A Simple Vow
Surely, that couldn't be. In the past, the vampires had lost their queen, and every last member of the royal bloodline she left behind had perished. Reduced to a weak, minor race, the surviving vampires chose to scatter across the continent, each searching for their own way to survive. They had no dynasty to crown a queen, nor any centralized group to plan a revival. Only a slow decline into the shadows of history awaited them.
Yet, the newly emerged Lord of the Rank 8 dungeon was none other than a vampire. Isabella, who had been wandering the forests before settling in a cave, had been chosen as the new Lord. Of course, it wasn't a matter of legitimate succession; she had simply been selected by the Dungeon Core. However, Isabella's bloodline was that of a True Ancestor. As a True Ancestor, she possessed the inherent right and legitimacy to establish a new dynasty. To the vampire race, Isabella was a sweet rain after a long drought. If this news spread, the scattered vampires across the continent would surely gather around her.
Furthermore, her dungeon was an eight-entity dungeon. Normally, a dungeon produced hundreds or thousands of monsters, including the boss, and its rank was determined by compressing that entire military force. In contrast, Isabella's dungeon consisted of only eight individuals, including Lord Isabella herself. This was not a numerical disadvantage. It meant that the power of hundreds or thousands of monsters had been concentrated into just eight beings.
"What will you do, Sister?"
To unite the scattered vampires and establish a new dynasty. For the revival of their race, that was indeed the correct path. However, Isabella believed the order of priorities was wrong.
"Repaying my debt to Him comes first."
If the Dungeon Core had a will, it was undoubtedly the revival of their kind. The survival of her race was important to Isabella, but only after she had repaid her benefactor.
"A righteous decree, Your Majesty."
"Of course!"
The other seven vampires readily agreed with Isabella's decision. It was entirely thanks to Him that they had secured the Rank 8 position. If He had not saved Isabella, and if He had not awakened her as a True Ancestor, they would not exist today.
"You see... I plan to offer our Dungeon Core to Him. But I cannot make this decision entirely on my own. I want to know what you all think."
On this matter, too, everyone was of one mind. With single-hearted devotion, the vampires of the dungeon made their way to the Tomb of Faith. Putting aside the long-awaited joy of reunion, Isabella requested a private audience with the Boss. Once they were alone in the boss room, Isabella took out the Dungeon Core she had prepared.
"No. I cannot accept this."
The answer she received betrayed her expectations.
...But why?
This wasn't a simple absorption of a Dungeon Core; it was a fusion. It meant establishing an absolute relationship of lord and vassal, far transcending a mere blood covenant. With a Rank 8 dungeon, He would gain an incredibly powerful ally. Since it was offered as a token of gratitude, there should have been no burden on His part. Yet, He kicked it away without a moment's hesitation. Why?
Does He have no use for us...?
That was the only explanation she could think of. Believing they would only be a hindrance, He had coldly rejected them.
"Isabella. What do you think dungeon fusion represents?"
At the sudden question, Isabella tilted her head in confusion. "Uh... isn't it a relationship of mutual trust?"
"It is the exact opposite."
"Pardon?"
"Fusion itself is proof of distrust. If two parties truly trust each other, a simple vow is more than enough."
He picked up the Dungeon Core and gently pushed it back into Isabella's hands. Then, instead of the core, He clasped her empty hand.
"Isabella. I trust you."
"..."
"So, trust me as well."
For a moment, Isabella felt dizzy and her mouth fell open in a daze. No words came out, only a shallow, trembling breath. Finally, she managed to squeeze out a voice.
"You are right. Boss... you have always been this kind of person."
Foolishly, she had only now realized His true nature. The only Boss who was warm, gentle, and worthy of blind, absolute trust. Tears welled up in her eyes, forcing her to blink repeatedly. Swallowing her rising emotions, Isabella rubbed her reddened eyes with her sleeve. She wasn't trying to hide her tears. She simply felt unworthy of gazing upon His majestic countenance. Rationalizing it that way, Isabella pressed down on her eyelids. Not a blood covenant, nor a fusion, but a simple vow. Paradoxically, that was why they could trust each other completely. Isabella squeezed the Boss's hand once more.
"You know that True Ancestor vampires enjoy eternal life, right?"
"I know."
"And so do the undead."
"Indeed."
With her vision cleared, she gazed up at the Boss. Looking at Him clearly, she knew without a doubt.
"I will serve and revere you for the rest of my life."
This person was, truly, her eternal master.
"From now on, Isabella will be staying with us."
"Kirik! Isabella has returned-dak!"
Balutak was the first to react to my words. Bzzzz— Balutak hovered around Isabella, his wings fluttering excitedly. Does he really like her that much? Estizel clapped her hands, while Charlotte merely bowed her head with an expressionless face.
"Welcome, Lord Isabella."
"Hehe. I'll be in your care from now on."
"Big Isabella-dak. Let me introduce you. This is Little Isabella-dak."
"Eh? But I'm Estizel...?"
"Let me introduce you to Little Isabella as well-dak. This is Big Isabella-dak."
"I'm just Isabella, though?"
I could understand why Balutak was doing that. The two of them did look somewhat alike. Prompted by Balutak, they shook hands, and Isabella cast a sly glance at the nape of Estizel's neck.
"You said you're a half-demon, right?"
"Uh... yes?"
"Just one bite."
"...Pardon?"
"Just let me drink your blood once."
"Oh, th-that's really scary..."
"Kiririk. Isabella-dak. Do you want to drink Balutak's blood-dak?"
"Ah, absolutely not. ...Your name is Estizel, right? Just one bite, nothing more."
Soon, Estizel let out a sharp shriek and ran away, with Isabella chasing after her with a laugh. For some reason, Balutak was buzzing along behind them, and Hellboki, who had appeared out of nowhere, was chasing the three of them as well. Watching this ridiculous comedy unfold, I glanced sideways at Charlotte.
"It might be difficult to manage them all. Will you be alright?"
"Yes. Please leave it to me."
It would probably be exhausting, but she would handle it well. In any case, with Isabella joining us, I felt confident about conquering the ancient dungeon. Having Charlotte and Isabella with me would be more than enough, and fortunately, both of them had human forms. Charlotte's Mystic Eyes could be concealed with illusion magic, and Isabella's red eyes and fangs could be dealt with the same way.
I'll let them rest for today and tomorrow.
I couldn't bring myself to interrupt their joyful reunion. Unlike the trip with Balutak, this journey promised to be quite arduous. Aside from the sheer distance, I had to prepare food, keep them warm, and gather various supplies. The first ancient dungeon I had targeted was located in the extreme northwestern region of the Empire. A place where all human traces had vanished, known as the Frozen Lands.
The Grave of the Ancient Dragon.
According to the game's lore, the beings that ruled this world thousands of years ago were dragons and giants. My destination was the tomb of an ancient dragon, a being that had stood at the absolute pinnacle of the dragon race when they split the world with the giants.
Sloth, ennui, boredom. Every living being yearned for eternity, but in reality, it was nothing but tedious. Roxanne spent her days in endless boredom, merely killing time.
"I am getting sick of this, too."
Fling! Roxanne tossed aside a treasured sword that had once been passed down through the kings of the ancient Millia Kingdom. In the boss room of the Ten-Tier Abyss, the Dragon's Lair, such treasures were scattered about like common pebbles. In truth, collecting glittering treasures was a hobby of hatchlings. Recently, out of sheer boredom, she had tried collecting treasures to evoke old memories, but it only brought a wave of emptiness. Currently, Roxanne was in her polymorphed state. Her true form was so massive that she would bump into everything, and even the slightest movement caused immense collateral damage. Unless there was a special circumstance, she always maintained her polymorph for this very reason.
"My Lord."
Roxanne, who was lying on a pile of treasures, raised her head. A Dragonian looking up at her from below entered her field of vision. It was Dmitri, who served as the adjutant and guardian of the Ten-Tier Abyss.
"Did I summon you?"
Roxanne relaxed her neck as she spoke. Thud. The back of her head sank into the pile of treasures.
"I have urgent news, My Lord."
"Urgent news?"
"As you know, the Rank 8 dungeon has been updated."
This was information Roxanne was already well aware of. However, the words that followed made her sit up abruptly.
"...To the Tomb of Faith?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"Why?"
"It appears they have voluntarily declared themselves a subordinate dungeon."
Roxanne's nose wrinkled in distaste. That damn Tomb of Faith, that damn Rank 7, that damn single-entity boss. Every time news of that fellow reached her ears, she had to swallow back her rising breath.
"What on earth is he? What makes him so special that a newly crowned Rank 8 would willingly become his underling?"
"I beg your forgiveness, My Lord, but I do not know either."
Bam! Roxanne slammed her fist down, sending treasures flying into the air. Her slit-like pupils narrowed sharply, glaring with murderous intent. At the overwhelming Dragon's Fear, which was incomparable to mere bloodlust, her adjutant trembled. Roxanne let out a deep sigh and closed her eyes. As she naturally reined in her Fear, the adjutant finally exhaled the breath he had been holding.
"Just what is he..." she muttered softly, her eyes falling upon the pile of treasures. Seeing herself throwing a tantrum like this out of anger filled her with self-loathing.
...I am not a hatchling.
She was aware that she was being childish and impulsively hot-tempered. However, she was only ever aware of it; she could never correct it. The legendary wisdom of dragons had long since vanished from Roxanne.
"Sigh."
She let out a heavy sigh that seemed to shake the earth and lay back down. Covering her forehead with the back of her hand, she replayed the events of that day. She tried to maintain her composure, but thinking about it made her grind her teeth in spite of herself. Roxanne's friendship with the other Lords of the Abyssal Palaces spanned well over a thousand years. Given that bond, shouldn't they have taken her side? Yet, during the meeting, the other Abyssal Palace Lords had all sided with Bargore. She understood it intellectually. She had been the one throwing a selfish tantrum back then. But even if her mind understood, her heart remained uneasy. Why was everyone, without exception, so eager to fawn over that guy?
"Instead of taking my side..."
Grind. She unconsciously ground her teeth. Everyone liked him, while she was cast aside. In truth, ever since she had first heard rumors of him, she had found him utterly detestable. The way he bragged about killing two Heroes, the way a mere Rank 7 held his head so high...
"..."
The more she thought about it, the more puzzling it became. No matter if he was a single-entity boss, he was still only Rank 7. How could such a creature possibly kill her? Even though her Heavenly Senses had verified it as the truth, she still couldn't entirely shake her doubts. ...On the other hand, she thought it might actually be possible. They said he had killed Valmonk in a single blow without even laying a hand on him. That was a feat even Roxanne could not achieve.
"A mere Death Knight."
Even the Lich King was like an insect to her, so how could a Death Knight do such a thing? Perhaps the very premise of him being a Death Knight was wrong. As her speculations began to spiral, Roxanne shook her head. Thinking about him any further would only fuel her anger.
"Dmitri. Has there been any progress?"
Roxanne had entrusted her adjutant with a single, vital task. But once again, the adjutant bowed his head.
"I am deeply sorry, My Lord."
"...Am I truly the only one left?"
Dragon Lord Roxanne. That was her glorious title of the past, but now, the title of 'Lord' felt utterly hollow. Every single dragon she had once ruled was dead, leaving Roxanne as the last of her kind. Perhaps there was a dragon hiding in some remote lair, having turned its back on the world. Clinging to that sliver of hope, she had ordered her subordinates to search for her kin for over a hundred years. Dragons possessed a fierce sense of kinship. In Roxanne's case, that instinct was exceptionally strong. To soothe her weariness and boredom, she desperately craved the warmth of her own kind. Yet, she was the only true dragon left in this world. Gargoyles, wyverns, Dragonians, drakes, dragon tooth warriors... the Ten-Tier Abyss was filled only with creatures that had failed to become true dragons. Roxanne eagerly awaited the arrival of a true kin. Even a Bone Dragon would have sufficed to ease her loneliness. However, a Bone Dragon raised as an undead possessed neither intelligence nor reason, let alone a soul. What Roxanne desired was conversation and communion with her own kind. A mute Bone Dragon could never be a companion she could connect with.
"...A Bone Dragon."
Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind. The Death Knight, Bargore, was absolutely not a mere Death Knight. In the first place, there was no way the Dungeon Core of the Abyss Palace would choose a lowly Death Knight. Irregular or not, it was practically impossible for a Death Knight to become a Lord of the Abyssal Palaces. In terms of raw martial prowess, Bargore was undoubtedly stronger than most dragons.
"Come to think of it..."
Looking back, Bargore had deer-like horns. Among the ancient dragons of old, there were indeed those who possessed such horns. Naturally, a question arose. If a dragon died while in a polymorphed state, what would happen to its corpse? If it remained in that form, its undead transformation would surely reflect it. Since it wouldn't be a typical Bone Dragon in appearance, its intellect might actually remain intact. However, because there were no such recorded cases, it was difficult to be certain. It was nothing more than speculation. After pondering for a moment, Roxanne let out a hollow laugh.
"What a foolish theory."
To think he might be of her kind simply because of his strength and horns. Was every powerful undead with horns a Bone Dragon? Even to her, it felt like an incredibly stupid assumption.