Dante and Vergil entered the meeting room quietly yet with a sense of vigilance. Inside the softly lit chamber, Emperor Shiroi sat in the front chair, his sharp eyes observing every movement. Beside Shiroi sat a man whose entire face was concealed by a mysterious black cloth, along with five girls clad in long robes, their hoods shadowing their faces.
Vergil, with his keen assassin instincts, immediately sensed something unusual about the black cloth covering the man's face. There was more to it than mere fabric, powerful protective spells had been woven into it, rendering anyone who looked at it unable to pierce the illusion to see his true face. Dante cast a brief glance at the man but chose not to reveal his curiosity. The two quickly took their seats at the side of the large meeting table, filled with important figures.
As silence enveloped the room, the large door in the corner slowly creaked open, and two women stepped inside. Their graceful yet powerful presence captured the attention of everyone in the room. Their silver hair shimmered under the crystal light, and their blue eyes radiated a cold but sharp glint. One of them had long silver hair cascading beautifully down her back, while the other sported shorter hair, yet both exuded the same strength.
The moment Dante and Vergil laid eyes on the two women, they instantly recognized who they were. These figures were no strangers—they were Aeka and Takano, two of the legendary heroes of Kainaldia who had once fought alongside Dante and Vergil in the past. Both were renowned legendary adventurers who had journeyed far and served as diplomats for the Kainaldia Empire. Their previous encounters had been marked by glorious victories against threats looming over Kainaldia, and their presence here indicated that the current situation was no less critical.
Takano, with her elegant long hair, cast a sideways glance at Dante and Vergil, a faint smile hinting that she knew what they were thinking. Meanwhile, Aeka, with her more practical short hair, appeared more serious, though her gaze reflected respect towards the two men.
"Aeka... Takano..." Dante said.
"Big brother, it's been a while," Takano replied.
"Looks like you're finally back, big brother... No wonder Brother Axel was in such a hurry earlier," Aeka added.
Emperor Shiroi merely nodded, signaling that the meeting was about to commence. The man with the covered face remained silent, yet the aura of the five robed girls surrounding him felt increasingly intense. Dante and Vergil understood that whatever was to be discussed in this meeting would once again alter the fate of Kainaldia.
"Uncle Dante... Uncle Vergil... Aunt Aeka... Aunt Takano... I hope I'm not bothering you; I apologize if this is a bit sudden. Allow me to introduce Arc Wizard Alexhandra from the Dark Mage Guild; she has an interesting proposal," Emperor Shiroi announced.
"What kind of proposal is this?" Dante asked.
"I plan to create my own dungeon. The data I've gathered from the Adventure Guild indicates that Kainaldia is severely lacking in dungeons; the existing one, the Magical Labyrinth, is still insufficient," Arc Wizard Alexhandra replied.
"Interesting..." Vergil said with an intrigued tone.
"Indeed, Kainaldia doesn't have many dungeons to explore," Vergil added.
"I have prepared the control room for each dungeon that will be created, as well as all the necessary provisions for monsters and staff," Arc Wizard Alexhandra explained.
"That's true; managing a dungeon would definitely require a substantial staff," Aeka remarked seriously.
"Don't worry, Lady Aeka... for general staff, I've created numerous mini golems that can be commanded to assist with routine tasks within the dungeon, and there are two Dwarves who will help build or craft items to be placed in the treasure chests," Arc Wizard Alexhandra reassured.
"Where will this dungeon be located?" Takano inquired.
Emperor Shiroi, with a serious expression, unfolded a large map of the Kainaldia Empire and placed it in the center of the meeting table. The glow from the lanterns cast a soft sheen over the surface of the map, which was filled with intricate details. Five distinctive marks, each marked with a symbol different from the usual ones, were etched onto the map. Each mark represented a strategic location where the dungeons would soon be established—some ancient caves with immense mysterious power and slightly neglected sites.
From the other side of the table, Aeka and Takano leaned in closer. Their curiosity drove them to inspect the map more closely. Aeka displayed a keen interest, while Takano, quieter yet sharp, followed suit with a keen gaze, ensuring she didn't miss any detail of the map being examined.
"These locations..." Vergil said, pointing to one of the marks on the map, "are all situated in remote areas, yet each one is connected by ancient lines of energy that are extremely potent. If these dungeons are established, we must ensure that they do not become sources of chaos."
Dante nodded, tracing the special mark in the southeastern part of the map.
"This place... Haunting Forest. The place where no one ever returns. According to the locals, it's truly terrifying and filled with many mystical phenomena," Dante said.
"Don't worry, Uncle; the Kainaldia Army Recon 1st Battalion has ensured that this area is safe, and satellite imagery shows no creatures or monsters within the forest," Emperor Shiroi reassured.
"That means the monsters are only located within the caves... The question is, how many floors will be constructed?" Dante asked, curiosity evident in his tone.
"If everything goes according to plan, I want to create between 10 to 15 floors," Arc Wizard Alexhandra replied.
"If each floor has multiple scenarios?" Vergil inquired with heightened interest.
"That's an interesting idea, Lord Vergil, as this new dungeon will likely attract many adventurers, and we wouldn't want the dungeon level to feel overcrowded," Arc Wizard Alexhandra agreed.
"What about lighting and other amenities?" Aeka asked with curiosity.
"I have contracted with six Elemental Spirits, and they will assist in constructing the dungeon," Arc Wizard Alexhandra replied.
"What about the other Guild Leaders? Do they agree?" Dante inquired.
"That will be discussed tonight. I've invited all the Guild Leaders to join us for the royal dinner to discuss this matter. Additionally, I have plans to develop the area further to increase tax revenue for the kingdom," Emperor Shiroi explained.
"So indirectly, you all share the same goal... it's getting more interesting," Vergil remarked, examining the map.
"Very well, then, Lady Alexhandra, you and your five students can rest in the room we've prepared. Tonight, we will discuss this issue with the other Guild Leaders," Emperor Shiroi said, indicating the way.
After escorting Arc Wizard Alexhandra and her five students to the luxurious guest chamber of the royal palace, Emperor Shiroi turned to them with a small smile. Despite discussing the dungeon's construction throughout their journey, Shiroi's tone remained optimistic. He was confident that this project would strengthen the kingdom and yield significant benefits in facing threats from other dimensions. Upon arriving in the lavishly adorned room, Emperor Shiroi invited Alexhandra and her students to rest, knowing that the coming days would be exceptionally busy.
As night fell, the atmosphere in the Imperial Palace shifted to a more formal and serious tone. All the Guild Leaders had arrived from various corners of Kainaldia, each carrying their own air of authority and power. However, among all the guests present, Arc Wizard Alexhandra was the center of attention. As one of the most powerful sorceresses in the kingdom, her presence added significant weight to the dinner event. The guild leaders observed her with respect, some even with open admiration.
In the candlelit dining hall adorned with elegant decorations, Dante and Vergil sat at the main table, watching the situation with vigilant eyes. They understood that beneath all the merriment and formalities lay an underlying tension—the dungeon being constructed could be a decisive factor in the kingdom's survival, and tonight's discussion would determine many outcomes.
Aeka and Takano were also present, seated on the opposite side of the table. Though they appeared calm, a sharp intelligence sparkled in their eyes, indicating their full awareness of the meeting's significance. The dinner proceeded cheerfully, with delicious food and conversations occasionally punctuated by laughter. Yet, all present knew that the main event would begin once the dishes were cleared away.
As the dinner concluded, Emperor Shiroi stood, and the entire room fell silent. All eyes turned to the emperor, and the atmosphere grew serious. With a firm yet friendly voice, Shiroi opened the meeting.
"Brothers and sisters, esteemed Guild Leaders of Kainaldia. Today, we welcome Arc Wizard Alexhandra and her students, who will assist us in the grand task ahead. The construction of this dungeon is an ambitious project, and for this reason, I invite you all to discuss it," said Emperor Shiroi.
"I've heard rumors that someone intends to create a dungeon for adventurers. I actually like the idea, but how will we manage this dungeon?" asked Lord Draven Blackthorn, the head of the Adventure Guild.
"In that regard, we have prepared a control room to monitor all activities within the dungeon. One of my five students will serve as the main Caretaker for each dungeon I create," replied Arc Wizard Alexhandra.
"And how many dungeons will you be creating?" inquired Lady Aria Nightshade, the leader of the Assassin Guild.
"I plan to create five dungeons, each with unique challenges specific to its region," said the Arc Wizard nonchalantly
"To ensure the safety and smooth operation of the dungeons, what if the Imperial Family also lends their support?" asked Emperor Shiroi.
"A good idea from Emperor Shiroi! If members of the royal family are involved, I feel much more confident," said Nyra Shadowstrike, the leader of the Ranger Guild.
"I don't mind at all; it's a great opportunity to learn something new," replied Vergil.
"I'm also curious about how the dungeon will function... so, why not?" added Dante.
"Very well, then. I will also appoint Princess Aeka and Princess Takano to assist. As for which of Arc Wizard's students will manage the dungeons, I leave that decision to Arc Wizard Alexhandra," said Emperor Shiroi.
"EEEEEHHHH...?!?!?!" Aeka and Takano exclaimed in unison.
"Princess Aeka and Princess Takano have plenty of adventuring experience, so their expertise from the adventurer's perspective will be invaluable in the dungeon's construction," remarked Lady Valeria Stormveil from the Paladin Guild.
"Then what about the other guilds?" Emperor Shiroi inquired.
"The Merchant Guild will see business opportunities there, and of course, the Blacksmith and Alchemist Guilds will also be interested if they see a chance for profit," said Lord Isolde Silvervein.
"What about the monsters?" asked Lord Zareth Ironclaw from the Fighter Guild.
"Once the floors of each level are complete, I will begin recruiting monsters. And don't worry; they won't just die easily," Arc Wizard Alexhandra replied, producing several magical gems.
"What do you intend to use those magical gems for?" asked Lady Selene Ashborne, the leader of the Mage Guild.
"I have perfected the magic to create artificial bodies. With these magical gems, I can create doppelgangers of monsters or any beings. If they are killed while inside the dungeon, their original bodies will remain unharmed, and the fallen duplicates will leave behind these gems," explained Arc Wizard Alexhandra.
"Fascinating," said Draven Blackthorn, intrigued.
"So, how about it, all Guild Leaders? If you agree with this project, please raise your spoons," Emperor Shiroi prompted.
As all the Guild Leaders present raised their spoons as a symbol of approval, Emperor Shiroi smiled with satisfaction. The decision was made—the construction of the dungeon would begin, and with unanimous agreement, they were set to move forward with this ambitious project. A victorious aura filled the room, even though the atmosphere remained tense due to the significant implications of this decision.
Vergil and Dante, observing the situation from the main table, exchanged glances before turning their attention to Aeka and Takano. They both understood the meaning behind the look: tomorrow would be exceptionally busy. This grand plan would require coordination, oversight, and perhaps even battles against forces greater than ever before. Dante could only sigh, realizing that their responsibilities as Immortal Princes were about to become even heavier.
Meanwhile, Takano looked slightly annoyed. As a Top Tier Fighter, he preferred to be on the battlefield, smashing monsters or enemies with his fists rather than dealing with the kingdom's politics and secrets.
"I'd rather pummel monsters to death than sit here listening to this nonsense," Takano muttered under his breath, but loud enough for Aeka to stifle a small smile.
After the meeting concluded, Emperor Shiroi stood once more to deliver his final command. In a firm yet authoritative voice, he said, "I thank you all for your support. But I also ask one thing—what we discussed tonight must remain confidential. Not a single word about the construction of this dungeon is to leave this room. This meeting must remain unknown to the outside world, for the safety of Kainaldia and the adventurers."
The Guild Leaders nodded, understanding the importance of this confidentiality. After that, they left the Imperial Palace one by one, returning to their respective guild headquarters, aware that this meeting was a significant secret that must not be disclosed to others.
With that, the night ended, and the following day, the great challenges that awaited began to draw near.