Hello, all!

I never imagined to have the follower count of my story reaching a hundred. Thank you so much for your interests in this side hobby of mine.

Here is the next chapter, and see you again in the afterword as usual.


[X][X][X]


Middle Fire Month (8th Month), 28th Day, 11:27

"Still, I have to thank that slut. To think a piece of trash could actually turn out to be a goose that lays golden eggs"

With that short speech from Succulent, the door closed with a thud sound.

Sebas glared at them, with his face not showing any emotion. However, in his heart he was angry at how low those humans had fallen. But he was also quite astonished at how fast they had found him out.

"Solution, you can come out now, no?"

Solution oozed out of the shadows in response to Sebas' voice. She had melded into the shadows with abilities from the assassin-type classes she had taken.

"Did you hear all that?"

"Of course. What do you plan to do now, Sebas-sama?"

Sebas could not answer that question immediately. As she saw that, Solution glared coldly at him.

"...What about handing that human over to them?"

"I do not feel that will solve the problem."

"...Is that so?"

"If I expose a weakness, they will seek to capitalize on it until they suck us dry. That's the kind of people they are. I do not think handing Tsuare to them will solve the problem. More to the point, the real problem is how much they learned while investigating us. We entered the Royal Capital as traders, but if they look too closely, they'll see through it — through our disguise"

"Then, what do you intend to do?"

"I don't know yet. One thing that bothers me greatly is that they got here just two days after I picked Tsuare. It seems they possess a swift and reliable information network, and that might spell trouble"

"Sebas-sama. I strongly suggest that we report this to Ainz-sama"

Sebas fell into deep thought. The matter at hand, with all the conditions and restrictions imposed, was admittedly too much for him to handle. The fact that his cover was in jeopardy would eventually affect Nazarick as well, making this matter significant enough to warrant a report to Ainz-sama.

However, what would happen then? What would Ainz-sama do to Tsuare, and to Sebas himself?

Sebas couldn't imagine the possible scenarios of what would happen to her if Ainz-sama found out that he had picked up a human for no good reason. None of the Guardians would ever agree with what he had done.

Because Sebas didn't give any answer, Solution spoke again.

"With all due respect, Sebas-sama. None of this would have happened if you did not pick up that human"

Sebas knew that very well, and he did not feel offended at all by Solution's statement.

All this grave matter was entirely his own fault. He was the one who had to take full responsibility for his own action of rescuing Tsuare. But the same questions kept creeping up his mind.

He wouldn't mind any punishment. He would even consider death a mercy. However, if this mistake made Ainz-sama disappointed so much and deem him a failure, that would become a wound that would never heal for the rest of his existence and beyond.

And so Sebas asked a final question to himself, to make a decision.

Which one is the most important? Himself, Tsuare, or Nazarick?

The answer was obvious, and Sebas came into that answer from the moment he asked himself in his mind.

"Solution. I believe you are entrusted with a Message scroll. Use it to call Ainz-sama"

"Pardon my ignorance, but why didn't you call him yourself, Sebas-sama?"

"The scroll was entrusted to you to be used in case of emergency, which is the situation right now. If Ainz-sama hears from you, he would immediately know that there is an emergency, and his mind will be more prepared to hear the report"

"Understood"

"In the meantime, I will talk to her. I will leave her fate to Ainz-sama, but at least I would like to prepare her mind"

Sebas then left the room, leaving Solution alone. She immediately took out the Message scroll from her body and used it.

"Ainz-sama"

"Solution? Ah, this isn't the right time but since you're contacting me... Wait a moment"

A few seconds of silence later, Ainz spoke again.

"It must be some sort of emergency, isn't it? What is it?"

"There is a chance that our cover has been compromised"

"What? How could that happen? Explain to me as brief as you possibly can"

Solution then told Ainz about what had happened recently and also the fact that it had been mainly caused by the independent and unreported action of Sebas.

"He did that? Hmm..."

There was a silence for a few seconds.

"By the way, does Sebas know that you are now talking to me? What is he doing right now?"

"Yes, he knows and he told me that he was going to talk to the woman"

"Alright. Stand by over there. I will be there in a few minutes"

"Understood, Ainz-sama"

And with that, the Message spell ended. Solution then decided to meld into the shadows once again and listen to what Sebas was telling to the human. His most recent action had erased most of her doubt, but she was still skeptical about his actions over the course of the last two days.

Of course Sebas would notice her presence, but in the off chance that he was secretly betraying Ainz-sama, her presence would prevent him from saying anything that would potentially harm Nazarick any further. Another scenario would be if Sebas decided to betray Nazarick openly, and in that case he would kill her. If that happened, she would still be content with it because his betrayal would be exposed to Nazarick and she would have done her job to alert Ainz-sama.

Solution arrived at the room which was used as Tsuare's bedroom. Both Sebas and Tsuare was sitting on the bed side by side. Solution herself was unseen by Tsuare, but she knew very well that Sebas noticed her arrival. No change happened to his expression.

"What... Is... The... Mat..ter...?"

Tsuare seemed confused by the situation. Sebas had asked her to go to this room for a serious talk, and since it had happened out of nowhere it was natural for her to be confused.

"It is very unfortunate, Tsuare. But I have bad news"

"W-What..?"

"My supreme master, the one even higher than Lady Solution, has been informed about your presence in this mansion"

There was a silence. Tsuare didn't seem to understand the core of the matter so far, so she only seemed confused and worried, still waiting for further explanation from Sebas.

"I have been hiding this information from him, for a reason which was unwise if I reflect on it now"

Sebas let out a sigh.

"I am bound to obey his words. If he commands that you must be returned-"

"No!"

Sebas was surprised by Tsuare's sudden interruption.

"I... d-don't want... to... return...!"

Tsuare said that with her face and gesture the same as if someone had a panic attack. It was clear that the trauma she had experienced was still haunting her.

"Ple...ase..."

Tsuare broke down crying. Sebas, out of his initiative, warmly hugged her from her side. It took two full minutes until she calmed down.

"I can plead with him, but I must warn you. He might command me to kill you instead"

"If... it is by... you... I don't... mind"

Before Sebas could give any further answer, suddenly a dark portal appeared near the opposite side of the room, and immediately the figure Sebas knew very well walked out from it. He wore metal gauntlets and his face was covered with a mask, but Sebas knew that he was his one and only master, Ainz Ooal Gown.

Sebas immediately released his hug from Tsuare and kneeled on the floor.

"I humbly welcome you to this place, Ainz-sama"

Tsuare, seemingly very surprised about what she had just seen, froze. But within a few seconds she also kneeled on the floor mimicking Sebas' pose.

"It seems I came in a bad time, didn't I? Nevertheless... Sebas"

"Yes, Ainz-sama"

"So this is the human you picked up without telling me in any of your reports. Do you realize what you have done, and the result of that action?"

Sebas didn't move an inch from his position. Beads of sweat ran down his face, and the same applied to Tsuare, who was also shivering.

"Yes... I deeply apologize for-"

"Enough. At the moment what I want from you is not an apology. I want you to explain truthfully, the reason behind your action"

Ainz then conjured a rather luxurious chair right behind him and sat on it.

"What will happen next depends on your answer. Now speak"

"At that time... she was weak, wounded, and dying"

"Are you telling me it was simply out of pity?"

"That was not it. I have no clear idea why myself. Every time I see someone who is weak and troubled, I feel strange. I feel as if a voice in my mind is speaking to me"

There was a silence for a few seconds.

"Saving someone in trouble is common sense"

Sebas couldn't hide his surprise hearing the sentence Ainz had just spoken.

"The voice sounded like that, was I wrong?"

"N-No, Ainz-sama! You were right"

"I see... You indeed are like him, Sebas"

Ainz stood up from the chair, which disappeared immediately. He then approached Tsuare, who was still unable to look at him directly.

"Raise your head and look at me in the eyes"

Tsuare slowly raised her head as she had been told to do. Ainz closely observed her face, seemingly interested.

"You look like her... "

Ainz said it in low voice, so Tsuare didn't hear him.

"Ah, we haven't had a proper introduction yet. My name is Ainz Ooal Gown, and I am the master of Sebas. Now tell me your name"

"T-Tsuare"

"Your full name"

"Tsuareninya... Veyron"

There was another brief silence, and after that Ainz let out a laugh.

"This is a small world after all!"

Both Sebas and Tsuare were confused about what Ainz had just said.

"Tsuare, I need to talk to Sebas about an important topic. I want you to wait here until further notice"

Ainz and Sebas walked out from the room, leaving Tsuare alone. After the door was closed, Solution emerged from the shadows into the corridor and kneeled in front of Ainz.

"Make sure she doesn't leave the room, but don't use violence. I need her alive and well"

"As you wish, Ainz-sama"

Ainz and Sebas then went to a different room within the mansion. In there, Ainz sat down on a long sofa while Sebas was standing in front of him at a distance. The mask and gauntlets disintegrated, revealing his skeletal face and hands.

"I have heard about your situation from Solution. It seems you are in a bind, no?"

Sebas bowed and hung his head in shame.

"I deeply apologize for my error"

"Well, it already happened, so now you have to make amends by fixing the problem. Do you have any plan for that?"

"Please forgive my lack of wisdom. I am unable to think of anything"

"In that case, I will lend you a hand"

Ainz then gave Sebas an explanation about his aid. In short, a stealth scouting party would be sent into the place where Sebas had picked up Tsuare, and they would collect as much information as possible from there. Further actions would depend on the information they would get, but generally the goal was to exact retribution to those people for daring to blackmail Nazarick, while also making sure that no crucial info of Nazarick would leak out unnecessarily.

"Also, regarding that woman, there is something about her which needs a further action from me. For the time being while I collect necessary information, keep her around and ensure her well-being"

"Understood, Ainz-sama"

"Then I shall take my leave"

Right after saying that, Ainz disappeared from the room. Sebas stood still for a while, feeling as if a huge burden had been lifted off from his chest.


[X][X][X]


Middle Fire Month (8th Month), 28th Day, 13:44

Succulent and Staffan arrived back at the brothel with a cocky smile of victory decorating their face. Everything they had planned had gone smoothly, allowing them to potentially rake a huge amount of money.

"We got them good, huh?"

"Indeed, Staffan. And you don't plan to stop there, do you?"

Succulent smirked as he said that, and Staffan followed with his own smirk.

"A cow should be milked until it doesn't have any left. Also, I want that woman"

"Heh, with proper payment I can arrange that. Though not today since my men are currently unavailable"

"Then I will just enjoy my time here until then"

Both Staffan and Succulent laughed. It was at this moment someone else came in through the front door. Every staff within the room took a glance to the person and immediately went back to their business because they didn't want their eyes to meet with the person who just came.

Succulent was as calm as before, and he greeted the person.

"Good day, boss. What's up?"

Zero, the one who had just come in, didn't show any reaction to Succulent's greeting. He instead went straight to the point.

"Are you done with the job?"

"Yes, everything went as smoothly as planned"

"Good. Come with me then. Your work here is done for today"

"Alright. Where are we going, boss?"

"I will fill you in while walking"


[X][X][X]


Middle Fire Month (8th Month), 28th Day, 23:19

Somewhere within the region of Re-Estize Kingdom in the dead of night, there were three people, each was riding their own horse. The horses were moving at cantering pace side by side, with the one in the middle slightly ahead, making a triangle formation.

The one ahead in the middle had an ornamental box strapped to the saddle right in front of the saddle's seat part. The box itself was not large and not heavy either, so the horse's performance was not impeded by the extra load.

The rider of this particular horse was Malmvist, a member of Six Arms. The two other person were also members of Six Arms, namely Edstrom and Peshurian.

These three were tasked to transport an important item from an appointed location to the residence of Hilma, the head of Eight Fingers Drug Trade Division who had hired them for this task. For now the first part of the task had been done and the item in question was in their possession within that box.

The distance from the appointed pick up location to Hilma's mansion was quite far, and at best they would arrive in three hours, four at worst. The route towards the destination was arranged to avoid civilization, thus they had to go through some paths normally not used unless there were no other options available.

Malmvist had questions in his mind about this job. The assigned time being in the dead of night like this, and also the fact that they had to avoid civilization during the trip, meant that whatever inside the box was a very hot stuff, and its value was probably very high. However, hiring three members of Six Arms to deliver the item felt very odd.

Logically, a valuable item of this size could have been simply smuggled within a larger cargo, and the men of Drug Trade Division should be capable of that. This method of delivery gave off the vibe that Hilma knew something would happen on the way, and thus she had been willing to shell out money to make sure she would receive it.

Another possibility was that this job has been a trap all along.

Hilma was known to be a cunning woman with a lust towards power. She would be happy to lessen the influence of other divisions within Eight Fingers while coming out on top herself. Failing this expensive job would be a big hit to Six Arms' reputation and she would take advantage of that.

Despite his suspicions, Malmvist was determined that his objective was to deliver this item safely and complete the job, so he just needed to be vigilant and prepared for any possible traps ahead.

Two hours later, the group was still traveling at the same pace. They soon would be running through a pathway cutting through a valley.

"Keep your eyes open! If there is a trap, the valley ahead is the most likely place!"

"Alright!"

"Understood!"

The pathway was still wide enough for the group to keep their formation. All three of them kept watching their surroundings as their horses ran through the path, especially above. Nobody wanted a boulder to fall down on their face.

Twenty minutes later, nothing happened. The end of the path soon would be within sight. All three of them began to wonder if their suspicions had been unnecessary.

However, they noticed something ahead.

There was a man standing in the middle of the path. The man's looks was quite alien to them, especially the magenta colored hair.

All three of the group quickly scanned the surroundings once again, in case the man was a distraction from a real trap. They didn't notice anything.

Before they could assess the situation any further, the man slammed the ground with his fist. Multiple shockwaves of blood red energy emerged and went to various directions, including the group's location.

Without any words, all three of them jumped from their horses. Malmvist didn't forget to take the ornamental box with him.

Some of the shockwaves hit the horses, throwing them off and killing them instantly. The three people landed on the ground safely and unharmed, but several other shockwaves hit the wall of the valley on both sides, triggering a rockslide which ended up closing the path off behind the man.

There was no question about it. This mysterious man was strong.

"Who are you and what do you want?"

Malmvist asked the man with straight tone. He could already guess the answer, but he wanted to see if he could buy time by talking.

"I want all of you to fight me!"

The answer was not what he had expected. The man didn't even look at the box Malmvist was holding.

"Fight you? Why should we do that?"

"Because you don't have a choice!"

Right as the man said it, he jumped from his position straight towards Malmvist with a body pose prepared to throw a downward punch. Malmvist jumped backwards to dodge, and the other two jumped away to the sides. The man's fist collided with the ground and the impact was great enough to cause an explosion which left a hole on the ground.

All three Six Arms members landed safely from their jump, and this small exchange made them know that this man really meant business. All three of them looked at each other and nodded, and then they drew their weapons out, except Peshurian who only put his hand near the hilt of his sheathed weapon and assumed a battle stance.

Malmvist was still holding the ornamental box with one hand while the other hand was holding his Rose Thorn rapier. Despite the situation, he still wanted to ensure the safety of the objective.

The mysterious man stood up and looked at Malmvist.

"Put that box away. I want you to fight me at your best!"

Malmvist just smirked.

"Heh, don't underestimate us"

Without any prior warning, Zero dropped down from a height behind the man and launched a downward punch towards him. The man quickly turned back and blocked Zero's punch with his right forearm. Their arms clashed and caused a shockwave to all directions. Both the man and Zero grinned at each other as their eyes met.

Zero launched himself away from the man and landed on the ground. As he landed, two more people appeared next to him. These two were Davernoch and Succulent, the remaining members of Six Arms. Up until now, the three of them had been concealing themselves and their own horses with invisibility magic.

Right now, the Six Arms were complete and they had the mysterious man completely surrounded.

"Didn't think to face all six of us, huh? I was right to think that this job is a trap all along"

The man just chuckled hearing Zero's words. Zero ignored that and asked a question anyway.

"Hilma sent you, didn't she?"

"Hilma, huh? I suppose that is the name of that woman"

"You don't know the name of the one sending you here? Are you playing dumb? Nevertheless, we will bring your head to her and humiliate her"

"I don't care about any person's name. I was promised a good fight, so here I am with six opponents who are so confident in killing me"

The man grinned with confidence as he said that.

"Then you better remember the names of the ones who are going to kill you. I am Battle Demon, Zero"

"Phantom Devil, Succulent"

"Undead King, Davernoch"

"Thousand Kills, Malmvist"

"Dancing Scimitar, Edstrom"

"Spatial Slash, Peshurian"

The Six Arms members brandished their weapons and declared their name one by one, while the man just stood there unflinching. In fact, he seemed to be excited because he began laughing.

"Hahaha... Interesting... Interesting!"

A red aura began to gleam over the man's body.

"I shall take you all on, and you shall remember the name of Dark Falz Elder in the afterlife!"


[X][X][X]


Afterword:

So, there you have it. It turns out there is a significant change to Volume 5 events after all, caused by a rather minor change way back in Volume 2. Also, I'd like to tell you that the coming fight isn't going to be a one-sided curbstomp like how Sebas does in canon.

See you again soon.