Chapter 11

Overlord Volume 2 Bab 3
Raja Hutan yang Bijaksana

Bagian 1

Clementine menyerbu kembali ke tempat persembunyian Khazit – kuil rahasia di bawah kuburan E-Rantel. Langkahnya liar dan kuat, alisnya berkerut, dan mulutnya bengkok. Wajahnya yang cantik berubah menjadi sesuatu yang hanya bisa dideskripsikan dengan kata "jelek."

Yang mengatakan, sifat aslinya mungkin lebih aneh dari wajah itu.

Khazit bergumam pada dirinya sendiri ketika dia memandu Zombie yang baru dibuat ke area penyimpanan mayat hidup.

“Oh ~ Zombie baru? Sekarang sudah lebih dari seratus lima puluh, Orb of Death cukup luar biasa ~ ”

Jumlah undead yang bisa dikendalikan oleh mantra tingkat ketiga 「Buat Undead」 dibatasi oleh kekuatan kastor mantra. Semakin banyak mayat hidup yang dibuat, semakin sedikit yang bisa dikontrol. Tetap saja, Zombi berada di antara tingkat mayat hidup terendah. Seseorang seperti Khazit, yang berspesialisasi dalam mengendalikan mayat hidup, dapat mempertahankan cengkeramannya atas jumlah lebih dari seratus yang sekaligus yang bisa dipercaya. Alasan Khazit bisa mengendalikan lebih dari jumlah itu adalah karena kekuatan barang yang dibawanya – Orb of Death.

"Itu semua karena kau terlalu banyak bermain-main."

"Sor-ry ~"

Bahkan tidak ada sedikit pun penyesalan di wajah Clementine ketika dia meminta maaf.

"Tetap ~ ini salah mereka karena sekarat begitu cepat ~ tidak bisakah mereka bertahan sedikit lebih lama—?"

"… Ketika kamu menampar mereka seperti itu, tidak heran mereka akan mati …"

"Petualang tidak akan mati dengan mudah ~"

"Mereka bukan petualang, hanya warga sipil biasa … Clementine, apakah kamu suka melontarkan hal-hal yang jelas untuk membuang waktu?"

"Ya, ya ~ Maaf, itu tidak akan terjadi lagi, maafkan aku ~"

Khazit mendecakkan lidahnya.

“Seolah aku bisa percaya itu. Bagaimanapun, berhentilah mengejar orang. ”

"Oh-kay ~"

Responsnya yang bertingkah membuat Khazit mengerutkan alisnya. Tetap saja, tidak ada gunanya membicarakan hal itu, jadi dia memutuskan untuk tidak melanjutkan mengajarinya. Dia mencoba mengekspresikan ketidaksenangannya dengan kerutan di kerutannya, tetapi seperti yang diharapkan, dia mengabaikannya.

"Buuut ~ Aku sangat bodoh – ngomong-ngomong, di mana dia?"

"Apakah dia belum kembali?"

"Belum. Saya merindukannya – karena sulit untuk mendapatkan dia, bagaimana kalau mengambil nenek itu ~? "

"Hentikan itu. Wanita tua itu adalah magic caster tingkat ketiga dan orang terkenal di kota ini, jadi jangan memandang rendah dirinya. Jika Anda bergerak sembarangan melawannya, Anda mungkin mendapati diri Anda terlalu dalam untuk menggali diri Anda sendiri. ”

"Ehhhhh ~ Tapi—"

Khazit meraih jubahnya, dan menarik batu permata hitam legam.

"… Clementine, aku telah menghabiskan beberapa tahun bersiap untuk mengubah tempat ini menjadi kota orang mati. Saya tidak ingin kejenakaan Anda yang sia-sia mengembalikan rencana saya. Jika Anda terus membuat masalah … Saya akan membunuhmu. "

"… Itu disebut Spiral Kematian, kan?"

"Memang. Ini adalah ritual yang dipimpin pemimpin kami. "

Di tempat-tempat di mana mayat hidup berkumpul, mayat hidup yang lebih kuat lahir. Ketika undead yang lebih kuat ini berkumpul, undead yang lebih kuat akan muncul. Ritual sihir yang memanfaatkan properti ini seperti spiral, terus-menerus melahirkan makhluk mayat hidup yang lebih kuat. Itu cukup kuat untuk menghancurkan seluruh kota, jadi itu dikenal sebagai "Death Spiral."

Ritual jahat ini telah dilakukan di masa lalu, dan itu telah mengubah kota metropolis menjadi kota orang mati di mana mayat hidup berkeliaran bebas.

Tujuan Khazit adalah untuk mengubah E-Rantel menjadi kota mati lainnya. Dia akan mengubah dirinya menjadi makhluk hidup dengan memanfaatkan energi necromantic dari tempat seperti itu.

Dia telah membuat persiapan yang luas untuk mencapai tujuannya. Dia tidak akan membiarkan wanita yang muncul beberapa hari yang lalu ini merusak rencananya.

"Mengerti?"

Khazit melihat melalui pipi Clementine yang menggembung dengan indah. Ekspresinya sangat jahat. Pada saat itu, Clementine melonjak maju seperti badai pembunuh.

Dia menutup jarak di antara mereka dalam sekejap, dan memukul seperti kilat. Pisau tajam di tangannya berkilau mematikan saat melintas ke tenggorokan Khazit –

♦ ♦ ♦

Pisau kecil yang didorong Clementine adalah senjata tajam yang dikenal sebagai stiletto.

Ada sedikit variasi dalam cara seseorang dapat menyerang dengan senjata tajam, jadi itu tidak mudah digunakan. Namun, Clementine menyukai senjata semacam itu, dan dia melatih tubuhnya tanpa henti, memilih peralatan terbaik, dan mempelajari seni bela diri yang tepat, semuanya untuk membunuh dalam satu pukulan.

Teknik miliknya, diasah dan disempurnakan melalui pertempuran yang tak terhitung jumlahnya dengan manusia dan monster, berada pada tingkat di mana tidak ada orang normal bisa bertahan melawannya.

Clementine secara alami berbakat dengan kemampuan fisik yang melebihi manusia normal. Selain itu, dia telah menghabiskan hidupnya untuk melatih dan melatih keterampilan bertarungnya, jadi wajar saja kalau dia bisa bertarung di level seperti itu.

Namun, targetnya bukan orang normal.

Khazit – salah satu dari dua belas murid tinggi yang merupakan kebanggaan Zuranon – tidak dapat dibunuh dengan mudah.

♦ ♦ ♦

—Dan benda putih seperti dinding yang meletus dari tanah dan mencegat pisau tajam yang tak terhindarkan. Itu adalah tangan raksasa yang terbuat dari tulang manusia yang tak terhitung jumlahnya, ditutupi dengan kait yang mengingatkan kita pada gambar belatung.

Kait-kaitnya menggeliat, dan bumi di sekitarnya hancur. Di bawah kontrol mental Khazit, makhluk raksasa mulai mengungkapkan dirinya.

Dia bisa merasakan makhluk mayat hidup yang kuat di bawah kaki Khazit. Khazit yang sombong berbalik ke arah Clementine dan berkata:

“Buang-buang waktu. Karena Anda, saya terganggu sejenak dan kehilangan kendali atas mayat hidup lainnya. "

"Tehe ~ Maaf that tentang itu ~ Tapi aku juga tidak akan keluar. Anda harus menarik semua pemberhentian untuk nyaris memblokirnya, kan? ”

"Itu omong kosong dan kau tahu itu, Clementine. Anda bukan orang yang bisa ditahan. "

"Uwah ~ kau melihat menembusku ~ Mm, jika kau tidak menghalanginya, bahumu akan tertusuk. Butbut, aku tidak pernah bermaksud membunuhmu – sungguh ~ ”

Khazit mengerutkan kening lagi ketika dia melihat senyum penuh kebencian pada wanita di depannya.

“Tetap saja, jika itu aku, aku bisa mengalahkan lelaki itu – mungkin kastor sihir tidak bisa menang, tetapi sebagai seorang pejuang, aku bisa mengalahkannya dengan mudah. Aku hanya tidak terlalu terbiasa dengan senjata bertipe bludgeoning— "

“… Spesialisasimu dalam satu pukulan membunuh mungkin membuatmu kuat melawan makhluk hidup, tapi apa yang akan kau lakukan melawan mayat hidup yang tidak memiliki proses biologis? Dan apakah Anda benar-benar berpikir 'kartu itu' adalah kartu terakhir yang harus saya mainkan? "

"Mmm ~ itu juga benar ~"

Clementine melirik ke arah pintu masuk. Dia tampaknya telah memperhatikan mayat hidup yang dikendalikan oleh Khazit, yang sedang menunggu perintahnya di sana.

"Aku pikir aku bisa menang … tetapi jika aku mengakhiri pertarungan, aku mungkin akan kalah ~ tehe ~, maaf, Khazi-chan."

Clementine mengembalikan stiletto-nya di bawah jubahnya, dan gemuruh dari bumi berhenti.

"Buuuut ~ itu adalah pengontrol mayat hidup khusus untukmu ~ Bagus sekali!"

Dengan itu, Clementine berbalik dan pergi.

"Ah, ya, ya, aku tidak akan menyentuh nenek itu sampai akhir. Saya juga tidak akan berburu orang. Itu seharusnya tidak apa-apa, kan? ”

"… Mm."

Khazit tidak melepaskan kekuatan yang dipegangnya sampai Clementine pergi. Dia terus memegangnya bahkan setelah bayangannya hilang dari kuil bawah tanahnya.

"Sungguh kepribadian yang buruk," sembur Khazit.

Dia memiliki kekurangannya sendiri, tetapi dia tidak seburuk Clementine.

"Meskipun dia sangat terampil … tidak, itu karena dia sangat terampil sehingga dia sangat terpelintir."

Clementine kuat, dan bahkan di antara dua belas eksekutif masyarakat rahasia Zuranon, hanya tiga dari mereka yang bisa mengalahkannya. Sedihnya, Khazit bukan salah satu dari mereka. Bahkan dengan benda ajaib di tangannya, dia hanya memiliki peluang sukses sekitar tiga puluh persen.

"Bekas Kursi Kesembilan Kitab Suci … individu-individu gila dengan kekuatan pahlawan sulit ditangani."

♦ ♦ ♦

"Jadi, itulah yang terjadi."

Nfirea menghela napas dalam-dalam, dan bergumam sendiri.

Nfirea dekat dengan orang tua Enri. Mereka adalah orang tua yang hebat, dan cara mereka mencintai putri mereka cukup membuat iri. Nfirea telah kehilangan orang tuanya di usia muda dan hanya memiliki kesan suram tentang mereka. Karena itu, ketika dia memikirkan ayah dan ibu yang luar biasa, Nfirea segera memikirkan orang tua Enri.

Dia dipenuhi dengan amarah ketika dia mendengar bahwa orang tuanya telah dibunuh oleh penipu ksatria Kekaisaran, dan yang bisa dia pikirkan ketika dia tahu bahwa mereka telah dibantai pada gilirannya adalah melayani mereka dengan benar. Dia juga agak marah pada atasan di E-Rantel, yang menolak untuk mengirim tentara.

Namun, dia merasa ada sesuatu yang salah tentang dia menunjukkan kemarahan ini, ketika Enri – yang amarahnya jauh lebih dibenarkan – telah mengesampingkan perasaan itu.

Dia menatap Enri, matanya dipenuhi air mata. Ketika dia bertanya-tanya apakah dia harus berusaha menghiburnya, Enri menyeka air matanya dan tersenyum:

“Aku masih punya adik perempuan. Aku tidak bisa kehilangan diriku dalam kesedihan selamanya. "

Nfirea setengah dari kursinya, dan sekarang dia duduk lagi. Setelah kehilangan kesempatan untuk menghiburnya, dia merasa seperti telah menyia-nyiakan kesempatan dan malu karena kesia-siaannya.

Meski begitu – keinginannya untuk melindunginya tidak berubah. Setelah jeda singkat, Nfirea mengambil keputusan. Dia tidak akan membiarkan orang lain selain dirinya duduk di samping Enri, bahkan jika orang itu adalah makhluk kuat yang bisa melindunginya.

Dia merasa sedikit cemas, tetapi ketika dia menunggangi gelombang emosi ini, Nfirea memutuskan bahwa dia akan berbagi perasaan yang dia miliki sejak dia datang ke desa ini untuk pertama kalinya sebagai seorang anak.

"Kemudian-"

Tenggorokannya sepertinya tertutup rapat. Ayo, katakan! Meskipun dia sangat ingin berbicara, kata-kata itu menempel di tenggorokannya dan menolak untuk pergi.

Baik Enri dan Nfirea berada pada usia di mana tidak biasa bagi mereka untuk menikah. Selain itu, karena penghasilannya sebagai ahli herbal, Nfirea punya cukup uang untuk mendukung Enri dan adik perempuannya.

Saya mungkin bisa menyediakan untuk anak juga …

Gambaran keluarga yang ingin ia tampilkan muncul di benaknya – tetapi ia segera melambaikan imajinasinya yang melarikan diri. Pengetahuan bahwa Enri menatapnya dengan terkejut membuatnya semakin gugup.

Mulutnya terbuka, lalu ditutup.

Aku suka kamu.

Aku cinta kamu.

Tetapi kata-kata itu menolak untuk meninggalkan bibirnya, karena dia takut mendengarnya menolaknya.

Lalu, apa lagi yang bisa dia katakan untuk mempersingkat jarak di antara mereka?

Kota ini lebih aman, apakah Anda ingin tinggal bersama saya? Aku akan menjagamu dan adik perempuanmu. Jika Anda ingin bekerja, Anda dapat membantu di toko Nenek.

Jika Anda merasa tidak nyaman dengan kota ini, saya akan melakukan yang terbaik untuk membantu Anda.

Dia harus mengatakan itu. Peluang kata-kata itu ditolak akan jauh lebih rendah daripada pengakuan cinta.

"Enri!"

"A-Apa yang terjadi, Nfirea?"

Enri melompat ketika Nfirea dengan keras memanggil namanya. Dia mulai berbicara:

“—Jika, jika, jika Anda punya masalah, beri tahu saya. Saya akan melakukan apa pun yang saya bisa untuk membantu Anda! "

"Terima kasih … Kamu teman yang baik sehingga hampir sia-sia bagiku, Nfirea!"

"Ah, ah, eh … itu, tidak apa-apa, kita sudah lama saling kenal,"

Nfirea tidak dapat mengatakan apa pun di wajah senyum Enri yang berseri-seri. Dia mengutuk dirinya sendiri karena kesia-siaannya, tetapi pada saat yang sama dia dengan penuh kasih merenungkan betapa lucunya Enri, dan pada saat-saat yang dia habiskan untuk berbicara dengannya.

Tepat saat masalah itu berakhir, Nfirea mengajukan pertanyaan:

"Kalau dipikir-pikir, ada apa dengan para Goblin itu?"

Para Goblin itu menyebut Enri mereka “Ane-san.” Selain itu, para Goblin itu sangat berbeda dari yang mereka temui di jalan menuju Carne; mereka memiliki udara prajurit veteran. Lebih mengejutkan lagi melihat magic caster di desa. Kapan dan di mana Goblin ini bertemu dengan seorang gadis desa sederhana seperti Enri, dan hubungan seperti apa yang dia miliki dengan mereka?

Enri hanya menjawab:

"Mereka muncul setelah aku menggunakan benda ajaib yang diberikan kepada kita oleh penyelamat desa kita, Ainz Ooal Gown. Mereka mengikuti perintah saya. "

"Saya melihat…"

Mata Enri seperti bintang kembar berkilauan saat dia menyebut nama itu. Itu membuat Nfirea merasa pahit di dalam.

Ainz Ooal Gown.

Enri sudah menyebutkan nama ini beberapa kali sejak mereka mulai berbicara.

Ketika Desa Carne diserang oleh orang-orang misterius berpakaian seperti ksatria kekaisaran, seorang magic caster yang lewat menyelamatkan desa dengan kekuatannya yang luar biasa, mengembalikan kedamaian ke desa. Dia adalah penyelamat Enri, dan seseorang yang harus berterima kasih pada Nfirea.

Namun, raut wajah Enri membuatnya sulit untuk berterima kasih padanya dengan sungguh-sungguh.

Dia bisa memahami bagaimana perasaan Enri ketika dia menyebut-nyebut mesiasnya, tetapi pada saat yang sama, kecemburuan muncul di lubuk hatinya. Dia dipenuhi dengan cinta sepihak untuk Enri, dan oleh semangat kompetitifnya sebagai seorang pria. Dipengaruhi oleh emosi-emosi ini, emosinya menjadi jelek.

Nfirea mengesampingkan perasaan ini, dan mengalihkan pikirannya ke benda ajaib yang Enri bicarakan.

Itu adalah benda ajaib yang memanggil Goblin, yang disebut "Tanduk Goblin Terserah."

Magic caster yang telah menyelamatkan desanya telah menjelaskan seperti apa tanduk itu, tetapi karena pikirannya terlalu bingung saat itu, ingatannya kabur.

Nfirea merasa itu agak aneh.

Dia tidak tahu item sihir macam apa itu, tapi dia seharusnya tidak melupakannya. Seharusnya tidak ada yang melupakan detail item sihir dengan kemampuan khusus begitu mereka diberitahu tentang mereka.

Tetap saja, ada banyak item sihir yang bisa memanggil makhluk, seperti halnya ada banyak mantra sihir yang memanggil. Setiap monster yang dipanggil dengan mantra itu akan lenyap setelah beberapa saat.

Monster yang dipanggil bukanlah makhluk yang bisa bertahan lama.

Jika benda itu bisa melakukan itu, mungkin akan membatalkan semua sejarah dan teori magis sampai saat ini.

Seberapa berharganya benda ajaib yang bisa mencapai prestasi seperti itu? Enri tampaknya tidak menyadari nilainya, tetapi jika dia menjualnya, dia mungkin bisa hidup dengan nyaman selama sisa hidupnya.

Enri menggunakan barang langka dan berharga ini karena dia tidak ingin darah mengalir lagi di desa.

Nfirea merasa bahwa cara berpikir ini sangat sesuai dengan gayanya. Karena itu, para Goblin yang dia panggil memanggilnya Ane-san, mengikuti perintahnya, dan selain melindungi desa mereka bahkan membantu di ladang. Tampaknya, mereka bahkan mengajari penduduk desa cara menggunakan busur, dan bagaimana mempertahankan diri. Akibatnya, desa tersebut telah memperoleh beberapa penghuni baru yang aneh.

Salah satu alasan mengapa desa itu dapat menerima Goblin adalah karena para ksatria yang telah menyerang penduduk desa adalah manusia seperti mereka. Ini telah membuat mereka tidak mempercayai manusia, dan dengan demikian mereka dapat lebih mudah menerima bantuan Goblin.

Alasan besar lainnya adalah karena orang yang memberikan item ini pada mereka adalah magic caster yang telah menyelamatkan desa.

“Jadi, dia dipanggil Ainz Ooal Gown? Pria seperti apa dia? Saya ingin berterima kasih padanya sendiri. "

Nfirea tidak tahu apa-apa tentang nama Ainz Ooal Gown. Selain itu, Enri belum melihat wajahnya di bawah topengnya, jadi dia juga tidak tahu siapa dia. Namun, siapa pun yang dengan santai bisa memberikan barang-barang berharga seperti tanduk itu haruslah seseorang yang penting. Jika dia melihat wajahnya, dia tidak akan mudah melupakannya. Setelah dia mengatakan padanya alasan itu, ekspresi kekecewaan muncul di wajahnya.

"Begitukah … Aku berpikir kamu akan mengenalnya, Nfirea …"

Balasan Enri membuat jantung Nfirea berdetak kencang, dan tetesan keringat mekar di punggungnya.

… Mengesampingkan, dia akan sukses hanya dengan kekuatannya sendiri.

Kata-kata dari tadi malam muncul di pikiran Nfirea, dan dia mulai terengah-engah dan bernapas berat.

Menekan kegelisahan di hatinya, Nfirea bertanya:

"En-Enri, apa, apa yang akan kamu lakukan ketika kamu melihat Gown itu?"

"Hm? Mm, saya ingin mengucapkan terima kasih dengan benar. Desa datang bersama dengan ide membangun patung tembaga kecil untuknya karena dia menyelamatkan kita, dan aku perlu menunjukkan rasa terima kasihku juga … ”

Setelah merasakan bahwa jawabannya tidak mengandung sedikit pun rasa sayang yang membuatnya takut, Nfirea menghela nafas lega, dan membiarkan bahunya yang tegang rileks.

"Ah. Apakah begitu? Mm … hoo. Ya, tentu saja Anda perlu berterima kasih padanya. Jika Anda melihat ada fitur khusus, atau jika dia mengingatkan Anda pada seseorang, mungkin itu akan mempersempit bidang … benar, apakah Anda tahu jenis sihir apa yang ia gunakan? "

"Ah, sihir, ya. Benar-benar menakjubkan. Itu adalah kilatan petir dan ksatria itu jatuh dalam satu pukulan. "

"Petir, ya … apakah kamu mendengarnya berkata," Petir "atau sesuatu?"

Mata Enri memandang ke langit, lalu dia mengangguk dalam.

"Mm! … Saya pikir saya mendengarnya mengatakan itu. Meskipun sepertinya ada lebih dari itu … ”

Setelah mendengar Enri pergi bergumam, Nfirea menyimpulkan bahwa orang Gown ini pasti mengatakan sesuatu sebelum mengucapkan mantranya.

"Jika itu masalahnya … itu seharusnya keajaiban tingkat ketiga."

"… Keajaiban tingkat ketiga … apakah itu sangat menakjubkan?"

"Tentu saja! Saya hanya bisa menggunakan sihir tingkat kedua sendiri. Tingkat ketiga sihir adalah batas untuk orang normal. Hanya pemegang bakat yang bisa menggunakan sihir di luar itu. ”

"Aku tahu itu! Gaun-san benar-benar luar biasa! ”

Enri mengangguk dengan hormat. Namun, Nfirea tidak berpikir bahwa magic caster bernama Ainz terbatas pada mantra tingkat ketiga. Mengingat bahwa dia adalah orang yang dengan acuh tak acuh memberikan barang-barang sihir itu, dia mungkin bisa menggunakan mantra tingkat kelima, yang merupakan domain para pahlawan.

Mengapa orang yang begitu hebat datang ke desa seperti ini?

Nfirea yang bingung memiringkan kepalanya ke samping, tetapi kemudian Enri menjatuhkan bom yang segera menghilangkan semua keraguannya.

"Selain itu, dia memberiku ramuan merah juga—"

Nfirea mengingat bagian dari percakapan sebelumnya:

♦ ♦ ♦

"Lalu, bagaimana jika saya membayar Anda, dan Anda memberi tahu saya lebih banyak tentang orang yang memberi Anda ramuan itu?"

Pejuang bernama Britta itu tampaknya tidak senang dengan permintaan itu:

"Dan mengapa kamu ingin tahu?"

"Tentu saja mencari petunjuk untuk membawaku ke pria misterius berbaju besi penuh itu. Jika kita mendapatkan rahmat baiknya, dia mungkin memberi tahu kita dari mana dia mendapatkan ramuan itu, kan? Dia mungkin membiarkan sesuatu tergelincir secara tidak sengaja, jadi jika dia seorang petualang, saya ingin mempekerjakannya untuk pekerjaan. Bagaimana dengan itu, Nfirea? ”

♦ ♦ ♦

Itulah alasan Nfirea meminta nama Momon.

Rencana Nfirea adalah mengedipkan informasi tentang ramuan dengan memperdalam persahabatannya dengan Momon. Selain itu, jika mereka pergi untuk memetik herbal di hutan bersama, Momon mungkin secara tidak sengaja mengungkapkan sesuatu.

Nfirea berusaha menyembunyikan kegembiraan di hatinya, dan dengan suara tenang yang sama dari sebelum dia bertanya pada Enri:

"Hm, ramuan macam apa rasanya?"

"Eh?"

"Kamu tahu, aku seorang dukun, tentu saja aku akan tertarik pada ramuan."

"Ahhh, itu benar! Membuat hal-hal ini adalah pekerjaanmu. "

Enri memberi tahu Nfirea semua yang dia ketahui tentang magic caster dan ramuan yang diberikan padanya. Dia menyebutkan nama perbuatan menakjubkan Ainz Ooal Gown beberapa kali selama akunnya. Nfirea dari tadi mungkin dipenuhi dengan kecemburuan, tetapi saat ini, pikirannya sedang memikirkan hal-hal lain.

Dia mengumpulkan semua informasi ini, dan setelah mengupas beberapa lapisan misteri, kebenaran yang tersembunyi terungkap.

Sangat mungkin bahwa ramuan yang muncul di E-Rantel dan yang diminum Enri adalah satu dan sama. Itu juga jelas bahwa sepasang petualang telah muncul di kedua tempat itu, seorang magic caster dan seorang prajurit di piring penuh hitam.

Hanya ada satu jawaban, namun ada dua orang yang bisa menjadi kandidat untuk Ainz Ooal Gown. Dari apa yang dikatakan Enri, dia bisa menyimpulkan bahwa Ainz adalah seorang lelaki, tetapi dia memutuskan untuk bertanya lagi hanya untuk memastikan.

"… Mungkinkah orang Ainz Ooal Gown itu menjadi … seorang wanita?"

"Eh? Saya kira tidak? Saya tidak melihat wajahnya, tetapi suaranya laki-laki. "

Dengan sendirinya, ini bukan bukti bahwa Ainz adalah laki-laki. Lagipula, ada mantra dan item sihir yang bisa mengubah suara. Rasanya aneh untuk berpikir bahwa Nabe = Ainz Ooal Gown. Nabe yang tanpa belas kasihan dan kadang-kadang naif tampak benar-benar berbeda dari Ainz yang bijak, jinak, dan benar. Jelas terlalu berlebihan untuk menganggapnya sebagai Ainz.

"Kurasa orang yang memakai armor full-plate bernama Albedo."

"Ya, begitukah …"

Dia ingat nama itu sejak Nabe mengatakannya.

Jawabannya jelas.

Ainz Ooal Gown = Momon.

Dari itu, dia bisa menggambar wahyu yang mengejutkan.

Magic caster yang telah menyelamatkan desa juga seorang pejuang yang menakutkan. Meskipun ada beberapa prajurit dengan pelatihan sihir, sebagian besar, satu akan membatalkan poin bagus dari yang lain. Dalam nada yang sama, kastor sihir misterius tidak bisa mengeluarkan mantra saat mengenakan peralatan berat yang disukai kebanyakan prajurit.

Jadi dia adalah seorang magic caster dari tingkat ketiga, serta seorang pendekar pedang yang setara dengan seorang petualang peringkat adamantite.

Ini pasti semacam lelucon. Jika seseorang seperti itu benar-benar ada, dia akan menjadi pahlawan di antara para pahlawan.

Tetap saja, mengapa dia mengajukan begitu banyak pertanyaan di jalan?

Jawaban yang paling logis adalah bahwa dia adalah seorang magic caster yang telah mempelajari seninya di negara lain dan tidak yakin tentang yang ini. Karena itu, masuk akal bahwa ia akan memiliki ramuan dari tanah lain, yang sarana pembuatannya sama sekali tidak diketahui.

Setelah mengetahui informasi yang sangat berharga ini, napasnya menjadi tidak teratur, dan dia tidak bisa menenangkan diri meskipun dia tahu Enri sedang menatapnya.

Hatinya dipenuhi dengan emosi yang kompleks.

Ainz telah menyelamatkan Enri dan memberikan ramuan. Sebagai perbandingan, Nfirea adalah seorang pria kecil yang menyedihkan yang mencoba untuk mendapatkan rahmat Momon yang baik, untuk mempelajari bagaimana dia membuat ramuan itu, dan mengetahui hal ini membuatnya malu.

Itu wajar bahwa Enri akan jatuh cinta pada seseorang seperti Momon.

Ketika dia memikirkan hal ini, dia tidak bisa menahan nafas.

“Apakah kamu baik-baik saja? Kamu tidak terlihat terlalu bagus. "

“Mm, mm. Saya baik-baik saja, saya hanya memikirkan sesuatu … "

Mungkin dia bisa mencoba menghilangkan perasaan bersalahnya dengan berpikir bahwa dia ingin mempelajari rahasia ramuan itu untuk menyelamatkan orang. Namun, itu hampir tidak meyakinkan, mengingat bahwa ia ingin belajar bagaimana membuat ramuan itu dalam kapasitasnya sebagai seorang herbalis.

Seorang prajurit perkasa yang juga seorang magic caster yang sangat baik, ditemani oleh seorang wanita cantik, yang memiliki ramuan yang tidak diketahui, seorang pria yang benar yang menyelamatkan seorang gadis desa yang tidak bersalah dari bahaya … dan dirinya sendiri.

Nfirea mempertimbangkan jarak antara dirinya dan Ainz Ooal Gown – tidak, Momon – dan jatuh dalam keputusasaan.

"Apa yang salah? Kamu tampak aneh …? ”

"Ah, mm. Tidak apa."

Nfirea menahan napas dan tersenyum lemah. Namun, dia tidak yakin dia bisa membuatnya tampak alami, dan ekspresi Enri menunjukkan bahwa dia telah melihat melalui senyum palsunya.

"…Apa yang harus saya lakukan? Enri, kamu tidak suka orang yang menyembunyikan sesuatu dari kamu, kan? "

"… Setiap orang memiliki sesuatu yang mereka ingin sembunyikan ketika dibawa ke hadapan para dewa, terutama hal-hal yang akan menyakiti orang lain jika diucapkan. Tetapi berbeda jika menyembunyikan hal-hal itu akan menyakiti orang lain … Nfirea, saya tidak akan membencimu karena itu, tetapi jika Anda telah melakukan kejahatan, Anda harus mengakui dosa-dosa Anda kepada hakim! "

"… Tidak, aku tidak melakukan kesalahan."

“Ya… mm! Seperti yang saya katakan! Bagaimana Anda bisa melakukan hal buruk, Nfirea? Aku percaya padamu!"

Saat dia melihat Enri yang cekikikan, Nfirea membiarkan ketegangan mengalir dari bahunya.

“Mm, tapi tetap saja, terima kasih. Untuk beberapa alasan aneh, saya merasakan beban mengangkat bahu saya. Saya akan bekerja keras untuk menyusulnya. "

Agar aku bisa mengangkat kepalaku di hadapanmu dan mengatakan bahwa aku menyukaimu dan bahwa aku mencintaimu.

Enri, yang tidak tahu apa arti pernyataan Nfirea yang berapi-api dan kata-katanya sebelumnya, hanya tersenyum dan mengangguk sopan.

Bagian 2

"Hmm …"

Ainz melihat ke bagian tertentu dari desa, mendesah seperti yang dia lakukan.

Di sana, dia melihat beberapa warga berbaris berjajar. Ada pria, wanita, dan anak-anak dari segala usia. Dia bisa melihat seorang wanita berumur empat puluh tahun yang terlihat seperti seorang ibu dan juga para remaja. Satu-satunya kesamaan yang mereka miliki adalah pandangan tegas di wajah mereka, yang bahkan mungkin disalahartikan sebagai permusuhan. Itu pertanda jelas bahwa tidak ada orang di sini yang berminat untuk bermain-main.

Seorang Goblin dengan busur berbicara kepada penduduk desa.

Bahkan indera pendengaran Ainz yang tinggi tidak dapat memahami kata-katanya dari kejauhan.

Setelah beberapa saat, barisan penduduk desa perlahan mengangkat busur mereka. Itu adalah jalan pintas sederhana dan lusuh yang tampak bengkok dan mungkin buatan sendiri.

Setelah menarik busur mereka jauh-jauh ke belakang, mereka membidik si jerami di kejauhan.

Goblin pasti memberi perintah, karena penduduk desa kehilangan satu.

Busur tampak kasar, tetapi panah yang mereka luncurkan terbang dengan lintasan yang indah. Mereka semua menghantam orang-orang jerami, tanpa satu pun kehilangan.

"Tidak buruk…"

Ainz tidak bisa membantu tetapi memuji mereka.

"Apakah mereka benar-benar baik?"

Narberal, berdiri di belakang Ainz, tidak bisa tidak mengungkapkan keraguannya.

Kemungkinan besar, Narberal tidak bisa mengerti mengapa keterampilan mereka patut dipuji. Lagi pula, mereka seperti anak-anak yang bermain dibandingkan dengan pemanah Great Tomb of Nazarick.

Ketika dia menyadari apa yang dipikirkan Narberal, senyum pahit muncul di wajah ilusi Ainz di bawah helmnya.

"Kamu benar, Narberal. Teknik mereka bukanlah sesuatu yang membuat kita bersemangat. Namun, sepuluh hari yang lalu, mereka bahkan tidak tahu cara menggunakan busur. Untuk mencegah pasangan, anak-anak, dan orang tua mereka dibunuh sekali lagi, mereka melatih diri mereka sendiri, sehingga suatu hari mereka bisa berdiri dengan senjata di tangan untuk bertarung. Apakah itu tidak layak dipuji? "

Apa yang benar-benar terpuji adalah kedalaman kebencian penduduk desa, yang telah membawa mereka sejauh ini.

“Maaf, permintaan maaf terdalam saya. Saya tidak berpikir sejauh itu. "

"Tidak apa-apa. Jangan terlalu mengkhawatirkannya, Nabe. Memang benar bahwa keterampilan mereka tidak benar-benar mengesankan. "

Ainz menyaksikan lebih banyak panah yang melayang di udara dan menembus batang jerami. Tiba-tiba muncul sebuah ide.

Seberapa kuat mereka menjadi? Seberapa kuat dia bisa menjadi?

Ainz telah mencapai level maksimum di YGGDRASIL, level seratus. Ketika dia datang ke dunia, kelebihan bar XP-nya sekitar sembilan puluh persen penuh. Itu hanya dugaan, tetapi karena kemampuannya yang lain utuh, konsep level harus ada di dunia ini juga. Pertanyaannya sekarang adalah apakah dia bisa memperoleh sisa sepuluh persen dari bar pengalaman dan mencapai level seratus satu.

Hingga taraf tertentu, ia punya jawaban untuk pertanyaan ini.

Dia tidak bisa menjadi lebih kuat. Ini sekuat yang akan ia dapatkan.

Kekuatan Ainz adalah sesuatu yang tidak bisa lagi tumbuh, tetapi kelemahan mereka bisa menjadi sumber kekuatan yang tak terduga.

Jika tidak ada batasan pada penghuni dunia ini, jika mereka bisa melampaui level maksimum seratus di YGGDRASIL, maka Ainz dan para pengikutnya dari Great Tomb of Nazarick tidak akan bisa mengalahkan mereka.

Dan itu pasti—

"Bukan tidak mungkin …"

Ainz merasa itu mungkin bahwa Enam Dewa yang muncul di Slaine Theocracy enam ratus tahun yang lalu sebenarnya adalah pemain. Meskipun dia tidak tahu mengapa mereka muncul begitu jauh dari Ainz, jika mereka menghitung makhluk heteromorfik – yang tidak memiliki umur maksimum – di antara jumlah mereka atau jika mereka memiliki kelas yang memperpanjang rentang hidup mereka, ada kemungkinan sangat besar bahwa mereka selamat hingga hari ini.

Jika Enam Dewa masih bersembunyi di Slaine Theocracy, dan jika mereka sudah mulai meningkatkan kekuatan orang lain menggunakan kekuatan Six Gods – yaitu membantu mereka dengan kemampuan pemain kuat untuk mendapatkan pengalaman lebih cepat dari biasanya – dari enam ratus tahun yang lalu , mungkin saja ada orang yang melebihi level seratus.

Jika itu masalahnya, alasan mengapa Teokrasi belum mengambil alih dunia mungkin karena ada makhluk lain dengan kaliber yang sama menunggu. Bahkan mungkin menjadi level seratus tidak berarti apa-apa.

Saat dia memikirkan hal itu, usus Ainz yang tidak ada mulai kram kembali.

Jika Enam Dewa benar-benar pemain, maka dia harus mencoba dan mendapatkan sisi baik mereka sementara dia kekurangan informasi tentang dunia ini. Menurut anggota Sunlight Scripture, para ksatria Kekaisaran yang menyerang desa ini adalah penipu dari Teokrasi, yang berarti bahwa menyelamatkan desa ini membuat musuh mereka.

"Apakah membantu mereka melakukan kesalahan …"

Seperti yang dia duga, mengumpulkan lebih banyak informasi adalah prioritas utama.

Tepat ketika Ainz tanpa sadar merenungkan hal-hal ini, dia melihat seorang remaja berlari mendekatinya. Rambut yang biasanya mengaburkan matanya berayun dari sisi ke sisi, dan dia bisa melihat sepasang mata terpaku pada dirinya sendiri.

Ainz segera punya firasat buruk tentang Nfirea. Itu terlihat seperti kepanikan yang sama yang dialami kepala desa sebelumnya.

“Kenapa terburu-buru? Apakah tanaman darurat muncul lagi? Desa ini benar-benar … "

Nfirea mencapai Ainz yang bergumam.

Dia terengah-engah dan dahinya licin karena keringat. Rambutnya, menempel di kulitnya oleh keringatnya, mengungkapkan ekspresi serius yang diarahkan pada Ainz dan Narberal.

Nfirea tampak agak ragu-ragu dan tidak yakin apakah akan berbicara. Pada akhirnya, dia mengumpulkan tekadnya dan bertanya kepada Ainz:

"Momon-san, apa kau Ainz Ooal Gown-san?"

Pertanyaan tiba-tiba membuat Ainz tercengang. Dia seharusnya segera menolaknya.

Tetapi bisakah dia melakukan itu? Itu adalah nama yang dibuat bersama dengan teman-temannya. Sekarang dia telah menggunakannya sebagai miliknya, dapatkah dia menyangkalnya dengan mudah?

Keraguan singkat ini merupakan pengakuan tak terucapkan, dan Nfirea melanjutkan:

"Jadi itu kamu, Gown-san. Terima kasih telah menyelamatkan desa ini, serta menyelamatkan Enri. "

Saat Ainz melihat Nfirea yang membungkuk, dia dengan tenang menjawab, "Tidak … aku …"

Setelah mendengar kata-kata Ainz berhasil keluar, Nfirea mengangguk mengerti.

"Iya. Saya mengerti mengapa Anda mungkin ingin pergi dengan nama yang berbeda, tetapi tetap saja, saya harus berterima kasih kepada Anda karena telah menyelamatkan desa ini – karena telah menyelamatkan Enri, gadis yang saya sukai. ”

Ainz tidak membalas Nfirea yang membungkuk. Sementara bagian dari dirinya, bagian paman setengah baya, sedang merenungkan bahwa kata-kata "gadis yang aku sukai" benar-benar hal yang muda, bagian lain dari dirinya mengenang nostalgia tentang hal-hal di masa lalu, dan pada saat yang sama dia memikirkan hal lain , hal yang lebih penting.

"Ah … sudah cukup … angkat kepalamu."

Jawaban ini adalah pengakuan diam-diam bahwa dia sebenarnya Ainz Ooal Gown, tetapi tidak peduli bagaimana dia berusaha keluar dari ini, tidak ada cara dia bisa menyangkal kesimpulan Nfirea. Ini adalah kekalahan total bagi Ainz.

"Ya, Gown-san. Yang benar adalah … Aku menyembunyikan sesuatu darimu. "

"…Ikutlah bersamaku. Nabe, tetap di sini dan tunggu instruksi. ”

Setelah memberi Narberal perintahnya, Ainz membawa Nfirea ke tempat yang agak jauh. Ini untuk mencegah Narberal bereaksi berlebihan jika dia mendengar sesuatu yang aneh.

Setelah mereka pergi cukup jauh dari Narberal, Ainz berbalik untuk menghadap Nfirea.

"Sebenarnya…"

Nfirea menelan ludah dengan gugup, tetapi raut wajahnya penuh tekad.

"Gown-san, ramuan yang kamu berikan pada wanita di penginapan tidak dapat dibuat dengan metode normal dan sangat jarang. Saya ingin tahu orang seperti apa yang akan memiliki ramuan seperti itu dan metode apa yang akan menghasilkan ramuan seperti itu, itulah sebabnya saya meminta pekerjaan ini. I am very sorry about that.”

“Ah, so that’s what it was.”

As he thought, it had been a mistake.

Ainz had given the healing potion to Enri in this village, and to someone else in E-Rantel. Because of that, his identity had been exposed. In addition—

…Maybe I should have taken back that potion. If I’d gotten that woman adventurer’s name as well it would have been fine… although, there’s no point regretting it now.

At the time, Ainz felt that giving her that potion was the best course of action.

That woman had said, “Well, seeing as you’re dressed in such a flashy suit of armor, surely you must have some healing potions, right?” Perhaps she had not thought about those words before speaking them, but the fact was that they greatly limited the ways in which Ainz could have responded.

For instance, one might see a person getting out of an expensive car. Upon seeing that person’s opulent, almost decadent clothing and appearance, they would assume that the car matched their background. But what if that person dressed shabbily? People watching might then think that person had spent all their money on the car. They might even laugh at him.

Ainz wanted to avoid that sort of situation.

If he had refused on the spot, people might have become jealous of his beautiful companion Narberal, as well as his own full plate armor. They might have even begun spreading malicious rumors about him. Such rumors were a thing that followed one for life after they appeared, and people would bring them up constantly.

Ainz had come to E-Rantel to build his reputation as an adventurer. As a result, he had to avoid any actions which might damage his public image.

He had given her the potion after considering these factors.

It was a gamble which he had lost, but he did not lament it. This was not a fatal mistake, and all he needed to do was work hard to compensate for it. After all, Ainz was not a perfect being who could do no wrong.

Still, he did not know why Nfirea was apologizing.

“Is there anything to be sorry for?”

"Eh?"

“…Well, I can’t say I feel entirely good about someone hiding something from me while smiling and shaking my hand, but then this assignment was designed to build a connection with me, am I correct? What’s wrong with that?”

A deeply puzzled Ainz asked this question from the bottom of his heart.

“Gown-san, you’re really a magnanimous person…”

Ainz had no idea why Nfirea was so impressed by him. Building connections was a basic element of living in society, so there was nothing wrong with what Nfirea had done. He was somewhat confused about the details, but he vaguely understood. Perhaps Nfirea thought that Ainz believed that Nfirea was drawing close to Ainz in order to steal industrial secrets.

“If I told you how to make the potion, what would you do with that knowledge?”

Nfirea gasped in surprise, and after a brief period of thought he answered:

“I had not thought that far ahead. I just wanted to know because I was curious… Granny’s probably the same way too.”

"Saya melihat. Then, there’s no problem. If you were planning to exploit it for criminal gain, it would be a different matter, but if not, then it’s fine.”

“You’re really amazing. No wonder… looks at you that way…”

As Nfirea murmured, the wind dried the sweat on his forehead, and his hair fell down to cover his eyes again. Still, Ainz could see a look of admiration in his eyes, like a boy meeting with his favorite baseball player.

Nfirea’s expression reminded Ainz of the look of surprise and immense gratitude on his own face, when his friends had saved him after he had been repeatedly PKed.

For a moment, he felt embarrassed, and then that emotion was damped down.

Ainz was surprised that Nfirea’s attitude could affect his heart, but he immediately calmed himself down and moved on. First, he had to be sure of one thing.

“Speaking of which, are you the only one who knows that I am Ainz?”

“Yes, I didn’t tell anyone else.”

“Is that so, that’s good.”

Saying that, Ainz thought about how to continue speaking with Nfirea, but he had no idea where to begin. In the end, he decided to ask him directly.

“…Right now, I am simply Momon the adventurer. I would be glad if you could keep that in mind.”

“Yes, I thought you’d say something like that. I’m sorry for causing you all this trouble, Momon-san, but I needed to thank you in person. Thank you very much for saving Enri and this village.”

Nfirea delivered his earnest thanks with a sincere look in his eyes.

“There’s no need to stand on ceremony. I was merely righting a wrong where I saw it.”

“Even so, there shouldn’t have been a need to give away those horns.”

The truth was that there was no particular reason behind giving those horns away. However, if that was how Nfirea had interpreted the gift, then he would leave it at that. Ainz said nothing but merely nodded in a magnanimous way.

♦ ♦ ♦

In his capacity as an employer, Nfirea arranged with Ainz to head for the forest in an hour’s time. After thanking him again, he turned and left.

As he watched Nfirea vanish into the distance, Narberal came and bowed before Ainz.

“Ainz-sama, my sincerest apologies!”

“People are watching, raise your head.”

Once she had straightened up, Ainz continued in a barbed tone, “And you’re not wrong to say that. All this was because you mentioned Albedo’s name.”

My exposure here had nothing to do with Albedo’s name, but that was still a big mistake. Might as well scold her for it now and make sure she doesn’t do it again. First, I should forbid her from calling me Ainz… though… I don’t think anyone heard…

“Please allow me to atone with my life!”

That did not sound like a joke at all.

Everyone in the Great Tomb of Nazarick was like this. They considered the members of the guild Ainz Ooal Gown to be their absolute superiors. They took great pride in their loyalty — to the point of death — to these Supreme Beings.

Though it felt like a bit of a burden to Ainz, having his hand-crafted NPCs being loyal to him was not a bad thing. It might well be the fate of any creator.

Narberal was an NPC like that. If he jokingly ordered her to kill herself, she would immediately take her own life. The reason why she had asked for permission at all was because of her absolute loyalty to her master, to whom her life belonged.

“…Enough. Anyone can make mistakes. All you need to do is strive not to make the same mistake twice. Work hard, step by step, and do not repeat your past failures. I forgive you, Narberal Gamma.”

Narberal weighed the desire to pay for her mistakes with death against the loyalty compelling her to obey Ainz’s command not to die. After a while, the balance of her mental scales seemed to have tipped to one side.

Narberal slowly lowered her head.

“My deepest thanks! I will strive not to make the same mistake again!”

“…Well, don’t mind it too much. The name of Momon the adventurer — my undercover identity — was not completely compromised, so you just need to pay more attention in future. However… depending on the circumstances, we may need to eliminate Nfirea…”

“Shall I take care of him now?”

“Don’t be foolish. It would be troublesome if we messed up this assignment.”

Nfirea’s grandmother was a famous herbalist in E-Rantel. Annoying or making an enemy of her would make it more difficult for Ainz to reach his aims.

“In any case… we’ll see how it goes.”

That was all Ainz could think of for the moment.

Part 3

There was a large clearing in the dense forest about a hundred meters from the village. Although that clearing had been made by the villagers cutting down trees — under the protection of the Goblins — in order to make logs, it still looked like the gaping maw of some gigantic beast.

Ainz and the others made their final checks, and then the young man who had hired them spoke up:

“We’ll be entering the forest after this, so I’ll be counting on you to protect me. That said, the area just inside the forest is part of the Wise King of the Forest’s sphere of control, so under normal circumstances, the chances of meeting other monsters are very low. The problem is that the Ogres we met yesterday came from a place near the Wise King of the Forest’s territory, so something must have happened in the woods. Although it’s hardly something that I need to warn you gentlemen about, I hope everyone will remain on guard.”

Nfirea’s gaze rested briefly on Ainz.

The Swords of Darkness turned to look at Ainz as well.

“Well, with you around, we should be fine, Momon-san.”

“…If that monster called the Wise King of the Forest appears, let us hold it back. You should escape first.”

They could not help but gasp as they heard Ainz’s confident pronouncement. He seemed to shine even brighter in their eyes than after yesterday’s battle with the Ogres.

Ainz felt like something was wrong every time the people around him did that. This was a relic of rarely being praised in his past life. He envied the way Narberal could accept their awe so naturally with a smug look on her face.

“If there’s a need to run, could you please leave without delay? If the Wise King of the Forest is strong, I’ll need to face it with my full power, and I don’t want to get everyone caught up in it.”

"Dimengerti. If that happens, we’ll protect Nfirea-san and flee the forest. But don’t push yourself too hard either, Momon-san.”

"Terima kasih. I’ll escape when it gets dangerous.”

“Then… Momon-san.”

Nfirea seemed to be wavering between speech and silence. In the end, he made up his mind and said:

“Could you not kill the Wise King of the Forest, but instead chase it away?”

“…Why is that?”

“Mm, Carne Village has not been attacked by monsters because the Wise King of the Forest’s territory is nearby. If you defeat the Wise King of the Forest…”

"Saya melihat…"

“That might be a bit much. Momon-san is strong, but his opponent is a legendary monster. Wouldn’t he be in trouble if he couldn’t defend himself with his full strength? How would he have the luxury of—”

"Saya mengerti."

“Wha—!” Lukrut exclaimed in shock.

The other Swords of Darkness remained silent, but their surprise was written all over their faces.

“It might be difficult, but I’ll try to go easy on it and merely chase it away.”

Ainz’s reply, brimming with confidence, raised goosebumps on the skin of his fellow adventurers.

“Even if your opponent is… a legendary monster that’s lived for centuries…”

“Is this the sort of attitude that only the strong have…”

“Judging by Momon-san’s personality, he probably isn’t exaggerating or bluffing…”

In stark contrast to the Swords of Darkness, Nfirea had an idea of Ainz’s power, and he had a relieved expression on his face.

As he looked toward the young man, Ainz laughed in his heart.

Nfirea hoped that monsters would not attack Carne Village. That being the case, all Ainz needed to do was to have other monsters replace the Wise King of the Forest in enforcing its area of influence. That way he could still fulfill Nfirea’s wish.

Even if he ended up killing the Wise King of the Forest, all he had to do was dispatch vassals from Nazarick to replace him.

“All right! Now, let’s move on. The herbs I’m looking for this time look like this. If anyone finds them, let me know.”

Nfirea produced a sample of a withered plant from a herb-gathering pouch on his belly.

“Oh, it’s Ngenac grass!”

To Ainz, it looked like the nearby weeds. However, Dyne the druid was different, and he immediately named the plant.

Lukrut and Ninya nodded in response to hearing the name. They probably had some herbal knowledge themselves, and the name jogged their memories.

Just as he was hesitating over whether to pretend that he knew, everyone looked at Ainz.

“Momon-san, are you all right?”

"Eh? Ah, that plant? I’ve heard of it.”

Ainz calmly nodded in agreement.

If he were not undead, his voice might have become high-pitched from panic, but his helmet prevented others from seeing his expression, which also concealed his feelings. Ainz was sheathed in heavy armor and cut an imposing figure, but his heart was closer to that of a bunny.

“Yes, this herb is commonly used when making potions.”

“So it’s commonly found near adventurers!”

“Indeed it is. Now I see why we came to this place — I’ve heard that wild herbs are more potent than cultivated ones, no?”

"Tepat sekali. Incidentally, the fact that we use all-natural ingredients in our potions is a point of pride for us! Well, they’re only about ten percent more effective than those of the competition.”

“That ten percent can be crucial to people who frequently put their lives on the line. To think you sell better potions for the same price… as expected of the Bareare Apothecary, which built its reputation on selling high-quality potions.”

As he heard Nfirea and the Swords of Darkness discussing potions, Ainz fell into deep thought.

In YGGDRASIL, healing potions were usually made through skills that were only available through certain job classes, or by casting the desired spells on the appropriate ingredients. Although Ainz knew a little about this field, all he knew was that the ingredients were made by compounding specific substances with an alchemical solvent, but never through the use of herbs.

In other words, potions in this world were made in a different way from YGGDRASIL. This must have been what Nfirea meant by “could not be made by normal methods.”

Ainz was convinced that mastering the potion-making techniques of this world would strengthen Nazarick. The question now was how to master them.

As he was thinking, the conversation seemed to have turned to the job once more, and Ainz turned to listen.

“There’s a clearing in the forest, which I’ve designated as our destination. I’ve already told you about that place, Lukrut-san, so please guide us there.”

After hearing Lukrut’s casual “Leave it to me,” Nfirea turned back to the others.

“Then, let’s begin the herb collection—”

“—I have a suggestion, actually.”

“Please tell us, Momon-san.”

“Since Nabe can cast something like the 「Alarm」 spell we used when pitching camp, could we temporarily split off when we reach the destination?”

Everyone, Nfirea included, wrinkled their brows. This was because they were uneasy about their strongest fighting force leaving them in such a dangerous area. However, Nfirea quickly replied:

"Tidak apa-apa. However, please don’t go for too long.”

"Tentu saja. In order to avoid getting lost, I’ll tie a rope to myself. Tug on it if there’s anything.”

“Then, could I go too? I need to watch carefully in case you and Nabe-chan do something weird in the bushes.”

“Die, inferior lifeform (cockroach). Is lust the only thing left in your head? If I castrated you, would you still be able to move?”

“…That’s enough, Nabe. Lukrut-san, there’s no need to go that far. Although, I’d like to ask Ninya-san if there’s a spell which can tell you where members of your group are when you’re scattered in the forest. It would be convenient if such a magic existed.”

“I’ve never heard of such a spell. It would be very handy if it existed.”

Ainz nodded as he heard Ninya’s denial.

There’s a sixth tier spell which can detect the location of specific objects. Do they lack knowledge in that field, or is it that there are spells which are unique to YGGDRASIL just as there are spells which are unique to this world?

Ainz put these thoughts aside for a moment and raised his chin to signal Narberal, indicating that she should get ready. Having received her orders, Narberal immediately began sizing up the Swords of Darkness.

“Then, Momon-san and Nabe-san will leave us for a while, and we’ll pick the herbs after they return.”

Since it was their employer’s decision, nobody else could object. The Swords of Darkness nodded one by one.

After the discussion and other matters were concluded, Nfirea called for them to move out. The group shouldered their baggage and entered the forest.

There were trees felled by the villagers nearby. The earth was already dried out. It looked like an easily walkable stretch of forest, but the scenery before their eyes slowly transformed into something like a green labyrinth.

There were no landmarks in the forest, and it was impossible to tell in which direction one was moving. A sense of unease filled everyone, as though they had been swallowed up. The sky-scraping trees further intensified that uneasiness, and most people would have been frightened by this scene. However, Ainz had an undead mind and felt no fear, apart from the vestiges of his human mind. He calmly praised the magnificent natural vista before him.

In YGGDRASIL’s forest and other natural zones, he considered these things to be simple in-game scenery. Even now, he still thought the same way.

Ainz — who was proud of the design of the Great Tomb of Nazarick — was filled with complex emotions. He had not expected that natural forest could be so awe-inspiring.

I see why Blue Planet-san liked nature so much…

He looked around as he surveyed the forest, but it was peaceful, and he saw no traces of any animals. Aside from the distant sound of birdsong, there was no sign of life here at all.

At the same time, he observed Lukrut the ranger advancing carefully, keeping a lookout with all his five senses. He seemed to have concluded that there was no living creature hiding nearby.

Actually, there’s someone hiding behind us.

Ainz was proud of the person sneaking behind him.

The group — save for two people — was filled with tension as they walked silently through the forest, where the sun’s light could not penetrate and which was surprisingly cool. They sweated heavily because the terrain was difficult and they were under no small amount of mental stress.

Finally, they reached a clearing that was roughly fifty meters across.

“We’ve arrived at our destination. We’ll spread out from here and pick herbs.”

Everyone began setting their gear down after they heard Nfirea unburdening himself of his baggage. However, they did not relax. Instead, they carefully observed their surroundings, ready to deal with any sudden developments.

This was because they were no longer in the world of men.

“Then, we’ll move as we planned earlier.”

After Nfirea replied to that statement in the affirmative, Ainz tied a rope to a nearby tree, then picked the other end up and headed into the forest.

The rope he was holding was not thick, but it was very strong. It would not snap just by being dragged along the ground. While holding the rope, Ainz and Narberal could move in a straight line into the forest.

Normally speaking, it was almost impossible to move in a straight line, since the trees would get in one’s way. However, the rope they were holding showed the path, and so the two of them could proceed despite their inexperience with the forest.

They moved about fifty meters into the forest, stopping when the rope had almost run out.

Trees and vegetation blocked the way behind them, so they did not worry about being spotted. There was someone nearby who could immediately deal with anybody who was following them, so there was no need to fret about that either.

“Here should be fine.”

"Iya."

“Then, let’s discuss how to improve my reputation here.”

“…May I ask how you plan to do that? Does it involve finding a lot of the herbs they want?”

Ainz looked quietly at Narberal, and then shook his head:

“I plan to fight the Wise King of the Forest.”

Narberal seemed to have a question mark over her head, so Ainz explained further:

“My aim is to impress my might upon them in an easily understandable way.”

“…Was the battle with the Ogres not enough to convince them of your power?”

“…You’re not wrong to say that, but Goblins and Ogres are not enough. When they discuss my accomplishments back in town, there’s a world of difference between saying I slew an Ogre in one blow and saying I defeated the Wise King of the Forest. One of them will spread much faster and further than the other. This is why I need to put on a good show.”

"Saya melihat! As I thought, your plans take everything into consideration, Ainz-sama! Still, how will we find that Wise King of the Forest?”

“I’ve already planned for that.”

Just as Narberal was about to ask, a third speaker cut in.

“Yup~ that’s why I’m here.”

Narberal jerked her head over toward the source of the sudden voice. She even thrust her right hand out, preparing to aim and cast a spell. However, her face changed immediately upon seeing who the speaker was.

“Aura-sama! Please don’t scare me like that.”

“Sorry~”

A dark elf girl popped out from behind a nearby tree, with a beaming smile that seemed to say ehehe on her face.

She was one of the twin Guardians of the Sixth Floor of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, Aura Bella Fiora.

“May I ask when you arrived?”

"Hmm? I’ve been following behind you and Ainz-sama ever since you entered the forest.”

Aura was a beast tamer-cum-ranger, so tracking people in the forest was child’s play to her. While it was true that Lukrut was also a ranger, the difference in their abilities was so great that there was no way he could have spotted her.

“So, my job here is to find the monster called the Wise King of the Forest, then urge it to attack Ainz-sama.”

"Tepat sekali. According to our previous intelligence, the Wise King of the Forest is a four-legged beast with silver fur and a snake-like tail. Does that remind you of anything?”

“Hm, it’s fine. It should be that guy,” Aura replied as she glanced upward.

“If that’s the case, do you want me to tame it directly?”

“…That is also an alternative, but let’s not.”

Aura the beast tamer should be able to easily subdue the Wise King of the Forest. However, it would be troublesome if someone found out that Ainz had been pulling all the strings. Therefore, it would be wiser to avoid having to worry about such things.

“By the way, Aura, how’s the progress on that matter I asked you to handle?”

"Iya!"

Aura swiftly genuflected before Ainz, in the manner of a vassal to her liege.

It did not quite seem like Aura’s style, but Ainz responded in kind, listening to her report in his capacity as her master.

“The order you gave me to ‘investigate and control the interior of the forest, verify if there are any lifeforms willing to obey Nazarick, and set up a resource storehouse,’ is going well, Ainz-sama.”

“Is that so,” Ainz replied simply.

Before heading to E-Rantel, Ainz had handed down different orders to each Guardian. The reason he ordered Aura — and Mare — to scout the Great Forest was in order to ensure the safety of Nazarick and collect information.

As for the resource storehouse, it might be better to describe it as more of a shelter. The reason he ordered her to build it there was to provide a hiding place in case there was an emergency and he could not return to Nazarick. In addition, it would be best to have an alternate base of operations to avoid Nazarick’s location being revealed. And of course, it could be used to store all manner of supplies and resources.

He had ordered her to find creatures which would obey Nazarick because he wanted to see if he could powerlevel them. In addition, he wanted to learn about how one went about gaining levels in this world.

Because of this string of tasks, Aura, Mare, the vassals designated for construction, and other powerful entities had invaded the forest and disrupted the balance of power within it. This was why the Ogres and other monsters had chosen to flee, even at the risk of treading within the domain of the Wise King of the Forest.

“Still, the construction of the storehouse will take a long time to complete.”

“That can’t be helped. After all, it has only been a short while since I gave you that order.”

While Aura had access to golems and undead from Nazarick, which could labor forever without needing to sleep or eat, this was not a task which could be easily finished, considering the amount of work that needed to be done.

“It’s all right if it takes extra time. Try your best to make it perfect. Make ample preparations for defense, so we won’t fall short if we’re attacked.”

"Iya! Understood!”

"Sangat baik. Then, Aura, I’ll leave the matter of the Wise King of the Forest to you.”

“Yes!” Aura replied energetically as she stood back up.

♦ ♦ ♦

After Ainz bade Aura farewell, a gigantic black wolf with a lustrous black pelt padded out from behind one of the trees, as though it had been waiting for that moment. Its fiery red eyes blazed with intelligence, proving that it was no mere beast.

Bukan itu saja.

On the branches of another tree was a six-legged monster which looked like a fusion of a chameleon and an iguana. Its scaly skin ran through a kaleidoscopic array of lightning-fast color changes. It was as large as the wolf from earlier.

“Fen, Quadracile, what’s with you? Worried about me?”

The massive wolf called Fen whined and nuzzled Aura. Quadracile stuck out its tongue and lightly licked at the top of Aura’s head.

“Hey hey, we still have to do the work Ainz-sama gave us.”

Aura’s fighting strength was second from the bottom among the Guardians of Nazarick, and the fact was that some of the Area Guardians were stronger than her. However, that only took into consideration their solo abilities.

Aura’s forte did not lie in fighting as a lone unit, but as part of a group. Of the hundreds of monsters which Aura could summon, the highest level among them was eighty. With the aid of Aura’s skills, they could reach level ninety or so. With these beasts at her command, her combat abilities far surpassed those of any other Guardian.

The two monsters here were two of Aura’s favorite high-level magical beasts — the Divine Beast Fenrir (also known as Fen), and the equally powerful Itzamna, Quadracile.

As they heard Aura’s words, Fen and Quadracile stopped playing around.

“All right, let’s go!”

Aura led the two magical beasts in a sprint through the forest. Even though they were surrounded by dense woodland, they were not impeded in the slightest, moving as fast as the wind.

After about thirty minutes of running, Aura reached her destination.

Aura smiled. It was a cold smile which did not fit her youthful face. It was equal parts innocent and cruel.

“I kind of wanted it for myself, but Ainz-sama did give me an order, so it can’t be helped.”

She did not sound like she was talking to her pets, but rather, like she was muttering to her jewellery.

Aura knew where the Wise King of the Forest made its lair because she had long wanted to subdue it for her own. The Wise King of the Forest was much weaker than Aura’s own monsters, so it had no value to her. However, it was an unfamiliar creature to Aura, and that inflamed her collector’s desire.

It was a shame to have to let it go, but if she was giving it up to her master, the Supreme Being to whom she owed all loyalty, then she had no complaints.

“Now then…”

Aura began transmuting the air molecules in her lungs. The newly recombined breath was not a natural substance, and it leaked from between her pink lips. This breath of hers could control emotions.

Normally, her breath only filled a very small radius around her, so it was more like a special type of passive skill. However, if she wanted, she could combine this technique with other targeting skills to hit any target within two kilometers with perfect accuracy, even in a forest like this.

However, there was no need for that. Because her objective was to remove any signs of her passing, she snuck up on her target. Not even her magical beasts, let along the natural animals of the forest, could detect Aura as she was now.

Aura proudly walked up to the Wise King of the Forest, all traces of her presence thoroughly erased, and breathed lightly. Her breath contained elements which induced terror, startling awake the sleeping Wise King of the Forest.

Every hair on the Wise King of the Forest stood on end, and it fled immediately. The speed of a terrified four-legged beast was startling. Yet Aura — who was chasing it from behind — was faster still.

Aura shadowed the Wise King of the Forest, harrying it towards Ainz, like she was a guided specter of Death.

“…Still, I wonder if I could take its pelt if it dies…”

♦ ♦ ♦

There was a disturbance in the forest

Lukrut pricked up his ears as he sensed the change in the air. He surveyed his surroundings with a grim expression on his face and wariness in his heart.

“Something’s coming.”

When they heard this, the Swords of Darkness stopped their herb-gathering and drew their weapons in preparation for battle. Shortly after, Ainz tightened his grip on his greatswords as well.

“Is it the Wise King of the Forest?”

Nobody answered Nfirea’s uneasy question as he stuffed the herbs into his bags. Everyone merely watched the depths of the forest in silence.

“This is bad.”

Even the usually flighty Lukrut was speaking in a serious tone:

“Something massive is coming. I don’t know why it’s moving in a serpentine pattern, but from the sound of trampled grass, it should be here soon. However… can’t be sure if it’s the Wise King of the Forest.”

“Let’s fall back, it doesn’t matter if it’s the Wise King of the Forest or not, staying here is very dangerous. Even if it’s not the Wise King of the Forest, we’ve entered its territory, so the chances of it giving chase are very high.”

As he said this, Peter looked to Ainz.

“Momon-san, can we trouble you to be the rear guard?”

"Tidak masalah. Leave it to me… We’ll take care of the rest.”

The Swords of Darkness called out their encouragement to Ainz one after the other as they helped Nfirea retreat from of the forest.

“Momon-san, please don’t overdo it.”

Nfirea’s voice carried an absolute faith in Ainz, and his eyes glittered with admiration underneath his hair. It made Ainz feel deeply uncomfortable and he wished that they would leave quickly.

As he watched them disappear into the forest on the other side of the clearing, a twinge of unease ran through Ainz. He was not sure if he could leave the forest by himself, but then he immediately considered that he could let Aura guide him.

There was a more pressing problem before him at the moment—

“Damn… They might think it’s not the Wise King of the Forest… and even if I bring it back to Nazarick, I need some proof of having beaten it… Should I cut off one of its legs?”

“—Ainz-sama.”

Narberal’s gaze was far afield, looking at the mighty shadow that emerged from the distant trees. There was no way to make its shape out because it was hiding behind the trees, and without the sun to light it, there was no way to tell if its body was, in fact, silver.

“Has our guest arrived?”

Or maybe we’re the guests, Ainz idly mused as he stepped up in front of Narberal. He had no idea of how strong it was — what level it was, so Ainz made the logical decision of putting himself in front of the magic caster Narberal, who was not suited to melee combat.

Once he got in front of Narberal, Ainz felt the air move. He immediately crossed his greatswords in front of him like a shield.

He heard something like the sound of steel meeting steel, and a tremendous force bore down on Ainz’s arms. A weighty and swift object had struck the greatswords Ainz was holding.

He saw a long, serpentine tail slowly retreat behind a tree.

Its tail attacks like a bullwhip. However, judging by the feel and sound of the impact, that tail must be as hard as metal… its attack radius of over twenty meters will be hard to deal with, but how does it live with a tail like that?

With no frontliner skills, Ainz had no idea how to deal with it. All he could do was advance into melee with his foe.

Ainz sighed. Of course, this was just going through the motions, since Ainz had no lungs. He braced his shoulders into a battle-stance, ready to counterattack. In response to this, a serene bass voice boomed out from the forest:

“How spectacular; to think thou could endure the blow of this one. Perhaps this is the first time this one hath encountered a foe possessed of such prowess.”

“Thou… this one…”

Ainz’s illusory face hardened, and then he considered that those words had already been translated. Ainz decided that this was the closest equivalent to what had actually been said.

“Then, oh trespasser upon mine demesne. Shouldst thou decide to quit the field, this one shall not pursue thee, in honor of thine magnificent defense… what say thee?”

“…What a foolish question. Of course I plan to defeat you for my own gain… speaking of which, are you so insecure about your appearance that you have to hide in the shadows? Or are you shy by nature?”

“…What a wild tongue thou hast, oh trespasser! Now behold this one’s mighty form! Stare with eyes wide and tongue tied, and tremble in dread and awe!”

The Wise King of the Forest slowly emerged from the trees, revealing its body to him.

As he saw it, Ainz’s illusionary eyes went wide.

“Fufufu, this one senses thy fear and alarm from beneath thine helmet!”

A smile twisted the face of the magical beast, and it curled its long tail. There were strange glyphs and symbols on the silvery fur covering its body. It was about the size of a horse, but it was low to the ground, being larger in the horizontal rather than the vertical dimension.

The Wise King of the Forest shrank the distance between them.

"Apa ini…"

An indescribable feeling washed over Ainz. After becoming undead, all the strong emotions he felt were immediately suppressed. With that in mind, this was probably not a very strong emotion. Even so, he had not felt this in a long time — including his time in YGGDRASIL — the sensation when a monster appeared before him.

“…I have a question; what is the name of your species?”

“This one is known in thy tongue as the Wise King of the Forest. Apart from that, this one holds no other titles.”

Ainz gulped, and then asked further:

“Your species… might they be called Djungarian Hamsters?”

The Wise King of the Forest.

From what Ainz could see, it closely resembled a Djungarian Hamster. Its fur was silvery, or rather, snow white, contrasted by its black, round eyes, and its body looked like a gigantic bun.

Of course, hamsters did not have such long tails, not did they grow larger than a human being. However, those two factors aside, he honestly could not think of any other animal which could compare. Fully a hundred out of a hundred people would agree that it was a hamster. Well, a giant Djungarian Hamster. Maybe a mutant Djungarian Hamster, or something like that?

It tilted its adorable head — it did not seem to have a neck — and the Wise King of the Forest sniffed at the air before speaking again:

“This… this one hath lived in solitude all mine life. This one canst not answer thee, for this one knowst not of this one’s… or dost thou imply that thou knowst of this one’s species?”

“Um… er… I guess, sort of… one of my former friends once kept a creature which was similar to you…”

Ainz recalled that friend of his, and how that friend had not logged onto YGGDRASIL for about a week because that friend’s pet Djungarian Hamster had died.

Behind him, Narberal quietly went, “Ohhhh,” probably because she had learned something about one of the Forty One Supreme Beings.

“What!? To think beings like this one would be raised as pets!”

The Wise King of the Forest puffed up its cheeks.

Ainz had no idea whether it was unhappy or trying to intimidate him, or something else. The only thing Ainz could be sure of was that it was definitely not eating.

“Hm… This one prays thee enlighten me on that matter. This one is a living being and must procreate. If others of this one’s breed exist, then this one must go forth and multiply, lest this one become a failure as a living being.”

According to the Wise King of the Forest’s logic, Ainz — who could not reproduce — was unfit to be a living being. As he clung to the excuse that he was undead and not, in fact, a living creature, Ainz weakly answered:

“…Er, it wasn’t as big as you, anyway.”

“Be that as it may… perchance it was a juvenile?”

“…No, even fully grown, it was small enough to fit in the palm of my hand.”

With a vague sense of sadness, the Wise King of the Forest’s whiskers drooped down.

“Indeed, that is quite a stretch… this one must pass the years in solitude, after all…”

“…If you were a more impressive looking species it wouldn’t be so bad… but you’re a hamster. I do sympathize with your circumstances, but if there were others like you, your numbers would increase without end and the world might end up being destroyed…”

The Wise King of the Forest twitched its whiskers. While its eyes were the same shiny black as always, there seemed to be some anger in its tone:

“What an outrage! Increasing the numbers of one’s species is important! And this one hath lived without companionship all mine life! ‘Tis only natural to desire others of mine kind!”

“Oh… um… well, that’s certainly true… forgive me, I misspoke…”

Ainz recalled his comrades from Ainz Ooal Gown and apologized. Although, he felt terribly mixed up about remembering his friends after being lectured by a hamster and then apologizing to it.

“…Think naught of it. This one grants thee mine forgiveness. Then, let us abandon this idle banter and show each other our fatal resolve. Listen well… oh trespasser who hath profaned mine demesne, offer thy life as this one’s sustenance!”

“Er… um…”

Ainz felt his motivation draining away.

Even if that cute appearance was just a facade, he still could not bring himself to fight it in earnest. No matter how you looked at it, having the ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick duel a giant hamster was just sad.

Even if he defeated it, he would have to take the corpse of a Djungarian Hamster and tell people, “This is the Wise King of the Forest, the fight was too intense and I couldn’t chase it away.” How would adventurers — including the Swords of Darkness — view that? Even in the best case scenario, they would simply look silently at Ainz with pitying eyes.

In that case, he would not defeat the Wise King of the Forest, but capture it alive to pick its brains.

“Nabe, fall back,” Ainz said, forcing some semblance of fighting spirit back into himself as he gave that order. Narberal had a look of absolute confidence in Ainz’s victory on her face as she bowed deeply and then retreated to a corner of the clearing.

“Oh — but know thou that being outnumbered is no handicap for this one?”

“…I can’t do something as embarrassing as fighting a hamster two-on-one.”

After hearing those words and seeing Ainz raise his weapons in a fighting stance, the Wise King of the Forest lowered its body and tensed its entire body.

“Regret not thy decision! Now bear the charge of this one!”

The massive body forcefully kicked off the earth with a mighty bang, and lunged at Ainz.

The flying tackle of the Wise King of the Forest’s massive body would have tossed any ordinary person away, had they been hit by it without using a martial art.

However, Ainz used the blades of his greatswords as a shield, and took the Wise King of the Forest’s charge head on.

Despite its fearsome destructive power, Ainz still easily resisted it..

“Muuuuu!”

The Wise King of the Forest was surprised by the unmoving Ainz, and slashed with the surprisingly sharp claws on its forepaws. Ainz raised the greatsword in his left hand to block the strike, and swung with the greatsword in his right.

He did not put his full strength into it, but it was still quite a forceful blow.

There was a loud crash, and Ainz’s strike was deflected away, his arm numbed from the impact. It would seem the Wise King of the Forest had blocked Ainz’s strike with its claws, and the two attacks had bounced apart after an intense mid-air clash.

“Well done! But how about this? 「Charm Species」.”

Mind-affecting effects were useless against the undead. Ignoring his opponent’s magical attack, Ainz swung both his greatswords.

There was a sound of clashing metal again, and Ainz’s swords were deflected once more.

Ainz narrowed his eyes under his helmet.

While that had only been a probing attack, the Wise King of the Forest had deflected that strike with its skin. It would seem that its hide was harder than most metals.

Was it not soft and fluffy fur? It was quite surprising, but Ainz chased away these thoughts which had no place in a battle.

Ainz’s physical attack power would be around that of a level thirty warrior, in YGGDRASIL terms. However, that was greatly affected by spells and equipment, so he could not be sure. Still, with that as a baseline, the Wise King of the Forest had the fighting power of a level thirty or so character.

A frown grew on the illusory face under Ainz’s helmet.

“Not bad… very suitable for melee combat training.”

Ainz was certain that as long as he went all-out, he could definitely defeat this opponent. Although he had to stay alert, it was still good practice for being a frontliner.

Ainz continued swinging his twin greatswords, and the Wise King of the Forest continued its adroit deflection of his blows. Then another glyph on its body lit up, and it cast a spell.

“「Blindness」.”

Unlike the previous 「Charm Species」, this non-mind-affecting spell of blindness could potentially have affected Ainz. However, Ainz had a racial skill which rendered him immune to low tier magic. Therefore, the spell vanished without ever taking effect.

A different symbol lit up when it used that spell… it seems the symbols on its body represent the spells it can use…

There were spellcasting monsters in YGGDRASIL. While the numbers of spells they could use varied greatly according to their level and species, as a rough guideline, they could use about eight kinds of magic. Similarly, the Wise King of the Forest had roughly eight kinds of tattoos on its body, so Ainz felt like he was fighting a monster from YGGDRASIL.

The Wise King of the Forest did not notice its spell had been resisted, and attacked with its forepaws. Ainz blocked with the greatsword in one hand and countered with the greatsword in his other.

He thought of past battles alongside his friends.

Touch Me, who wielded a sword and shield and was one of the greatest warriors in YGGDRASIL. Nishiki Enrai, who bore the twin kodachis named Amaterasu and Tsukiyomi, and boasted the highest attack power in the guild. The man also known as No Second Strike — although that was not actually the case — wielding the twin nodachis known as God-Slaying Slash Emperor and Takemikazuchi Mk 8, Warrior Takemikazuchi.

And then he recalled the brave man he had encountered recently — Gazef Stronoff, the Kingdom’s Warrior Captain.

Perhaps Ainz had travelled to E-Rantel in the guise of a warrior because he had been moved by that man.

Ainz mocked himself for thinking of these things now.

I can’t let my mind wander in combat. Although there’s certainly enough leeway for it, I can’t be careless… even if my opponent is a hamster…

He imagined the countless sword strokes his companions had made, and Ainz attacked continuously, trying his best to reproduce those moves. At the same time, he used the greatsword in his left hand to intercept the Wise King of the Forest’s counterattacks.

Both sides went back and forth, neither side being able to strike a decisive blow, until Ainz’s greatsword finally breached the Wise King of the Forest’s defense.

"Apa!?"

The scent of fresh blood followed the sensation of the greatsword piercing into flesh. The greatsword in his right hand grazed the hide of the Wise King of the Forest, sending hairs flying.

He planned to continue his assault with his left-hand greatsword, but the Wise King of the Forest sensed it was at a disadvantage and leapt away, landing about ten meters away from Ainz.

I’ve heard hamsters escape their nests by jumping, but I’ve never seen one retreat before.

Just as Ainz began losing himself in thought after battling the giant hamster, the Wise King of the Forest lowered its body.

Ainz watched his opponent’s movements in surprise.

What does it plan to do at that range? If it’s a charge like just now, then I’ll just hold my sword out to let it kill itself… but it’s most likely that it’s going to use another spell.

The Wise King of the Forest curled its tail up behind it, but judging by its length, it probably shouldn’t be able to reach —

“— No, that’s not it!”

Ainz realised that he had miscalculated.

The tail strike at the beginning had come from a long distance away. In other words, he was still in range of the tail attack.

As expected, the tail swung in a huge, sweeping arc, speeding at Ainz with its surprising length. Ainz blocked it with his right-hand greatsword… and his eyes went wide with surprise. This was because the tail had turned at a right angle, using the greatsword as a fulcrum of sorts.

“!”

He swung his greatsword to the side, aiming to cast away the tail which was on his sword. However, he was a moment too late, and the tail scraped the back plate of his armor, sending an impact through his body.

Due to a racial skill, an attack like this would not have hurt Ainz even if the tail had struck him dead on. However, if one thought of this as a first-person shooter game, then he had made a great mistake.

“Now, we are one for one.”

A mere hamster — anger rose inside him.

Then, let me try a ranged attack of my own.

Having decided this, Ainz firmly gripped his right-hand greatsword. As Ainz was preparing his attack, the Wise King of the Forest spoke, with heartfelt respect:

“That armor… ‘tis truly amazing. Nay, thy strength and swordplay are both breathtaking to behold. Thou art truly a superlative warrior. Art thou a man of fame in human society?”

The strength faded from his right hand.

In a somewhat disappointed tone, he asked, “Do I look like a warrior to you?”

“Why dost thou ask? What wouldst thou resemble, save a warrior? Mayhaps thou might be better addressed as a knight?”

“The Wise King of the Forest… well, you’ve been misnamed. Or rather, everything started going wrong once I discovered you were a giant hamster…”

Indeed, it was hard to think of Ainz as a magic caster in this suit of full plate armor. Still, he had hoped that something with the grand title of Wise King of the Forest would at least have noticed something amiss, or showed some sign that it could see through his disguise.

The Wise King of the Forest must have thought that Ainz’s magic immunity was simply resisting the spell through sheer force of will. Granted, special defenses like resistance and immunity were practically the same thing in YGGDRASIL, but at least it should have tried to act like a proper sage.

In the end, it was completely undeserving of the title of “Wise King.” Maybe if it had been called a Giant Djungarian Hamster, he would not have held such high hopes. Whoever called him a “Wise King” must have had something wrong with him. It was a mislabelling, false advertising.

Having lost the will to fight, Ainz powerlessly lowered the greatswords in his hands.

“What art thou doing!? Could it possibly be… dost thou intend to yield before the battle is decided? Come at this one with all thy strength! This is a duel to the death!”

The words from the angry Wise King of the Forest chipped away at Ainz’s heart. Fortunately, great emotional upheavals were suppressed immediately, so he still had some strength remaining.

“That’s… enough.”

Speaking with a cold, crystal clear voice, Ainz pointed his right-hand greatsword at the Wise King of the Forest and activated his skill.

「Despair Aura V」.

Since its instant death effect was too strong, he decided to reduce its potency and instead activated 「Despair Aura I’s」 fear effect.

A cold, soul-chilling vapor gusted out from Ainz

The moment that mass of cold air washed over the Wise King of the Forest, every single one of its hairs stood on end, and it rolled over with surprising speed. All he could see was its silvery fur, and its soft, defenseless belly.

“Craven! This one yields to thee!”

“…Ah… in the end it was just a beast…”

As he muttered tiredly in response, Ainz walked over to the Wise King of the Forest, observing its vulnerable belly, and then considered what he should do next.

It’s a creature of this world, so chasing it away would be a shame. Sadly, it’s just a hamster, so should I raise it as a pet… at the very least, I should make use of its corpse.

One of Ainz’s job classes was called Necromancer. It was a class that allowed one to turn a corpse into an undead slave, though the quality of the undead produced depended on the species of the corpse.

The best corpses were those of powerful beings like dragons, while human corpses could become zombies and skeletons. Then, given that the Wise King of the Forest did not exist in YGGDRASIL, what sort of undead would its corpse make?

A Wise King of the Forest Zombie?

“Shall we kill it?” a cheery voice rang out.

Ainz turned, and found that Aura had mysteriously appeared beside Narberal.

“If you kill it, I’d like its hide. It looks like it would make a great pelt…”

Ainz lowered his head and looked straight at the Wise King of the Forest, who was looking at him with moist, tear-filled eyes. Its whiskers twitched as it waited fearfully for its future to be decided.

Just then, he suddenly recalled the words which he had exchanged with the Wise King of the Forest. Ainz recalled the part about friends.

Ainz found that he was hesitating. Then, with a sigh, he made his decision.

“My true name is Ainz Ooal Gown. If you are willing to serve me, I will spare your life.”

“Th-Thank you very much! This one shall offer absolute fealty to thee for the gift of this one’s life! The life of the Wise King of the Forest shall be an offering to the great warrior, Ainz Ooal Gown-sama!”

Aura looked at the Wise King of the Forest, who had jumped up and was frantically pledging its loyalty. There seemed to be something like regret in Aura’s eyes.

♦ ♦ ♦

Once they left the forest, they encountered the others, who rejoiced that Ainz and Narberal were both unharmed. Only Lukrut seemed to have his doubts.

In a tone that combined surprise and praise, Nfirea asked Ainz:

“You’re unhurt… Did you avoid fighting?”

Just as Ainz was about to answer, Lukrut cut in:

“Momon-san, what did you bring back? Were you charmed by something?”

“I battled the Wise King of the Forest, and tamed it. Oi, come out.”

They could all see the pearly-white fur of the Wise King of the Forest as it emerged from the trees. The Swords of Darkness gathered around Nfirea, shocked expressions on their faces as they all took a step back with weapons raised.

Well, it’s huge, even if it’s a Djungarian Hamster…

Though it had cute round eyes, its massive body was still a fearsome sight, and it was only natural that these adventurers should be wary on behalf of the client they were escorting. With that in mind, Ainz decided to calmly say:

“Be at ease, everyone. I have subdued it, so it will not lash out wildly and hurt people.”

Then, he approached the Wise King of the Forest, and made a show of patting its furry body.

“It is as milord says; this Wise King of the Forest is loyal to milord, and is milord’s faithful servant. This one swears to milord that this one will not inconvenience thee, fine gentlemen!”

In this way, the Wise King of the Forest displayed its loyalty to Ainz.

Perhaps they were on guard because of its vast size, but since it was a cute Djungarian Hamster to begin with, they would probably stop being on edge once they got used to it. The problem was how to make everyone think it was the true Wise King of the Forest. That was the only thing Ainz had no idea how to accomplish.

And then, things developed in a completely unexpected direction.

“…So this is the Wise King of the Forest! Unbelievable! What a majestic beast!”

—What?

Ainz looked back and forth between Ninya and the Wise King of the Forest, checking to see if Ninya was making fun of him, but Ninya seemed to be entirely serious.

“…Wow, the Wise King of the Forest… so the legends really were true! I can feel its mighty presence just standing before it!” Dyne gasped.

Eh? Mighty presence?

“Uwah, that’s pretty awesome. You actually pulled it off. Someone as strong as you is certainly qualified to have Nabe-chan at his side.”

“If we had encountered him, we would have been killed for sure. I expected nothing less of you, Momon-san. Amazing work.”

As Lukrut, Peter, and the others showered him in praise, Ainz looked to the Wise King of the Forest again.

A giant Djungarian Hamster.

It did not remind him of anything else. Why were they so intimidated by a beast like this?

“…Everyone, do you not think this creature’s eyes are very cute?”

Their eyes went wide as they heard those words, as though their eyeballs were about to fall out. It would seem that statement was quite absurd.

“Mo-Momon-san, do you think this beast’s eyes are cute?”

Tentu saja. After mocking the reply in his heart, Ainz magnanimously nodded, and then he began to wonder if the Wise King of the Forest had used a passive charm skill.

“Unbelievable, that’s Momon-san for you. Ninya, you looked into its eyes, what do you think ?”

“…They are eyes filled with wisdom, and I could feel the power of this beast. There’s no way it could be cute by any stretch of the word.”

“…!?”

Ainz looked dumbfoundedly at the others. After realizing that they shared Ninya’s opinion, Ainz felt his head spin for a moment.

“How about you, Nabe?”

“Actual strength aside, those are powerful-looking eyes.”

“…No… way… seriously…?”

They were all gushing praise with sparkly eyes. In other words, they were in awe of Ainz for being able to nonchalantly call the eyes of such a beast “cute.”

Ainz kept glancing back at the Wise King of the Forest, but there was no way he could see anything approaching “wisdom” in them.

Could it be that my aesthetic sense changed as well after becoming undead?

Since nobody apart from himself felt that way, it was quite likely that such a change had taken place. However, it was probably best to make absolutely sure.

“By the way, does everyone think rats are strong?”

“Rats… giant rats? Monsters like that aren’t anything special.”

“You can find them in the sewers of E-Rantel.”

“Giant rats carry nasty diseases. Wererats too… hmm, since wererats can resist damage made from everything except silver weapons, would they qualify as strong?”

Don’t hamsters look like rats? And the Wise King of the Forest has a very long tail… it’s more like a rat than a hamster…

A puzzled Ainz came to a conclusion. In other words, “This world is weird.”

Just as Ainz was agonizing over trivial matters like the differences between this world and the previous one, Nfirea asked in a worried tone of voice:

“But if you take this monster away, and thus its sphere of influence, won’t the other monsters attack En… Carne Village because it’s not there to scare it off any more?”

Ainz raised his chin to indicate the Wise King of the Forest. It got the message, and said:

“By village you mean… ah, well, the balance of power in the forest is now in chaos. Even if this one was there, this one would not be able to guarantee their safety by any means.”

"Tidak mungkin…"

Ainz did not comfort the shocked Nfirea. He merely smiled inside.

The Wise King of the Forest is hardly a fitting name, let’s see what I can get out of this.

Just as Ainz was thinking about how to guide the conversation, he could feel Nfirea looking at him. He seemed to be wavering between speaking and keeping quiet, and his mouth opened and closed like a goldfish.

Ainz understood the turmoil in Nfirea’s heart. On one hand, he must have wanted Ainz to save the village once more. On the other, Nfirea probably felt that it was too troublesome, and did not want to leave everything to him.

As the Swords of Darkness discussed how to save the village, Nfirea made up his mind and addressed Ainz with a serious look on his face.

“—Momon-san.”

"Iya?"

A secretly delighted Ainz waited for what Nfirea would say next.

The truth was that Ainz had always intended to protect Carne Village, which was highly valuable as a source of information. However, the important thing was whether he could profit from it. Since he could frame the thing as doing a favor for Nfirea and thus make Nfirea indebted to him, it was like killing two birds with one stone. This was Ainz’s plan in order to make up for the miscalculation with the Wise King of the Forest.

However, Nfirea’s words vastly exceeded Ainz’s expectations.

“Momon-san! Please let me join your team!”

“Hah!?”

“I want to protect Enri… Carne Village, but I don’t have the strength to do it now. So I want to become stronger! I want to learn the secret to your strength, Momon-san! I don’t mind if it’s just a little bit! However, I can’t hire an excellent adventurer like you on a long-term basis with the amount of money I have! So please, let me join your party! I have some confidence in my ability as a herbalist, but I’m willing to carry luggage and do other menial labor! Please allow me to do this, I beg you!”

Just as Ainz was blinking his non-existent eyelids, Nfirea continued:

“I’ve always been researching herbological knowledge. I didn’t give that decision much thought because my grandmother and father were both herbalists… but now I’ve found the path I want to walk, and it’s not as a herbalist.”

“So, you want to become a great magic caster and protect Carne Village, then?”

"Iya!"

Nfirea seemed to have shed his youthful attitude, and looked straight at Ainz, his eyes filled with a manly resolve.

♦ ♦ ♦

In YGGDRASIL, there had been an endless stream of applicants seeking to join the guild Ainz Ooal Gown. Most of them wanted to do so for personal gain, thinking that they would profit from joining one of the highest ranked guilds in the game. They did not think of what they could do for the guild, but what the guild could do for them.

In addition, there were those who wanted to infiltrate the guild to steal its information and rare items.

Because of this, Ainz Ooal Gown did not increase its numbers much beyond its founding members. They were careful not to let their hard work and effort be trampled by others.

Still, this was the simple, pure desire of a man who knew nothing of the guild called Ainz Ooal Gown. His misguided way of thinking was quite refreshing.

♦ ♦ ♦

“…Ha, hahaha!”

Ainz laughed, long and loud. His laughter was light and buoyant. Then, when he was done, he removed his helmet and bowed deeply.

He could hear Narberal taking a deep breath in the background.

Actions like this did not fit Narberal’s master, the Supreme Ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. Still, Ainz felt that he had to do this, without any hesitation about whether it was right or proper. He did not feel that bowing to a young man who was only half his age was shameful.

There was no malice in Ainz’s laughter, but Ainz now knew he should not have done so. He raised his head to face the surprised Nfirea:

“…Forgive me for my laughter. That was a mistake on my part. But I would like you to understand that I was not laughing at your determination. In order to join my team, you must meet two criteria. At the moment, you have only met one of them. Therefore, I am sorry, but I cannot let you join.”

The hidden condition was that more than half of the present guild members had to approve of the prospective member. Therefore, even if Ainz agreed, he could not add members to the guild on his own. However, Ainz was pleased by the loyalty which the Guardians of Nazarick had shown him after coming to this world, and in that good mood, he continued:

“I understand how you feel, and I will remember that you wished to join my team. As for protecting this village, I will exert all my power to aid you. However, I might need your help—”

"Iya! Please, I’m eager to help!”

“Is that so, is that so…”

As Ainz was nodding, he met Ninya’s gaze. He seemed to be enjoying the show, which made Ainz feel a little embarrassed.

“Then, we’ll discuss that matter later. Before that, I have an interesting story to tell everyone, about the taming of the Wise King of the Forest.”