Suffice it to say, I didn't want to bring Raissa any unnecessary trauma. I sent her to the Widow's Dungeon on her own and then went the rest of the way to the Lord's Manor. Incidentally, in this city, the Count conducted all of his business within his own manor. There was nothing like a palace, a keep, or a governor's building. I couldn't complain, that's probably how I'd run Chalm too. The thought of having to go to another office building every day sounded tedious.
"Halt, what are you doing here?" a guard demanded.
"I am Viscount Deekson. Lord Reign should have gotten some notification I was coming?"
I wasn't sure how long-distance communication worked in this world, but there was probably magic involved. Either way, Lord Reign should have known I was coming. That was one more reason I had to greet him. It was important for juniors to pay their respects to seniors, even if that senior was a suspected traitor. Well, he was innocent until proven guilty. I was hoping that he didn't cause too many troubles. I just wanted to enter the dungeon and complete my mission.
I was brought to the waiting room along with my five girls. I instructed them to stay back and remain silent. I typically wouldn't say things like that, but this Lord Reign seemed like the type to look down on slaves. Raissa showed some fear in her eyes when she heard the name Lord Reign, so it was better if the girls didn't catch his attention or act too showy. After all the difficulty Lord Tibult gave me, I was a little cautious around nobles and my slaves.
I probably wouldn't have brought them into the mansion at all, except that it was a show of my strength. Well, none of the women behind me looked particularly strong, but since they were slaves it at least showed I was wealthy, and that's a type of strength too. The point was, if I showed up without a retinue, it would give the impression I was weak and powerless, and the Count would look down on me as a result. Being a noble was a complicated business.
"Lord Deekson, I only just received word you were coming today, how prompt," a voice came from the doorway, causing me to look up.
The man standing there was tall with a wiry mustache and gaunt cheeks. He had black hair slicked back and wore gold and black clothing. He actually looked like a villain. I really couldn't conceive a character that looked more guilty than this guy.
"Lord Reign, I presume?" I guessed instantly.
Instead of answering, he let out a soft chuckle. "You know, I was planning on sending an expedition into Widow's Dungeon just when the Prince sent his message here. You're really not necessary."
"Well, all the same, I must follow the orders of the nation," I shot back, feeling like his slimy way of talking was already distasteful.
"I've looked into you. The rumors have it that you have personally defeated two dungeons and also felled a demon lord. Is that true?"
"Three dungeons, actually." I'm sure he knew but deliberately omitted one on purpose.
Technically, it would be four dungeons, but the Demon Lord's appearance, although technically a temporary dungeon, was typically counted as a different thing entirely. From what I understood, had the Capital fallen, a Demon Lord Castle would have formed around the Demon Lord, and that would have been a permanent dungeon. Demon Lord Dungeons were destroyed on sight and only existed in the northern demonic lands. Like the unstable Mina's Dungeon, Demon Lord Dungeons would spawn enemies and then send them out to attack the neighboring land. Where most dungeon curses were passive and grew slowly, eventually bottoming out, Demon Lord Dungeons were malignant and truly a dangerous curse on the land.
"Three… huh?" Lord Reign sneered. "Well, if you want to use those experiences to handle Widow's Dungeon, you'll fail! I must tell you, Widow's Dungeon is unlike any other dungeon. If a young man like you enters, he will surely die!"