It's Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

* * *

「Red Wall」

Gwarrung-!!!

That power was immediately shot as soon as it was released.

With an appearance and speed befitting the name 'red lightning'.

-Kraaak!!

In the form of a wolf made of red lightning.

"Ugh...!"

What stopped Xue's explosive charge wasn't the white werewolf who was the owner of that blood-colored magic power.

Nor was it Tarshela, who failed after trying to use the power she had accumulated for attack in defense.

"Stop-!!"

It wasn't even Dungeon Lord Quirisia, who tried to intervene to stop that attack regardless of honor.

"Enough."

Just one word.

As soon as that low, soft word rang out, that frenzied and ferocious charge stopped tearing at its prey with its teeth.

"Hut-!"

More precisely, it twisted its trajectory.

The charge she made now wasn't done with enough leeway to stop immediately.

Crack!

"Kuhuk!"

The red figure that broke two of Tarshela's arms, passed by her head, and headed for the ground behind.

Bang-!!!

The center of the area hit by Xue's hand exploded, and a spider web-like crater formed around it.

"Phew..."

A deep, long sigh.

With that sigh, Xue stood up, brushing back her hair that had returned to its original white color, losing its redness.

Libertas, who watched this scene, spoke to the Dungeon Lords on the other side.

"The second match is decided too."

Still in a low voice.

But strangely, that voice resonated throughout the space and entered everyone's ears.

'Something's wrong.'

'We're being looked down upon...!'

While that voice was utterly calm, some of those listening felt it was like that of an unsatisfied predator or hunter.

"...Phew."

This wasn't actually much different from reality.

'They're being more careful than I thought. I expected the strongest wouldn't all come out in the great warrior duel, but...'

Libertas's eyes swept across the Dungeon Lords' camp, meeting the eyes of two who hadn't stepped forward among those who hadn't come to the front.

She had accurately pinpointed those of equal strength to her just by their aura, even without being able to read their information window.

Her magical and mana capabilities were increasing daily.

She was growing rapidly to begin with, but even more so with the wings of 「Mana Overadaptation」 obtained from Sonia.

"You're underestimating me more than I expected."

"You bitch..."

Grind.

At the words that rang out in an ordinary voice, Zarkra, who had suffered the most critical damage from her, ground her teeth audibly.

Yet, this time she didn't step forward to express more anger.

Libertas's eyes narrowed, but she didn't add any further comments.

She knew the reason for Zarkra's uncharacteristic patience.

'Even with support from senior Dungeon Lords, there were limits, so they probably think that no matter how strong my forces seem, it won't be much different.'

It's true that they, as subordinates of an Archduke, are ahead of other Dungeon Lords who have reached the same level.

It's just that the level isn't that overwhelming.

'From the start, the reason Archdukes raise them isn't for their own growth anyway.'

The top senior demons on the ground raising surviving Dungeon Lords growing inland is ultimately for themselves.

To cause chaos in the human world, expand their territory more, and solidify their position as successors to the Demon King.

In such a situation, it's natural that the subordinate Dungeon Lords, whether marquises or counts, wouldn't raise a newbie to the point of becoming their competitor even if they support them.

Therefore.

'Even if it's unknown who I'm receiving 'support' from, they probably thought it would be beneficial to chip away at my strongest forces even a little through attrition warfare.'

Logically, there's a limit to the elite-grade forces a high-rank Dungeon Lord can possess.

That was also the reason they were conserving their forces.

'They think they can turn it around later even if they lose now.'

And she too thought that possibility wasn't zero.

'Even if there's a difference in specs, the enemy forces are also elite.'

Although Evangeline and Xue are overwhelmingly strong for now, that gap will narrow as time goes on.

And if that happens, this war is a failure.

Even if she had pre-empted Quirisia, one of the three, she would just withdraw from this place first and seek self-preservation if Libertas showed signs of defeat.

After all, that's why she told her to 'surrender if you think you're going to lose' in that sense.

"Come out quickly now. Next is..."

However, that wouldn't happen.

Because.

"Eve."

She had a 'hero'.

"Yes, Master."

"Step forward."

"I receive your command."

Bleached white hair flowed down under the black hood, and a smile appeared between the shadows.

Her gaze wasn't as intense as Xue's, but it was boiling with heat and light hidden under restraint.

* * *

Evangeline's victory was predetermined.

They wanted to conserve their forces, and she wasn't easy enough to lose in such a situation.

'If I had faced all five, I might have gotten a bit tired...'

The previous two were taken care of by Xue, and the next two who came out were more intimidated than those who came out earlier due to Xue's performance.

As a result.

After I checked if there were any wounds on Xue's body, and hugged her once while stroking her head to make her rest half-forcibly.

"I've returned, Master."

She really returned 'safely'.

Thanks to chopping up Melzeros's subordinate who came out third, and slicing off the neck of the warrior from Quirisia's camp who appeared fourth in one breath.

The next warrior from Quirisia's camp didn't get the same luck as Tarshela.

"I'm sorry. They were too weak."

"How could that be your fault?"

It was at a speed even Libertas couldn't stop in time, and Evangeline didn't expect the opponent wouldn't be able to block it either.

"You've worked hard. Come here. I want to receive your greeting."

"If Master requests it, gladly."

Though she said that, she who showed an even more pleased expression approached and kissed the back of my hand.

As always, in a sticky way of pressing her lips.

"You did really well."

"Thank you, Master."

I looked over her overall appearance as she kissed between the back of my hand and wrist.

'It's clean.'

I had already guessed this from when I saw the clean and sharp sword strikes she showed in the duel.

There wasn't a single wound on her body, and not even a torn part on her clothes was visible.

Unlike when she had a match with Xue, as if she hadn't fought at all.

Or.

'As if she knows what appearance I would be most pleased with.'

It's a strange feeling.

Although the period since we met is only about 5 months in terms of time, her heart and values are all aligned to me as if 'optimized'.

That fact made me feel considerable mental pleasure.

And it makes me want to cherish her even more.

"Step out for the last great warrior. The next opponent to fight is..."

In this decision of mine, this feeling had a considerable share.

"Me."

* * *

Unlike the two Dungeon Lords who believed they would win in the end, the atmosphere of all three camps was depressed.

It couldn't be helped.

The most certain way to set the mood before the main war is the duel between great warriors, and in that duel, only consecutive defeats were occurring.

"What are they doing?"

"Don't tell me..."

Amidst this, when Evangeline returned to Libertas's camp and a small woman with a black parasol stepped forward, everyone stirred.

They thought she might be about to say let's move on to the group battle now that the preliminary battle's outcome was already determined.

Click. Click.

What was heard was the sound of boots so small it could be perceived as cute, but the expressions of some monsters who heard it changed drastically.

Monsters who had reached elite grade or had thinking abilities at least on par with humans.

All of them except for some with deep loyalty were terrified.

'Are we going to die like this...'

'Should I... run away.'

Most monsters below high rank often lacked thinking abilities so they were fine, but not these.

They knew well what would happen to them if the fight started like this.

'I don't want to die in a place like this...!'

'To die for greed, not even honor!'

And also the future they would face if their masters lost the war after they died.

Although they clearly had loyalty as summons and servants of Dungeon Lords, it wasn't enough to overcome the instinct conflicting in the face of their life's crisis.

"Step out for the last great warrior."

Therefore, when she opened her mouth and explicitly expressed her intention of mercy or mockery, they were surprised.

"The next opponent to fight is me."

And when they heard the next words, they were shocked.

"What is she saying?"

"Has she... gone mad?"

What is the reason for all this fighting?

In the end, it's to hunt Dungeon Lords or eliminate them from competition.

Also, the Dungeon Lord themselves is no different from the most powerful force at their level.

If they could deal a fatal blow to the Dungeon Lord here or retire them altogether, this war would be as good as over immediately.

'If our side's ability user wins...'

'The situation could end without having to fight!'

Realizing this, many hopeful gazes turned to their Lords.

If they just accepted this exception here, the matter could end without any of them getting hurt.

"Wait. What do you mean? You're saying you'll come out yourself?"

"That's right. Don't make me say the same thing again."

Libertas herself spoke as if it were natural, but of course, the process until she stepped forward wasn't so easy.

[No!!]

[Not allowed. Absolutely.]

[If you get hurt, this concubine will bite her tongue...]

[Master, that's...]

There was opposition from many monsters and people including Evangeline, Xue, Ran, and Sonia.

[Listen to what I have to say.]

However, she forced this decision.

Because she thought it was the best option upon consideration.

Firstly, there was the point that there would be enough time to recover since Dungeon Lords are completely excluded from the small-scale group battle that would follow.

Secondly, this would buy recovery time for Xue and Evangeline, the dungeon's top priority main forces.

Thirdly.

[As much as you dislike me getting hurt, I dislike even a speck of you getting hurt later. So I need to fight directly myself to ease that dislike.]

There was a heart-warming confession that made the summons have no choice but to give up.

"Fine... Don't regret it!"

-What scheme is this...

"What scheme! We just need to kill that bitch right here! It's my turn anyway! I'll change the warrior!"

Of course, there was no reason for the opposing Dungeon Lords to object to this.

No matter how powerful a Dungeon Lord is, combat skills usually correspond to experience rather than magic power.

And the time Libertas has lived in this world is known to be less than half a year.

'What is she really thinking?'

Libertas gave a slight eye-smile to Quirisia and Melzeros, who were looking this way with complicated gazes.

She closed and put away her parasol, and grabbed her staff.

"Stop...!!!"

"Kyaaaaaak-!!!!"

And shortly after, screams and shock continued for a while within the duel arena.

It was because of the prolonged scene of 'punishment'.