The Bloody Valkyrie

The three adventurers——even Igavaruji—— displayed a look of fear, staring at the crystal on the dark gauntlet without peeling their eyes away.

“Apologies in advance! T-that item, may I borrow it for a second?”

“Why?”

“That… simply for the sake of a magic caster’s interest. I swear I will not make any strange movements! If you need anything as collateral, I can give all items on my body to you, for example this belt——”

Seeing Rakesheer who was already frantically removing his belt without finishing his speech, Ainz who slightly couldn’t bear this responded:

“I know, there is no such need. Please have a look, here you go.”

“Sorry, may I also touch it?”

“Then I want too!”

The sealed magic crystal was fumbled and passed around through many pairs of hands until it finally landed Rakesheer’s hands. He who was the last to touch it, stared at it with misty eyes, like a woman who obtained her long sought after, precious jewel. No, perhaps it was even like a youth who had obtained a desired item.

“Too beautiful… right, Momon-san, may I cast magic on it?”

Seeing Ainz wave his hand in agreement, Rakesheer delightedly activated the magic.

“「Appraise Magic Item」, 「Detect Enchant」.”

Activating two types of magic, the man’s expression gradually became exaggerated, followed by——

“Incredible!”

——The masculinity exuded earlier was completely gone. With innocent eyes, sparkling with pure delight, and also a different tone of voice, he looked like an overjoyed teenager.

“It’s true! Sealed inside is indeed a spell of the 8th rank! My magic is only able to see this little… but it is already magnificent, too magnificent!”

He was continuously howling like he was a lunatic, stunning everyone present at the scene. The next movement Rakesheer made was to take the crystal, licking it all over, then rubbing it against his cheek——it was simply crazy behaviour.

“C-calm down! What are you doing!”

Frightened by his friend who was not the type to show such mad behaviour, Issac stood up and got closer to Rakesheer. In fact, everybody looked upon him with either amazed or insufferable eyes. For a man holding a key position in this city to do such an action, it was just too difficult to see.

“Bastard! How can I calm down? This is just too magnificent! Sealed inside here really is an 8^th tier! Although there is no way to know what kind of spell it is!”

Rakesheer could not hold in his excitement, gazing at the crystal with shining eyes. Soon he finally regained a little rationality, and asked Ainz:

“Momon-san! W-where was this crystal found? Tell me quickly!”

“It was found in some ruins, at the same time as many other items were discovered. Of course the magic was already sealed inside this crystal at the time. I’ve already had several great magic casters determine this.”

“So it’s like that! W-where are these ruins?”

“In a very faraway place… That’s all I can tell you.”

Of course, this answer of Ainz made Rakesheer clench his lips in regret.

“Well, isn’t it about time to return it to me?”

“Woo...ooo.”

Rakesheer looked all around, and reluctantly returned the sealed magic crystal to Ainz. Squinting while he watched Ainz pick up parchment to wipe the crystal, Rakesheer shouted out loudly:

“Back to the main topic, I—— object to Momon-san going ahead to exterminate the vampire!”

A surprised silence enveloped the scene. Issac covered his face with his palm, but just to be certain, asked with a bitter expression:

“... Why this sudden objection? Although the reason is obvious even without asking—— I’m still asking tentatively.”

“Well...because...because it would be too great of a waste…”

Absolutely crazy. Issac determined his friend’s current mental state to be such, and ignored him completely.

“Well then, we can ignore Rakesheer’s opinion…”

“One moment! The eighth tier really is magic in the mythical realm. Such a priceless item will be used on a mere vampire!”

Anger surfaced on Issac’s eyes. It was already intolerance beyond words, not an attitude that one in a high position ought to have.

Issac repressed his wrath and told Rakesheer in a level voice:

“... Sorry, Rakesheer. Really, don’t make a scene anymore.”

The strong emotions implicit in this sentence pulled Rakesheer back into rationality and speechlessness. His face was flushed red because of his shameful actions earlier.

Squinting to confirm that his friend was once again back to normality, Issac did his best to remain calm as he made an official request:

“...Well, Momon-san, I shall entrust all of this to you.”

Seeing the other side bow as he made this request, Ainz nodded full of confidence.

“Understood.” After saying this sentence, he looked through the slit in his helmet at Igavaruji.

“We will be immediately departing immediately, since a vampire’s penalty under sunlight is slowed movement.”

“Penalty? Hey, it’s their weakness. Indeed, their actions would be slower. I can be prepared in a short amount of time on my side.”

“...No need to discuss this with your companions?”

“Not a problem. They would understand.”