Father

The Dungeon Cores all looked up at the man displayed on the monitor in the sky. Naturally, Rokuko did too.

"Tou-sama… It's been two years since I've been able to gaze upon your honored visage."

Beyond "Father" and "Tou-sama," some also called him "King" or "God" — a man with dark skin, black hair, and golden eyes. He was clad in a navy vestment. Though Rokuko spoke of his "honored visage," half of his face was hidden by a mask covering his eyes. The unobscured mouth wore a faint smile.

None of the Dungeon Cores here knew his true identity.

But at the very least, every Dungeon Core here had been created by him. That was an unshakable fact.

Some Dungeon Cores theorized that he was "Dungeon Core Number 0," and that all Dungeon Cores were his "Dummy Cores." This theory had actually gained considerable support.

Many Dungeon Cores attempted to take human form through humanization precisely because "Father" had a human form — or at least, appeared in human form.

For that reason, Haku, who had been human-shaped from the start, was an object of envy.

… One reason Haku had kept Rokuko's dungeon ranking low was so that she wouldn't become a target of that envy.

"Oh my, are there fewer of you? How sad. Perhaps I should create some new children to make up for the loss… What do you think, Number 1?"

"Sir! If that is what Father believes, then Father should do so!"

The knight-formed Number 1 answered "Father's" question. He was the strongest one at this assembly — excluding "Father" — the oldest, and the most influential. The single-digit number was no mere decoration.

"Hmm. That's a boring answer. Does anyone else have a different opinion?"

However, it seemed Number 1's answer didn't please him, as "Father" asked the other cores for their opinions. But no one spoke up. No, they couldn't.

Speaking up here would mean opposing Number 1. And besides, offering an opinion to "Father" was an extremely presumptuous thing to do.

"May I offer my opinion, Otou-sama?"

Amidst this, a single core raised her hand.

Who could be so reckless — everyone's gazes gathered on her.

"What is it? Number 89, you have an opinion for me?"

"Father's" voice seemed delighted. Number 89… Haku smiled sweetly.

"Approximately seventy percent of the 600 series are still alive. It may be premature to create new younger siblings. Would it not be better to wait until their numbers thin out a bit more?"

"How dare the 'Betrayer' say such a thing!"

A voice rumbled like an earthquake.

Number 5, the black dragon, interrupted the conversation between Haku and "Father." However, "Father" gently admonished Number 5.

"Number 5. I am listening to Number 89 right now. I'll hear what you have to say next."

"M-my apologies, Father! However!"

"I said I'll listen next, didn't I? Number 5 is wise, so you can wait patiently, can't you?"

"Y-yes…"

Having been told he was wise and could wait, pressing further would mean denying "Father's" words. Number 5 had no choice but to back down.

"Father" then asked Haku again.

"So, Number 89, how much do you think the numbers should decrease before creating new children?"

"Perhaps when the survival rate of the 600 series drops below fifty percent? That has been roughly the threshold for adding new siblings in the past."

"I see, a clear and understandable opinion. Thank you for your input."

"I am honored by your praise." Haku bowed reverently.

"Now then, let's hear Number 5's opinion next. What do you think?"

"Sir! Father, that Number 89 is a 'Betrayer' who hunts her own siblings. The majority of the Dungeon Cores who have perished fell victim to Number 89's machinations. That is likely why she knows the exact survival rates of our dungeons… Her opinion is not worth hearing!"

"Hmm. Number 89, is this true?"

"Yes, I am certainly culling other Dungeon Cores so that I may survive, Otou-sama. Is there a problem with that?"

Haku declared brazenly.

"None. Sacrificing others in order to live — that is the correct way. Hm? I feel like I said this last year too."

"It is said every year, Otou-sama."

"Is that so? Well, even so, everyone here is one of my adorable children. Do keep it moderate, alright?"

"Yes, I understand."

Haku smiled faintly.

Yes, being denounced as a "Betrayer" was routine for Haku. And "Father" gently cautioning her about it was also routine.

"So then, Number 5, what is your opinion on creating new children?"

"T-that is… I believe Father should do as Father wishes."

"Mm, thank you. Perhaps I should ask some others too…"

Muttering as if bored, "Father" looked around for someone else to ask.

"Oh."

His gaze swept toward Rokuko and stopped.

Rokuko trembled… Surely he wouldn't call on her? Surely not?

"Number 112, what do you think? Do you have an opinion?"

Oh, it wasn't her. Realizing that, Rokuko breathed a sigh of relief.

"Uhhh… well, I agree with what Number 5 said… I think Father should do as he pleases. If I had to say something, I'd be excited for new brats to show up? Well, I can wait even if it doesn't happen now."

"Heh. Excited, huh. That's nice."

Forcing himself to use formal speech he wasn't accustomed to, Ontentoo's answer came out awkward in several ways. As "Father" chuckled, Number 5 sent Ontentoo a look that said "Good job!"

"Well then, while we're at it, Number 695. What do you think?"

"… Huh?!"

Suddenly addressed by "Father," Rokuko froze.

Wishing he would stop with the surprise attacks, she slowly spoke.

"U-um… I-I'm, well, currently the lowest of the 600 series… so if I could have juniors, I'd be, um, happy, I think… But if they surpassed me, I think I'd have mixed feelings."

"Hahaha, mixed feelings, huh. That's so like you, Number 695."

Rokuko's face flushed red. "So like you" — in other words, he had an impression of "Rokuko," meaning he'd been watching her enough to form one.

Perhaps being last in the DP rankings made her stand out in a different way?

Facing Rokuko, Haku wore a pleasant smile.

Rokuko let out a breath. She could tell she'd been extremely nervous.

After that, "Father" asked several more cores. But all of their opinions followed Number 1's lead — "Father should do as he wishes."

— Maybe I wouldn't have stood out if I'd said something like that too.

Rokuko thought that only now.

"Alright, let's hold off this year. I'll think about it again next year."

Saying that, "Father" clapped his hands.

The tension in the air gently eased.

"Alright everyone. If you have any requests, questions, or opinions for me, please speak up during this banquet. I can't really interfere with you all except on occasions like this, after all."

"Father" formed a smile with his exposed mouth. At that moment, a single Dungeon Core — one who had humanized into the form of a middle-aged man — raised his voice.

"Oh God! Please, hear this one's wish!"

"That was fast. What is it, Number 380? Though I'd be happy if you called me Father, you know?"

"That would be far too presumptuous for a humble one such as myself… I am but God's servant."

"Ahh, right. So what is your wish?"

Number 380 knelt and spoke his wish.

"Sir! A miracle to display God's glory! I wish for the resurrection of the dead!"

"Oh? Hmm, I can't revive one of my beloved children though?"

"The one I wish to be resurrected is my brother, Number 379! Last winter, he fell victim to the wicked Number 89's schemes and was made prey for the evil god's vanguard…"

"Ahh… Number 379, huh. You two were twin cores, weren't you? Yeah, sorry, but that's no good."

"Why?! Surely with God's power…!!"

"No good" was not the same as "cannot." There was a huge difference between the two. With "Father's" power, it seemed even reviving a destroyed core was possible.

However, "Father" told Number 380 as if explaining to him, coldly:

"Because that's the rule."

This meant that even "Father" was bound by some sort of rules.

"Ah, I know! I'll make it so you can create a monster that looks just like Number 379. That child could humanize just like you, right? It'll use just a tiny bit of DP, but it'll be a monster so identical you won't be able to tell them apart. With that, Number 380 won't be lonely anymore, right? You can make as many as you like."

Number 380 looked surprised for an instant, then bowed his head as if in worship.

"That is… No, God. I am grateful for your mercy."

"Good, I'm glad you're pleased."

Number 380 touched his forehead to the ground, trembling.

Was he truly grateful and pleased? Rokuko couldn't tell.