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

Thankfully, it didn’t take long for Countess Jenna to be cleared to rejoin everyone in enjoying the booth amenities.

And while Luca truly enjoyed the short time he spent with the Taylor couple—who seemed to have more or less recovered from the shock of discovering Jax’s children—duty eventually called.

The Activity Center awaited.

Still, before leaving, Luca remembered something important and then politely asked if they could meet again later to talk more.

The Taylors were visibly startled.

The jovial child they had just met, the one who similarly fussed over plants and laughed easily, suddenly sounded more serious. He wasn’t cold, nor distant, no. Actually, they were surprised because he seemed really earnest.

Countess Jenna exchanged a look with her husband.

Jax, on the other hand, looked openly delighted.

With that, the curious parents agreed without hesitation. Luca bowed respectfully, said his farewells, and hurried off.

The undeniably busy guild leader broke into an excited jog toward the Activity Center only to stop just past the threshold.

Because by one of the corners, a very unusual crowd seemed to have gathered because of a commotion.

Luca slowed, peering through the bodies just in time to spot something that made his brain stall.

”Huh?”

”Papa?”

”And... Little Nina?”

He blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Because why was his father on the floor while the little princess stood tall, or as tall as possible, next to him?

And more importantly, why was her small body practically buried under a suspiciously shiny pile of golden tickets?

The concerned golden-eyed cadet looked around in utter confusion and disbelief, wondering if anyone could explain what was happening.

It was the Marshal who spoke first, voice heavy with a strange mix of emotions that was unique to people in the know.

”It’s carnage.”

”???”

__

Ah. Yes. Carnage.

The Marshal honestly couldn’t think of a better word for it. Not when even Duchess Amelia had come to the exact same conclusion about what had been transpiring since they entered the bewildering place.

As expected, everything those cadets touched turned into something unbelievable.

Structures. Plants. Gathering spaces. Technology. Food. And now even entertainment.

Each of those words could probably be understood on their own. But when taken together and made into such an experience, even Marshal Julian was certain that there would be a great shift in power the moment the others realized just what this place was all about.

Because instead of standing behind display panels filled with research documents, figures, and projections like everyone else, DG had chosen something far more dangerous.

They let people experience it.

They let them walk through it. Touch it. Taste it. Play with it. They showed not only what they had done, but how it was done and what could still be done with the advancements on display.

And that made all the difference.

Even Julian, who had become something of a regular presence in the dungeon space, still found himself caught off-guard. There were moments when he had to stop and recalibrate his expectations all over again.

And if he felt that way, then it was no surprise that everyone else did too.

From wide-eyed civilians all the way up to the Emperor himself, the reactions clearly expressed the same sentiment.

They just didn’t expect—no, scratch that—they should have prepared for a more resounding reaction from selected people whose ears and eyes were just a bit too sharp for their own good.

It started with a gasp.

And from there, all hell broke loose.

__

Duke Leander had been pleasantly minding his own business.

Even after his precious son had motioned for them to head to the Activity Center first while he stayed behind to check on the Taylors, the Duke had behaved himself. As extending a helping hand had been a thoughtful thing for Luca to do. Polite. Chivalrous. Very much like his son.

Leander had been proud.

He had also missed him terribly.

But as an obedient parent determined to be on his best behavior, he had done as instructed. Together with the others, he had gone to the redemption booth managed by Princess Kira. Luca had been visibly excited about it earlier, so Leander had been prepared to enjoy whatever novelty awaited them.

But then he saw it.

The holographic projection listing other redeemable prizes partially blocked the view, but even if Duke Leander suddenly went blind, he was quite certain he would still have sensed it.

Because right behind the Orc Princess stood a treasure he had never imagined he would see in his lifetime.

It was small.

Soft-looking.

Round in places that should not logically be round.

A tiny version of his precious son stared back at him with large, earnest eyes. Its little hands were positioned politely to the side of its body. The face had that familiar expression Luca sometimes made when confused or excited. The hair was simplified but unmistakable. Even the proportions were somehow perfect in a way that made Leander’s chest feel tight.

Unassuming.

Cute.

Dangerously cute.

It looked like his son had been condensed into a pocket-sized form and placed on display like a sacred artifact.

The gasp that tore itself out of Duke Leander stopped all conversations within hearing distance.

”I-is that what I think it is?” he asked, voice trembling.

Princess Kira paused mid-spiel and looked over, clearly puzzled. ”Which one are you referring to, Your Grace?”

Leander lifted a shaking finger. ”R-right behind you. W-what are those?”

The Orc Princess tilted her head, then glanced behind her. Her eyes widened in realization.

”Ah! I almost forgot about these!” she said brightly. ”Thank you so much for reminding me, Your Grace!”

She turned back to the crowd, practically vibrating with excitement.

”Well, these are our limited edition guild merchandise!”

”Unlike the other items we plan on selling, these aren’t for sale and can only be obtained as prizes. More importantly, they were produced in very limited quantities and likely won’t be available again once all the pieces are redeemed.”

Duke Leander watched in equal parts horror and fascination as Princess Kira stepped aside and picked one up.

She squeezed it gently.

”It’s very soft,” she said happily.

She brushed its head. Adjusted its tiny clothes. Then she lifted one little arm and waved it cheerfully at the crowd.

Princess Nina let out a strangled sound.

”I would die for one,” she whispered with absolute sincerity.

”And it gets better,” Princess Kira continued, pressing a small button.

”Hello! I’m Luca!”

Duke Leander nearly joined the little princess on the floor.

The Orc Princess then moved aside again, gesturing broadly as part of what shrewd businessman Ollie had reminded her to do. ”And of course, there’s one for every member. We actually have other memorabilia too if you look at the catalog!”

”Oh! And you might even be interested in our other boxed figurines. But if you ask me? These are my favorites!”

The crowd stiffened.

Parents froze.

Several important figures of the Empire straightened instinctively, eyes sharp.

”And if I remember correctly,” Princess Kira added thoughtfully, ”I believe we have about a hundred of each?”

The words hit like thunder.

At that moment, the most influential people in the Empire of Solaris stood a little taller as if they were preparing for war.

Oh, but they were.

They just needed to first understand the concept behind this thing called an arcade!