NOVEL NEXT Chapter 30
I was ready in my heart, but now that it’s actually happening, I’m super nervous.
I have to walk into the lair of 72 monsters myself.
Six of them belong to the ranks of the strongest beings in this world, able to kill me like breathing.
I really felt my situation hit home as I had to stand shoulder to shoulder with those monsters.
As if he didn’t know my state of mind, the Demon Merchant was rambling on by himself.
“Sorry for the late congratulations! Wow, the tomb of the 7th-ranked faith! I must say, I’m in awe of the achievements of the boss. Who would’ve guessed you’d repel two heroes in less than a month since your birth?”
Ugh… what a refreshing look, like he just drank a soda.
Maybe feeling emotional, the Demon Merchant was trembling his tightly clenched fist.
“Even Wilhelm, who awakened the holy sword…! Normal humans usually rely on faith to stand against the Demon King, right? In that sense, you’re truly a model of the Demon King!”
“….”
“The Empire is terribly afraid of the new reincarnation of the Seven Lairs. The demon realm is in chaos over your achievements; they’re talking about the end of humanity itself…”
“Enough.”
It’s a bit weird when someone’s licking your behind right in front of you.
Seriously, there’s a limit to how much you should lick. The end of humanity and all, it’s embarrassing for the listener.
“I apologize, Your Highness. I got so excited that I made a bit of a scene.”
“I require a detailed explanation about the meeting.”
Even though I’ve been in the game for 30,000 hours, this is my first time being in a dungeon boss position.
Naturally, a single summons wouldn’t provide enough information. Perhaps the merchant came as a delivery guy and an info dump.
“Since it’s your first meeting, let me explain, if I dare.”
As if he had been waiting, the Demon Merchant started babbling smoothly.
Overall, the 72 dungeons gather to enjoy a feast and participate in an auction hosted by the conference. Finally, the Seven Lairs take the upper seats for a round table conference.
It seems like the agenda mostly revolves around plotting the extermination of humanity, resolving conflicts among each other, and ultimately solidifying internal unity.
“However, this time will be a bit different. The new Seven Lairs are here, because of you, Your Highness.”
I silently waited for the merchant to explain exactly what that meant.
The merchant, slightly bowing his head as if apologizing, continued.
“Most of the lords view this meeting as both a debut and welcome ceremony for the new Seven Lairs. Just the mere reincarnation has sparked curiosity, especially since you’ve achieved such dazzling feats. Even the lords from the demon realm and the 72 dungeons are interested in you, Your Highness. Everyone wants to see your veiled presence in person.”
In the end, it’s not about the meeting at all; they all came to see my face.
That’s seriously a huge burden and so nerve-wracking. I was trying to stay low-key in case my cover got blown, but damn.
Everyone’s gathering just to see me, and it’s impossible for me to not show up.
Just not attending could raise suspicion, and there might be more attention on my absence than my presence.
Above all, I wouldn’t benefit from provoking the hostility of the bosses.
Given the circumstances, they would all engrave their perception of me right there.
“I’ll carve this recognition into my mind.”
“What’s with that loser? Is that really The Seven Lairs? Sounds like a fake to me! It’s no surprise that such thoughts stick to me like gum on the bottom of a shoe.”
“So I have no choice but to brace myself and act accordingly.”
“Someone who clearly looks like The Seven Lairs, that is.”
“…But if the main power of the dungeon is missing, who’s going to guard it?”
“I’d love to skip out on this using that excuse, but…”
“As you mentioned, the core powers are likely absent and unprotected. But don’t worry! Our Dungeon Merchant Association, along with the Seven Great Lords of the Magic Realm, will completely take responsibility for the defenses of Dungeon 72. For free, mind you.”
“Oh come on. This is a disaster.”
“If I skip out and show my distrust, that’s basically setting the Association against me.”
“Honestly, if the Association and the Seven Great Lords are taking responsibility, I should feel a bit relieved.”
‘But then, what are they gaining from this?’
Hearing “for free” raised some doubts in my mind. The Seven Great Lords might be fine, but the Association wouldn’t spend without a profit.
I wanted to ask, but quickly gave up. I didn’t really care to know; they probably had their reasons for taking responsibility.
“Lord of the Seven, I urge you to attend. As I said, you are the centerpiece of this gathering.”
“I will attend.”
“Oh! Wise choice!”
“The aftermath of not attending would be hard to handle.”
“I’ve already mentally prepared myself.”
As if recalling something forgotten, the Demon Merchant suddenly opened his mouth.
“Lords who will attend may bring two subordinates with them. Usually, attendees choose their lieutenant and a mid-boss as companions, but…”
He paused and glanced nervously at me.
“So, I suppose it’s because my lieutenant is human?”
“My apologies, but that’s the case.”
Charlotte and Balutak. Without a second thought, I had chosen those two as my companions.
I put the conversation on hold and called them over. Charlotte glanced at the notice and seemed to catch on to what was happening. Balutak, well, always looks clueless.
I skipped most of the talk and only explained about needing two companions.
During that time, Charlotte listened silently with a troubled expression.
“The bottom line is that I’m planning to take both of you as my companions.”
“Me, Your Highness? Are you serious?”
The merchant stammered, apparently not pleased with the outcome.
“Of course, you’re an exceptional lieutenant, but this is a gathering of Dungeon 72.”
“That’s right.”
Charlotte, who had been quiet, finally spoke up.
“This is a meeting of seventy-two lords. A mere human like me shouldn’t be there.”
“But there’s no species restriction to enter.”
“That may be, but it’s an unspoken rule.”
“Your lieutenant is spot on.”
The merchant chimed in, nodding in agreement.
“During the previous meeting, a half-human half-beast attended as a guardian. They were severely criticized for tarnishing the honor of the meeting. The magic realm was thrown into chaos as well. In the end, the half-human half-beast, socially ostracized, took their own life.”
“….”
“If a half-human half-beast ended up like that, imagine how terribly humans must fare. In fact, there has never been a case of a human attending. Your Majesty, you must consider this for the sake of your subordinate.”
No lies were spoken here.
Yet, for various reasons, having Charlotte accompany me was essential.
I was already trembling at the thought of entering the lair of 72 monsters on my own.
Just having a competent subordinate by my side would be a source of mental reassurance.
But that was just a small part of the issue.
The 72 dungeons and the magic realm respect the strong.
The weak are guilty just by existing, living in a society that only respects the powerful.
While Balutak might manage, bringing along some worthless minion would undermine my position as The Seven Lairs.
“What? That guy from The Seven Lairs is bringing such a lowly minion? Does he look down on the meeting?”
Responses like that would definitely come pouring out.
‘But I can’t just take Balutak alone. That’s too risky.’
If I brought along a dull-witted insect, I wouldn’t be able to control them, and if they caused a scene, I had no solutions.
Charlotte was the only one who could play the role of restraining Balutak.
‘Leaving both behind and going alone is even more absurd.’
There was no point in even considering that.
Sure, going solo might look cool, but my heart wouldn’t survive it.
If I slipped up at the meeting, my true self would be exposed in no time.
Charlotte’s presence was both my guard and a mental pillar.
Currently, Charlotte is human, but she’s strong enough to rival the guardians of The Seven Lairs.
Dungeon bosses would recognize her magical power instantly, and if it just came down to strength, they’d realize she suits a subordinate of The Seven Lairs.
Likewise, they might question my strength when they see me, but that wouldn’t hold true either.
The bosses of The Seven Lairs possess incomprehensible and overwhelming power that surpasses mere magic.
When they see me, they’d likely think it’s their inability to recognize my strength rather than suspecting me.
“….”
I weigh my options in my mind.
Would I choose the backlash of having a human accompany me?
Would I opt for a method that exposes me to a real threat, risking everything?
At least, from my perspective, the former looked much better.
“Charlotte.”
Our gazes meet in the air.
“I hold your abilities in high regard as my subordinate. So, I’ll ask you—what do you want to do?”
“….”
Silence lingered between us for a while.
Beside us, the merchant’s throat quivered. It was evident he was silently praying for her to refuse.
“To be honest, I’m scared. I’m neither a half-human half-beast nor a powerful figure. Just my existence would likely provoke hostility.”
Charlotte’s expression grew noticeably darker.
“In a meeting aiming for friendship, it would be right for such ill feelings to vanish. Moreover, I fear the retaliation that may come my way after the meeting concludes.”
“I’m afraid of the revenge that will come after this match is over.”
Well, if you’ve gone this far, it seems we’ve got our answer.
If someone doesn’t want to go, you can’t just drag them along.
“But if the Boss is by my side… I don’t think I’d be scared. I blindly trust the Boss’s choices. Whatever decision the Boss makes, I will follow with my whole heart.”
As expected, a true loyalist. I knew I could count on you, Charlotte.
“Then it’s settled. We’ll bring along the vice-captain.”
Eek. The merchant inhaled nervously. I fixed my gaze on his pale face.
“I will take Charlotte and Balutak as companions. I won’t accept any objections beyond this point.”
“But, my Lord… please understand. The other Lords may think your presence has tarnished the sacred meeting.”
I completely understand the merchant’s feelings. I’m not one to recklessly stir up trouble either.
“Furthermore, you need to consider the physical harm that may come to the vice-captain. And yet, you still wish to choose this human?”
Here I was, a rookie, unafraid to name a human as my vice-captain and bring him to the sacred meeting.
You could think of me as one of the Seven Lairs with no brains. A traitor in cahoots with a human. That’s a fair assessment.
But perceptions always shift based on the authority of the parties involved.
“Merchant, who am I standing before you?”
“Uh? You’re the boss of the Seven Lairs, rank 7… right?”
“Yet I trust and treasure this human. Who would dare harm my vice-captain? That would be a challenge to me.”
Having Charlotte attend doesn’t undermine my authority; it’s more of a display, shattering expectations and establishing noble authority.
I know it’s senseless to bring a human to a gathering like this. It might even ignite everyone’s animosity.
But who is this opponent?
Not just any ordinary boss of the Seven Lairs, no. I am the singular entity of the Seven Lairs. The new great evil who killed two heroes.
I’m the key figure that the Empire and the Church are keeping a close eye on.
I have more than enough buildup for psychological warfare.
I’m strong and relentless enough to crush even the most absurd disrespect with authority.
You could say I used Charlotte to create that impression among the bosses.
“Do you think I’ll be mindful of their gazes? Merchant, answer me.”
“…I see now that my thoughts were short-sighted. I apologize.”
“If anyone dares to challenge my authority, tell them to speak to me directly. Whether it’s the 72 Lords or the Seven Lairs, I’ll make them shut up.”
They said this meeting is my debut.
If I panic and bow my head, I’ll be the one overwhelmed.
It should be me doing the overwhelming.
“Charlotte. There’s no need to be scared or worried. Remember who stands by your side.”
“My Lord…”
Charlotte’s expression, filled with clear emotion, looked at me. I could see her level color changing in real time.
…That said,
‘Sorry, but honestly, I’m the most scared here.’
I’m doing this to survive too.