Dungeon Odyssey [EN]: Chapter 76

Dungeon Journal – Episode 77

# 77

Dungeon Journal

Episode 77

[You have won the battle.]

[The King of Beasts, Animalektus, has declared surrender.]

[The Land of Beasts has been conquered.]

Kim Jin-woo, watching the messages announcing the end of the battle, ordered the cleanup of the battlefield with an icy expression.

“Is there really a need to go this far…?”

One of the allied labyrinth owners cautiously expressed concern, looking at the completely devastated Beast Labyrinth.

“How amusing. Can we fight without securing our rear? How do we know when they will draw their swords for the sake of the 10th floor nobles? Are you saying we should just leave them be?”

The potential invasion by the 10th floor nobles was already apparent, yet many labyrinths remained uncommitted, posing various problems.

Parthenon’s ability to leverage victory wasn’t limited to just the 10th floor nobles alone.

“But…”

It was a reasonable explanation, but some labyrinth owners still seemed uneasy.

It seemed they were afraid of how Kim Jin-woo would act after the war and were constantly trying to restrain him.

“Wuser, tell them what you saw.”

At those words, Wuser, who had been watching from the side, readily answered.

“Even before the 10th floor forces began their advance, there were those who sought out the 9th floor. They secretly infiltrated the 9th floor and visited several labyrinths. I don’t know exactly what they discussed, but it’s certain that the labyrinth owners have been acting suspiciously since then.”

“Did you hear that? The influence of the 10th floor nobles has already extended here.”

Kim Jin-woo continued in a cold voice, watching the allied labyrinth owners who were making surprised expressions at Wuser’s words.

“There’s no reason to leave embers in the rear, is there?”

The allied labyrinth owners, who had been expressing concerns until now, fell silent at the mention that the 10th floor nobles had attempted to win over some labyrinths on the 9th floor.

Those who weren’t completely convinced watched the devastated labyrinth with gloomy eyes, their faces stiff.

But they couldn’t raise any more objections because they had already lost their justification.

That’s because if they resisted any further, it would appear as if they were openly challenging and antagonizing Kim Jin-woo.

To appease them, Kim Jin-woo made a suggestion.

“After the war is over, the Beast Labyrinth will go to the one who contributed the most. There must be that much reward for you to be motivated.”

It was just a single sentence.

The atmosphere of the alliance changed instantly. Even those who had been wary of the unpredictable actions of the Nagas were completely excited by the enticing reward.

“I’ll say it again, the one who makes the greatest contribution will get the greatest spoils.”

Although small and large battles were frequent on the 9th floor, it was rare for anyone to wage war with other labyrinths as actively as Kim Jin-woo and the Nagas.

Amidst all this, it was only natural that they would be blinded by the reward that could re-accelerate the growth of their stagnant labyrinths.

“They’re making me work hard.”

Kim Jin-woo sighed as he watched them excitedly arguing and shouting as they returned to their units.

“There’s no need to give them a chance, is there? As you saw earlier, they were the ones who were eyeing you and trying to keep you in check. They are the ones who don’t know what they will do when they get power in their hands.”

Hecarim gave him sincere advice, perhaps feeling a sense of loyalty from being bound by the oath of fealty [a formal pledge of allegiance and service to a lord or ruler].

“Watch and see if there will be anyone with such thoughts when this war is over.”

But Kim Jin-woo’s answer was almost arrogant. Even though they were the ones who ruled a labyrinth, he didn’t seem to care about them.

Hecarim was impressed by his demeanor, which seemed more confident than arrogant.

“Hmm.”

Arianne was openly expressing her favor and stealing glances at his face. That sensual woman definitely had ulterior motives.

Otherwise, there would be no reason for her to look at him with a dreamy face and let out a soft moan.

“Anyway, you will also have a chance, so don’t spare your efforts. Consumed troops can be replenished, so make sure that your hero-grade summons do not take damage.”

Arianne and Hecarim, who bowed their heads at Kim Jin-woo’s words, soon returned to their positions.

Just when he thought he was finally alone after they left, Wuser approached this time.

Wuser, whose slimy body had stiffened to the point where he was putting strength into his whole body, grinned obsequiously and acted nonchalantly.

“Your Majesty, if it’s about monitoring the advance route of the 10th floor nobles, isn’t I, who is always watching, also on your side? I’m just telling you in case you forget.”

Kim Jin-woo chuckled at Wuser’s words.

It was easier to deal with someone like Wuser, who was so openly calculating profits and losses.

Even without the contract of fealty, Wuser would never turn his back as long as it was beneficial.

“I promise. You will enjoy a very great reward.”

Wuser, who was so happy with the not-so-specific words, emitted bubbles all over his body and disappeared excitedly.

***

“Your Majesty!”

It was after Kim Jin-woo had destroyed as many as two more labyrinths that Quantus and Orteaga, who had left their positions to act as messengers, rejoined the ranks.

“What’s the situation?”

“Most of them showed a willingness to fight to the death. They were sincerely pleased with the advance of the allied forces and promised to cooperate to the best of their ability.”

As expected, the sense of crisis felt by the owners of the labyrinths adjacent to the passage was on a different level from other places.

After all, their labyrinths would be the first to face the 10th floor army, so they must have felt like their feet were on fire.

“Most of them?”

But there was an exception this time as well.

“The King of Exiles, located closest to the passage, refused the audience. He did not convey or listen to any words.”

“He’s gone over [switched sides or allegiances].”

In a way, it was a natural thing. No matter how corrupt the 10th floor nobles were, Parthenon was behind them.

Parthenon would not have started the work believing only in the incompetent 10th floor nobles, and perhaps at least the minimum advance route had been secured in advance.

And the Labyrinth of Exiles may have already been instructed in advance to serve as a bridgehead [a strategically important location used as a base for further operations] on the 9th floor.

“Please punish me for not completing the order!”

He replaced the answer with the words “good job” to Quantus, who bowed his head and volunteered for punishment, and soon assigned Orteaga and Quantus to their positions.

And not long after they returned, news came that the 10th floor nobles had succeeded in restoring the collapsed passage.

From then on, the allied forces increased their marching speed.

At this point, the owners of the allied forces were even smacking their lips as they looked at the labyrinths that were being destroyed. They were completely blinded by the rewards that would be given after the war.

“We should take action first in case they disrupt the rear…”

At first, they were against it, but now there were even those who came forward and said that they should attack the labyrinth first.

“We have secured the minimum advance route.”

But he ignored their requests.

That’s because, now that the 10th floor forces had started their advance again, it was important to seize the battlefield to meet them as soon as possible.

The owners of the allied forces, who were staring at the locked labyrinths with red-hot eyes, belatedly realized this fact and made nervous faces.

“This place will be good.”

The allied forces stopped their advance, leaving the Labyrinth of Exiles half a day away. At that time, Rickshasha, who had left her position with a certain mission, returned.

“I have carried out all the orders you have given me without any setbacks.”

“Yes, what are the enemies doing?”

“Although they restored the passage, they were greatly frightened by the owner’s power, so they could not advance rashly and withdrew their troops to the 10th floor, leaving only a small number of troops behind.”

As expected, it was as expected. Since they were taken by surprise by an unexpected attack, it would not be easy to take a step.

“The time is just right.”

Kim Jin-woo, who said that, led a group of soldiers and left the ranks.

“Wuser, make sure there are no problems with the preparation while I’m away.”

“Leave it to me!”

The problem was that he was making too much noise, so he didn’t seem trustworthy, but he seemed to have confidence in his own way.

“Then I’ll be back.”

***

The King of Exiles was pacing around the owner’s room with an anxious face. He, who was wearing a shabby hood that did not suit the position of king, checked the time several times.

“Your Majesty, please don’t worry too much. The nobles have restored the passage, so they will arrive here soon.”

“Who doesn’t know that! Isn’t time the problem, time!”

The King of Exiles’ face was full of anxiety, and he was rather angry at his subordinate’s words.

“The messenger has been there. I should have met him instead of driving him out and making a fuss. I’m stupid, I’m stupid.”

“But if you meet with them, you will be suspected by the 10th floor nobles.”

“I heard that the so-called King of Nagas is so powerful these days? I wonder if my decision was wrong?”

“Even so, the owners of the 9th floor cannot defeat the nobles of the 10th floor. The assembled forces alone amount to 2,000. They will not be able to stop the nobles’ army.”

The King of Exiles, who had been repeating his subordinate’s words several times without dignity or anything, finally calmed down.

“But why aren’t they hurrying their advance? The owners of the 9th floor are right in front of us, but the nobles are not coming forward easily.”

“Since we cannot know the cause of that unidentified explosion, we should be careful.”

How long has it been since he calmed down, the King of Exiles had an uneasy face again.

“I can’t do it. You go and report on the situation yourself. I can’t trust the lower ones at all.”

“I will do as you command.”

As soon as his subordinate disappeared, the King of Exiles muttered anxiously.

“I hope they don’t blame me for this. Damn it, what the hell is this?”

It seems that a new worry has increased as to whether the blame will fall on him for not having cleared the advance route.

“Hmm?”

The King of Exiles, who was sighing deeply, suddenly stood up at the sense of incongruity he felt. It feels like a foreign substance has intruded into the owner’s room, which should be entirely his own domain.

“Who is it!”

Before he could finish speaking, a creepy light flashed before his eyes along with the sound of fluttering wings.

***

“Fortunately, the explosion seems to have been only once.”

Boreas’ eyes flashed coldly at the adjutant’s report. The advance was delayed more than expected due to the explosion that destroyed the passage. Naturally, he was not in a good mood.

“I will make them pay the price for sure.”

The adjutant shrugged his shoulders at the fierce momentum of grinding his teeth.

“Anyway, please come to the labyrinth. Thanks to Parthenon, we can rest comfortably today.”

In fact, he was somewhat afraid of the passage that could collapse at any time, but if he told the truth in front of Boreas, who hated cowards more than anything else, even the oldest subordinate would not be safe.

“I don’t see anyone coming out to greet me. I don’t like any of them.”

“Ah, I see them over there.”

Boreas shouted as he saw the King of Exiles, who finally appeared at the entrance of the labyrinth.

“The hospitality is poor! Do you take me lightly!”

Boreas was venting the stress he had been receiving in the wrong place, but the King of Exiles couldn’t dare to refute and bowed his head.

“How could that be? The 9th floor army is right in front of us, so I was patrolling and found out about Boreas’ visit a little late. Please forgive me.”

The adjutant added a word to the sincere apology.

“I smell blood. It seems that there was a battle up to here.”

“Sniff, sniff. Indeed.”

Boreas quickly calmed down, perhaps because he thought there was a reason.

“Please come inside quickly. I have prepared a place to rest.”

“I hope that your sincerity will be to my liking.”

But it seems that the originally crooked and coercive personality is not going anywhere. The King of Exiles bowed his head at the blatant threat.

“I have prepared a place for all the other troops to rest, so I will guide you.”

“Now I’m starting to like you a little bit. Very good. They are warriors worth a hundred, so please take special care of them.”

Boreas was originally the type to cherish his troops like his own body. The King of Exiles, who only knew how to take care of the commanders, was very pleased when he took care of the other troops as well.

“Of course. Come this way.”

“Um, but have you ever been to the 10th floor?”

Boreas asked, dragging out his words as he moved his steps.

“How could that be? How dare I go to the 10th floor, which is ruled by noble people…?”

“Really? But why does your face look familiar to me?”

The King of Exiles answered as Boreas kept tilting his head.

“Perhaps you saw me at the auction house…?”

“Is that so? Well, that could be. I don’t frequent the auction house, but it’s true that I go there from time to time.”

Watching Boreas, who casually brushed it off, the King of Exiles glanced at him from under his hood.