The Political Commissar is not at home today

According to the original plan, this “stinky man” was supposed to “roll away to a separate tent” to rest.

But at this point, how could I possibly let Ke Fei’er and Nilou out of my sight!?

I have to keep an eye on them and on my script at all times to prevent any accidents!

This is absolutely not because I want to squeeze together and sleep with two fragrant girls.

That said, Ke Fei’er’s sleeping posture is, as always, very “main-character-like.”

Nilou is no less—hey, look, her thigh is draped over my waist.

How uncivilized! Is this her way of telling me to “hold onto her thigh”!?

“…! You charlatan! How dare you!?”

Smack.

The next morning, with Nilou still embarrassed and shy, and Ke Fei’er—uncertain whether she was still angry or just jealous—and with the mark of her slap still on my face, we decided not to delay any longer.

We immediately began our exploration of the so-called “Goddess Ruins” in this borderless zone.

In the script I’ve seen, to put it simply, this is just a “dungeon” prepared for the protagonist.

These “Goddess Ruins” occupy nearly half the borderless zone.

And, to be “fair,” each country’s candidates can only explore the portion near their own border.

Before entering, candidates must also pair up for mutual supervision to prevent cheating.

And this time, the ones “teaming up” with us were none other than the candidate from the Rossiya Empire—Rasputin—the one I’d just met yesterday, whose script had already hinted at “murder and robbery.”

Obviously, they also wanted to “start exploring as soon as possible.”

Sure enough, we bumped into each other right at the entrance, which was half-hidden by grass, rocks, and trees.

“Che, suka blyat.”

After muttering something in the distance, this bespectacled young woman in civil official’s attire quickly put on a monocle.

By the time she came over to greet us, she already had a “knowledgeable smile” plastered on her face.

“Good morning, Miss Ke Fei’er. Our Rossiya Empire’s exploration only started recently. What a coincidence to run into you here.”

“……”

Naturally, the aloof Ke Fei’er didn’t reply.

But the other party was rather forward and came closer anyway.

“We’ve cleared a path into the ruins for now. Since everyone came here to explore, if you don’t mind, would you like to follow us for a while?”

“I’m not intere—”

Halfway through, Ke Fei’er’s gaze shifted toward me.

After seeing my intentions, she forcibly changed her words.

“In that case, it would be impolite to refuse.”

“…Very well, then please follow me. I’ll share some of the information I’ve just learned about this part of the ruins.”

Taking advantage of the moment when Rasputin turned her head, Ke Fei’er’s questioning gaze once again shot toward me.

She even used our contract spell to secretly ask in my mind.

【Charlatan, aren’t the Rossiya people supposed to be plotting against us? Why follow them?】

【Hard to explain, but just follow.】

Ke Fei’er, how could I ever harm you?

For me, this so-called “ruins” is nothing but another “dungeon.”

I’ve seen plenty of those after countless battles!

Generally speaking, especially for dungeons prepared for protagonists like Ke Fei’er, how could there possibly be legendary treasures lying around at the start, just waiting to be picked up?

The role of a protagonist is always: some exploration, ups and downs, rising tension, a final climax, and then everyone’s happy ending!

Simply put: I’m a hundred percent sure—at the start of exploration there will be no treasure, maybe not even a few weak monsters.

So before we run into any “special areas,” why not just follow behind the Rossiya people, let them do the hard work, be our tools, and we reap the benefits?

Isn’t that perfect?

We’re the protagonist’s party! We don’t need a “worker’s mindset.”

And with Rasputin explaining the ruins, I became even more certain.

“As for these ruins, our Rossiya Empire has done some exploration. Compared to desolate ruins, this place is more like a large structure of interconnected labyrinthine chambers.

The magical energy in the air above is extremely thin. Even if you try to take a shortcut with magic, flight spells fail midair.”

Isn’t this the textbook definition of a dungeon!?

I was just about to whisper this to Ke Fei’er when Rasputin’s tone suddenly turned mocking.

“So for a ‘genius’ like Miss Ke Fei’er, who hails from the Grand Britannia Empire and is used to abundant magic, this doesn’t seem too favorable, does it?”

Of course.

She wasn’t simply being helpful; she was throwing shade at the protagonist.

“So, I have a proposal: from here on, Miss Ke Fei’er’s team should follow behind ours. That way it’s safer.

As for discoveries, we split seventy-thirty. Naturally, since we Rossiya are leading the way, we’ll take seventy percent.”

In ruins exploration, the vanguard naturally has the right to claim bases along the way.

The ones following can only hope they’ll share.

If not, tough luck—find another place.

Although Ke Fei’er is the protagonist, the rules were set this way.

With her personality, she probably wouldn’t just “throw a tantrum” and break them.

Tch, I was too busy yesterday focusing on Ke Fei’er and Nilou’s scripts that I forgot Rasputin’s follow-up role.

Looks like Rossiya worked overnight to “claim the path” and now they’re extorting us!

Trying to steal the protagonist’s road? Do you three have a death wish!?

That said, judging from Rasputin’s mocking tone and the smug looks of her two lackeys, they probably have no idea what kind of disaster they’re courting.

I’ve got not just Ke Fei’er, the true protagonist, but also Nilou.

Provoking two heroines at once—you really live up to your reputation as battle maniacs.

“Your proposal sounds nice, but I refuse.”

As expected, Ke Fei’er clenched her fist and coldly snapped back.

This immediately set off laughter from the two lackeys behind Rasputin.

“Then your Grand Britannia lot will just have to roll off and find another entrance!

Only under Lady Rasputin’s mercy would you even have a place to stay here!”

“Besides, those rocks outside will keep you busy all day.

By the time you move them, we’ll already have treasure.

There was another path, but—oops—sorry, we blocked it while moving rocks! Hahaha~”

At this point, Ke Fei’er wasn’t about to be angered by two disposable extras.

What kind of protagonist gets their mood ruined by side characters?

She scanned the surroundings and finally fixed her gaze on a nearby passage.

Rossiya’s people had passed by it just earlier, completely ignoring it.

“Where we go has nothing to do with you.”

She then began inspecting it carefully.

This path the tools had skipped must be a dead end, right?

Just as I was thinking this, Rasputin noticed and sneered.

“What, still searching for a way? That’s a dead end with a mechanism—it needs a password.

If you want to waste time on it, be my guest.

You can slowly think up the password while watching us return with treasure.

That’s your choice, after all~”

A password!?

Wait, that smug woman just said password, right!?

Ke Fei’er hesitated for a moment, looking ready to turn back and search for another entrance to avoid further entanglement.

But at that very moment…

“Ke Fei’er.”

I grabbed her wrist, pulling Nilou along, and dashed straight toward that so-called dead end before she could change her mind.

A dungeon.

A dead end.

A password.

Think about it…

This is obviously a “save point” meant to separate the protagonist from the extras!

You three Rossiya clowns can stay there scratching your heads.

I’m taking my thigh-hugging heroine and busty companion ahead first!