nFather

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nThe dungeon cores all looked at the man that was displayed on the monitor at the same time. Naturally, this included Rokuko as well.

n“Tou-sama… it’s been two years since I’ve paid my respects to your countenance.”

nOther than Father and Tou-sama, there were also people calling him King and God. The man had black hair and dark skin and was wrapped in a deep blue vestment. Although Rokuko said ‘countenance’, half of his face was hidden by an eye mask. None of his mouth was hidden, though, and he was smiling.

nNot one of the dungeon cores here knew who he truly was.

nHowever, at the very least, all of the dungeon cores here had been produced by him. This was an unshakable truth.

nThe standard leading theory was that he was Dungeon Core No. 0 and all of the dungeon cores here were his Dummy Cores.

nMany of the dungeon cores that took human shape did so because he, as their Father had a human shape—or, at the very least, appeared in that form.

nTherefore, Haku, who held a human shape from the start, was the object of envy of many of the dungeon cores.

n… Another reason Haku lowered the ranking of Rokuko’s dungeon was so that she wouldn’t be targeted by others’ begrudging.

nOh, are there fewer of you? That’s saddening. Maybe I should supplement it with some new children… What do you think, 1?

n“Sir! If father believes as such, should father not do so?”

nThe knight-formed Core 1 answered Father’s question. In this dungeon core assembly, the most influential person—excluding Father—was this person. The single-digit number wasn’t just for show.

nHmm. That’s a boring answer. Is there any child that has another opinion?

nHowever, seeming as though Core 1’s answer didn’t satisfy him, Father asked the other cores for an opinion.

n—However, no one said anything. No, they couldn’t say anything.

nBecause if they did say something, that was the same thing as speaking out against Core 1. And to begin with, reproving Father was a very awful thing to do.

n“Could I give my opinion, Otou-sama?”

nAmong them, a single core raised their hand.

nWho? Who was so reckless—thinking that, everyone looked towards the person.

nWhat is it? 89, what is your opinion?

nFather’s voice rose as though delighted. Core 89… Haku smiled.

n“Approximately seventy percent of the 600 series are still alive. It might be somewhat premature to birth younger siblings. Would it not be more acceptable to wait for them to decrease a little longer?”

n“What’s this Betrayer saying!?”

nWith a roar, a quaking voice shook the ground.

nCore 5, a black dragon, interrupted the conversation between Haku and Father. However, Father gently chided 5.

n5. Right now, I am listening to what 89 has to say. You can speak afterwards.

n“E-excuse my impoliteness, dad! But!”

nDidn’t I say I would listen afterwards? 5 is wise, so could you wait patiently for me?

n“Y-yes…”

nTold that he could wait as he was wise, he would have to deny that if he flared up again. Core 5 could do nothing but withdraw.

nThen, Father asked Haku again.

nNow, 89, how much do you believe the number of children should decrease beforehand?

n“When the number of surviving members of the 600 series drops below fifty person, I think. It has been similar to that until now.”

nIndeed, that is an understandable opinion. Thank you for the consultation.

n“I am honored to hear your praise.”

nHaku bowed reverently.

nNext, I will hear 5’s opinion. What is it?

n“Sir! Father, that 89 there is a Betrayer and hunts our brethren. Of the dungeon cores that, the majority are due to 89’s guidance. That is likely why she has kept track of the fine details of how much dungeons have survived… she does not deserve having her opinion heard!”

nHmph. 89, is this so?

n“Yes, I certainly am trimming away other dungeon cores so that I may live, Otou-sama. Is there a problem with that?”

nHaku asserted herself, not shy in the least.

nNone. Sacrificing others in other to live—that is the correct way. Huh? I get the feeling that I said that last year as well. “It has been said every year, Otou-sama.”

nThat so? Well, even so, everyone here is my adorable children. Be moderate, alright? “Yes, I understand.”

nHaku smiled.

nHaku being disparaged as a Betrayer was a usual thing. Father lightly admonishing her was also a usual thing.

nSo now, what is your opinion on birthing new children, 5?

n“T-that’s… I think it’s best for dad to do what he wants.”

nUn, thanks. Maybe I should try asking some other children, too…

nMuttering as though bored, Father started looking for someone else to ask.

nOh.

nHis gaze swept towards Rokuko and stopped.

nRokuko trembled… Surely he wouldn’t ask her. Surely.

n112, what do you think? Do you have an opinion?

nSo that was it. He wasn’t looking at her. Realizing that, Rokuko breathed a sigh of relief.

n“Aah… right, huh, I agree with No. 5, father should do what he wants… yeah. If I had to say something, new kids popping up would be interesting? Well, I’ll wait even if it doesn’t happen right now.”

nHeeh. Interesting, huh. That’s good.

nForcibly using polite speech, something he wasn’t used to, Ontentoo sounded amusing in various ways. With Father’s laughing Core 5 sent Ontentoo a look as though to say Good Job.

nWell, while we’re at it, 695. What do you think?”

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n“… Haeeh!?”

nSuddenly talked to by Father, Rokuko turned rigid.

n… While thinking that she’d love if he stopped with the surprise attacks, she spoke slowly.

n“U-ummm… I-I, um, right now, I’m the lowest ranked, of the 600 series… so if I could have juniors, I would be happy, umm, I think… If I were surpassed, I think that I would have mixed feelings about it.”

nHahaha, mixed feeling, huh. People like you are alright, 695.

nRokuko’s face reddened up like a balloon. People like you, in other words like Rokuko, which meant that he’d watched Rokuko enough to have an impression of her.

nLikewise, she may have simply stood out by being last in the rankings.

nContrasting Rokuko, Haku was smiling radiantly.

nRokuko let out her breath. Even though she knew she was tense, she couldn’t help it.

nHe listened to several other cores after that. However, everything followed what Core 1 said in that Father should do what he wanted.

n—I might not have stood out if I said something like that too?

nRokuko just now realized that.

nUn, how about we stop for this year? I’ll think about it again next year.

nSaying that, Father clapped his hands.

nThe tension in the air gently relaxed.

nAlright everyone. If anyone has a question, demand, or opinion, feel free to say it during the feast alright? I can’t interfere with you all much if it’s not on an occasion like this after all.

nFather’s mouth formed into a smile. Just then, a single dungeon core—one in the form of a man in his prime—raised his voice.

n“Ooh, our god! May I ask for this one’s wish to be heard?”

nThat was quick. What’s up, 380? But first, I’d be happy if you called me dad.

n“That’s impossible, for a diminutive child like me to…. I shall be god’s servant till my last!”

nAaah, un, so what did you want to ask?

nCore 380 knelt, speaking his wish.

n“—! A miracle that displays god’s power! I wish for the resurrection of the dead!”

nOh? You can’t? The revival of your favorite child, that is. 1

n“The one this one wishes to be resurrected is his brother, Core 379! During the winter season, he fell into the wicked 89’s machinations and was cast down by the evil god’s vanguard…”

nAh… 379 huh. You were the twin cores, huh. Yep, sorry, but that’s no good.

n“Why!? Surely, with god’s strength…!!”

nNo good was not Can’t. There was a large difference between the two… With Father’s power, even if a core was destroyed, he could bring it back to life.

nHowever, Father spoke heartlessly as though to warn Core 380.

nBecause it is against the rules.

nEven Father appeared to be bound by some sort of rules.

nAah, right! I’ll make a monster that looks the same as 379. The child would be able to take human form the same as you. It’d use just a bit of DP, but it’d be a monster that you couldn’t distinguish from you. 380 won’t be lonely anymore with that right? You could produce as many as you want.

nCore 380 looked astonished for an instant before bowing in worship.

n“That’s… oh, god. This one wishes to express his gratitude.”

nYep, glad I could help!

nCore 380 touched his head to the ground, trembling.

nWas he really happy?

nDid he truly want to express his gratitude?

nRokuko didn’t get it.

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nFootnotes:

nAlright, so pronouns simply don’t exist in this sentence and I’m not sure exactly what Father is implying here. I’m assuming Father was referring to some named monster that 380 summoned, revealing to readers that you can revive dead named monsters. However, I can’t be sure myself. The raw, literally translated, simply says: “Oh? Huh, can’t? Favorite child’s resurrection.”

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