Hearing his words, the director frowned, trying to make sense of his words.

’A new dungeon in times like this. Not even 50km away from here. It’s bad, very bad in fact.’

Existing dungeons have their problems, but at least they know what to expect from them. On the other hand, a new dungeon is like a Pandora’s box; nobody knows what is inside it. What makes this box even more dangerous are the restrictions placed upon them.

The restrictions include limiting the number of people entering it, restrictions on the artifact tiers, and so forth. Even the frequencies of entering and exiting are restricted as well.

It was as if the world favored monsters more than humans. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Still, it wasn’t all one-sided; there is some fairness. The restrictions are placed in a way that rewards intelligence instead of brutality. If one is smart enough, there are ways to conquer the dungeon easily.

That is why one of the center focuses of the churches around the world is to find and close the dungeons as quickly as possible. It is a race against time.

’The location of a new dungeon should be kept strictly under supervision so as to prevent any leak... Why is he telling me this now... Is Marty planning to do something stupid again...?’

As his thoughts wandered around the actions this friend of his had done, the director couldn’t help but feel a sudden ominous feeling begin to rise up inside of him. Forcing a polite smile, the director studied the Templar’s expression.

A faint smile rested over the Templar’s lips, which the director knew was controlled and deliberate. From the sharp and focused look in his eyes, the director was sure the man in front of him wasn’t jesting. Not that anyone would dare to do that with these topics.

Sighing, the director looked ahead and tried to be diplomatic about it.

"So, how can I help His Excellence? If you ask, I can lend some artifacts... We don’t have many high-graded skill books, but the academy can spare one or two if needed. Or are you perhaps in need of something else?"

Hearing these words, the Templar chuckled and replied with a smile.

"No, nothing like that. The temple has an ample amount of these."

"Then how can I help you?"

Hearing this, the Templar grabbed the inverted cross dangling from his neck and put it right between his brows. Dropping his smile, he quietly spoke.

"You know the severity of the information I’ve shared with you, right?"

"Yes... of course," he said, shaking his head. ’And that’s why I don’t want to be any part of this...’

"So, can you swear on the light that you won’t tell anyone about the things we will discuss here today?" he asked.

’of course. here it is...’

Thinking, the director looked at the Templar, trying to wiggle his way out of this. But all he got in return was dead silence.

’Is there no way out of this...? Marty. I’ll make sure you hears about this personally.’ Thinking, he accepted the offer and stood up from his seat.

Bowing slightly toward the east, he put his left hand above his head and his right hand over his left breast. In the same position, he muttered:

"I swear on the light shining above us all that I will not utter a single word to anyone."

Hearing the words coming out of his mouth, a smile bloomed over the Templar’s face as he explained everything.

"Thank you for understanding. Now let’s get to the point. As the Ser has requested, I want ten of your students to enter the dungeon and close it."

’So, it’s the worst-case scenario.’ Looking at the man, the director replied, shaking his head.

"Sorry, but I don’t think I can do it. Forgive me if I’m overstepping my boundaries, but shouldn’t this be the duty of the Inquisitors to enter the dungeon first?"

Ignoring the first half of the sentence, the Templar replied:

"That is true, but the master is busy at the moment."

Knowing who his master was, the director asked:

"Is Inquisitor Marty inside a dungeon?"

"Something like that."

"Ohh! Are there no other inquisitors available for the job?"

"There are some available, but this task has been handed to Ser Marty, and he doesn’t want to disappoint the bishop."

"I can understand. A man has to be ambitious."

Saying so, the director remained silent for a moment as he thought. After a while, he shook his head in disappointment.

"Sorry, but I don’t think I can give you my students. You know the risk a newly formed dungeon presents. It’s almost a guarantee that the hunters won’t survive."

"I know the risk, but... there is a massive reward that you are missing here..."

the Templar said, pausing to gauge the director’s reaction.

’The core!?’

The director thought, as the Templar said at the same time.

"Yes, the core. If they successfully kill the dungeon boss, Master has promised to give you a fair share of the reward that comes from selling the core."

’Still...’ Wiping the sweat off his face, the director said, "Still, it is too much for a newly advanced hunter to handle."

"Not if they have artifacts,"

the Templar added, sweetening the deal even more.

’That is true... An artifact is a big deciding factor in increasing the power level of any hunter, but where will these newbies get the artifacts unless they provide them? Still, I can’t provide them just because of a promise... unless.’

Trying to probe some information out of him, the director asked:

"I don’t think any of them have any artifacts."

"Well, didn’t you announce previously that there would be a lucky few?"

’So it’s like that...’ Disappointed, the director replied:

"No, I can’t. They are given by the nobles and will only be given to their own children. You know how it is."

"It is to boost their morale," the Templar said, understanding the facade of all the upper echelons of the society.

’On the surface, at least...’ The director nodded as well.

"But I think you are misunderstanding something. You don’t have to worry about that. Ser isn’t that stingy. You just have to choose those children, and we will provide the artifacts. You can count them in the lucky few as well."

"Still, the newly advanced hunters aren’t cut out for the task."

Looking at the man, the Templar scoffed.

"Are you doubting your own students?"

’Ohh! Trying to bait me... good.’ Amused by the shallow attempt from the Templar, the director replied:

"If doubting my students kept them alive, I would do it any day of the week. But that wasn’t my point. What I was asking is why Marty isn’t hiring mercenaries? With the help of a notary, you can keep them silent as well."

"You know the mercenaries come with their own set of problems, and there are many ways to bypass the restrictions of a low-tier notary. If you aren’t convinced, then I guess the Master will have to owe someone else a ’favor’,"

the Templar muttered, placing much greater weight on his last word.

Something had finally moved inside his mind as the director sighed.

"Can you tell me the rank of the dungeon?"

"The rank isn’t confirmed, but I can guarantee that the dungeon master is rather on the weak side... and this statement is said by the bishop," the Templar added with a smile.

"I want at least seven of them to have artifacts."

As if hearing a blasphemy the Templar simply shook his head.

"I see that even you aren’t spared from the sin of greed. We don’t have that many artifacts to spare."

"So, how many can you provide? Tell me there are at least five of them."

"That I can manage."

"And the potions?"

"An ample amount of it."

"Fine, I will call the students, but I won’t guarantee that they will accept the offer. They have the right to reject the offer."

"Naturally," the Templar nodded without any objection.

Nodding his head, the director thought for a moment and asked, "How much will be my share in the core?"

As if he was waiting for these words, the Templar smiled and presented a paper to the director. In that paper, the shares of every individual were mentioned; even the hunters’ shares were considered.

’This much!’

the number made him blink. then look at it again. Seeing no change in it a warning bell rang in his head, but the shroud of greed instantly covered it.

Nodding his head, he called for the secretary and began giving names to her.

"Can you please call them?"