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Chapter 53 New Dungeon

'F*ck' Elian cursed in his mind as he realized his Karma Point Balance was in the negative. The prospect of buying new knowledge now seemed like a distant dream, and he wasn't even sure that he could even afford to purchase a math book.

He immediately needed to find a way to increase this balance; otherwise, he might as well die choking on tofu.

'Let's table that for later,' Elian contemplated, wary that continuing down that train of thought might lead him into a bout of depression.

However, he remained determined to ascertain if Ronald was deceiving him.

Thus, he insisted, "Continue with the mislead." Elian surmised he could proceed with the purchase despite his negative balance. His hunch proved right as he soon heard:

[Understood]

[No mislead]

Elian acknowledged the system's confirmation, indicating that Ronald wasn't intentionally lying to him. However, the truth of his statement remained to be verified.

Still, if Ronald's claim held weight, the implications would be far-reaching.

Dungeons are universally recognized as the fastest path to wealth, a fact that holds true for commoners, dungeon-owning nobles, and even the Kingdom itself. Each party involved stands to gain substantial profits from these valuable assets. Beyond monetary gains, dungeons also yield a vast array of resources, including precious minerals, exotic herbs, rare beasts, and unique alloys not found elsewhere in nature. These treasures are replenished over time, ensuring that dungeons remain infinitely sustainable assets to the Kingdom and its citizens. The emergence of dungeons is undoubtedly a blessing for the Kingdom.

Dungeons, beyond being blessings, stand as evidence of a Kingdom's power. Dungeons are inextricably linked to a Kingdom's power and prosperity. The higher the ranks of a Kingdom's dungeons, the greater its overall strength. This notion may seem counterintuitive, but it becomes evident when considering the profound impact that dungeons have on a Kingdom's average strength over time. Dungeons serve as the primary training ground for the bulk of the population, the backbone of any Kingdom's military might. Consequently, Kingdoms with high-rank dungeons possess a populace with enhanced combat prowess, bolstering their overall defense capabilities and strategic potential. Therefore, the rank of a Kingdom's dungeons serves as a direct indicator of its overall strength.

A dungeon's rank is directly correlated to the density of ambient mana present within its confines. Denser mana levels foster the growth of formidable monsters and heighten the overall danger posed by the dungeon's environment, including natural traps, hazardous terrain, and even the very air itself. However, these increased risks are accompanied by a proportional rise in the value of resources found within the dungeon, making these perilous ventures potential sources of immense wealth and power. Thus, dungeons represent high-risk, high-reward opportunities.

Unfortunately the higher the rank of a dungeon, the rarer the dungeon it is. The last time a dungeon emerged within this Kingdom's borders was five centuries ago. Despite its C-rank classification, this dungeon's presence significantly bolstered the Kingdom's overall strength and elevated the quality of life for its citizens.

Yet now, Elian has just learned of the probable existence of a high-ranked dungeon, meaning B-ranked or higher. The mere possibility of a B-rank dungeon, the second of its kind within the Kingdom's borders, holds immense promise for the Kingdom's future. The only other B-rank dungeon, currently under royal ownership, has been a cornerstone of the Kingdom's prosperity since its inception. The emergence of a second B-rank dungeon could potentially propel the Kingdom to unprecedented heights of power and influence. In contrast, the Kingdom's remaining dungeons fall into the C-rank or lower, further emphasizing the significance of this potential discovery.

'Could it really be a B-rank dungeon?' Elian questioned inwardly. His father's strength was no secret, and he was certain that escaping such a dungeon would have been a trivial task for him.

'If Father truly died within the dungeon's depths, then the only plausible explanation was...' Elian trailed off, a grim realization dawning upon him.

'It must have been at least A-ranked!' Elian exclaimed internally, and was shocked for a few seconds before coming back to himself,

'I understand now.' He had been wondering why the royal family had been trying to hide the specifics of his father's death. But they weren't doing this for his father, instead, they were hiding the new dungeon. But a question remained,

'What's the point?' he questioned their delaying tactics. Releasing the news now or in a month would inevitably lead to chaos, regardless of the timing.

Was the royal family simply stalling for time or making elaborate preparations? Nevertheless, the sheer magnitude of the dungeon's discovery would undoubtedly trigger a massive influx of individuals, among which people the royals can't carelessly offend. So the royal family's ability to control this influx was highly questionable.

Elian then cast a suspicious glance at Ronald. If Ronald possessed knowledge of the dungeon, it likely implied that his family was already involved in the royal family's plans. However, this raised a significant question,

"Why are you telling me?" Elian inquired, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. The notion of greedy nobles willingly sharing their newfound wealth with the Thorne family seemed highly improbable. Something was amiss.

"I understand your reservations," Ronald acknowledged with sincerity. "As you may be aware, a significant portion of the nobility is actively seeking to undermine your household's influence. Were it not for your family's main residence being outside the Kingdom's borders, your lineage might very well have been eradicated from history. However, with the passing of General Marcus and the new dungeon, your situation has become even more precarious..."

As Ronald spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Elian's face, as if anticipating a specific reaction. Elian, however, remained unfazed by Ronald's scrutiny and responded with a tone laced with disdain.

"So, if I've grasped your intentions correctly, you're offering assistance out of pity."' Elian inquired, his eyes burning with disdain. Did Ronald perceive him as gullible or easily manipulated? No need to consult the book for verification; whether he was being deceived or not, he wouldn't believe Ronald either way.

"Pity is far from my mind. On the contrary, I hold the utmost respect for your family. Even royalty would struggle to endure such relentless opposition from the nobility. So, no, I don't pity you; I admire you. I am filled with admiration for your resilience." Ronald's expression softened into a genuine smile as he continued, "However, no matter how formidable your family may be, you cannot hope to weather the impending chaos without allies. As you are aware, this Kingdom's foundation rests upon a B-rank dungeon. Imagine the lengths to which royalty and nobles will go to seize control of such a treasure."

Elian furrowed his brow, questioning Ronald's implication. "What does this have to do with our family? Our family will not be embroiled in this matter," he declared firmly.

"Ah, I nearly forgot to mention," Ronald interjected, realizing he had omitted a critical piece of information. "The dungeon, according to reports, has materialized in close proximity to Ebolowa."

'F*ck!' Once more, Elian cursed inwardly, attempting to maintain a neutral expression, yet failing miserably due to the outrageousness of what he had just heard.

Could his luck possibly be any worse?

Ebolowa stands as an independent city, strategically nestled between the Kamer Kingdom and Thorne City, the heart of the Thorne army's operations. Both the Kingdom and the Thorne army have poured significant investments into Ebolowa, making the ownership of a dungeon appearing within its boundaries a contentious issue. While the Thorne army could potentially seize control, the nobles would undoubtedly oppose such a move, unwilling to allow any single entity to claim unilateral ownership of such a valuable asset. The prospect of sharing ownership with the Thorne family would be anathema to the nobility, setting the stage for a fierce power struggle.

While the Thorne army might be willing to step back, the nobles, driven by insatiable greed, would never allow a family with a legitimate claim to half the dungeon's riches to roam freely.

'F*ck!' Elian cursed once more as the realization dawned that he would have to confront those avaricious and self-important nobles. It was too much for the typically reclusive Elian.

'Nope, not getting involved in that. Mom can handle it. I'm out,' Elian thought to himself.

Noticing Elian's evident distress, Ronald offered his support. "I presume you recognize the need for any assistance you can muster at this juncture. I am prepared to lend my wholehearted support."Elian's mind raced with questions as Ronald offered his assistance. Was this a personal offer or one on behalf of the Arauho family? If it were the latter, Ronald would have explicitly stated it. His silence suggested that the help was from him personally, but Elian found this rather useless.

The Thorne family, with its immense wealth surpassing even the Araujo family, possessed no need for Ronald's limited financial resources. However, they could potentially benefit from the Arauhos' political influence. Yet, what significant influence could a mere heir hold? Elian remained skeptical.

However, even if the proposed assistance originated from the Marquis family, the Thorne family would never accept it. After all, the Thornes were not one to simply forget the deep-seated feud with the nobles. In fact, Elian was surprised that Ronald, well aware of this animosity, would even dare to suggest such a thing. Curiosity piqued, Elian decided to probe Ronald's intentions.

"What do you want exactly?" Elian inquired directly.

Anticipating Elian's question, Ronald promptly responded, "My goal is to secure a portion of the dungeon's riches once your family gains control. In essence, my gain is contingent upon your success in claiming the dungeon. Otherwise, I will seek no compensation."

Elian cast a wary glance at Ronald. He had already anticipated their inevitable involvement in the looming conflict. The nobles, driven by their insatiable greed, would never leave them alone. Under these circumstances, they might as well compete for it too. However, such a decision ultimately rested with his mother, as he had already washed his hands of this matter.

But it remained that this proposition was quite good but nobles being nobles he wouldn't dare believe it a second.

Don't believe me? Let's check.

'Check for mislead' he thought

[Understood]

[Mislead detected]

'Hehehe, what did I tell you? I'd rather place my faith in a wild beast than a noble,' Elian mused inwardly, a faint smile gracing his lips. Ronald's deception didn't come as a surprise; he had long since accepted that expecting honesty from a noble was an exercise in futility.

'Time to wrap this up,' Elian thought, his mind set.

"I must decline your offer. While I need to consult with my mother, I highly doubt she'll agree," he stated, deflecting any potential insistence from Ronald by placing the responsibility on his mother.

'If you wish to argue, feel free to engage with her directly, assuming she'll even grant you an audience or even respond to your calls.' Elian thought

"Very well, I understand," Ronald acknowledged, his stance conveying his acceptance of Elian's unwavering stance. He had never harbored the expectation of Elian's immediate consent; his primary intention was to inform him promptly of the current situation.

Despite Elian's current refusal, Ronald remained confident that a change of heart was inevitable, only a matter of time. With this belief in mind, he didn't hesitate to extend an open invitation, "Do reach out if your mind changes,"

With that, Ronald turned and headed towards the exit. He could have stayed for small talk but since he already achieved his mission, there's no point in extending his stay. Definitely not because he fears a 'thunder strike' and wants to leave as soon as possible. With similar thoughts, his cousin followed him outside immediately.

The maid, ever attentive, stepped forward to guide them out.

As Ronald and Alan exited the room, Elian observed their departure, his mind preoccupied with the tasks ahead. Studying the book, especially how to increase Karma was a must, and he needed to have a conversation with Julia because he was determined not to be the one handling that dungeon.

Edited by MoonsterDark