“It was just a spar; we stopped when the point was made.”
Makoto retracted his spear, took two steps back, and smiled nonchalantly.
“Your level is overwhelming, and my build isn’t specialized for combat, so it’s only natural that I couldn’t win.”
“That’s why I had to bet that you would follow Ainz’s orders and wouldn’t kill a guest like me.
Using that to risk my life was indeed despicable.
So, my apologies.”
Cocytus remained silent for a long time before suddenly sheathing all four of his blades and bowing deeply.
“I have learned much.”
In the spectator stands, Demiurge, who had been observing in secret, adjusted his glasses, the lenses reflecting a thoughtful light.
“Interesting.”
The third round, a draw?
No, Makoto considered himself the winner.
Demiurge stood behind Ainz and adjusted his glasses.
“Lord Ainz, this Makoto’s strength is far lower than expected.
Cocytus just told me that in a life-or-death struggle, he should be able to kill the opponent quite easily.
However, we cannot entirely rule out the possibility that he is hiding his true power.”
“I see.”
Ainz’s voice was devoid of emotion.
“Then your plan is—?”
“Continue observing.”
Ainz turned around, his crimson eyes glowing in the darkness.
“If he truly is an enemy, we will find out sooner or later.
If he isn’t…”
He paused.
“Then Nazarick might gain another friend.”
“Also, the information Makoto gave me needs to be verified as soon as possible, especially the part about the Vacuum King and other players.
Since Nazarick is currently maintaining silence, any Guardians going out must carry World-Class Items.”
Demiurge was silent for a moment, then bowed deeply.
“As you wish, Lord Ainz.”
Night fell.
Makoto returned to his room, closed the door, and placed his spear by the bed.
He sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at his hands.
“A gentle person…
never hurts their friends…”
He murmured, repeating the words he had said to Albedo, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Those words weren’t entirely made up; they were all inferred from descriptions in the anime and novels.
“Bukubukuchagama, Peroroncino…”
He lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
“It’s such a pity you missed out on this transmigration…”
Only the artificial starlight outside the window fell silently.
Unbeknownst to him, a bat hung upside down under the eaves outside the window, its tiny crimson eyes staring at him without blinking.
Shalltear’s voice came through a magical communication, tinged with confusion. This story is hosted at g.com.
“Suspicious…
yet I can’t quite say what’s suspicious about him…”
The probing continued.
And Makoto was only just getting started.
In the evening, when Makoto returned to his room, he found a bottle of wine and a letter on the table.
There was no signature on the letter, only a single line:
“Tonight at eight, on the Ninth Floor Terrace, I’d like to chat.
—Y”
Makoto looked at the wine, then at the “Y” on the letter, and raised an eyebrow.
Albedo.
He picked up the bottle, uncorked it, and took a sniff—it had a rich fruity aroma; it was good wine.
“A Hongmen Banquet or a honey trap?”
He muttered to himself, then set the bottle down and walked to the window.
The artificial sunset outside was slowly fading, dyeing the entire Ninth Floor of Nazarick in shades of gold and red.
“Or…
both?”
Eight o’clock at night, on the Ninth Floor Terrace.
Albedo had changed out of her pitch-black armor and was wearing a long black dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders, looking exceptionally soft and beautiful in the moonlight.
She leaned against the Terrace railing, holding a glass of red wine, her posture languid and elegant.
“You’re here?”
She turned to look at Makoto, her golden slitted pupils glowing slightly in the night.
Makoto walked up beside her, leaned his spear against the railing, and rested his hands on it, looking out at the distant artificial starry sky.
“What did you want to see me about?”
“Can’t I see you even if there’s nothing specific?”
Albedo chuckled softly and handed him another glass of wine.
“Taste it; I brought this from the Treasure Treasury.”
Makoto took the glass but didn’t drink, just swirled it, watching the liquid rotate in the cup.
“Are you afraid I’ve poisoned it?”
Albedo tilted her head at him.
“If you really wanted to kill me, you wouldn’t need to go through the trouble of poisoning me.”
Makoto spoke calmly and drained the glass in one gulp.
“You are the Overseer of the Guardians of Nazarick, level 100, I presume?
Although I don’t know your build, killing a level 60 small fry like me would be beneath you.”
Albedo’s smile faltered slightly.
“You certainly see things clearly.”
“I don’t have many talents, but I do have self-awareness.”
The two were silent for a while, with only the sound of the night wind blowing across the Terrace.
Albedo suddenly spoke, her voice very soft.
“Do you really know Lady Bukubukuchagama and Lord Peroroncino?”
He held his glass, his gaze falling on the largest artificial star in the distance.
“I know Peroroncino; I only know a bit about Bukubukuchagama from what he told me.”
He said.
“And that was quite a long time ago.”
“What kind of beings were they?”
Makoto turned to look at her, seemingly surprised by the question.
“Why do you ask?”
Albedo lowered her head, a complex emotion flashing through her golden eyes.
“I…
just want to know.
Those Supreme Beings who created us, what kind of people were they really?
Lord Ainz rarely mentions them.”
Makoto was silent for a long time.
“Peroroncino…”
He began slowly, his voice carrying an indefinable sense of nostalgia.
“He was a very awkward person.
Always laughing and joking, sometimes taking the jokes too far and driving people crazy.
But he had one merit—he would never truly hurt a friend.”
“As for Bukubukuchagama…
based on what Peroroncino said, I’d guess she actually quite liked Ainz.”
Albedo listened quietly without interrupting.
“Anyway, she was a pretty good person.”
Makoto said finally, raising the glass to his lips and taking another sip.
Albedo looked at him, the scrutiny in her eyes fading slightly, replaced by something unspeakable.
She hesitated for a moment.
“If they could still return, do you…
think they will?”
Makoto set down his glass, turned around, leaned his back against the railing, and looked up at the artificial starry sky.
Could Albedo possibly hope for the Supreme Beings to return?
Ha, don’t make Big Sis Albedo laugh!
If possible, she would definitely cut them down one by one and send them all to hell.
Unfortunately, Makoto couldn’t say anything bad.
“Although I’d like to say yes, but—”
“I don’t know…
who can say for sure about such things?”
Albedo said nothing more.
The two just stood there on the Terrace, drinking in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
In the distance, Ainz stood by the window of the Throne Room, watching the scene through a Magical Crystal Ball.
“Bukubukuchagama, Peroroncino…”
Maybe it’s not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
“And If you’re enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!”