The following afternoon, Vergil, Anastasya, and Freya gathered in the grand meeting room. They took their seats alongside the assembled ministers of the Kainaldia Empire, all convened to discuss the ongoing developments regarding the dungeon and Zephyr Village.
Shortly after, Emperor Shiroi arrived, flanked by Risa, Yuna, and Lucia. They took their designated seats at the head of the table, and Shiroi immediately called the meeting to order.
"So, what exactly did you find out there?" Vergil asked, leaning forward.
"Technically speaking, the settlement is already thriving," Shiroi explained to the council. "They have a diverse population made up of various races, and their agricultural sector is quite robust."
"What was your overall impression of the place?" Freya asked.
"It is practically a fully functional settlement already," Shiroi replied confidently. "Multiple races are coexisting there in complete peace. The only thing they are truly lacking is proper public infrastructure."
A burly Orc Minister raised a hand. "What kind of public infrastructure are we talking about, Your Majesty? Guild offices?"
"Exactly," Shiroi confirmed. "Furthermore, because Zephyr Village is located so close to the Capital City of Dark Village, they are perfectly positioned to become a primary supplier for our daily necessities."
Vergil nodded in approval. "Integrating them into our supply chain won't be an issue at all."
"If I recall correctly," Freya chimed in, "that village has also taken in some rather unusual demographics. I believe a group of Minotaurs settled there, along with a faction of mermaids currently living in the village's reservoir."
Shiroi blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Mermaids? But don't they exclusively live in the ocean?"
A female Elf Minister spoke up from across the table to clarify. "Actually, Your Majesty, there is a specific variant of freshwater mermaids. However, their existence is considered incredibly rare."
"I see," Shiroi said, nodding in understanding. "Well, rare or not, we will leave the management of their diverse population as an internal affair for the Zephyr Village head to handle."
The Orc Minister looked down at his logistical ledgers. "Given the current state of the village, the scale of the facilities required won't be nearly as massive as the development we did for Apple Gate Town."
"Good," Shiroi said. "How long is the estimated timeline to transport the essential construction materials to Zephyr?"
"Since the material requirements aren't overly demanding, the transport will be quick and completely secure," the Orc Minister assured him.
Satisfied with the report, Emperor Shiroi's tone shifted to one of absolute authority. "Then I hereby order the immediate dispatch of the construction materials. Simultaneously, mobilize the 8th Chapter of the Grey Knights. It is time for them to deploy to their new command base."
Suddenly, Ashcroft entered the room with a crisp bow. "Your Majesty, Lord Andrew Draven has arrived and requests an audience."
Shiroi nodded, turning to the Orc Minister beside him. "Lord Throhan, you already possess the blueprints and the list of facilities to be constructed in Zephyr. I will act solely as an overseer from this point forward. This meeting is adjourned."
Minister Throhan bowed respectfully. He and the rest of the Imperial ministers quickly gathered their documents and filed out of the grand meeting room.
Vergil, Freya, and Anastasya remained in their seats as Lord Draven entered and took a chair at the table.
Shiroi immediately shifted his attention to his uncle. "Uncle Vergil, how are the conditions inside the Dungeon?"
"It is only the first week, but we are incredibly busy," Vergil reported. "Especially in the Level 1 through 5 sectors. A large number of adventurers are struggling to progress. Many are simply too terrified to challenge Kyumara and Inazumi."
Shiroi raised an eyebrow. "Who is Inazumi?"
"That is the name of the second nine-tailed fox," Freya clarified. "The rotational boss we hired to guard the entrance to the first Safe Zone."
Lord Draven nodded slowly, resting his hands on the table. "I received the exact same report from Gideon Vanguard. He also mentioned that the fast-travel system using the magic crystal lanterns is fully operational."
"That is correct," Shiroi confirmed.
"Now," Draven continued, "the only remaining logistical issue is selecting which organization will officially represent the Adventurer Guild branch in Zephyr Town."
Instantly, both Vergil and Freya grimaced, their faces contorting in obvious distaste.
Anastasya looked between her parents in confusion. "What is wrong with them?"
Shiroi noticed his aunt and uncle's expressions and smirked. "It is best to leave this matter entirely in Lord Draven's hands. Uncle Vergil and Aunt Freya despise dealing with messy, uncontrollable guild politics."
"Do not worry, it has already been handled," Draven assured them with a slight smile. "The Wizard Guild has officially been selected to take the representative role."
Hearing this, Vergil and Freya immediately let out synchronized sighs of relief, their expressions returning to normal.
"Since the branch is being established," Anastasya interjected, getting back to business, "should I construct a direct magic portal connecting the dungeon control room to the new guild office?"
"It should connect directly to a highly secured, secret meeting room within the Zephyr branch," Shiroi suggested.
"That is an excellent idea," Lord Draven agreed. "It will be incredibly useful... especially since I may soon need your assistance in dealing with a few problematic clans and adventuring parties."
Shiroi's gaze hardened, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Several of the adventurer-founded clans and guilds have been blatantly violating our established protocols."
Lord Draven nodded grimly in agreement.
Vergil leaned forward, his voice turning cold and completely professional. "Send me the list. I want the names of the offending clans and their respective leaders."
"The Yuta Dungeon is the perfect place to make people disappear," Freya added, a chillingly calm smile gracing her lips. "It would be quite easy to arrange a tragic 'monster encounter' resulting in a swift death penalty for a corrupt clan leader and their core party."
"If you handle the executions inside the dungeon," Lord Draven said, unbothered by the dark proposal, "I will ensure that their replacements are hand-picked, capable individuals. Alternatively, we can force the remnants of those problematic clans to merge with more reputable organizations."
"Do it," Shiroi commanded firmly. "And see to it that the Imperial regulations for establishing new adventurer clans and guilds are drastically tightened moving forward."
"I will be returning to Zephyr Village tomorrow," Shiroi stated, leaning back in his chair. "I need to personally oversee the construction of the new facilities and ensure that absolutely no funds are embezzled."
"In that case," Vergil interjected, "I need you to ask Creed, Izumi, and Takano to come and help us."
Shiroi raised an eyebrow. "Why? Uncle Creed is currently fully occupied in another world."
"Because Broomir and I are completely swamped forging melee weapons," Vergil sighed, rubbing his temples. "Creed and Takano can take over the physical restocking duties for the treasure chests, and Izumi can assist Lira in brewing potions."
"I can arrange that," Shiroi nodded.
"Please do it as soon as possible," Vergil stressed. "Aria and I are getting massive headaches trying to forge enough Rare-tier and above weapons to keep the boss chests properly stocked."
"Rest assured, Uncle Creed will return, and he will bring the extra hands you requested," Shiroi promised.
Satisfied, Vergil, Freya, and Anastasya stood up from the table.
"We are heading back to the dungeon, then," Freya announced.
Shiroi gave a firm nod. Without another word, the three dungeon managers activated a spell, teleporting directly to their secret, staff-only entrance.
Once they were gone, Shiroi let out a long breath and turned back to Lord Draven. "The Yuta Dungeon is proving to be far more interesting than the Arudi Dungeon."
"I share that sentiment," Lord Draven agreed. "Especially since the True Dragon Slime from the Jura Tempest Alliance Kingdom provided us with such extensive and valuable insights during the previous summit."
Shiroi smiled softly. "I am simply glad that the citizens of the Kainaldia Empire aren't the only ones who hail from another world. A surprising number of humans from other universes have also reincarnated here in Magnacarta VII."
Lord Draven frowned, leaning forward. "How does that even happen, Your Majesty? How can humans from vastly different worlds be reborn into a realm of swords and magic?"
"When a human dies, their soul enters a transitional phase where they are judged based on the actions of their past life," Shiroi explained. "Those whose good deeds vastly outweigh the bad, and who still harbor a strong desire to remain human, are often selected by the gods or deities of various dimensions. Under specific conditions, they are permitted to retain the memories of their previous lives."
"Furthermore," Shiroi continued, "the deities overseeing these new worlds usually assign these reincarnated souls a specific purpose, granting them powerful passive skills to help them survive."
"What kind of passive skills are we talking about?" Lord Draven asked.
"For example," Shiroi replied, "a mage who can effortlessly master all four elemental affinities, or someone with the innate ability to invent entirely new spells. Some are even granted true immortality without ever needing to perform complex rituals."
Lord Draven fell silent, digesting the profound theological mechanics. It suddenly made a lot of sense. He recalled a bizarre rumor he had recently heard: the five-year-old daughter of a Knight Commander from a neighboring kingdom had effortlessly defeated a ten-year-old merchant's son in a spar. Given what the Emperor just revealed, it was highly likely that the prodigious little girl was one of these reincarnated souls.
Lord Draven stood up from the table. "I will head to the site as soon as the Adventurer Guild is ready to mobilize."
Shiroi offered his hand, and the two men shook firmly. "Please keep me updated the moment you have any new information regarding those problematic clans and adventurer parties," the Emperor requested.
"I will send word immediately," Lord Draven promised. With a final nod, he left the Imperial Palace, making his way straight back to the Adventurer Guild headquarters.
Meanwhile, deep within the Yuta Dungeon, Vergil had already returned to the forge. He was completely engrossed in his work alongside Broomir, determined to put the finishing touches on their latest sword. Over in the tailoring workshop, Aria and Hilda were meticulously stitching together high-tier Robe Armor specifically designed for mages. Up in her laboratory, Lira was still enthusiastically experimenting with flavor mixtures, trying to make the standard Red and Yellow Healing Potions taste better.
Down in the maintenance tunnels, Mina, Chloe, and Sylvy were rushing from grid to grid, making sure every empty treasure chest was properly restocked.
Back in the control room, Fenrir, Camilla, and Anastasya kept a close watch on the monitors, tracking the movements of solo adventurers and parties alike.
Suddenly, Fenrir pointed at one of the screens. "Look at this. Two adventurer parties have formed a joint escort mission for a pair of merchants. They just entered the boss room and are actively engaging Inazumi."
On the monitors, the two parties worked seamlessly together to counter Inazumi's disorienting ambush tactics. By coordinating their skills, they eventually managed to uncover the massive shadow fox's hiding spot. Once the boss was forced into the open, the battle turned incredibly fierce. It took twenty grueling minutes of heavy, synchronized combat, but the combined raid finally managed to bring the second nine-tailed fox down.
Exhausted but victorious, the adventurers looted the boss room's chests and eagerly descended into the rumored Safe Zone. Pulling the high-tier weapons from the chests, they excitedly confirmed that the rumors circulating the guild were absolutely true—the drops here were incredible.
As they caught their breath, the adventurers noticed the faint, claw-shaped magic tattoos freshly etched into their right arms.
Before they could investigate them further, a bright flash of light illuminated the Safe Zone, and Gideon's party materialized in the center of the room. The newly arrived adventurers were stunned, immediately asking how Gideon had bypassed the boss room.
"The magic crystal lantern at the dungeon entrance acts as a teleportation waypoint," Gideon explained with a grin. "My party and I used it to bypass the upper floors so we could begin exploring the deeper levels today."
Hearing this, the two party leaders turned to the merchants they had just escorted. "Check your arms," one of the leaders suggested. "You should have the magic tattoo as well."
The merchants quickly rolled up their sleeves. Sure enough, the marks were there. However, one merchant found the tattoo etched into his left arm, while the other found it on his right.
"Why are they on different sides?" one of the merchants asked, thoroughly confused.
Gideon observed the marks and nodded thoughtfully. "I believe the magic tattoo automatically binds to your dominant limb. Most humans are naturally right-handed, but some possess far more strength and dexterity in their left arm—the same goes for kicking strength in the legs. The dungeon's magic seems to recognize and adapt to that."
The merchants nodded in understanding, easily accepting the magical logic.
"Well, time to get to work," one of the merchants declared, clapping his hands together as he looked around the massive, echoing Safe Zone. "Let's start setting up the shop."
"What kind of business are you opening down here?" Gideon asked curiously.
The merchant smiled proudly. "Weapon appraisal services."
Back in the control room, Anastasya clapped her hands with a satisfied smile, watching through the monitors as the two parties successfully claimed the top-tier rewards after their grueling battle against Inazumi.
The moment the victorious adventurers descended into the Safe Zone, Sylvy and Kyumara immediately materialized inside the now-empty boss room. It was time for the rotation.
Moving with practiced efficiency, Sylvy randomized the loot distribution. She carefully placed a newly forged Rare-tier weapon into one of the silver chests, and a powerful Unique-tier weapon into one of the golden ones.
As a special addition for the next rotation, she placed a highly coveted Leaf of the World Tree into the second golden chest. This legendary botanical item possessed a miraculous property: when mixed into any healing potion—regardless of the potion's original tier—it would instantly upgrade the concoction to heal absolutely any severe wound or curse. Finally, to round out the loot pool, she tossed a magical fruit capable of healing moderate injuries upon consumption into the last silver chest.
Sylvy swiftly snapped all the heavy lids shut. Beside her, the giant nine-tailed fox, Kyumara, stretched his massive limbs, shaking out his fur as he got into position for his shift.
After securing the final chest, Sylvy flashed a quick, enthusiastic thumbs-up to the hidden surveillance crystals. In perfect sync with her signal, the heavy stone panels in the walls ground forward, seamlessly concealing the treasure chests from view. The boss room was completely reset and ready for the next wave of challengers.