Chapter 45: At the End of Distortion (6)
All were silent.
Among them, Ainz was honestly moved. If not for his undead body, if not for his emotional suppression, he might have let out a groan of admiration. That was how much he was both surprised and touched.
'Impressive…'
Even without saying it outright, Monkyspanner made it clear through his questions to the Guardians that—even if their master were gone—they would carry on their loyalty forever.
At such unwavering loyalty, Ainz couldn't help but be impressed. And, more than that, deeply grateful.
'I already knew of the Guardians' loyalty, but having it reaffirmed like this somehow makes me happy.'
Albedo, Demiurge, Mare, Aura, Cocytus, and Shalltear—all of them, in answering Monkyspanner's questions, had unhesitatingly declared their absolute loyalty, their love, and their reverence for him without reservation.
Though he was constantly reminded of it, being reassured once more by an outsider's questioning made Ainz feel a joy he struggled to suppress.
Emotional suppression quickly restored his composure, but the feeling itself had not vanished.
'Truly… I want him. I want him so badly…'
Monkyspanner's loyalty had been confirmed. No persuasion or coaxing would sway it.
That only made Ainz desire him all the more.
He wanted that brilliance. He wanted that loyalty directed toward himself. Surrounded by Guardians though he was, Ainz still craved more talent, more light. He wanted someone like Monkyspanner to be one of Ainz Ooal Gown's own.
But his thoughts alone were meaningless. So, Ainz secretly activated Message.
•Demiurge.
•Yes, Ainz-sama.
•What do you think of that man's answers?
•Though my meager wits may pale before Ainz-sama's brilliant wisdom, if you will permit my humble opinion… This Demiurge shall gladly wring out every drop of thought to present my counsel.
•Anything will do. You have never disappointed me. Speak, quickly.
There was a pause, as if in contemplation, before the Message resumed.
•First, regarding his answers… I believe all he said to be true. However, speaking the truth does not mean he told us everything.
•Ho, and what do you mean…?
•As Ainz-sama may already suspect, he has not spoken the whole truth. In particular, with his answer to the second question, I sensed a strong intention to conceal something. I suspect that his comrades are still out there somewhere.
•Is that so? Yet he said none remained in this world, did he not?
•He said none remained upon the land, did he not? Then they might well be in the skies, or hidden deep underground. If we consider examples such as our own Great Tomb of Nazarick, or the Sky City of the Eight Greed Kings, it is only natural to assume that their guild headquarters, too, exists in some special location.
Ainz himself had considered that possibility. It seemed too far-fetched that Monkyspanner was truly alone. Hearing Demiurge's words only reinforced that suspicion.
•Still, I do not believe he was lying outright. Rather, I think the players he once served are either annihilated, or otherwise in no state to influence this world any longer.
•And what makes you say that?
•Even if he did not say everything, what he did say, I believe, was entirely true. Forgive my presumption, but I—Demiurge—found myself, after hearing his questions and the Guardians' answers, sympathizing with his plight, however slightly. That is why I am certain he would not tell lies when speaking in the name of his master and guild. I can say this because I, too, am in the same position as a servant.
Ainz fell silent.
He could not deny that he, too, had felt sympathy.
One of the reasons he had been so moved was that Monkyspanner's questions, and the Guardians' responses, evoked in him a powerful sense of kinship.
Each question called to mind those who had left, abandoned, or vanished—companions he once thought would be with him to the end—yet one by one, they disappeared until only he, the last of the 41 Supreme Beings of Ainz Ooal Gown, remained.
That was why he felt sympathy for Monkyspanner. He understood his despair, resignation, and irretrievable regret. Thus, he unconsciously accepted his words and felt strong affection for him.
•Moreover, considering the records of history, I suspect his guild followed a path much like that of the Eight Greed Kings five hundred years ago. Most accounts claim the Greed Kings were destroyed by the Dragon Lords, yet in certain texts it is said they defeated even the Dragon Lords—only to foolishly destroy themselves through internal conflict. I believe the same may have happened to them.
That may well be so…
Internal conflict—so, that possibility existed.
The greatest enemies of players are other players. Through gathering this world's knowledge, Ainz had already learned that Dragon Lords and other beings here could rival players.
But even so, one could not deny that the greatest threat to a player was another player. In the end, the worst enemies of players were not external forces or dragon lords, but their own kind—the comrades who once fought at their side.
•Still, I judge that some remnants of their power must remain. Even if no players survived, there should still be servants like ourselves—like Monkyspanner—who once served them. Many may have succumbed to the passage of time, but at the very least, enough strength must have endured to pass down the guild's name through generations. Yet because they have not shown themselves, I believe that what remains of that power is now quite feeble.
•Is there no way to uncover that remaining force?
•Unless he is captured and subjected to mental domination, he will never speak. For him, the remnants of that power are his master's final legacy—the last fortress he must protect. Even if he were to die here and now, I believe he would never reveal it.
•I see.
With that, the secret telepathic conversation with Demiurge ended.
Thanks to it, Ainz now understood Monkyspanner's circumstances clearly. As a player, Ainz could not fully empathize with an NPC who valued their master's name above their own life. But he could certainly understand the will to protect what remained.
"Very well… I have heard your loyalty. Good. Then as you wish—I shall face you with my full strength."
"So be it… come at me as you like."
Rising boldly to his feet, Monkyspanner gripped his Ruyi Jingu Bang tightly in both hands and clenched his teeth.
Watching him, Ainz suddenly spread his hands in an exaggerated gesture.
"However, this seems a little unfair. I have received from you not only information but much else, and for the return to be only death… that seems far too trivial. Therefore, I shall grant you a chance."
"Hah? What do you mean?"
"I had hoped you would simply pledge loyalty to me, but even if you refuse, I do not wish to give you a meaningless death. That would be cowardly. Thus, instead of the infinitesimal odds you spoke of, I shall grant you higher chances."
With that, Ainz pulled Aura close at his side. Startled, Aura looked up at him.
"L–Lord Ainz?"
"This place is a separate dimension, created by the World Item I entrusted to this child. But this space has a method of conquest. By fulfilling a certain condition, one can escape. I have set that condition so that if any one of the seven of us here falls below ten percent HP, you will be freed."
In case the unthinkable happened—if the World Item were somehow seized—Ainz had set a condition to ensure his Guardians would not be lost.
Monkyspanner, too, realized instantly that this was no lie. As an NPC born of Yggdrasil's system, he could tell the truth of such rules. From the moment he heard the condition, he knew it was correct.
"…It seems that is true. But why tell me such a thing?"
"As I said—because it would be dull otherwise. Crushing you with overwhelming force might be entertaining for a while, but watching you resign yourself to death would not. If I grant you hope, you will struggle with all your might. So struggle, fight, and let me enjoy the spectacle of your desperate resistance."
"....."
Ainz's words had been long and elaborate, but their meaning was simple.
He was giving Monkyspanner a path to survival. He was telling him not to surrender to despair, but to cling to even the faintest possibility of hope—and not to throw his life away.
Ainz did not want Monkyspanner to die by his own hand. If he resolved to end his own life, stopping him would be difficult. Far better to give him hope, to make him fight for life, and then subdue him.
Even in the worst-case scenario, the chances of Ainz's side actually losing were less than 0.01%. In other words, they held a 99.99% certainty of victory.
That tiny margin of risk was unsettling, but if it increased the chance of capturing Monkyspanner, Ainz was willing to accept it.
"Now then, shall we begin? Monkyspanner of Dragon's Dream, fight me and my Guardians with all your might, and seize whatever hope remains to you."
"Hah… how absurdly generous you are…"
Though he said this mockingly, Monkyspanner still tightened his grip on the Ruyi Jingu Bang.
He had read Ainz's intent. The words were respectful, speaking of hope, of seizing life. But the truth was plain—Ainz only wanted to capture him. The lofty talk of honor was just a plea not to throw his life away. Monkyspanner had no obligation to comply.
And yet… he felt it: a spark of hope.
Though he was a creation of the gods, revivable by their power, at present, even death would be final. The god who could grant resurrection still slumbered.
And so, if even the slightest chance at survival existed, he wanted to grasp it.
Hah… I had only just resolved to die without regret, and already I've made myself into a fool.
Having given up life so easily, he now found himself reaching for it again. That flicker of hope took root and began to burn within him. However slim, if there was a chance—he wanted to cling to it. That, too, was the will to live.
Monkyspanner's eyes gleamed with renewed determination. Ainz, reading that change, raised his hand in a theatrical gesture—while secretly sending a Message to his Guardians.
•Guardians, fight him with your full strength. Use whatever means you must. I permit you to draw upon Nazarick's treasures. Bring him to me—but his death will not be tolerated. Take your time if you must, but subdue him safely.
•Yes!
•Do not worry, Lord Ainz!
•We will, without fail, capture him.
•I'll… I'll do my best!
•Understood!
•By your will, Lord Ainz, I shall see it done.
The six Guardians answered as one, readying their weapons and magic. A menacing aura filled the warped space.
This was Nazarick's might at its peak.
Though Sebas, Omega, and Victim were absent, it was still the greatest force gathered since the battle against that colossal puppet.
And this time, their opponent was worthy of such power. Ainz expected to see them demonstrate true teamwork. He himself began preparing spells.
As seven beings of transcendence readied their assault, the very air distorted, the world itself trembling under their gathered power.
It was as though a conclave of Demon Kings—or beings even more dreadful—stood assembled.
Against them, Monkyspanner clenched his teeth and charged.
Though he had resigned himself to death, he had abandoned resignation itself. With the contradictory resolve to risk death in order to live, Monkyspanner bellowed a wild roar and rushed the masked leader of his foes with all his might.
"Bear witness, world! I, Monkyspanner, was here!"
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