The guilt I felt when I killed Balmunk and Wilhelm was as thin as a strand of thread.
It was an indisputable truth that they had tried to kill me first.
But now, that faint guilt was gone.
Was it because they weren’t human? Or was it because I treasured Charlotte more than I thought? Or maybe it was because I deemed them weaker than me?
Whatever the case, I had no regrets about the choice I made. I didn’t even want to turn back.
“This human is an aide to the grave of the Seven Lairs faith. Even if he acted out of ignorance, it’s a crime deserving of death. Let’s ask him. Did he really not know?”
“I-I didn’t know.”
“So you’re saying my aide didn’t inform you, Charlotte.”
“Your Highness! Th-that’s…”
Gergor hurriedly interrupted.
I struggled to find the right words for my answer.
“I-I did.”
“But why?”
So he knew full well and still acted like this?
“I’m sorry. I thought it was just a lie…”
“I’m not interested in your apology. Gergor. What about the responsibility for this rudeness?”
“I-I have committed a grave sin! Please execute me!”
“Just as you say.”
“…!?”
I stomped on Gergor’s head and raised my holy sword.
Gergor shook all over. With the last remaining arm, he grabbed my ankle.
It was absurdly pathetic, like a worm squirming.
“Y-your Highness! Please spare me!”
I didn’t even care about the begging Gergor.
The crowd that had gathered around was burning with excitement.
They were the spawn of the wild. They relished the sight of blood and flesh falling apart.
Moreover, if the opponent was one of the 72 Lords, the entertainment value doubled.
With so many eyes on me, it was only natural that rumors would spread in a day.
The current situation was perfect for showcasing my authority.
Gergor would fulfill his role as a sacrifice.
“Listen. Gergor, ranked 21, has harmed my aide from the Seven Lairs faith. Such a crime is deserving of death.”
“Aah…! Please! Aaaah!! Please, Your Highness! Just spare my life! I promise! I swear I won’t do it again! So please!”
“I will personally behead the sinner.”
The ground was drenched in Gergor’s tears, saliva, and blood. It was hard to distinguish whether his cries were pleas for mercy or the growls of a beast.
I didn’t feel any pity at all.
Gergor, your death will be worth it, so don’t take it to heart.
The tip of my sword fell down.
Slyth. His head was severed cleanly without resistance, like cutting through tofu.
The beastly growl was ended with a short gasp.
A silence filled with excitement enveloped the vicinity.
Hundreds of eyes, unblinking, were solely focused on me.
In the wide-open square, the boss of the Seven Lairs executed the rank 21 boss.
In a way, I had taken on the responsibility for their dopamine rush.
I lifted the head and spun around to show everyone.
Blood dripped down, causing a sensation of disgust, but my expression didn’t reveal it.
“The show is over. Everyone get lost.”
I lowered the head and raised my sword in the other hand.
“L-let’s go quickly.”
“Has it already been this late…”
The crowd, which had been glued to the spot, hurriedly began to disperse.
Naturally, only the three of us were left, and it was Balutak who broke the silence.
“Keyrick. Great leader, that was awesome. Balutak feels so refreshed.”
His simplicity allowed him to be purely pleased.
When I glanced at Charlotte, I could see her troubled thoughts reflected in her eyes.
As Charlotte stepped forward, she murmured.
“…This shouldn’t have happened.”
I had a feeling she would say that.
“I knew you could talk.”
“I respect and uphold all the decisions made by the boss. However, this time… I just can’t understand it.”
“Why were you just taking hits instead?”
The fact that the vice-captain of the Seven Lairs got hit by the 21st ranked member was a massive blow politically and positionally. If it ended with just the hits, my standing at the meeting would have dropped significantly.
Charlotte was not unaware of this.
As I scolded her with my words and gaze, Charlotte lowered her head, as if feeling embarrassed.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been thinking a lot about finding the best method. Because of that, I’ve messed things up.”
“Charlotte, you are the vice-captain of the Seven Lairs. Even if you killed that guy, it wouldn’t be as big of a problem as you think.”
“It would still be a just punishment if the boss executed him personally…”
Was she trying to gauge my reaction? Charlotte trailed off.
“Gergor is a boss belonging to a faction led by the 8th rank. The boss would be making enemies of the entire faction.”
I finally understood why Charlotte was trying to dissuade me.
According to her, in terms of factions, it wasn’t about ranking or the authority of the Seven Lairs. No matter how powerful the Seven Lairs were, making an enemy of a group was a huge risk. The political machinations of a group eliminate individuals silently.
I had only formed a temporary alliance with Roseha.
Seeing the relationship as close enough to ask for help was pure overconfidence. If they took on the bomb of faction fights to help me, Roseha would be in a difficult position.
If I were Roseha, I would just let this troublesome liability go.
“The timing is also wrong. This incident could become a weakness for the boss at tomorrow’s meeting.”
“What if I save this guy? What happens to my face?”
“There was no need to kill him. Just cutting his limbs would have been sufficient.”
I had killed a boss who belonged to a faction right before the meeting was held. It seemed at first glance like bad news piling on bad news.
‘Is this really the worst situation?’
With all eyes on me, I just killed the 21st ranked boss. The repercussions would be enormous, whether in a good light or a bad one. Still, I had no regrets. At least in my opinion, this choice was not wrong.
‘It actually turned out well.’
This incident was not a weakness, but a double-edged sword.
I had already decided to seize the initiative. With the execution of the 21st rank, I had nailed my image into the bosses’ perceptions. Whether this incident would act as notoriety or weakness at the meeting would depend on my actions.
“You shouldn’t kill him, but you should have given him a harsh punishment. That way, no one would look down on the boss, and they would appreciate your generosity.”
“Generosity? It doesn’t suit the Seven Lairs at all.”
Compassion, pity, and generosity would only undermine the reputation of the Seven Lairs. The Empire, the Sorcery Realm, and the 72 Lords saw the Seven Lairs as an overwhelming unknown terror.
“Generosity is just a sign of weakness. And if you’re weak, you’re no different from the powerless.”
I, a member of the Seven Lairs, had no need for generosity.
It was precisely because of this that Calandas had a name that exceeded his rank.
Charlotte remained silent for a while, fiddling with her fingers. I exhaled a breath that felt like frost.
“I understand everything you said. However, your actions were not satisfactory to me. You behaved inappropriately as a vice-captain.”
“I’m sorry.”
A gloomy aspect was visible behind her blank expression.
Yeah. She must have been the most shocked. I should at least give her a carrot.
“If something like this happens again, you can kill the other party. I will take full responsibility.”
“…Thank you.”
“And Charlotte, be honest.”
I nodded toward what used to be Gergor.
“Did you find him unpleasant to look at?”
Charlotte stared at Gergor in a daze. Then she sunk her head low, a faint grin curving at the corners of her mouth.
It floated.
“…Honestly, I feel relieved.”
As expected.
“That’s all that matters.”
*
The next day arrived after spending the night at a first-class inn managed by the Merchants’ Association.
A dark night. I boarded the carriage, also arranged by the Merchants’ Association.
The destination was the banquet hall located at the center of the mountain area.
It was a banquet hall, a ballroom, an auction house, and mainly a gathering place.
“I—I will depart now.”
The coachman’s level color was a deep black, symbolizing fear.
It seems they heard the rumors from The Seven Lairs yesterday.
Clop, clop.
The carriage smoothly rolled along the road.
It was comfortable for long periods – my backside didn’t hurt, and my back felt nice.
I heard that the Merchants’ Association treated The Seven Lairs with special care; indeed, the seat was comfy, and overall, the ride felt great.
Maybe it’s because I’m a Death Knight, but all the horses were skeletons.
And not just any skeletons; they were of high quality, comparable to prized steeds.
Speaking of prized steeds, it made me think of Helbok in a stream of consciousness.
“I hope Helbok is doing well.”
I left Helbok at the inn where I stayed for the night.
Now that I’m his owner, I confidently vowed to protect him with my life. He should be fine on his own.
“Whee! The breeze feels nice. It’s like I’m back home.”
Balutak leaned out of the window like a fool.
Yesterday, Charlotte had advised him to behave quietly during the meeting; I wonder if he’ll manage that.
“Honestly, I’m the one more worried.”
After overworking my mind all day, I felt drained.
In my head, I simulated countless worst-case scenarios and ways to deal with them.
Thanks to being Undead and not sleeping, my mind was crammed with quick responses.
It’s common sense, but solving all the upcoming adversities with just plans in my head was nearly impossible.
Still, I couldn’t just sit here twiddling my thumbs.
How I act going forward will determine my life or death.
I took a deep breath, exhaling a chill, and steeled my resolve.
“Phew. I’m trembling…”
It looked like Charlotte felt the same way.
After all, having a Human as the deputy of The Seven Lairs must weigh heavily on her.
Still, it wouldn’t be as much as my burden. This was a matter of life and death for me.
“Boss.”
Instead of answering, I met her gaze.
Charlotte, who had been floundering like a goldfish, finally managed to speak.
“I’m deeply honored, but may I rely on you, Boss? Ah, of course, I always have, but this time seems particularly serious.”
Actually, I should be the one relying more.
“Do as you wish.”
“Thank you.”
I was mostly tense, but on the other hand, I was also excited.
Once we got to the meeting, I’d finally see the real bosses of The Seven Lairs.
Among them, the first-ranked Old Ones.
I had never even seen Old Ones in game graphics before.
It was in the DLC featuring the King of Destruction, Balutak.
In that, there were six new bosses from The Seven Lairs.
That’s because no one had ever defeated the first-ranked Old One.
In a game system, players couldn’t even catch a glimpse of the Old Ones, let alone attempt to conquer them.
Even though it’s been over a decade since the release of <72 Dungeon Strategy Book>, the developers only fed breadcrumbs about the Old Ones.
Arguments ran rampant among players.
Some claimed Old Ones were a fictional existence.
Others said they would come out in a DLC soon.
Some believed that we just hadn’t found them yet and that specific conditions were needed to defeat them.
The developers maintained silence on this matter.
Even before I was possessed, the Old Ones existed only as a rumor, never showing themselves.
“It feels like they exist.”
From the dialogues of the bosses from The Seven Lairs, they didn’t seem like mere illusions.
The only bosses who had seen the real Old Ones were the bosses of the Abyss’s Ten Orders and Calandas.
The 10th circle boss and Calandas were united.
The boss of the 10th circle only had a line about not wanting to recall that memory.
Calandas had reportedly trembled all over with fear for the first time in his life as a lich.
…The anxiety is only growing.
If Calandas reacted like that, I might just faint when I see the Old One.
I might not act out because I’m undead, but I would definitely make a scene.
Forget about being excited. I wish I hadn’t even noticed it.
‘…Thinking about it, he probably won’t come, right?’
I’ve heard that only two people have seen the Old One in the Mortal Realm.
That means he hasn’t shown up at the 72 Dungeon Assembly until now.
If the Old One happens to show up at this assembly, it would be beyond annoying.
Clunk.
At that moment, the vibrations of the carriage stopped.
“Your Excellency, we have arrived.”
Before the coachman could move, Charlotte quickly opened the door and got out.
Then her assistant pointed outside cautiously, as if escorting her.
I stepped out without showing any signs, and Balutak followed suit.
As soon as I got out, I was overwhelmed by the size of the palace.
Is this even bigger than the imperial palace?
While I marveled, I sensed someone approaching.
“I present to you the owner of the 7th rank in the Mortal Realm.”
“Who are you?”
“I am Brion, a third-tier executive of the Dungeon Association. I am honored to be tasked with guiding you, my lord.”
[Lv. 71]
An orc with a level of 71? Not in a dungeon, but as a high executive of an association? That’s ridiculously high.
By the way, that tight suit was uncomfortable just looking at it.
‘He’s wearing black too.’
Although it wasn’t apparent, the orc seemed scared of me. It seems yesterday’s events swept through like a tsunami; at this point, all the bosses in the banquet hall must know about it.
We followed Brion up the central staircase of the palace.
A vast and long crimson carpet stretched endlessly.
Blue flames danced on the neat torches lined up on both sides.
Instead of illuminating the surroundings, they added to the dark ambiance.
Among those blue flames stood the Death Knights.
As we passed by them…
Swoosh!
The Death Knights simultaneously raised their swords in salute.
I wondered if a kinship would develop among Death Knights since we were the same.
At the moment, I had no time to care about the surrounding scenery.
“The boss looks the coolest. There’s no way to compare.”
Charlotte’s words didn’t even register in my ears.
My heart was pounding, devoid of tension.
At the end of the central staircase, a massive stone gate filled my vision.
To see it all, I had to crane my neck.
Once I pass through this gate, I’ll have to keep my place while stealing all the attention of the 72 monsters.
The build-up has been perfectly set.
How I present myself from now on will change the perception.
“Whoosh!”
Brion placed his hands on the stone door and pushed it with all his might.
Crumble…
With a grand sound, the stone door began to open.
In front of the fully opened door, Brion bowed deeply with his hand on his chest.
Having mentally prepared myself, I moved first, followed by Charlotte and Balutak.
– Owner of the 7th rank shrine of faith! Presenting Death Knight Barugore!
A thunderous voice of unknown origin echoed from within.
As if it was the trigger, all eyes turned toward me.
In the darkness, red, orange, blue, and green… multicolored eyes glowed.
The variety didn’t stop with just eye colors.
Deep black, unmistakable fear.
Deep orange, clear vigilance.
Occasionally spotted light red, hostility.
But there wasn’t a single green eye to be seen.
Contrary to my inner thoughts, I feigned calmness and took a step forward.
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