The Reward for the World's Strongest Explorer's Perfect Dungeon Conquest is apparently Marriage to me, who is known as an S-rank Fraud - Chapter 1.1

“Kumaaa! The press conference is about to start! Wake up, wake up!”

“Mm… yeah…”

A midday nap. Why is it that when you’re lounging in an air-conditioned room, you can sleep forever?

If I just close my eyes—

“Kuma?”

Hearing Ayane’s voice drop a tone, I reluctantly roll out of bed and head to the living room.

“Ahh, nothing beats barley tea in the summer. Maybe I’ll make somen for lunch.”

I settle onto the sofa, sipping chilled barley tea as I daydream about summer and lunch.

“Geez, Kuma! Lunch can wait—look, it’s starting!”

Right. I almost forgot. As both a fellow explorer and a citizen of Japan, I can’t miss this press conference.

“First of all, congratulations on achieving the world’s first complete dungeon conquest! Can you tell us how you feel right now?”

It seems like the press conference has just begun. On the screen, a reporter, visibly excited, is directing a question at the woman who achieved this unprecedented feat.

For over half a century, dungeons have existed in this world. No one had ever managed a full conquest—until yesterday.

Every major network is broadcasting the event, and with simultaneous interpretation, it’s being aired worldwide.

“She’s so beautiful, isn’t she, Shia? I’m jealous. Kuma, you’ve seen her in person, right?”

“Well, yeah. We’re in the same line of work.”

Shia Kusakabe.

Half-Japanese, half-European, with dazzling golden hair elegantly rolled up. Even through the screen, her beauty is striking. She could stand beside top actresses and models without looking out of place. Today, dressed in formal attire for the press conference, she radiates an air of composed confidence.

She is known as the War Goddess Valkyrie, one of only twelve S-rank explorers in Japan.

And now, with this achievement, she will undoubtedly be recognized as the strongest in the world.

“Happy.”

One word.

She doesn’t look happy at all, but that’s just how Shia is. Always calm, with little emotional variation. A bit of an airhead, with a peculiar charm—but that only adds to her popularity.

If I remember correctly, she’s 22 years old. She looks more mature than her age but, in some ways, acts younger.

“Thank you! Now, the big question—War Goddess Valkyrie, have you decided on your reward for completely conquering the dungeon? As you know, the government and the Dungeon Bureau have promised an extraordinary, extralegal reward—one wish that the nation will grant, no matter what.”

This was the grand incentive. The government dangled this incredible reward—something that bypasses judicial, legislative, and executive powers—all in a desperate bid to secure the world’s first full dungeon conquest.

“Kuma, what do you think Shia will ask for?”

“No idea. She’s impossible to predict. Besides, I doubt she’d announce it at a press conference. There’s usually some negotiation involved first.”

“Wow, way to ruin the excitement.”

Well, what can I say? Even if they promised ‘anything,’ ethical and moral considerations have to be taken into account.

“I’ve known what I wanted for a long time.”

The moment she says that, the entire venue stirs with anticipation.

“Uh, and what exactly is that—”

“Ahem! Regarding that matter, the Dungeon Bureau will make an official announcement at a later time.”

The one who interrupted the reporter was Minister Araki, the head of the Dungeon Bureau. A burly man with a face that looks anything but bureaucratic—unsurprising, considering he climbed to the highest rank of S-class explorers himself.

“Haha, look at Araki, Ayane. He’s panicking.”

“Poor Minister Araki. But I’m rooting for the reporters! I want to hear Shia’s actual wish!”

“If you prevent her from stating her wish now and let the Dungeon Bureau announce it later, wouldn’t that be government interference? Doesn’t that contradict the original promise? Wouldn’t this be a betrayal of all explorers and their supporters? Minister Araki, what is your response?”

“This is an unprecedented and extraordinary situation. Therefore, the proper place, the proper time, and the proper manner must be considered—”

“And isn’t this the proper place and time? This press conference marks the first complete dungeon conquest in history! The extralegal reward was a key part of the deal. If anything was allowed, why can’t it be revealed here and now? Or was that promise a lie?!”

Other reporters join in, echoing their agreement. Minister Araki looks visibly distressed, repeating the same vague responses. I don’t envy him.

Eventually, the press conference is paused for a short break before resuming with a different question.

“This journey must have been painful, exhausting, and full of hardships. War Goddess, how did you manage to reach this peak?”

“For my reward.”

“Heh. Ayane, Shia’s press conferences are always entertaining.”

“Yeah! I love her personality.”

As an outsider, it’s fun to watch, but if I were in Minister Araki’s shoes, I’d probably be coughing up bl00d from stress.

“And by reward, you mean the extralegal wish, correct?!”

“Yes.”

“Again, that question is—”

Araki tries to cut in again, but Shia holds onto the microphone.

“Something’s off, though…”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, S-rank explorers are the closest to achieving full dungeon conquest, so they should have been asked about their reward in advance. There’s no way the government wouldn’t have sorted this out beforehand.”

“Hmm… Maybe Shia kept it a secret?”

That’s possible.

“Minister Araki, did you or the Dungeon Bureau know what War Goddess Shia had requested for her extralegal reward?”

A sharp question from the reporters.

“…The Bureau conducts pre-hearings with all S-rank explorers. However, responses are voluntary, and until officially confirmed, changes can be made. Therefore, we are not currently aware of War Goddess Shia’s final decision.”

“Hmm. Maybe she really did leave it blank, like you said, Ayane.”

“Then, War Goddess, what was your response during the pre-hearing?”

“That was—”

“Secret. I told them it was a secret.”

Minister Araki tries to intervene, but Shia grips the microphone tightly.

“Why did you keep it a secret? Were you afraid the government would interfere and distort your wish?”

“…I was embarrassed.”

“Excuse me?”

Shia’s cheeks flush pink as she fidgets shyly.

“Dahahaha! This press conference is amazing! I’ve never seen Shia embarrassed before, and now she’s doing it live, in front of the whole world! She’s definitely gained even more fans.”

Ahh, this is hilarious.

“Hehe~ Shia is so cute. But what kind of wish would make her embarrassed?”

“Haha, who knows? Maybe she wants to eat a hundred rice balls or something?”

“Come on, Kuma! Be serious! She could do that without needing an extralegal reward!”

Well, fair point. It was just a joke. But honestly, S-rank explorers already have deep connections to the government and massive fortunes. There’s hardly anything they couldn’t obtain on their own without invoking an extralegal wish.

“Hmm… knowing Shia, she wouldn’t ask to become Prime Minister or anything like that.”

“Yeah, that doesn’t sound like her. But now I’m even more curious!”

Now that she mentioned it, I was curious too. What kind of reward had Shia been set on for so long? One so embarrassing she couldn’t say it out loud? One she absolutely had to use her wish to get?

“…I want to turn this press conference into a wedding announcement.”

“!? Could you clarify what you mean by that?!”

The moment Shia dropped that bombshell, the entire venue erupted in chaos. No way this was in the script.

“Huh…? So Shia has a boyfriend? Well, I guess it makes sense. She’s beautiful, strong, and has such a lovable personality. Kuma, did you know about this?”

“Nope, not at all. This is beyond unexpected. But wait… a wedding announcement?! I get it now!”

It clicked. Everything made sense.

“Huh?! What do you mean?!”

“The reward! Shia is using her wish to quit being an S-rank explorer and become someone’s wife. It’s basically her retirement announcement!”