The Two Leaders

In response, monsters with the appearance of a female human phased through the crystal. The number of monsters corresponded to the number of crystals and they wore pure white clothes. Their skin was bluish-white and their hair were black. They were “Frost Virgins” , a level 82 ice-type monster, that served as sentries for Cocytus’ residence “Snowball Earth”, as well as his bodyguards.

“Welcome, Mare-sama. Well met.”

“Uh, what about, uh, Coctyus-san?”

“Cocytus-sama is currently outside the Great Tomb of Nazarick, visiting the new lizardmen village.”

“I-is that so.”

The frost virgin replied while bowing.

“Yes. If you have a message to leave for him, we’ll take it for him. What do you wish to do?”

Mare hesitated.

Since he came this far, he could just leave the folder in Cocytus’ room and leave a brief message with the frost virgins. But considering the content of the memo, giving it directly to Cocytus would be fully respecting the master’s commands.

So how would he go to Cocytus, who was outside.

There was no special rule forbidding the guardians from going outside Nazarick. However, there were conditions to meet before going outside. It was because the master had forbidden all independent activity outside the Great Tomb of Nazarick.

The information gathered so far indicated level 100 beings like the guardians of Nazarick were unimaginable walking disasters in the outside world. There would be no problem even if Mare, one such walking disaster, engaged in independent action. It would be the outside world that should be afraid of him, but that was a mistake only possible after forgetting one important incident.

There was an unknown enemy who brainwashed Shalltear and might possess a World class item.

There were also glimpses of player activity in the shadows every once in a while.

They needed to take extra precautions because they could not assess how many or how strong the enemies were.

“Hm, mmm. What should I do…”

Anyone who wanted to go outside needed to be accompanied by at least five level 75 servants. Mare had two dragons as direct subordinates, but they were too big to be discreet. It would be best to ask his sister, but considering how the conversation went, he did not want to do something so scary.

Then an epiphany struck him. It was perfect in both level and number.

“S-sorry, but can you come with me?”

“I, I apologize, but we have been ordered by Cocytus-sama to guard this place. With the exception of Ainz-sama, we cannot disobey Cocytus-sama’s order… Please forgive us!”

“Ah, no, no, it’s fine.”

It could not be helped. If he had thought about it, then it would’ve been rather obvious that they couldn’t do so. The next idea that came to his mind was to ask the demon lords in the 7th floor, but unless he gave them a good reason, he would be rejected again. It was true that he couldn’t rely on any floor but the one Demiurge guarded. It was difficult to ask for help from any guardians outside the names that were written on the memo. Also, most servants over level 80 in the Great Tomb of Nazarick were direct subordinates of a guardian and those who were not, were few and far in between.

Because of that, Mare would need to ask Demiurge if he wanted to borrow the demon lords.

But how would I contact him?

The only way to contact Demiurge who was outside, was to dispatch a servant as a messenger or use magic.

But besides him…

Mare remembered the book he had just been reading.

Did he have any subordinates over level 75? But he’s not a guardian… Muu, would it be fine sincehe’s a man as well? If I ask him to keep it a secret…

“T-thank you! Uh, I’ll be fine.”

“Is that so? I understand.”

Mare activated the ring. His destination was the Grand Library in Nazarick’s 10th floor, Ashurbanipal.

♦ ♦♦

Nazarick Time 9:54

The scenery changed immediately from a snowy plain to a large room. The room was decorated simply, with plain black as a base colour, while dim, reddish light illuminated the area. The ceiling formed a gently sloping dome, with a grand set of double doors on the opposite side.

Golems were standing on either side of the doors that led to the Throne Hall. They were almost three meters tall, nearly as large as the doors themselves. The golems were shaped like armoured warriors and because they were made from rare metals, they were stronger than regular golems made by the Supreme Beings.

“Excuse me, can you open the door?”

In response to Mare’s request, the two golems put their hands on the door and slowly pushed it open. After a heavy, creaking sound, Mare walked in through the open doors that were big enough for several people to enter at once.