#1160 First Comes the Demo Version

All three rounds of the contest have concluded.

So, does that mean all the chaos that started with Alexander’s sudden appearance is finally settling down?
I’d thought things had calmed down nicely after the trade fair was a success, only for this unexpected “overtime match” to pop up out of nowhere.

From the looks of it, the guests who came to the fair had a blast at the after-party.
It’s got the same sort of vibe as when a school festival wraps up.

“What? So we don’t get to advertise at all? Boo! Booringgggg!”

Songokufon, the only one dissatisfied by the final results, grumbles.

But the other two seem perfectly fine with how it ended…

“Mind your manners, Songokufon. We’re following the arrangement from the start.”
“I had a lot of fun today, as well…”

Alexander and his steward both look pleased, which is really all that matters.
Now if only Songokufon would accept the outcome, everyone could just move on happily…

“We have no need for the fool’s agreement, Master. Simply obliterate her and throw her out.”

Horkosfon is saying some pretty scary things.

Even so, sending Alexander’s group back with nothing to show for their trouble doesn’t feel great.
They rely on us now and then, and besides, after they came all this way to ask for our help, it would feel wrong to send them home empty-handed.

“Woo! This is why you’re the Saint! You never let people down!”
“Master, if you give someone like her an inch, she’ll take a mile. There’s no end to it.”

Horkosfon has been in strict mode all day.

“I appreciate the concern, but I don’t want to burden you too much.”
“Oh, lighten up, Alex! If they’re volunteering to shoulder the extra work, let’s just let ’em handle it! No need to be so stiff, right?!”

I really wish you wouldn’t call him that so casually!
Someone, or something might randomly turn off the lights somewhere again!!!

“Anyway, the trade fair has already ended, hasn’t it? I can accept the current situation after all this ruckus, but time has moved on, which probably makes things even trickier.”

Well, it’s true the participants from the fair are still around, enjoying the after-party rather than heading home, so maybe it’s not entirely hopeless.

 The Demon King is also sticking around, partying all night with Mamoru. I do worry about Lucife Focale having to juggle all these constant schedule changes…

Even so, everyone’s basically in off-mode now. Trying to do a quick promo during this gap doesn’t sound super effective.

So, what do we do…?

“…How about this, perhaps?”

Sensei?
If you’ve got a good idea, by all means!

“Lord Alexander and company want to advertise their own dungeon, correct? But if you’re going to do marketing, it doesn’t have to be just for today. In fact, effective promotion is something carried out continuously over time.”

Right…
That’s true, but…

“So perhaps it’d be best to attempt some kind of ongoing, long-term promotion. Lord Saint, I’m sure an ingenious fellow like you can whip up a few bright ideas?”

Aww, Sensei, you’re giving me way too much credit.
But a continuous promotional campaign, huh…

If we go that route, there’s no need to fixate on the event today. Alexander’s group can head home for now, which would be convenient on our end, too…

“Awweeee, but I don’t feel like going home yet. Let’s keep the chaos goin’ until issa swirling vortex of madness!”

This angel…!

“I know! A brilliant idea has just struck me!”

Sensei?!
Usually, whenever someone yells “I’ve got a great plan!” out of nowhere, it never ends well. But you, Sensei, might be the lone exception!

“With the vast amount of mana possessed by Lord Alexander, it should be possible to create a brand-new dungeon on plain, empty land, correct?”
“Well, yes, I guess that’s essentially the same method the Geyser Dragon uses to create the Dragon Emperor’s Castle.”

The Geyser Dragon is the supreme ruler of all dragons, the Dragon Emperor.
They use so many voiced consonants because, apparently, it makes the name sound more intimidating or something like that.

The Dragon Emperor’s Castle, home to the Geyser Dragon, is built one hundred percent from the Dragon Emperor’s own mana.
Other ordinary dungeons form as a sort of natural phenomenon, when mana accumulates in one place.

That a single living creature can recreate that process on their own shows just how incredible dragons really are...

But right here we have Alexander, who surpasses even the Geyser Dragon in capability. Whipping up a dungeon with his own mana is child’s play for him.
He even said he took the Mountain of the Sacred White Maiden, added a fair bit of naturally occurring mana, then multiplied it about ten times using his own power.

“With your mana reserves, Lord Alexander, you still have plenty of surplus left, yes? Why not use that extra mana to create another mini-dungeon somewhere far away?”
“Another…dungeon?”

But how would that help, Sensei?
Alexander wants more visitors at his main dungeon. If he builds another one, wouldn’t that just spread out the crowd too thin?

“We won’t create a true, full-scale dungeon. Think of it more like a smaller version…just enough for people to get a taste of your real dungeon.”

Oh!
A demo version!!!

You know, like when you want to buy a game, you can’t be totally sure if it’s your style or if it’s really fun, just by reading the package or description.
That’s where a playable demo of just the early parts becomes super helpful!

For players, it’s a good way to avoid wasting money. For the company, it’s a perfect opportunity to widen its audience!

Yes, exactly—advertising!
A “demo version” is one of the most effective forms of promotion there is!

“That’s genius, Sensei! Way easier to understand by experiencing it firsthand than just hearing us talk about it!”
“I am deeply impressed by the Three Sages’ wisdom!!!”

Alexander is excited, and so is his butler.

“Indeed, if we let them see a shrunken-down version of the Mountain of the Sacred White Maiden, it’ll spark interest. Then those who want more can come visit the main one...! For people who live far away, they’ll want some guarantee that it’s worth the trip, right? Truly a perfect plan from Sensei!!!”

We started with “Surely the Saint has some good ideas,” but in the end, Sensei laid it all out for us…

A demo dungeon, huh…?!

Well, I guess it’s not that weird. If Alexander’s place is friendly, it’s actually quite appealing.
Like letting people tackle only the “first floor,” then if they want more, they visit the real deal?

“All right, then! Let’s set up that demo dungeon right here on this land!”

Huh?! Why here?!

Here, as in right in the Farm Kingdom?!

“Even a demo dungeon is still a dungeon. Building it recklessly in just any location might disturb the neighbors. But this land is managed by you, so it’s guaranteed safe. Plus, once this place officially becomes a kingdom, people will be coming and going in droves, correct? It’s a perfect spot.”

I mean…Alexander’s got a point…

This region is mostly flat farmland with very little mana accumulation, so it doesn’t naturally form dungeons.
In that sense, it’s currently quite safe…

But to create one right here?

Well, having no dungeons around is a safety perk, but on the flip side, having a dungeon can bring its own benefits.

Dungeons are treasure troves of unique materials.
You can collect loot or monster parts that often fetch a good price as specialty goods.

Up until now, this farmland area, with no nearby dungeons, had to trade off obtaining such resources in favor of safety. But if Alexander is willing to make something…

“Wow, so Alexander’s presence would change that, wouldn’t it?”

That actually increases the overall advantages of Farm Kingdom!
A stroke of good fortune, I guess?

“Ughhh, so everythin’s getting sorted out all nicely now? Boooooring.”

Songokufon, watching from the side, grumbles irritably.
Boring? Really?

“I was soooo looking forward to a big event to kill mah boredom, and it’s already ending? What a letdown! I was expectin’ a huge spectacle lasting at least a hundred chapters!”

A hundred chapters is total overkill.
That’d be a giant saga already.

“Come on, the world thrives on thrills, shocks, n’ suspense! Isn’t there anything entertaining enough to blow mah boredom away?”
“Oh? So you hate being bored, do you? Then let me provide some real thrills, courtesy of yours truly.”
“Huh? Who… Wait, wha—?!”

Standing right behind Songokufon is none other than Puffer.
Well, if it isn’t the current Mermaid Queen.
What brings her here?

“My husband told me the situation, so I used teleport magic to come straight over.”
“B-B-B-B-B-Big Sis?!”

Songokufon and Puffer were once companions on Prince Arowana’s pilgrimage.
Puffer practically babysat her like an older sister figure.

“My, my, you sure turned into quite the free spirit while I wasn’t looking, Songokufon. Looks like you need me to re-educate you.”
“Uh, w-w-w-wait, Sis, I-I don’t want to bother you with—”
“That’s not for you to decide! You’re staying at my side for a while. I’ll knock some sense of worldly manners back into that skull of yours! So trust me, you won’t have time to be bored!”
 “Gyaaaahhh! Sis, help! Help meeeeeeee!”

And thus, Songokufon was dragged away by Puffer, wrapping things up.