Shiroi glanced down at his watch, noticing the late hour. "It's getting late. I need to head back to the Imperial Palace for the night," he announced to the room.
Vergil nodded, rolling his heavy, armored shoulders. "I will join you. I can return tomorrow morning to oversee the final phase of the monster deployment." He tapped his massive, silver-plated chest piece. "Besides, it will give me a chance to finally take off this Grey Knight armor and swap back into my standard Assassin gear for tomorrow's shift. This suit is not meant for casual management work."
Shiroi smiled. "Perfect. I have a Custodes Guard Eagleplane waiting just outside. There is plenty of room for you."
Freya stepped forward, stepping into Vergil's personal space. She reached up and planted a soft, affectionate kiss on his cheek. "Get some well-deserved rest, darling," she murmured warmly. "You worked incredibly hard today."
Vergil smiled, his battle-hardened expression softening completely as he looked at his wife. "Make sure you get some rest too, Freya. Keep an eye on the children, and stay safe tonight."
With his goodbyes said, Vergil turned and followed Shiroi and his three fiancées—Risa, Yuna, and Lucia—out of the subterranean staging hall.
They walked out into the cool night air of the hidden valley and boarded the sleek, heavily armed Custodes Guard Eagleplane waiting on the landing pad. The massive engines roared to life, and the gunship lifted off, soaring swiftly and safely through the night sky back toward the Kainaldia Imperial Palace.
As the Custodes Guard Eagleplane touched down in the grand, brightly lit hangar of the Imperial Palace, Ragnar and Eva were already waiting on the landing pad to greet them.
Vergil was the first to step off the ramp. Ragnar grinned, greeting his son with a warm look. "How was the Grey Knight deployment?"
"Flawless," Vergil replied, letting out a long, exhausted sigh as he rolled his stiff shoulders. "Zero casualties. The VIP was surprisingly cooperative."
"Oh?" Ragnar raised a curious eyebrow. "And who exactly is this VIP?"
Vergil simply sighed again and jerked his thumb back toward the ramp. Following his gaze, Ragnar watched as Demon Queen Lucia elegantly descended the ramp, walking closely beside Shiroi.
Ragnar's eyes widened before he let out a booming, delighted laugh. "Don't tell me... the VIP is Shiroi's third future wife?"
Vergil gave a tired, confirming nod.
Eva, happily looping her arm through her husband's, giggled softly. "You have to admit, our Shiroi certainly has a talent for finding beautiful brides."
Standing quietly nearby was Ashcroft, the Palace's ever-loyal Shiroi aide. Shiroi approached him. "Ashcroft, have Queen Lucia's quarters been prepared?"
"Indeed, Your Majesty," Ashcroft replied with a flawless bow. "Her suite has been prepared directly adjacent to the chambers of Princess Yuna and Princess Risa."
"Perfect. Lucia, follow Ashcroft," Shiroi instructed.
Before they could leave the hangar, Ragnar quickly stepped in their path. "Hold on a moment. Have you and your three brides eaten dinner yet?"
Vergil looked over at his parents. "Did Mom cook tonight?"
"I cooked a massive feast!" Eva smiled warmly, though her expression fell slightly. "I was hoping Freya and my precious grandchildren would be joining us tonight... but I suppose they are still busy working on the dungeon."
"I will pack up their portions and bring them to the site tomorrow morning," Vergil offered kindly. "I can bring some breakfast for Kurogami and Anastasya while I am at it."
Ragnar clapped his hands together enthusiastically. "Excellent! Ashcroft, escort Shiroi's fiancées to the main dining hall immediately. Eva's banquet is waiting!"
Ashcroft bowed and led the group into the opulent corridors of the palace. As they walked, Yuna leaned over to the butler, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Ashcroft... who exactly were those two?"
"That was Lord Ragnar Ragnaros and his wife, Lady Eva," Ashcroft explained politely. "They are the esteemed grandparents of Emperor Shiroi and Prince Kurogami."
Yuna gasped, her eyes widening in sheer disbelief. "Wait. You mean they are the parents of the legendary Four Princes and Six Princesses of the Kainaldia Empire?!"
"Correct," Ashcroft nodded. "However, Emperor Shiroi was specifically chosen for the Imperial throne because Prince Shadow—his father—was the first of the siblings to marry and have twin sons. Thus, Shiroi inherited the title of Emperor of Kainaldia, while Kurogami was crowned Emperor of the Demon Realm."
Risa tilted her head, intrigued. "Why did Kurogami get the Demon Realm specifically?"
"Because Kurogami has an absolute obsession with Demonology," Shiroi answered with a fond, knowing smile. "He firmly believes that every single demon is born with unique traits, and he wants to personally unlock their true potential."
Yuna smiled at the explanation. It made perfect sense. She then looked at Shiroi curiously. "What about your father, then? What is Prince Shadow like?"
Shiroi froze dead in his tracks.
A look of deep, sudden hesitation crossed the Emperor's face. Even the normally unflappable Ashcroft visibly stiffened, looking noticeably uncomfortable with the question.
"You..." Shiroi started, swallowing hard as a bead of sweat formed on his brow. "You will meet him at dinner."
When the group entered the grand dining hall, Kazumi and Shiroyuki were already seated at the massive table, waiting for the feast to begin.
Almost immediately, Yuna and Lucia shifted uncomfortably, shivering slightly under Kazumi's piercing, notoriously cold stare. Shiroi, however, noticed something else. He looked over at his other aunt.
"Aunt Shiroyuki, did you completely turn off your Blizzard Aura?" Shiroi asked, surprised. "There isn't a trace of freezing air in the room."
Shiroyuki offered a polite, gentle smile. "Well, it wouldn't be very pleasant to eat a delicious, piping-hot dinner in freezing temperatures, would it?"
Yuna tugged nervously on Shiroi's sleeve, keeping her voice low. "Is your aunt with the cold stare always this fierce?"
Before Shiroi could answer, Vergil strolled into the dining room. He had completely shed his intimidating Grey Knight armor, now dressed incredibly casually in a simple t-shirt and three-quarter pants.
"Kazumi just has a resting cold face," Vergil reassured them casually as he pulled out his chair. "There is absolutely nothing to worry about."
But the moment Vergil sat down, the atmosphere in the room violently shifted.
It wasn't a physical cold, but a suffocating, paralyzing pressure that instantly gripped Risa, Yuna, and Lucia. While Vergil, Kazumi, and Shiroyuki remained completely unbothered, the three fiancées felt their breath catch in their throats.
The grand doors opened, and a man walked in.
He was dressed entirely in pitch black. He had short, dark hair similar to Vergil's and striking, ocean-blue eyes. On the surface, his physical appearance was completely normal—handsome, even. But the aura radiating from his body was utterly horrifying. It felt as though Death itself had just stepped into the room.
Following closely behind him was a breathtaking woman with long, flowing silver hair. A stark white blindfold completely covered her eyes, yet she walked with perfect, unbothered grace, navigating the dining hall as if she had perfect vision.
Risa, Yuna, and Lucia sat entirely frozen, desperately using every ounce of their willpower to hold back their sheer terror.
Vergil, meanwhile, just rested his chin on his hand. "Evening, Shadow," Vergil greeted casually. "Grab a seat and join your three new future daughters-in-law for dinner." He then nodded to the blindfolded woman. "Good evening, Pandora."
Pandora turned her head gracefully toward the sound of his voice. "Good evening, Vergil. Where are Freya and the children?"
"Still down at the dungeon," Vergil answered. "I'm heading back out after we eat to drop off their dinner portions, and I'll bring Kurogami and Anastasya some breakfast for tomorrow."
Shadow's piercing blue eyes shifted slightly. "Is Kurogami down in the dungeon as well?"
"He's been working hard," Vergil praised. "He has been busy hunting down the best possible monsters to populate the biomes."
Shadow gave a slow, silent nod of approval and took his seat beside Pandora at the table.
Risa leaned over to Shiroi, her voice a trembling, terrified whisper. "Who... who is that man?"
Yuna clutched her hands together under the table. "Why is his aura so incredibly scary?!"
Shiroi let out a long, heavy sigh, rubbing his temples. "Girls, allow me to introduce Prince Shadow Ragnaros. He is my and Kurogami's biological father."
Lucia stared at the man. Even as a Demon Queen, her survival instincts were screaming at her. "Why does he feel so terrifying?" she whispered.
Shiroi offered his fiancées a tired, apologetic smile. "This... this is exactly why Ashcroft and I completely froze up when you asked about my father earlier."
Vergil leaned back in his chair, his tone incredibly casual. "Well, Shadow isn't just intimidating. He is literal Death itself."
Risa, Yuna, and Lucia recoiled in absolute shock.
Vergil picked up his glass of water. "Shadow is the God of Death. But because the Netherworld is currently dealing with a severe staffing shortage, he also had to take on the role of the Grim Reaper. He is basically their chief accountant."
Risa's face instantly drained of all color, turning a ghostly pale. Beside her, the usually fearless Demon Queen Lucia looked genuinely terrified.
"There's no need to panic," Vergil reassured them, looking specifically at Risa. "Especially you, Risa. The Rite of Immortality is actually a fairly simple procedure. However, the final result is entirely dependent on your personal interview with the Grim Reaper himself."
Shadow said absolutely nothing, merely fixing Risa with an unreadable, ocean-blue stare.
Sitting gracefully beside him, Pandora tilted her head, highly amused by the girls' reactions. She knew that Risa, as a human, was required to undergo the Rite of Immortality to safely rule alongside Shiroi. Lucia, on the other hand, possessed a naturally long demonic lifespan, though she could still technically die of old age.
"Lucia certainly has the advantage of a demon's longevity," Vergil noted, glancing at the silver-haired queen. "Though I admit, I am not entirely sure what the maximum lifespan of your specific demonic lineage is."
Yuna raised her hand timidly, looking at the God of Death. "Um... what about me?"
Shadow slowly shifted his gaze to her. When he spoke, his voice was deep, echoing with the absolute weight of the grave. "Technically speaking, Spirits are already classified as immortal entities. That is why you do not require the Rite."
Vergil sighed, shifting the topic away from cosmic mortality. "It's a shame Dante and Creed are so tied up with their own affairs right now. We could use the extra hands."
"Izumi and Takano are currently with Creed," Shadow commented softly. "They are assisting Dante."
"And Aeka is still down in the dungeon with Valkrieya," Vergil added. "Once we finish eating, I need to head back down there with a supply drop."
"Besides fresh clothes, what else do you need to bring them?" Shadow asked.
"Toiletries. Soap, shampoo, laundry detergent," Vergil listed pragmatically. "Just because my family is currently managing a subterranean dungeon ecosystem doesn't mean personal hygiene is negotiable. They need to stay clean."
Shadow gave a slow, solemn nod of absolute agreement.
"I'll have the Custodes Guard keep the Eagleplane on standby for you, Uncle Vergil," Shiroi offered.
"Much appreciated," Vergil smiled.
Just then, the grand dining room doors swung open. Eva walked in, followed by a line of palace maids carrying massive, steaming platters of incredibly delicious food. Ragnar took his rightful place at the head of the table, his eyes shining with pride as he looked over his gathered family.
"Let the feast begin!" Ragnar boomed happily.
Vergil immediately caught the attention of one of the maids. "Please prepare several large to-go portions. I need enough for Freya, my seven children, Kurogami, Aeka, and Valkrieya." The maid bowed respectfully and hurried back to the kitchens to pack the order.
As they ate, Ragnar looked down the table at his grandson. "So, Shiroi, how goes the dungeon construction?"
"We are at ninety-five percent completion, Grandfather," Shiroi reported proudly. "We are just moving into the final stage now. Once that is done, we will officially showcase the facility to the Guild Masters."
Ragnar smiled warmly. "You, Vergil, and everyone involved are doing an outstanding job for the Empire. Please give my highest regards to the team currently stationed down there."
Vergil, eager to get back to his wife and children, finished his meal with military efficiency. Excusing himself from the table, he quickly gathered the massive food order and several large suitcases packed full of fresh clothes and toiletries.
Boarding the waiting Custodes Guard Eagleplane, Vergil immediately flew back into the night, returning to the depths of the dungeon. Back at the Imperial Palace, Shiroi and the rest of his family finally retired to their respective quarters, securing a well-deserved rest after an incredibly chaotic day.
Morning arrived, and the dungeon was buzzing with activity. Vergil had traded in his heavy Grey Knight armor for his sleek, signature black Assassin gear. He stood at the front of the grand staging hall alongside Freya, their seven children, Kurogami, Aeka, and Valkrieya.
Anastasya, acting as the Head Dungeon Manager, gathered the massive crowd of newly recruited monsters to commence the official employee orientation.
"Welcome, everyone," Anastasya projected her voice across the hall. "Allow me to introduce the official Management Team of Project D2-A. First, Lord Vergil and Lady Freya will serve as your Primary Manager. If you encounter any operational issues, or if you wish to undergo individual or team combat training for your specific floors, you report directly to them."
Anastasya gestured to the older daughters. "Mina, Lira, Sylvy, Aria, and Chloe will be managing the Golem Logistics team. They are responsible for restocking the treasure chests across all floors. Next, Fenrir and Camilla are our Head Trap Makers and Demolition Experts."
Finally, she pointed to the two newest members of the family. "And Aeka and Valkrieya will serve as the Co-Heads of the Clean-Up Crew."
A massive, armored Minotaur raised its hand tentatively. "Excuse me. What exactly does a 'Clean-Up Crew' do?"
Aeka stepped forward cheerfully. "Whenever a party of adventurers gets wiped out by one of you, my team will sweep the floor, collect their corpses, and dissolve them to keep the hallways sanitary!"
Valkrieya stepped up beside her, adding pragmatically, "Furthermore, during intense battles, some of our Skeleton employees will inevitably get smashed to pieces. The Clean-Up Crew is responsible for collecting your scattered bones and reassembling you so you can get back to work."
A wave of understanding murmurs rippled through the crowd of monsters. It sounded like an excellent health and safety policy.
"Does anyone else have questions for the Management Team?" Anastasya asked.
A towering, heavily muscled Orc King raised his massive hand. "I have a logistical concern. I brought my strongest Orc Champion with me. However, placing both of us in the exact same Boss Room feels terribly unfair to the adventurers. It lacks sporting honor."
Anastasya blinked, surprised by the Orc King's dedication to fair game balancing. She looked over at Vergil and Freya. "What do you suggest, Manager?"
Vergil stroked his chin, his tactical mind easily solving the problem. "What if we make the Orc Champion a 'Mini-Boss'? We can station him as an elite gatekeeper in the antechamber right before your throne room."
Freya raised an eyebrow. "Is that a standard dungeon layout?"
"It works perfectly," Vergil assured her. "Years ago, I had to fight my way through a brutally tough Undead Knight just to unlock the door to face the Undead King. It builds excellent anticipation for the final fight."
The monsters whispered among themselves in awe, incredibly impressed by Vergil's swift, brilliant problem-solving.
Another monster—a shadow demon—raised its hand. "Will this facility utilize the same respawn system as the famous Arudi Dungeon?"
Anastasya nodded, taking the floor. "Yes, we are using the exact same closed-loop system. Your physical bodies are tied to Magic Gemstones. When an adventurer 'kills' you, your body will dissipate, leaving the gemstone behind as loot. The Adventurer's Guild branch in the nearby village will purchase these gemstones from the adventurers and immediately sell them back to us. We then use those gems to generate a fresh body for you."
"Currently, our gemstone stockpile is massive," Anastasya continued. "So right now, we are just going to draw lots to assign your patrol routes based on the five-floor biome themes."
The Nine-Tailed Fox—the mythical beast Kurogami had casually dragged in yesterday—raised a paw indignantly. "Hold on. Who is supposed to be the Boss of Floors 1 through 5?"
Kurogami stepped forward, his supreme aura flaring just enough to make the fox whimper. "You are," the Demon Lord stated simply. "Levels 1 through 5 are themed as a natural cave system populated by low-level game—Horn Rabbits, Blade Rabbits, and Fast Rabbits. You are the apex predator of that biome."
Anastasya quickly introduced Kurogami. "Everyone, this is Lord Kurogami. He is the Emperor of the Demon Realm and your primary Monster Manager. Any questions regarding your specific combat roles go to him."
Just then, the grand doors opened. Shiroi walked in, flanked by Risa, Yuna, and Demon Queen Lucia. Anastasya officially introduced the Emperor of the Kainaldia Empire, and the monsters respectfully bowed.
Shiroi offered a warm, welcoming speech, officially congratulating the monsters on their employment. "As for the official name of this dungeon," Shiroi concluded, "we will leave that up to whatever the Adventurer's Guild decides to call it when they discover it."
With the speeches concluded, the logistical lottery began.
The main magical display board flared to life, showing detailed maps of Levels 6A and 6B. A horde of Skeleton monsters lined up, drawing numbered lots to determine their specific patrol routes. Next came the Skeletons armed with daggers for Levels 7A and 7B. The lottery continued seamlessly all the way down to Level 65B.
As the monsters drew their assignments, Vergil briefed them on the environmental themes.
"Levels 6 through 10 are the Graveyard Biome," Vergil explained. "It will be heavily populated by Skeletons, overseen by the Skeleton King."
"Levels 11 through 15 are the Forest Biome," Vergil continued. "This area mixes wild beasts with Goblin tribes. However, the Goblins used here are strictly disposable clones grown directly by the dungeon."
"To ensure absolute security for the Empire," Shiroi added, stepping in, "these disposable Goblins are genetically locked. They cannot naturally evolve or breed, and even their Goblin King is an artificial lifeform. If they die, we just grow new ones on field dedicating for grow this goblin."
"Levels 16 through 20," Vergil resumed, "are themed as a Ruined Village, decimated by an Orc raid. Levels 21 through 25 transition into a Destroyed Town, designed specifically for urban warfare, where we will start introducing diverse Demon classes."
"Levels 26 through 30 simulate the outer merchant sector of a grand city," Vergil listed. "Levels 31 through 35 are the ruined inner-city districts, and Levels 36 through 40 represent the war-torn grounds outside a massive castle."
A curious lesser demon raised its hand. "Why does the environment change so drastically every five floors?"
"Immersion," Vergil answered with a knowing smirk. "It is a complex series of magical illusions designed to make the adventurers feel as though the dungeon is a massive, self-contained world, completely disconnected from the reality of the surface."
The murmurs of the monsters quickly grew into excited whispers. The concept of the dungeon as a completely self-contained, illusory world was highly appealing to them.
Shiroi addressed the massive crowd, his voice echoing with absolute authority. "Because this dungeon operates as an isolated reality, separated from the surface, everyone stationed inside will remain completely protected from the conflicts of the outside world. You will be entirely safe here."
Vergil took over, pointing to the magical display to detail the deepest, most dangerous floors. "Moving further down, Levels 41 through 45 will encompass the Grand Palace Gardens. Levels 50 through 55 will serve as the opulent Palace Guest Quarters, followed immediately by the Administrative Wing from Levels 56 through 60."
He traced his gauntleted finger to the bottom of the map. "Levels 61 through 65 represent the Military Wing—housing the barracks, the elite knights, and the subterranean prison. Finally, Levels 66 through 70 constitute the Inner Sanctum. This is the core of the palace, where Demon Queen Lucia's five elite generals will make their stand. They will guard the highest-tier treasure chests, which contain immense wealth and incredibly rare materials."
A heavily armored monster raised its hand. "When does the dungeon officially open?"
"As soon as possible," Shiroi answered smoothly. "We only have one final administrative meeting left with the Class Guild Masters and the regional Adventurer's Guild."
Anastasya stepped forward, adjusting her glasses with practiced corporate efficiency. "To initiate the opening, we will strategically 'leak' rumors of a new dungeon to a designated explorer or veteran adventuring party. Human curiosity is highly predictable; we can guarantee they will come to investigate."
Another monster, a shadowy demon, spoke up. "What are our official rules of engagement regarding these adventurers?"
"An excellent question," Anastasya replied, offering a sharp, professional smile. "You are fully authorized to attack any adventurer that enters your designated sector. However, if they break formation and decide to retreat, you are strictly prohibited from chasing them."
"And if they foolishly force their way forward despite their injuries?" the demon pressed.
"Then you are fully authorized to defeat and kill them," Anastasya stated coldly.
Vergil raised a hand. "I have one final addition."
Anastasya immediately stepped back, yielding the floor to the Grand Master.
"This dungeon is operating in a joint partnership with the 3rd Chapter of the Grey Knights," Vergil announced to the hall. "Specifically, a detachment of one thousand personnel will be permanently stationed here to act as a specialized Search and Rescue (SAR) team, tasked with locating and extracting lost adventurers."
A wave of nervous tension rippled through the monstrous crowd. "Will these silver knights attack us?" an Orc asked cautiously.
"No," Anastasya assured them firmly. "They are under strict orders not to engage you in combat, and you are expressly forbidden from attacking them. It is an absolute, neutral partnership."
Vergil gestured toward the grand entrance. "Allow me to introduce them."
The heavy staging hall doors swung open, and one thousand towering Grey Knights in gleaming, heavy power armor marched inside in perfect unison. At the front of the formation, Chapter Master Asura reached up and unsealed his helmet with a pressurized hiss.
"We are here solely as a SAR unit and to provide absolute exterior security," Asura declared, his battle-scarred face offering a reassuring, respectful nod to the horde. "We are your allies in this facility."
The tension in the room evaporated instantly. Realizing the immense security this alliance provided, the monsters erupted into deafening, joyous cheers. Breaking their rigid military formations, the imposing 3rd Chapter Grey Knights seamlessly mingled with the monstrous horde, celebrating the dawn of their grand new cooperation together.
Shiroi's secure communicator suddenly chimed. He stepped away from the celebrating monsters to answer it.
"Your Majesty," Ashcroft's crisp voice came through the earpiece. "The joint summit with the Class Guild Masters is scheduled to begin this afternoon. Please ensure that Grand Master Vergil, his family, and Head Manager Anastasya return to the capital to present the final dungeon mechanics."
"Understood," Shiroi replied. He turned to Vergil. "Uncle, it is time. The final meeting is today. You, Aunt Freya, the kids, and Anastasya need to come back to the Palace with me."
"Is there an issue?" Vergil asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, just the final operational briefing for the Guild Masters," Shiroi clarified.
"Do the children really need to attend a bureaucratic meeting?" Freya asked, looking over at her daughters who were currently showing off their gear to a group of curious goblins.
"They were instrumental in the QA testing. They should be there," Shiroi insisted.
Within minutes, Vergil, his family, Anastasya, and Shiroi's three fiancées boarded a Grey Knight Eagleplane. After a swift, ten-minute flight, the transport touched down at the Imperial Palace hangar. Ashcroft was already waiting on the tarmac.
"Your timing is impeccable, Your Majesty," the aide greeted with a flawless bow. "All the Guild Masters have assembled. Furthermore, it appears two entirely new Class Guild Masters have joined the registry."
"An excellent opportunity for some formal introductions, then," Shiroi smiled.
Ashcroft escorted the large group to the grand conference room. Inside, the various Guild Masters were standing around the massive table, animatedly whispering about the rumors of a newly constructed dungeon.
Shiroi walked to the head of the table, his commanding presence immediately silencing the room. He gestured for everyone to take their seats.
Lord Andrew Draven, the Head of the Adventurer's Guild, stood up to make the introductions. "Your Majesty, allow me to introduce our newest members. First is Lord Hitoriga, the Grandmaster of the Ninja Clan hailing from the Mikuno Mountains in the southern territories. Many aspiring adventurers have already flocked to him for training."
Shiroi smiled warmly. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Hitoriga. I hereby officially recognize the Ninja as an active adventurer combat class."
"Next," Lord Andrew continued, "is Lady Alcina, the Grandmaster of the Valkyrie Guild."
Shiroi nodded respectfully to the fierce-looking warrior woman. "Pardon my curiosity, but how does the Valkyrie class differ from the standard Paladin class?"
Lord Edward, the heavily armored Paladin Guild Master, answered first. "Paladins are heavy vanguards, Your Majesty. We utilize all varieties of heavy weaponry paired exclusively with massive Tower Shields."
Lady Alcina stood tall, her voice ringing with pride. "The Valkyries, Your Majesty, are a strictly female-exclusive combat class. We focus on high-mobility frontline combat, utilizing a strict combination of one-handed swords paired with small-to-standard-sized shields for parrying."
"A brilliant tactical distinction," Shiroi praised. "I wholeheartedly welcome Lady Alcina and the Valkyrie Guild to the Empire's registry."
With the pleasantries concluded, Lord Andrew leaned forward, looking at the Kainaldian delegation. "Now, Your Majesty... what is the status of Project D2-A?"
Shiroi gave Ashcroft a subtle nod. The butler stepped out of the room for a moment and wheeled in the massive whiteboard from their original brainstorming session. The board was completely covered top-to-bottom in complex diagrams, mechanical notes, and operational flowcharts.
"Over the past few days, Head Manager Anastasya, Grand Master Vergil, Lady Freya, their children, and Lord Kurogami have been tirelessly constructing and testing the dungeon's infrastructure," Shiroi announced. "What you see here is the finalized operational blueprint."
The Guild Masters leaned in, murmuring in absolute awe at the sheer level of detail and corporate precision applied to a monster-filled labyrinth.
Lord Andrew looked around the table. "Are there any questions for the Management Team?"
Lady Aria Nightshade, representing the Assassin classes, raised her hand. "The blueprints outline an 'Ascension Penalty.' Is it true that if an adventuring party attempts to climb the stairs back up to a previous floor, they are magically ejected from the dungeon?"
"That is entirely correct," Shiroi confirmed. "Grand Master Vergil and I personally tested the spatial displacement system. Attempting to backtrack will instantly teleport the party back to the surface, resetting their progress." Vergil offered a firm nod to verify the claim.
Lady Nyra, a prominent mage, frowned. "If they cannot walk backwards, how do they safely recover after defeating a major floor boss, such as the apex predator of Floor 5?"
"I can answer that," Lira announced, standing up alongside her sister, Aria. The assassins sister rolled back their sleeves, presenting the dark, claw-shaped magical tattoos etched into the backs of their hands.
Anastasya stepped forward, pointing a pen at the marks. "We have successfully implemented a Save Point system. Once a boss is defeated, adventurers will receive this arcane mark. By pressing the tattoo against the crystal lanterns at the entrance and speaking their desired location, they will be instantly teleported to the Safe Room behind that specific boss."
Lord Isolde, a notoriously stubborn Guild Master, crossed his arms skeptically. "A permanent, dungeon-wide spatial teleportation network? That requires an absurd amount of precise magical engineering. Do you have concrete proof that this system is fully operational and safe for our adventurers?"
Anastasya smiled, her glasses glinting in the light. She had fully anticipated this exact question. "Your Majesty, request permission to show the video diagnostics I recorded during our duengon testing."
Shiroi leaned back in his chair, a confident smirk on his face. "Granted, Anastasya. It is time we showed the Guild Masters exactly how seriously the Kainaldia Empire takes Project D2-A."
Anastasya stepped up to the massive conference table and placed a glowing memory crystal directly in the center.
The crystal hummed to life, projecting a crisp, holographic recording into the air. The video displayed Vergil, Shiroi and his three fiancées walking up the stone stairs from Floor 5, only to be instantly ejected from the dungeon and deposited outside in the sunlight. The audio of the system's "Ascension Penalty" triggering, followed by Yuna and Lucia's utter confusion, played back perfectly for the Guild Masters to hear.
The holographic feed then seamlessly transitioned to the second test. It showed Lira and Aria demonstrating the teleportation system. The twin assassins pressed their claw-shaped magical tattoos against the entrance crystal, spoke the command phrase, and were instantly teleported into the secure confines Safe Room after boss room of first five level.
Lady Selene Ashborn, the enigmatic leader of the magical classes, leaned forward. "Fascinating spatial manipulation. The execution is flawless."
Lord Isolde, however, squinted at the projection. "The system works, certainly. But that 'Safe Room' they teleported into looks completely barren. Is that massive space truly meant for resting and resupplying?"
Shiroi nodded smoothly.
Risa, standing beside him, confidently took over the explanation. "As Emperor Shiroi promised during the initial planning phase, defeating the major boss at the end of every fifth floor grants adventurers access to a designated Safe Room. These are heavily fortified, neutral zones. Adventurers can rest safely, purchase potions and ammunition from registered dungeon merchants, and acquire whatever provisions they need before deciding to delve deeper."
Lady Alcina of the Valkyrie Guild smiled in approval. "That is highly practical. It means my Valkyries can properly set up camp, cook nutritious meals, and rest their muscles without having to constantly sleep with one eye open."
"I completely agree with Lady Alcina," Lord Zareth Ironclaw of the Fighter Guild grunted approvingly. "A rested vanguard is a lethal vanguard."
Lord Hitoriga, the newly appointed Ninja Grandmaster, raised a hand. "What of equipment maintenance? Or, in more extreme cases... what if an adventuring party wishes to hold a marriage ceremony down there to solidify their bonds before a deadly boss raid?"
"Regarding equipment," Shiroi answered, "the Safe Rooms are specifically zoned to allow Blacksmiths to open subterranean repair shops. Furthermore, we highly encourage Tailors to establish storefronts as well, so they can offer rapid repair services for damaged leather armor and torn magical robes."
Lord Isolde let out a booming, satisfied laugh, thoroughly pleased that his Guild's logistical demands had been fully accommodated.
Cardinal Bratfort, the austere head of the Cleric Guild, cleared his throat. "And regarding Lord Hitoriga's second point? During the initial blueprints, there was talk of permitting localized matrimonial ceremonies within the dungeon's Safe Areas. Does that provision still stand?"
Anastasya immediately stepped forward, seamlessly slipping into her role as the Empire's ultimate corporate administrator. "Dungeon marriages are still fully permitted, Cardinal Bratfort. However, please remember that under the strict laws of the Church and the Kainaldia Empire, all marriages must be officially documented. Therefore, if your Clerics intend to perform weddings at safe room after boss Floor 30, we expect the Church's administrative branch to file the proper paperwork and documentation with the Imperial and Church Registry upon their return to the surface."
Cardinal Bratfort blinked, slightly taken aback by the sudden injection of bureaucracy into a holy sacrament, but he offered a respectful nod. "Understood, Head Manager. I will personally ensure the administrative paperwork is handled."
With the efficiency of a seasoned executive assistant, Ashcroft stepped up to the massive whiteboard and systematically checked off the administrative items that had just been resolved.
Lord Zareth Ironclaw of the Fighter Guild leaned forward, studying the blueprints. "Does the architectural schematic still follow the original operational plan?"
"It does," Vergil confirmed, taking the floor. "The structural loop remains identical: five explorable floors, followed by a Boss Room, which then unlocks a Safe Room. That loop repeats all the way to the bottom. However, after brainstorming with Lord Draven, we decided to implement a significant atmospheric twist."
Lord Khales Desmond, the cunning Master of the Thief Guild, raised an intrigued eyebrow. "What kind of twist?"
"Starting from Level 6 all the way down to Level 70," Vergil explained, "every five-floor sector features a completely different, yet chronologically interconnected, environmental theme."
Lady Aria Nightshade tilted her head. "I am not sure I follow, Grand Master. What do you mean by 'interconnected'?"
Freya stepped up beside her husband, a proud smile on her lips. "My husband wanted to ensure the dungeon felt like a completely isolated reality. The overarching theme we designed is the tragic fall of a massive, alternate-dimension kingdom that is slowly bleeding into the world of Magnacarta VII. As the adventurers descend, they will physically walk through the story of a ruined society."
Lord Khales Desmond rubbed his chin. "A narrative-driven labyrinth... Now that is a remarkably engaging concept."
"It certainly is," Lady Valeria agreed, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "But aesthetics aside, what about the lethal countermeasures? How are the traps being handled?"
Shiroi gave a subtle nod toward the Ragnaros children. Fenrir and Camilla immediately shot their hands enthusiastically into the air.
"We handled the traps!" Fenrir announced proudly. "All the environmental traps for the various biomes are fully constructed and have passed QA testing!"
Right on cue, Anastasya tapped the memory crystal. The holographic projection shifted, displaying high-definition test footage of the dungeon corridors. The Guild Masters watched as hidden pit-falls, poison dart shooters, and crushing walls triggered perfectly within the ruins, forests, and graveyard sectors.
"As you can see," Fenrir continued, puffing out his chest, "the physical treasure chest traps are also fully operational. We specifically calibrated the Stink Gas and Poison triggers so that only adventurers with a 'Thief' class or higher can safely pick the locks."
Lord Khales and Lady Aria Nightshade both nodded with immense, greedy satisfaction. Giving the Thief and Assassin classes a mandatory role in securing loot was exactly what they wanted to hear.
Camilla chimed in, "The chests utilizing magical traps are still in the active development phase, though." She and Fenrir both turned and smiled at their sister, Aria.
Aria blushed slightly but spoke up with academic confidence. "I am currently drafting the arcane rune formulas that will be etched directly onto the highest-tier chests."
Lady Selene Ashborn, the supreme Mage Guild Master, offered the young girl a sympathetic, validating smile. "Take your time, dear. Etching a stable, elemental trap rune onto a small, physical object is exponentially more difficult than simply drawing a massive magical circle on the ground. Your methodology is correct."
Lord Draven, who had been closely analyzing the corridor trap footage, frowned. "Are these environmental traps entirely unavoidable? It looks like a slaughterhouse."
"They can be bypassed," Lady Selene answered smoothly, looking over the magical signatures on the blueprints. "In fact, the Mage Guild provides a specific detection spell designed specifically to identify hidden magical triggers and Mimic monsters disguised as treasure chests. Our current iteration of the spell boasts a 99% accuracy rate."
The English Adaptation
Aria smiled shyly, glancing at her younger sister. "Chloe has been helping me draft the formulas, too."
Lady Selene nodded approvingly. "Two heads are always better than one, my dear. When it comes to complex arcane mathematics, having a partner to cross-reference your calculations and correct your magical equations is invaluable."
"My cousins have always been exceptionally gifted in the magical arts," Shiroi commented, his chest swelling with familial pride.
King Aidis, who was attending the summit as an head of Blacksmith Guild, stared at the holographic blueprints in absolute awe. "I must admit, the architectural layout and conceptual design of this facility are spectacular. It easily surpasses the Arudi Dungeon in both complexity and sheer challenge."
The rest of the Guild Masters murmured their collective agreement. The Kainaldia Empire had engineered a true masterpiece of a labyrinth.
Shiroi leaned forward, resting his hands on the table. "So, what is the final verdict from the Guild Masters?"
The response was unanimous. The Guild Masters firmly agreed that the sooner they could funnel adventurers into the dungeon, the better it would be for everyone's profit margins.
"Excellent," Shiroi said. "My secondary objective is to stimulate the local economy. I want the small village located near the dungeon's entrance to rapidly expand into a major economic hub, much like Apple Gate Town did outside of the Arudi Dungeon."
Lord Draven, the Adventure Guild's leader, nodded vigorously. "I wholeheartedly agree, Your Majesty. The localized economy of a booming adventurer town generates significantly more tax revenue and trade volume than a standard agricultural village."
"Then we need to trigger the discovery phase," Shiroi strategized. "With all the heavy construction and Eagleplane flights over the past few days, the local villagers have likely noticed the activity. We need an adventurer party sent to the location immediately to 'investigate' the rumors."
Lord Draven chuckled, pulling a piece of parchment from his leather folder. "As a matter of fact, Your Majesty, the local village chief officially submitted an urgent investigation request to the Adventurer's Guild just this morning."
Shiroi raised an eyebrow, pleased by the rapid development. "What is the name of this settlement?"
"They call it Zephyr Village, Your Majesty," Draven answered. "It is situated in a heavily forested area, but the region is known for its remarkably strong, constant winds."
"Zephyr Village. A fitting name," Shiroi mused. He pointed at the parchment. "Approve the chief's request immediately. Send an investigation party into the forest. Whichever party—or whichever party leader—officially discovers the entrance will be granted the exclusive honor of naming the dungeon."
"Standard Guild protocol dictates a full day for verifying civilian requests," Lord Draven noted, "but given the circumstances, I can personally bypass the red tape. I will have the investigation commission posted to the central Quest Board first thing tomorrow morning."
"That is perfectly fine," Shiroi agreed with a satisfied smile. "The most important thing right now is that the dungeon is discovered organically. Once the gates are open, I want this facility to be even more bustling and prosperous than Arudi."