Rosesha, Save Me
Rosesha, save me... Ahem.
Charlotte cleared her throat after gathering the dungeon's executives. Though, calling us "executives" was a bit of a stretch, considering there were only four of us: myself, Charlotte, Isabella, and Balutak.
"Everyone, please look at this."
Charlotte presented a newspaper featuring a massive headline about Valmonk's death.
Having already known, I remained unfazed, but Isabella was visibly shaken. In contrast, Balutak merely tilted his head in confusion.
"Kirik? What is this-dak?"
"It is a newspaper."
"What is a newspaper-dak?"
"As you can see, the Empire has designated us as a major threat. The death of the Hero of Faith has clearly sent greater shockwaves through them than we anticipated."
"W-what are we going to do...?" Isabella asked, her voice trembling with worry.
I could entirely sympathize with her fear; the likelihood of retaliation was extremely high. Still, I had no regrets. If we hadn't killed Valmonk, we would be the ones lying dead right now. What else could we have done?
"We must prepare our defenses," Charlotte said. "Fortunately, there are no movements from the subjugation command center yet. While the merchant's information isn't one hundred percent guaranteed, it is reliable enough."
While the subjugation force prepared themselves thoroughly, the dungeon would also prepare its defenses. The core of our strategy—and our very first step—was to scout whether the enemy showed any signs of launching an attack.
Since we lacked scouts or rangers of our own, we had to purchase information from the merchant guild, which Charlotte had already done. Currently, the subjugation command center was completely stagnant.
I breathed a sigh of relief at that fact, but Charlotte's next words made my heart skip a beat.
"However, complacency is our greatest enemy. Everyone, look at this."
Rustle, rustle.
She flipped the page, revealing a special report detailing the awakening of the Holy Sword.
Isabella gasped, quickly clapping her hands over her mouth, while Balutak tilted his head again in a striking display of déjà vu.
"Kirik. What is that-dak?"
"Wilhelm has awakened the Holy Sword. This could very well be the signal flare for their invasion. The circumstances surrounding the conquest of Bango's Dark Abyss were remarkably similar to this. Back then, all Four Heroes were in peak condition."
This meant the Empire's subjugation command relied heavily on the Four Heroes. Their condition alone dictated whether they would attempt to conquer one of the Mugan 7 Palaces. It spoke volumes.
"If I were one of the Empire's high-ranking officials, I would target our dungeon next."
...Huh?
"The timing of Valmonk's death and the awakening of the Holy Sword overlap far too perfectly. Most will draw a connection between the two, believing the Holy Sword awakened precisely because the dungeon that claimed Valmonk's life poses that great of a threat."
Holy shit, is that how they're going to spin it?
This was a sign of a massive, colossal fuck-up. Instead of leaking information on Calandas, my own head was on the chopping block.
"Reinforcing our defenses is urgent, but shamefully, our current capabilities fall far short. In my mind, I can already picture a future where our Boss has to step in and resolve everything, just as you did with Valmonk."
That was just Valmonk alone, and I only pulled it off because luck was on my side. This time, they'll definitely come as an entire subjugation force. Even if I get lucky and blow up all their weapons with my Enhancement skill... a Hero is a Hero for a reason. They're monstrously strong even bare-handed.
"Everyone except the Boss must be prepared to lay down their lives to defend this dungeon. However... against a Hero who has awakened the Holy Sword, the likes of us won't stand a chance."
Though her face remained expressionless, she seemed strangely downcast. Rather than blaming my subordinates, I completely understood their plight. This wasn't just any ordinary Hero; it was a Hero wielding an awakened Holy Sword. To Wilhelm, this dungeon would be nothing more than a playground.
Why did I have to become one of the Mugan 7 Palaces?
Even now, I wanted nothing more than to strip away this fake title of a Mugan 7 Palaces Lord. The world was practically holding a blade to my throat, forcing me to play the part of an absolute boss, only to throw yet another trial like this at me.
"In any dungeon, the Boss stepping onto the front lines is the absolute last resort. I believe it would be wise to form an alliance with another Abyss Palace so we can secure constant reinforcement."
When it came to support from the Abyss Palaces, only one person came to mind. A Boss who had already aided me once and held me in high regard. While I felt incredibly shameless asking for her help a third time, I would die if I didn't. To survive, I was more than willing to drop to my knees and crawl beneath Rosesha's skirt.
"We do not need immediate troop reinforcements," Charlotte continued. "We can simply request them the moment the subjugation force shows signs of marching."
She read my mind. Keeping another dungeon's forces as a standing garrison out of mere anxiety would be incredibly rude. We just needed to keep a close eye on the subjugation command center and request reinforcements the moment they mobilized. Since reinforcements could arrive instantly through portals, it wouldn't be a major issue.
"Of course, they might also send a highly select, elite vanguard first. Therefore, I will focus on reinforcing our combat power for the time being. Since the vanguard's numbers will be small, a week of preparation should be more than enough."
A week, huh? Perhaps sensing my inner anxiety, Charlotte added:
"The worst-case scenario would be them arriving before the week is up... but I do not believe that will happen."
"Your reasoning?"
"They possess absolutely zero information on this dungeon. Even if they do, it is likely trivial and useless. To execute a meticulous raid, they must send a vanguard at least once."
"Hmm."
"Wasting a supreme asset like a Hero on an uncharted dungeon carries far too much risk. Especially since this is a newly emerged domain of the Mugan 7 Palaces. If they possess even a speck of caution, they must do so."
But what if they throw caution to the wind and invade with the Hero immediately? If they do, we have absolutely no countermeasure. Of course, that's just a possibility—the absolute worst-case scenario. Maybe I should swallow my pride and ask Rosesha for a standing garrison just in case. She seems highly interested in me, so she might actually agree even if I have to beg.
It was time to stop worrying and take action. From there, everything proceeded rapidly. Charlotte summoned the Demon Merchant, who departed for the Castle of Pleasure and soon returned.
Standing beside the returned merchant was a werewolf whose level rivaled that of a Hero.
Clad in a sleek tuxedo, the werewolf pressed the edge of his hand to his chest and bowed with military precision.
"I greet the Supreme Dignity. I am Gerold, Warden of the Fifth Floor of the Ecstatic Castle. Her Majesty the Queen has granted an audience with the Lord."
Standing before such a powerhouse made me break into a cold sweat, but it was also incredibly reassuring. The Castle of Pleasure consisted of ten floors, with the first through ninth guarded by Wardens. If the Warden of the fifth floor was already at this level, it meant there were eight more level-eighty monsters waiting in their main base. I already knew this from playing the game, but seeing it in person made the reality hit home.
Like the undead, the Servants of the Night were extremely vulnerable to the Holy Sword. Since the Holy Sword channeled solar energy, the very name "Servants of the Night" made their terrible compatibility obvious. But what if there was no Holy Sword? If I could just blow up that single weapon using my Enhancement skill, the tide of battle would completely turn in our favor. If I could secure just two more reinforcements of Gerold's caliber, we would have nothing to worry about.
Though, her support isn't guaranteed yet.
If I explained my situation, wouldn't she help me? If all else failed, I would just have to drop to my knees and beg to join her faction.
"We shall depart immediately."
"Yes, Lord."
Gerold guided me toward the pink portal he had arrived through. Stepping into the swirling vortex, I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed.
Rosesha, save me...
In the adjutant's room after the Boss's departure, Charlotte let out a heavy sigh and stared at a crystal ball.
"I should have given it to him."
She realized her mistake too late. It was a security crystal ball linked directly to the mana room. In the absolute worst-case scenario, if the subjugation force invaded while the Boss was away, it would result in an utter catastrophe. Since he hadn't taken the crystal ball, the dungeon could literally be conquered without him ever knowing.
"...Surely not."
The Boss would return within a day. To make matters worse, an invasion today was completely absurd. Even a week would be incredibly fast—what could possibly drive them to rush here today? The journey from the Imperial Capital to this mountain took four days, or at least two days at an absolute sprint.
Charlotte shook her head, brushing aside her anxiety. Yes. It is nothing more than a groundless fear.
An abandoned monastery stood in isolation halfway up the mountainside. Through the cracks of a stained-glass window, the brilliant rays of the sun shone down upon an elderly man.
He was a man who looked seasoned by age rather than merely old. Clad in golden holy armor, he was a paladin. The pommel of his sword was shaped like a solar cross, and even the rosary draped around his neck bore the same sacred emblem.
"Solari is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit..."
The old man's name was Wilhelm. The holiest of Heroes, also known as the Great Warrior of Solari.
Wilhelm knelt on one knee before a small wooden statue of the goddess, his eyes closed. His hands, clasped together, held his rosary tightly against his wrinkled forehead. He chanted his prayers endlessly, as if pleading for a miracle.
"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous..."
To pray for the soul of his departed friend. To swear vengeance alongside him. Having recited the final verse, Wilhelm rose to his feet.
Screeech!
The paladins lined up on either side drew their swords in perfect unison. The hands of the solar clock pointed directly to noon. The Noon Ritual was destined to be more radiant and divine than any other.
Clang!
The sword of the first paladin clashed against Wilhelm's Holy Sword. In that instant, the Holy Sword unleashed an even more brilliant radiance. The light forged by a mortal's devotion transferred to the Holy Sword, magnifying its splendor.
"For He is a fire that consumes all evil."
The paladin recited the verse and stepped back. As Wilhelm moved to the next paladin, their blades met in the same manner.
"He is our sun and our shield."
The light forged by two mortals gathered into the Holy Sword.
"He came into this world as light, so that those who believe in Him shall not abide in darkness."
The light forged by three mortals made the Holy Sword shine even more exquisitely.
"O ye who wait for the sun in the dawn. Your waiting shall be His joy."
"The sun rising at noon shall be not only the healer of mankind, but its savior."
"The sun is the light of the world. When its radiance is poured into the sea, it is as if oil is poured upon it."
"The sea of oil shall be eternal, and if the sunlight catches fire, how can Solari's destiny ever end?"
The voices quietly chanting the verses, the crackling sound of burning wood like embers catching fire—the sounds echoing within the sacred ritual were holy in their own right.
Every paladin finished their verse. With that, Wilhelm's Holy Sword blazed with unparalleled brilliance, as if it had become the sun itself. Though the light was blinding, not a single person closed their eyes. As children of Solari, they could not bear to miss even a fleeting moment of this sight.
"Twenty-four brave knights. Today, we erase a new great evil."
The paladins wore heavy cloaks over their holy armor to conceal it. This raid on the Mugan 7 Palaces, executed solely by the Knights of Solari, was conducted in absolute secrecy. None of the Empire's citizens would ever know of their noble sacrifice. Yet, if the raid succeeded, all of humanity would undoubtedly rejoice as one.
The paladins' gazes remained fixed on a single object: the Holy Sword. A divine weapon awakened by His revelation. Standing alongside the Hero of Solari, they feared no evil—even if it was one of the Mugan 7 Palaces.
Hummm!
Wilhelm raised the Holy Sword high. From this angle, it looked as though the Holy Sword was propping up the sun visible beyond the glass.
"For Solari!"
A thunderous roar filled the monastery. Following his lead, the paladins raised their swords toward the heavens.
"""For Solari!"""
"For the Empire!"
"""For the Empire!"""
"For Valmonk!"
"""For Valmonk!"""
"For humanity!"
"""For humanity!"""
On the mountainside where the newly emerged Mugan 7 Palaces dungeon lay, the battle cries of the paladin order echoed from the abandoned monastery. Soon, they would annihilate the new great evil and bring their vengeance to an end.