S-Class Dungeon’s Mistress - Chapter 200

Chapter 200

It would be inaccurate to say that Adelaide was simply stupid in front of the Demon King. Rather, she believed there was no better strategy for dealing with an arrogant type like Agapanthus.

If it were another demon, deliberately playing dumb would have been immediately exposed, and the Demon King would have taken furious measures, feeling mocked. However, Adelaide’s performance was flawlessly perfect.

In other words, she truly showcased her seemingly unintelligent qualities with absolute perfection. This was partly due to her inherently modest intellect, but also because she had long used her innocent appearance as a shield. Adelaide secretly thanked Penelope, who had helped her refine this performance over time.

As a result, Adelaide and Caladium were able to return to Greenville unscathed, with not a single hair harmed. This was because the frustrated Demon King had semi-forcibly expelled them.

“How unexpected. I was worried we might be tortured by an enraged Demon King.”

“That guy seemed more naive than I thought.”

They nodded to each other, exchanging opinions about Agapanthus. While the surrounding demons were relieved they had returned without incident, Lisianthus narrowed his eyes and rubbed his chin.

Naive. It was a word far removed from the Agapanthus he remembered. Though Adelaide’s safe return was fortunate, he didn’t feel it was time to relax just yet.

Sure enough, trouble began the very next day.

After finishing a hearty dinner, Adelaide was discussing dungeon management with Lisianthus. The precise topic was “How to Achieve S-Rank.”

“I really can’t see the conditions for ranking up.”

No matter how carefully they examined the transparently sparkling dungeon pad, the conditions for advancing to S-rank remained invisible. They were just one step away from A-1 to S-rank, but they couldn’t find a way to progress.

“Yes. No one knows the conditions for reaching S-rank. There are rumors that they differ for each dungeon, but even that isn’t certain.”

“By ‘no one’, you mean… even the Demon King?”

“Even the Demon King is the same. As you know, dungeons have been mysterious spaces since the beginning of the demon realm, and while much information has been revealed after long investigations, there are still many hidden aspects. The conditions for advancing to S-rank are one such mystery.”

Adelaide groaned and collapsed her upper body onto the table. If there were at least some defined conditions, she would make an effort no matter how difficult, but the uncertainty was incredibly frustrating.

The goal was right in front of her, yet how could this be! She sighed continuously, trying to use her brain to its fullest.

“Ah, what if we investigate other S-rank dungeons? If we find some commonalities, we might be able to reference them.”

Lisianthus pushed some documents to her with an impassive face. He had apparently already completed the related investigation.

“There are only two S-rank dungeons in the demon realm. One in Belial, one in Akarium. The one in Belial is ‘Eligos’, and the one in Akarium is ‘Krossel’.”

“I’ve heard about the Eligos dungeon! Isn’t its welfare supposed to be incredibly good? It’s famous as a dream workplace among succubi.”

“Yes. However, as the documents show, its combat power is not as strong as expected. It’s even lower than Los Halde’s.”

“Really? Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve heard that the dungeon itself is as massive and glamorous as Los Halde. Well, it’s probably better than other dungeons.”

“In terms of combat power and scale, Los Halde was at the highest level in the demon realm. However, similarly, it remained at A-rank, unable to meet some unknown conditions.”

Thinking about this made things even more hopeless. If even the great Uriel couldn’t uncover the conditions, how could she? Adelaide pouted her lips despondently and flipped through the documents.

“Oh? It seems Krossel dungeon isn’t operating currently? The information is quite sparse.”

“Krossel has been inactive against heroes for nearly 200 years. Being located on the outskirts of Akarium, there isn’t much known information. The scale doesn’t seem particularly large, but investigations suggest it has enormous assets that could keep its doors closed for hundreds more years. In fact, it has significantly contributed to supporting the demons of Akarium.”

“Ugh, I really don’t know. What could the conditions be? It doesn’t seem to be about dungeon scale or the combat power of its demons. We seem to have more money than Eligos. Are we going to be stuck at A-rank forever?”

“Don’t be too impatient, Adel. We still have plenty of time…”

“Ah, Adelaide!”

A sudden voice caused Adelaide and Lisianthus to turn their heads simultaneously toward the door. In the open doorway stood the Skeleton Captain, his eye sockets severely contorted.

“Big trouble! The Demon King, the Demon King’s castle…”!

The two demons quickly exchanged glances. Then immediately rose and headed to the living room.

In the living room, the dungeon members were gathered, looking at the newspaper together. As Adelaide arrived, they quickly made way for her, and she confronted the dungeon journal with a cold expression.

「Demon King’s Castle Declares “Active Intervention in All Dungeon Operations”」

Today, the Demon King’s Castle, through the Demon King’s representative, announced its intention to actively intervene in dungeon and various newspaper union operations starting immediately. The decision also included severely punishing any demons who refuse to comply. The master of chaos has finally extended his hand into a realm no previous Demon King had ever invaded.

…

From today forward, numerous unions and dungeons will inevitably fall under the Demon King’s Castle’s control, and their future remains unclear. I, Kyle, a faithful reporter of the Dungeon Journal, bid farewell to my subscribers today.>

“This… what…”

The shock was so overwhelming that she couldn’t complete her sentence. Intervening in all dungeon and union operations. This meant the Demon King intended to place the entire demon realm under his definitive control.

“After Abaddon’s death destabilized the demon realm for a while, he’s made a move to suppress the atmosphere,” Lupinus added in a chilly voice. As a demon for quite some time, he was well-versed in the demon realm’s situation.

“If he writes this, won’t Kyle be killed?”

Peter asked, trembling. The other demons confirmed with silence. Having published a critical article about the Demon King’s Castle’s decision, Kyle and the Dungeon Journal’s senior staff would surely be executed.

“Groan…”

Shuville, who brought the Dungeon Journal, bowed his head with a gloomy face. This was his final task. From the explanation, there would be a massive personnel reshuffling at the Dungeon Journal, and the demon realm’s post office would also reduce staff, resulting in Shuville losing his job. The Demon King’s Castle’s interference was already taking effect.

“Hey, manager. What should we do about this?”

Caladium tapped Lisianthus’s shoulder, urging him to say something. Lisianthus, wiping his shoulder with a handkerchief in obvious discomfort, spoke to the anxious Adelaide.

“While they say ‘active intervention’, they can’t immediately strip away the dungeon master’s authority. It’s unprecedented, and the dungeons’ resistance won’t be insignificant.”

“So… it’s okay?”

“No, it’s not okay. The current Demon King, Agapanthus, is well-versed in reasoning and skilled at subtly achieving his desires. Initially, he’ll take small areas to minimize resistance, and once everyone becomes accustomed, he’ll aim for larger gains. If we don’t stay alert, he’ll swallow us whole before we know it.”

“So what do we do then!”

Caladium urged impatiently. Normally, Adelaide would have scolded him for his disrespect, but she was also anxious, waiting for an answer with trembling eyes.

“…The best method is to form an alliance with other dungeons.”

“It won’t be easy,” Lisianthus calmly added.

An alliance was indeed not easy. Given the proud nature of demons, they were generally reluctant to unite, especially among the upper-class dungeon masters. Just recalling the past dungeon master meeting in Cronatan made the future easy to imagine.

But now, they had no other choice. With the Demon King’s Castle as a common enemy, they wouldn’t be so prideful. Adelaide nodded, deliberately erasing the images of dungeon masters who had mocked her in the past.

“Okay. Bell, can you bring me some paper and a pen?”

“Woof!”

A tiny puppy eagerly ran over, carrying paper in its mouth. Adelaide skillfully wiped off the saliva and began writing a letter to the dungeon masters in her elegant handwriting.

From the very next day after announcing its policy, the Demon King’s Castle began suppressing various dungeons and unions. Just as Lisianthus predicted, maintaining a moderate line to prevent excessive backlash.

The dungeons were furious about the Demon King’s decision but ultimately accepted it. Most knew that raising a flag against the Demon King’s Castle would result in damage far beyond any small losses they might incur.

The most significantly impacted were the small-scale dungeons. With their already minimal profits now seized by the Demon King’s Castle, their survival became even more difficult.

Even subsidiary dungeons of large-scale dungeons were no different. Far from receiving help, they were often forced to bear unexpected damages.

Meanwhile, despite waiting several days, no responses came from other dungeons. Unable to wait any longer, Adelaide decided to take action herself.

“Lisianthus. Out of the 500 Alma we have, what proportion is my share?”

“What an obvious question. All 500 Alma are yours.”

“No, that’s not true.”

Lisianthus can joke well. She waved her hand as if it were absurd. Of course, Lisianthus was serious.

“Anyway, I can use about 200 Alma as I please, right?”

“Of course. May I ask what for?”

“Well, to try again properly.”

The matter of alliance. She added seriously.

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