Magic Caster of Destroy

The ceiling that came into view was very high and very broad. The walls were predominantly white, with extensive gold decorations and highlights.

Multicolored chandeliers ―made of precious stones from all the colors of the rainbow― were suspended from the ceiling, radiating an eerie light. Flags hung from poles set into the walls.

Jircniv and the others blanched pale as an oppressive air swept over them from inside the room.

A crimson carpet ran down the center of the room, and flanking it were a series of immeasurably potent beings.

Demons, dragons, bizarre humanoids, armored knights, bipedal insects and elves. Each was different from the other, but the one thing they had in common was the overwhelming power each of them possessed. Such beings were arranged in two lines on either side of the carpet, and it felt too disheartening to count them.

They watched Jircniv and company in silence. Although it was said that one could sense a certain kind of strength in the eyes of those with power or status, this was the first time Jircniv had ever felt a physical force pressing on him when he met someone’s gaze.

The sound of low moans and the shuddering of metal armor plates came from behind Jircniv.

It was proof that his subjects were scared out of their wits.

However, Jircniv did not intend to reproach his subordinates for showing their fear. Rather, he wanted to praise them, because every single one of them had conquered that fear and stayed behind him.

They had remained steadfast in the face of this primal terror from the dawn of humanity.

Jircniv’s threat evaluation of Ainz Ooal Gown rose by several dozen notches at once. He had been on guard up till now, and that assessment of Ainz’ power had been revised ever upward since he arrived here. But even that had been far too naïve.

The matter of dealing with Ainz Ooal Gown was no longer simply a matter of the survival of the Empire, but rather, it concerned the survival of the entire human race ― even demi-humans.

Jircniv’s eyes followed the carpet forward.

Before them was a set of stairs, and around it were assembled people that Jircniv surmised were Ainz’ aides. A beautiful silver-haired girl. A bluish-white monster that looked like an upright insect.

A toad-like man in a suit. The twins from before ― here Jircniv felt some relief. If it turned out that the ones who wiped out his royal guards in a few seconds were mere foot soldiers, that would hardly be a laughing matter.

Above them, upon those stairs, was a beautiful winged woman, and just behind her―

“That is…”

Upon a crystal throne sat the personification of death. It had a strange-looking staff in hand.

It was a monster with a skull for a head.

It was like a being that had been formed from concentrating darkness into a single point.

It was Ainz Ooal Gown.

A magnificent crown sat upon his head, and his body was cloaked in a luxurious sable robe. Rings glittered brightly on his fingers. Even from such a distance, Jircniv could clearly tell that the exquisite accessories which Ainz wore were beyond the skills of his Empire’s artisans.

Blood-red points of light glowed within the empty eye sockets of Ainz Ooal Gown’s skull. As they swept over Jircniv’ and his contingent, it felt as if they were tasting him.

He was shocked by the fact that Ainz was not human, and at the same time he was relieved.

It was because Ainz was not human that Jircniv could honestly accept that Ainz was a superior being that was far out of his league.

“Hu…”

Jircniv exhaled quietly.

It was a sign of his resolve.

The door had been opened, but it had not been opened for long. It was certainly not long enough for anyone to comment on their inactivity. Still, they could not wait out here forever. And so, Jircniv took a step forward.

“Let’s go.”

Jircniv’s words were quiet enough that only those behind him could hear them. Anyone who saw him would be surprised by how he could speak without opening his mouth. This was not magic, but pure skill. It was a skill that was particularly useful in this sort of setting.

However, Jircniv could not sense anyone responding to his words.

Advancing to Ainz Ooal Gown’s feet meant that they would have to pass between the flanking lines of monsters. Even though he was certain that these frightening foes would not attack them, walking in front of these creatures would still require a great deal of courage.

His judgement that they would not be attacked was not just his one-sided optimism.

The reasons for using a throne room like this were usually to provide a formal setting for official communication, as well as displaying national power. These were facts that anyone would know.

Which meant that the reasons for choosing this place were to display the power of Nazarick, and to show that he had no intent of killing Jircniv and his followers. After all, if Ainz wanted to get rid of them, he could simply have brought them to a slaughterhouse instead.