It's Dangerous Outside the Dungeon, Master

* * *

She made up her mind.

To remain alone and protect the safety of her precious people, at least.

Even if it meant ultimately sacrificing her own life.

[Grab!]

[What are you doing, Jain.]

She still couldn't forget the image of that blade that had rushed up to her eyes.

Although Libertas had blocked it, the image of that monster who had mercilessly decided on violence against her.

[Eat them all.]

And the sight of the adventurers and magicians who were sleeping, unaware of their impending death.

In the end, she was a being who could cause massacres as much as needed, if necessary.

Just like all monsters.

'I have to send them away. All three of them, if possible.'

She decided at that point.

She couldn't leave her precious people among these monsters.

Because that blade and those teeth could be in front of her family, not herself.

"You need to go now. Mother. Father."

"Amelia. What's going on?"

So Amelia was running down the corridor with the former lord couple.

Their destination was a secret passage that only those who had lived in this inner castle for a long time would know about.

Amelia intended to send her parents out of Solemio to another territory and have them protected by another noble.

"Hurry. This is our only chance when there are no knights or monsters."

After Libertas emptied the troops on the wall to reduce witnesses of the magic circle.

Amelia succeeded in placing the knights who had defected and become demons on the walls.

This was thanks to her argument that they needed people to replace the troops emptied from the walls.

'To think so many knights would betray...!'

She too knew that the knights of such rural nobles were essentially just armed retainers with little sense of duty as knights.

She just never thought such a situation would actually occur.

Even if the enemy was an incomprehensible being, to think only three knights remained as humans.

'No. It's fortunate that there are any at all.'

But she decided to just think that way.

Otherwise, it would be too miserable.

"Alright. Let's go. Where's Yuri?"

"I left her with trustworthy people."

So she sent two of the knights who remained human to find Yurianne.

Her sister was nowhere to be found in her room in the middle of this night.

'We need to find her quickly.'

However, the whereabouts of her sister Yurianne was merely an 'option' in this escape.

Although it made her want to cry, it was the truth.

"Instead of this, let's find Yuri and leave together. We can't go by ourselves."

"No, Father. This only has meaning if you two leave. I'll protect Yuri somehow, you need to get out and inform others about that being."

The most important thing was for a noble with authority to escape and inform the count's territory, and further the royal capital, about this situation.

She... could be given to Libertas, who seemed to like her, as a final hostage.

There would likely be pain and suffering with high probability, but that was the best option.

"...Alright. I understand. We'll do as you say."

"I... I'm not sure. Is this right?"

Fortunately, her father, Lord Valeon, was moving fairly calmly, but her mother, Grelda, still seemed confused.

She had already faced Libertas and deeply felt that presence emanating while using magic power.

"That person... no, that being. That magic power... it was truly tremendous. And look, nothing's happening in the castle even though we've been confined like this. That... she must already be watching us...!"

"It's okay, Mother. The people I entrusted Yuri to are truly trustworthy. And you two can get out too."

Grelda gradually found stability under Amelia's desperate soothing touch, but she still continued her anxious words, saying "She's watching... watching us."

While making eye contact with Grelda and speaking without wavering, Amelia's heart wasn't without confusion.

'I have to believe.'

She was just holding it together with resolve that was bound even more tightly than that.

Moreover, the knights she entrusted with the task remained human even as almost all their comrades chose the path of monsters, and they kept their loyalty even while being confined with their families.

She couldn't even think of proceeding without trusting such people.

At the same time, one more thing.

[All those who interfere with your management have died. Perhaps it's something you should be grateful for.]

Libertas said so, and there were indeed deaths among the administrators and knights.

Upon investigation, all those who died were indeed those who had committed misconduct.

Therefore.

[Isn't it natural to spend time polishing raw gems that are worth the effort?]

The knights who remained without dying must have shown something that caught Libertas's eye, even a little.

[They have courage. They have a sense of duty. They have the resolve to choose. I quite like you.]

And from what she had observed so far.

This eccentric Dungeon Lord had a fixation on things like courage or beautiful hearts that people show.

'Maybe that's why I'm still alive even though I noticed her existence.'

Amelia could have run away when she realized Libertas's true nature.

She knew very well that quite a few nobles could abandon their families to save themselves, and that it was common.

'But I chose to protect my family. I showed that I would contract for that. To give my soul as a hostage to her... a sacrificial appearance.'

[Good. For such a kind and sincere child to come into my hands.]

To such an 'uncommon human appearance', that being, whether demon or monster, gave praise.

While giving compliments that Amelia had rarely heard in her life.

However, Amelia didn't fully understand the value Libertas felt in her.

[Miss, take this!]

[Thank you!]

Amelia's value also lay in her interaction with common people on the streets, exchanging greetings normally despite being a noble.

Having grown up that way since childhood, she couldn't quickly realize all her value.

'So, this is the only chance while she still feels my value and before the contract is completely made.'

Nevertheless, her judgment was not wrong.

"Welcome, Amelia."

"Big sis!"

Libertas knew that she would make such a correct judgment.

* * *

"The things happening now... are they because of you, teacher?"

Yurianne came to me on her own.

Right after the transfer of the lord position from father to daughter.

"Why do you think so?"

I asked in a kind voice to the child who saved me the trouble of going to find her.

The child, while confused by that voice, expressed her opinion.

"Big sis doesn't like being the lord. She just said there's no one else to do it. So I said I'd help when I grow up."

"You're kind, Yurianne."

"Hehe... And the new person who came to the castle is only you, teacher."

It was good judgment that couldn't be thought to come from a mere five-year-old.

"Don't hurt big sis. I'll become a hostage."

At the same time, it was admirable courage.

"Even if you don't do that, this land will become mine."

"But teacher. You already know what big sis will do, right?"

"You're quick-witted."

It was as she said.

Although Amelia had said she would contract with me, I hadn't yet properly contracted with her.

I had implied that I might harm her family if she didn't listen, but I hadn't particularly restricted her actions.

Restrictions can be given in other ways.

"Well then. Let's make a contract, you and I."

"A contract?"

Like this.

* * *

"Welcome, Amelia."

"Big sis!"

When faced with the crisis of losing something, or after losing it.

People tend to become desperate.

When desperate, it's easy to choose the immediate urgent option.

[This... this can't be happening.]

[Your father... your dad ended up like that because he didn't have faith. Don't you think...?]

[Brother. Help... help me. Okay?]

I knew that well.

"You... why are you with Yuri...!"

"Because this child is smart and good, Amelia."

With my hand on the child's head, which was at just the right height to pat, I made eye contact with Amelia.

"I knew... I knew this would happen."

"We need to move, Amelia. It's already irreversible!"

While Grelda behind her had already collapsed, and Valeon was urging calmness while drawing his sword.

She took a step forward towards me.

Even with her eyes unstable and shaking in all directions, confirming something.

"What are you planning to do with that child?"

"I'll raise her well. She's a promising child."

From that state, I lowered my hand and revealed the ears I had been covering.

Not beside Yurianne's head, but two ears rounded and protruding above her hair.

I saw Amelia cover her mouth with both hands.

"What have you done...!"

"The qualities a warrior should have grow quickly when one becomes a werebeast. And it's cute to look at, isn't it?"

Grelda and her children could be used as hostages for the Guiles Count family ruling the area, but it wasn't necessary for all three to be used as hostages.

What's important to nobles is power and territory.

The most important here is Grelda herself, and having just one of the children is enough for the Guiles Count family to claim rights to this territory again in the future.

"How can you say that...! You said you wouldn't touch my family!"

"That was if you hadn't done this."

I gestured with my eyes towards her parents.

Grelda, who had become dumbfounded and immobile at the sight of her daughter, and Valeon, who had dropped his sword.

The hostages she had tried to send outside.

Although it was only a verbal contract, in the end, it was she who broke the contract first.

Crunch

"...!"

Amelia showed her despair by dropping both hands towards the floor.

To help her judgment, I decided to show one more thing.

"Yuri. Bring your sister."

"Yes! Let's go, big sis!"

When I gently pushed the child's back, Yurianne approached her sister with bouncing steps and led her to me.

"Wait. Yuri... Yuri? Let go of this hand...!"

"It's okay, big sis. Teacher said she'll treat us well."

"Yuri...!"

The strength, unchildlike yet normal for a werebear cub, was not something Amelia could resist.

If I hadn't informed the child in advance about how much her grip strength had increased, she might have crushed her sister's hand.

I hope they appreciate my efforts like this.

Although they probably don't have the luxury for that right now.

"Send Valeon and Grelda back to their room. Now I'll have to manage their meals, clothing, and outings as well."

"Yes, Master."

"Yuri. Please escort your parents."

The bear beastkin child who heard my instructions didn't move immediately, but stared at my eyes for a while.

With eyes full of wisdom uncharacteristic of such a young child.

"Teacher. You shouldn't bully big sis."

"Didn't we already make a promise?"

"There are many liars. Teacher too."

"I've never broken a promise first."

"Hmph."

Yurianne, pouting her lips, disappeared following her parents.

Only then did I make eye contact with Amelia.

"..."

Eyes now full of helplessness, having lost both courage and independence.

A vessel emptied of everything, waiting for someone to fill it with content.