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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 59: Preparing to Conquer the Dungeon
Even the Mage Tower’s mages and the most renowned knights were reluctant to take on a dungeon raid.
Why?
Because inside a dungeon… anything could happen.
They were riddled with unpredictable monsters and traps—and among those, some were tailor-made to be the natural enemies of knights and mages alike.
There might be rooms where magic couldn't be cast at all, or where specific elemental spells were nullified.
Some monsters, like the King Slime, were completely immune to physical attacks—the bane of sword-wielders.
If one could detect these threats beforehand, they were manageable with proper preparation. But when ambushed inside the dungeon with no warning, even a knight-commander or archmage could be rendered helpless.
That’s why professional adventurers did their homework before setting foot inside.
They analyzed the symbols carved at the dungeon’s gate and the magical energy detected around it, preparing for any traps they might face. They even brought along a special magical device known as the『Third Eye』.
This “Third Eye” was a magic tool that broadcasted the viewpoint of the adventurer inside the dungeon to allies waiting outside, allowing them to observe, analyze, and adapt strategies in real-time.
If the first adventurer perished, those watching through the Third Eye would learn from it and prepare the next wave.
Even with all that, dungeon raids always required the willingness to accept serious losses.
And if we’re talking about a Class-1 dungeon?
Then even the most famous adventurers in the Empire would have to risk death just to make an attempt.
So when the young lord declared he would raid such a dungeon—alone, without the help of any adventurers—everyone was left speechless.
Some couldn’t comprehend it.
Others were just dumbfounded.
Even his closest allies—Sharon, Lana, and Azelle—were at a loss for words.
“…I think our lord is extremely exhausted. Would it be alright if we took a short break?”
Sharon, the first to regain her composure, politely suggested.
From the Platinum Council official to Archmage Raere of the Crimson Tower, all nodded.
Sharon, Lana, and Azelle escorted Calyx into a tent nearby.
As soon as they confirmed they were alone, Lana let loose.
“My lord… have you lost your mind?”
Lana had studied dungeon raiding risks thoroughly back at the Academy.
No matter how much she admired him, Calyx’s declaration had clearly crossed the line.
“Lana, that’s a bit harsh…”
“…Apologies. I was too shaken. Allow me to rephrase.”
Lana cleared her throat, composed herself, and said again—
“My lord… are you insane?”
I took a bit of psychic damage from that.
How was that even different from what she said before?
That kicked off the inevitable lecture from all sides.
“My lord, we acknowledge your capabilities—but this is simply too dangerous. Please reconsider.”
“Azelle is right. We understand your concern for the people of the West and South, but to us, your life is far more important.”
Even Azelle and Sharon, who normally supported whatever I said, joined in.
I understood their feelings.
After all, the first time I tried to conquer a dungeon, I died a lot.
But after hundreds of deaths, I became a Dungeon Master.
And from where I stood now, their concern felt unnecessary.
“…Do none of you trust me?”
“It’s not a matter of trust. We’re talking about worst-case scenarios.”
“Exactly, my lord. The Cron family doesn’t even have an heir yet.”
That was one of the Cron House’s biggest problems.
I was the only direct descendant.
“If you truly insist on entering the dungeon, then at least leave behind an heir first.”
“Lana…”
“......”
I wasn’t sure what Hart or Princess Lily had been whispering to her lately, but lately Lana had been looking for every excuse to… jump me.
As I listened to Lana’s usual not-so-subtle hints, I spoke to all of them with the quiet confidence of a true Dungeon Master.
“Let me make this clear: this isn’t about pride or thrill-seeking. I’ve analyzed the situation coldly and logically—this is the right call.”
While the Crimson Tower’s investigator did their part, I’d also personally examined the dungeon gate.
Thanks to my experience, I’d already uncovered nearly everything about this place.
This was none other than the ‘Goddess of Bow, Mer’s Dungeon, Stage 3-12.’
A truly unforgettable dungeon—one that stood out among all the ones I’d ever faced, because of the major event that occurred here.
“If you still can’t trust me, then fine—just watch me. If after that you still say you can’t believe in me, I’ll abandon the raid.”
I spoke to everyone with confidence.
And I could clearly see that my confidence left them all bewildered.
Not that I blamed them.
After all, I had memorized every trap, monster, and even the random events that could appear in Dungeon Stage 3-12 down to the last detail.
The title『Dungeon Master』wasn’t something I earned for nothing.
With the discussion wrapped up, I returned to the main tent—the hub where all the key figures managing the dungeon operation were gathered.
“Apologies for the delay. Let’s continue the conversation about the dungeon raid.”
I shared the materials I had gathered through my own investigation.
This wasn’t the official investigator’s report—it was data I had compiled independently.
“First, I’d like everyone to take a look at this.”
“…This is…”
“It’s my own research on the dungeon.”
The dossier I handed over contained far more information than what Investigator Ham had submitted.
It included an exhaustive list of the monsters expected to appear, as well as a highly detailed rundown of the likely traps.
“What do you think, Investigator Ham? Does this seem accurate to you?”
“This is… I don’t even… Lord Calyx, have you studied dungeon forensics under someone before?”
“No. I’m self-taught.”
“That’s… hard to believe. This is more detailed than even the reports written by Otilia, the Empire’s top adventurer.”
Otilia—the dwarf adventurer known for having conquered more dungeons than anyone alive.
If memory served, she was an SSR-ranked character.
Being compared to her made me feel genuinely proud, but I kept my expression composed, speaking with the cool detachment expected of a noble.
“As you can see, this isn’t some reckless gamble. I’m proposing this raid because I know we can win—and because this path is the most beneficial for everyone.”
As I spoke, I could practically hear the gears turning in everyone’s heads—as if they were silently punching numbers into imaginary calculators.
They were probably all wondering: What’s the best way to respond to this?
But the truth was, the outcome had already been decided.
A young lord was offering to take on the dangerous, miserable job himself—who would dare object to that?
If it went well, everyone would benefit.
And if it failed, they could just pin the blame on me and proceed with handling the Dungeon Wave according to contingency plans.
“We will follow your command, my lord.”
“As will I.”
The investigator and the official from the Platinum Council both voiced their support.
And so it was settled: ’I’ would take point on the dungeon raid.
Even so, my loyal retainers—and Raere, the master of the Crimson Mage Tower—still looked at me with lingering concern in their eyes.
＊ ＊ ＊
After the decision was made, preparations for the dungeon raid moved quickly.
The investigator had verified the credibility of the information I provided, and we didn’t have much time.
“This dungeon is best cleared with two people.”
I spoke to the gathered stakeholders involved in the dungeon operation.
At that, Lana raised a concern.
“Two seems too few. Wouldn’t having more people be better for protecting you, my lord?”
“No, the more people enter, the more dangerous this dungeon becomes. Two is optimal.”
There are many types of dungeons.
This one was a scaling-type dungeon—its difficulty increases in proportion to the number of challengers.
The more who enter, the stronger the traps and the more powerful the monsters become.
So ironically, bringing a large party could make the situation worse.
Two was the safest bet.
“Then who’s going in?”
One of the two would be me, the Dungeon Master.
Lana was asking who the other would be.
Azelle stepped forward and spoke confidently.
“I will protect our lord. I can be of help inside the dungeon.”
Objectively, Azelle was the most suitable companion.
But in this particular dungeon, there was a chamber swarming with amorphous-type monsters that had a natural advantage over knights like Azelle.
So I told them who I had in mind.
“There’s a section with monsters that counter Azelle’s abilities.”
“Then… who will go with you, my lord?”
“The one who will accompany me into the dungeon is Sharon.”
Sharon blinked, clearly surprised.
She looked at me.
“Me?”
“Yes. For this dungeon, your magic is essential. Will you go with me?”
Based on the dungeon’s traits, its traps, and my own abilities, the most optimal partner was Sharon.
She looked a bit shocked at first—then she smiled brightly.
“Of course. I, Sharon, the Battle Mage of Fire, will protect you with the flames of the Fire Dragon.”
“I’m counting on you, Sharon.”
With that, the team and equipment for the dungeon were finalized.
We agreed to begin the raid early the next morning, and each of us returned to our tents to rest.
That night, someone came to my tent.
“Lord Calyx, are you in?”
“Master Raere?”
It was Master Raere of the Crimson Mage Tower herself.
Her platinum hair and crimson cloak fluttered dramatically as she stepped into the tent.
“May I have a word?”
“Of course.”
She sat across from me.
Her presence and eyes were fitting for an elven Mage Tower Master over 300 years old.
But her appearance, which looked barely twenty, made her seem like a cute young girl.
As I’d felt with Sharon, elves were truly strange and fascinating beings.
She looked at me intently.
“There’s something I must ask, Lord Calyx.”
“Ask me anything.”
She took a sip of the tea I had prepared.
Then, with piercing eyes that could cut stone, she stared me down and spoke—
“What is your true objective for raiding this dungeon?”
“…Excuse me?”
The night before the dungeon raid—
An interrogation had begun.
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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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