Chapter 367: Princess Alice's Troubles

"Flying Dragon Slash!"

Over at the dungeon, Broly and the others had already started grinding monsters, but things weren't quite the same as initially thought; Princess Alice, relying on just herself and a single sword, directly sliced and diced every dungeon monster that dared jump out to block the way.

"Ah, so this guy Alice is actually this strong?"

Megumin widened her eyes, somewhat unable to believe this, but it wasn't strange; the impression Alice had always given her was that of a frail, weak little princess who couldn't truss a chicken.

"Didn't Claire tell you that Alice has subjugated a dragon single-handedly?"

Darkness looked somewhat puzzled as to what she was surprised about.

"I thought she was just boasting, gilding the lily for her family's little princess."

Megumin's mouth corner twitched as she spoke.

"If mere boasting and gilding the lily with words could have worked, they would have been able to resist the Demon King Army's frontal assault in the past. Alright, don't let Alice hog the limelight all by herself; let's go too!"

As Darkness spoke, she excitedly rushed to meet the herd of Earth Dragon Lizards that came charging this way upon hearing the commotion; she fearlessly used Taunt, and as usual put herself in the midst of a beating, feeling pleasure from the pain brought by the Earth Dragon Lizards' frenzied attacks.

"Ah, this fierce collision against my body, please give me more, make it harder~"

This line was somewhat terrible; the Crimson Demon Clan genius girl was even black-faced, watching the strange scene of sword qi unmatched on one side and masochism at its peak on the other.

"Can I use Explosion to blow her up?"

Megumin unknowingly took out her magic wand; Alice the little princess's side was still okay to speak of, but Darkness's side was simply throwing the Wife Group's face.

"Wiz said this dungeon is an important place for her to obtain materials, Megumin you'd best not do that."

Broly reached out and stopped her.

"Then what now? I only know Explosion Magic, no other magic; there's simply no way to snatch monster kill experience from these two guys."

Megumin started complaining.

"Rest assured, don't you still have me?"

Broly patted his chest, and his figure disappeared from the spot.

The next moment, some Earth Dragon Lizards suddenly fell to the ground and began twitching.

Broly grabbed their tails and dragged them back from the gap between the two battle groups.

"Alright, you can finish off these monsters now."

Placing the Earth Dragon Lizards that had lost combat strength before Megumin, Broly handed over a Monster Material Collection Dagger that Wiz had given him and said.

"These lizards look like they're still conscious, not like they were knocked out by you; how did you do it?"

Megumin started working on the fallen Earth Dragon Lizards with the dagger; she observed the Earth Dragon Lizards' state and couldn't help but ask.

"You experienced the Finger of Bliss last night, right? This is a variant of that finger technique.

As long as it's a living creature, when it acts, there will be Qi flowing within its body.

I merely sent my own Qi into these Earth Dragon Lizards' bodies, severing the Qi that flows within them when they're active.

And as long as their Qi cannot break through the solidified Qi I injected into their bodies, they'll be like they are now — wanting to move but unable to."

Broly explained.

In Merad's hands, the Finger of Bliss was derived from the assassination fist technique 【Acupoint Fist】, but in Broly's hands, the Finger of Bliss took on a meaning of returning to simplicity.

Of course, Broly also incorporated his own understanding of Qi, turning it into an acupoint-striking finger technique, and the effect is a temporary interruption of a living creature's central nervous system, its capability to manipulate its body.

Although Broly didn't know the Earth Dragon Lizards' acupoints, as long as he tried more, sensed the flow of Qi within these monsters' bodies a bit more, then used the finger technique to hit some nodes and inject his own Qi to sever the flowing Qi within the living body, it would work.

For Broly, this wasn't too difficult a matter.

"Sounds so cool, what's this move called?"

Megumin used the dagger to solo-kill an Earth Dragon Lizard, raised her small face stained with a bit of bloodstain, and asked.

"Sunflower Acupoint Hand?"

Broly subconsciously blurted out the term that floated up in his mind.

"Hah, what's that?"

Megumin didn't get this meme.

"Uh, actually, this is just a name I suddenly thought of; before this, I didn't know what this move should be called either."

Broly answered truthfully.

This move, after all, was just a byproduct of the Finger of Bliss.

Creatures that can be struck by a finger technique and thereby rendered immobile.

Usually, Broly could achieve this with his small fists too.

Knocking unconscious with a fist those who cannot move, and numbing those who cannot move with a skillful finger technique — the result isn't much different.

If one must say there's a difference, the only thing Broly could think of was freshness.

Those Danger Beasts knocked unconscious by fists might have bruising at the struck spot, which would affect texture and taste.

While those numbed by finger technique and brought back for slaughter — this can fully guarantee the ingredients' integrity.

However, now that it's being used for power-leveling, it produces another effect instead.

In this world, Professionals' monster-killing leveling, when in a party, depends on output and control.

But mainly it's still output against monsters that's looked at.

Right now Broly isn't harming the Earth Dragon Lizards, just using finger technique to control them.

This can greatly increase the kill experience Megumin can obtain after killing Earth Dragon Lizards.

"Then, why not just call it 【Finger of Monster Immobility Created for Megumin】!"

Megumin smuggled in her own agenda, giving Broly her uncommon suggestion.

Broly: "..."

He had already figured out this move in the previous world; how could it possibly have anything to do with Megumin.

"Megumin, be an honest good kid!"

Broly began to persuade.

"Ah, I don't care, anyway, this is a finger technique you created for me!"

If this weren't in a Dungeon, if Megumin's body weren't covered in Earth Dragon Lizard blood, this might have been a girl's act of spoiling toward a boy.

"Broly, help me, I can't hold on much longer, the impact force of these Earth Dragon Lizards is too great~"

Just then, over there Darkness let out a cry requesting support; her clothes had become somewhat tattered from the Earth Dragon Lizard swarm's impacts and tearing bites, her complexion still flushed and excited, yet she also knew her limit.

No matter how you put it, Earth Dragon Lizards are high-level Monsters, and Darkness had been taught a lesson before, so she wouldn't let herself sink too deep into peril, thereby making those around her worry.

"I'm coming."

The finger technique naming was temporarily interrupted, Broly ran over to help.

One set of finger technique executed, Earth Dragon Lizards fell to the ground one by one, permanently disabled.

The Monster Material Collection Dagger was extremely sharp, harvesting the lives of one immobile Earth Dragon Lizard after another.

And when harvesting the seventh Earth Dragon Lizard, the battle on Princess Alice's side also ended.

Her pure white skirt hem stained with a few bloodstains and dust, the Princess girl walked over and looked curiously at Megumin crouching before the Earth Dragon Lizards.

"Megumin-nee, are you picking up leftovers?"

"It's not picking up leftovers!"

Megumin immediately refuted.

"Uh, if this isn't picking up leftovers, then what is it?"

Princess Alice had also been keeping an eye on this side during the battle.

And the events that just happened here, she saw clearly.

These Monsters were clearly controlled by Darkness, knocked down by Broly.

Thinking this, Princess Alice said just that.

Then, she saw the red-faced genius Red Demon Clan girl start spouting defensive words.

What husband and wife are one body, Monsters Broly knocked down also count as Monsters she knocked down.

Words of that sort.

"When I encounter difficulties, have troubles, I rely on Broly, this is a matter of course, as his wife, I shouldn't take it as shame, but should take pride in his power!"

Megumin spoke more and more righteously.

"Freeloading off my husband doesn't count as freeloading, this is a way I express trust and reliance on him, this is flirtation between us husband and wife, you wouldn't understand.

Besides, if I really acted, I could eliminate this group of Earth Dragon Lizards in an instant, no need to be troublesome like you, stepping forward to swing a sword and fight..."

Princess Alice was cajoled by the Red Demon Clan girl's string of smooth talk, left dazed and stunned.

"Then Megumin-nee, I also have troubles, can I rely on you two too?"

Princess Alice's face was a bit red, yet she asked it.

"Since you call me Megumin-nee, whatever troubles you have, just say them."

Megumin waved her hand grandly, already somewhat lost in the little Princess's admiring, trusting gaze.

"The matter is like this..."

Princess Alice began to recount her troubles.

Back when the Demon King Army still existed, the Belzerg Kingdom, because of its powerful military strength and willingness to handle matters, was trusted by the other two Kingdoms and continuously provided with various support.

But once the Demon King Army was defeated, the situation changed; the Belzerg Kingdom's military power, originally trusted because it was strong, instead drew wariness from the Elroad Kingdom and Bradlu Kingdom.

Especially now that most of the former Demon King Army territory has been divided among the Three Great Kingdoms, friction between the Three Great Kingdoms is increasing daily.

"My Father King and Older Brother are troubled because of tense diplomatic relations with the Elroad Kingdom, and I as a Princess want to help but don't know how to help..."

National diplomacy actually has nothing to do with Princess Alice; she merely feels troubled because of her Father King and Older Brother's distress, a considerate little padded jacket.

"Uh..."

Megumin was somewhat dazed listening; does this national-level diplomacy have anything to do with an ordinary commoner like her?

Or rather, is it something she can help solve? No, no, she can't solve it, but there's still Broly, but how would Broly solve it?

Megumin looked at the Saiyan boy, Broly had no reaction.

"Broly, do you have any opinion?"

Megumin asked.

"Uh, why would I have any opinion?"

Broly retorted.

He's a Manpasei Saiyan, how much political insight could he have?

"The Elroad Kingdom is wary because our country maintains an overly strong military force; then has your Father King, His Majesty the Belzerg King, never considered disbanding some troops?"

Darkness thought a moment, then inquired.

"We've thought of it, but this isn't something that can be simply done."

Soldiers able to join the Belzerg Kingdom's frontlines, a military nation that once faced the Demon King Army head-on, are basically Level 30+ Professionals.

In the army, military discipline binds them, but once demobilized without proper placement, this demobilized armed force could cause turmoil in the Belzerg Kingdom.

"I learned this from my Older Brother, and he and my Father King are trying to persuade the Elroad Kingdom and Bradlu Kingdom from this angle, but things don't seem to be going too smoothly."

Princess Alice said.

"Why bother caring about those two countries, just keep maintaining strong military power, could it be that they, weaker than the Belzerg Kingdom, would dare attack the Belzerg Kingdom?"

Megumin spoke up; her thinking was simple, I alone being strong is enough.

"Megumin, have you considered that maintaining strong military power requires money?"

Darkness was somewhat speechless, asking.

"Yes, and most of this military expenditure was originally provided by the Elroad Kingdom."

The Elroad Kingdom's military strength is insufficient, but located in the deep rear of two kingdoms, during the Demon King Army's existence that place belonged to a safe zone, gathering many of human society's wealthy class to settle there, and it is also a gambling great power, its wealth is the greatest of the Three Great Kingdoms.

Previously, it was the Elroad Kingdom using massive capital flows to provide the Belzerg Kingdom with the military funding for the military power expenditures of facing off against the Demon King Army head-on.

Once they fall out, relying on the Belzerg Kingdom's own financial strength alone, it cannot support the massive military expenditures within the country.

Naturally, once it escalates to that degree, the choices placed before the Belzerg Kingdom are only two: one is to disband a large number of armies at the risk of national turmoil, the other is to march south and use foreign war to solve the insufficient military funding problem.

Precisely because the latter situation might occur, the Elroad Kingdom now has only reduced the annual funding provision, and does not dare completely sever the supply of money, fearing to push the Belzerg Kingdom into a corner.

At the same time, the Elroad Kingdom also won over the Bradlu Kingdom; the Bradlu Kingdom, as a producer of dragon cavalry and also a country that learned the Belzerg Royal Family's method of integrating the Hero Bloodline into its own royal bloodline, is this world's second strongest nation in military strength.

Perhaps there is still some gap in military strength compared to the Belzerg Kingdom, but the gap is absolutely not as large as the gap between the Demon King Army and humans when the Demon King Army still existed previously.

And now, the Three Great Kingdoms are mutually probing, using political means to mutually pressure each other's bottom line.

However, the Belzerg Kingdom's King and Crown Prince, Princess Alice's father and Older Brother, compared to politicians, are more like warriors; in the aspect they are not good at, they have completely fallen into a disadvantage.

"So, what can I do to help?"

Broly listened with a bit of a headache, and decided to kick the ball of solving Princess Alice's worries back, letting Megumin or Darkness think.

"It can't be that you want Broly to go beat up the other two kingdoms' kings, and then verbally threaten them a bit, right?"

Darkness said jokingly, then discovered that beside her, both Princess Alice and Megumin showed expressions of serious contemplation.

"Hey hey hey, this will cause huge political problems, and Broly can't possibly stay in this world forever!"

Darkness hurriedly said, and it was this sentence that made the other two give up this seemingly simple effective solution.

If Broly really could stay in this world forever, providing absolute military threat support, that would indeed be a workable method.

But unfortunately, it cannot.

As for directly killing the people of the other two kingdoms, Broly could do it, and doesn't mind doing so that much.

But those present, whether Darkness or Megumin, or Princess Alice, none are so heartless as to make a decision depriving large numbers of lives; even, they never even thought of thinking that way.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have brought my worries to you, no need to think about this kind of thing; I think my Father King and Older Brother will handle everything well, let's continue going to subjugate monsters!"

Princess Alice said, and took the lead heading to the dungeon's next area.

"Hey, wait a minute, I'm the one being power-leveled today, don't you steal all the monsters from me!"

Megumin hurriedly shouted, ending the last Earth Dragon Lizard's life.

"Let's follow too."

Broly put away the demonized materials from a group of Earth Dragon Lizards, called to Darkness, and followed.

At noon, these people returned fully loaded.

Megumin rose five levels, Princess Alice vented the depressed feelings in her heart, Darkness got beaten and enjoyed it, the girls all obtained satisfaction.

"This is truly a great harvest~"

Even the Lich lady who came to pick them up to go back, looking at the numerous monster materials, smiled broadly, feeling she wouldn't need to come to this dungeon to gather monster materials for the second half of the year.

Naturally, even if she came, there might not be any either, except for that special moss with extremely good blood-circulation effects.

This entire dungeon, close to eighty percent of the regions, have been swept clean once; although the monsters weren't exterminated completely, for this dungeon to recover its original ecology, it will probably take a not-short time.

"Lunch is ready, but Aqua hasn't returned yet."

Yunyun made lunch, and by the time afternoon came, Aqua returned.

"This is my home in this Lower World, how is it, pretty?!"

Six Goddesses, nine Angel ladies, she abducted down from the Heavenly Realm.

(Chapter End)