It was Crusch. She was watching Zaryusu and Rororo with a gentle smile, but her tail was hitting the wetlands with a fixed rhythm.
Zenberu who was standing beside Crusch shuffled away slowly with a stiff expression.
Rororo stopped moving too. It probably sensed that something was wrong.
“What is it?”
“No, it’s nothing…”
Zaryusu looked at Crusch who asked him the question and was confused. No matter how he looked at it, Crusch was smiling and happy that Zaryusu and Rororo were reunited. But somehow, it gave him a chilling feeling.
“How strange—“
Crusch smiled again.
Rororo released Zaryusu and he regained his freedom. Zenberu seemed to be fearful of something. Zenberu probably couldn’t stand this strange atmosphere anymore and changed the topic in a hurry.
“Alright Rororo, you and I will move on ahead.”
Of course, Rororo couldn’t understand the language of the lizardmen, but it obediently allowed Zenberu to mount it and ran off with amazing speed.
After those two had left, a strange atmosphere fell between Zaryusu and Crusch.
Crusch hugged her head as she shaked it.
“Ah~ really, what am I doing. It feels like my heart isn’t my own. Even though it is irrational, I couldn’t help myself. This is like a curse.”
Zaryusu understood how she felt. Because he felt the same way when he met Crusch for the first time too.
“To be honest, Crusch— I am very happy.”
“— What!?”
Splash, a loud sound of water erupted. Zaryusu then moved to Crusch’s side.
“Listen, can you hear it?”
“Hmmm?”
“The things we successfully defended are also the things we have to protect from now on.”
Sounds of rowdy laughter were carried here with the wind, they should be holding a banquet right now. The banquet was meant to bid farewell to the ancestors, celebrate their victory and to mourn the dead.
Wine was originally an expensive luxury. But they managed to have several banquets thanks to Zenberu’s tribe bringing one of the four treasures that supplied unlimited wine. And because all of the tribes were gathered here, they could enjoy this unbelievably joyous atmosphere.
Zaryusu listened to the joyous cheers and said to Crusch with a smile:
“This might not be over yet, that Supreme One person might still attack, but even so… we should relax for today.”
Zaryusu then put his hands on Crusch’s waist.
Crusch followed the flow and stuck onto Zaryusu, resting her head on Zaryusu’s shoulder.
“Shall we go?”
“Yeah…” Crusch answered and after hesitating for a moment, she called out:”... My darling.”
The two lizardmen walked together, disappearing into the noisy crowd—
Chapter 4 - Dawn of Despair
Translator: Ferro
Editors/Proofreaders: JcqC, Skythewood, TaintedDream, Namorax
Part 1
Cocytus treaded with extremely heavy footsteps towards the Throne Hall. As if they were affected by a contagion, the servants following behind him likewise had footsteps which were slow and heavy.
The reason for these heavy footsteps was because of the defeat they had swallowed as a result of the war against the lizardmen. As the commander of the glorious Nazarick army, he had allowed failure to stain its reputation.
Sure, being created as a warrior, Cocytus himself held a lot of respect for outstanding warriors like the lizardmen.
However, this was a completely different matter.
Nazarick does not tolerate failure. Furthermore, this instance was not a defensive battle like those in the past, but was the first expedition. Anyone who was decorated with defeat in their first battle could not possibly be in a positive mood.
Recalling Demiurge's words, the army assigned to this task had been weak indeed, but was just an excuse. Even if there is a possibility his master planned for the expedition to fail from the very beginning.
Eventually, the Throne Hall lay ahead, and the room just before it, named “Solomon’s Gate”, was already within eyesight. As such, the closer they became, the heavier their footsteps became, as if they were under the influence of some kind of magic effect.
Even if he were to be blamed by the master, it would not matter. Even if he were to be killed, or ordered to commit suicide, he had already mentally prepared himself for any action necessary in order to wash off this shame.
What Cocytus feared the most, was disappointing his master.
If the last remaining Supreme Being were to abandon him, what would he do?
Cocytus thought of himself as a sword, one which was in the hands of the master and would obediently slice anything when ordered. That was why, being considered useless or ineffective by the master was the most terrifying.
Not only that, if the other Guardians were to be given up on for the sake of shared responsibility, Cocytus would not know how to face them.
There is no way this will be forgiven, if it turns out to be severe to that degree. Even if I were to offer up my life, it would still not be enough for forgiveness.
Furthermore...
If the master became disappointed because of this, and left this place just like the other Supreme Beings, what then...?
Cocytus shuddered. Being someone who had complete immunity to coldness, the cause of the shudder was of course not from external factors but from within. He was under such considerable mental stress and torment that, if he were human, he would have easily been at the brink of puking.
No, that will not happen. Ainz-sama definitely cannot… give up on us.
The last Supreme Being in this great tomb, where all the others had already left.
Even if he was the individual of highest authority, he was also everybody’s supporting pillar.
Therefore, how could such a kind hearted liege give up on us - he comforted himself with these words, but deep down, he still harboured some uncertainty over events to transpire which could not possibly happen.