Published: January 22, 2026
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While Shion and Due were engaged in battle, Stieg Stroem, a man with long ash-colored hair tied at the shoulders who was confronting Shion on the third level of the farm dungeon, was walking near the summit of the KuraiĹŤ Mountain Range that towers on the border between the Nohitant Kingdom and the Sobel Empire, far from the farm dungeon.
Ahead in his direction stood Philly Carpenter, manipulating a very high-density, vividly green mana that was visible to the eye.
"Visualizing mana, huh? As expected of you, Guide," Stieg said as he approached Philly.
"...Why are you here? Weren't you supposed to be managing the farm dungeon on the Doctor’s orders?" Philly asked.
"Well, somehow the information leaked. Just recently, the White Demon showed up," Stieg replied.
"The White Demon? So the farm dungeon’s information had been leaked to Amuntzarse?"
"That would be the natural conclusion. Otherwise, there’d be no reason for her to come all the way to a vassal state of the Empire. As a result, the second one—Due—was sent out before being fully adjusted, which must be a bit of a blow for the Doctor."
"And was that woman taken down?"
"I haven’t confirmed the outcome yet. It’s about fifty-fifty whether she’s alive or dead. But since she alone couldn’t neutralize the second one, Amuntzarse must have taken some damage either way."
"I see."
"Are you planning to use this to seize control of the cult? To be honest, I’m not happy with that petty man holding the reins now."
"No, I’ll leave it to the Doctor for now. The cult as it stands now has no appeal to me."
"How lamentable."
"Well, eventually, I’ll make it to my liking—ah, heh heh heh. I just thought of something interesting."
"I haven’t seen that expression on you in a while. You’re at your most captivating when plotting something, Guide."
"No need for flattery."
"What a pity. I meant it sincerely. So, what did you come up with?"
"You probably don’t know, but the Doctor is trying to secure his position in the cult by promoting that fool who was a golden resonance explorer to an executive."
"That fool who was a golden resonance explorer? ...Ah, that guy. He came to the farm dungeon a few times with the Doctor, so I know him. ...That idiot with such a high opinion of himself being made an executive? Guide, are you messing with the Doctor?"
"That man’s caution is abnormal. For now, even if he used his supernatural ability on the Doctor, it would only cause trouble, so I haven't toyed with him. Besides, you know he’s not the kind of person to be promoted to executive by manipulation, right?"
"True. Then why is the Doctor doing this?"
"Who knows? I can’t understand the thoughts of an inferior species. I moved people as he ordered, but I haven’t heard the purpose. Anyway, to get back to the point, I’m giving you the executive seat that man was supposed to take."
"You’re recommending me for executive? But I remember that was planned for later."
"Yes, the plan was for you to move seriously after removing the Doctor. But if the White Demon has messed up the farm dungeon, we can bring that forward. Besides, if we stir things up even more, wouldn’t it be interesting to watch?"
"That’s truly like you, Guide. Understood. Then I accept your orders. —You who lead us to the king."
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A week had passed since the news of the death of the king of the Nohitant Kingdom.
Many citizens mourned the king’s death and grew increasingly angry with the Empire day by day.
The newspapers contained articles stirring up the people, and the momentum for war with the Empire was already irreversible.
The kingdom was counting not only on soldiers but also on skilled explorers for the war. Recently, they requested explorers to join the military, but the silver rabbits of the night sky refused the request.
We explorers believe our role is to ensure a stable supply of magic stones and dungeon materials.
It’s also true that we don’t want to send our members to unfamiliar battlefields.