Chapter 4, Part 4

The battle had begun and before Demiurge could select his opponent, Black Knight engaged him. Demiurge didn’t mind. Aside from Albedo, who needed to be the one to square off with Zesshi, due to the half-elf’s weapon, the rest of the guardians were free to fight whoever they wanted.

Thanks to Pandora’s Actor Ainz had already learned everything he could about Black Knight. A monster NPC, two hundred years ago he was suddenly transported to the New World, along with a number of other NPCs. Most of those became known as the Demon Gods, as they killed and destroyed for no reason. Black Knight, having a neutral-good karma rating, decided to search for a cure for the curse afflicting him. Later, the thirteen heroes sought him out for his strength and he joined them in their quest to vanquish the Demon Gods.

It was an interesting story, but one that bore little fruit. His interactions with the Elf King had confirmed that the NPCs that were transported to this world two hundred years ago were rather strongly tethered to their in-game characteristics. Much like the NPCs of Nazarick. For instance, the Elf King seemed to be nearly oblivious to his circumstances. No matter how much time he spent with Neuronist Painkill, he would spout the same crap about being born to rule the elves and that he’ll have his revenge on Ainz once he takes back the throne that is rightfully his. Just like one would expect from a dungeon boss.

The NPCs also paid surprisingly little attention to being transported to the New World. They knew that it happened, but cared little for why or how. Black Knight was no different, there was nothing more Ainz could learn from him regarding the subject. He was also quite weak, with estimated power around level fourty to fifty. Being an NPC, he followed the same rules as Nazarick’s NPCs and could not gain levels. So, he offered little in terms of power as well. Ainz had decided to have him die during the battle, but Demiurge wanted to see if he could persuade Black Knight into joining the Sorcerer Kingdom. While skeptical, it didn’t hurt to try, so Ainz allowed it.

Persuasion was a delicate matter, and his efforts to push Black Knight’s thoughts toward a certain path could be easily thwarted by Armoreth or one of the other fighters. It was best to lure his opponent away from the others, which wasn’t hard as the Black Knight showed little aggression, keeping true to his promise to stall Demiurge. Once they moved far enough, Demiurge began his devious play.

“Tell me, why does a demon like you fight for the humans?” Demiurge asked while nonchalantly avoiding a strike.

“Humans had always fought against the demons and the undead,” Black Knight replied retreating after his failed attack.

“Wait, does it mean you consider yourself human?” Demiurge exclaimed with surprise after a shocked pause. “You do realize that if any humans saw you, they would proclaim you a demon and would attack you on the spot, right?”

“It matters not. No matter how hideous my appearance becomes, my soul will always be that of a human,” Black Knight replied as he launched a series of strikes.

“And naturally, you feel that the side you are on is fighting for the good of humanity?” Demiurge asked with a smirk. “Have you considered that the demonic corruption afflicting you might be clouding your judgment?”

“Even if that was the case, I am fighting alongside my friends, and I trust them. Your trickery won’t work demon,” Black Knight refused to be stumped so easily.

“Friends? Like who? You heard it yourself, Evileye only came because of Momon. Is that suit of armor the friend you trust so much? When was the last time you saw him? People change, you know,” Demiurge waited for a reaction but didn’t get a reply. “You do realize you are fighting beside the Slane Theocracy, who have massacred countless demi-humans. And the hooded fellows are members of Zuranon – an organization responsible for wiping out an entire city. On the other hand, my master wishes for nothing more than for all races to live peacefully. Under Ainz-sama’s rule, your appearance wouldn’t matter and you could live your life as a human, without having to go into self-exile, as you had.”

Black Knight stopped attacking and appeared to contemplate Demiurge’s words.

“Do you disagree with my assessment?” The demon pressed him.

“It’s possible that you are right, allying with Zuranon is reprehensible, and the Slane Theocracy has plenty of blood on its hands as well. But, I trust Sir Armoreth’s judgment,” Black Knight responded after a long pause.

“You say you trust him, but is he as dedicated to being a hero as you think? A powerful fighter, he should be a force for good in this world, yet most people have never even heard of him. Where was he when the Beastmen attacked the Draconic Kingdom? When the Quagoa nearly wiped out the dwarfs? When Jaldabaoth attacked the capital of the Re-Estize Kingdom? He was nowhere to be found. Instead, it was Ainz-sama who took action to resolve these crises. So, who is the one fighting for the good of this world?”

“Even if that is true, there is no reason to believe that it will always be like that. You are a demon, he is undead, sooner or later your true nature will be revealed,” Black Knight shook his head.

“Then why not join us, and just like Momon, be the guarantor that we do not stray away from the path of good?” Demiurge asked, his heart beating with anticipation. Have I succeeded? Ainz-sama was quite certain this couldn’t be done. Have I finally managed to get one up on the unfathomable existence that is Ainz Ooal Gown? Demiurge wondered.

There was an even longer pause as Black Knight thought about it. Finally, he laughed and waved his hand dismissively.

“Your words make sense. But, it’s as if there is something inside of me that won’t allow me to ally with you and your master,” Black Knight replied.

I see it’s just like Ainz-sama said, he can’t deviate from the alignment he had back in Yggdrasil no matter what arguments are presented. And here I thought I had succeeded, Demiurge thought.

“However, your words are quite persuasive and I am willing to believe you. However, just wanting to make this world better isn’t enough,” Black Knight said.

“Only the strong can be righteous, and do what they will,” Demiurge nodded in agreement.

“Then, I will use this evil sword Hyumilis. I will feed my very soul to it in exchange for enough power to defeat you,” Black Knight declared as he lifted his sword.

“And if I still manage to beat you?” Demiurge asked.

“Then I will die in peace, knowing that if your words were truthful, you have the power to see things through. And even if you lied, I didn’t have the power to stop you.”

“Sounds like a win-win for you,” Demiurge chuckled.

Meanwhile, Black Knight seemed to have activated Hyumilis – a black mist began to swirl around the weapon’s blade, a few seconds later it moved on to the arm and continued until the mist covered every inch of Black Knight’s body. Then the mist burrowed into him. Screaming in pain he fell to his knees.

Demiurge didn’t move, rather he was curious to see what would be the end result of this transformation. He watched as Black Knight got up and clenched his fist.

“This power was originally designed so that members of my order could protect the treasure we were guarding. Now, I will use it to test your strength,” Black Knight exclaimed.

He lunged at Demiurge with a series of strikes, which the demon parried with his claws. He followed it with an overhead slash, and then a kick to the body. However, Demiurge moved his elongated claws in time to intercept the kick. Still, he was sent skidding along the ground. It was several yards later that he finally came to a stop.

Curious, his power seems to have increased, I’d say to around level seventy, Demiurge thought as he compared these new attacks to the previous exchanges.

“I am just getting started,” Black Knight said with a smile.

“I look forward to seeing your full power,” Demiurge laughed. This is turning out to be more entertaining than I thought.

“You are taking me too lightly,” Black Knight also laughed as he attacked.

Demiurge moved to meet his opponent’s advance. Sword and claws blurred and the sound of metal clashing against metal rang loudly. Both fighters stood their ground, unwilling to back down. Demiurge was using the claws on both of his hands, yet Black Knight was able to keep up with him.

What’s going on? This much should be enough to overwhelm him. Is he getting faster? Demiurge thought surprised.

“Yes, yes! This is it. Show me your true power, let me see what you are capable of,” Black Knight bellowed as he swung his weapon with reckless abandon.

While they had a lot of power behind them, Black Knight’s wild swings left him open to a counter. I am not nice enough to overlook this, Demiurge thought. He met the next attack with a forceful swing, both of their weapon hands were knocked backwards due to recoil. Demiurge used this momentum to rotate his body while stepping forward. The claws on his left hand plunged into Black Knight’s body.

However, Black Knight didn’t fall, nor did he scream in pain. Instead, he also stepped forward and grabbed Demiurge behind the head with his left arm, pulling him into a headlock. Demiurge’s right arm was trapped behind Black Knight’s back, while the long claws on his left hand were stabbed into the Black Knight, and would take too long to pull out.

“You can’t kill me, I am already dead,” Black Knight exclaimed in a raspy voice, his face twisted by a madness.

With these words, Black Knight stabbed Demiurge. Although Demiurge wore what looked like a suit made of cloths, that was just its appearance. In reality, it was a powerful armor item, befitting his position as a floor guardian. The fact that Black Knight’s sword managed to pierce through it and actually injure him came as a shock to Demiurge.

[Aspect of the Devil – Stout Demon’s Gigantic Arm]

Demiurge used an ability on his right hand to drastically enlarge his arm. Then he used his enormous palm to grab Black Knight, tearing him away from himself, and throw him away.

A measly level fifty managed to damage me? How?! Demiurge wanted to scream this thought. But, he had no time to contemplate this event, his opponent rolled to his feet and was already charging back.

Demiurge swung his enormous fist at the advancing foe, but the blow was evaded. He then used his open palm as a shield while parrying the attacks that got through with the claws on his left hand. Still, it was not enough and several glancing blows had hit him.

Not good, he keeps getting stronger, Demiurge thought, as he backed away under the enemy’s onslaught.

Black Knight seemed to be getting faster and faster. He jumped to and fro, circling around Demiurge’s enormous palm, slashing and stabbing at the demon with ever increasing speed and power. With a feint, Black Knight’s sword evaded Demiurge’s claws and slashed at the demon’s arm. A few seconds later he stabbed him in the leg. Then he stabbed Demiurge in a shoulder, before grazing his cheek with an attack. Forcing Demiurge to retreat again.

The hell is going on with this guy? And why is there smoke coming off of him? Demiurge wondered yet again, noting this new phenomenon. Anyway, enough of this.

Black Knight came at him again, he laughed at Demiurge’s slow movements and stabbed with his sword, piercing Demiurge’s body.

“You’re not the only one who can use this trick,” Demiurge smirked, as his two gigantic palms closed in on Black Knight from both sides.

He squeezed his hands tightly. The sound of bones breaking and armor being crushed greeted him in response. Wary of his opponent’s strange power, Demiurge didn’t release his grip but continued to tighten it. Only after half a minute had passed, and Black Knight showed no signs of resisting, did Demiurge release his hold.

Black Knight’s body fell to the ground, like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Dark smoke slowly rose from the fallen foe, making for an eerie sight. Somehow he was still alive.

“You really are strong. You are worthy of… leading this world,” Black Knight said softly.

Despite the surprising power spike, it ended just like Ainz-sama predicted, Demiurge thought as he watched his opponent take his last breath.

He did a quick check, noting that he hasn’t sustained any serious damage. He then checked on the Black Knight. Removing his helmet he was met with a gruesome sight – the dark-red, crocodile-like skin of Black Knight had shriveled up. After a quick inspection, it was clear that the same happened to the rest of his body. Black Knight now looked like a skeleton covered in the strange skin.

“Interesting, too bad he’s dead… oh, the blade of the sword is gone too?” Demiurge mumbled as he picked up the hilt of the weapon Black Knight used. He examined it briefly before shrugging. This wasn’t the time or place to deal with these strange occurrences.

His target defeated, Demiurge looked around at the others still fighting.

***

After telling Aura and Mare to leave the woman wearing Downfall of Castle and Country Shalltear went back to playing with her two opponents. However, a short while later the two of them seemed to freeze.

“Ahhh?!” Shalltear shouted angrily.

She looked toward the Black Scripture members fighting Aura and Mare. Her thought was confirmed – the second seat of the Black Scripture had activated his cloak. Thanks to Clementine they already knew of this item and its ability.

Shalltear harrumphed and turned back to her opponents. A break like this is just annoying, she thought. Wait, what if I… yes, I wanted to do it back then, but didn’t get a chance. Laughing, she walked up toward Brain and embraced him.

A few seconds later the time stop had ended and everyone began to move.

“Give me a hug!” Shalltear demanded of the startled Brain Unglaus.

“Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh! Wha-What?!” Brain exclaimed after screaming, sending Shalltear into a fit of laughter.

“Ahaha, your face, your face,” she managed to squeeze out while laughing hysterically, her arms still wrapped around Brain.

Suddenly, there was a movement behind Brain and a sound of two weapons clashing.

“Hey, what was that? You just tried to stab through him, hoping I wouldn’t notice your attack?” Shalltear asked, instantly turning serious.

She tossed Brain to the side and stared at Loras. The captain of the Black Scripture shrugged without saying anything.

“Wait! You tried to stab through me?! What the hell?” Brain yelled, his eyes locked on Loras.

“If it worked, your death wouldn’t be in vain,” Loras replied calmly.

“Oh, yeah? Then why don’t you hold her and I stab through you? If I succeed, your death won’t be in vain,” Brain mocked as he got up.

“You are weaker than me. Playing bait is the most you can do,” Loras replied dismissively.

“Is that so? You are lucky she’s here, or I’d be fighting you,” Brain exclaimed as he glared at Loras.

“I am not sure if I should feel relieved that we’ll have little time to spend fighting together or if I should feel anxious that she managed to parry an attack she didn’t even see,” Loras scowled at Brain before his face turned back to the calm mask he normally displayed.

“Maybe it’s because you are just too weak?” Brain chuckled.

“That’s quite an entertaining dynamic you two have. Yes, I’ve decided,” Shalltear said with a bright smile while nodding her head.

“Decided what?” Brain asked. Whatever it is, it can’t be good for us.

“To help a worm like you achieve your dreams,” Shalltear laughed.

“Now, come. Show me the extent of your ability.”

*******

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