Ahem.
Gathering the dungeon executives, Charlotte cleared her throat.
Well, there were only four of us—me, Charlotte, Isabella, and Balutak—so calling us executives was a stretch.
“Everyone, look at this.”
Charlotte displayed a newspaper headline announcing Balmunk’s death.
Since I had already seen it, I was unfazed, but Isabella visibly freaked out.
In contrast, Balutak merely tilted his head.
“Kirik? What’s this?”
“It’s a newspaper.”
“What’s a newspaper?”
“As you can see, the Empire has deemed us a threat. With the Faithful Hero dead, I suppose the shock is greater than we anticipated.”
“W-What are we going to do…?”
Isabella asked with a worried tone.
I totally got her concern; revenge was definitely on the table.
But hey, I didn’t regret it. If we hadn’t killed Balmunk, we would’ve been the ones dead, so what could we do?
“We need to prepare for the backlash. The good news is, we haven’t seen any movement from the headquarters yet. The merchant’s information isn’t 100% reliable, but it’s trustworthy enough.”
While the hunting party gets ready, we also prepare defenses in the dungeon.
The crucial first step is scouting to see if they’re planning an attack from that side.
If we didn’t have scouts, we’d have to buy info from the merchant, which Charlotte had already done.
There was no sign of activity from the hunting headquarters.
I sighed in relief over that fact but froze when I heard Charlotte’s follow-up.
“However, don’t let your guard down. Everyone, look at this.”
Shwoop, shwoop.
The next page of the newspaper featured a special report about the awakening of the Holy Sword.
Isabella gasped, covering her mouth, while Balutak tilted his head like he was having a déjà vu moment.
“Kirik. What’s that?”
“Wilhelm has awakened the Holy Sword. This could be a signal flare. The opportunity to target the seal of the ancient demon was similar. Back then, all four heroes were in perfect condition.”
This meant the Empire’s hunting headquarters relied on the four heroes.
The strategy to tackle The Seven Lairs depended on the Heroes’ conditions, so no further explanation was needed.
“If I were a high-ranking official of the Empire, I’d definitely target our dungeon.”
…Huh?
“The timing of Balmunk’s death and the Holy Sword awakening coincides perfectly. Most people might connect the dots and think the Holy Sword awakened because Balmunk died. They might think the dungeon he died in is a significant threat.”
What the heck, is that actually going to happen?
This is a sign we’re in deep trouble.
Not only am I unable to leak Calandas’s information, but my head could be on the chopping block too.
“We need to act quickly, but regrettably, we’re far from capable of dealing with this. I can already picture a future where the boss has to handle everything like last time.”
Back then, Balmunk was solo and got lucky, but this time the hunting party would definitely come in full force.
Even if we somehow blew up their weapons, it wouldn’t matter.
A hero is a hero for a reason—they’re ridiculously strong, even without any equipment.
“Everyone but the boss needs to sacrifice themselves to defend the dungeon. But… there’s no way we can compete against a hero who’s awakened the Holy Sword.”
I maintained a neutral expression, but somehow felt like I was losing hope.
His expression was blank, but somehow he looked a bit deflated.
I couldn’t help but understand his position before scolding my subordinates.
Not just any hero, but a hero who awakened the Holy Sword.
For Wilhelm, this dungeon was probably not even a playground.
‘Why does it have to be The Seven Lairs?’
I wanted to throw away the fake title of The Seven Lairs even now.
The world is holding a knife to my throat, telling me to be the boss of The Seven Lairs, and now they drop this trial on me.
“It’s a last resort for any dungeon boss to show up. I suggest forming an alliance to receive regular support from other lairs.”
When it comes to support from The Lairs, only one comes to mind.
It’s the boss who has helped before and holds me in good regard.
Even though it’s embarrassing to be in a position where I’ve accepted help twice, if I don’t, I’ll be dead.
To survive, I could kneel and sneak into Roseha’s skirt.
“For now, we don’t need troop support. If the extermination team shows signs of movement, we can request help then.”
We shared the same sentiment without needing to say it.
Claiming troops from other dungeons just because we were anxious would be a gross breach of etiquette.
We can keep an eye on the movements of the extermination command and request support right when they move.
Support through portals usually arrives immediately, so it shouldn’t be a big problem.
“Of course, we can always select a minimal elite force to send an extermination team. For the time being, I’ll focus on strengthening our forces. With fewer team members, a week should be enough for preparations.”
A week, huh.
Either she sensed my feelings, or Charlotte just chimed in.
“The worst-case scenario is that they arrive in less than a week… but I don’t think that’s likely.”
“And why’s that?”
“They have no information about this dungeon. Even if they do, it wouldn’t be of much use. To strategize properly, they’d have to send a vanguard at least once.”
“Hmm.”
“It’s too risky to use a top-tier force like a hero in an unknown dungeon. Especially since this is a new The Seven Lairs. They’d better have the slightest bit of caution.”
But if they come charging in thinking they can sacrifice a hero, wouldn’t we be helpless?
Of course, that’s just a possibility. It’s merely the worst-case scenario.
Maybe I should prepare for that and lay back on having some reinforcements as a standing army.
I could swallow my pride and ask Roseha, as she seemed to have a keen interest in me.
It was time to stop pondering and take action.
After that, things went smoothly.
Charlotte called the Demon Merchant, and the Demon Merchant went to the castle and came back again.
[Lv. 83]
Next to the returning merchant was a werewolf at hero level.
Dressed in formal attire, the werewolf bowed deeply, placing his hand on his chest.
“I greet your esteemed dignity. I am Gerold, the guardian of the fifth floor of the castle, filled with solemnity. The queen has granted permission for you to meet with Lord.”
Seeing such a strong figure before me made me feel both nervous and relieved.
The castle has ten floors, and guardians cover floors 1 to 9.
I’ll take care of this.
The fact that there are eight or more level 80 strongholds in the 5th layer means that our main force is well-equipped.
Honestly, I already know it from playing the game, but seeing it in person really hits home.
Even the minions of the night can exert extreme power like the Undead with a holy sword.
Since the holy sword has an aura mediated by sunlight, just by seeing the name “night” minion, one can tell it’ll be extreme.
But what if there’s no holy sword?
Just one burst of my enhancement magic on a holy sword would definitely turn the tide in our favor.
If there were just two more support troops like Gerold, I wouldn’t have to worry.
‘It’s not guaranteed support, though.’
How do I explain my situation so they’ll help me?
If not, I might have to kneel down and beg to join a faction.
“Let’s go right away.”
“Yes.”
Gerold guided me through the pink portal he came through.
As I crossed the portal, I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed.
‘Roseha, sis, help me out!’
*
After the boss left, in the vice-command room.
Charlotte let out a deep sigh and stared at the crystal orb.
“I should’ve given it to him.”
Realizing her mistake too late, but it was already too late.
A security crystal orb linked to the magic power room.
If, by any remote chance, the hero subjugation party attacked while the boss was absent, it would be catastrophic.
Since she didn’t even take the crystal orb, it was entirely possible that the dungeon could be cleared without the boss ever knowing.
“…There’s no way that would happen.”
The boss will be back in a day.
Moreover, the idea that they could attack today makes no sense.
A week would be fast enough. What’s the rush about today?
Just getting here from the system alone takes four days, at best two!
Charlotte shook her head and brushed off her anxiety.
Right. This is just paranoia.
*
On the mountainside, an abandoned sewage monastery suddenly appeared.
Sunlight shined through the cracked stained glass and illuminated an elderly man.
More aged than old, he gave off an impression of wisdom.
He was a holy knight fully armored in golden armor.
The pommel of his sword was in the shape of a solar cross, and even the rosary around his neck was a solar cross.
“Solari draws near to the broken-hearted and saves those who earnestly repent….”
The old man’s name was Wilhelm. The most holy warrior, also known as the great warrior of Solari, a hero of the empire.
Wilhelm knelt before a small wooden statue of the goddess, his eyes closed.
In his clasped hands on either side, there was a rosary, which he pressed against his wrinkled forehead.
Endlessly reciting prayers, he poured out his wishes.
“All of you are of one mind, loving one another, being compassionate and humble….”
Praying for the peace of his friend who had departed. Vowing to take revenge together.
After reciting the last line, Wilhelm rose from his knees.
Swish!
The paladins lined up on both sides drew their swords in unison.
The sundial’s hour hand pointed straight to noon.
The noon ritual was bound to be more brilliant and sacred than ever.
Kaang!
The first paladin’s sword clashed with Wilhelm’s holy sword.
At that moment, the holy sword emitted an even more radiant light.
The light forged by a human clung to the holy sword, enhancing its brilliance.
“He is the fire that burns away all evil.”
The paladin recited a verse and stepped back.
As Wilhelm approached the next paladin, they clashed swords again.
“He is our sun and our shield.”
The light forged by the two humans gathered around the holy sword.
“He came into this world as light so that the humans who believe in Him do not remain in darkness.”
The light forged by three humans made the holy sword even more resplendent.
“O all who await the sun in the dawn, your waiting is His joy.”
“The sun that rises at noon will not only be the healer of humanity but also its savior.”
“The sun is the light of the world. Its brilliance, when captured by the sea, is likened to pouring oil.”
“When the ocean becomes oil, how can the sunlight attached to it ever end the fate of Solari?”
A voice quietly chanting the verses, like sparks igniting the sound of logs burning.
The sound resonating within the holy ritual was sacred in itself.
All the paladins completed their verses.
Thus, Wilhelm’s holy sword radiated like the sun itself, glowing with unmatched brilliance.
Though the light was blinding, no one could close their eyes.
As children of Solari, they couldn’t miss the sight even for a moment.
“O 24 brave knights, today we erase a great evil.”
The paladins had cloaked themselves in capes as if hiding their armors.
The assault on the Seven Lairs of the Awakening was conducted in utmost secrecy, so not a single citizen of the Empire knew of this noble sacrifice.
However, if the assault were to succeed, all of humanity would surely rejoice in unison.
The paladins’ gazes were solely fixed on the holy sword.
Awakened by His revelation, the holy sword, alongside the heroes of Solari, felt no fear against any evil.
Even against the Seven Lairs.
Kiiing!
Wilhelm raised the holy sword high.
It looked as if the holy sword was supporting the sun visible beyond the glass.
“For Solari!”
A thunderous shout filled the monastery.
Then, the paladins raised their swords high enough to touch the skies.
“””For Solari!”””
“For the Empire!”
“””For the Empire!”””
“For Balmunk!”
“””For Balmunk!”””
“For Humanity!”
“””For Humanity!”””
At the mountain where the newly born Seven Lairs was located,
The shouts of the paladin order echoed from the abandoned monastery halfway up the slope.
Soon, they would annihilate the new great evil and bring an end to their vengeance.
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