* * *
- Creation of the satellite dungeon has been completed.
- Nekros (★★★★★) has been selected as the master of the satellite dungeon.
- Kaleido, Mage of Illusions (★★★★), has been summoned.
- The name of the satellite dungeon will be automatically adjusted.
- Dungeon Name: Nest of Corruption
- The name cannot be changed.