Clatter—
Just then, the arrival of a customer saved Ainz as everyone's attention shifted to the entrance.
"Ahahaha, Boss, I'm here!"
The moment this person appeared, Lord El-Melloi II, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, became agitated.
His face, which had remained calm for so long, trembled.
His eyes misted over.
"King of Conqueror's!!!"
Rimuru and Ainz—one slime and one skeleton—were both excited.
The newcomer was Iskandar from last night.
For both Ainz and Rimuru, they were fans of the King of Conqueror's. Although Saitama had admired Iskandar last night, he hadn't idolized him like Ainz and Rimuru.
So, his expression wasn't as excited, he simply smiled and nodded.
Perhaps due to the powerful presence Iskandar exuded, he drew the attention of everyone in the small restaurant the moment he entered.
But he showed no discomfort or hesitation, instead maintaining a calm demeanor.
"Ahahaha, everyone, and Boss, I'm back! Though it's only been a short while, I've missed this place dearly!"
Without looking elsewhere, Iskandar sat down directly.
His movements and expressions were bold and decisive.
The Conqueror King, who embodied dominance to the fullest, unconsciously displayed his overbearing might with every gesture.
"Alexander-san, would you like some wine today?" Yuto said.
"Of course!" Iskandar answered with a hearty laugh.
Yuto felt that his decision to buy large cups this morning was farsighted.
When he placed the cup in front of Iskandar, the man's expression showed a hint of delight.
"That's right! This is the perfect cup for drinking!" As Iskandar spoke, Yuto poured the wine for him.
The cup was large enough to hold an entire bottle of beer.
Though it held less than the container prepared for Iskandar last night, this cup was much more comfortable to drink from.
Glug, glug...
As the beer poured in, a white foam rose to the brim.
The moment Yuto finished pouring, Iskandar snatched up the large cup and drained it in one go.
"Ahhh—so refreshing! That hit the spot!" After finishing his drink, Iskandar let out a satisfied sigh, the scent of alcohol filling the air.
His red beard was flecked with foam, but he paid it no mind.
Yuto glanced at Lord El-Melloi II in the corner.
The man's body seemed to be trembling, as if he were trying to restrain himself.
Yuto felt a pang of sympathy but said nothing to Iskandar.
"Yesterday, I was worried something might happen after leaving the Throne of heroes," Iskandar said with a hint of frustration, recounting his experience.
"But when I returned, nothing happened. I waited for a long time, and everything remained peaceful. When I tried to push the door open to come back to the restaurant, it wouldn't budge. It wasn't until just now that I found it would open."
Listening to this, Yuto began to understand. "If you couldn't push the door open, it was probably because the restaurant was closed," he explained.
"My place only opens at seven in the evening."
A look of understanding dawned on Iskandar's face.
He raised a finger and scratched his cheek, a gesture that seemed out of character for him.
"Is that so? But the Throne of heroes has no concept of time. I have no way of knowing when it's seven in the evening," Iskandar said, sounding a little helpless.
Yuto recalled what Iskandar had said last night about the unique nature of the Throne of heroes space.
A place without the concept of time... that was a problem he couldn't solve either.
While Iskandar and Yuto were talking, Lord El-Melloi II, still in the corner, was overwhelmed by a storm of emotions.
He wanted to approach, yet he was held back by fear.
The person he had admired for so long was standing before him.
'It's not a dream! Not an illusion! He's real!'
He could sense the other's presence. His heart pounded in his chest, a sensation he hadn't felt since ten years ago. Tears had begun to stream down his face without him even realizing it.
He only noticed when a drop landed on the back of his hand.
He wiped the corners of his eyes, his flustered demeanor a stark contrast to the elegant composure he had shown upon entering.
Even after ten years, he still couldn't control his emotions perfectly.
He regulated his breathing, trying to calm his racing heart.
'Right now, I have to stand up. Right now, I have to walk over there.'
Lord El-Melloi II rose to his feet. Though his face appeared calm, a faint tremor ran across his features. His hands, resting at his sides, trembled slightly.
His steps were not firm, instead, they were weak.
Each one felt like crossing an endless, arduous path.
He could feel his breathing growing heavy, and the heartbeat he had just managed to suppress began to pound again.
'Waver Velvet, will you become my retainer?'
'Only you... only you are my one true King...'
'Its the King's duty to show his dream. It is your duty as a retainer to witness the end of that dream and pass it down for all eternity. Live, Waver. Witness it all, and tell the tale of your King's life—of Iskandar's magnificent charge.'
'My King, I have survived. I did not disobey your command...'
With every step Lord El-Melloi II took, a tidal wave of memories crashed through his mind.
Like waves rising from an endless sea, memories of the past resurfaced, each one replaying vividly.
Yuto had been watching Lord El-Melloi II ever since he stood up.
The man approached slowly, like an injured soldier limping toward him, each step deliberate and labored. Yuto remained silent, his heart stirred with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation.
Iskandar had just finished pouring a beer.
The moment he set down the glass, his eyebrows arched slightly, and he turned his head.
When he saw El-Melloi, his expression shifted from confusion to a broad smile.
"Seriously! I didn't expect to see you here!" He chuckled and turned to Yuto. "Boss! Another glass!"
"Coming right up!"
Iskandar glanced back at El-Melloi II, his brow furrowing in displeasure.
"What are you waiting for?! Get over here, Waver!"
Yuto filled the fresh glass with liquor.
Iskandar took the cup and placed it in front of Lord El-Melloi II, who sat beside him.
"You can drink now, can't you? Here!" Iskandar said with a joyful laugh, raising his own cup into the air.
But there was no response.
Lord El-Melloi II kept his head lowered, his long black hair obscuring his face.
Iskandar frowned, his eyes widening in surprise.
After a long pause, he sighed and set his cup down.
Thud!
Iskandar slapped Lord El-Melloi II on the back.
This finally elicited a reaction from him.
"Hey! What was that for?!" Lord El-Melloi II exclaimed, his voice tinged with irritation as he raised his head.
"You're still the same timid guy as ever, aren't you?" Iskandar said, exasperation coloring his words.
"I am not!" Lord El-Melloi II retorted, as if stung by the remark.
He picked up his cup and raised it forcefully into the air, his eyes burning with a complex mix of emotions as he glared at Iskandar.
"Hahaha! Excellent, excellent! Just as I expected!" Iskandar glanced into Lord El-Melloi II's eyes and burst into hearty laughter.
He raised his wineglass, clinking it against Lord El-Melloi II's, but kept it pressed against his own.
Iskandar gazed into Lord El-Melloi II's eyes, a faint smile curling his lips.
His kingly eyes now held a warm, amused glint.
Lord El-Melloi II met his gaze, his heart pounding like thunder, drowning out all other sounds.
"Waver, it's been a long time."
The King voice was calm and steady, like a towering mountain. A gentle smile played on his lips.
When Iskandar spoke the name "Waver," the onlookers exchanged knowing glances.
"Rider... it's been a long time!"
In stark contrast to Iskandar's composed demeanor, Waver was in tears.
The tears he had been holding back finally broke through the dam. His trembling hand, clutching the wineglass, shook with sobs.
A helpless smile appeared on Iskandar's lips. "Really, don't just burst into tears like that! You idiot!"
His tone carried a hint of reprimand.
Waver sniffled hard, desperately trying to hold back his tears.
"Don't just scold people for no reason!" His tear-streaked words trembled slightly.
Though his words were meant to be reproachful, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl upward.
"Hmph! If you're a man, down this cup of wine and wipe away those tears. A subject of a King can't afford to look so weak!"
With that, Iskandar withdrew his arm and drained the wine in one gulp.
Waver, who had been clinking glasses with him, did the same.
"Ah—" Iskandar finished first, letting out a satisfied sigh.
Waver, however, choked slightly as he drank.
This put the King in an awkward position.
He glanced apologetically at Yuto and the others. "Don't make fun of Waver."
"Shut up!"
Just as Iskandar was speaking to Yuto and the others, Waver set down his cup and sharply rebuked the King.
"Ahahaha." Despite Waver's sharp retort, Iskandar didn't seem the least bit angry.
Instead, he burst into hearty laughter.
Iskandar turned to address the group.
"Everyone, allow me to introduce my Master, and my subject—Waver Velvet!" he declared solemnly.
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