Doll Dungeon Chapter 42

"Now then, what I'm supposed to do with the territory?"

"What do you mean?"

It meant exactly what I've said.

"Speaking of the territory, you have to prospered the place, collect the tax and do your best for the country. It should be like this. I think?"

Aisha noticed that I have something to say.

“So, what exactly will I get in return? If I want to prosper a place, I could've done so with my dungeon. If it is gold, I already got quite a lots of them from your kingdom. Do my best for the country? What a joke. This is a dungeon. It doesn't work like a country. ”

“I understand what you are saying, but humans are afraid of things they can't see.”

Hmm?

What are you talking about?

“Humans are afraid of things they do not know.”

“So what?”

“Besides those who have talked with Lord Null like us, all of them are afraid of you.”

“…”

“It is the same for our country. In fact, the escort with me is the only civilian who dares to come here."

Is she saying that the country will not be on the move? Is that what she wants to say?

"But, what it has to do with the territory?"

"It's difficult to find your dungeon and some of us doesn't know about it."

"So, they are scared?"

Persuasion.

Their actual reason of fear is because this is a danger zone where the monster fights.

"If Lord Null have this territory, it will be easier for the people and other countries to see Lord Null in person. Not to mention, it will be easier for the kingdom too."

"So, that's what you were thinking about."

“And also, the place will be much safer.”

In other words, a safe zone.

“But why didn't offer it to other countries?”

“If Lord Null agree to have this territory, we will recognize Lord Null's territory as a country and will promise an alliance."

That alliance?

If you think about it in any possible way, neither the people nor the aristocrat will agree with it.

“How do you curb the opposing opinion that might come to you?”

"Then we will tell the truth to the people of Ilfiana Kingdom."

"Are you sure?"

"Certainly our people will be mad about it and they will turn their anger towards the Ilfiana Kingdom. It has always been like that. Every time the country did something, they will complain about it but when the country obtains something from it, they will immediately rely on it."

What a difficult country.

"How do you plan to handle the n.o.ble? They definitely will disagree on forming the alliance with a dungeon."

"Since most of the senior n.o.bles are auction partic.i.p.ants, I'm sure Lord Null will be safe. Besides, those who protest against the decision made by the Ilfiana Kingdom to form the alliance with Lord Null will be convinced after they hear the benefits they will get from it."

“I know how to suppress the opposition of the alliance, but what about the other countries? Whatever you might be thinking, your country will not get a good reputation for forming the alliance with a dungeon."

"But I think that forming the alliance is an indication that the two countries are on equal positions.”

"Surely so but what I'm saying is what to do if the other countries decide to use them as an excuse to attack us?"

"If you join this war, it will be unlikely for them to be doing so. Besides, it is the other country that first relied on the forces of the dungeon. With just that, there's no excuse anymore."

"…And so, as a part of the alliance, how do you intend to keep the relations.h.i.+p with the other countries in the future?"

"I can't answer you since I don't know what kind of fate lies ahead of us."

True. The future is uncertain.

However…

"If that's the case, neither taking the territory nor forming an alliance would be a bright idea right now."

I don't want to hold a bomb if I don't know whether I can properly protect it or not.

"If you join the alliance, we will be back you up."

"I don't know how powerful your backing is but I will not nod in agreement until I know it's truly safe."

“Will you agree to join if it's safe?"

…For the moment, I almost nod.

If I nod right away, the owners.h.i.+p of the territory will be transfer to me without any merit.

"The thing is it's about the security of the territory you know? You have to show me what could I gain from this territory to make me nod."

"…Understood."

I wonder if I could dismiss now?

Aisha’s eyebrows slightly wrinkled.

"Well then, it would be better if we put aside the talk about safety for later. For now, let's talk about the territory."

"Certainly. First of all, once Lord Null obtain the territory, the entire shallow part of the Forest of Beginnings will be yours."

All of the shallow part?

In other words, all of the medicinal herbs, which are the merits of possessing the Forest of the Beginnings, will be mine. Although it's possible to collect them anywhere in the Forest of Beginnings, in order to go to the centre of the forest, it's necessary to hire a number of beginner adventurer for an escort. Indeed, it will require money to hire them. And the cost of it will be higher than the money obtained from selling the medicinal herbs itself. That's why the villagers harvest them only at the shallow part of the forest. It's something I heard from Eins which is told by the villagers.

"Let's not talk about the forest. Instead, would you be interested in a guild?"

"I want to remain silent on that matter."

Keeping silent about it is not interesting after all.

“What do beginner adventurers do? Do they earn experience outside the Forest of Beginnings too?”

"About that, it's quite a long story. First thing first, Lord Null, will you allow us to establish a guild in your territory?"

Establish a guild?

"Why there are should be guilds everywhere?"

"There must be at least one guild exist in a country. If not, it will not be recognized as a country. Basically, the territory will be recognized as a country from the guild if it exists there."

If it’s recognized by the country of Gallia and the guild, that means both of it will be a great back s.h.i.+eld for the country.

But still…

"Is there any possibility of being seen as a part of the country of Gallia? One of the domestic territory of Gallia?"

"It won't be like that."

"What makes you say that?"

“The name of the guild differs depending on the country and place of the guild.

"Take the guild of Imperial City, for example, it's been named as the Guild of Gallia Kingdom. So, you don't have to worry of being counted as one of the territories."

I thought all of the guilds are the same.

"I see. I now understood how important is the guild is. So, what does the guild want?"

"Nothing."

Nothing!?