Magic Caster of Destroy

“There is no need for you to apologize. It will be fine if you return home. After all, we will be getting very busy over here shortly.”

Ainz shrugged, like he had been kidding.

Jircniv had no idea what was going on any longer.

Could it be that the apology was just a pretext to get him to come here in order to fulfil some other objective? That clearly seemed to be the case, but the circumstances seemed far too strange to be explained away like this.

Something wasn’t adding up here.

―Wait a minute? What did he just say?

“Forgive me, but what did you mean by ‘getting very busy’?”

“Thanks to this incident, we now know that we will be drawn into troublesome matters even if we try to remain uninvolved. That being the case, I was thinking that we should move to the surface and begin taking care of those matters ourselves.”

“That, that would mean…”

“First, we will have those fools who tried to harm us pay an appropriate price. After that, we will crush all the troublesome people we encounter until the peace I so cherish is restored.”

These words were the ranting of a lunatic.

No ― that would be wrong. He was not mad. When one considered Ainz Ooal Gown’s personal, military and economic strength, those words were not mad at all. It was only Jircniv ― blinded by his limited experience ― who found it hard to accept the facts.

Ainz Ooal Gown was a man who could do what he said.

An uncontrollable feeling of dread welled up from beneath Jircniv’s feet.

The Great Tomb of Nazarick. What was supposed to have been a sleeping giant had been roused, and it was about to begin a reign of terror on the surface world.

Could it be that he called me here for this? Is this a declaration of war? What should I do? AinzOoal Gown is essentially declaring war on the Empire! Should I kneel before him for here the sakeof the future?

In truth, that might have been the wisest thing to do.

However ― there would be no pleasant fate in store for them if they accepted a monster’s rule.

There was a possibility that Ainz might simply kill everyone in the Empire and reanimate them as more Death Knights. It might be a more agonizing fate than simple death.

Jircniv racked his brains like he had never done before in his life. By right, he should have brought this question back and consulted with dozens of sages over what the proper course of action should be. But by then, it would be too late.

With a smile that cut through everything, Jircniv spoke.

“I have a proposal. How about forming an alliance?”

“Are you confusing us with your lackeys― uwah!”

There was a clear, bell-like voice, followed by the sound of something moving swiftly. The silver-haired girl frowned, while Aura, standing beside her, pretended to act dumb.

Although Jircniv’s dynamic vision was not good enough to see what had happened, it looked like the dark elf had just kicked the silver-haired girl in the leg.

“…Oi, you―”

“―You’re making too much noise. Quiet down.”

Like a demon king, Ainz majestically waved his left hand to motion for silence.

Such regal movements could only have been born of long years of ruling over this domain.

Jircniv’s alertness level went through the roof.

I see, he has presided over this land for a long time. To think he had such a dignified bearing…

The two girls’ voices overlapped, expressing their regret for their foolishness.

He could not sense a hint of the arrogance that Aura had given off while in the capital. Right after that, he glanced at Ainz Ooal Gown, hoping that he had his subordinates fully under control. Then he screwed up his courage and prepared to speak.

This was the main event.

His tongue flickered over his lips.

Jircniv picked the finest plan he could think of from the numberless plots and stratagems he had come up with until this day.

“To build a nation here and to rule it ― I think that is a great idea. It is a position that best fits Gown-dono. Our nation will gladly supply all the aid and resources you need to found this nation.

How about that?”

Ainz’ fleshless face did not move. However, Jircniv sensed that the bright points of red light in Ainz’ eye sockets were glowing slightly brighter.

“…Jircniv-dono, I do not believe that plan holds any merits for you.”

That was only natural, which was why he could confidently predict Ainz would ask that question.

Mustering up all his acting expertise, Jircniv made his reply.

“I wish to forge good relations with the country that your esteemed person will eventually establish.

This is also a consideration for the future.”

“I see. Then, let it be so. I will leave the details to you.”