#525 The Dungeon Competition

Today’s the day!

Yes, it’s me, Kidan, and I’m pretty excited about this too.

We’re on an isolated island where the Geyser Dragon resides.

Until a few days ago, this place was a barren land with not a single blade of grass growing, but now...!

“There’s this magnificent mansion standing tall...!”

Or, rather than a mansion, it’s a castle.

A towering giant castle!

This is the Dragon Emperor's Castle, where the new Geyser Dragon, Ardheg, lives!

The emperor’s sanctuary!

“The... The castle I was supposed to painstakingly build is right before my eyes...!”

Ardheg, in his human form, stands dumbfounded before the huge gate.

“The Dragon Emperor's Castle, which was supposed to be built as a proof of my successful training and growth...”

...Was built by others.

Sorry things turned out this way...!

“Hooray! Great job, us!”

“It's been a while since I've had the pleasure of building something from start to finish.”

“It's only natural that the emperor’s castle should also suit the...e-empress’ tastes!”

Veil, Alexander, and Bloody Mary look satisfied with their work.

They’re the ruffians behind the castle’s construction.

“It’s not our fault you’re so lazy, Ardheg! Dragons must always be quick to act! It is not the way of things for the mightiest creature on earth to be hesitant!”

“Yeah! You who reign at the top of the dragon kingdom shouldn’t be so timid!”

And now, they’re lecturing Ardheg.

Give him a break, guys. It’s okay to stumble and fall sometimes, he’s just a dragon.

“Ngh... You all make valid points. I'll accept this as punishment for my indecisiveness. As Dragon Emperor, I must always make quick decisions!”

“That's the spirit! That's my hubby for you!”

...Is it just me, or is Bloody Mary’s more aggressive than the last time I saw her?

She's the one here who jumps to conclusions and takes action the quickest.

“I think the humans we rescued from her dungeon have given her a lot of advice," says Seidour.

What do you mean by that?

“The only things humans can do are procreate and give birth. Well, she can take that advantage and make our race closer to the ideal ultimate creatures," says the previous Geyser Dragon, Al-gor.

What do you mean by that???

“Anyway, we're all set! All we have to do now is to lure the humans here and beat them to a pulp! Then they’ll know their place!”

With Veil’s strange enthusiasm, the dungeon competition begins in earnest.

Yes, that’s what started all of this.

The demon and human races each sent representatives to compete against each other in conquering the dungeon.

The winning group will be in charge of managing all dungeons from now on.

It’s a crucial battle that will determine which direction the new era will steer. 

Who will win, the Demon King’s Army, or the human adventurers?

As a stage for competition, there is none larger and more splendid than Ardheg’s castle.

“Well... Use it as you see fit.”

I feel sorry for him after hearing his defeated response.

Thus, all intentions were consolidated, and on the day of the competition...!

* * *

The Dragon Emperor's Castle is even more crowded than expected.

“Is this a festival or what?!”

Everywhere I look, it’s crowded with people!

How many people are there? Thousands?!

Why are there so many of them? There’s no way they’re all participants, right?!

"Oh, Lord Saint! It’s great to have you with us!”

Alexander, who had spotted me from among the crowd, approaches me.

"Alex! What’s with all the fuss today?!”

“It may be a competition, but it’d be sad to have just the two parties involved. Since a big decision is involved at the end of this, I thought it would be better to have many witnesses to see the outcome, so we invited spectators.”

Spectators?

Isn't this straight-up an event at this point?!

“We asked for a wide range of people from the Demon Kingdom and the Human Kingdom, and we ended up with several thousand. We had a hard time providing enough spectator seats on short notice.”

“So, there are thousands of people here!”

I mean, look at this massive crowd!

But how did they get to such an isolated island? 

“Through teleportation magic, of course.”

“It never ceases to amaze me how convenient that spell is!”

"The farm residents cooperated with us. After all, only your place houses such a large number of people who knows the spell, Lord Saint.”

And before I knew it, my comrades had played a significant role in this! 

Now that he mentions it, only those at my farm move around via teleportation like it’s no different from using a bicycle, despite it being strictly regulated in fear of misuse...!

“The orcs have done a great job setting up the stands for the spectators too. I sincerely appreciate all your help, Lord Saint.”

“They’re also involved in this?!”

Whenever a big event involves construction, our orcs never miss their chance!

Their experience during Orkubo’s Castle and the farm expo are really coming into play!

Upon closer look, I notice many stalls all over the place.

Wait, aren’t those the goblins from our farm?!

"Natto! Would anyone like to have some natto?”

“Most of the team members involved in making this event are from the farm...!”

I even passed Horkosfon, who was peddling natto in a box...!

Since when did our residents become so accustomed to managing an event?! 

“Their joint efforts have made this event a success. As a dungeon owner myself, I admire your team, Lord Saint.”

Most of these happened without my knowledge, though...

But I agree. I admire their festive spirit too.

"Come, let us join them, Lord Saint. Our seats are over there!”

Alexander brought me to yet another luxuriously-made...huh?

“Where are we?”

“The main venue was originally in front of the castle’s main gates, but they put up stands for spectators and made this the main venue instead. We’ve got a full house here, dreams and passion ablaze...!” he replies excitedly as if this is his own event.

As far as I can tell, the audience seats surrounding the three sides of the huge gate can accommodate thousands of people.

The crowd is filled with people from the human and demon races.

Perhaps they’re here to support their representatives?

“Silver Wolf! Good luck!”

“Lady Aeshma! Lady Leviasa! Bring victory to the demon race once again!!!”

They’re really hyping things up.

“Hm? What about the seats over there...?”

A group from one section of the stands doesn’t look as stoked about this whole thing. 

Their blank faces utter not a single word.

They look neither human nor demon. Are they perhaps...?

“...Dragons in their human forms?”

“Well done figuring that out, Lord Saint.”

Oh, yeah.

I’ve gotten better at recognizing them, thanks to Veil and the others. 

“Those are the Glintz and Grinzel Dragons that live nearby. They’ve come to celebrate the completion of the new Dragon Emperor’s abode.”

“I see...”

“One would think the fact they came proves that they have surrendered to the Dragon Emperor’s new system, but in reality, they’re here to observe, and perhaps ridicule, Ardheg’s skills. They’re wolves in sheep’s clothing,” says Alexander, chuckling wickedly.

Indeed, Ardheg is now the most powerful dragon (abilities aside), so when such a dragon builds his nest, it's the commoner’s time to butt in and see how he’s holding up.

Hmm?

What are they muttering to themselves?

“...This is the new Dragon Emperor’s Castle...?”

"Did you know? The other dragons built this place, not Geyser Dragon Ardheg.”

“He relied on other dragons’ help? Talk about pathetic!”

"But he had Bloody Mary, Veil, and even Alexander working for him...”

“What?! Aren’t all of them the prime Geyser Dragon candidates?!”

"You mean to tell me that he put such powerful dragons to work? Are they his vassals?!”

“Is that how powerful he is? If we were to rebel against Ardheg, we would be immediately be turned into Lesser Dragons...!”

...Why are they analyzing things and then consequently making themselves uncomfortable?

I guess that just means the unveiling of Ardheg’s dungeon was a great success.

With that in mind, the event proceeds to the main program.