My Dear King, I believe you are-
-XXX-
"This kingdom has tarnished my name! The precious name of the guild my dear friends and I forged… The precious name of the place we created…"
Ainz's speech died down to a mutter and paused. The lights in his eye sockets dimmed, as he reflected upon himself.
Satoru Suzuki was a person who abide by human morality… but right now… where do I lie on the line of wrong and right? Comrades… if you are here… please… tell me if I am straying from the path of righteousness.
"Haaa…," Ainz sighed and gazed at his hands.
"These hands have no flesh… My sighs are but imitations… I have no heart of the living. However… I know… I know everyone… humans, dwarves, lizardmen, elves… desire to protect what is important and precious to them."
Perhaps, I am a hypocrite for doing what I am about to...
"… But, you filths who forced my hand against Shalltear…"
Ainz clenched his hands into fists. The flames of fury in his heart were set ablaze at the mere thought of his battle.
"… are unforgivable!"
Unforgivable, unforgivable, unforgivable, unforgivable…! cursed Ainz in his mind. He restricted himself physically from kicking up a tantrum, knowing he did not want to display that shameful act again.
No… perhaps, I'm the one who should not be forgiven.
Hmph. Doesn't matter anymore. I will eliminate this place to clean my shame-stained past.
"If you people of the Slane Theocracy truly believe that you are the light, then let me be the shadow you have cast… No matter how strongly you shine light into darkness, darkness will always come back… Let today be the day darkness devours light!"
Ainz pointed towards the target with swagger.
"I, in the name of the Sorcerous King, Ainz Ooal Gown, will give to the taste of everlasting darkness! Scream for me… [Downfall of Light]*."
-XXX-
Kuaah...! Embarrassing memory!
Ainz held his skull head on his work desk.
[(=_=;)] I'm so embarrassed right now!
I can't believe I spewed those Manga lines like nothing. I know I was caught up in heat of the moment but still… I feel like I outplayed myself.
I just want to dig up a hole and bury myself.
My face feels like it's on fire.
Ulbert, did your influence spread to me during our days together? It's been at least a decade since I graduated from my 8th-grade syndrome.
Damn it!
What would my friends think if they saw me doing this now?
More importantly… what do the NPCs left behind by my friends think of me?
Is this the "vanity of a man" once preached by Touch Me?
Well... Technically, I don't have a heart but…
[K/3] My heart… my heart is too weak to handle this kind of cringe-worthy act anymore…
Anymore…? Hmm…? Anymore…?
[o_o?] Was I a person who would do such cringe things? I mean… Pandora's Actor is a reflection of my past… so… I guess…?
No, no, no!
Never…!
It can't be… right?
Pandora's act aside… Neo-Nazi uniforms were cool and I still think they are cool. If I had enough money to spare from my personal funds, I would make my new military wear these.
Even Buku-san said, "I heard it's unique and popular in Yamaiko's class" when I asked her for an opinion. If it's popular in Yamaiko's class, then it wouldn't be too weird… right?
Hang on…
[(-.0!)] I think Buku-san hesitated when answering…
"."
".."
"..."
She hesitated. She definitely hesitated! I thought her awkward voice was from trying to practice for a new role, too.
[(X_x; )] What a disaster! I am cringe after all.
[( ;x_X)] What a disaster! It means my tastes are popular among children?
[(X_x; )] What a disaster? A pen and paper…
[( ;x_X)] What a disaster…? A mail and leftover paperwork from yesterday?
I know!
I'll get the residents of Nazarick to write a letter to express their opinions about me.
It's always easier for employees to think over and carefully structure their thoughts when written. This way, I can avoid over-pressuring them with direct confrontation.
By understanding their thoughts, I can improve myself.
Umu…
An ingenious plan if I say so myself.
Let me see… What name should I introduce this project as…?
Something not too direct…
Something not cringe… obviously.
Something that gives a head start to their letter…
Something like, "My Dear King, I believe you are…"
-XXX-
*Small tribute to a favored fanfic
