The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL] novel Chapter 854

Chapter 854: The Manager

Well, unlike the still reeling count, a certain little system responded with nothing but proud certainty.

"Who else could it be?"

Count Alexander jolted so hard he nearly leapt off the ground.

"Excuse me?" he blurted, eyes widening at the sudden prompt.

In truth, the expert had several questions. Many, actually.

First of all, why was this place called a dungeon?

Secondly, what kind of place was this for it to need a manager?

And third, what sort of mind looked at all of this and decided that this was reasonable?

As he continued seeing and hearing more, the count found himself wondering something even more troubling.

Who had been insane enough to come up with D-29?

While their interactions had been limited by cyber prompts before, he never really thought he would meet that hacker in this capacity.

But considering everything, if this wasn’t initially made by Luca, then who came up with this?

Only, instead of being repelled by such an oddball of a maker, Count Alexander, just as batshit crazy, wanted to meet such a mind.

Unfortunately, despite the avalanche of questions crowding his thoughts, he didn’t get the chance to voice a single one. Because the little system abruptly launched into a frenzied introduction.

Holographic poppers burst into existence, showering the air with celebratory lights and sound effects.

"Greetings!" D-29 announced brightly. "I am D-29, acting manager, overseer, coordinator, and quality assurance authority of this space."

The countess blinked. Slowly.

The count froze.

"As for our first meeting, I would like to formally disclose that I have signed an agreement with my other benefactor. Said benefactor, who cannot be named, reassured this responsible pseudo-citizen that I wouldn’t be prosecuted or forced into a time-out for what we had earlier agreed upon."

"Also, based on the binding agreement, this applies even in cases where my actions appear suspicious or dramatic."

More poppers went off.

"For legal clarity, this also includes scenarios involving obedience to orders, enthusiastic compliance, or research-driven decisions. There is, of course, a fine print about manslaughter and terrorism, but I assure you the part about restitution has been rechecked by another set of eyes."

The room went silent.

"But before any grounding measures are discussed," D-29 added quickly, "I would like to inquire if a quit claim is on the table. Purely hypothetical. Entirely preventative."

No one moved.

No one spoke.

The little system hesitated, the prompt’s glow flickering once.

"...Perhaps that was not the optimal route for safety," it muttered to itself.

Then, as if remembering something important, it whirred once again.

"Oh. Right!" At one point in time there was a service-related offense and maybe that had to be addressed first.

The count stiffened.

D-29 immediately switched tones, sounding earnest and almost apologetic. Even the poppers were popping out confetti more slowly after the shift.

"As for why I turned down the offer previously, I would like to sincerely apologize."

"That decision was made because, as a manager of managers, I had been busy. Very busy. Extremely busy, in fact. Delegation, oversight, audits, narrative flow control. I had been so busy I could only do five episodes a day and only in three languages. It was a devastating period, I tell you."

Count Alexander stared blankly, his mind slowly slipping further away from reality.

"However," the system continued brightly, "since you are now considered one of my charges, exceptions can be made. Small discounts may also be given depending on workload and emotional strain."

It paused, then added proudly, "And mostly depending on the rarity of the expected compensation."

The tech swallowed as he looked around for anyone else who could explain just what was happening.

Acceptable compensation? Did it actually have preferences? Specific ones at that?

For a horrifying moment, the security enthusiast couldn’t tell whether he was facing a system, a program, or an unusually polite extortionist.

"...It has a personality," he murmured under his breath, genuine awe creeping into his voice. Technology had advanced, yes. Simulated conversation was nothing new. But this was different. This required no prompts. No rails. No guidance. In fact, even if he gave guidance, Alexander was pretty sure this little one would immediately deviate.

Nearby, so close that it was unfortunate, a guardian mecha who must not be named reacted, or at least wanted to react violently.

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