READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 103
Charlotte was always focused solely on the Boss.
In her unconscious observations, she came to a realization.
‘Only women are attracted to the Boss.’
And only human-shaped women at that.
She had known for a long time that she thought of human women in a romantic way.
Recently, even Roxanne, the second in command from the Abyssal 10th Layer, came to the dungeon. She, who had previously been hostile to the Boss, suddenly showed kindness.
What had triggered this change remained a mystery.
Rumor had it that she had a change of heart during a meeting, but no one seemed to know the details.
Anyway, Charlotte desperately wished that it was merely goodwill and not genuine feelings.
Of course, she was aware of this herself.
With Roxanne having feelings for the Boss, and Roseha’s affection as well, there was no chance for her.
Even though she was also a boss of the Seven Lairs, Charlotte was a distinctly subordinate officer with clear boundaries.
From the start, it was blasphemous for Charlotte to have romantic thoughts about the Boss.
Yet, she had already imbibed enough of him to be hopelessly smitten.
How could she remain aloof?
‘Hero Lucas.’
She clutched the bone she’d tucked into her bosom.
He had been a hero who, while alive, protected witches.
It was impossible to stand against the Empire and take the witch’s side without a firm conviction.
Having sacrificed his life, was further explanation even needed?
She had liked Barugore, but knowing Lucas made her like him even more.
To the point that Charlotte prioritized the Boss over her own desires.
Even if he didn’t realize this, she intended to serve him for a lifetime.
As deeply as she had immersed herself in the Boss, she also found Cecilia to be repulsive.
“Master, can you braid my hair?”
“…Why would I?”
“You used to do it every day. You might not remember now, but you’ll recall after you start.”
Unable to resist her request, the Boss was braiding Cecilia’s hair.
Charlotte glared at Cecilia, who had her eyes gently closed.
‘Really, I want to kill her.’
What did the so-called knight think, asking the Boss for such a thing?
She couldn’t even believe that she needed to revive her memories with such a ridiculous reason.
It was only because the kind Boss conceded; in any other dungeon, he would have kicked her out long ago.
It didn’t matter that they had been a priest and a parishioner in the past.
In the end, had he lost all memory of that relationship?
Among the bosses of the Seven Lairs, Barugore had the deepest connection with Charlotte.
More than anything, Cecilia was the one who had once driven the Boss to the brink of death.
Seeing her now acting all cozy made Charlotte’s blood boil.
***
Feeling the murderous intent behind her, Charlotte turned her head slightly.
She was glaring at him with piercing eyes.
…I was feeling pretty intimidated.
“Kiric. Look at this. A butterfly made of shadows.”
“What is this shadow play? We’re not kids.”
“Little Isabella taught me how to do it.”
“…It’s surprisingly fun.”
In front of them, a hilariously absurd scene unfolded.
Is this genuinely the dungeon I know?
The kids were playing with shadows.
The knight was asking the Boss to braid his hair.
The subordinate was glaring as if she would kill him.
This wasn’t just any dungeon; it was the Seven Lairs—what bizarre times we were living in.
There was no point in being surprised anymore. It had always been like this.
‘Should I take one of them with me?’
I was planning to visit the seventh-ranking Hermit soon.
Having a guard would provide me with some comfort.
I was strong enough to need only one.
Hermit was the quintessential hermit.
Thanks to me, his identity hadn’t been exposed to the public, and in return, he was inadvertently benefiting from my presence.
Our interests aligned perfectly, making negotiation with him quite feasible.
‘Aside from his eccentric personality, he could prove useful in many ways.’
With the Old One having turned me into an enemy, I needed to build up my own power.
To quest for Hermit in-game, taking down the fifth-ranking Calandas was a prerequisite.
Of course, that was an in-game notion, but in reality, I could visit him at any time.
Coincidentally, reality had also become one where the conquest of Calandas was a step that could be taken immediately.
“I see you’re deep in thought.”
It was Charlotte’s voice, approaching from the side.
Just as I could read her blank expression, she could probably read mine as well.
I had secretly earmarked her as my companion.
After receiving the EX-grade Witchcraft, my level had risen to 92. With her powers as a wizard, she was useful in many ways.
Most importantly, Charlotte’s magic was crucial in creating return portals.
In fact, I had something more urgent to discuss than Hermit.
“Charlotte, call the merchant.”
“Yes.”
Despite the sudden request, Charlotte quickly pulled a ticket from her robe.
Her execution speed was astonishingly fast.
With a swift motion!
As she tore the ticket, a portal appeared in thin air.
As expected, the Demon Merchant leaped out of the portal when summoned.
He then bowed deeply.
“I greet your esteemed presence.”
[Lv. 56]
The Demon Merchant’s level was dark-colored.
I wondered why he looked so fearful; perhaps he was scared of lingering grudges from the execution.
Honestly, I had no particular feelings about it.
It was all in the past and had ended well.
Besides, if it came down to it, Roxanne’s unilateral decisions were supported by the Council’s compliance.
When the second in command said to jump, how could anyone challenge her?
“Fear not. I respect the Council’s position.”
“…Thank you. How have you been, my lord?”
The merchant bowed again.
I roughly nodded and got to the point.
“Does the Council have information about the new fifth in the Seven Lairs?”
“Ah, how did you know that…? Coincidentally, I received information this morning.”
I was glad I asked.
I gestured with my chin for him to continue, and the merchant bowed his head.
“You may find it hard to believe, but the new fifth Lord possesses a unique species.”
The Demon Merchant glanced at Estizel with sidelong glances, an instinctive attention to her.
Just from his gaze, I could guess who the fifth ranked again.
“Surprisingly, she is a half-demon.”
“…Is that so.”
I hoped it wouldn’t be true, but alas, it was Sara.
“Half-demon!?”
I could hear hurried footsteps coming from afar.
Hearing that, Estizel rushed over, pretending not to be listening.
“Is she really a half-demon!?”
“Yes. She has been confirmed to be a half-demon Lord, and she’s a female too.”
“Whoa….”
Taking in a sharp breath, the corners of her mouth lifted.
It’s no surprise; there’s a sense of shared identity, perhaps even motivation.
With a half-demon, who had been persecuted by society, now being the fifth in the Seven Lairs—might I also have a chance? This was evident on her face.
Everyone around, not just Estizel, seemed equally surprised.
“It seems there will be quite a commotion for a while. From the Empire and the Seven Magics as well.”
“Boss! I’m going to study! I need to rise in rank quickly!”
“Alright. Work hard.”
“Yes!”
She hurriedly turned back around, her sky-blue hair bobbing.
She also held her magical study glasses, which were quite handy; I felt pleased just watching her.
Speaking of which, the Necronomicon was divided among Calandas, Roseha, and Roxanne. Those three owned it.
Calandas’ one would be burying it deep in the dungeon, so I wouldn’t be able to get it, but Roxanne’s was worth borrowing.
She even offered me a divine artifact, so of course, she’d lend me the Necronomicon.
But that was a thought for later; right now, Sara was the priority.
“Any other personal details?”
“Excuse me for a moment.”
The merchant, gauging the situation, gently leaned his ear close to me.
“Don’t be alarmed. The half-demon Lord is also known as the saint of the Empire.”
With that, I was 100% certain it was Sara.
The Demon Merchant was looking at me intently, as if waiting for my reaction.
Despite telling me not to be surprised, was he hoping to shock me?
Unfortunately, as a Death Knight, I couldn’t show any expression.
Instead, I let out a sigh and opened my mouth.
“I’m a bit intrigued. Can you pass on a message to the new fifth Lord?”
“Yes. Just give me your orders.”
As of now, it was uncertain what stance Sara would take toward me.
Of course, knowing Sara, the chances were high that she would oppose me.
Sara was a fanatic even most zealots would regard as extreme.
For her, seeing a Death Knight wielding the Holy Sword was something she could never tolerate.
Though, for now, that was just my conjecture; the reality could be different.
“Tell the fifth Lord this: if a meeting of the 72 Lords is held to welcome a new ally, would she be willing to attend?”
“Perhaps…?”
“Still undecided. Just relay the message. The host is the seventh-ranked Barugore, and all 72 Lords could be present. If she doesn’t attend, ask her what the reason is.”
This was only a precaution.
If I met her face-to-face, I could verify her level, but I was worried that a direct meeting might be too hasty.
I couldn’t boldly probe her intentions, so I used the meeting as a pretext.
In fact, it didn’t seem strange since I had acted similarly when I was the new Seven Lairs.
‘How will Sara respond?’
The seventh rank, having replaced the former fifth, was about to summon a meeting to welcome her.
If she attends, I would confront her directly to amend our relationship; if she doesn’t, I could gauge her feelings by asking her reasoning.
“Yes. I will relay it immediately.”
***
About 30 minutes later, the portal opened, and the Demon Merchant sprang out.
In his hand was a scroll tied with red thread.
“I am honored to see my Lord.”
“Get to the point.”
The merchant hesitated, gauging my reaction.
Finally, with a tilt of my chin hinting him to hurry, he opened his mouth.
“I regret to inform you that she declined to attend.”
“Was there no room for reconsideration?”
“Yes. She flatly rejected it upon hearing about it.”
Flatly, huh.
This was a key moment to ascertain what Sara truly thought of me.
“What was her reason for rejection?”
Honestly, it was obvious without needing to ask.
She probably just didn’t want to speak with a heathen. Or perhaps she thought, “Why should I listen to your words?”
“That was conveyed in writing.”
As he spoke, the merchant handed me the scroll.
She declined verbally but sent the reason in writing.
Given that he chose to convey it to me, it seemed quite serious.
If the Council learned that those of the same Abyssal Lair were at odds, the repercussions would be significant.
With a grim heart, I untied the scroll and unfurled it.
Amid the vast space before me, only one sentence caught my eye.
-I am not yet prepared in my heart to welcome the divine.
“…?”
I involuntarily tilted my head.
What on earth does this mean?
Did she think the 72 Lords meeting was a feast for Jesus or something?
“Merchant, did you clearly state that it’s a meeting of the 72 Lords?”
“Yes.”
“Does she even know what a meeting is?”
“Yes, I made it clear it is a gathering of all 72 Lords.”
She knew yet still replied like that.
It made no sense at all; I began to rethink everything.
Could this message perhaps be some sort of code?
Other than that, I couldn’t interpret this missive.
After all, “unprepared to welcome the divine”?
There was no divine presence at the meeting─
‘…Divine?’
Suddenly, a game-related clue flashed in my mind.
The Apostle of the Outer God.
The Old One was a ranking 1 dungeon with nothing but hints surrounding it, one of which was its followers.
They each claimed to be the ‘Apostle of the Outer God’, treating the Old One as a deity.
The presence of all 72 Lords attending. The divine’s welcome. The hints of the Outer God associated with the Old One.
Everything fit together like a puzzle.
I was facing the enemies I had feared the most.
No, it appeared that Sara worshipped the Old One as if he were a god.
Was this even a butterfly effect? Was it that she had instead come to serve the Old One instead of Solari?
One thing was for sure; I was facing a worst-case scenario I hadn’t anticipated.
‘Damn, this situation is bad!’