Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 584

From the training ground, I followed behind my father and Sandra, eventually arriving at the guest room of the new mansion.

Upon entering the room, I saw that the prominent figures of Baldia had gathered inside.

"Ah, Lord Rid! We've been waiting for you."

"Yeah, sorry to keep you waiting."

The one who smiled warmly, narrowing his eyes like a kindly old man, was Curtis, Asuna's grandfather and the commander of the Second Knight Order.

Looking around the room, I noticed that Ellen and Alex were also seated around the table with him.

The reason everyone had gathered here was to discuss the matter of Gabriel Santos, the individual I had confronted in the Foxkin territory.

He had undergone an abnormal transformation and gained an otherworldly power through the use of a "Jade Orb," which seemed to supply him with magic or magical energy.

The main reason I was able to defeat him was likely because Gabriel wasn't accustomed to the sudden surge of power he had acquired.

However, if he had been more adept at wielding that power, it would have been a much tougher battle.

That's why my father, after hearing my report, immediately instructed Sandra to investigate the source of this power, sensing the urgency of the situation.

As we took our seats after entering the room, my father initiated the discussion. "Sandra, please explain."

"Understood. Allow me to share what we currently know about the unusual power displayed by Gabriel Santos, whom Lord Rid encountered in the Foxkin territory."

After saying this, Sandra exchanged glances with Ellen, Alex, and Curtis before adopting a serious expression.

"It is likely that the source of his power was the 'Jade Orb.' This orb is known as the 'Prison Palace Jewel' [Roukyuuju], and we believe it to be an artificially created imitation of a Dungeon Core."

"A Prison Palace Jewel... a Dungeon Core..."

I couldn't help but repeat the unfamiliar terms.

I had heard a little about Dungeon Cores from Rubens before, but I knew nothing about this so-called "Prison Palace Jewel."

As I tilted my head in confusion, Curtis spoke up. "It seems that Lord Rid is not very familiar with dungeons. Lord Liner, with your permission, may I provide an explanation for the sake of clarity and shared understanding?"

"Go ahead, Curtis."

"Understood."

With my father's approval, Curtis cleared his throat and turned his gaze toward me.

"Lord Rid, how much do you know about dungeons?"

"Uh..."

I began to explain what I knew about dungeons, though my knowledge was limited to what Rubens had taught me.

In this world, dungeons are considered a type of living creature—or at least something close to it.

You could call them "magical creatures," if you will.

The idea that dungeons are a type of magical creature isn't far from the truth, especially since I have personal experience with beings like "Cookie," the Shadow Cougar, and "Biscuit," the sentient slime.

Their high intelligence, physical abilities, and magical powers are all derived from "magic energy."

Dungeons are said to form when a core deep underground accumulates a vast amount of magical energy over a long period of time.

Once the core has stored enough energy, it creates an entrance on the surface.

At the same time, the Dungeon Core uses the stored energy to generate the dungeon itself, monsters, and various treasures and resources.

The dungeon and its monsters then kill any humans who enter seeking treasure or any creatures that accidentally wander in, using their magic energy as fuel to further the core's growth.

If left unchecked, the monsters within the dungeon will eventually emerge onto the surface, claiming the area around the dungeon entrance as their territory and hunting for prey in the outside world.

Additionally, the strength of the monsters spawned by the dungeon is proportional to the amount of magic energy stored in the Dungeon Core.

Monsters that emerge onto the surface are already quite powerful, and if left alone, they can cause significant damage to nearby towns and villages.

In the worst-case scenario, entire settlements could be wiped out. For this reason, from the perspective of maintaining safe nations and territories, dungeons are generally targeted for elimination.

The method of elimination involves entering the dungeon and damaging the Dungeon Core at its deepest point, forcibly depleting the stored magic energy.

This causes the dungeon to shrink over the course of a few days, and the Dungeon Core retreats deep underground, with the entrance disappearing for several months to several years.

It is possible to destroy the core entirely, but doing so would cause the dungeon to collapse, burying anyone inside alive, so it's not a practical solution.

Unless, of course, you have something like a timed explosive.

"...That's about all I know. But I've never actually been inside a dungeon myself."

Rubens had mentioned that dungeons are sometimes used for training exercises for apprentice knights.

I was supposed to participate in one as well, but I ended up experiencing real combat during the "Battle of the Narrow Fortress."

For the time being, it's unlikely that I'll have an official opportunity to enter a dungeon.

Though, secretly, I'm looking for a chance to go on my own.

"I see. Your knowledge aligns with what I know."

Curtis nodded in agreement, and everyone else in the room followed suit.

"Now, let me explain about the Dungeon Core."

"Sure, go ahead."

As I responded, Curtis, along with Sandra and Ellen, began to explain the Dungeon Core to me.

When the Dungeon Core is damaged by a weapon, the magic energy stored within it spills out and dissipates into the air.

Occasionally, this energy crystallizes.

Naturally, since the energy comes from the core, these crystals contain a vast amount of magic energy.

"So that's what the Prison Palace Jewel is."

"Yes. And..."

Ellen suddenly looked dreamy, clasping her hands together and gazing off into the distance.

"The Prison Palace Jewel isn't just beautiful in appearance. It's not only a rare gemstone with high value, but it also contains a tremendous amount of magic energy, making it highly sought after for use in crafting magical equipment."

"R-Really? It's that incredible?"

I wondered what she was staring at.

Feeling a bit uneasy, I glanced at Alex, who was smiling and trying not to laugh.

"That's right. If I saw one in front of me, I'd probably react the same way as my sister. But, Lord Rid, your equipment actually uses a Prison Palace Jewel."

"Wait, really?"

Tilting my head in confusion, Alex nodded with a smile.

"Remember the armor we gave you before the Battle of the Narrow Fortress? The one that absorbs and releases magic energy to expand and contract? The magical alloy and fabric used in its construction contain a generous amount of powdered Prison Palace Jewel."

"Wait, what?"

I was completely taken aback by Alex's unexpected revelation.

That special armor, which stretches and contracts even when I use transformation magic to change my physique, has become an indispensable piece of equipment for me. I even brought it with me when I went to the Foxkin territory.

But I had no idea that such a unique piece of armor was made using a Prison Palace Jewel.

I mean, I knew it must have required some special materials and techniques, but I never imagined it involved something as rare as a Prison Palace Jewel.

Wait, hold on.

If the Prison Palace Jewel is such a rare and valuable gemstone, then that armor, which uses a significant amount of powdered Prison Palace Jewel, must be worth a fortune, right?

"Well, yes."

Alex seemed to have guessed what I was thinking, as he scratched his cheek and gave a wry smile.

"As you've surmised, that single suit of armor is worth enough to build a small mansion. For an ordinary citizen, if they saved wisely, they could probably live comfortably without ever having to work again."

"W-What?! That much?!"

My eyes widened in shock, and everyone in the room, except for my father, gave me warm, knowing looks.

"Lord Rid, you're really loved, aren't you?"

"Yeah, you're definitely loved."

"Indeed. It's proof of how much you're cherished."

"The fact that you didn't realize the value of that armor until now shows that I still have a lot to teach you."

Ellen, Alex, and Curtis all nodded in agreement, while Sandra let out a light sigh and shrugged her shoulders as if to say, "What can you do?"

How was I supposed to know about the Prison Palace Jewel when I hadn't even heard of it before?

A warm, almost fluffy atmosphere filled the room as my father cleared his throat, seemingly trying to hide his embarrassment, and said, "Well..."

"No matter how much money you spend, you can't buy a life. It would be counterproductive to skimp on spending if it means failing to protect your life. If spending money can protect your life, then it's a small price to pay. You should continue using that armor without a second thought. Keeping it as a decoration in the mansion would be a waste of its true purpose."

"F-Father... that was really cool."

My father had said "money is nothing," but in reality, the Baldia family's finances were quite tight.

We had invested heavily in various projects to develop the territory, and the returns hadn't fully materialized yet.

The Baldia family, in cooperation with the Christie Trading Company, was involved in a wide range of businesses, including pocket watches, charcoal sales, and various food products.

However, we didn't have much cash on hand.

Among nobles and larger trading companies, credit transactions using promissory notes were common.

And since most of our high-profit clients were nobles, we wouldn't receive payment until the goods were delivered.

As a result, most of our funds were tied up in investments and raw materials.

While the situation had improved somewhat recently, we were still far from comfortable.

Given that my father was well aware of this, his declaration that my life was worth more than any amount of money moved me deeply.

I couldn't help but look up at him with admiration, but he turned his face away, seemingly embarrassed.

"We've strayed quite far from the topic. Sandra, please bring us back on track."

"Understood."

With a nod, Sandra shifted the conversation back to the main subject.