READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 123
In the end, the relic that Roxanne found is safely tucked in my arms.
‘Double the sweet haul.’
Along with the relic, the ownership of Roxanne has also passed to me.
Thanks to that, I no longer had to be on guard around her, feeling anxious.
It’s not exactly a bribery, but I’ve dragged her into my side, whether she likes it or not.
Considering Roxanne’s fiery temperament, a superior-inferior relationship might be better.
After all, she’s ranked second in the hierarchy.
For now, it’s comforting that she can’t escape my control.
“It was an honor to meet my ancestor’s visage.”
Roxanne bowed so low I could see the top of her head.
She had a satisfied expression, as if her disciplinary action was justified.
“By the way, these treasures, I gathered them back when I was a child. I was going to throw them away later, but I got lazy and just left them. You know how dragons are—such a boring clan. You really think I like shiny treasures? I mean, come on, I’m an adult now. I see shiny treasures and feel nothing. I don’t even get nostalgic. Really, I’m not joking; I just let them sit there from when I was a kid. No empty words here, I promise.”
“….”
I was momentarily speechless by her flood of words.
Maybe she was concerned about the surroundings because of the treasure?
Collecting gold and precious gems is a hobby that a hatchling might have, akin to children’s toys for humans.
I had known about the treasures in the Boss Room before coming and simply shrugged it off.
But now she was just rambling, downplaying the whole thing.
“I get it. If the chance arises, see you again.”
“I’ll drop by sometimes just to say hi, ancestor! I’ll also ask for your teachings. Oh, should I see you off to the Mausoleum of Faith?”
“No need for that.”
What a burden, why the need for an escort?
I had to stop her from insisting on seeing me off three more times.
Eventually, even Roxanne gave up her stubbornness and complied.
“How do you plan to deal with the Old One?”
Given Roxanne’s personality, she would naturally seek revenge, but the Old One was a different story.
He was the only one she genuinely feared.
That said, Roxanne wasn’t the type to remain idle either.
“As you know, that guy crossed the line first. I can’t just sit back and let it be.”
“And?”
“I’m alone in this. I need to create means to fight against the Old One. I’m thinking of forming a faction, close to an alliance.”
“You’re planning on recruiting the Undead Lair Lords.”
“Exactly.”
To effectively oppose the Old One, that approach was indeed the best.
There was plenty of justification.
If word of this incident got out, Renlin, Daron, and Roseha wouldn’t just sit by.
Even though she was intending to use her rank two status, how much more would those ranked below her feel?
‘If Roxanne is the leader, the binding will be easy.’
Unlike the Old One, with whom she had over a thousand years of acquaintance, their bond was deep.
I had already set my stance against the Old One, so it was only natural to assist Roxanne.
Especially now that the Old One had taken Sara in, I had to build my own faction too.
“So, about that, ancestor. Is there any chance you would join the faction…?”
The implication was clear: she was hinting for me to join her faction.
She was so hesitant in her wording, probably worried that I wouldn’t appreciate being subordinate to her.
Honestly, I didn’t mind at all.
With my rank far below hers, I was actually itching to be part of something.
“I know without you saying. So let’s make it happen.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I had the same thought.”
“…Thank you. With you on my side, I feel so secure.”
Roxanne bowed her head in gratitude.
Feeling an odd sense of detachment, I waved my hand to brush it off.
“I must be going now. See you later.”
“Yes! Take care!”
***
Upon reaching the eighth floor, Roseha approached with a curious look.
Her lips curved into a smile.
“Did you solve the issue yourself?”
Since her rank would have changed back to sixth, it was only natural she would know.
I pondered how to explain when I remembered Roseha had once faced a similar situation.
I pointed at her chest, saying “Calasutra Amethyst,” which was its meaning.
“Uh? You want to touch it?”
This is ridiculous.
“Calasutra Amethyst. It was a similar binding tool. I heard it was the Old One’s doing.”
“Ah… So, just like that time, you…?”
“Yep.”
“Oh, they must have been head over heels for you then, huh?”
Although my favorability rating had risen, I didn’t feel the need to affirm it.
Suddenly, Roseha clung to my arm.
Her arms tightly wrapped around me as she interlocked her fingers seductively.
“You know? I’m the main mistress here.”
Main mistress or whatever—I’m a Death Knight, for crying out loud!
What could a genderless undead even understand about that?
Exactly—Ugh!
When Roseha snapped her fingers, a pink portal opened.
“This portal leads to the Mausoleum of Faith. You should go ahead first.”
“And what about you?”
“I want to greet the elder’s face. Since I’m here, I should at least exchange pleasantries. I have plenty to talk about anyway.”
“You sure you won’t wait for me?”
“Ah, why would I? I might take a while. See you later!”
Two women chatting away would surely take a long time anyway.
With no regrets, Roseha waved her hand lightly.
I returned the gesture and pushed myself into the portal.
*
When I returned, the portal’s coordinates were in the Boss Room of the Mausoleum of Faith.
Whether or not he was stationed there, I saw the Hermit, who took the form of a fox god, on the skeletal throne.
He appeared to be sound asleep, breathing softly with his eyes closed.
‘Why is he sleeping here?’
I hesitated at the thought of waking him, feeling it would be rude to disturb someone so peacefully resting.
As soon as I stepped out of the Boss Room, footsteps flooded towards me, almost as if they’d been waiting.
Isabella led the charge, followed closely by Cecilia, Estizel, and Balutak.
“Did you go kill someone again?”
What the heck are you talking about?
Isabella stood in front of me, asking that out of nowhere.
Estizel, along with the others, shot her a weird look.
“…Who’s killing whom here?”
I had just helped Roxanne and came back with a relic; who would I have killed?
Swoosh! Isabella opened a newspaper with an air of revelation.
“Isn’t this all Boss-related?”
She pointed at the headlines in the paper with her fingertip.
Standing there, I found myself questioning my own vision.
Starting with Duke Zanjiba, all prominent figures had been replaced. Even part of the 72 Lords had changed.
No, “replaced” wasn’t quite right.
From the looks of it, the knights had been purged under the radar—it was no different than a secret assassination.
“Did the Boss do this directly, or was it orchestrated by someone?”
I was at a loss for words; how could I even think to orchestrate the deaths of not just one duke but all of them?
How would I handle the aftermath?
Even if I could manage it, this act would harm my reputation beyond recovery.
‘This isn’t Roxanne’s doing.’
She was never careless enough to commit such an act without thought.
Charlotte was in the same boat. She had been holed up in her room, right?
The only one who could possibly act in a blind rage and lose control would be…
My gaze unintentionally fell upon Cecilia.
Also, Cecilia pointed at herself with a puzzled expression, a question mark floating over her head.
“Not me, Master.”
“Really?”
“Really. It wasn’t me. I’ve been right here all along.”
Cecilia put on a very aggrieved expression.
At this point, I decided to rethink.
Could it be that an opposing faction had planned this cut on my reputation intentionally?
…The Old One or Sara?
If I thought about it, Sara could easily pull strings and cover up the evidence.
The Old One might have given her the go-ahead, or it could be her own independent act.
Either way, it was clear they were aiming politically to bury me.
‘What a terrifying woman.’
I was taken aback by Sara’s scheming.
At present, Sara was the most pressing issue, even more so than the Old One.
How on earth should I deal with her… Should I give Roxanne a heads-up?
*
After Barugore left, Roxanne quietly pieced together a rough plan.
“There’s plenty of justification…”
There had never been a union among the Undead Lair Lords before.
However, this situation was something even neutral parties couldn’t overlook.
If they did, the same victims would keep appearing.
The remaining lords had to band together against the Old One.
This was an unprecedented conflict among the 72 Lords, and the Old One had crossed the line first.
Faction formation would happen, but whether it led to armed conflict depended on the other side’s reaction.
The previous conflict between Calandas’s faction and Roseha’s faction served as a prime example.
“As for the fifth rank…”
I still knew nothing about the Undead Lair ranked fifth, so I put that on hold.
The remaining Undead Lair Lords were obviously more than willing to join as allies.
Setting aside the gravity of the situation, they all shared a strong bond with their leader (designate).
“I don’t need to ask Roseha.”
She was exceptionally close to the leader—rather, they were practically inseparable.
Given that, Roseha’s faction had essentially blended in already.
I suspected that Renlin wouldn’t be a concern either, and even Daron, who maintained neutrality, would be inclined to side with us more than seven times out of ten.
‘No one would dare question the leader’s authority.’
There would be no doubt or inquiry; the leader’s influence would solidify the bond.
Though ranked seventh, they were part of an indivisible Undead Lair.
Under the understanding of being singular, Barugore was effectively regarded as a second-ranked lord.
If anyone thought of an opponent for the Old One, Barugore would come to mind first.
Having secured the subject’s agreement, the head of the faction had been decided.
Of course, I had no intention of foisting any troublesome tasks on him.
Roxanne preferred to manage faction recruitment herself, using his name instead.
“I suppose things are going to get busy for a while.”
Knock, knock!
A sound broke my thoughts, as Roxanne spoke up, and a subordinate bowed respectfully as the door opened.
“My lord. The sixth-ranked lord has requested an audience.”
“Is it Roseha?”
Well, that works out!
Roxanne murmured briefly and nodded.
“Bring her in. I need to have an urgent talk with Roseha.”