Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 37
This is not a story meant to denigrate any particular era or generation.
However, it is undeniable that modern society on Earth is built upon a foundation of various cultural considerations.
For example, things like “a certain degree of seniority-based hierarchy,” or “respecting the free will of young people,” or “favoring children” and “ensuring that adult instruction is delivered kindly.” It’s fair to say that such unspoken considerations shape society.
To put it simply: “Children are, to some extent, pampered.”
But — that is not the case in another world.
Rule under monarchy is different.
Even the privileges granted to Heroes are not absolute.
“Do you fools not understand the gravity of the situation?! Losing the Dungeon Core at the border… Do you not comprehend how dire that is? Are your minds too feeble to grasp its significance?!”
In the audience chamber of the Kingdom of Golda, the summoned Heroes — that is, Shizuma’s classmates — were being roared at by the king under the watchful eyes of many soldiers and court magicians.
To Earth students, unaccustomed to the full wrath of an adult with real power, the king’s sermon was an unbearable torment.
Even though they were Heroes, blessed with great power and potential, they trembled under the weight of his fury.
“You hid the truth, didn’t you? You knew that mysterious adventurer took the Dungeon Core! Had you acted immediately, there might’ve been a way to salvage the situation! But now the canyon has rejected all life — it’s entered a dormant state! If the Core is manipulated and the area is fully transformed into Lendia’s territory, what will you do?! Our nation’s largest dungeon, the ‘Great Forest of Dream Hill,’ has already gone dormant after ‘The Mansion of Greed’ was conquered by that man, Silent! And now he may have crossed into the neighboring nation as well… If both Dungeon Cores fall into Lendia’s hands and are activated…”
The students, unfamiliar with the specifics of Dungeon Cores and their strategic importance, asked for an explanation.
“You haven’t even learned that?! What kind of education is this?”
“Sir! We have been prioritizing combat training above all else…”
“I see. Then when will you be able to defeat Silent?”
“…Given his stats, even with intensive training in high-level dungeons, it would take several years.”
“…That’s what I thought. Listen well, Heroes. Dungeon Cores, yes, they enrich the land. But more importantly — they grant control over the entire dungeon!”
The king, still visibly irritated, handed the rest of the explanation over to a court magician while sipping water in an effort to compose himself.
What does it mean to control a dungeon through its Core?
Teleportation within the dungeon.
Control over who may enter or be restricted.
Structural modification of the dungeon interior.
The ability to alter the entire environment.
These abilities far exceed what is implied on paper.
For instance:
A Dungeon Master can teleport large groups of people into the dungeon.
They can ban specific factions from entry and monopolize wealth.
They can set lethal traps to massacre unsuspecting intruders.
They can convert abundant resources into toxic waste or poisoned water supplies.
Only after hearing this did the students begin to understand why the king had been so furious.
“B-but it’s not like the forest dungeon was completely conquered, right…?”
“No, the master of the Mansion of Greed… killed the Dungeon Master managing the forest and took control. That’s how strong the enemy was. And then Silent defeated that man. Fortunately, it seems Silent still doesn’t fully grasp the value of Dungeon Cores. Control over them requires secret arts — so obscure that only top-level mages can operate them…”
“But if he hands it over to Lendia’s queen, it’s over. Our kingdom will be cornered in an instant! The fragile tension between us and Lendia would collapse. Thankfully, the forest lies in the highlands, so even if a military force is deployed there, we could isolate the area. But… if the Scorched Valley becomes Lendia’s territory, we may not even be able to leave our own country anymore! We’d be cut off — isolated and drained of strength!”
The king, now more composed, spoke again after drinking some water.
“Our kingdom has grown thanks to the abundant resources from the fertile northern lands. That prosperity came from converting that vast area into a dungeon with a fertile environment. The Great Forest — where you were summoned — is what sustains this nation.”
“Even so, you summoned us… What happened?”
Kazunuma, the classmate who often acted as their representative asked.
“It was on the Dungeon Master’s orders. Long ago, a Dungeon Master we summoned turned the vast land into a dungeon. Then one day, he returned to this castle and said:
‘The contract period is ending. Other Dungeon Masters will start moving soon. It’s time you performed your role as pieces in our proxy war.’
That was the message. Their goal was to steal each other’s Dungeon Cores and increase their power. To fulfill the contract meant to bring back other Cores. He threatened that if we failed… he would bring this country to ruin.”
“B-but Silent already beat that Dungeon Master, right? Isn’t the problem solved…?”
“Natural dungeons don’t exist solely in our nation. You saw it yourself — the canyon dungeon on the border. There are many unclaimed dungeons throughout the world. What if their Dungeon Masters also begin to act? What if such inhuman beings start taking over and ruling the people? Can’t you see where that would lead? They are not friendly entities — you’ve seen that for yourselves.”
The students from Earth were already beginning to perceive Dungeon Masters as evil demons.
If such beings were to move across the globe, even with their limited imagination, they could easily foresee the potential destruction of humanity.
“That’s why — forgive the crude term — but we needed pawns. We had to gather Dungeon Cores before any other nation could, and prevent the world from being swallowed by chaos. The Holy Kingdom of Lendia has gone so far as to create artificial dungeons, dungeons that don’t even have a Dungeon Master. If they were to obtain natural dungeons on top of that, what might they do…? Can you understand now why we are so enraged, Heroes?”
It was the voice of a king who truly wished to protect the world and stave off disorder — the weight of his responsibility and noble intentions laid bare.
Finally, the students recognized their own naïveté and foolishness.
“We’re sorry… We sincerely apologize, Your Majesty,”
Kazunuma on behalf of the group, followed by the other students who bowed their heads in apology.
“Right now, I’m considering what moves we can still make. It may end up being a rather harsh trial, but I believe you all can overcome it.”
“Yes! We won’t let you down again! Right, everyone?”
The students’ morale rose.
Everyone was convinced that this would fuel their training even more.
And so, as the students left the audience chamber, the king finally let out a breath, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
“In the end, they’re just children. They swallowed the entire fabricated story without question. It was the right call not to give them any unnecessary knowledge.”
“Indeed. Now they’ll work even more obediently.”
“Yes. To start, let’s send a few of the stronger ones to Lendia. There’s still time before their New Year’s Festival. If we don’t begin reducing Lindblum’s forces soon, our victory will be in jeopardy.”
“…Losing Silent was a huge blow. He could have rivaled even that country’s Thirteen Knights…”
“Exactly. But now, we have no choice but to raise these pawns. We also have magic support. The experiments are incomplete, but we can’t afford to be picky about the means to strengthen them.”
“The members of that cult, too, are reportedly conducting sabotage operations against Lindblum on their own. Finally… our long-cherished wish is within reach, Your Majesty.”
“Indeed. Continental unification… This is the only continent still governed by multiple nations. That’s why the other continents look down on us.”
So spoke the king and the chancellor.
It had all been a complete lie.
Everything that had been said—except for the dungeon core’s properties—was an entirely fabricated tale.
It was a lie told to manipulate foolish children into taking action.
The king simply wanted more power, more land, more territory for himself.
There was no noble cause, no justice—only the raw desire of a dictator.
And thus, the students… the children, were being consumed, used, and corrupted by the wicked schemes of adults.
They were falling.
“It really is big, huh… So this is yours and Letty-chan’s house?”
“Melt-kun, please refer to me as Shuris.”
“…I’ll call you that once we become friends.”
“How cruel…!”
When they arrived at Shuris-san’s clan home, Melt looked around in renewed amazement at the mansion’s surroundings.
Well, it was massive. Seriously massive. Even without knowing the exact scale of the clan, this sheer size was something else.
“How many people actually live here? Even someone other than Melt would be surprised at how spacious it is.”
“Let’s see… We expelled three problematic members recently, so now there are forty-seven of us. But some have their own homes, and I also go back to my family’s house now and then.”
“That’s still quite a crowd… But isn’t this place still too big?”
“You think so? Well, many of us are from noble families, so naturally it turned out quite large. We also have live-in staff for cleaning and maintaining the mansion.”
“I see…”
If that’s the case, then it makes sense…?
Still, if nearly 50 people—likely selected from elite adventurers of crimson-rank or higher—were living here, this must indeed be a pretty serious clan.
“By the way, both Letty and I are from noble families.”
“I kind of figured as much.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
They do have that air about them. Letty especially gives off that arrogant vibe of someone who was spoiled growing up.
“Well then, let’s head to the training grounds. I want to check Melt-kun’s strength and fighting style before assigning her a spot on the security team.”
“Understood. Melt, you ready?”
“You mean a mock battle, right? With wooden swords?”
“That’s the idea. Think you’re good?”
“I’m fine! I haven’t taken on any requests yesterday or today, so I’m full of energy!”
With a cheerful grin, Melt flexed her arm to show off her biceps.
Yeah… she’s incredibly carefree. Totally lacking in tension.
“Now, who should be her opponent…? Letty, since you’re definitely participating in this mission, you’re probably the best choice.”
“Me? …I’m not really good at holding back, though.”
“Letty, Melt is the partner of that Same-san—the one you couldn’t even touch, remember? Do you really think she’s someone you can talk down to?”
“Ugh… you’re absolutely right.”
“Then it’s settled. Same-san, Melt-kun! Your opponent will be Letty! Head to the training grounds ahead of us.”
It was decided. The opponent would be Letty.
To be honest, I still had no idea how strong she really was. In our last match, she let her guard down and got completely demolished before doing anything.
That’s why this time, it’s impossible to predict what would happen in a proper sword fight.
Still… I had a feeling.
Something told me that this cheerful girl absentmindedly playing with her wooden sword was hiding something extraordinary beneath the surface.
…So maybe, right now… I should test it.
“Melt.”
“Yeah?”
“Can you try to win with everything you’ve got?”
“Okay, got it.”
So innocent, so earnest—what would happen if I asked someone like her to go all out?
I decided to find out.