NOVEL WEB Chapter 42
Roxanne put on the pretense of serving the 72 Lords, but deep down, she planned to unleash her personal vendetta against me.
Roxanne’s arrogance was off the charts.
Even the gods couldn’t bear to look down on her.
When players tackle Roxanne in-game, her dialogue mostly goes like this:
“I can’t lose to some insignificant creature; they must be using some tricks; all that kind of arrogant banter.”
Even until the moment she dies, she denies defeat more than death itself. Do I really need to say more?
“Looks like her pride took a massive hit.”
The purpose of this hearing lacked justification and practicality; it was merely for her to vent her frustrations unilaterally.
She’s not a child. It was clear to everyone, including herself, that she was trying to mask her small-mindedness with a facade of righteousness.
Blizz cleared his throat and glanced around at the others.
“The second-ranked Lord has requested a hearing against the seventh-ranked Lord. It’s an unprecedented hearing among the Seven Lairs. Do we all agree?”
Sure, if it were some lower-ranked lord. But a hearing between the Seven Lairs?
The clash between the Seven Lairs carried risks too big for either side to handle.
You’d think they would oppose it knowing the backlash it could cause, yet the lower-ranked lords succumbed to the murderous intent radiating from Roxanne.
“What about the other Seven Lairs?”
Regardless, the stance of the Seven Lairs was what mattered.
No matter how high Roxanne’s ranking was, the rights of the Seven Lairs were all equal.
If just two of the four opposed, it wouldn’t even reach a hearing.
“Senior, could you please tone it down?”
“….”
At least Roseha tried to urge her, but it was like talking to a wall.
Roseha was opposing, knowing my predicament, but the other Seven Lairs?
“Alright, alright. This might be fun.”
“I agree! I think it’s great!”
“I’m in!”
“Uhmm….”
Looking around, the twins were giggling as if they found it amusing, and Calandas nodded along with his words.
Daron remained solemnly silent. He didn’t express any opposition.
“This is ridiculous.”
“Likewise, I’ll be the mediator.”
It seemed the hearing had already been confirmed as Blizz spoke up.
“The two lords should engage in a question-and-answer format. Decisions should be reached by consensus, and if consensus fails, it will be resolved by a vote from the 72 Lords. Now, Roxanne Lord, please begin your questioning.”
“I have two questions. Barugore, you are obliged to answer these two inquiries.”
Surely one was about the Divine Sword, and the other about taking a human as a subordinate.
Both were tied to pro-human sentiments, which were the best justification for the 72 Lords.
“You are undead. Yet how does an undead come to be chosen by the Divine Sword?”
It was a reproach I expected; I had prepared countless counterarguments before even arriving at this roundtable meeting.
Not to brag, but I lived under the guise of the Seven Lairs while dealing with paranoia for my safety.
From the moment I heard about the summoning to the 72 Dungeon, I had been strategizing for every possible scenario.
“Especially since it involves the Divine Sword and Charlotte.”
These two subjects had plausible defenses prepared in my mind.
So, there was no need to panic. It wasn’t a one-on-one brawl.
It was just a matter of exchanging questions and scrutinizing the matter at hand.
“What does the awakening of the Divine Sword signify? It is the prophecy of Solari, aimed at the preservation of humanity. It necessitates qualifications and serves humanity. That Divine Sword lies in your hands, Barugore. What does this imply?”
Unlike me, Roxanne requested this hearing out of sheer spite.
If all she did was throw out a hastily concocted plan, she wouldn’t be able to defeat me here.
“You possess a sense of justice for humanity. You hold an ulterior motive to betray the 72 Dungeon and side with humans.”
On the flip side, I had my doubts. Normally, a hearing is meant to clarify right from wrong.
Knowing this, Roxanne still chose to dig into my intentions, which had nothing to do with the debate.
Am I for humanity, or for the 72 Lords?
Unless I summoned Renlin’s insight, there was no way to discern that.
But there was no hint of invoking Renlin’s insight either. It shouldn’t have happened in the first place.
The hearing was supposed to proceed solely through the direct question-and-answer between the two parties, aside from the mediator.
“Is this purely for incitement?”
Or perhaps she’s so blinded by resentment that she’s lost all discernment. Or maybe there’s another scheme at play.
At this point, I decided to speak up.
“I’ve eliminated two heroes.”
“That isn’t valid evidence. Those two heroes tried to kill you first. You only killed them for self-defense, didn’t you? Besides that, you had no other intentions.”
“….”
“What is the purpose of this meeting? Ultimately, it’s a gathering for the solidarity of the 72 Dungeon. However, merely possessing the Divine Sword hinders that solidarity.”
As expected, it was manipulation.
Without the twins’ insight, there was no way to assess my true intentions.
Thus, it was simply a strategy to slander me and bury my persona.
“The second agenda item follows the same reasoning. As you know, the Seven Lairs are sacred and beyond reproach, graced by the respect of the Outer Universe. Look—what kind of misconduct has such a Seven Lairs committed?”
“Now, let’s get to the point. As you know, the Seven Lairs are sacred and untouchable, receiving the reverence of the non-human realms. Look at what kind of indecency these Seven Lairs have committed.”
“Tick.”
Roxanne pointed at Charlotte, who was silently standing behind me.
“You have taken a pure human as your second-in-command. This will serve as a great hindrance to our bond. We have taken on the task of serving the 72 dungeons and the non-human realms. No one can ignore your recklessness.”
“So what exactly are you trying to say?”
In an instant, Roxanne’s brow twitched.
You really love to ramble, don’t you?
So what’s the point you want to make?
“It is only proper to eliminate the elements of distraction and instability. If you lose in the hearing, then you shall execute your second-in-command. And destroy the Holy Sword.”
Destroying the Holy Sword and executing Charlotte.
Naturally, my gaze shifted elsewhere.
There was a case of someone trying to kill Charlotte, and one person wary of the Holy Sword more than anyone else: Calandas was silently observing from the sidelines.
At first glance, it seemed like the two were conspiring together, but knowing Roxanne’s character, that wasn’t the case.
When it comes to blind hatred towards humans, they mirrored each other perfectly.
Since they share the same heart, their opinions must also align eerily well.
I feigned nonchalance and crossed my arms.
“I’d like to argue against the execution of Charlotte. But first, let me ask you something.”
As I glared silently, Roxanne nodded slightly.
“Centuries ago, you spread dark magic through the Ten Tribulations of the Abyss to the Empire. From that, the ‘Witch’ was born on the part of humanity.”
At my words, Roxanne’s pupils expanded, and her gaze lingered on Charlotte.
So you’ve finally realized she’s a witch.
“When the witch appeared, humanity was divided. Isn’t that what you intended, Roxanne?”
Roxanne created the witch to shatter humanity’s unity.
Following that plan, a witch extermination order erupted all over the Empire, leading to humanity’s collapse.
“The existence of the witch causes division among humanity. And my second-in-command, Charlotte, is that witch.”
Roxanne was the one who created the witch. She fell into her own trap.
By now, Roxanne must understand this.
“The witch is a second-in-command of the Seven Lairs. Once the Empire learns of this, another witch hunt will ensue, resulting in innocent women dying, inevitably causing further division among the people of the Empire.”
I paused and glanced towards the twins.
“It has been said since ancient times that the enemy of my enemy is my ally. Charlotte has the same task as us. Twins Ren and Lin, feel free to confirm.”
Ren and Lin’s insight isn’t limited to just those leading the hearing.
In other words, they could use their insight on the outsider Charlotte.
From Ren and Lin’s standpoint, with three chances left to discern Charlotte, there was no reason to refuse either.
“Yeah. The 7th second-in-command? Want to kill all humans? Well, except for fellow witches!”
“Yes. That’s why I volunteered to be the boss’s second-in-command.”
The witch returned as the second-in-command of the Seven Lairs.
If this can be justified as a reason for the Empire’s chaos, and if Charlotte’s true feelings align with this, then the tide would surely turn in my favor.
“Yes, it’s true.”
“Uh-huh!”
A faint look of dismay spread across Roxanne’s face.
With this, the issue of Charlotte’s execution was completely resolved.
All that was left was the Holy Sword.
“Roxanne. I will borrow your words. The argument against the Holy Sword also stands.”
“….”
“The hearing is not the place to express my intentions. Face the realistic problems at hand.”
Whether I had confidence or not was something I could never know.
My argument was not a provocation like Roxanne’s but a wake-up call to the immediate reality.
“Think about which side would be the most chaotic when the Holy Sword is in my hands. Is it your side feeling threats that don’t even exist? Or is it humanity, who would have their great ambitions stripped away?”
Saying so, I drew the Holy Sword.
“If this is in my hands, humanity’s despair will be eternal. That’s why the name of my dungeon is the Tomb of Faith. Conversely, what do you think humanity would think if the Holy Sword were destroyed?”
Indeed, the Undead cannot wield the Holy Sword. Our faith is steadfast.
Everyone knows that humanity’s unity lies in their faith, without needing to state it outright.
I sheathed the Holy Sword again and surveyed my surroundings.
“I declare, I do not stand for humanity. The only purpose of the Holy Sword will be to serve my own interests. After the hearing, feel free to test Ren and Lin’s insight.”
Of course, one cannot contest the arguments that emerge from the hearing.
No matter how foolish Ren and Lin might be, they wouldn’t go that far.
I simply wanted to convey that my words carried the audacity to back this up.
“Roxanne. Don’t stir up trouble for flimsy reasons. Didn’t you fail to notice that my second-in-command is a witch?”
“…You!”
Roxanne’s voice slipped out with a life-threatening tone.
A chill ran down my spine at that brief syllable.
…Did I cross the line?
Should I not have said that last word?
Roxanne’s eyes sharpened even more,
And even the color of her level had turned into bloodlust.
“I’ll be direct. I don’t like you.”
Suddenly, a murderous aura surrounded Roxanne.
An indescribable purplish aura crushed the space in an instant.
I could hear the collective gasp of the Lords.
“I admit it. The hearing was driven by personal emotions. I want to stomp on you that badly.”
“….”
“I’ll accept the hearing, so let’s move on. Barugore, let’s see who’s stronger between us.”
Ah.
‘What’s this sudden outburst!’
I knew she had a bratty pride, but I didn’t expect her to be this reckless.
If it came down to a one-on-one fight, there would be no doubt I’d vanish without a trace.
That is, if it actually happened.
“Sir, just concede.”
“Maintain your dignity, Lady Roxanne. You’re the second-ranked Lord and the top Lord of the Round Table.”
“That’s right! Sir, you need to hold back!”
“I agree too!”
Even if she was second-ranked, this was a meeting of the 72 Lords.
“If you move, we won’t just watch. Do you want to make all of us your enemies?”
“Sir! Stay calm! Stay calm!”
“Lin, calm down! Calm down!”
“Barugore.”
If you touch me here, it would be like turning the entire Seven Lairs against you.
Yet it seems like this crazy woman doesn’t care about that at all.
No matter what others said, Roxanne’s eyebrows didn’t budge.
“If you don’t accept, your lieutenant will die at my hands. Don’t think you can stop me. I can kill immediately if I set my mind to it.”
“….”
What’s with this absurdity?
It’s not just simple threats; she really has the power to kill Charlotte in an instant if she intends to.
“I’m saying this one last time. Let’s determine who’s stronger, you or me. You may be ranked 7th, but you’re still a single entity. Wouldn’t it be a good duel?”
Clearly, Roxanne didn’t want to accept the result of the hearing.
If that were the case, she should have raised an objection before we fought.
Roxanne had been planning this from the start.
She had been showing her unwillingness to acknowledge my strength openly, even before the meeting began.
It was all just a pretext to regain her pride through a show of force rather than the hearing.
‘Ah. This is really frustrating.’
The hearing was just a flimsy excuse to create a reason to fight.
It’s absurd and reckless, but Roxanne made it possible.
She was the overwhelming strongest who could turn everyone against her.
How unfortunate that I’m targeted by this reckless strongest without any foresight.
I don’t even understand why I’m in this situation where a sneeze could kill me.
‘Damn, what do I do?’
If I accept, I’d obviously die, and rejecting it means trusting the 72 Lords?
To hell with the consequences, she might just kill Charlotte on a whim.
This impossibly arrogant squad leader dragon could easily do that.
‘…I guess direct confrontation is the answer.’
The only reason I made it this far is sheer bluster.
Is there truly no bluster that could even drive Roxanne back?
Empty bluster would only provoke her further.
Also, unlike when I had Calandas, I had no explosive items left.
‘What if I explode Blizz?’
That thought was fleeting.
It could resolve the current situation, but then the aftermath would be problematic.
Blizz of all people? How could I even think of blowing up the Old One’s Lieutenant?
‘Am I supposed to beg for mercy?’
Just imagine me saying, “Let’s just say I lost” for a bit of pride.
That would destroy the effort I put into the bluster, but it would definitely be a way for everyone to survive.
If that doesn’t work, I’d have to kneel, bury my head, and beg.
‘…If that’s the case.’
Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck me.
A technique that could overwhelm Roxanne with even greater bravado.
But I’m not entirely sure. It could backfire badly.
In retrospect, this was just as much a gamble as with Calandas.
But if I succeed, even Roxanne might become a sacrifice to my bluster.
With my resolve set, I opened my mouth.
“This is absurd. You’re the immortal one, aren’t you?”
It truly is unreasonable.
Second and seventh ranks aren’t the only problem; Roxanne herself is unreasonable.
Dragon Lord Roxanne. Another title is the Immortal Dragon Roxanne.
Roxanne was born with a body that would never die.
Even if my neck is sliced off, even if my body is torn apart, I won’t die—literally immortal.
The Empire and The Seven Lairs joining forces to swarm like a horde still can’t kill Roxanne.
Old One is nothing but a tease for now; they’re not the strongest in this world for no reason.
“Even if everyone here launches a full-scale attack on you, you’ll never die. Not in days, not in years. Not even after centuries. You are absolutely immortal.”
Everyone at the Round Table knew this. Beyond the realm of absurdity, the unbeatable being was none other than Roxanne.
Roxanne is so powerful she could easily turn everyone into her enemies without breaking a sweat.
She knew it better than anyone, which is why she could boldly take the stage.
Blizz confirmed my strength with his own mouth; even the twins’ insight validated it.
Yet, the reason Roxanne doesn’t feel intimidated is that she is, after all, immortal.
In the game, Roxanne was the epitome of absurdity.
Physical power, magic, curses, healing, divine might.
No matter what methods were used, her health bar would dwindle, only to refill back to full once it hit zero.
I was the first to attempt defeating Roxanne, and it took me a staggering three years.
“So this explains why you’re so shameless without any preparation.”
“Be honest. Aren’t you just scared?”
Roxanne twisted her lips into a smirk.
It was the calmness of someone who didn’t even consider defeat.
The only thing filling her mind was how to humiliate me.
If I back down here, the situation would wrap up nicely.
To live, it makes sense to shed the facade I’ve built up.
The people around me also seemed to hope I would yield.
But now, I don’t want to do that anymore.
I wanted to put that arrogant lizard in her place.
“Twin Renlin. I need both of your help to mediate this conflict.”
No matter how much fun the twins crave, they are hesitant about the conflict between The Seven Lairs.
So, I believe they’ll agree to my request.
“Use your divine insight on me right now.”
Just like with Blizz, subjective certainty alone won’t differentiate truth from falsehood.
But I’ve killed Roxanne plenty of times, more than just once or twice—dozens, perhaps hundreds.
The time has come for Roxanne to feel the same emotions that Blizz experienced.
I could see a flicker in the twins’ eyes as they looked at me.
It was a precursor to their insight.
“Roxanne. In front of me, you are not an immortal.”
As fantasy often goes, dragons have their weak spots.
Even the seemingly immortal Roxanne has a dungeon core similar to a weak spot.
Roxanne’s dungeon core was unique.
A tiny dungeon core, the size of a fingernail, hidden deep inside her throat.
It wasn’t something she hidden by choice; it was imprinted there from the start.
It took me three years just to find that one thing.
“Right here, right now.”
Even if her mouth drops open, the next part is the real challenge.
Finding that tiny dungeon core is as tough as finding a pearl in a sandpit.
“I know a way to kill you in one hit.”
“…Ha. You’re really getting carried away. Not everything you say holds weight.”
Her expression was filled with disbelief.
If you were to ask if I could kill her right now, that’s nearly impossible.
So I craftily phrased it as knowing a ‘method’ to kill her.
If only I could stab my holy sword into that weak spot, Roxanne would be annihilated without a chance.
If the game and reality differ, I could just bluff my way through.
A little bragging won’t get me killed. It won’t escalate into a conflict.
If that happens, I could just back down and it would all be fine.
On the other hand, if my words turn out to be true, then Roxanne wouldn’t dare treat me carelessly moving forward.
She might even come to fear me.
“…It’s true.”
That was Ren’s voice. No need to turn my head.
I could see the green light in Ren’s eyes reflected in Roxanne’s trembling pupils.
I’ve killed Balmunk in one hit without even lifting a finger, and I could do the same to Blizz.
Roxanne wouldn’t be exempt from becoming a sacrificial lamb.
Now that my words have been affirmed as truth, everything I say from here on out becomes my weapon.
“Roxanne. Our duel cannot simply determine who is superior.”
“….”
“Given the heightened emotions between us, we would only want to kill each other. Are we truly ready for a life-and-death struggle?”
I could clearly see what was on Roxanne’s mind.
It was obvious—I was never going to die. She must have been trying to intimidate me with that half-hearted resolve.
As that thought crossed my mind, Roxanne’s level began to fade into startling colors.
Light orange and black. It was the first time she felt genuine fear, second only to Old One.
“If you wish to compete with me, you must stake your life.”
With a facade like that, could you please just let it slide?
I’m floundering here, so please.