LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 79
I didn’t particularly want to reveal the existence of the Mana Eater.
There was nothing good about disclosing it, and I was reluctant to show that a parasite was lurking in my body.
Showing my naked body would be more preferable. Not that there’s much to see, just bones.
The parasite would eventually be found out naturally, I thought.
“Are you returning right away through the portal?”
“No. I’m just going to show my face at the Twin Star Tower.”
“Understood.”
I truly intended to show just my face and head back.
Still, since I owe them a debt, it would be courteous to repay it.
…Repay.
“Please wait a moment.”
I headed back to Benedict’s tomb.
The three artifacts I had left would be perfect as gifts for Ren and Roseha.
I felt that I had already been in Roseha’s debt for quite some time, so even that felt insufficient.
As I gathered up the artifacts, Charlotte casually asked.
“Is this for a boss fight?”
“No. It’s a gift for Ren and Roseha.”
“…Are you always thinking of others?”
“Master is foolishly kind. A fool.”
“What nonsense is this…!”
I couldn’t help but wonder how the conversation took such a turn; they suddenly began bickering.
Sigh, I don’t know.
I ignored the two and walked ahead.
*
There was no conversation while walking, but the three of us were inherently bad at small talk.
In the familiar silence, I glanced sideways at the boss, pretending not to look at Charlotte.
‘So gentle.’
The artifacts he retrieved were all for others.
The more I learned about the boss, the warmer my heart became.
Although the Lords of the Seven Lairs were said to be ruthless and wicked, it seemed they weren’t entirely that way.
He had killed the Grand Sage in one blow and even defied Roxanne of the 10th layer of the Abyss. To think such a person had a warmer heart than anyone else.
Charlotte liked that aspect of the boss far too much.
‘He was called Hero Lucas, right?’
The unfortunate hero who was executed while protecting a witch.
Charlotte couldn’t deny the sympathy she felt for him.
A jolt. The more she felt, the more she despised Cecilia.
The boss had almost died at her hands.
Of course, she had inflicted the punishment of forgetting memories herself, so that was her penance.
Charlotte felt a genuine jealousy.
They had been priest and disciple in life, and the reason he had allowed himself to be attacked unguarded was because of that bond.
‘Not anymore.’
That person had lost all memory of his disciples.
So there was no need to feel jealous.
If there was any new jealousy, it would be the ring on his finger. Due to its symbolic significance, it was particularly bothersome.
No. He had given me something even better.
Charlotte repeated it countless times in her mind to comfort herself.
Without exaggeration, there was nowhere else in the world to find a staff like this.
It felt like a staff that the Great Archmage had used in life.
It was definitely an unusual strength, but even that spirit couldn’t wield it and had perished. As if to remind one of the Grand Sage.
‘They mentioned the power of the soul.’
The boss’s strength was both admirable and immeasurable.
While the bosses of the Seven Lairs were originally incomprehensible, he stood out even among them.
“Master. This isn’t the way.”
“This is the right way.”
“No, you’ve taken a wrong turn.”
“I haven’t.”
The boss stepped onto the right path all by himself.
Cecilia hesitated and followed him, and Charlotte, who was about to say something, silently trailed behind the two.
It wasn’t that he was wrong; it was that we were wrong.
Doubt was cloaked in that fanatical belief.
Just then, the boss, who had been walking ahead, suddenly stopped.
“I took a wrong turn.”
“….”
“….”
He scratched his head sheepishly, glancing sideways.
It was a stark contrast to the behavior he’d shown thus far.
He was called a chess piece before, and now he was a lost child.
If anything, the unexpectedly charming side increased our inner intimacy.
Charlotte couldn’t help but smile widely.
‘So cute─’
“Master, you’re adorable.”
In a moment of surprise, Charlotte flinched.
The blue gaze was fixed on Cecilia.
“Watch your words.”
“But it’s true that you’re cute.”
A subordinate had called the boss cute right in front of him.
Instead of getting upset, he just seemed a bit embarrassed, almost shy about scratching the back of his neck.
“Too cute….”
Charlotte bit her lip tightly.
“…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.”
“….”
He continued to stare quietly at Charlotte before exhaling a cold breath.
The thudding steps receding were filled with signs of anger.
Charlotte merely watched his retreating figure.
‘Even his sulking face is cute.’
She desperately shook off the impulse to embrace him.
***
At the top floor of the castle filled with the echoes of music.
Roseha clicked her tongue as she glared at the skull sitting across from her.
From her perspective, Calandas was an unwelcome guest, even as a formal visitor.
“Just say what you need and leave. You’re already in a non-aggression pact, right?”
“You’re correct. I’d like to arrange a non-aggression treaty. Until the war with the Empire is over.”
Considering the current situation, it was obvious.
In times of war, self-preservation comes first. After that, concerns about being stabbed in the back.
However, to Calandas, the backside was a more threatening force than self-preservation.
Currently, the Empire was essentially a vacant house.
Meanwhile, the Seven Lairs had been opposed for eons. Thus, their factions remained significantly threatening.
Calandas tossed the treaty document.
Roseha snatched the fluttering paper and skimmed through it.
There wasn’t much to read; it was simply a concise non-aggression pact.
“Can I trust this?”
“You can’t rely solely on words and oaths.”
Considering how eager the two factions were, a ceremonial agreement that holds no power is worse than none at all.
Roseha shot a hawk-like glare at Calandas.
He certainly couldn’t be unaware of such a fact. So what was he hiding?
In response, Calandas pulled out parchment from his bosom.
Then, for all to see, he tore it apart.
Woosh!
A pitch-black portal opened, and a woman dressed in a dress darker than night stepped out.
Roseha’s eyes turned icy upon seeing her.
“…Elder.”
“It’s been a long time, Roseha. It’s unfortunate to see you again like this.”
“You are here as a witness of the non-aggression treaty.”
A sense of betrayal lingered in her heart.
She had thought her bond with Roxanne was stronger than with Calandas; however, that thought was immediately erased.
Personal ties could never compare to the wishes of the Seven Lairs.
Roxanne had chosen to support Calandas’s ambitions.
Behind a chilling smile, Calandas began to speak.
“Don’t make that face. It’s not a disadvantageous agreement.”
“….”
“I’ll read the treaty. The castle filled with the echoes of music and the factions therein will not be interfered with.”
Ha. Roseha scoffed.
Even with the 2nd ranked Roxanne present, he raised his voice without care.
“Don’t stab me in the back without any cost? Why should I? Do I look beneath you?”
“This is not a negotiation, Roseha. It’s an agreement to avoid conflict.”
“That means I have to agree for nothing?”
“If you refuse, you could be seen as an enemy. Our conflict won’t end merely at the Seven Lairs.”
If she were to reject the treaty, Calandas would inevitably regard Roseha’s faction with suspicion.
Even if Roseha didn’t attack, there could be repercussions after the war. They’d blame her for worrying about being stabbed in the back during the crisis.
Depending on the degree, they might spiral each other into catastrophe.
Regardless of the outcome, it was mutually disadvantageous, and Roseha would suffer a heavy blow to her position.
While it was true that she was hostile to Calandas, Roseha knew she had to be discerning.
Attacking amidst a gap in defense to create a confrontation with the Seven Lairs was foolishness at its peak.
To be honest, she had no intention of ambushing him.
For that reason alone, the reason for her interjections was purely spite.
“I’ll say it instead.”
Roxanne, who had remained silent until now, continued the conversation.
“I swear on my honor that I will recognize this patch as a non-aggression treaty. If it’s violated, I will make the 10th layer of the Abyss hold you accountable.”
Roseha bit her lip in frustration.
There wasn’t anything to lose, yet she felt an odd discomfort in the atmosphere.
Roxanne had publicly stated she would support the 10th layer of the Abyss, ensuring protection from the corruption pits.
“…Elder, are you thinking of participating as well?”
“Not at all. I’m merely here to suppress interference between the Seven Lairs.”
Thud.
Roxanne placed her hand on Calandas’s shoulder.
“Calandas’s ambition is known to all of us. Even if I can’t help you as a comrade, I can’t betray you either.”
“….”
“Accept the non-aggression treaty. If you violate it, the 10th layer of the Abyss won’t stay silent either. It’s not a difficult thing; you’ll merely be keeping still.”
It wasn’t a silent pressure. She directly told her to swear.
Sighing deeply, Roseha replied.
“Fine. I’ll do it. Just let me sign it.”
While there wasn’t anything to lose, she couldn’t shake off the nagging feeling deep within her.
A quill pen appeared in thin air, and after Roseha signed the treaty, she passed it to Calandas.
“It’s done now. I hope your wishes are fulfilled, Calandas.”
“Thank you, Elder.”
*
After that, the two returned to their respective dungeons through the portal.
It was a simple farewell without any exchanges or pleasantries.
“Haah….”
A heavy sigh slipped through her lips.
Left alone, Roseha covered her forehead with her palm.
“Has Barugore gone as well?”
From Calandas’ perspective, the primary threat was the musical castle and its factions.
The second threat was Barugore from the shrine of faith.
If by chance Barugore were to refuse the non-aggression pact…
No, if Calandas hadn’t even attempted to contact him, it was uncertain whether Barugore would interfere or not.
-Just allowing Calandas to grow complacent would only bolster his power. Is he really going to just sit back?
Barugore openly expressed his thoughts in a gathering of the Seven Lairs.
That suggestion implied a willingness to oppose Calandas.
…But it was all just speculation.
“Couldn’t be. No way.”
It seemed illogical for the Seven Lairs to stand opposed against another of its own, siding with humanity.
If there was any sense in them, they wouldn’t do that.
Yet what if… and that was a big if, if they sided with humanity against the corruption pits?
“Then what should I do?”
That was a damning act of treachery against the Seven Lairs, against humanity.
Regardless of the reason, it was clear she’d be executed.
If Barugore had truly made up his mind, then even Roseha would have to consider cooperation.
However, there was no room left for consideration now.
Should they cooperate with him, they would pull in the 10th layer of the Abyss, bringing only damage in return.
Moreover, it remained to be seen whether he would move to put an end to Calandas, using this as an excuse for intervention.
“…My head hurts.”
Anything beyond this point would only muddle her thoughts.
The core conclusion was that as long as Barugore remained still, everything would be fine.
If the Lucas she knew were here, he would protect humanity, but at that moment, he had become a Death Knight after being betrayed by humanity.
Recalling the position of the Seven Lairs, Roseha hoped he would just stay put.
She didn’t want to see him executed before her eyes.