The top floor of the Demon Realm Trading Company.
The light of lanterns rising from the abyss reflected off the darkness, covering the space in deep shadows.
In this place, surrounded by a faint gloom, those responsible for the trading company had gathered.
Befitting the Demon Realm Trading Company, none of its members were ordinary.
The reason they had gathered here despite being busy with operations was simple.
The social gathering.
A social gathering hosted by the trading company would soon be held.
They had to select the dungeon masters to invite.
“Has everyone decided whom to send invitations to for this gathering?”
Someone spoke first.
But perhaps because it was dark?
The figure of the being who had just spoken could not be seen clearly.
No, it was not only their appearance.
Their voice, too, sounded strange, as though some kind of static had been mixed into it.
Everyone’s voice was similarly distorted, and their appearances were obscured, making it difficult to tell who was who.
This was because magic had been applied to the space itself.
Since it was an important matter, it was the trading company’s consideration, allowing everyone to speak freely and without discrimination.
Also, since many races gathered here, they had paid even closer attention to it.
“Will there be any new faces at this gathering?”
It was a social gathering hosted by the trading company.
On the surface, it was an exchange meeting, but it was not a simple social event.
The trading company would record the full strength of those attending.
It was no different from a kind of surveillance.
That was why the process of deciding and selecting which dungeons to send invitations to was quite important.
Inviting clueless brats would only muddy the waters.
“The Succubus Queen won’t come this time either, will she?”
At someone’s question, several answers immediately followed.
“She has already been in hiding for decades. Her adjutant has attended in her stead until now, so would this time be any different?”
“Still, shouldn’t we send an invitation? According to our information, there are rumors that the queen has stopped showing herself in order to approach Six-Star.”
“Hoho, the Succubus Queen’s dungeon is not in the Demon Realm, but firmly in the human world, is it not? And yet she aims for Six-Star… I cannot tell if her dream is grand or reckless. Tsk.”
“Shh, mind your words. If she truly becomes Six-Star, we will be the ones bowing our heads.”
Voices all in the same tone, splitting with distortion.
Unidentifiable appearances.
Thanks to a system that made it impossible to know who was who, the meeting proceeded without restraint.
“Well, who knows? In any case, you are all aware of the recent stories, yes? It seems the Order has truly sharpened its blade. The damage to the vampire dungeons is far too severe.”
The subject changed quickly.
With so many beings in attendance, it was a common occurrence.
“Baalcherit, that bitch, must have taken considerable losses as well. She was treated as a high-ranking demon thanks to her good bloodline, but she must be in quite the predicament now. Hahaha.”
They laughed and chatted as they greedily drank the wine on the table.
There was no problem with the side dishes, since they savored them while tearing into other dungeons.
Someone else spoke while fiddling with various exotic currencies and jewels placed on the table.
Their topic kept changing.
After wandering into matters unrelated to the original subject, it soon returned to the beginning.
“By the way, I hear there is one interesting dungeon.”
At the words “interesting dungeon,” the hall fell silent as though by agreement.
These were the ones who operated the trading company.
Most of the trading company’s profits came from dungeons.
It was not at all strange that everyone would lend an ear to the words “interesting dungeon.”
“It has been less than a year since the dungeon came into being. However, according to an investigation by the audit team, it has already repelled a great many adventurers. Its volume of trade with the company is said to be overwhelming as well.”
“Oh. Hearing that has piqued my interest. Could you continue?”
“This is the report sent by the audit team. I will distribute a copy to each of you.”
With that, a report was placed in front of each person.
In the author’s section of the report, the name Manager Moltis was written.
“If it is Moltis of the audit team, is he not quite capable?”
Everyone nodded.
Moltis was a monster who served as the manager of the audit team, an owlbear with the physique of a bear and the head resembling that of a bird.
There was much debate over whether the bird’s head was that of an owl or a horned owl, but that was not what mattered.
What they focused on instead was the fact that Manager Moltis was skilled.
He was not of high-ranking demon blood, so he had no connections. Moltis had risen to the position of audit team manager through ability alone.
But they did not know.
They did not know that Manager Moltis was already being controlled by Celia.
Unaware of that fact, they began reading the report Moltis had written.
“Haah… To think such a dungeon existed…”
The contents written in the report were shocking.
What was this talk from earlier about one year?
It was a truly brand-new dungeon, one that had not even existed for half a year.
Though it had only happened once, it was said to have dealt with a silver-rank adventurer.
It was written that the dungeon was conducting a great deal of trade with the company using spoils obtained from adventurers, and that its future was promising.
“It is surprising that such a dungeon exists in times like these.”
“Indeed. Humans have become far too strong these days, haven’t they?”
Because of that, the reality was that new dungeons could not last long.
And from the trading company’s perspective, that was a tremendous loss.
New dungeons had to grow well to become customers of the trading company and bring them profit, yet the reality was that such dungeons were being trampled while still sprouts.
But for the trading company to offer support first would be too much of a loss.
In such a situation, it was fortunate for even one dungeon like that to appear.
“In that case, does anyone have any objections to sending an invitation to the master of that dungeon?”
“None in particular, but who is the master of that dungeon?”
“Hmm… According to the report, it says she is a succubus.”
“Ah, I missed that part.”
When the word succubus came up, someone else asked a question.
“Then is she one of the Succubus Queen’s group?”
Succubi were dream demons, not monsters who directly entered combat.
That was why they lived in groups.
It was not strange to think that this succubus might belong to the Succubus Queen’s group.
“Mm, it does not seem so. From what I heard separately from the manager, she has no connection at all. She does not belong to any group either.”
A succubus who belonged to no group.
These days, there were many monsters who did not belong to any large group.
Everyone nodded and agreed to invite her.
They immediately moved on to the next topic.
“Now, the next place to invite is…”
Their discussion continued late into the night.
* * *
【Demon Realm Trading Company Social Gathering Invitation】
- To the honored dungeon masters.
Greetings.
We extend our salutations to all of you, who always strive for the protection and development of your dungeons.
With the support of your efforts, the Demon Realm Trading Company wishes to hold a special event.
This event is a place for the masters of various dungeons to gather, form new solidarity and alliances, and share new challenges and experiences.
We look forward to your participation making this event even more splendid.
[Time and Place]
- Time: Two days after receiving this invitation.
- Place: Demon Realm Trading Company Exchange Hall, located at the center of the Cave Abyss.
[Participation Application]
- Your application will be completed once you inject mana into the invitation.
- The dungeon representative may be accompanied by a butler.
However, the number of accompanying personnel is limited to one.
[For any other inquiries, please contact the company representative within the application period.]
Through this exchange, we look forward to meeting you, forging stronger alliances, and undertaking new challenges.
We sincerely await the chance to share this special moment with you.
Thank you.
- All members of the Demon Realm Trading Company -
* * *
“So a social gathering is being held this time.”
Celia murmured as she read the invitation.
A short while ago, someone from the trading company had come and handed her the invitation.
“An invitation, is it…”
The contents of the invitation were simple.
It merely said that it was a gathering for exchange.
Of course, it would not be limited to simple exchange.
She, too, knew very well that this sort of exchange existed.
She also knew of the existence of such invitations, since she had once belonged to a succubus dungeon in the past.
However, she did not know how the exchange meeting itself would proceed.
“Even so, it will just be a place where a bunch of riffraff gather and chat.”
Even without experiencing it, it was obvious.
And they were potential enemies.
Beings who would all have to be defeated and forced into submission someday.
That was Celia’s loyalty for the Great One.
“By the way, Master truly is remarkable, as expected.”
As it happened, Celia had received a separate command two days ago.
【Dispatch the Arch Lich and Azmo to the social gathering.】
‘As expected of Master.’
The invitation had just arrived.
And yet the command of the Great One had come two days ago.
That meant he had already chosen who would attend before the social gathering was even held.
It meant he had already known that the social gathering would take place.
“I still have a long way to go before I can follow Master’s profound intentions.”
Celia wore a regretful expression as she organized her thoughts.
For now, most of what had happened so far had been dealt with.
Maru had returned to Master’s side, and the holy knights had gone back after already being recruited by Maru.
As ordered, they would join the Order’s delegation. Then they would enter the Kingdom of Seil again.
Of course, at that time, they would swing their swords not at the royal family but at the nobles, but that was exactly what Celia wanted.
“I’m already looking forward to it.”
How the gifts she had planted would be used was up to the Order.
“For the time being, I won’t have to pay attention to that place.”
The affairs of the Order and the Kingdom of Seil had already left Celia’s hands.
All she had to do was watch, so there was no need to concern herself with them.
If her help was truly needed, Princess Irena would request it herself.
The problem was the social gathering.
According to the invitation, the gathering would be held two days from now.
“There is still time.”
It was not a great deal of time.
But neither was it too little.
During those two days, she had to prepare the Arch Lich and Azmo.
The moment they attended the gathering, they would be the faces representing the dungeon.
They absolutely could not act rashly and bring disgrace upon Master’s name.
“First, summon the Arch Lich.”
The Arch Lich was in the same dungeon, so calling him was easy.
The problem was Azmo.
Azmo was an incubus, and his dungeon was not on the Eldorad Continent but on Earth.
Celia was pondering how to bring over a monster from another dimension.
“……”
Fortunately, with perfect timing, a dimensional gate formed inside the dungeon.
It was a dimensional gate connected to Azmo’s dungeon.
“Bring Azmo here as well!”
Celia did not miss the opportunity and immediately gave the order.
At her command, the skeleton knights surged toward the dimensional gate to fetch Azmo.
From now on, Celia’s education would begin.
* * *
When Azmo first came here, he was horrified upon seeing the dungeon.
It would be more accurate to say he had nearly collapsed.
- Th-this is not beauty…!
It was a dungeon that pursued only an extremely simple and practical design.
In the process, there was no such thing as decoration at all.
But when he realized that the one who had designed this dungeon was the Great One, he immediately changed his words.
- Practical simplicity is the ultimate beauty itself. As expected of our great Master!
Azmo received various teachings from Celia in this dungeon.
He was educated about the Eldorad Continent and observed life here.
All of it was Celia’s intention to ensure that he made a splendid debut in high society.
Time passed quickly.
Before long, the date written on the invitation arrived.
Right on time, personnel from the trading company came outside the dungeon to greet them.
“Then, do not bring disgrace upon Master’s name, and return safely.”
Celia warned the Arch Lich and Azmo until the very end.
“Clack!”
The Arch Lich was always positive.
“Of course, Lady Celia.”
Azmo even knelt as he bowed to Celia.
Though he was from Earth, he had learned and accepted matters regarding the Eldorad Continent splendidly.
Now Azmo was perfect.
There was also something tucked in his arms: the Arch Lich’s thick notebook.
Since the Arch Lich could not bring a skeleton with him, Azmo carried the thick notebook in their stead.
After confirming that the notebook was safe, the Arch Lich nodded.
Now there was nothing left that could become a problem.