Cocytus shivered all over.
Because he knew what the forthcoming action would represent.
Inhaling deep breaths several times, then exhaling.
Cocytus did not respond to the master’s request, causing all of the others at the scene to feel puzzled before Cocytus eventually replied.
“There is a matter I wish to request of Ainz-sama!”
It was as if the whole world had stopped, with all of the spectators focusing their attention towards him.
Cocytus was a Guardian. Even in Nazarick, he had the highest level of authority and skill, with only a handful of others being able to be compared to him. Despite this, he felt a wave of cold chill that made his entire body shiver.
Although regret gushed out like a torrent from inside of him, it was all already too late to take back his words.
Although Cocytus possessed compound eyes which enabled him to have a quite broad field of vision, his head was completely lowered and thus had no means of seeing the master’s expression. This became his salvation, because if the master expressed anger or displeasure, Cocytus would be frightened to the point of petrification.
“I implore of you, Ainz-sama!”
Before the master made any response, another interrupted Cocytus’ speech.
“You dare!”
The one who made the denouncement was Albedo, with a deafening scream, as expectedly formidable as one would expect from the Overseer of the Guardians. Cocytus, who was powerless to move, felt as if he was a young child scolded harshly by his mother, and could not stop trembling.
“You who allowed the glory of Nazarick to suffer a defeat, what standing do you have to make a request from Ainz-sama?! Simply outrageous!”
Cocytus did not utter a single word and resolved to not raise his head without obtaining the master’s approval first. Even if Albedo’s anger intensified, he would not waver.
“If you don’t—”
However Albedo’s anger was interrupted by a man’s calm voice, and dissipated like smoke.
“—Don’t be like this, Albedo.”
The master repeated his words to pacify Albedo who had burst forth.
“Raise your head, Cocytus. What request do you have, and can you share it with us?”
That calm voice was devoid of any anger, but this just made it even more terrifying. That fear was very similar to peering and feeling imminently sucked into a bottomless lake.
Wearing equipment, Cocytus could resist fear-inducing mental attacks from external forces. That was why the fear attacking his being originated from within himself.
After swallowing a mouthful of his own saliva — more accurately described as a mouthful of poison — Cocytus slowly raised his head, and looked at the Supreme Being who was his master.
The light shining in the master’s empty eye sockets seemed to slightly turn into a shade of bright red.
“I repeat myself again, what request do you have, and can you share it with us?”
He could not utter a single word. Although he tried to speak out many times, it was stuck in his throat, and no words could come out.
“What is it, Cocytus?”
Heavy silence filled the air.
“… I am not angry, I merely wish to know what you are thinking, and what you request.”
As if comforting a child that remained silent, the tone was quite gentle. Under this gentle encouragement, Cocytus eventually said:
“I oppose exterminating all of the lizardmen, and I request for your mercy.”
After giving his decisive speech, Cocytus felt as if the atmosphere was shaking. No, the atmosphere was actually convulsing.
The main source came from the front— from Albedo’s killing intent. The secondary source was from the wavering confidence of the other Guardians. Only Demiurge and the master were as calm as a still lake and were unaffected by any ripples.
“… Cocytus, do you know what you are asking of?”
Albedo’s cold voice was filled with murderous intent, even causing Cocytus, whose entire body was of a frozen attribute, to feel a chill.
“Ainz-sama commanded you to exterminate the lizardmen, as penance for your crime, yet you as the defendant dare to sing a different tune… Guardian of the Fifth Floor Cocytus, have you become afraid of the lizardmen?”
That tone was mocking, but Cocytus could not refute what was asserted.
It was natural for Albedo to have that attitude. If their positions were reversed, Cocytus would probably also be aggravated.
“You remain sil—”
What made Albedo shut her mouth was not a voice, but the sound of a striking sound. That was the resonating sound made by the staff coming into contact with the floor.
“Albedo, quiet. It is I who is asking Cocytus, don’t be presumptuous.”
“My extreme apologies! Please, please forgive me!”
Albedo lowered her head in apology and returned to her original position.
The master turned his gaze around, and stared at Cocytus with sharp eyes. It was still impossible to determine the master’s emotions. It looked as if it was at the bursting point of rage, yet it could also be an amused look.
“Cocytus, seeing as you make such a request, the reason must be due to some benefit towards the Great Tomb of Nazarick right? Do explain.”
“Yes! In the future, tenacious warriors may appear amongst them. As such, exterminating them completely at this stage would be too much of a waste. This subordinate reckons that it is in our interests that we should wait for more tenacious lizardmen to appear in the future, and for now have them pledge their deep loyalty to Nazarick and accept them to serve us.
“... This suggestion is indeed not a bad one. Lizardmen corpses are of high quality when used to serve as undead in comparison to using human corpses. If only it was possible to have a perfect method of collecting the corpses buried in Re-Lantier, then there would be no purpose in using the lizardmen corpses.”
Just as Cocytus was about to say “So then…”, he realised that the master had not finished with his speech. He felt an uneasy premonition which unfortunately became a reality.
“However, compared to using lizardmen, if I were to use corpses to create undead, the efficiency in terms of consumption cost should be higher. Not only is it possible to guarantee loyalty, but it is also not necessary to waste consumables. The lizardmen’s advantage is that eventually they can increase their population, and this advantage would require a lengthy period of time to realise… If I have missed out anything, speak up for us to hear. Is there any other benefit which can convince me?”