My Mansion of Gorgeous Maids in Another World-Chapter 58: Fake Hero

At the far end of the catacombs, the Dragon Empress watched her forces defeat wicked souls—each clash ringing with the clang of claws against spectral bone, the coppery tang of magic‑charged air, and gritty dust swirling around talons—in the simplest, crudest, yet most effective way—through sheer strength.

Although the catacombs’ rules had been overwritten and the dragons lacked the Warden’s Will, the Dragon Empress’ own Will, carried in her heavy, condescending gaze, sent shivers through folded wings, tails flicking in unease, and a collective indrawn breath, intimidating the wicked dragons and allowing her troops to sweep in and clean up the mess.

Of course, those dragons could neither be killed nor erased, so they were imprisoned once again beneath much heavier seals.

It took time, but everything proceeded smoothly.

The Harbinger lurking in the shadows was, in the end, one of the weakest versions and could manipulate only concepts.

She could slay a few dragons on her own, but because everyone operated in tight platoons, even that proved a challenge.

The Dragon Empress’ victory over the Harbinger boosted the dragons’ morale, and they carried out their duties more efficiently and proudly.

A golden beam suddenly tore through the catacombs and landed beside the Dragon Empress, unfurling into a man with golden hair and eyes.

His horns were white, and he looked like a pristine incarnation of a dragon.

Though his appearance was admirable, he was merely one of many light dragons of his kind.

In the grand scheme, he was quite average.

Kneeling before the Dragon Empress, he delivered his report.

"We’ve spotted Terraroa and other dragon elders working with humans. They’re rescuing everyone without discrimination. Leading them is a human they call Lord Warden," he said.

The Dragon Empress’ emerald eyes grew colder and heavier, their weight forcing the light dragon’s head to bow.

Sweat beaded on his brow as he shivered beneath her scrutiny.

"We shall see to him," the Dragon Empress said after a few heavy seconds.

The Light Dragon exhaled shakily.

"As you desire, Your Majesty."

...

Jett’s team marched forward without many issues.

Whenever obstacles arose, he imposed his will and dealt with them, his maids, human forces, and dragons helping him carry out his intent.

By now he had gathered quite an army, shielding countless innocents in the terrifyingly dark, cold chasm.

Then more wicked dragons in skeletal form barred his path.

"Now they’re playing the numbers game, huh? Switching tactics, Harbinger?" Jett taunted aloud, crackling his Cerven.

Invisible pressure swept through the chasm, forcing everyone to their knees.

Only Noctlisa and Eleonora remained standing beside Jett, who alone felt no strain, though he sensed a dragon vast enough to fill the entire chasm glaring down at him.

A dozen golden beams flared to life with a crackle of ozone, then locked into sniper‑like positions around him, their searing radiance carving jagged shadows across the ancient stone. At the same moment, ranks of humanoid dragons surged into the corridor—scales glinting and wings half‑furled—interlocking shoulder to shoulder until they formed an impenetrable living wall.

Above them, a woman in a yukata glided in, violet wings beating proudly as she hovered over the crowd.

Her beauty was striking, but the power radiating from her commanded all attention, terrifying everyone but Jett.

She’s hot. That must be the Dragon Empress.

"Warden," she said, offering neither respect nor honorifics. "We do not need you meddling in our affairs. Leave."

Another one who doesn’t care about my status or intentions. She flat‑out disrespects me, even after seeing me help her people... There has to be more than meets the eye. She must hate the Warden—hate me. Skytianeus said her twin sister became a Maid of the Warden, so if I could awaken her I’d probably earn the Empress’s cooperation, or at least her tolerance. I can’t fix this with a single talk. She’s not Bob, either.

He suspected her twin’s induction as a Maid lay at the root of her animosity, yet he lacked the full picture.

Was she already the Dragon Empress when her twin was chosen as a Maid candidate, or had it happened earlier?

There could be more to it, but he was sure the twin’s appearance would resolve everything—yet that was impossible; the system offered no help, so he had to confront the Empress himself.

"The Dragon Empress, I presume. Just as you don’t know my name, I don’t yet know yours—I’m still new to this Warden role. I’ve become embroiled in the struggle between dragons and humans, and I intend to see it through. This place, too, is plagued by the Harbinger, so you could use my help," Jett said. "I aim to prevent further deaths."

The Dragon Empress didn’t so much as blink.

"Do not make us repeat ourselves. We do not need you. Harbinger? Already slain. Should she return in another body, we will kill her again and again until she yields. The Dragon Catacombs’ rules will thus revert naturally."

She’s tough. If she took down the Harbinger alone, then the Harbinger isn’t a problem for me or the dragons. I need to shift focus—ensure human safety.

"Commendable. I’ve already reverted several wicked souls and their skeletal bodies. If you need more help, I’ll gladly lend your kin a hand," Jett said, laying the ground for his request. "In return, I ask that you release the humans and help anyone you find leave this place."

"We spotted many," the Dragon Empress said, "and killed them all."

The humans’ faces twisted, but Jett kept his expression neutral, hating that more lives had been lost even after his arrival. Humans and dragons had already paid dearly; he sought no further sacrifice.

"We are willing to ignore the rest," the Dragon Empress continued. "We will lend them no hand; they must find their own way out. That applies to ordinary humans. As for the dragonslayers—hand them over."

Jett had taken in countless dragonslayers like Bob, and their faces turned ashen at her decree. It was like walking into the beast’s maw, and every eye turned to Jett.

"I refuse," he said.

Relief washed over the dragonslayers—until the Dragon Empress’ pressure crushed them, forcing them to grovel and lick the ground like dogs. Others could barely breathe; only Jett and his maids remained upright. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel-com

"You refuse us?" the Dragon Empress asked.

"Your terms are too harsh. There are many innocent humans who only want to live their lives—wounded and with no one to help them. Killing them won’t bring you satisfaction—"

"It will," the Dragon Empress cut in. "The dragonslayers first hunted the very dragons you just described—innocent, weak, simply living and enjoying an ample dinner. They forced them into dragon form, stripped them of their scales, and forged the first dragonslayer weapons and magic from those sacrifices. We would savor seeing those same innocent humans suffer. You ask too much, Warden."

Jett clenched his fists. This woman is... so fucking stubborn!

Many people said dragons were stubborn and selfish. Jett had heard it often from the humans he aided, each one shocked to see dragons cooperating with mortals. Yet now he faced that very stubbornness—embodied by the Dragon Empress herself.

He couldn’t fight her or bend her with his title, and, worse, she demanded the dragonslayers as tribute. For once, Jett had no idea what to do.

"Master," Eleonora murmured.

Jett turned toward her.

"It ill becomes a hero to safeguard himself by sacrificing the weak. One who offers others in his stead forfeits the name of hero, Master," she said.

It took him a moment to grasp her meaning.

She wants me to surrender the dragonslayers? If I do, I can save innocent people, but...

"Is there no other way?" Jett asked.

"I fear not, Master," Eleonora replied.

Jett’s shoulders sagged. He clenched his fists so hard that blood seeped between his knuckles, defeat written across his face. Turning back to the Dragon Empress, he spoke, his voice rough with turmoil.

"Take the dragonslayers. In exchange, I will stay to make sure every innocent human survives."

The Dragon Empress’ lips curved into a cold, beautiful smile. "Indeed, Warden. Your entire existence demands sacrifice."

What the fuck do you mean by that?

Meanwhile, Bob’s fear flared as he heard Jett’s decision. "You’re going to sacrifice us? To dragons? We’re humans! You’re the Warden—a human too! You should protect us—you should do everything to save us!"

Shut up... don’t make this harder on me.

Bob refused to fall silent. "Look at me and admit it—admit you’re a traitor to the human race!"

Eleonora became a silver blur. Her blade flashed, nearly severing Bob’s arms, and his armor crashed to the ground with a hollow clatter. He screamed and staggered back before collapsing onto his rear.

"My arms! My arms!"

"Such a counterfeit hero has no right even to address my Master," Eleonora said, her silver eyes colder than the Dragon Empress’s.

...

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