Meanwhile, Greta and Gunther went off to find a water source to clean the rabbit. I focused on setting up the tent for Renya, while Kruger gathered tree trunks for the fire.
As for Renya? She was still playing the part of a young noble adventurer. Why? Because we were still being watched.
While I asked through the earphones in my helmet, "Shall we continue the act?"
Greta answered without hesitation, "Of course. If they make a move, we can catch them—and behead them if needed."
Hearing that, I quickly responded, "Can't we just disable them?"
The line went quiet for a moment. No one said anything.
Then, as if nothing happened, everyone resumed their roles—we all knew we were still being watched.
While Greta was cleaning the rabbit, she glanced at me and asked, "Hey… Prince, why are you bothering to capture those useless brutes?"
She continued, her voice laced with contempt, "Savages like them… better off dead."
Hearing her angry tone, I responded casually, "They're still useful… for building an army."
"Yes, to form an army."
I just realized it after hearing the situation around me—when my father mentioned it at the dinner table.
Sooner or later, war will come to this country.
So, I have to quickly form an army to continue my next plan.
At my casual answer, Greta replied, "Hah… form an army from those savages?"—her tone full of disbelief.
Greta responded in a serious tone, "Prince… if you just want to form an army, just announce it in the kingdom. People from everywhere will come and gather—especially those of noble descent."
Hearing that, I shook my head and muttered, "Impossible…"
The moment I said something that simple, Kruger and Renya both chuckled quietly.
Hearing my simple answer, Greta immediately shot back, "Why?"—her voice still full of dissatisfaction.
I let out a lazy sigh and replied, "Because the war will start immediately if our enemy finds out we're gathering strength."
As I said that, both Renya and Kruger nodded in silent agreement. They understood the weight behind those words.
With those words, Greta finally gave in and said, "Okay… so how do we disable them?"
Hearing that, I replied in a lazy tone, "Later, I'll give each of you something—just rub it on your sword or arrows."
As soon as I said that, all four of them responded in sync, "Roger."
In the evening, just as I was about to feed a piece of cooked rabbit to Rayna—still keeping up the act of a doting noble—I asked quietly,
"Will they attack tonight?"
Kruger and Gunther were chatting beside the fire, their conversation loud and pointless, serving as a perfect diversion. Laughter, complaints, and hunting stories—none of it real.
The real conversation was happening silently, through the earphones.
Greta's voice came through first, calm and steady.
"I don't think so. They know there are veterans here."
I continued feeding Rayna without pause, keeping my expression neutral.
So… what are they waiting for? I wondered, eyes scanning the treeline as the night deepened.
Still confused, I replied quietly, "So…?"
Greta let out a small sigh in that lazy, almost bored tone of hers. "So they're looking for leverage. Something valuable to hold onto."
As she said that, I caught her glancing toward Rayna—who, at that moment, was still calmly accepting food from me like a pampered noble girl.
My mind clicked into place.
Oh… that's how it is.
While I was still deep in thought, Greta suddenly spoke up to Rayna, her voice laced with mock annoyance.
"Rayna, can we switch for a bit? Just once—I want to know what it feels like," she said, clearly jealous as she watched me feed her.
Without missing a beat, Rayna smile and replied, "Impossible. I'm not an elf… old granny." Then, as if to rub it in, she leaned closer and opened her mouth, waiting to be fed again—clearly enjoying the teasing.
Greta froze.
"…Old… Granny?" she muttered under her breath, staring at her hands in silence, lost in thought—like she was suddenly questioning all her life choices.
When everything was settled, Paul and Rayna returned to the tent that had been set up earlier. Meanwhile, the others took turns standing watch through the night.
The Next Day
In the early morning, when everyone was still asleep—except for Kruger, who was on the last shift of the night watch—I quietly got up from beneath the cloth that covered me.
Carefully, I adjusted my armor, making sure every strap and piece sat properly. No loose parts, no mistakes.
Once everything was in place, I pulled out a warm cloth from my spatial bag and used it to wipe myself down, freshening up in silence before the others stirred.
After putting on my clothes neatly, I leaned over and gently shook Ranya.
"Ranya, wake up… we still have to walk," I said, nudging her shoulder.
She blinked, then sat up abruptly.
"Prince… you're already awake?" she asked, her face still half in shock.
The way she looked at me—like I'd done something impossible—made my temple twitch.
I really wanted to hit her… just a little. But I held it in and sighed instead.
"That's enough. Hurry up, wash yourself and change your clothes. I've already prepared the warm towel," I said, pointing to the spot with a quick turn of my head.
After hearing that, Ranya struck a teasing pose and said, "Prince… want to come along?"
Hearing her joke, I replied immediately, "Enough. You're still pretending to be my boss, remember? There's no way a subordinate would bathe with their superior."
With that, I walked straight out and took my position, standing guard outside the tent.
Once everyone was ready, their belongings still packed in their bags, we finally set off—toward…
Beginner-Level Dungeon / Wilderness (Forest Area)
On the day of our departure from the capital, Ranya received a report about a newly discovered dungeon along our route. After a brief discussion, we decided to investigate.
Ranya and I entered the first floor together. To avoid drawing suspicion from anyone who might be watching us, we had to go in pairs.
Since the dungeon was newly discovered and the report had just come in, the area still felt quiet and untouched—almost eerily deserted.
As I looked around, puzzled by the silence, I said,
"It's really quiet... Aren't beginner-level dungeons usually more crowded?"
Ranya, walking behind me in a lazy tone, replied,
"Of course not. This dungeon was only just reported, and it hasn't been officially published yet. Plus, it's deep in the forest—most people don't bother coming all the way out here. Only a few adventurers show up, the kind hoping to be among the first to start clearing it. A dungeon needs to be cleared multiple times before it collapses, after all."
"Oh, I see..." I nodded, then asked with genuine curiosity,
"How many times does it need to be cleared before the dungeon collapses?"
Just as I said that, a group of monsters appeared—three of them. Goblins. They attacked all at once, though their movements were wild and uncoordinated.
While fending off the ones rushing at me, I asked Ranya,
"Why do they attack so blindly?"
To my confusion, she simply replied,
"I don't know. That's just how dungeon monsters are—except in higher levels. Sometimes, on the lower and middle floors, you'll find the cunning ones."
As she spoke, a goblin lunged at her from behind. Without turning fully, she drew her dagger in a backward motion and struck it down with a swift, clean move.
When Ranya heard me ask, "How many times?", she paused for a moment, thoughtfully touching her chin.
"For low-level dungeons… around ten to twelve clears," she answered after a brief thought.
While she spoke, I picked up a few low-grade magic cores. Their value wasn't much—they were mostly used as fertilizer for growing low to mid-tier magic plants, once ground into powder.
Ranya continued,
"For mid-level dungeons, it usually takes two or three times more than that. And for high-level ones… it can take four or even five times more than a mid-level dungeon before they finally collapse."
As she said that, I felt my face go pale. Cold sweat trickled down my neck.
And the number of floors… I really didn't want to think about it. Definitely not.
With that unsettling thought lingering in my mind, we made our way down to the second floor.