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 18

At the Élysée Palace, the historic and magnificent residence of the French presidency, a small group of the president’s most trusted aides had gathered.

In this unofficial meeting, they discussed a tragedy that had once again unfolded…

“Congratulations, Pierre. As expected of the hero’s daughter.”

Louis-Philippe Beaumont, the President of the French Republic, a young leader in his mid-40s, spoke with dripping sarcasm.

“Philippe… If you have something to say, say it clearly. Don’t act so cowardly.”

Pierre Martin, the Vice President of France, a man nearing 50 yet maintaining a ruggedly handsome face and a battle-hardened physique, responded with an irritated scowl.

“Then I’ll say it plainly—our party’s approval rating dropped another twelve points. Twelve points, Pierre.”

“Hmph. To be shaken over a mere twelve-point drop? That does not bode well for this country’s future. A true leader devoted to the nation will recover support in no time.”

The shocking news—the second complete dungeon conquest.

There was no doubt about it. The sound of the bell that had resonated in the ears of every person in the world was proof enough.

And the one who achieved it—was a single girl.

Her name was Shia Martin-Kusakabe.

She was France’s hero, a Three-Star Explorer, the TROIS ÉTOILES, and the daughter of Vice President Pierre Martin.

“Oh? Pierre, you speak as if this doesn’t concern you.”

“France’s national treasure, Shia Martin, was stolen away by Japan.

And you—her own father—failed to reclaim her. The government is being lambasted for this failure.

The backlash is unlike anything we’ve faced before. This palace is being stormed with criticism.”

Hmph.

Pierre let out a derisive snort. Reclaim Shia from Japan?

Did they truly believe anyone wanted that more than he did?

“To do that, we’d have to break the WDO’s inviolable rules.”

“The World Dungeon Organization enforces absolute non-interference.

And now that Shia has conquered a dungeon, she isn’t just a matter of France and Japan—she is a name that echoes across the entire world.

Japan will cling to her with every last breath.”

“So, we just leave her there?”

Pierre gave a solemn nod.

Not as a French government official—but as a father who loves his daughter.

How many hundreds of times had he tried to convince her?

Every time they met—several times a year.
Every phone call.
Every message.

And yet—her answer was always non.

Her stubbornness… where did she inherit it from?

Pierre smirked faintly.

“…Even if she’s being seduced by that man?”

Twitch.

The moment Philippe uttered those words, Pierre’s smirk vanished.

His brows furrowed, his fists clenched tightly.

That man.

Hayama Kuma.

“That… must be a mistake.”

“Even a hero of France turns a blind eye to reality? Tell me, Pierre—what exactly is the mistake?”

“Your daughter personally ordered the Japanese government to place Hayama Kuma under her command.

They are already living together.

And he accompanied her in the second dungeon conquest.

That vulgar brat.”

“Gh…!”

Pierre couldn’t respond.

He had seen the videos.

He had read the subtitled translations.

A disgusting brat, dripping with perversion, preying on women.

And his precious daughter had fallen into his grasp—in a place where Pierre could not reach her.

“I have a daughter myself, Pierre. I understand.

It is unthinkable to let a man like that manipulate her.

But what if he is the one who lured Shia in? What if he was the one who persuaded her to become an explorer in Japan?

If that is the case, then this is no longer just your problem.

It is an act of invasion against France itself.”

Pierre exhaled sharply.

“Philippe… What do you want me to do?”

“Go to Japan and judge Hayama Kuma for yourself.

If he is truly a monstrosity that threatens France’s interests…”

Philippe raised one finger and lightly tapped his neck.

“…Then deal with him accordingly.”

Pierre was silent.

Then, he nodded.

“Very well.”

“I trust you, my friend.”

“We will hold a press conference in an hour. Be ready.”

Pierre saluted briefly before leaving the room.

Only two men remained—Philippe and Pierre.

They clinked their glasses together, downing a deep amber-colored spirit in silence.

“Mr. President, how do you perceive this ‘tragic blessing’?”

The press conference was held in the reception room of the Élysée Palace.

A rather cramped space—where government officials and journalists alike crammed in.

“As the people have said—’a tragic blessing’ is a fitting term for our nation.”

President Philippe answered with a smile.

“Not once, but twice—within this short period, a complete dungeon conquest.

Truly, I must acknowledge her—she is, after all, the daughter of our nation’s hero.”

“Vice President, allow me to ask—why is Shia Martin not an explorer of France?”

Under WDO regulations, an explorer must choose one country for their license registration.

This is a permanent decision.

And only the individual has the right to choose.

How many times had Pierre answered this question in the past few days?

“She obtained her license in Japan under WDO law.”

“That decision was made solely by her own will.

No one—
Not even her own bl00d relative—
Has the right to interfere with that choice.”

Pierre smirked coldly.

“Didn’t you know?”

“Of course, we are aware. But if you claim it was her personal decision, what exactly made a 15-year-old girl choose to become an explorer in Japan, away from her parents? Vice President, could you enlighten us?”

“That is a question you should ask her directly. It is not my place to answer.”

“Was it not because of Hayama Kuma?!

At the press conference in Japan, she explicitly stated that she became an explorer for ‘extraordinary compensation.’

In other words, didn’t she become an explorer in Japan to marry Hayama Kuma?!”

The room erupted with murmurs.

“Passionate!”

“A true romance!”

The journalists were eating it up, as if this were some grand love story.

“…That is a matter of her privacy. I have no comment.”

“Then let me rephrase—has Shia Martin’s fiancé, Hayama Kuma, formally introduced himself to you as her fiancé?”

…He had not.

The audacity.

He announced their engagement to the world yet hadn’t bothered to introduce himself to his future father-in-law.

A clueless brat who lacked even basic manners—my guts were stewing like ratatouille.

“Non.”

A single word was all I needed to answer.

“Then, did Shia inform you of the engagement herself?”

…She had.

Right after the dungeon was conquered.

“Papa, I’m marrying the person I’ve always loved.”

The sheer abruptness of it. The shock. I would never forget it.

“…Yes, she did.”

A chorus of “Ohhh~!” rippled through the crowd.

“So, you were already aware. Understood. Then, let me ask—do you have any prior acquaintance with Hayama Kuma?”

The reporters, sensing bl00d, pressed forward.

…I had met him once.

A single time.

And it was in an official setting.

Judging by the journalists’ expressions, they had already done their research.

“Yes, just once. I paid respects to his late parents. They were brilliant explorers who lived in the same era as me.

That was the only time I exchanged words with him.”

“Ah, yes, it’s in the official records—seven years ago, just before Shia obtained her explorer’s license, you happened to meet him at the memorial. Quite the coincidence…

So, what was your impression of him at the time?”

Even though this was a presidential press conference, the entire focus was on me.

Philippe, watching from the sidelines, chuckled at the absurdity.

“…I don’t recall.

It was a mere exchange of greetings seven years ago—there’s nothing memorable about it.”

“Then, what about Shia? What was she like that day?”

A completely unnecessary question.

And yet—

It was enough to unlock a door that should have remained shut.

Memories I had buried deep within my mind, sealed behind layer upon layer of denial—

That day, I had witnessed it.

The exact moment my daughter fell in love.

“I… I don’t… remember…”

I nearly threw up from the stress.

Who in their right mind could have predicted that moment would evolve into seven years of secrecy—culminating in a public engagement announcement?!

“Vice President?! Are you alright?! Then let’s continue with the next question!”

If you’re worried about me, maybe—just maybe—consider pausing the interrogation, you fool.

“Vice President, what is your current impression of Hayama Kuma?”

“…If I am to be honest, I do not think highly of him.

The video of him that recently circulated in France was crude and vulgar.

Moreover, as I stated earlier, he has never once reached out to my wife or me.

Not even once.”

“I see. Then—do you have any intention of accepting him as family?”

…Was that a joke?

Was there even a need to ask?

“Well then, allow me to speak now.”

Until this moment, Philippe had remained an observer.

But now, he casually flipped on his microphone.

And with just a single sentence, he effortlessly shifted the entire atmosphere of the room.

“Dungeon conquest is a matter of global cooperation for world peace.

Naturally, a complete conquest should be met with the highest respect and celebration.

Thus, as France’s official representative,

Vice President Pierre Martin will conduct a diplomatic visit to Japan.”

“WHAT?! THE VICE PRESIDENT IS GOING TO CONFRONT HAYAMA KUMA?!”

The reporters exploded with excitement.

Their energy surged, their voices overlapping in a frenzy.

“When will this take place?! Will there be a formal dinner with Hayama Kuma?!”

“One week from now.

Naturally, I will be meeting with the extraordinary young woman who accomplished this feat…

And it would be only natural for her fiancé, Hayama Kuma, to attend as well.

Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Non!!”

A unanimous response.

And just like that, my visit to Japan was sealed.

Hayama Kuma—prepare yourself.