Let's Go to the Grave of the Ancient Dragon

During the ten-day journey to the Grave of the Ancient Dragon, a question lingered in a corner of Charlotte's mind. What business could possibly warrant traveling such a vast distance...? Yet, she dared not question his will. To speak it aloud would turn it into doubt, and even harboring such thoughts felt sacrilegious. Charlotte cleared her mind and simply submitted. Whatever the reason, her duty was to serve him. Since she would do so for eternity, she could not afford to harbor doubts like this.

And on the tenth day—the very day they arrived in the Frozen Lands—he suddenly ordered her to find a witch's cabin. Setting aside its location and the barrier protecting it, she wondered how he even knew of the cabin's existence in the first place. But that curiosity lasted only a fraction of a second. Charlotte obeyed without a single question, reminding herself that her sole reason for existence was to be used at his whim, like a possession.

"There is no need to break it. Channel your innate dark mana."

Upon locating the barrier, Charlotte infused her dark mana into it as ordered. As she had suspected, the cabin revealed itself.

"Go ahead of me."

Without hesitation, Charlotte knocked on the door. It opened immediately, and a mature woman stepped out.

"Are you a witch too?"

The woman's cheerful smile slowly faded. The moment their eyes met, both froze in their tracks.

"Charlotte? Is that... is that really you, Charlotte?"

The familiar face belonged to her mother's younger sister—Charlotte's aunt.

Before Charlotte could even open her mouth, Selina suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace. Standing there dazed, Charlotte found herself sinking into her aunt's arms. The long-forgotten warmth of family melted away her tension.

Until now, Charlotte had never yearned for nor needed the embrace of her own kind. She had lived solely to nurse her thirst for vengeance. Yet, as this gentle warmth enveloped her, a sense of profound regret washed over her alongside the comfort. Why had she turned her back on her past connections, so utterly consumed by revenge?

A sudden realization struck her, and Charlotte slowly turned her head. Her Lord stood there, watching silently. The sequence of events flashed through her mind.

Why had he told her to channel her innate dark mana for no apparent reason? Because a close relative would recognize the unique signature of her dark mana.

Why had he stepped back and ordered her to go to the door first? It was his considerate way of granting her the joy of reunion.

...You knew everything and guided me here.

There was a reason for everything. And every single action had been for her sake. Though late, she finally realized it now that she was facing it. She couldn't know for sure how he had found this place, or if he truly knew she would find her family here. But given the circumstances, Charlotte wanted to believe it.

He was the incomprehensible Lord of the Abyss Palace. Charlotte firmly believed that his grace was as vast, unfathomable, and merciful as his power.

Selina was actually Charlotte's aunt! It wasn't just a friendly title; she was literally the younger sister of Charlotte's mother.

Why didn't I know this?

But thinking about it for a second, it would be weirder if I did. Just because I was a veteran player didn't mean I'd know the family trees of every named boss.

Selina tossed some firewood into the fireplace. Holding a poker, she poked at the embers with practiced, delicate movements.

"Have some tea."

"Thank you!"

Isabella took a polite sip. Elin nibbled on a cookie, while Charlotte sat demurely with her back to the fireplace. When Selina brought over some warm milk, Charlotte took a sip as well.

"You look a bit lonely ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠all by yourself. Shall I bring you an empty cup?"

Is she seriously asking that? I shook my head and let my gaze wander. The cabin wasn't very large, so the entire interior was visible at a glance. Young witches, teenage-looking witches, and those who seemed to have just reached adulthood—they were all peeking at me from behind the walls. It was obvious they were on high alert.

I can't exactly take off my helmet indoors, either.

I might look terrifying, but I actually have a warm heart. Seriously.

Selina rocked back and forth. Creak, creak. The rocking chair made a dreary sound.

"You said you are the Lord of the new 7th Abyss Palace? I apologize for the poor hospitality, especially for such an esteemed guest."

"Do not concern yourself."

Selina knew absolutely nothing about the Tomb of Faith. Then again, since she lived in seclusion in the Frozen Lands, it made sense that she was completely cut off from the affairs of the world.

"Still, I was so surprised. I never imagined Charlotte would find her way here. And you're the lieutenant of an Abyss Palace? Hehe, our little Charlotte has really made it big, hasn't she?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Thank you."

Charlotte offered a brief reply and took another sip of her warm milk. It felt a bit mismatched. I had assumed she'd prefer drinking human blood like Isabella, but she was drinking milk.

"I won't ask how you found this place. You're Charlotte's superior, and you clearly don't harbor any ill intent. In fact, we owe you a debt of gratitude, so I am simply thankful."

"Indeed."

"Your name is Bargore, correct? What a splendid name. You look so dignified and magnificent. Our Charlotte is truly blessed..."

If I let her keep going, she'd talk all day. I suddenly remembered Selina's notorious reputation as a TMI NPC. I recalled spamming the skip button whenever I encountered her in the game.

"Let us speak of business first," I cut her off, unable to listen any longer. "This girl is Elin. She is a witch who was abused by humans. Can you care for her here?"

"We have another new family member, then. Is your name Elin? Why don't you go play with the other girls? Hm? ...Elin?"

"She cannot speak."

"Oh dear... Then she needs to make friends even more. Elin, dear, wounds of the heart are healed by being with friends."

Selina gently took Elin by the wrist and nudged her forward. Elin was led, almost half-forced, toward the group of young witches.

"Is her name Elling?"

"No, she said Elin."

"I thought I heard Elling."

"Whatever, it's Elin. Elin! I'm Ruby!"

I had been a bit worried, but they seemed like good kids, so I breathed a sigh of relief. That took care of Elin.

Just as I was about to speak to Selina again, I felt Charlotte staring intently at me from the side.

"My Lord. Would it be possible to bring the witches of this place into our dungeon?"

I knew she would ask that. Instead of answering, I looked back and forth between Charlotte and Selina. Even though a look of fluster crossed Selina's previously smiling face, Charlotte didn't back down; instead, she tried to coax her aunt with her eyes.

"What do you think, Aunt?"

"Ahaha... Charlotte? Your aunt is a bit put on the spot here...?"

Honestly, I could understand Selina's perspective. She was living a peaceful life, and suddenly she was being asked to subject herself to an Abyss Palace. I didn't know why Charlotte was being so stubborn when she surely knew this. Was she really that starved for the warmth of her own kind?

Or does she think the dungeon is safer?

As long as they remained in the Frozen Lands, the cabin could never be truly safe. They couldn't rely on a barrier to fend off monster waves forever, and humans might eventually invade. Charlotte had likely considered that as well.

"My Lord treats his subordinates with the utmost care."

"That's right, that's right!"

"Above all, he is a singular Abyss Palace Lord. To serve such a supreme being is a tremendous honor."

"That's right, that's right!"

Isabella kept chiming in from the side. Ugh, the secondhand embarrassment was real. Having them praise me like this right in front of my face made it hard to even hold my head up. I cleared my throat to cut them off.

"I have a question. Do you happen to know of the Twin Rocks, the ones with a clean, straight split down the middle?"

The Grave of the Ancient Dragon lay dormant beneath those Twin Rocks. Whether it was due to some magical phenomenon or just game logic, those rocks were the only things in the area that remained free of snow, preserving their original appearance.

"I do. I see them often whenever I go out hunting."

"Their location?"

"You saw the birch forest on your way here, right? If you cross through it, you'll see a massive, ancient tree. Pass that tree and head straight north—oh, wait!"

Selina jumped up mid-sentence. She went into her room and returned holding a rolled-up parchment scroll.

"This is the map I use whenever I go hunting. It's a crude drawing of my own making, but I've marked the Twin Rocks on it."

I had never seen this in the game, so I hadn't expected such an item to exist. Well, a win is a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠win. I took the map from Selina and scanned it.

Satisfied, I nodded unconsciously.

"You have my thanks."

I rose from my chair and gestured to the other two. Charlotte stood up immediately, while Isabella looked around blankly before letting out an "Ah!" and scrambling to her feet.

"Oh. Are you leaving already?"

"Yes."

I had briefly considered staying the night to recover from the fatigue of the journey, but decided it would be a waste of time. I was an undead, and Charlotte and Isabella were ridiculously powerful superhumans; a little travel fatigue was nothing to them. The only potential concern was a monster wave, but there was no telling when one would occur, and even if it happened now, it wouldn't be a major issue.

Farming time? Even better.

Most importantly, I didn't want to waste any time when an incredibly broken hidden piece was waiting right in front of me.

"Take your time to consider Charlotte's proposal."

If I could bring the witches under my command, I would certainly welcome it—provided they were willing to accept.

"I shall return once my business is concluded. Organize your thoughts until then."

"Yes, I will. Take care, and I'll see you later."

Having said her piece, Selina approached Charlotte. Just like when they first met, she embraced Charlotte and gently stroked the back of her head.

"Stay safe. Make sure you eat well, okay?"

"Please make sure to visit the Tomb of Faith, Aunt."

"Yes, yes. I'll give it some serious thought."

Leaving behind a waving Selina, we stepped out of the cabin. I looked away from the map and gazed out at the birch forest. Somewhere beyond those unseen plains lay the hidden Grave of the Ancient Dragon.

"Let us go."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Ah! I forgot to pack some cookies before we left. They were so delicious..."

"They were indeed. Perhaps we should recruit her as a baker."

"That's right, that's right!"

A baker, really? Well, I suppose it was better treatment than when Isabella was treated as mere background decoration.

Selina stood in silence, watching their retreating figures fade into the distance. In truth, her eyes kept drifting to the pommel of the Death Knight's sword rather than his back. Even after they had shrunk to mere specks in the distance, the image of the solar cross on the pommel lingered in her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mind.

"I'm sure I've seen that somewhere before..."

For some reason, the blade was wrapped tightly in bandages, hiding its form. Yet the unique design of the pommel alone felt strangely familiar. She just couldn't recall when, where, or what kind of sword it was. Perhaps it was a memory buried too deep in the past.

Whoosh—

A freezing gust from the Frozen Lands swept over her. Shivering, Selina retreated into the cabin. She sat in her rocking chair with her back to the fireplace, turning the pages of the book she had been reading. From the back room, the lively laughter of the children drifted out in bursts.

"It looks like they're getting along well with their new family member."

A warm smile graced Selina's lips. Elin bore deep emotional scars, but in time, they would surely heal. In her heart, Selina offered a silent prayer of thanks to the one who had saved the young witch.

...Saved her?

That brief phrase acted as a trigger for her memory.

Ten years ago, a hero of the Empire had rescued witches in the northern frontier, only to be executed for it. Selina owed her life to that man, Lucas. In truth, almost every surviving witch in the world owed their life to him. Had he not intervened, every witch in her village would have been slaughtered.

Furthermore, there was a young witch he had sacrificed his life to save. Selina had witnessed that tragedy with her own eyes.

Lucas, who had cursed humanity as he was executed. A Death Knight, who had become the Lord of an Abyss Palace. The Holy Sword, held in his hands despite the contradiction. And his lieutenant, who was none other than Charlotte.

Selina fell into a quiet, yet shocking train of thought.

Could my suspicion actually be true? If so, is Charlotte serving under him to repay that debt?

A tempest of questions swirled in her mind, but there were no definitive answers.

"No, it can't be."

If her guess were true and Charlotte knew, she surely would have mentioned Lucas. There was no reason to hide it, yet neither of them had uttered a single word about "Lucas." Yes, she had to be mistaken. Besides, she wasn't even sure if it was the Holy Sword. A matching pommel didn't guarantee it was the legendary blade.

But what if it was true, and Charlotte simply didn't know?

...She might really not know.

Charlotte had lost consciousness due to a mana overload back then, so she hadn't even known who saved her. Moreover, after losing her family, she had gone into hiding to escape the Empire's eyes. It was highly likely she had never heard of Lucas's execution, just as Selina herself had been ignorant of the Tomb of Faith.

Lucas's execution had caused a massive uproar at the time. Yet even that did not last. Under the imperial court's suppression, the embers of the public outcry were quickly extinguished, and Lucas became a taboo subject.

...Please, let it not be him.

Selina prayed that he was not Lucas. If he truly was Lucas, Charlotte's mind would undoubtedly shatter in more ways than one.