READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 126
After a two-day seclusion, Charlotte returned, and everyone bowed in front of her.
“I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused.”
*Clap clap clap!*
Everyone was clapping, seemingly delighted.
Before long, Isabella and Balutak linked arms and began to dance with abandon.
Estizel put her fingers in her mouth and whistled, while Cecilia pretended to be uninterested but was clearly swept up in the festive mood.
Later, when Charlotte spoke about our relationship from ten years ago, everyone’s attention briefly shifted to me.
Isabella widened her eyes in surprise.
“Wow, Boss, you must be quite the person! Or is it because you forgot, and it doesn’t matter?”
“Forgiveness isn’t that easy! It’s because you’re the Boss that they could forgive you!”
“Well, well. You really are something. I thought you were narrow-minded for killing a Duke just because someone insulted you.”
“…I said it wasn’t me.”
From the influential figures in the Abyss, down to the 72 Lords, they were all major players.
There was no way I would kill someone over mere teasing when I had no connection to them.
It was clear that Sarah was trying to bury me.
It wasn’t certain that Sarah was the main suspect, though.
So I refrained from mentioning it outright.
I couldn’t jump to conclusions based solely on a hunch without any material evidence.
“What are you talking about?”
Charlotte blinked her eyes in confusion.
Come to think of it, she had been cooped up in her room for two days, so she wouldn’t know.
“This!”
Estizel suddenly thrust a newspaper at me. Talk about being prepared.
Taken by surprise, Charlotte gradually began to read through it and then flipped to the next page.
Glancing over, I noticed Charlotte’s gaze linger on one spot.
“Why are you looking at me again?”
“Because I thought it might be you.”
I understood her feelings. At first, I thought it was Cecilia too.
Given that Charlotte had nearly faced life and death, it made sense for her thoughts to lean in that direction.
Cecilia denied it five times before Charlotte finally looked away.
“It seems to be a hostile faction of Lord Barugore.”
Even without her explanation, I shared the same thought.
Though I didn’t say anything, the other executives seemed to agree as they nodded quietly.
“Originally, the 72 Dungeons and the Seven Realms are separate domains, but it seems that they could become intertwined.”
Up until now, 72 Lords and 7 Dukes maintained a mutually respectful relationship without friction over benefits.
Undeniably, a crack had formed in that relationship.
It could still be smoothed over for now, but if it escalated, as Charlotte said, they might completely sever ties.
“I need to clear up any misunderstandings.”
Even if the Seven Dukes were a level below the Seven Lairs, they were still Dukes.
The political standing of the powerful figures in the Realms couldn’t be underestimated.
Moreover, having turned the Old One into an enemy, I needed to solidify my own power.
I had been planning to build connections with the Dukes someday.
As it happened, Roxanne proposed forming factions, and if the Duke faction joined in, I would have a force against the Old One.
The Old One’s strength was in the unknown.
If I were to confront him, I’d have to mobilize all available power.
“It’s not over yet.”
Just as I had only a hunch about Sarah, they were only suspecting me based on hunches as well.
So there was still an opportunity.
I hoped to somehow arrange a meeting with the Seven Dukes and clear up any misunderstandings.
*Woosh!*
At that moment, a portal appeared in the air.
The Demon Merchant, now effectively my aide, jumped down.
For the record, there was a reason a mere merchant was in charge of the Undead Lair.
In fact, it wasn’t a big deal; it was simply because he made a good first impression, which led to my request.
“Greetings to you, my lord.”
His greeting, now a staple, had become hard to go without.
Before he even stated his business, my gaze was drawn to something in his hands.
He was holding a piece of stationery, but the seal was different from the Council’s.
“What’s that?”
“Ah! It seems you have a keen eye. I have come to deliver an invitation.”
As the merchant bent down again, he handed me the letter.
“It is an invitation from Duke Prifatana.”
A Duke?
But wait, an invitation?
Could this be the perfect opportunity?
While I was intently examining the letter, the Demon Merchant began to explain.
“Duke Prifatana is planning a feast to celebrate his 100th birthday. All Seven Dukes have already confirmed their attendance, and invitations have also been sent to the Undead Lords. Ah, except for Daron, of course.”
With Daron being such a big guy, it’s no surprise he was left out.
“When’s the date?”
“In three days.”
“That’s soon.”
It’s not like I had a mandatory obligation to attend this gathering, and yet for me, this was a golden opportunity.
I had been intending to arrange a meeting with the Dukes, but then, my train of thought abruptly cut off.
“They’re going to be on guard against me, right?”
Rumors floating around suggested that the Duke’s assassination was at my behest.
Since one of their own had been murdered, fear must have crept up on them, reaching their throats.
Naturally, this would lead to two different speculations.
Were they planning to eliminate me under the pretense of this invitation, or were they willing to set aside their suspicions and seek unity?
Even putting the former aside, the likelihood of that was slim.
If the Seven Dukes wanted me dead, how would they handle the aftermath?
If they had eyes and ears, they’d understand my position in the Undead Lair.
It was almost certain that it was the latter, but due to that guy’s paranoia, an unease settled over me.
“…Are the other Undead Lairs attending?”
The merchant said they had sent invitations to the Undead Lords.
That meant Roxanne and Roseha had received theirs too.
If even one of them came along, it would completely ease my worries.
Just as I was waiting, the merchant replied.
“Only Queen Roseha has expressed her intention to attend. Additionally, she designated you as her partner for the ball.”
Out of nowhere, huh?
“If she stated that I would definitely agree, did she?”
“….”
She made a decision without discussing it with anyone, but honestly, I was glad.
Having Roseha by my side would be like having an army at my back.
In any case, it seemed the Seven Dukes were seeking a close relationship with me by sending an invitation.
Even if it were the opposite, having Roseha there would still be a good backup, just in case.
There was no need for excessive worry or contemplation.
“Convey my intention to attend.”
I hoped to clear up the misunderstandings and establish camaraderie while at it.
***
A clandestine meeting of the Dukes in the Realms.
Duke Prifatana let out a heavy sigh.
“So, have you all made a decision?”
A heavy silence settled in the room.
Although it was confirmed through letters, it was still a matter not easily entered.
“Duke Sanjiva is dead. And even now, there’s no sense of urgency?”
“Even so, your approach… seems too extreme, don’t you think?”
Everyone fell silent, yet all agreed with Duke Lauraaba’s words.
Even Sanjiva’s agents, including existing Dukes’ sons, were on board.
“The identity of the perpetrator remains uncertain. How can we make such a rash decision?”
“Then are we to sit idly and do nothing?”
“That might be the better option.”
As long as the truth remained obscured, they intended to maintain neutrality.
Even if Barugore were to be behind it, they’d choose to submit.
Could the Seven Dukes unite and stand against the Mausoleum of Faith?
Even if that were conceivable, what about the Castle? The Abyssal 10th Layer?
“To suggest we kill Barugore on the day of the celebration… Is that a sensible proposal?”
“One more thing.”
“Right, and Roseha as well. Does that even make sense?”
The targets mentioned by Duke Prifatana were not limited to just Barugore.
Also, Roseha, who had wiped out Duke Calasutra and his family in the past.
It was certainly feasible to kill them by sealing their special powers, but that happened decades ago, and it wouldn’t provide enough justification.
Whether he was aware of it or not, Duke Prifatana brought it up.
As expected, the room responded with indifference.
“I’ll ask again. Are you in your right mind, Duke?”
“I intend to distance myself.”
“Me too.”
If it were to leak that they conspired together, it was as good as death for them all.
However, Duke Prifatana had backing.
From the start, his push had more weight from external influence rather than his own volition.
“I have said repeatedly, that person is watching our backs.”
The first in the hierarchy, the Old One.
He knew the Dukes would raise issues about Sanjiva’s death and the potential purges that might follow.
Thus, he had lured Duke Prifatana, although some were suspicious of the Old One’s schemes.
“Barugore’s power is growing by the day. What will you all do when he stretches his influence to the Seven Realms?”
That was an undeniable fact.
The 2nd and 6th ranks of the Undead Lairs were openly siding with him, while even the 3rd and 4th ranks maintained friendly relations.
With an unprecedented power structure, Dukes were anxious about their interests being siphoned away.
Barugore’s renown, military force, and influence.
It was no exaggeration to say the Dukes had no means of acting if Barugore set his sights on the Realms.
Leaving aside the assassination of Duke Sanjiva, Barugore was indeed a figure to be cautious of.
“Don’t you all find Barugore quite despicable? The one who sided with humans and killed Lord Calandas.”
Champion of humanity. Killer of Calandas.
Although it wasn’t openly expressed, everyone cultivated deep-seated resentment toward Barugore.
However, everyone merely swallowed their words.
That was understandable, as the Realms operated on the principles of extreme strength.
In such a context, it was only rational to submit to the stronger party if one was weaker.
“Roxanne has already expressed her intention not to attend. So it’s just Roseha and Barugore. If this isn’t an opportunity, then what is? Are we truly going to let Barugore’s rampant behavior slide?”
“What can we do about it…?”
Even if the Old One had their back, they couldn’t completely let their guard down.
After a deep, relieving sigh, Duke Prifatana pulled something from his pocket.
It was a small eyeball.
He didn’t just pull out one; there were exactly seven, one for each Duke.
The eyeballs rolled around, scanning their surroundings.
“What is that?”
“It’s a treasure bestowed by the Old One.”
As he concluded his remarks, Duke Prifatana popped an eyeball into his mouth.
At that moment, everyone around was taken aback, sensing an overwhelming pressure emanating from him.
The level of pressure was nearly comparable to the Seven Lairs.
Duke Prifatana tapped the round table with his fingertip.
With a loud *crack*, the table split.
He had done this with his bare hands, or rather, just his fingers.
Everyone was left speechless, unable to believe the sight before their eyes.
Before long, the overwhelming presence he had subsided.
“In just three minutes. A temporary but massive power boost.”
“…Like a potion.”
“That’s one way to put it. In any event, if you consume this, you can gain strength comparable to that of the Undead Lairs.”
Are we to use that power to dispose of the two Lords?
The Dukes’ thoughts drifted in that direction too.
There were seven eyeballs in total.
Moreover, the fact that he had consumed one as a demonstration implied that the Old One could mass-produce them.
The Old One.
If one could devote loyalty to such a mysterious absolute being…
“Any side effects?”
“None at all. Everyone, worry not, and align yourselves with the Old One. The reins of power have already shifted to him.”
“…Please elaborate on your plans.”
“The Old One’s thoughts too.”
With a smirk, the corners of Duke Prifatana’s mouth formed a crescent arc.