---

The party, having resolved the dangerous issue of the dungeon’s spirit, calmly began to make their way out. Exiting the dungeon was surprisingly easy. After conquering it, they naturally gained the authority to freely move between any floors of the dungeon.

As they emerged, they were greeted by three groups of armed forces, inexplicably surrounding the dungeon entrance and facing off against each other.

“Uh, does anyone know what’s going on here?”

Hildegard, taking the lead after sensing the group’s hesitation, asked the armed forces. Instead of a proper answer, she was met with a high-handed, aggressive rant from some fool.

“That’s our line, woman! How the hell did you guys come out from inside the dungeon?”

“Huh? You don’t know who I am?”

Hildegard, baffled, retorted. But even if she pressed further, it was clear that these people weren’t the type to think before acting.

“Don’t answer a question with a question, woman. This dungeon is the rightful property of Franz Anton Friedrich von Baden-Baden, the legitimate lord of Baden-Baden. Regardless of the circumstances, your exit from the dungeon violates the sacred territorial laws of this land.”

“Funny you should say that. Since when did this place become the property of the lord? This area has been under the joint management of our council since before the dungeon even existed. Therefore, the right to manage the dungeon belongs to our council.”

“You’re both wrong! The rightful authority over the Baden-Baden territory has always belonged to our lord, Donatien Antoine Gaspar d’Agnon Illetti, the Baron!”

“You, a branch of the Cerfscht family, dare to speak up? Are you suggesting we hand over imperial territory to the Franquians?”

And soon, chaos erupted. Hildegard, watching the greedy fools bicker, muttered with a dark expression.

“Looks like we made the right call clearing the dungeon first. Listening to their nonsense, it’s clear that dealing with them would have been a disaster.”

“They’re the type who consider reading and writing dishonorable. Expecting anything sensible from people who only know how to fight and stubbornly insist on their own way is foolish.”

“It’s not like they’re better fighters or stronger than us, either.”

“What a terrifying thing to say!”

Sophia shuddered.

“Do you really think those blockheads can fight as well as we can? What do you think?”

Hildegard, imagining the scenario, made a disgusted face and replied.

“That would definitely be hell. Sorry, I misspoke earlier.”

“Anyway, looking at the situation, we need to calm them down a bit.”

“How do you plan to do that?”

“I know a technique that works well in situations like this.”

Conra, who had been quietly listening, suddenly paled upon hearing Sophia’s words and looked at the three bickering groups with pity. Hildegard, noticing Conra’s expression, asked.

“Oh, do you know what Sophia’s going to do?”

“I’ve seen it once before.”

Conra vividly remembered the technique Sophia had used to silence a group of minions when she stormed into the territory of the Lord of Bhyumat. Honestly, even to young Conra’s eyes, it was a somewhat shocking technique. Making people crawl on the ground with just a roar—if he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he would have dismissed it as nonsense.

Soon, Hildegard also witnessed the reason behind Conra’s expression.

Sophia’s inner energy and Kundalini moved, her Gias and anointed self, her chivalry and the heroic trials’ legacy, all came into play. Her ethereal muscles aided the resonance of lung capacity and overall volume, while her ethereal brain conjured a spell system for sound amplification and transmission. And then…

The Lion’s Roar echoed loudly, leaving only the nun knights standing in place.

Hildegard let out a scream-like exclamation.

“Wow, what was that just now! What was that! I don’t know what it was, but it was so cool! So exhilarating! Amazing!”

It seemed the roar had left quite an impression.

“How on earth did you do that!?”

“Just some intense roaring training, and a bit of spellwork to amplify the sound. You’ll get it eventually.”

Sophia casually brushed off Hildegard’s question, and unfortunately, Hildegard believed her. Conra intuitively realized that after parting ways with the group, Hildegard would likely head to some mountain to practice roaring.

“Anyway, shall we get started?”

Sophia and Hildegard stepped forward, rubbing their hands together. Sophia, in her black-and-white Franquian nun knight attire, and Hildegard, in her blue-and-white imperial nun knight attire, moved forward. The greedy individuals, belatedly noticing their attire—specifically the Paladin insignia on their veils—were stunned.

“P-Paladins! Since when did nun knights come to Baden-Baden!?”

Even the high-handed representative from the Baden-Baden lord’s side, who had just been blustering, turned pale upon hearing their identities. They knew. They had to. Sophia’s roar had forcibly made them understand the gap between the nun knights and themselves as mere mortals.

However, the commotion and murmuring of the crowd didn’t sit well with the nun knights, who preferred to keep things tidy. Sophia decided to use her expertise to make them shut up, kindly delivering a small threat.

“Everyone, quiet.”

Her tone was calm, but her voice was as clear as if she were speaking right next to each person’s ear, embedding itself into their eardrums.

“If you want to keep talking, go ahead.”

Sophia smirked, a benevolent smile on her lips. But her words carried a different meaning to the listeners.

‘If you don’t shut up, I’ll start by removing your useless jaw joints.’

That’s roughly how it sounded. Soon, everyone fell silent, focusing on the nun knights’ words. As Sophia stepped back, Hildegard took the lead.

“It seems you were about to have a big fight over the dungeon’s rights, but unfortunately, I have some cold water to pour on your plans.”

Cold water? They suddenly didn’t want to hear the next words. They had a bad feeling, recalling the usual outcomes when the church and dungeons were involved. And contrary to their hopes, Hildegard’s next words stabbed straight into their hearts.

“Unfortunately, this dungeon is scheduled to be closed soon.”

In simple terms, the dungeon, which had existed until now, would soon cease to exist. Hildegard delivered this news in a dry tone.

“How can the church decide such a thing on its own!?”

Suddenly, the representative from the Baden-Baden lord’s side, who had already made a bad impression on Hildegard, protested. Perhaps he was trying to score points with the lord, but he had momentarily forgotten that a greater power was watching him from closer than the lord.

“Oh, really? So what exactly were you planning to do with a dungeon that even required two nun knights to clear?”

As Hildegard’s killing intent and pressure turned toward the Baden-Baden representative, he foamed at the mouth, convulsed, rolled his eyes, and fainted. It seemed like a puddle of liquid was forming between his legs.

“Anyway, besides this guy, does anyone else have objections to our decision?”

Hildegard glanced around the room. Everyone avoided her gaze, too busy looking away. Hmm. It seemed there wouldn’t be any more dissenters. Hildegard nodded in satisfaction.

If any objections arose later? Well, the local bishop or the church order would handle it. By then, she would have already moved on to her next destination, so Hildegard had no intention of worrying about it.

Sophia would likely agree with her on that point.

 

---