"What's so urgent?" The Pope was clearly worn out by recent events. This Dark Lord's talent for chaos far exceeded his expectations. Not only had several devils gone on a rampage, but the dense crowd had also sparked massive unrest.
Surprisingly, the Dark Lord hadn't attacked the Church or divine authority. Instead, he'd targeted social conflicts. Though divine rule was deeply entrenched, the Pope had no idea what long-term impact this speech would bring.
Perhaps, as the Dark Lord claimed, revolution was near. Yet, suppressing it required absolute power. And that power...
"News from the south," Wu Fangzheng said gravely, sitting across from him. "Six nations suddenly declared independence, forming the Southern Empire. And the Dark Cult is behind this."
"The Dark Cult?" The Pope frowned, glancing at the Sacred Knight standing like a stone statue nearby. "At this critical moment, they clearly won't abandon the Dark Lord. Just like that previous thief."
"Uniting six sizable duchies in rebellion is a massive move," Wu Fangzheng remarked. "The key is the Church's stance. This is the Empire's affair. If the Church intervenes..."
"We must intervene," the Pope declared without hesitation. He turned to the Sacred Knight. "Who could pull this off?"
"Moon Solitary. Wu Yizhu." The Sacred Knight's voice was mechanical, yet oozed arrogance.
"That traitor," the Pope snorted coldly. "Chasing the Dark Cult's false promise of immortality."
"Traitor?"
"Connected to the previous Hero," the Pope explained. "You know this too. People with names like yours, seemingly from another realm, are often Hero descendants. And Moon Solitary? She's the previous Hero's—own daughter."
"What..."
"You handle things here. I'm going to see that Dark Lord. Sacred Knight, come with me." The Pope stood abruptly and left the hall.
----
So dark! I rubbed my eyes. Who could get me a glowing pearl? I want to read!
Well, in this exclusive ninth-level dungeon, wishing for a glowing pearl was pure fantasy. I adjusted the book toward the candlestick. Still dim and uncomfortable.
My eyes stung. I looked up. Right before me was the escape route. Escaping was simple: just rip off five iron bars with my hands, then smash eight tin-can knights. Then face even more enemies outside!
This game is so easy!
Easy hell!
In this materialistic world, only the fox fur robe beneath me offered warmth. The soft fur felt cozy (rolling around)—no, too girly. Gotta stay serious.
Why, in such a tense life-or-death moment, am I so happy I can't focus on reading? Am I a masochist? Eek—scary!
Someone's coming! Footsteps—two people. One in clanking armor. The other must be a mage, wearing cloth boots.
Oh, I thought it was someone else. The Pope and Sacred Knight.
The iron gates opened one by one. Two tall figures approached. I kept my eyes on the book. The Pope crouched down. "Still in the mood to read?"
"I'm filing a complaint! Your dungeon lighting sucks!" I snapped, looking up. "I want to check out! Let me out!"
"Impossible..."
"Why not? The Pope himself! And this Sacred Knight, armor so shiny and glittering—it screams awesome! Two big shots here for me. With this much face, can't I even get a room refund?" I shot him a glare and closed the book. "So, what do you want?"
"Your mouth is sharp."
"Just extra sarcasm? Next topic." I clearly saw the Pope's ahoge twitch.
Wait, why does the Pope have an ahoge?! Why does such a moe point exist on a big villain?
The Pope composed himself. "You're the most failed Dark Lord, yet the most formidable."
"I won't deny the first. But the second—I'm just a lazybones." I lay on the book, swinging my legs. "Guys like you are the inhuman ones."
The Pope seemed to give up. "I'm curious. How did you come up with those ideas?"
"Hehe... I made it up." I smiled. "Your Holiness~ Equality for all beings. Isn't that appealing under extreme oppression?"
"Do you think your speech succeeded?"
"My goal was achieved." I poked my cheek. "I succeeded in annoying you."
"Do you think everything is under your control?"
"No way. I'm not the Pope, right, Uncle?" I saw him make a heartbroken gesture. Overreacting much? Could he really be a lolicon? Shudder!
"I just want to control my own fate," I replied seriously. "Unlike you, who loves keeping lolis at home or tossing them here for captivity play and abandonment play."
"I don't have such perverted tastes," he finally snapped back.
"I've satisfied your captivity and abandonment play desires for so long. Won't you let me go?" I said plaintively.
"I don't know how you stay so relaxed. Aren't you afraid?"
"Afraid of what? Death? Mopas? What's the point? I'm more concerned about Yeluo. What did you do with her?"
"Yeluo?"
"That beastkin maid. I miscalculated. You can read minds—you know everything from that day. And you so easily let her help me dress—" If anything happens to her, even as a Void Demon, I won't spare you."
"You know about the Void Demon?" he glared.
"The Dark Lord studied the Void beyond this world long ago. Void Beasts there are unknown, uncontrollable forces. And you want to use me to control the Void Demon, emperor of Void Beasts?" I demanded. "Are you insane? The Void is taboo. No one knows why it exists or why Void Beasts live there. Generations of Dark Lords who touched it left strict warnings. Even the King of Magic avoids it."
"That maid was protected by the Princess. We have no leisure to target ordinary people," the Pope said.
"If that's all, leave. I still have reading to do." I waved, trying to shoo away the damn Pope.
"One more thing. If we work together in the future, I hope you'll understand me." He stood and left. The Sacred Knight never looked at me.
"Those who follow you are the true demons." I gave a bitter laugh. Now there was no way out. Even in death, they wouldn't release my body.
So tired. My eyes too. I closed them, hugging the book, wanting to nap. Time ticked by, like my life counting down.
I'm definitely not the heroine. Heroines always get rescued! But me...
Clang! Clang! Clang! Sharp sounds. I opened my eyes in terror. The guarding knights were pierced by golden longswords, nailed to the wall. They died silently. Above me, the cage bars were cleanly severed. In the distance, a golden figure approached step by step.
