Construction progressing, from a work perspective, should be something to be happy about and feel reassured by.
However, with this particular job, it was difficult to simply acknowledge those emotions and be at ease.
“Jiro.”
“Ah, I understand.”
Even if I put on a brave face, even if I hid my emotions, this loneliness deep in my gut… it’s unpleasant.
More time has passed since I made some kind of promise with Feri on that hill.
Since then, Feri has further concentrated the island’s ambient magic.
This has led to the acceleration of construction, the erection of buildings, the establishment of lifelines, the strengthening of defenses, and finally, the commencement of the dungeon’s foundational work.
The city districts have been demarcated, and the dungeon is situated at its center.
This island’s most crucial facility, designed to be accessible to all facilities, yet impenetrable when necessary.
The entrance to the dungeon, built in the innermost part of the dome-shaped integrated facility.
There, I, along with the Tanaka family and related personnel, are all gathered.
Facing the Tanaka family, sits Feri, in her original, large form.
The ceremony about to take place will be a long, long farewell, a fact evident to me, and the silence of the vast, empty space only amplifies it.
Pushed forward by Evia, I step one pace ahead, raising the object in my hand.
“Feri.”
“Woof!”
I am clad in ceremonial attire, prepared solely for this day.
I hold aloft a staff of white wood, matching the white robe.
This is the access key to the Dungeon Core, permitted only to Dungeon Masters.
A ceremonial staff crafted from the finest materials.
The magic stone attached to its tip is the seed of the Dungeon Core, created in the secret depths of the temple.
Unlike the Earthmaker, this Dungeon Core seed is a true crystal of divine magic.
Its purity of magic is such that even if billions of ordinary magic stones were gathered, they could not compare.
Raising the staff embedded with the divine magic stone, I call Feri’s name, and Feri responds.
With that, my hesitation vanishes.
Closing my eyes once, taking a deep breath, I open them again, my consciousness shifting. Jiro Tanaka, who had been displaying hesitation until just a moment ago, is gone. In his place stands me, the Human King.
Magic power surges, creating a strong gust of wind.
I summon and create the flow necessary for the ritual that is about to commence.
“We pray to the Moon God.”
As I recite the norito, channeling my magic power towards the heavens, a magic circle forms in this previously empty, pure space.
It is an unfathomably complex and meticulously calculated magic circle.
This magic circle, inscribed with spell formulas that fill a space larger than Tokyo Dome, is the very spell formula that constitutes the dungeon Valse-san and his companions helped me build.
“Based on this contract, I wish to plant the stake of a new world here.”
The white, glowing magic circle gradually turns blue, its color deepening.
This staff is a ceremonial tool to create a connection that conveys prayers to the gods.
“With my name, my magic power, and my soul as the three guides, I shall convey the contractor to the gods.”
Mixing my magic power with the divine magic, I activate the magic circle, and the air in this space begins to vibrate.
It has begun.
The creation of a world, the mutation of space.
A miracle permitted only to gods.
World creation.
“My name is Jiro Tanaka. My magic power is that of a mixture of human and dragon blood. My soul hails from an otherworldly land.”
The magic power required for this process is far lighter than I imagined.
This is probably because Feri and the gods are bearing the brunt of it.
In fact, the immense magic power moves so smoothly that I wonder if it’s okay for it to be this easy.
“I shall form a contract with this great Divine Beast and create a world together with it!”
Then, as I weave the magical flow and the magic circle fills with magic power, I raise the staff.
“Hear me, O Gods! Grant my prayer, O Gods! My wish, my desire, my vow!”
The ritual is progressing exceptionally smoothly; if it continues like this, it will end without any problems.
*Is this truly acceptable?*
The moment I thought that, my time stopped.
All time stretched out, isolating me alone.
I sensed it instantaneously.
And I instantly bowed my head.
“Haa.”
To look up, or to ask for clarification, would be disrespectful.
The last time we fought, it was permitted only because the condition of “divine descent miracle” was met.
But this time is different.
I have been summoned to the divine realm.
“Human, Jiro Tanaka. First, it is a great deed that you have welcomed my kin as family.”
There was no mockery, no derision.
The god was speaking to me with a genuinely serious atmosphere.
I was permitted only to bow my head and answer only what was asked.
This was something Evia had told me beforehand.
That during the ritual to create a dungeon, I would receive a response from a god.
And that this was the most difficult part of the ritual.
Whether the miracle of world creation would be approved was decided in this exchange.
“I am humbled by your words.”
Regarding this exchange, neither the President, nor the Instructor, nor Evia had offered any advice.
Or rather, it would be more accurate to say they could not teach me.
There are Dungeon Masters who have passed by adhering to etiquette and engaging in minimal dialogue, and others who have accomplished it through hours of rough and extensive questioning.
As for failures, there have been cases where the ritual was forcibly terminated after a single glance, without a single word exchanged, and the Dungeon Master qualification revoked.
Even worse, there have been instances where the ritual didn’t even activate.
It all depends on the god’s whims; the god decides what is correct.
“I ask, answer.”
“Haa.”
I am asked a question.
Just that alone made me feel like I had overcome the first hurdle.
“What is parting to you?”
“…Parting is…”
I had braced myself for all sorts of questions, but this was a query with a surprisingly wide range of possible answers.
For a moment, I considered giving the first answer that came to mind, but I knew that wouldn’t suffice.
However, there was no time for deep deliberation.
My thoughts raced at high speed, and the answer I arrived at was:
“A process of meeting again.”
“Process.”
“Yes.”
I arrived at the answer “process.”
There are various kinds of partings. A heated argument, a parting of convenience, a natural separation – simply adding words changes the meaning entirely.
To simply part ways can be interpreted as going down different paths.
So, with that in mind, I thought:
“I believe parting is when individuals set off on separate paths. Whether those paths will cross again in the future is uncertain. However, I do not believe that the time after parting will be an eternal goodbye. Therefore, for me, parting is a step towards reunion.”
Even if we part on bad terms, time can pass, and we can meet again with a smile.
Unless it’s death, I thought for a moment. But in this world, dying and being resurrected as an undead is also possible.
“Whether it is a good thing or a bad thing, there is a possibility that our paths will cross again as a result.”
“…Even if it is something you do not wish for?”
“Yes, it is possible to avoid it. However, there are also unavoidable reunions sometimes.”
“…I see.”
I answered plainly, but what was the meaning behind it all?
Does it have something to do with Feri becoming a Dungeon Core?
Or is it unrelated? I don’t even know that.
After being asked just one question, I was met with silence, and I silently bowed my head.
If a question is posed, I will answer it with all my might, but if met with silence, I can only wait.
“Jiro Tanaka.”
“Haa!”
However, I do not let my guard down.
“I have heard your answer and accepted it. Strive for the sake of this world, and do not disregard the wishes of my kin.”
If I let my guard down, it could all end immediately.
I resolved myself to see this through until I returned to my original world and until I witnessed Feri become the Dungeon Core.
“And in response to that dedication, I shall issue one oracle.”
Upon hearing the word “oracle,” my muscles, which instinctively wanted to look up, were restrained by other muscles, and I continued to bow my head.
“In the dark Sea of Chaos, there is a castle that sinks. Within that sinking castle, a soul lives.”
However, upon hearing this information, while looking down, my eyes snapped open.
Even without raising my head, I understood what those words signified.
“It is wounded, weakened, and has no time to spare. However, that soul has not given up. What you do with that soul is up to you. But be prepared. The Sea of Chaos is a death trap for living beings. You must accomplish the miracle of finding a single grain of gold in a vast ocean, on a path that does not exist, to reach it.”
It is alive.
Just knowing that fact was enough to steel my resolve.
I don’t know why it was said at this timing.
But a seal of survival from a supernatural being like a god is undoubtedly the best news.
“However, miracles do not occur for those who do not challenge. Do not forget that.”
“Haa.”
With that, my consciousness returned to normal, and before my eyes lay…
“Feri.”
There was Feri, transformed into the Dungeon Core, sealed within a massive, translucent blue magic stone.
“First, let me congratulate you. With this, you are now a Dungeon Master.”
Gazing at Feri, who had become a device that generates immense magical power, I felt a sense of loneliness. While quietly staring, a hand was gently placed on my shoulder.
“Evia. Ah, the real work begins now.”
“If you understand, then it’s fine.”
I feel a connection to Feri through the staff in my hand.
Feri has become the Dungeon Core, but she is not dead.
Having been granted the authority by the gods to create a world, she now possesses the power to create the world of the dungeon.
For this, Feri has become the source of power.
I turn around.
Evia is beside me, and Suella is there, and the children.
Memoria, Himik, and Keiri too.
Muil-san, and the person in charge of construction on this island.
Those present in this space are those who have come to witness the beginning of this island.
What I was just told is important, but if I were to convey it without completing this, I would be scolded by the Instructor.
So, please wait just a moment.
I raise the staff and perform the final touches.
“Dungeon activate.”
As the owner of the dungeon, the mere utterance of these words initiates the world’s transformation.
A new world is created, based on the divine beast’s magical power.
A world designed in cooperation with Valse-san and his companions.
The manifestation of an Otherworld, which will not be confined to this island alone.
This space is stretched and shaped into an immense expanse.
That expanse is still a blank canvas.
A pure canvas that will be painted by our hands from now on.
The space distorts, but gravity remains unchanged, and while our sense of balance remains intact, the surrounding scenery transforms.
The unadorned dome-shaped space rapidly becomes modern walls and an immense underground space.
Deep, deep, deeper than anything else, this core is the dungeon’s vital point.
To protect it, the core is moved to the deepest level.
“Activation, complete.”
And in a short time, less than five minutes,
The dungeon is activated.
“Well done.”
Feeling the dungeon begin to pulse, I look around.
The Master Room where the Dungeon Core resides.
The power source and heart of this dungeon.
And the final defensive line.
The space is a grassland with a starry sky reflecting the moonlit night on its ceiling.
There are no defensive facilities.
Just a vast, empty space.
This is the deepest part of my dungeon, a space where only Feri and I act as defenses, a space that could be called reckless by some.
“This is my dungeon.”
I can declare with confidence.
From here, my dungeon begins.
Today’s Word:
Parting will come eventually.
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