Faced with the awakening of the unknown dungeon, everyone was on edge.

Any slight disturbance at this moment could become the last straw that breaks the nerves of the people.

The instant the light appeared near the teleportation gate, Gerhard’s hand was already raised.

The Knight Commander stared unblinkingly at his actions, cold sweat already flowing down his forehead, while the other soldiers were already drenched in cold sweat, just waiting for the command from their officer to immediately launch an attack.

In fact, the visual effect of pulling out adventurers from the dungeon who hadn’t emerged on time only lasts a few seconds.

But these few seconds felt interminable to the soldiers, and when the blinding light of the final second shone, as they saw the dozens of twisted silhouettes suddenly appearing within the visuals, everyone’s hearts leapt into their throats!

The image that had once sold like hotcakes in Warrior Country a few months ago flashed across everyone’s minds: a furious scene where the dungeon known as "Sain" ran wild, with the dungeon pummeling cities of the enemy nation was satisfying to the people of Warrior Country.

Yet at the same time, the rhetoric of "dungeons aren’t safe" began to rise, and many people living near the dungeon had moved away voluntarily.

With the passage of time and the spread of various positive news regarding the Sain Dungeon, this notion gradually faded from people’s minds, as their attention was drawn to the Evil Dragon, named "Madness Qi Dragon," wreaking havoc at the frontier. But today’s awakening of the Black Stone City dungeon brought these forgotten matters back to mind.

Could those dozens of silhouettes brought forth by the dungeon possibly be monsters from the dungeon!?

No matter what they were, Gerhard could not afford the consequences of monsters entering the city and causing destruction, especially since some important figure was touring the city today. If the figure’s vehicle was disturbed, he couldn’t bear the responsibility.

Thus, he shouted at the top of his lungs, waving his raised hand down to launch the attack!

"Op ——"

"Stop!"

A clear voice resonated through the entire venue, imbued with magic that calmed everyone down. The soldiers, who were poised to attack, all ceased their actions.

And Gerhard’s arm, about to swing down, was firmly grasped by someone, held in place as if clenched by a pair of steel tongs.

He turned his head in astonishment, seeing a burly man in full armor with an iron green face. "You, you are!"

"Don’t get too excited, Count Gerhard, is your courage inversely proportional to your physique?"

A teasing voice came from behind the burly man, who released Gerhard’s arm, saluted, and quietly stepped aside.

Behind the burly man appeared a slender, handsome young man with fair skin that reminded one of a magician who spent all day locked in the Mage Tower for research. He had rare black shaggy hair, and his hands and feet adorned with luxurious yet understated gold accessories, with a white robe that perfectly balanced the shine of the gold.

A gold-embroidered deep blue cloak symbolizing wisdom and composure swayed in the wind, yet a frivolous smile hung at the corner of his mouth, reminiscent of a dandy.

But this one was a more upscale and noble version of a dandy.

"Lan, Prince Lanle? Why are you here?"

Gerhard stood up immediately, stammering: "It’s really too dangerous here, please quickly distance yourself, I..."

Lanle Zhulie Sprout, the second son of the current King Banto of the Warrior Country, and the second prince as the name implies, he was the big figure Gerhard spoke of, who came to Black Stone City for a pleasure tour.

This pleasure-loving prince just happened to arrive at the Black Stone Layer today, Gerhard originally intended to entertain him and quickly send him away, but unexpectedly the dungeon awakening this matter occurred, inevitably attracted him.

"Calm, Count, your ancestors relied on battle achievements to rise, once faced rock giants on the battlefield without changing expression, why do you panic seeing a harmless dungeon?" Lanle looked down at him, his black eyes playful.

"What?"

"Look back again, will you?" Lanle pointed towards the teleportation gate.

Gerhard turned and looked over, his eyes suddenly widened, shouting :

"Tepi!?"

Lanle couldn’t help but tilt his head, Tepi? Who’s that? Obviously, what he wanted Gerhard to see were the innocent and pure citizens that emerged.

As the light brought by the dungeon faded, the dozens of figures that appeared in the soldiers’ eyes were nothing of terrifying monsters, but simply ordinary residents.

"Uh..." Uffie relaxed and stretched lazily, saying, "Finally got out, almost exhausted me to death."

Vanen’s Transformation Technique slightly failed due to the teleportation, Isha hurriedly applied a magic scroll on him, preventing the beastification appearance.

Tepi, disheveled and losing his previous exquisite appearance, had eyes shining with spirit, scanning the surroundings as if looking at prey.

Besides these few who had power, everyone else who emerged were innocent citizens unfortunately caught up, very, very pure and harmless.

Some were crouching on the ground trembling, some badly injured and unconscious lying on the ground, some with confused looks like animated corpses, most of them didn’t even dare to leave the Prince’s Chapel, some originally Tepi’s bodyguards went out to venture, but as for the results...

Judging by the bodyguard lying on the ground with injuries, it’s estimated he was struck into a coma by Golden Return.

As for the common knowledge problem that the dungeon ejects people upon closing time, this momentarily wasn’t recalled by everyone, because they thought it couldn’t be so mundane.

"Why are you standing there stupefied, go down and comfort the people." Lanle sighed, massaging his forehead.

"Ah! Right, yes, comfort..." Gerhard hurriedly arranged for the healers to take action.

The scene was chaotic, with healers busy "rescuing" frightened "disaster-stricken" residents, soldiers busy cancelling combat skills, magicians occupied removing arranged attack magic, and the crowd on the outermost layer busy enjoying the spectacle, everyone had a beautiful future.

Lanle with the demeanor of enjoying the show, casually found a spot to sit down, crossed his legs and supported his cheek with one hand, smiling as he watched this farce.

That night, Black Stone City was tumultuous and restless, until the morning sun rose, the aftermath brought by the dungeon hadn’t dissipated yet, people flocked to take a look at the suddenly appeared dungeon, while soldiers dutifully guarded it, ensuring that no one entered before new orders arrived.

This was also for safety.

Meanwhile, at Count Gerhard’s luxurious noble mansion, a dungeon experience exchange meeting was taking place.

Aside from the Knight Commander maintaining order outside, all the major and minor aristocrats of Black Stone City were gathered here, but the spotlight of this banquet was focused entirely on the few main characters.

"General Uffie, I didn’t expect to meet you here, looking very spirited!" Lanle raised a wine glass toward Uffie to salute.

"Thanks to the dungeon, I’m doing quite well now," Uffie responded raising her glass, "But what brings Your Highness to Black Stone City? I heard you led a campaign against the Madness Qi Dragon a while ago. How did that go?"

Fane and Isha, sitting beside Uffie, were constantly scrutinized by the aristocrats of Black Stone City, making them uncomfortable with the atmosphere and eager to leave.

To their surprise, Uffie seemed quite familiar with Lanle, and it wasn’t just surface-level politeness. It was puzzling, as she didn’t come across as someone who would be friendly with a frivolous noble.

"I can’t be bothered with such exhausting tasks; touring around is much more fun. I threw the campaign to my brother, Temude," Lanle waved his hand indifferently. "You know, he’s always disapproved of my carefree ways. Plus, he craves war, so it’s just right for him to handle it."

If Leon or Luluwo were here, they would have reacted to the name Temude, as he was the one who consistently ranked high during the Meteor Shower event.

"So what was the outcome?" Uffie asked curiously.

"Temude is lying in the Royal Sanatorium now."

Lanle shrugged his shoulders, "Who could have guessed that the suddenly emerged mad dragon would be so powerful... But speaking of which, your two apprentices also shone in the campaign. Using dragon bodies to cast human combat skills was truly an exceptional idea."

Uffie basked in the compliment and asked further, "So what are those two doing now? They’ve not replied to my letters."

"Lying there with my brother."

"..."

Uffie was left speechless.

Is this Second Prince doing it on purpose, or is he really that tactless...? Fane couldn’t help but criticize inwardly.

Next to Fane sat Tepi, who had reverted to his sophisticated old gentleman’s demeanor, sitting upright with a solemn gaze fixed on Gerhard across from him.

Gerhard, on the opposing side, neither dodged nor flinched. The two stared each other down, much like a game of endurance.

Tepi couldn’t stand this guy, and seeking Uffie’s backing was to guard against Gerhard. Their conflict could be summed up with two words.

"Business" and "Exclusion."

"Prince Lanle, regarding the newly emerged dungeon, how do you think it should be handled?" Gerhard suddenly asked.

"Huh? That’s your issue, not mine," Lanle waved dismissively, showing disinterest.

"But that’s the Sain Dungeon," Uffie smiled slightly.

"Oh?"

Lanle paused, his eyes twinkled briefly, then he grinned, "That’s interesting. I’ve heard plenty about it."

He turned to Gerhard, "Count, since this is your territory, I’ll leave it entirely to you. A dungeon is more precious than a gold mine. Since it’s on our land, we must make good use of it."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Gerhard shot Tepi a smug and challenging look, which Tepi was not willing to let slide, so he said:

"Pardon my intrusion, Prince Lanle, but the land where the dungeon appeared has already been purchased by me, Tepi Basque..." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

He wanted to argue his case, knowing full well he couldn’t override noble privileges, but at least to secure some benefit.

Yet before he could finish, Lanle casually remarked, "Then you manage it. Do a good job."

"Huh?"

Tepi and Gerhard were dumbfounded in unison.

"No, Your Highness, this..." Gerhard was at a loss for words, instantly embodying the phrase "at a loss."

"I will definitely manage it well!" Tepi exclaimed overjoyed.

"You, a mere businessman, can manage a territory?" Gerhard sneered at him.

"A businessman needs to know a bit of everything, Count Lord," Tepi laughed arrogantly.

Just as the two were about to argue, Lanle displayed no concern but exchanged a glance with Uffie, who then nodded slightly.

"Pointless squabbling is unnecessary; ultimately, accomplishments will do the talking."

Lanle said with interest:

"With the dungeon’s management rights as a reward, why not have you two compete? In three days, you’ll both enter the dungeon at the same time, and whoever uncovers the most valuable item in one day wins."

Without giving anyone time to discuss, Lanle decisively set the challenge.

Gerhard was stunned—going into the dungeon? That was worse than torment for him!

Just look at his corpulent frame; even though he has trained in his younger days, middle age inevitably betrays the body, and he’s barely able to swing a sword anymore.

He needed to think of another method to win.

Wait, hadn’t Tepi already entered the dungeon before me? He must have more experience than I do...

I’ve got people on Tepi’s side. Within these three days, I must find out everything he knows!

Tepi was initially startled, then revealed a bloodthirsty grin, slyly glancing at Gerhard.

Only a fool wouldn’t know you, Gerhard, have planted people on my side. I know exactly what you’re up to.

Get ready to roll in the mud in Galide, you bastard!

While the sudden appearance of the dungeon stirred up discussion among the people.

Several other Dungeon Lords also convened at this moment.