Chapter 63: In two days…

Following Kai’s question, the pillars all looked toward Phera and Sanovere, since they were the ones who had each been assigned their own tasks.

While the rest of them had something to report as well, they knew it was best to get the important matters out of the way first.

Sanovere had a smile on his face when he spoke.

“I would like to be the first to offer up my progress to you, my lord, but I do believe it is best if Phera says her piece first, as mine is merely a brother lane from hers.”

“I don’t mind.” Kai’s foot was on the chair while the side of his body leaned over, his fist pressed against his face and his elbow resting on the armrest.

“I guess it’s my turn then. Okay, let’s see. As you instructed, I scouted out the dungeons around the Jaun land, and I was able to take note of sixteen dungeons in the entire place. Well, I can’t say for sure if there are more, as some places looked abandoned, but that is mostly what I could see.”

Kai stared at her for a while.

’Seventeen dungeons, huh? I am willing to bet five of those are C-ranks and higher; the developers sure do love Rambosa for some reason. I wonder if it is the same thing in the entire kingdom as well.’

Phera’s voice continued in the background.

“That’s not all, my lord. As per your request, I tried conquering them and making them follow under your rule. I wasn’t sure whether or not to go about it in a forceful manner. They seemed hesitant; I think it’s because they barely know you. Which is why I asked for them to come see you for themselves.”

’Eh? What is she talking about?’

Kai paused.

’I know I said I wanted to conquer all the land, but I never actually told them about it, did i? So what request did I actually make? All I told her to do was find the number of dungeons in the area.’

“Adding to that, my lord, I also noticed something on my end,” Sanovere chimed in, looking as though he had been dying to say his part out loud.

“I have studied the maps, and I have managed to paint a clear picture of the world outside, thanks to the eyes of my undead thralls.”

Sanovere snapped his fingers.

From the shadows of the room, two of his undead vampire servants materialized, carrying the large table he had been using on the third floor. They placed it gently before the steps of the throne, ensuring the large map was spread out clearly for their lord to see.

“My lord,” Sanovere began, his voice trembling slightly with the excitement of presenting his work. “While you were away establishing our economic foothold in the city of Rambosa, I took the liberty of expanding our eyes and ears beyond the immediate vicinity.”

He gestured to the parchment.

“What I found confirms that the world outside is ripe for the taking, but it is also fraught with complexities that we must navigate.”

Kai leaned forward slightly, his golden eyes scanning the map. Internally, however, Kai was having a very different reaction.

’Holy… look at the detail on this map. I remember this. This is the exact world map from the game’s official system. Sanovere managed to recreate it perfectly just by sending out a few minions? Ehhhhhh… i want t ask how he managed to do that in such a short amount of time, but that won’t be a good look for the Shadow of victim. This guy is frighteningly competent.’

Kai kept his face impassive behind the lingering dark aura.

“Continue,” Kai commanded.

“Yes, my lord. As you can see here,” Sanovere pointed to the largest landmass on the left. “We are currently situated in the Kingdom of Traona, which is part of the Gargila Continent. This land is primarily dominated by humans.”

Sanovere traced a line across the border.

“Traona is currently in a cold war with the Nexes Empire to the north. The empire is vast, aggressive, and possesses military might that dwarfs this kingdom. They have not attacked yet, likely due to the presence of the Hero Association and the treaties involved, but war is inevitable.”

“War…” Kai repeated the word, tasting it.

“Precisely. But it is not a war for land, my lord. It is a war for resources. My spies intercepted a message from the northern border. The empire views the Kingdom of Traona not as a rival nation… but as a farm of sort.”

“A farm?” Lyra tilted her head, confused.

“Yes,” Sanovere sneered. “The empire has exhausted the dungeons in their own territory. They are starving for experience growth and mana stones. They intend to invade Traona to seize the dungeons here—including ours.”

Kai’s eyes narrowed.

’So that’s it. Weird, i wuld have guessed it was something more than that. In the game, dungeon spawns are quite normal. Places that have more mana tend to have more dungeon births, so i guess in this case, the Nexus empire has little to none. Wouldnt it be better if they artificially just filled their soil with mana cores?’

Sanovere moved his hand to the other sections of the map.

“Beyond the human lands, we have the Tuain Continent, the land of spirits. They are isolationists, refusing to interact with the outside world. And finally, the Estirs Continent.”

The room went silent at the mention of the last continent.

“The land said to house the demi-gods and beings of higher power. My spies perished the moment they set foot on its shores. It is a place of immense power.”

Sanovere finally looked up to meet his master’s gaze.

“My conclusion is simple, Lord Kai. We cannot allow the empire to annex this land. If they do, we will be besieged endlessly. We must destabilize the Kingdom of Traona from the shadows, effectively making it a puppet state for your rule. We must use the humans as a shield against the empire.”

Sanovere bowed his head again, waiting for approval or punishment.

Kai sat back in his throne, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the obsidian armrest.

’To be honest. I didn’t expect this at all. But… he’s right. If we stay passive, the empire will eventually treat us like a loot box. If they lack dungeons there, i doubt that is the whole reason for them wanting to take over the entire kingdom.’

“Your assessment is sound, Sanovere,” Kai spoke, his voice echoing. “The humans are fractured creatures. Their greed and fear are tools we shall use. However, before we can look outward to the kingdom, we must secure our own backyard.”

He shifted his gaze back to Phera.

“Phera. Regarding your… invitation.”

Phera jumped slightly, her ears twitching. She quickly straightened her posture.

“Yes! Uh, I mean, yes my lord!”

“You have invited the dungeon bosses to my doorstep. Tell me, when do they arrive?”

“In two days, my lord! I told them to gather their leaders. The floor bosses of the Jaun Region will come to the entrance of the Nameless Dungeon. They wish to see if the rumors of the ’Lord of Shadows’ are true.”

Phera paused, her expression turning slightly darker, her voice dropping an octave.

“And if they still refuse to bow after seeing your magnificence… I will personally tear their heads off and mount them on your walls.”

Kai nodded slowly.

’A meeting of dungeon bosses. That sounds troublesome. But also necessary. If I can get the local monsters under my control, I won’t have to worry about low-level adventurers farming my dungeon. The other dungeons can act as a first line of defense.’

“You have done well, Phera,” Kai praised. “A meeting it shall be. We shall host them here, in the Nameless Dungeon.”

“Thank you, my lord!” Phera beamed, practically vibrating with happiness.

Kai then turned his gaze to the other side of the room. Standing there, looking somewhat dejected, was Azeal.

The demon stood with his arms crossed, his wings folded tight against his back. Beside him was Hamr, the skeleton knight, whose empty eye sockets flamed with blue fire.

“Azeal,” Kai called out.

The demon flinched, then stepped forward, dropping to one knee instantly.

“My lord.”

“You have been quiet. Do you have nothing to report?”

Azeal grit his teeth. He felt a deep sense of shame. While Sanovere was planning wars and Phera was subjugating armies, he had been remaining on the lower floors, training.

“I… I have no grand conquests to offer you, my lord,” Azeal admitted, his voice filled with self-loathing. “I have spent my time training with Hamr. I am aware that I am the weakest of the pillars. I carry the title you bestowed upon me, yet I lack the strength to back it up.”

Sanovere glanced at Azeal with a look that wasn’t quite disdain, but certainly pity.

Kai observed Azeal for a moment.

’He’s taking this hard. Azeal was an early-game summon, if anything. He scales well later on, but right now, compared to a Level 1000 lioness and a vampire lord, he is definitely lagging behind. But his loyalty is his best stat.’

“Strength comes in many forms, Azeal,” Kai said calmly. “Do not let your insecurity blind you to your own potential.”

Kai stood up from the throne.

The movement caused the entire room to shift. The shadows seemed to stretch toward him, reacting to his movement.

“In two days, the dungeon bosses will arrive. I expect the Nameless Dungeon to be ready. We are not just a dungeon anymore.”

He looked at Azeal directly.

“Azeal, you will stand at my right hand during the meeting. Let them see the one I have titled. If any of them disrespects me, you will be the one to correct them.”

Azeal’s head snapped up, his eyes widening in shock.

He was being given the position of honor? Despite being the weakest?

“I… I will not fail you, Lord Kai! I swear it on my very soul!” Azeal shouted, his voice cracking with emotion.

’Good. That should boost his confidence. If he fights with that kind of desperation, he might actually trigger his evolution sooner.’

Kai waved his hand, dismissing them.

“Now leave me. I have matters to attend to.”

“Long live the Nameless Dungeon!” they chorused in unison.

’Y-yeah…that.’

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