Chapter 4, Part 6

Attacked from both the front and the back and his weapon constricted, Mare didn’t try to evade. Instead he moved forward and headbutted Berta. It looked rather comical, given the elf’s size, but the sound of bones crushing and Berta’s pained groans as she fell to the floor, her body twitching unnaturally, showed the effectiveness of this move. With the opponent in front dealt with, Mare moved diagonally towards Divine Chain and away from the two enemies at his rear. After a few steps he turned around and lifted his left arm.

[Shockwave]

Mare wasn’t used to casting such low tier spells, but it had served its purpose – both the Sixth and the Twelfth Seat jumped out of the way. Mare seized this opening to deal with the opponent he considered the most annoying. He advanced toward Beaumarchais while yanking on the chain wrapped around his staff. Unwilling to face the dark elf in close combat, the man had no choice but to let go of his weapon and retreat.

Then, as Mare faced down the three remaining fighters, he was suddenly engulfed by fire. Although it didn’t manage to do any damage and was quickly extinguished, it made Mare angry. If I am not careful, they could dirty these clothes that Bukubukuchagama-sama gave me, he thought as he looked at the recovered Third Seat of the Black Scripture. He was considering how to deal with the annoying humans when he saw Cocytus walk up to this part of the arena.

“He. Is. Dead.” Cocytus declared.

“Ah, finally,” Mare said as he let out a sigh of relief. He planted his staff onto the ground and cast his next spell.

[Vengeful Thorns]

Following that, he immediately moved toward the Third and Fourth Seats, not paying any attention to the melee fighters that were near him. It looked like an opening and the three fighters were about to strike when the ground erupted under their feet. Thorn-covered vines emerged from the ground, quickly wrapping themselves around their bodies. The Strongest Human slashed at his vine, but the severed vine grew back almost instantly, and continued to quickly wrap around his body.

The three fighters attempted to break free, but as the vines drained their energy, their struggles quickly came to an end.

“What the heck is this? Is that your trump card, you filthy elf?!” the Third Seat shouted angrily, while lobbing another [Fireball] at Mare.

Suddenly, a figure dashed between two of the fighters and slashed toward them. Cocytus didn’t use the God Slaying Emperor Blade, instead he used the two worst swords among the twenty-one weapons he owned, as a sign of contempt for his opponents.

“No. One. Insults. A. Guardian. Of. Nazarick.” Cocytus coldly stated after he used the broad side of the swords to knock both the Third and Fourth Seats out.

A pained cry came from behind Mare and as he turned, he was surprised to see Divine Chain on his knees – the man was slamming his fist into the ground, cursing.

“Damn you, damn this nest of monsters and damn those old fools that sent us to our death,” he continued to curse until Mare walked up to him.

Glaring at the dark elf with eyes full of hatred, he suddenly stood up and rushed at his enemy. Unperturbed, Mare grasped his staff and used it to deliver a blow to the man’s head.

“Ah, I m-might’ve used too much force,” Mare mumbled with a hint of panic, rushing toward the downed man to make sure he wasn’t dead.

Meanwhile, Aura was busy fighting Martimer. The ball with teeth had been steadily growing and was now the size of a small dragon. It was surprisingly fast for its size too, which was why Aura also sighed in relief when she heard Cocytus declare that Sir Armoreth was dead.

After dodging Martimer’s attack, Aura used her whip to slash through the last remaining monsters the One Man Army had summoned. With the creatures out of the way she dashed towards the two summoners quickly sending them tumbling away with a pair of kicks. She was about to relax, when she heard a roar.

“It didn’t despawn even after its summoner hadsbeen knocked out? How annoying,” Aura said clicking her tongue, as she turned around to look at Martimer.

[Shadow-Piercing Arrow]

She used a skill to pin down her target. However, Martimer ignored the effect of the skill and proceeded to lunge at Aura, forcing her to roll out of the way.

“Mare, what are you doing! Stop dilly-dallying and help me deal with this thing,” Aura yelled.

“Ah, y-yes, I am o-on it,” Mare stuttered a reply as he detected a hint of annoyance in his sister’s voice.

However, Aura didn’t have the time to admonish Mare, as Martimer proved to be extremely persistent. It once again lunged toward her, and Aura responded with a kick. However, Martimer had grown in size exponentially, and so, despite Aura’s strength, it was only sent back a few yards. Not wasting any time, Martimer bounced forward and tried to bite Aura, who had no choice but to jump backwards. The two continued to play this strange game of tag, with Martimer’s jaws snapping just inches away from Aura.

After observing the two for a bit, Mare had a good grasp of their rhythm and calmly cast his spell.

[Wind Slicer]

With a “Whoooosh” a powerful gust of wind flew from Mare’s hand and accurately struck Martimer’s huge frame. In response Martimer whimpered, like a dog that was hit, and shrunk a little.

“I see, it must a slime of some kind,” Demiurge, who had come over and stood beside Cocytus, commented.

Demiurge lifted his arm, pointing it at the ball with teeth and cast a spell. A flame column sprung forth from his palm and hit Martimer, setting it on fire. Demiurge and Mare continued to pelt Martimer with spells while Aura kited it around the arena.

Soon enough Martimer had reverted back to its original size. After it got hit by one more spell, its eyes changed into X’s. Ignoring all the spells that were sent at it, it wobbled slowly toward the handbag it was summoned from. After reaching its destination, Martimer climbed into the handbag.

“Hmm, I still think it’s cute,” Aura said after she thought about it, “I wonder if Ainz-sama will let me have it,” she continued while scratching her ear.

***

After knocking out all of the members of Blue Rose, Sebas waded into the large group of enemies targeting the dark elf twins, successfully drawing more than half of them away.

We are supposed to hold back in order to deceive Sir Armoreth, but doesn’t the fact that I can fight against this many opponents clearly point to how much more powerful I am compared to them? I suppose it’s better this way since I am a melee specialist, and there are now three of us. Still, will this really trick him? Sebas wondered as he dashed to and fro among the crowd of attackers.

He continued to sandbag, only knocking out two enemies. Still, even if Sir Armoreth was too busy with his own fight to realize what was happening over here, the same couldn’t be said about the people Sebas was fighting. More and more they began to look toward the dark elf twins, culminating in when the Fourth Seat of the Black Scripture called out her orders. However, Sebas could see what was happening as well so he was able to intercept all the members of the Windflower Scripture that tried to target Mare, forcing them to continue to engage him instead.

Still, he was rather relieved when he heard Cocytus make his declaration. No longer holding back, he looked like a flash of lightning, as he quickly dashed from one attacker to the next knocking them unconscious with a chop of his hand. Before the enemy could even understand what was happening, half of them were on the floor.

Although they were unable to land a hit on Sebas, there were some close calls previously. However, now that Sebas was no longer holding back the only thing the humans surrounding him could do was curse. Paying them no heed, Sebas continued to attack. A short time later, all but one of his attackers were floored. He was about to address the last one – Climb, but suddenly there was movement as one of the people he had knocked out stood up. Sebas was rather surprised, however as the person removed their hood, Sebas realized why. It was an undead.

“Hahaha. You are powerful, but I am undead! What can you do to me? Torture won’t work on me, and even if you kill me, I will just revive. And since my lifespan is without limit, it’s just a matter of time until I become more powerful than you. I will have my revenge,” the undead declared after his taunt.

That speech made Sebas frown. Ainz-sama is quite interested in this human who turned into an undead, so I should capture him. But, being an undead he can’t be knocked unconscious, and I don’t want to listen to his insults… Turning around Sebas quickly located the person he sought.

“Cocytus-san, could you assist me,” Sebas asked while motioning at the undead who continued his mocking.

[Ice Prison] Cocytus cast his spell. The undead was interrupted mid-sentence, as he was encased in a block of ice.

“That’s better,” Sebas nodded in appreciation, “Now, where was I?” He continued, turning to face Climb.

“Sebas-san, why are you doing this? Why are you serving this undead monster?” Climb asked, his voice shaken.

“To serve Ainz-sama is the greatest honor one could ask for,” Sebas replied in a calm voice.

“Mhm, I guess a powerful man like you could only serve someone even more powerful,” Climb said, as he recalled the way the Sorcerer King behaved at the Katze Plains. “But, what’s going to happen to these people? What’s going to happen to… me?”

“They should’ve known better than to attack Nazarick. Nothing but death awaits anyone foolish enough to do so,” Sebas said with conviction. “As for you, your fate is not in my hands. You shouldn’t have come,” Sebas continued in a noticeably softer tone.

“I was,” Climb began to explain when a thought flashed in his mind. They don’t know that Princess Renner sent me, if I claim that I am here of my own accord, there is a chance her involvement will remain unknown. “I have come here to seek revenge for the late Captain Warrior,” Climb said after making his decision.

“Is that so?” Sebas asked. “Unfortunately, I have been tasked with handling the intruders, and that includes you. I like you, Climb, but alas, my hands are tied,” he explained, a hint of regret in his voice.

“It can’t be helped,” Climb said as he lifted his sword and got ready to attack.

I should not talk too much and instead attack quickly, it would be a disaster if I slip up and reveal Princess Renner’s involvement while we chat, Climb thought.

“It can’t be helped,” Sebas repeated Climb’s words softly. “Now, come show me the power of your resolve.”

Climb dashed forward with an overhead slash. Sebas side-stepped it, and launched his fist toward the human’s head. The killing intent behind this blow was so intense, Climb could feel it physically. Just like the first time he had experienced an attack from Sebas, time slowed down, and all of his essence focused on the fist that was advancing toward him.

“Dodge, dodge, dodge!” Climb screamed mentally, as all of his nerves and muscles were pushed to their limit. He took a step back and shifted his weight, managing to evade the blow. However, Sebas didn’t skip a beat and followed through with his other hand.

I am dead, Climb thought ruefully, as he watched the fist of death launching toward his head. Avoiding the first attack could already be considered a miracle. There was no chance he could dodge the follow up. Climb had resigned to his death, when suddenly an image of Princess Renner flashed in his mind.

If I die here, it would make Princess Renner sad . Even if I am at my limit, I cannot die. For my mistress, for the woman I love… I will surpass my limits! Climb screamed as he placed his sword in front of his face.

[Invulnerable Fortress] He activated a skill just as the fist collided with his weapon. Despite the use of a skill, his sword cracked and he was sent tumbling away. Thankfully, he was alive!

“You have improved,” Sebas remarked as he watched Climb get back to his feet.

“Sadly, I am still no match for you,” Climb replied with a sigh.

[Invulnerable Fortress] was a skill that could only be used by geniuses. For a talentless person like him to obtain it, it was already beyond his imagination. Climb steadied himself, focusing all of his strength on his next move.

He dashed forward with a horizontal slash. This time, Sebas didn’t dodge it, opting to block it with his arm instead. Sebas immediately followed the block with a punch. It was much faster than the previous attacks, so much so that Climb was still in the midst of his slash when the counter came.

“I guess this is as far as I go. I am sorry, Princess Renner,” the thought flashed through Climb’s mind as he felt his body become weightless and his vision turned dark.

***

Shalltear was enjoying her fight against Brain and Loras. Though rather than enjoying the fight itself, like Cocytus would, she was reveling in the sensation of being a cat playing with its food. The two men had moved to opposite sides, and had executed numerous pincer attacks on her, but they were too slow, their effort was pitiful.

Loras lunged forward, sliding along the ground as he used his skill: [Double Stab] he stabbed twice with his spear. Despite the attacks seemingly arriving at the same time, Shalltear was able to grasp the minute difference in timing to parry both strikes, before countering. However, she didn’t strike Loras, instead stopping the tip of her Spuit Lance a few inches away from his face.

Loras quickly retreated, yet he was unable to shake the weapon which remained just inches away, as Shalltear easily kept up with the man. Giving him the sensation of being on death’s doorstep, and maintaining it for as long as she could was the game she chose to play with Loras. Evidently it was very effective, as the man’s forehead was drenched in sweat and his heart pounded as heavy as an engine.

Brain didn’t waste this opportunity and attacked from behind. However, as Shalltear moved to keep up with Loras she would do it in a way that moved her out of the way of Brain’s attacks, leaving him extremely frustrated. He had already activated his [Field] skill, yet his normal attacks weren’t fast enough to reach her. He had to reserve to using [God Flash] or [Nail Clipper] in order to get Shalltear’s attention. Due to numerous uses of these skills he already felt like his head was about to split, yet he had nothing to show for this effort.

[God Flash] Brain roared as he moved behind Shalltear almost instantly. Upong hearing him use the skill, she stopped her pursuit of Loras and turned around to face Brain. Her left hand turned into a blur. A moment later Brain felt his katana come to a stop, its blade pinched delicately between Shalltear’s fingers. The girl laughed, as she swung her weapon, delivering a small cut to Brain’s face, while simultaneously releasing his weapon. He jumped backward, grinding his teeth as he felt rage burn inside of him. The same scenario would play out every time he attacked. He tried to feint and vary his attacks, but it didn’t matter. Every time Shalltear would catch his blade and then deliver a cut before he could retreat.

Shalltear didn’t pursue him, instead she leaned her head to the side while looking at Brain’s cut face.

“The design is almost complete,” she said cheerfully after examining her work for a bit.

“You… you are actually cutting me in a specific pattern?!” Brain asked as his heart sunk.

He was well aware of just how ridiculous the chasm between him and Shalltear was. Still, what she was doing was an ultimate insult to a swordsman like himself. No longer able to control himself he lunged at Shalltear.

[Nail Clipper] he roared even as he saw Shalltear’s laughing face. Opposite him, Loras could sense that Brain was at his limit, and used this opportunity to attack as well. He activated [Limit Breaker: Mind] which allowed him to exceed the physical limitations of his body, though at a cost of sustaining heavy injuries. He jumped forward, striking his spear toward Shalltear, while activating the weapon’s skill.

[God’s Thrust] – it was a guaranteed attack. The description said that it could not be blocked, parried or dodged. Even if the target retreated, the spear would still continue its pursuit, dragging its holder along.

Still, Shalltear didn’t seem to care as she continued to laugh maniacally. She retreated, just as Brain’s attack landed on the spot she occupied a moment ago. Loras also arrived there, however, his charge wouldn’t stop, as the spear in his hand made a turn and continued to fly toward its target.

With both fighters in front of her, Shalltear moved beside Brain, swinging her Spuit Lance at him with much more power than she used previously. Although, Brain managed to lift his weapon in front of himself to intercept it, the force behind that slash sent him tumbling dozens of yards away.

While Shalltear’s charge was fast, the spear Loras held moved equally as fast. By the time she turned to face him, the spear’s tip was just a foot away from her chest.

“Die, vampire!” Loras shouted, his voice a mixture of triumph and contempt.

His shout was met with a wide smile as Shalltear caught the spear with her left hand.

“How?! How is this possible?” Loras shouted in shock. The spear was one of the items left by the Six Great Gods, and the description clearly stated that it was a guaranteed attack which could not be parried or blocked. He could only gasp at the sight of Shalltear holding the spear in her delicate hand.

She opened her mouth to say something, but stopped herself as she heard Cocytus make his declaration.

“I guess this is the end, it was fun while it lasted,” she said with a chuckle.

Shalltear stabbed the man in the stomach, as he tried to wrestle the spear out of her grip. Loras fell to his knees, looking up at her with a face filled with disbelief, anger and contempt. The last thing he saw was the Spuit Lance falling onto his shoulder. The sound of bones breaking could be heard, as pain shot through his body and he lost consciousness.

Shalltear put her weapon away and turned to where Brain was still laying on the floor.

“Maaaaaiiiinnn Diiiiiiiiish!” She screamed as she turned into her lampery form.

“You won’t escape this time,” she told the stunned man, who had apparently sustained too much damage and was unable to get up.

“Wha-what the hell are you?!” Brain shouted in shock as he saw Shalltear’s lampery form for the first time. His breath taken away immediately by the pain which surged from every part of his mangled body.

Shalltear grabbed him, lifting him off the floor and pulling him toward herself. Her mouth opened incredibly wide as a row of needle-like teeth protruded from her gums. She moved her mouth toward the man’s neck and bit.

After she had her fill of Brain’s blood, Shalltear dropped his motionless body on the floor and turned around. She scanned the arena in search of something. A few seconds later she smiled.

“Deeeeeeeeessssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrtttttttt!” She screamed as she made her way toward a woman in a white dress, who was laying on the floor among the other bodies.

However, as she came closer the figure came to life. No longer able to pretend that she was unconscious, the woman in a white dress struggled to move away from the approaching lampery. Her fear was so strong that she couldn’t even get up to run properly, all she could do was crawl away while begging for her life.

“Please… I haven’t done anything… I.. I just joined… please, I am begging you… I’ll do anything,” she mouthed as her lips refused to move.

“Mmm, deeessseeerrtttt!” Shalltear said cheerfully as she grabbed the woman, lifting her close to herself.

Shalltear opened her mouth, revealing the row of sharp teeth to the horror of the woman in a white dress. There was an “Ahh,” moan as the woman lost her consciousness and the body in Shalltear’s hand went limp.

Hmm, why does this keep happening? Shalltear wondered as she dropped the body and changed into her normal appearance. Looking around, she saw that the other guardians had finished off their opponents, and had formed in a semi-circle around Albedo and Ainz, who were still fighting.

She quickly moved to take her place among the other guardians, as she strained to hear the conversation between Ainz and Yavon.

*******

Previous | Next