NOVEL NEXT Chapter 80
I delivered the artifact to Renlin at the Twin Star Tower.
It might not be of much use to them, but gifts are all about sincerity, aren’t they?
I firmly declined when the two insisted I stay for a little longer.
Renlin only pouted but didn’t throw a tantrum to annoy me.
“If we get the chance, let’s meet again.”
“Thank you for the gift! Barugore!”
“Lin! I like Barugore! Come again!”
Renlin waved goodbye as I stepped through the portal Charlotte had opened.
At first glance, they seemed like complete airheads.
I awkwardly waved my hand as I entered the portal.
A strange, tingling sensation caused my senses and sight to flip.
By the time I regained my composure, the familiar darkness of a dungeon surrounded me.
I felt comforted by the cozy atmosphere that reminded me of home.
“Kirrik?”
[Lv. 83]
Balutak, who had been rolling on the floor, spotted us.
It seemed he had evolved once again, as another layer of chitinous exoskeleton had formed.
Even I could see how sturdy he had become.
He had leveled up twice, after all.
Buzzzz—
Balutak flapped his wings and flew towards us, and behind him, Isabella hurried along.
“You’re back! While you were gone, I trained Balutak!”
That explained why he had evolved.
The adjutant room door swung open, and Estizel dashed in.
Unlike the others, Estizel headed straight for Charlotte.
“Adjutant! The book! The book!”
“The Necronomicon, you mean?”
“Yes! Quickly! I dropped in the ranking!”
“Estizel, take this first.”
Estizel tilted her head at the monocle.
“What is this?”
“It’s an artifact. I thought it would suit you well.”
“…Wow.”
Her trembling fingers grasped the monocle.
Estizel fumbled around, trying to put on the glasses.
After a few attempts, she finally settled them on her nose.
*Ahem* – Estizel cleared her throat, resting her hand on her side.
Ignoring the slight crookedness, it really didn’t suit her at all.
Perhaps it’s because eyeglasses are commonly associated with elderly men?
“How do I look? Does it suit me?”
“Nowhere near a genius, I must say.”
Estizel, who had been grinning, blinked rapidly in surprise.
“…What’s this? Wearing this makes me want to study.”
It truly was an artifact that boosted her thirst for knowledge.
Its effectiveness was undeniably clear.
“Adjutant, quickly! I feel good! I need to keep going!”
“Here you go.”
“Yay! Thank you!”
Estizel hurried back to the adjutant room with her Necronomicon.
Since she said she’d study hard, I silently cheered her on.
I handed over the remaining artifacts to the kids.
“Kirrik? What is this? Is it food?”
“It’s an artifact. Just wear it on your wrist.”
“Then this earring must be an artifact too?”
“Correct.”
“Wow… Can we really accept something this precious?”
“Don’t be burdened. I collected these for you.”
Unlike Isabella, who hesitated, Balutak had already put his on.
He proudly flaunted it while waving it in front of Isabella.
“Kirrik. Doesn’t it suit Balutak well?”
“Like putting pearls on a pig’s neck.”
“Kirrik? What does that mean?”
“I said it looks good on you.”
Isabella also put on the earrings and proudly adjusted them.
Amidst their bragging, Cecilia butted in and proudly showed off her ring.
Seeing that, Isabella awkwardly smiled. It seemed like there was an invisible wall between them.
“Where’s Selina?”
“Oh, she’s tending to the maze plants in the lower realm.”
…What are you two doing here while she’s working?
I held my tongue, feeling that saying anything would ruin the atmosphere.
I passed the artifacts to Charlotte and gestured.
“Please pass this to Selina.”
“Yes.”
I turned my back on them and headed toward the boss room.
Having just returned from outside, it was time to unwind a bit with Helboki.
However, I didn’t plan to rest mindlessly.
It was crucial to keep an eye on Calandas’s movements and devise corresponding strategies.
With my level maxed out and a mana eater obtained, I now possessed the Holy Sword.
Yet, the boss level of the Seven Lairs wasn’t something to take lightly.
But against Calandas, I felt I could hold more than a 50% chance of winning.
“No need to be scared anymore.”
I had already decided to stop him, and I had certain countermeasures in mind.
The moment I stepped into the boss room, I froze instinctively.
-Haah haah.
A red-haired woman was seated cross-legged on a skeletal throne, with Helboki perched on her lap.
Roseha waved her hand, smiling when our eyes met.
“Did you arrive early? I was waiting.”
“…”
Why is she here?
I hadn’t received any notice on the way here.
As if reading my thoughts, Roseha added, “I asked you to keep it a secret. I wanted to surprise you. How? Surprised?”
“Kind of.”
Honestly, I was shocked. If she weren’t Undead, I would have made a scene.
With a fox-like grin, Roseha leisurely approached me.
Speaking of which, I had something to convey. Perfect timing.
I pulled out the brooch and thrust it toward her, making her big eyes widen.
“Are you trying to woo me?”
No wonder, nobody could beat a bone seductress like her—her words were on point from the start.
I chose silence, leaving her to interpret it as she pleased.
“But what do I do? I already got something nice.”
“…What?”
“This.”
Roseha pulled a bone from her bosom and waved it around.
…That looks like a rib bone she had thrown for Helboki to play with.
“This was held by a hellhound. It’s your rib bone, isn’t it?”
“…. ”
“So it seems. I’ll disinfect it and make sure to use it every night.”
There’s no way I’m thinking what she’s implying.
Roseha sensually ran her fingers up and down the rib bone.
I quickly stopped her from bringing it to her mouth.
Being around her takes on an entirely different kind of anxiety.
I sighed, forcefully changing the subject.
“Anyway, what’s the reason you’re here?”
“I came to ask you something.”
Roseha’s playful smile faded.
The atmosphere felt gravely serious.
“You know about the wall at the southern border of the Empire, right? The Cavendish Duke family or something like that.”
I knew.
If the northern wall protected the Empire from extinction, the southern wall stood as the first line protecting it from demons.
The Cavendish Duke family played that defensive role.
“Last night, an Eldritch being invaded. The Duke’s territory fell in a day, and the fort was occupied.”
“….”
“I received urgent news this morning.”
I had anticipated Calandas’s movements.
However, I hadn’t expected them to collapse in just a day.
“That’s just part of it. The 1st and 2nd legions are marching northward. Individual legions are pushing from the east, west, south, and north.”
“Not a feint, but coming from all directions?”
“Yep.”
It truly was unbearably foolish.
This wasn’t hunting but a war. Fighting as if gobbling the entire area isn’t normal.
Setting aside the questions and pondering for a moment, it made sense.
The power gap was immense, and the Undead army didn’t require rest or supplies.
Moreover, each legion was led by a commander with the instinct of a collective consciousness.
Those commanders were also mentally connected to Calandas.
Even torn into four, it wouldn’t be hard to maintain control.
On the other hand, the Empire would struggle with supplies, and coordination at each foothold would be difficult.
“Calandas’s goal is complete annihilation. He intends to wipe us out for sure.”
Distributing the legions like that would lead to fragmentation.
However, the Empire lacked the strength to recover from such a critical loss.
While they had fought against dungeons, facing an army from the other side was rare.
Moreover, this was the first time the Seven Lairs aimed to annihilate humanity.
The lost vigilance of humanity exploded all at once.
“The 1st and 2nd legions are approaching from the south. They’ll march this way soon. Of course, they won’t even come near the Shrine of Faith.”
“….”
“So here’s the thing… I hope you won’t step in.”
At those words, my senses sharpened instantly.
Roseha’s gazes pierced through me, seeing my innermost thoughts.
“You knew.”
“Yep. I know your heart well. That’s why I’m saying it. Stay still.”
I was indeed well aware of her intentions.
My resolve was to oppose the Seven Lairs while protecting the Empire, and that was sufficient reason to dissuade me.
On the other hand, I had plenty of justification to step forward.
If Calandas, devouring the Empire, grew hungrier for more, there would be no turning back.
“After a victory, Calandas will consider the Seven Lairs an enemy.”
“How can you be so certain?”
“Whether you believe it doesn’t matter.”
I didn’t intend to persuade other Seven Lairs to join forces.
I merely hoped they would understand my principles and accept my actions during the gathering.
“In the end, you’re saying you’ll participate. On the side of the Empire against Calandas.”
I nodded instead of answering.
With a frown, Roseha covered her forehead with the back of her hand.
“An elder might take action. Are you okay with that?”
“The chances are slim.”
If it were Roxanne I knew, she wouldn’t interfere.
She would also be conscious of Calandas’s forces.
If I were to kill Calandas, that rampaging power would provide her an opportunity to execute me.
She was waiting for a chance to catch both of us painful.
After everything was said and done, I’d be facing accountability at the gathering.
“I’ve signed a non-aggression treaty. The elder is standing behind me.”
“Is that so?”
“If the High Fortress joins, the Ten of the Nine Circles won’t stay quiet. The same goes for the faction dungeons… Sorry, but it can’t be helped.”
With no hesitation, Roseha drew a line.
She seemed apologetic, but there was no real need for that.
Of course, it would’ve been a lie to say I wasn’t expecting it.
If the interests aligned well and Roseha was amicable, it would’ve provided a solid reason to unite against Calandas.
“I’m sorry. I can’t help you.”
However, if I participated, it would drag in the Ten of the Nine Circles.
From Roseha’s perspective, she had no choice but to pull out.
Going against her intent now would only cause harm without providing any real assistance.
Besides, even without this pressure, there was no obligation to help.
While she was friendly and opposed to Calandas, there was no question of aiding in warfare.
“Don’t mention any apologies. I should be the one apologizing. Having relied on you thus far, I’ve brought about this uncomfortable situation.”
Roseha chuckled weakly.
“You’re quite stubborn. That sentiment hasn’t changed?”
“Indeed.”
I had firmly resolved countless times.
Now was not the moment to back down; it would be a waste of all the conviction I had held until now.
“I’ll help you too.”
For a moment, I thought I had misheard.
As I stared at her in silence, Roseha laughed aloud.
“Why? If I help, is it that bad?”
“If you assist, how will the Ten of the Nine Circles fare?”
We definitely couldn’t handle the Ten of the Nine Circles.
Logically speaking, Roseha’s support would only hinder us.
She said that herself, so why now?
“You’re right. If the High Fortress or that faction dungeon joins in, the elder would likely become involved too.”
Click, click.
Roseha strolled around me with her arms crossed behind her.
“The High Fortress won’t raise any military forces. Not a single soldier will be called into action. Naturally, the same goes for the faction dungeon.”
Roseha stopped right in front of me.
Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me down toward her face.
With her lifting onto her toes, our faces drew near.
In a daze, I found myself head-to-head with Roseha, staring into each other’s eyes.
“Only I will be there to support you. This way, it won’t violate any rules, and the elder won’t be able to object.”
I was utterly puzzled.
Why would she go that far for me?
Gratitude faded into guilt and pressure, swelling within me like a snowball.
Even if I wanted to take responsibility for that aftermath, it wouldn’t turn out as I wished.
“Don’t do this. Just your goodwill is enough.”
“Nope. I’ve made my decision. Whatever you say, I’ll support you.”
A solid determination was visible within her playful smile.
With a shade of pink deeper than anyone else.
Knowing Roseha, she would prioritize my well-being over listening to my words.
As she said, she wouldn’t waver, regardless of what I said.
“…Stubborn, aren’t you?”
*Smooch*
Roseha placed her lips on my forehead.
My vision suddenly filled with her face.
Was it just me, or was her beaming smile more beautiful than ever?
“Think of me as your pure admirer.”