#445 The New Emperor’s Growth Part 9: The Finest Dungeon’s Structure

I, Geyser Dragon Ardheg, am at the Mountain of the Sacred White Maiden, ruled by my brother, Alexander.

It is a dungeon second to none, according to humankind.

I’m here to gain insight into its inner workings for future reference.

“Allow me to give you an overview of the dungeon as we tour the main route,” says the Lifeless King, my brother’s butler.

One of the world’s Two Greatest Calamities following the other is enough to tell us how much Alexander transcends the other dragons.

“The Mountain of the Sacred White Maiden is classified as a mountain dungeon. It is formed when the natural mana circulating around the world is dammed up by a mountain and stagnates there.”

“We know that much; don’t make fun of us.”

“My apologies.”

Manners, Sis Veil.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

I came here to learn, so I appreciate the butler’s efforts in recapping things from the very basics.

“However, this dungeon was expanded by the master’s mana. That’s why it’s also the largest mountain dungeon in the world.”

“Ohh...”

That’s no different from the Dragon Emperor’s Castle made by the Geyser Dragon.

“Well, Alexander does have the capacity to do it,” vexingly says Father. “A hybrid of natural mana and a dragon’s... That explains the dungeon’s spaciousness. It even exceeds the scale of the Dragon Emperor’s Castle I built long ago.”

“This mountain dungeon is currently divided into 33 sections.”

Thirty-three is a lot!

“There are 24 main sections and 8 sub-sections plus one. The main mountain we were just at consists of 12 stratums, and you can proceed from two routes. Twelve times two equals 24 sections.”

“But why two routes?”

“It is so that we can meet the adventurers’ needs.”

Sis Mary and Sis Veil are whispering to each other behind me.

“Twelve stratums, he said! How many does yours have?”

“Bah, ten! Got a problem with that?”

“Damn it, I even lost to your dungeon!”

They’re being competitive for no reason again...

“I understand the main sections now, but what about the eight sub-sections plus one?”

“The master has taken care to recreate a variety of environments to allow for the collection of a plentiful variety of materials in those areas. It doesn’t let you reach the mountain top, but you can get most of the materials not available elsewhere.”

I guess they are trying to provide a wide variety of materials by preparing different environments.

Different monsters and materials only spawn when certain conditions are met, after all.

“The sub-sections are the rocky mountain, tropical mountain, volcano, snowy mountain, poison mountain, thunder mountain, mine, and sacred mountain. Each with their own Lifeless Kings as wardens.”

“Huh? You mean there’s more than one of you?!”

“They’re all S-class adventurers who turned into undead and pledged their allegiance to Master Alexander. They are called the Elite Eight, and you can challenge the monsters they raised by going to the deepest parts of each sub-section.”

“What about you?”

“No one would win if I joined the fray, sir.”

Oh.

“If you win against the Elite Eight’s monsters, you will receive a badge as a reward. If you collect badges from all eight sections, you will be given the right to challenge the master at the mountaintop.”

“What’s up with that system?”

W-Wait...

“What happens if I go to all eight sections and reach the summit without collecting any badges?”

“In such a case, you will receive a compliment and a memento from the master himself.”

What a lenient system.

“The reason we originally created this badge system was to measure the challengers’ ability to fight the master. But there’s no way humanity can have a fair fight with him. In the end, we kept it for formality’s sake.”

“That makes sense...”

“Getting to fight the master is special in itself. He fights with great care so as not to kill the other party.”

Why would Brother Alexander bother himself with such a pointless activity?

“I get it!” exclaims Sis Veil.

What did she get from all that?

“He’s just like Master! You see, he offers maximum excitement to those who challenge him! He used to say that when he built Orkubo’s Castle and hosted the expo!”

“Lord Saint did?”

Brother Alexander and Lord Saint had the exact same idea?

Wise men cross the same bridge at times, huh?

“I see! So, the most important thing in making a dungeon is to amuse the intruders in every possible way!”

“Yeah! Master called it entertainment!”

Entertainment!

That’s what’s essential to dungeon building!

I’ve already learned something important on my first dungeon visit! As expected of Brother Alexander’s dungeon! Of course, Lord Saint’s philosophy too!

“Entertainment, huh... Did you think about this when you made your dungeon, Mary?”

“Not even one bit.”

But if Brother Alexander and Lord Saint think alike, then there must be some significance to it!

“Alrighty then. I, Grinzel Dragon Veil, shall show you the ropes!”

“You will?!”

“Don’t underestimate me! I share Master’s philosophy and was well received at the expo and at the stall in Orkubo’s Castle!”

Wow!

You have learned wisdom from Lord Saint and have made it your own!

“Okay, I’ll relay this to Alexander, and we’ll launch a new entertainment project here in the dungeon! Let’s go back!”

“The master likes to have fun, so I’m certain he’ll approve of it.”

What a turn of events this is.

Sis Veil, who had been taught by Lord Saint, will launch a project in admirable Brother Alexander’s king-sized dungeon.

She wants me to learn what it means to make a dungeon from that!

***

The next day, the plan is set in motion.

“Adventurers who are going to challenge the dungeon today, I have an announcement to make,” says the butler on the first stratum.

Many adventurers, both experienced and new, pass by the dungeon entrance.

It’s the perfect place for an announcement.

“Oh, it’s the Lifeless King butler.”

“It’s rare to see him come all the way down here.”

“Is it another remodeling notice?”

The adventurers, accustomed as they are to hear such information, pay close attention to the butler, assuming that he must have something meaningful to say.

“The guild is the one that usually sends out the notice, but because of the urgency of the matter, I have decided to announce this directly. The dungeon will be hosting a special event starting today.”

“Special event?”

“What’s that? Please tell us more!”

Everyone is curious to hear what the butler has to say.

“It’s Dragon Enhancement Month!”

“DRAGON ENHANCEMENT MONTH?”

The butler continues.

“The dungeon is currently being visited by the master’s younger siblings. They are Geyser Dragon Ardheg, Grauglintz Dragon Bloody Mary, Grinzel Dragon Veil, and Grinzel Dragon Seidour.”

These dragons roam the dungeon and attack adventurers they encounter.

That’s what Dragon Enhancement Month is!

“Wait! So, does that mean...”

“Multiple dragons will be roaming around the dungeon like normal monsters?”

“That sounds like a nightmare! I’d die if I stepped one foot inside!”

“The dungeon’s difficulty has already increased dramatically because of that angel!”

The adventurers are loudly protesting.

They’re probably wondering why would anyone propose such an absurd plan.

“Because we want you adventurers to have a fruitful dungeon crawl.”

“More like fruitLESS! We’ll lose everything in an instant, including our lives!”

“Why do you think we could have a fruitful dungeon crawl at such a daunting difficulty?”

They have a lot of questions.

In contrast, the butler calmly responds, “I will quote directly the words of the proponent, Lady Veil: Thrill is the best entertainment.”

That statement left all the adventurers present speechless.

Thrill is the best entertainment.

Both unsparing and difficult, a slight miscalculation can cost you everything.

It is only by overcoming such a hellish situation that one can feel a sense of accomplishment greater than any other.

That is thrill and entertainment.

So that’s how it is, Sis Veil!

I understand now; this is the secret Lord Saint has shared with you.

To master it, I, Ardheg, must become the pinnacle of difficult for these adventurers.

We have been watching the happenings on the first stratum through distant magic. However...

Father agonizingly mutters, “Will they even feel a sense of accomplishment if they were forced to participate in something clearly way beyond their league?”