"Dungeon raiding, huh? So you’re planning to help out the Alrn family?"
"Hoho, Lucy Alrn. I thought you were just a troublesome daughter who liked to bully Sir Benedict, but it seems you have some commendable qualities after all."
When I mentioned that I’d be heading out to raid a dungeon, Faybi chuckled softly, and Arthur seemed genuinely surprised.
From the sound of it, they assumed I was planning to assist Benedict and gain some experience along the way.
It wasn’t a strange conclusion. That’s typically what nobles do.
In the Soul Academy world, raiding dungeons is a noble’s duty.
Just as medieval knights protected their people from bandits, nobles with fiefs are expected to raid dungeons to keep their territories safe from the threats within.
If they fail to do so, they risk not only the scorn of their peers but also the wrath of their own people, which could lead to uprisings if things get bad enough.
At the same time, dungeon raiding is also a privilege.
You see, dungeons often contain rare treasures. Nobles would never allow anyone else to touch the dungeons within their own territory. Who knows what kind of life-changing fortune could be hiding in there?
Given all this, raiding dungeons outside one’s territory without permission is considered a major breach of etiquette. Of course, you could always strong-arm your way in with enough power, but that might trigger a rebellion. I learned about a few historical cases of this from my studies with the old man.
Did I ever raid dungeons near Soul Academy without permission? Sure, but I didn’t get caught, did I? No problem. If they wanted to claim the dungeon, they should’ve been faster.
Anyway, when a noble’s child talks about raiding a dungeon, it usually means they’re going to clear one within their family’s territory. But not me.
‘Nope.’
"Why should I bother raiding a dungeon in our territory? That’s Father’s job."
But for me, raiding the dungeons near the Alrn estate is a waste. There’s nothing particularly exciting to be gained there.
Sure, I’d get some intense training with Fossel, but wasting my entire break on training alone? That’s not my style. There’s so much more I could gain during this time!
"...Huh? So what dungeon are you planning to raid?"
‘The Menesteil Dungeon.’
"I’ll be heading to the Menesteil Dungeon, where all the useless adventurers gather."
The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.
As I mentioned before, most dungeons require the permission of the ruling noble to enter.
But not all of them.
Remember the Evans Dungeon I mentioned earlier?
That dungeon didn’t disappear when you defeated the boss. Instead, knights regularly went in to clear out the monsters before things got too chaotic.
It wasn’t a big deal for a small dungeon like Evans, but what if it had been larger? What if it had been so massive that, without constant raids, the surrounding area would’ve been devastated?
And what if the monsters inside were even more dangerous?
There are several dungeons like that in Soul Academy—places where, if you don’t constantly cull the monsters inside, they’ll wreak havoc on the nearby regions.
These dungeons are a threat to the people and a headache for rulers.
The rewards from these dungeons are huge, but trying to claim all of them would be a disaster. You’d be crushed by the dungeon’s challenges before you even got a chance to enjoy the spoils.
Faced with this, many rulers made the decision to open up their dungeons to the public.
Anyone could come in, raid the dungeon, and claim the treasures inside. In return, a portion of the loot would go to the country.
For adventurers, it was a dream come true—a dungeon they could raid without having to curry favor with the local nobles.
The country got rid of its headache and earned taxes, while adventurers got free access to dungeons. A win-win.
The Menesteil Dungeon, which I’m planning to raid, is one of these public dungeons.
Located near the Mage Empire of Norta, it’s a massive dungeon that never disappears.
At first, the empire tried to handle it on its own but eventually gave up and opened it to adventurers.
Naturally, this means that anyone can raid the dungeon—even nobles from other nations.
That’s where I’m headed.
I’ve already made arrangements with Alsetine, and more importantly, the useless god has given me a quest.
With a menacing [GAME OVER] message looming over me, this isn’t exactly optional.
“Menesteil? You’re planning to travel that far?!”
Joy was the first to react, banging her fist on the table in an unladylike fashion before quickly covering her face with a fan as she blushed from the stares directed her way.
"If you're going to raid a large dungeon, why not go to the Seenable Dungeon? It's much closer."
"I agree. There’s no need to go all the way to Menesteil. The Seenable Dungeon in our kingdom would offer you plenty of conveniences."
Hmm. How should I explain this? Maybe I should’ve just said I was going to raid a dungeon without being specific...
Just as I was considering summoning the old man for advice, Faybi stepped in with a gentle voice.
"Both of you, I’m sure Lady Alrn has her reasons. Hasn’t she always?"
"Well... that’s true."
"Yes, I suppose so."
Nice! Faybi! If I had said that, it would’ve sounded like I was making excuses, but when you say it, it’s totally convincing! Is this the power of a saint?
After calming them down, Faybi turned back to me.
"So, are you planning to spend your entire break raiding dungeons?"
‘No...’
"No way. Why would I waste all my time in some low-level dungeon?"
Sure, I plan to raid some dungeons, but that’s not all I’m going to do. I have other things lined up as well.
Besides, I need to make an appearance at the Alrn estate. If I don’t, there’s no telling what my doting father might do when he doesn’t see his daughter during break.
‘Why do you ask?’
"Why are you asking, useless saint?"
"Because there’s something I’d like to invite you to during the break."
Turns out, Faybi wanted to repay me for helping her the last time. Since she was asking so nicely, I couldn’t exactly refuse, so I nodded.
Right then, Joy cleared her throat awkwardly.
What’s this about?
"Lady Alrn, could you spare some time for me as well? There’s a festival at the end of the break..."
Wait, what?
You’re inviting me to the festival at the Patrane estate?
Really?!
‘I’ll go!’
"What’s this, airhead noble? You’re that eager to hang out with me? Fine, I’ll take pity on the lonely noble with no friends."
Of course, I’m going!
I’d clear my schedule for this!
One of my favorite cutscenes from Soul Academy happens at that festival, featuring Joy, and now I’ll get to see it with my own eyes!
"Really?"
‘Yes! Absolutely!’
"Like I’d miss it."
"Alright. I’ll send an official invitation to the Alrn family."
Heh. Heheheh. Not only do I get to hang out with Joy, but I’ll also get to witness one of my favorite cutscenes live. I’m so pumped for this!
I’ll finish my other tasks as quickly as possible so I can head to the Patrane estate!
"What about me, Joy? Will I not be invited?"
Just as I was getting lost in thoughts of the event, Arthur grumbled.
What’s this? Jealousy? Are you that upset about me taking your friend?
How petty, prince.
"Oh, of course, if you’d like to join, Your Highness, I’d be happy to invite you as well."
"Joy, I’d like to come too!"
Faybi chimed in almost immediately after Joy nodded in response to Arthur’s request.
"But Faybi, aren’t you busy with the Church?"
"I’ve recently found myself with some unexpected free time."
That "free time" is because of me. I convinced her to take a break. After learning the truth about the Church, going back would only cause her more pain.
She might as well relax and enjoy herself at the festival instead.
"Well, of course, if Faybi would like to join, she’s more than welcome."
"Me too. I’ll go too."
The final voice came from Frey, who had been stuffing her face with bread just moments ago. She had somehow finished eating and was now chiming in.
Didn’t think she’d care about something like this. Maybe she just didn’t want to be left out.
"I... I’ll send an invitation to the Kent family as well, then."
Joy, who seemed tough and unfeeling on the outside, was surprisingly soft on the inside. There’s no way she could refuse Frey’s request when they were close.
And so, the five of us made plans to meet again at the Patrane estate’s festival.
<Lucy! What do you mean by this?!>
That night, I reached out to Benedict to handle some unfinished business.
He had been delighted to hear from me, but the moment I mentioned my plans, his tone changed, his eyes widening in disbelief.
<You’re telling me you’re going straight to Menesteil without even stopping by the Alrn estate?!>
I repeated the same thing I told the others earlier that day—I’d be leaving to raid Menesteil for experience.
<Absolutely not! There’s no way I can allow this!>
Benedict was horrified at the idea. A large dungeon in another country, far from any support in case of trouble? Of course, the doting father wouldn’t agree.
I had expected his objections, but his refusal was far more stubborn than I’d imagined. No matter what I tried—pouting, getting angry, or even pretending to cry—he stood firm.
I guess raiding a large dungeon in a foreign land really does seem too dangerous.
<And don’t even think about sneaking out! I’ve already instructed my knights to keep an eye on you!>
So even if I try to sneak away, he’ll come and drag me back himself.
Ugh. There’s no helping it.
I really didn’t want to use this, but I know this will make the useless god happy.
<Lucy, answer me.>
"Are you really going to say no to me, papa?♡ You wouldn’t be that petty, would you?♡"