However, Albedo’s concept of loyalty gave Demiurge a huge shock.
But even so, he was still worried and his restlessness would not disappear. It was why, in the past, they spoke of a descendant to carry on his will.
If Ainz-sama were to disappear like the other Supreme Beings, to whom should they be loyal to from that day onwards?
For us who were created to be loyal to them, after this value was lost then what would be the meaning of existence?
As if to hide his own emotions, Demiurge rudely sat on the chair again, not one bit like his usual self.
“If… anything should happen to Ainz-sama, you must discard your position as Overseer of the Guardians.”
“…… Demiurge. you. dare. telling. Albedo. to. step. down. from. a. position. bestowed. upon. her. by. the. Supreme. Beings? Such. insolence!”
Albedo smiled at the shocked Cocytus.
“No problem. However, Demiurge, if Ainz-sama returns safely, you will have to obediently follow my commands should any similar situation arise in the future.”
“Of course.”
“Well then, Cocytus, what do you think are Ainz-sama’s chances of winning?”
Cocytus reluctantly told the other two his personal judgment.
“Thirty to seventy. Ainz-sama is thirty.”
Demiurge’s shoulders could not help but give a jump. For Cocytus, the strongest warrior amongst them, to say something so ominous, there was no way Demiurge could ignore this. However Albedo had a different reaction. Upon hearing this statement, she revealed a beaming smile as she fully grasped the situation with ease.
“Is that so. Then let’s wait and see how Ainz-sama turns the tables to obtain victory.”
♦ ♦ ♦
After splitting up with the two people, Ainz walked towards Shalltear’s position. Thanks to his own special abilities, he was able to differentiate between north, south, east and west, and stuck to a straight line through the woods when heading towards Shalltear.
Passing through the trees, Ainz caught sight of Shalltear. It saddened him to see that Shalltear looked just the same as before, like a doll. At the same time he felt anger towards himself, but an even greater anger at the World Class item user.
“Damn.”
He cursed softly, but his voice was filled with strong emotions. Even the undead Ainz who was capable of suppressing emotional turbulence was unable to repress this.
“In order to find my companions, I have to spread the name and fame of Ainz Ooal Gown through any means, no matter how unscrupulous. But I still maintained discretion in order to avoid such meaningless battles. How did something like this happen?”
Who was it? Just what kind of power was used? Why use a World Class item against Shalltear? He did not have the slightest clue.
“……No matter who the opponent is, if they managed to extract information from Shalltear …… I will have to be kill them without fail.”
Within Ainz, intense dark emotions surfaced. From within him gushed out such fierce hostility and murderous intent, such that even a skull which ought to be incapable of movement looked significantly distorted.
“I will definitely make you deeply regret your own foolishness. Do not think you can get away so easily when you anger us, Ainz Ooal Gown.”
After speaking out his inner fury, Ainz gradually reverted back to his usual composure.
The real battle was about to start. It was crucial that he kept calm.
“I am still stupid, there are better methods at hand.”
Ainz revealed a self-deprecating smile.
“…… Is it guilt? Or do I not willingly face…… only wishing to avoid confronting…”
Although Shalltear was the strongest Guardian, the difference was minimal. If the other Guardians took turns to attack, victory was certain.
However Ainz did not choose this method for a single reason.
That was because he did not wish to personally witness his beloved children mutually killing each other.
If the opponent had voluntarily betrayed Ainz Ooal Gown, Ainz would frankly accept the fact of her rebellion and use all means at disposal to extinguish her. If that was the NPC’s own volition, as Nazarick’s ruler, treating her with severity was only appropriate.
If the betrayal were because of the setting, he would find the most compromising method.
However, Shalltear this time was different. She had been mind controlled, and the person in the wrong was Ainz for not considering this situation. That is why only he could shoulder this responsibility.
He wished to personally handle this.
Ainz took off a ring, a cash item that allowed revival for several times without any cost. Removing this item represented Ainz’ steadfast resolve, because if he were able to revive, he would be less focused.
It’s not a sign of him giving up. Determined, Ainz looked up at the sky.
“Up until now the enemy has still chosen not to attack. Right now, I can only sense the surveillance magic from Nazarick…… is the enemy not watching?”
Normally, Ainz would use a large variety of defensive magic. The counterintelligence magic activated in Carne Village was one such type.
In YGGDRASIL, because friendly fire was rendered ineffective, his companions could use intelligence magic on Ainz and locate him with ease. However this world was different. If Albedo and the others wished to observe Ainz, he would automatically counter with magic.
Thus, the counter magic would be an attack to Nazarick’s security net. If he was careless, Ainz could face the retaliation from the security net and suffer unnecessary damage.
Therefore Ainz disabled the automatic countering magic, only leaving behind that which could detect the source of the intelligence magic. From that information, he gathered that aside from Nazarick, there were no others who were using magic to watch Ainz at this moment.
Ainz tilted his head quizzically.
Could it be that Shalltear being abandoned here was really a coincidence?
“Furthermore…… didn’t Albedo see through my lies? Oh dear, oh dear. Setting that aside …… do you not feel that this is quite a gamble, Shalltear?”
Needless to say, the expressionless Shalltear did not respond.
Ainz looked at Shalltear and readied himself for battle, but a tiny part of himself wished to escape this situation.
Even if he had just intonated his determination, when standing here and facing the reality of the situation, he still felt a tremendous amount of pressure.
Even if he had mentally prepared to heroically put his life on the line… no, because he had the determination to die, the cowardly spirit left behind by the man, Satoru Suzuki, would feel fear.
The battle that would ensue was not going to be slash-and-kill like in the YGGDRASIL game— but a genuine fight to the death.