Maou no Hajimekata

The dungeon of Oulu is now all three tiers.

When I say three levels, I don't mean a labyrinth on the third basement floor. One hierarchy consists of several floors that can be easily reached by stairs, slopes, etc., approximately 10 m high per floor. With a width of 3,4 floors per level, Oulu's labyrinth is a great labyrinth with depths ranging from approximately 100m to 120m.

There is only one road between the hierarchies, equipped with robust doors, and only a small part of them, including the oul, have the keys to get there bare. This door is fortified with magic, and even with the power of Eunice and Logan, it is tough enough to take a little time to destroy.

What dwells in each hierarchy is divided, and in the first hierarchy there are wild demons and warcraft who dwell on their own, and in the second hierarchy there are demons who have made a covenant. And on the third level is a settlement inhabited by Oul and his mistresses.

Further behind that third tier, in a room with a huge table, the Ouls gathered together.

"Finally, we invade the city"

Everyone pays attention to Oulu, who speaks heavily. Surrounding the table are faces like Lil, Eunice, Spina and Ellen.

"We have a lot of fighting power here, but it's not as easy as it was when we signed with the village. You know what the difference is between a village and a city?

"Um... lots of people?

Reflectively, Lil answers that. Oul silenced the answer, which was too obvious.

"You don't have to ask me about humans... No, wait. Is it the difference between a large number of settlements and a small number of settlements? A lot of people were armed, and there were figurines and bows."

To Ellen's answer, now Oul nodded.

"It's not just a lot, it's trained and equipped. Exactly.

Anything else?

"When it comes to power, some adventurers aren't just soldiers, are they? If it's a city, it's an alliance."

Thinking back to when I was doing the adventurer family business myself, Eunice says.

But it wasn't the answer you wanted, he said, "What else?," Oul asked again.

"… Diversity"

Poop, and Spina raised her voice.

"There are diverse people in the city. Adventurers and pedestrians, travelers and officials as well as city people"

"Yes."

Oul nodded slowly.

"You can say that there are only villagers in the village. The will of the village chief is the will of the villagers. If the chief agrees to the deal, the whole village will agree to it, regardless of individual emotions. But the city is different."

It didn't pin on Lil and Ellen, who weren't human, but Eunice raised her voice, "Oh well.

"There are too many travelers and merchants who can leave that city if they don't mind eating. If you demand something, the mayor will try to make it up to you with taxes. There's not much I want to stay in a city like that. If we are forced to demand it, the city will soon decline and eventually perish. It's not that different from plundering."

"Like we did against the village, can't we put the city on the same terms that we get?

"There will be some farming in the city as well, but not as self-sufficient as in the villages. We don't get each other. The same goes for the escorts. It is self-reliant enough to develop and become the size of the city. There's not much we can do."

Eunice looked down sadly and said.

"So... are you forcing me to attack you and plunder you?

"If you keep doing that, the world will perish. And there's no benefit in that."

Oul replied in a slightly gentle tone to reassure her.

"I'm just letting you decide." Which is the best way to get there? "