* * *
The previous meeting was held in Solemio's grand conference hall, but this one was held in a slightly different place.
This conference room, created on the first floor specifically to accommodate Nirvana the Alraune, was made by modifying the long corridor where the first hunt took place.
'We have more than enough space anyway.'
"Congratulations on your victory!"
""Congratulations!""
As I entered the newly arranged conference room, Kamaya's lead cheer was followed by greetings from the queens.
'It seems a bit excessive, but...'
It would be strange to oppose celebrating when there was an immediate cause for celebration.
Above all, there was clearly something that struck my heart in the sight of the queens greeting simultaneously.
Is this the magic that power possesses?
The temptation to see this scene more arose, but I simply calmed it down and responded to them with a smile.
"Thank you, everyone. Has everything been alright in the meantime?"
"Under your care, we've all been focusing on expanding our forces. There have been no clashes or internal conflicts yet."
"That's good. Then, let's sit down."
Looking around the conference room, only I, the queens, and one or two close aides of each were present.
This is because this meeting is not to discuss anything new, but merely a continuation of the last meeting.
Establishing an armed group for internal stability of the dungeon.
Setting the next attack target for which the forces will give their all.
These two were the core topics of today.
"First, I'd like to hear from Daniel."
"Yes, Master."
For this purpose, others who were not queens were also present at this meeting today.
Daniel Smith stood up at my call and bowed deeply.
"For now, the establishment of the mercenary group is complete, and we're about to begin its activities. First..."
While listening to his report, I checked his growth status.
『Attributes
Health 52(◀ 44)
Technique 69(◀ 50)
Endurance 42(◀ 37)
Magic Power 59(◀ 52)
Resistance 48(◀ 43)』
『Special Grade Specialization: Guerilla - A complex characteristic of special grade specialization in archery, one-handed sword, and assassination. Receives large bonuses for each action.』
『Sharp Insight - See further and more accurately. Identify the target's weaknesses and predict movements. Can accurately assess the current state of the target from a distance.』
'Both attributes and characteristics have advanced by one step.'
Specialization characteristics with a wider range than ordinary ones like 'Guerilla' receive a grade one step higher.
The fact that he received this 'legendary' grade characteristic is evidence that there had been constant effort during that time.
It seems that simple sacrifice enhancement can't obtain legendary characteristics.
'It was worth feeding him sacrifices diligently.'
It's natural to pay more attention to the safety of those operating externally.
While thinking about this, I suddenly remembered his 'junior' Alexis.
I had invested in him like this too...
'To waste opportunities by falling into laziness and pleasure.'
It's a pity.
The special armor and characteristics I had given to Alexis have already found a successor, so it doesn't matter.
But that doesn't mean everything invested in him completely returns.
'It must be because I couldn't give him enough wealth or women to satisfy him.' types that easily fall into pleasure need to be continuously rewarded to induce behavior.
This is a principle I couldn't have known when the subject was just a bunch of dots.
Among my current subordinates...
'Perhaps it's a rule that should be applied to subjects like Hailey or Nirvana.'
Of course, even if I had known this, I wouldn't have filled his greed.
'Wanting to sleep with all the princesses in the world once.'
That desire written in his diary was too excessive.
If I had known all about his tendencies beforehand, I would have just used him as a sacrifice from the beginning or turned him into nourishment for the dungeon.
'I guess this is how I learn.'
No matter what anyone says, I'm a novice who hasn't even completed a year when it comes to organizational management.
I was able to exert high dominance only thanks to good subordinates, a good environment, and memories from my previous life.
"Master?"
"Speak. I'm listening to everything."
I organized my thoughts at Daniel's puzzled voice.
It seems he noticed that I was thinking about something else.
I urged him to continue the presentation with a nod.
There was no problem as I was remembering his words while thinking at the same time.
"Yes... The biggest problem was integration with monster mercenaries, but for now..."
Twilight Hunter.
This is Daniel's alias currently circulating among the mercenaries, and the name of the mercenary group I instructed Daniel to create.
This mercenary group will probably be recorded in continental history as the first monster mercenary group in the future.
As the first mercenary group where monsters not only were included but became members.
But for now, this mercenary group had many concerns.
Including problems that haven't been realized yet.
"Wait, Daniel. Nirvana, Orea. What do the monsters who joined the mercenary group think?"
Stopping Daniel's words and asking the two queens, they stood up, bowed once towards me, and then opened their mouths.
"There's no need to worry about our side. The ones I sent don't need you to worry, Master. The concern is the Myrmekians."
Nirvana's words accurately pinpointed my concern.
Certainly, there's no reason to worry about monsters sent simply by suppressing their minds.
Even the Alraune who went along to suppress their minds has lethal power against humans.
"I see."
"Wait. I can't let that statement slide."
"Is that so?"
Orea showed a somewhat agitated appearance.
It seems she heard it as Nirvana doubting their abilities and will.
However, to that resistance, Nirvana just smiled alluringly.
"We are full of willingness to prove our loyalty to our new master. You don't need to worry about them harming humans."
"That's not what I'm worried about. Rather, it's the opposite."
"What...? Um. It's fine. We are always ready to be at the forefront of honorable sacrifice..."
Orea, who didn't properly understand the situation, was just thinking of 'the damage Myrmekians would suffer' as simply stepping forward and becoming sacrificial lambs.
When I was somewhat at a loss for how to explain, Etna and Nirvana approached her.
"Queen Orea. That..."
"What Master is worried about is probably humans'..."
"Drawing in at night..."
What they were explaining now was about the most humiliating thing that could happen to Myrmekians.
As Myrmekians are ant-humans, they inherited the characteristics of their original species, 'ants'.
The fact that everyone except the males is female.
'This is the biggest problem.'
As someone who knows all the deep and dark sides of humans, I can't help but worry about the atrocities of 'possibility creatures'.
"Such... such...!! Surely not...!"
The voice of Orea, queen of the Myrmekian Clever tribe, trembled.
Her face was gradually reddening as she understood my concern.
"But there are certainly such beings among monsters too. Species that receive seeds from other monsters or reproduce through parthenogenesis..."
"Are you talking about us?"
"Ah, I'm sorry, Queen Nirvana. I didn't mean..."
"It's okay."
Despite the somewhat rude words, Nirvana just smiled.
A smile that was gentle, but had a somewhat alluring corner.
"It's true. There will be almost none of that in the future though. Because there's better seed..."
The subtle desire contained in her last words was directed at me, but I simply ignored it.
I turned my gaze back to Daniel.
He also had embarrassment on his face, but when he received my gaze, he composed his expression.
'It seems there have been some incidents.'
The rough nature of the mercenaries seems to be worse than the rumors I heard.
I sighed deeply only inwardly.
"Anyway, it's still alright for now, you say."
"Yes. That's right."
Daniel's answer was cautious.
He too must know how the members of the 'Twilight Hunter' think about the monsters who have joined them now.
More than slaves, less than subordinates.
That was their current status.
In fact, he didn't need to be mindful of me. This was started by my order after all.
'This is the best way to reduce the aversion between mercenary group members for now.'
Of course, I didn't like it.
I couldn't be pleased that beings belonging to and relying on me were being treated as slaves by others.
However, changing perceptions to reduce aversion to monsters was something that would take a long time.
Because consciousness spread by human kings and gods was already deeply rooted in the continent.
That monsters are enemies of humans.
So it was inevitable that they felt that way.
At the same time, it was something I could take some measures for.
"You brought all the elite mercenaries, right?"
"Yes. They're waiting in the guest rooms of the dungeon."
"Good. Bring them right after the meeting."
If the core figures of the mercenary group don't lose politeness and caution in dealing with monsters, they will set an example and naturally change the attitudes of other mercenaries.
Even if discriminatory gazes from outside couldn't be helped yet, at least internal suffering could be reduced.
I'm hoping that at least ridiculous non-combat losses won't occur.
"Thank you, Master...! On behalf of all our kin, thank you...!"
Orea and Etna bowed deeply at the same time.
It was interesting to see them show surprising coordination at moments like this, even though they usually seem to have opposite personalities.
"No. This is my fault for not explaining in advance."
"No! How can you say such a thing!"
"That's right! You're the one who will make monsters see the light again! Carrying out your orders is the greatest joy!"
When I shook my head and denied to such women, they jumped up even more greatly and made a fuss simultaneously.
A smile naturally arose as worries disappeared.
"Thank you. Both of you. Continue, Daniel."
"Yes. Now about the achievements we've made so far..."
The achievements of the 'Twilight Hunter' had already begun to show.
They started gaining fame by subjugating a few elite monsters and a superior Dungeon Lord in a distant region that I had passed information about, and in the future, the north-central part of the Kingdom of Heisen and the southeastern part of the Kingdom of Kiza were expected to be their main areas of activity.
"I've confirmed everything you brought. You keep getting more excellent."
"If the mental armament you'll give to the elite mercenaries after today is completed, the results will be even better."
Originally, I wasn't planning to touch the mercenaries' minds.
When I hadn't revealed myself yet.
Now, at least two surface demon realm Archdukes or their subordinate nobles, maybe even parts of the Black Merchant Guild organization, would be watching me.
There was no more time to spend on stability.
Less important matters needed to be dealt with more boldly.
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Yes!"
Anyway, thanks to this, I had already secured two intact corpses of elite monsters suitable for use as sacrifices.
For a superior Dungeon Lord to reach elite level, three corpses of elite monsters were needed as sacrifices.
'It's almost time.'
By the time the territory is prepared, I will be able to rise one step higher.
* * *
"Kamaya. Echidna. I'd like to hear from you two."
After the talk about the mercenary group ended, I turned my attention to the two who had returned from scouting the area that would become my land.
Echidna was in charge of scouting the southeastern part with many wetlands, while Kamaya was in charge of scouting the southern and western parts beyond the cliffs.
"..."
The two queens exchanged glances for a moment, then opened their mouths to me simultaneously.
"The opportunity has come, Master."
"It seems they are preparing for war, Master."
That was a very interesting story to me.
"...Tell me in detail."
What appeared on the faces of the queens who heard my instruction was intense expectation and determination.