Magic Caster of Destroy

It would have been too much to expect them to not be entranced by the mythical sights they had seen.

In truth, even Jircniv found it hard to control the impulse to gawk openly at his surroundings, given the fantastic world they had passed through.

He glanced over his shoulder to look at his subordinates who had followed him here.

Behind him were Baziwood and ten specially-selected royal guards, Fluder and four of his acolytes, Roune, his secretary, and the priests from the knight orders. Leinas and the other royal guards had been left behind with the carriages for security.

Everyone following him ―with the exception of Fluder― had drawn in their shoulders.

This was the result of being constantly reminded of how tiny and insignificant they were, as well as witnessing sights that the artistic elites of the Empire would have trouble replicating.

The Great Tomb of Nazarick was a tomb in name only. In truth, it was a beautiful world that was closer to a divine realm than anything else. Their impression of the ruler of this place, the magic caster Ainz Ooal Gown, was almost indescribable.

The smile on Jircniv’s face was filled with mockery, aimed at himself. Humans would naturally bow their heads to those who exceeded them. Anyone that was unimpressed by these architectural and artistic marvels must surely have the aesthetic sense of a pebble.

…This is quite disturbing.

Ainz Ooal Gown waited beyond that door. He was a magic caster whose power surpassed even that of Fluder Paradyne. Indeed, there might be nobody to equal him in the past or the future. His magnificent domicile far exceeded the capacity of humans to imagine, and his followers possessed incredible power. He was a being who possessed every advantage that Jircniv could think of.

Why would someone like that be hiding in a place like this? Although Jircniv did not know the answer, he would probably find out soon enough.

At least, he hoped to achieve that much during the discussions that were to follow.

I doubt he’ll be satisfied with a simple apology after that spectacular show of force he put on.

Initially, Jircniv’s plan was to determine Ainz Ooal Gown’s desires and then meet them in order to gain benefits for the Empire. This whole pretence of making an apology was merely an excuse for achieving that aim.

However―

As if I could begin to meet the desires of someone as powerful as this. I couldn’t do it, even if I hadmore wealth and power than I already do.

Just as a one-carat gem would not gain Jircniv’s attention, Ainz Ooal Gown could not possibly be interested in anything Jircniv could offer.

To begin with, wealth would be completely out of the question.

As for providing military and magical support ― well, why would he be interested in things that were far inferior to his own?

Even using members of the opposite sex as honeytraps would be impossible. Jircniv was firmly reminded of that as he thought of Yuri and the other maids.

Offers of rank and authority would be useless, for someone who lived in a place like this.

Jircniv wondered if human desires could move the heart of Ainz Ooal Gown.

“…It would be very difficult, huh.”

Jircniv’s mind ran through countless stratagems and ploys to use against Ainz Ooal Gown.

The conclusion was that he could not overcome him.

The best outcome he could hope for was that Ainz would not regard him as an enemy.

The victory conditions for this engagement are: the Empire remains intact, and that I return alive.

As he gave voice to these thoughts, Jircniv found that they were louder than he imagined. However, nobody around him reacted. They were too mesmerized by their surroundings.

“This is the throne room. Ainz-sama waits for you within.”

After that, Yuri announced that her part was over, and bowed deeply to Jircniv.

As though waiting for those words, the vast double doors swung slowly open of their own accord.

Several sudden intakes of breath reached Jircniv’s ears. It was not just one or two instances, but over ten of them, probably well over half the people who had come to this place. Many among them had not been able to fully muster their resolve and allowed their desire to flee to show on their faces. In other words, many of the Imperial contingent had been hoping that those double doors would not open.

It was precisely because of that reason that Jircniv was grateful that the doors opened automatically.

Who knew how long they would have to wait if they needed to work up the courage to pass through those doors first?