READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 95
As my vision cleared, I saw a tower soaring high into the sky.
I thought we would just zip right over to the round table, but turns out we had to walk from here.
Waiting by the main gate was a woman with fiery red hair and a rich pink aura hovering above her.
Naturally, as we drew nearer, Roseha flashed her signature eye-smile and waved her hand energetically.
“Did you come here, darling?”
The council members only offered her a nod.
It was against protocol, but Roseha seemed completely unfazed.
If you think about it, she was an accomplice who helped me in Calandas’s demise.
“Greetings, illustrious Lord.” Isabella and Estizel bowed beside me.
“Ugh, no, stop!” Roseha waved her hands dismissively.
Well, she had a personality that shied away from formalities.
Given the disdain from the council members, it wasn’t surprising.
The agenda of the meeting also included a discussion about my sister’s fate and Roseha’s involvement.
Unbothered, Roseha was giving her usual flirty smile.
She must have known everything, yet somehow felt disconnected from the situation.
“Aren’t you feeling anything?”
“Huh? Oh, nah, I’m good. You seem a bit tense?”
It was obvious she was putting on a brave face.
“You knew this would happen. Don’t stress too much, darling. But if you do get nervous, lean on me. I’ll make it work, you trust me, right?”
Despite her words, her hands trembled faintly.
There was no way Roseha wasn’t afraid, and I had seen that side of her once before.
I discreetly took her hand in mine.
Her bright red eyes reflected my figure.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got everything covered.”
“…Okay.”
We passed through the main gate, led by the council members toward the conference room.
As we climbed the stairs, I repeated countless affirmations in my mind.
To stay calm and keep my composure.
I had been overly sensitive before, especially after Roksanne’s announcement, so I resolved not to let that happen again.
At the top of the stairs, we reached a massive stone door.
Creeeak—
As the stone door swung open, many gazes landed on us at the grand round table.
In the dim light, red, orange, blue, and green lights glimmered from various auras.
Along with the colorful lights, the levels came into view.
Dark black. Deep orange.
Red and green were also surprisingly present.
I stepped forward, feigning calm.
As I moved, I noticed the red and green auras resonating with each other.
Then I caught sight of thrones that were anything but ordinary chairs.
Seven specially prepared seats for the Seven Lairs.
As of now, the only apparent Undead Lair Lords were Daron and Renlin.
Thanks to that, I had a moment to mentally prepare myself.
We took our seats as directed by the council members.
The room was utterly silent. It was a far cry from the noise of our first meeting, filled with a solemn atmosphere.
It makes sense, given that one Lord had just slain another.
“I’m sorry to see you again like this,” Daron broke the silence.
I took in more of his level than his face.
Did he understand my reasoning? The green aura stayed steady.
I swallowed my relief and nodded.
Daron didn’t say another word after that, and I couldn’t blame him.
Given the atmosphere, he could easily slip up and say something he’d regret.
Whether intentional or not, hearing supportive words from others could only backfire on him.
I worried he might draw the line, but luckily that fear was unfounded.
“Barugore, hello!”
“Hey, Barugore!”
The twin Renlin waved cheerfully.
Since they were still sporting green auras, I lightly nodded back.
Honestly, I could understand if their feelings had changed.
Even if they knew my intentions, it was true that I had, in essence, supported humans.
I hadn’t just tiptoed around; I had openly sided with humans to eliminate Calandas.
I was labeled a traitor by the 72 Lords. It wouldn’t be weird if they regarded me with wariness or hostility.
Despite my concerns, the three still extended me goodwill.
My sister’s fate would be discussed thoroughly, with debates, arguments, and votes conducted with the 72 Lords’ authority.
I glanced around again, comparing the dozens of aura colors.
‘…I can manage this.’
Of the three Undead Lair Lords, Roseha was entirely on my side.
Daron and Renlin’s stance wasn’t certain, but their hearts seemed friendly enough.
They’d probably show opposition or remain neutral; there was no way they’d vote in favor.
Creeeak—
A loud noise echoed from the door just then.
Like a reflex, everyone’s eyes locked onto the source.
Long, lustrous black hair and glowing eyes. A resplendent dress that blended seamlessly with the deep, dark tones.
With everyone’s attention directed toward her, Roksanne walked in, her steps oozing with haughtiness.
Naturally, her level was an intense red.
With her dress fluttering, Roksanne took a seat at the empty throne.
Her gaze casually swept across the room until it caught mine.
The corners of Roksanne’s mouth turned upward.
“Did you receive the letter I sent?”
“Just say it straight. It’s threatening, isn’t it?”
Tap. Tap.
Roksanne lightly tapped the round table with her fingertips.
“Still, you look well. I can’t see you as a traitor who killed your comrade. You’re utterly disgusting, Barugore.”
“The 72 Lords haven’t all arrived yet. Mind your words.”
“What if I don’t?”
…Damn, she’s something else.
“Why should I listen to you? Don’t you know your own place, Barugore?”
“….”
“Such formalities are just for your sake. Is there anyone here who can stop me from speaking?”
I knew it, but she was even more reckless than I imagined.
“Don’t worry, Barugore. I’d love to kill you right here, but I’ll hold off for now. The trial will proceed as you wish, following all protocol. This is your mausoleum, Barugore.”
“Looks like a coward barking.”
I responded with exactly one line.
Crunch. Whether it worked or not, Roksanne gritted her teeth.
“I’ll make sure to kill you myself. I’ll drag your soul out and toy with it.”
“Madam. No, Roksanne.”
Just then, Roseha, who had been quiet, interjected.
Roksanne’s eyes widened for a moment before narrowing like a predator’s. She shot a sidelong glance at Roseha.
Roseha grinned, completely unfazed.
“Shut it. Don’t make a scene.”
“What?”
…I was a bit taken aback.
Roseha had maintained a friendly relationship with Roksanne up to this point.
Even if she was on my side, I didn’t expect her to confront her like this.
“Keep quiet. Is that so hard?”
“Hah!”
“I’m warning you, if you lay a finger on Barugore, I won’t just stand by.”
Bang!
Roksanne slammed her palm on the round table and stood up in a flash.
The menacing aura radiating from her filled the room.
“There was a time when I looked upon you favorably. But that’s all in the past.”
Roksanne pointed a finger at me.
“Since the moment you got cozy with that guy, my opinion has shifted. Elderich was right. You’re nothing but a treacherous queen of harlots.”
“…Seriously.”
“You’re no different from that scoundrel. I will personally eliminate the traitors.”
“Lady Roksanne, maintain your decorum.”
“You’re scared, huh?”
“I’m scared! I’m scared!”
She threw a tantrum all by herself, forgetting decorum.
After scanning the upper seats, Roksanne plopped back down.
Even so, her anger seemed far from dissipated as she crossed her arms and gritted her teeth.
Those fierce, focused eyes were locked solely on me.
“I’ll make it clear, Barugore. If it comes down to it, I can turn everyone here into your enemies just to take you down.”
“….”
“My justifications would be to restore order, but… well, I admit it. I purely want to kill you for personal reasons.”
“I see a child when I look at you.”
I’ve thought that for a long time.
This woman, decorated with power and looks, is, in contrast, utterly pathetic inside.
She’s over a thousand years old, yet her emotions come first like a child.
“Carried away by your own emotions, you can’t even differentiate right from wrong, nor assess the situation. That’s you, Roksanne.”
“You’re talking about yourself. It was your emotions that led you to kill Calandas.”
“I acted entirely out of calculation. I eliminated him for my own safety. But you, that’s a different story. Every action you take, now and then, stems from your emotions.”
“….”
“You can’t even control your own feelings. A Dragon Lord? Hardly. You’re just a sad little child.”
Bang!
Roksanne stomped her foot violently.
With the noise, cracks spiderwebbed across the marble floor.
Crack! The tremor spread from the cracks, causing the round table to tilt.
Roksanne stood up, abruptly.
“Barug—”
Her heavy footsteps headed straight for me, then came to an instant halt.
From that moment on, Roksanne’s eyes trembled as if quaking. They fixed on the stone door.
Likewise, everyone’s gaze shifted there.
In the darkness, a shadowy silhouette moved closer without a sound.
A menacing yet alien energy overwhelmed the room.
From it, I could sense a level. Intuition made it clear before anything else.
The First of the Hierarchy, the Old One.
[Lv. ■■ (?)]
A mysterious square replaced the usual numbers. The question mark beside it felt both strange and familiar.
The puppet body that Roseha possessed had such a question mark attached.
If so, then what approached wasn’t the main body, but perhaps a clone or an avatar.
Regardless, it was undoubtedly the Old One.
Dark as if fused with shadows.
The only recognizable form was that of a human imitation. The insides felt infinitely inscrutable and alien.
“Take a seat.”
The Old One spoke first to Roksanne.
As they locked eyes, Roksanne’s throat quivered slightly. Eventually, she sat obediently.
My gaze was solely fixed on the Old One’s level.
I didn’t care what that square meant.
Because they still hadn’t looked my way, the square remained white.
I wanted to know what emotion they felt when they glanced at me.
Soon enough, their gaze found me.
Deep red.