When I Was Reincarnated into the World of an Ultra-Difficult Game, I Ended Up As the Sole Subordinate of the Ridiculously Strong yet Incompetent Demon Lord, Tasked with Creating a Dungeon
“Rey-sama~. Primilla -sama~”
While observing Primilla ‘s fields and the work of the monsters, I was thinking about whether there were any new recruits that could be added. That’s when Ipiletis arrived.
Though she is a close aide, we don’t always act together, as she seems to have her own tasks to attend to.
That said, since she prioritizes Fiona-sama and me, it wasn’t uncommon for her to join us midway like this.
“Is it Ipiletis? What’s up?”
“Pilkaya-sama is calling for the two of you.”
“Pilkaya is?”
That’s unusual. Since it’s Pilkaya, if there was something to discuss, she would normally come straight to us. I couldn’t think of a reason why she would have Ipiletis come for us.
“Apparently, Pilkaya wants to consult with you, Rey-sama, along with the Demon Lord-sama and the Four Heavenly Kings.”
“Well, if that’s the case, let’s go.”
“Yes, then I’ll leave the rest to you.”
After Primilla gave instructions to the golems and fairies, they acknowledged and promptly resumed their work in the fields. They work so well. They’ve grown fond of Primilla , which is a good thing.
◇
“Demon Lord-sama, I’ve brought them.”
“Thank you for your hard work. You may rest now, Ipiletis.”
“Yes, excuse me.”
It seems we were the last to arrive, as Fiona-sama and the other Four Heavenly Kings were already gathered in the throne room. As we passed by Ipiletis, who was leaving, Primilla and I joined everyone else.
“Now, Pilkaya. Could you explain why you wanted us to make a decision?”
“Yes. Well, it might be faster to show you than explain.”
As she said that, the shared vision began.
This is the Dark Elf dungeon.
Recently, the Dark Elf Queen and what seemed like her subordinates have been visiting almost every day…
Ah, and sure enough, they’re here today too.
Huh…? Isn’t something a bit different this time?
They’re still investigating the area, but instead of fighting monsters or looking for items, they aren’t even attempting to conquer the dungeon.
What are they doing?
“What is that? Did they suddenly get interested in dungeons?”
“It seems like they are focusing more on investigation this time.”
“Rather than dungeon exploration, it’s more like dungeon research.”
It does feel a little too late to be starting serious research, but did they change their approach after determining that conquering the dungeon was too difficult?
If that’s the case, it seems like the Elf species isn’t as simple-minded as the Beastmen, and it might be best to raise our guard.
“Even if they investigate, I still don’t really know what’s going on.”
I mean, I don’t want to admit it, but the power was given to me by the Goddess. I have no idea how it works or what can be understood from the dungeons I created.
“By the way, what is that Dark Elf Queen doing? That’s what interests me more.”
Fiona-sama, who had been silent up until now, opened her mouth to address something no one had dared to mention.
As expected of the Demon Lord-sama. She tackles problems properly.
Now, as for the Dark Elf Queen, it looks like she’s performing some kind of suspicious ritual. There’s a magic circle, a fire like a campfire being lit, and what seems like offerings or sacrifices around her.
“Is she trying to summon a demon or something?”
“Such things can’t be summoned with that.”
That’s right. A small demon next to me speaks up, seemingly offended.
Demons do exist in this world, but they wouldn’t come out from such a place.
“Really, what is she doing?”
“That’s prayer. They must also be people who offer prayers to Gasha.”
“I see… As expected of you, Demon Lord-sama. You’re so wise…”
“Lipianem, that was a joke.”
I didn’t expect that joke to reach Lipianem. Given that Fiona-sama often creates strange religions for Gasha, it makes the joke even harder to understand.
“What they’re doing will be clear soon…”
Pilkaya said this with an unusually tired expression.
It seems that Pilkaya understands the meaning behind the Dark Elves’ actions.
Could it be a culture passed down only among ancient races like spirits or elves?
“Spirit-sama. Pilkaya-sama of the Demon Lord’s Four Heavenly Kings. Please show yourselves before us.”
“Pilkaya.”
“Yeah.”
“They’re calling you.”
“I don’t want to go!?”
It seems like she doesn’t want to go.
I thought I’d have Pilkaya handle them since they seem troublesome, but it seems Pilkaya doesn’t want to deal with them either.
That’s probably why she sought the judgment of Fiona-sama and the other Four Heavenly Kings.
“Bwah… as expected of… the ancient Spirit-sama… It seems like she was an important figure, revered by many.”
“I don’t need that kind of worship~!”
“Well, well, as long as you’re just receiving it, there’s no harm in it, Pilkaya-sama.”
“Ugh, who are these people—who got the wrong idea about the Spirits!?”
Well, I can understand why no one would want to be thought of as coming out of something like that.
‘Not good…’
“I knew it!”
“Queen-sama! There are scorch marks here too!”
“Let me see… Hmm, as expected, it’s not just a natural fire. There’s dense magical power mixed in. And it’s the trace of a special fire I’ve never seen before.”
“Does this mean Pilkaya-sama has visited this dungeon before?”
Hey…
I thought they were dangerous, but the meaning of that has changed now.
These guys… I thought they were strange, but have they figured out something about Pilkaya?
“So this is what it means. For some reason, they are fixated on me and trying to make contact. They might have wanted to burn me, but I thought I’d need permission from Demon Lord-sama and Rey, the Dungeon Master.”
“What should we do, Fiona-sama?”
“You don’t know these people, do you?”
“Of course not! I’ve never even interacted with Dark Elves!”
After hearing Pilkaya’s answer, Fiona-sama fell into deep thought.
She’s really serious about this. She seems more serious than when pulling Gasha.
“These people are searching for traces of Pilkaya and trying to make contact. And they call her Pilkaya-sama, indicating they know their place and recognize her superiority.”
Indeed, that doesn’t quite make sense.
Rather than trying to hunt down and defeat a surviving Heavenly King, their attitude suggests they see themselves as inferior.
It’s similar to those like Tokito and the others, who surrendered to us.
“It might be a trap.”
Naturally, Primilla ’s suggestion is a possibility.
“But knowing where they found out about Pilkaya’s survival, how much they know, and who knows it, we need to confirm that.”
Leaving them unchecked would be dangerous.
Even if we seal their mouths, the ones who came to the dungeon might not be enough.
In the worst-case scenario, we may need to ask Dikitis for help and have her lead monsters to annihilate them.
It would be discovered that the Demon Lord’s subordinates are still alive, but that’s far better than the survival of the Four Heavenly Kings being found out.
“Well then, shall we go have a little chat with them? Though I don’t want to talk to those guys…”
Despite our hesitation, Pilkaya casually suggested it as if she were going for a walk.
They might be dangerous, so we should be more cautious…
“I’ll go meet them with a weak clone, just like with the heroes~”
“Here, take this just in case.”
“Phoenix feather… Isn’t this unnecessary? It would be a problem if the clone is resurrected.”
“Ugh… Please be careful.”
“Okay~”
After lightly responding to Fiona-sama’s concern, Pilkaya created a clone and sent it toward the Dark Elves and their suspicious flames.
◇
“As I thought… They aren’t here, are they? So this dungeon was really abandoned…”
“However, Queen-sama, we’ve found several traces of what seems to be Pilkaya-sama’s flames.”
“Considering it logically, perhaps she wasn’t someone we should have dealt with lightly? After all, she was one of the Four Heavenly Kings. It’s not strange if the remnants of a long-ago fire feel recent.”
“If such an enormous magical power is from a time long past… Then she must have had considerable strength…”
An even greater force. I wanted to meet Pilkaya-sama to meet the Demon Lord, but that seems impossible now…
After a long exploration, I realized the tremendous power of this dungeon.
Though I don’t know the exact reason, the monsters seem to be instructed to allow intruders to leave safely, even issuing orders to hold back.
There are traps everywhere, and it’s clear this dungeon was meticulously crafted.
And someone capable of abandoning such a dungeon…
If only we could follow the creator of this dungeon…
I thought the Dark Elves’ situation would improve, but…
It seems it’s not as simple as that.
As expected, there’s nothing for us. No matter what we wish for, we’ve never had a wish granted before.
Sigh… What do you want?
…So this is our first and perhaps our last chance.
I must ensure that this wish bears fruit, no matter what…
