Plains NearAbeironHills, 72 km. West of E-Rantel

"So you're real target is not me, but E-Rantel, huh."

The beastman before him chuckled from his words while staring at him.

"Hooh. So you figured it out, huh. Not bad for an impostor."

Impostor? Me?

"Why do you think I am an impostor? I have introduced myself properly, didn't I?"

"Don't take me for a fool, fake Momon. I was told by Senshi-sama that the adventurer Momon is a capable man and that I shouldn't let my guard down against him. And that person is clearly not you, a weakling who flings around a sword wildly. You impostor."

Tch.

Ainz clenched his teeth in annoyance. Truth as it may be, being insulted repeatedly does not please him, unlike a certain vampire who finds pleasure and ecstasy from the said act.

Even though his undead qualities suppresses his strong emotions, annoyance and irritation does not get suppressed, since those were considered as weak emotions.

It is one of those 'I know I suck, but you don't have to remind it to me every single second' moments, which are really annoying.

"I see. It seems like I'm really being underestimated. Well, whatever. It's my fault, anyway. So then, if I am indeed an impostor, what are you gonna do about it?"

As of he is thinking deeply, Raiel placed his hand under his chin while looking at him with eyes that seems to be staring at a trash that he doesn't know where to throw at.

"Well, for starters, I'll kill you. Next after that are the hostages. And then that companions of yours over there will be the next ones. That should be enough as a punishment for sending an impostor."

Raiel chuckled conceitedly once more, oblivious of his enemy's true power.

"Is that so. Seems like you're going to be busy after this. Well then, enough chatting. Let's finish this, beastman. I don't have any time to play with you anymore, you see."

"What a coincidence. I'm already bored with this farce. Playing with weaklings is not my hobby, you see."

Raiel clenched his fists once more and readied his stance.

Now then, how should I go on about this? I have to finish this up quickly and return to E-Rantel.

Ainz have hundreds of ways to instantly deal with Raiel. Even without revealing his true form, the items in his arsenal can finish him up in a flash.

But his wounded pride made him think otherwise. He wants to defeat him, not with items or magic, but with skills. It may be foolish of him to rely on it, but he decided to choose it. Defeating him in any other way is like admitting his loss as a warrior, and it leaves a bitter taste in his mouth, although he doesn't have any taste buds.

Ainz tossed one of the swords into the ground behind him and tightly gripped the other one with both of his hands. He then placed it in between of his body and relaxed his breathing.

The breathing part is not really necessary, but Ainz was a former human, and doing something he used to do all the time helps him relax and it heightens his concentration by several folds.

"Prepare yourself, impostor!"

Raiel began charging towards him with an unbelievable speed and quickly shrunk off the distance between them.

Quickly estimating his moment of arrival, Ainz took a wild slash towards him. Anticipating this, Raiel easily dodged the sword and retracted both of his arms into his side.

"Die, human."

Grinning victoriously, Raiel drove his claws into Ainz's chest once more, aiming to pierce his armor and rip out Ainz's heart.

However-

"What?!"

Raiel was shocked beyond belied at what he saw. In the place where he placed his mark earlier, the same place he aimed for just now, a deep, dark hole is present, swallowing both of his arms that were supposed to pierce through Ainz's armor.

Since that attack just now has his whole weight behind it, as well as the blinding amount of speed he had produced, it was inevitable that Raiel would lose his balance if it didn't hit. As a result, he buried his arms all the way up to his shoulders into that mysterious black space.

"Surprised? That's my [Inventory]. Upon coming into this world, I realized that I can open it anywhere within my reach. And I can even use it like this. In this voided space, the law ofinertia, flow of time, motion, mass, gravity, etc. doesn't exist. That's why, using it to receive weak physical attacks results it to be nullified. Convenient, isn't it? Well, I had to arrange the items and move it out of the way so that they would be unharmed, though. It took quite some work."

Plus it's difficult to use. Forget the timing, opening it mentally is really hard. It is entirely different than opening it with my hands. And I also had to move as less as possible so my concentration won't be disrupted and ends up closing it away.Haaah..Too bad but, it seems like I need to practice this more until the point that I can effortlessly open it anytime. For now, let's shelf this new technique away.

Raiel didn't understand any of the words Ainz just said. His mind is filled with confusion and puzzlement due to what just happened. He don't know what that thing is, but he felt danger from inside it. It feels like he is being swallowed by this bottomless abyss devoided for any signs of life.

Raiel immediately tried to pull back his arms away, but his host didn't let him get away.

"Oops. I've finally caught you after all that, do you think I'll just let you go?"

Ainz let go of his remaining sword and grabbed Raiel's shoulders. After doing so, he pulled back his head a little bit before retracting it and slamming forehead powerfully against Raiel's.

"Gah!"

The shock greatly rattled Raiel's brain and his brain stability was shaken, disrupting its process and costing Raiel his sense of balance, even his consciousness was almost taken. Ainz doesn't have any brain, so he was completely unfazed from what he just did.

Raiel, on the verge of losing his consciousness and is barely holding onto it, groggily kneeled down into the ground.

"You didn't faint, huh. That's amazing. I wish you did faint, though. At least you won't feel the pain."

Ainz crouched and picked up the sword he just dropped and secured his grip.

"Goodbye, beastman. I would've liked to play with you more, but we don't have much time left. Too bad."

Slowly, Ainz raised his sword up in the sky and carefully aimed it at Raiel's neck. Just when he was about to chop it off, he saw a shadow flash in front of him, and he was blown away.

No, he wasn't blown away. He was pulled back. When he finally regained his calm, Ainz saw a familiar greenish scaly tail wrapped around his body.

"Hamsuke? What are you doing?"

Hamsuke, the one culprit for the for the current situation, dropped him beside her and signalled Ainz to follow her gaze.

"Look at that, milord. If this Hamsuke didn't pull you back in time, that wolf over there would've pounced onto you and savagely ripped you into shreds."

Indeed, beside Raiel where Ainz had just been, the wolf companion of Raiel is now present, baring its fangs and ready to pounce.

"Seems like I've let my guard down. Thanks, Hamsuke."

"It was nothing. Ehehehe."

Even though he gets attacked by that wolf, Ainz won't receive any damage due to the huge level gap. But being pounced and getting his armor damaged and sullied with saliva seems unpleasant, so Ainz gave Hamsuke his sincere thanks.

Leaving the embarrassed Hamsuke aside, Ainz identified the wolf before him. It didn't exist in YGGDRASIL, so he doesn't know anything about it.

The wolf is over two meters long and one meter tall. It's slightly smaller than Hamsuke, but it shows considerable power. Its jaws seems to be strong enough to snap a human ribcage like an eggshell, and its muscular legs can cover several meters in one leap.

"Nabel, do you have any information about it?"

"Please wait a moment."

Nabel, who is silently standing behind him, drew a small notebook from her pocket and quickly browsed into it.

"Found it. That wolf is identified as a Great Black Wolf. Difficulty level is 45, B Class. In adventurer terms, that would be at mythril. Special qualities: heightened speed, accurate olfaction sense within the radius of a hundred kilometers, remarkable endurance, and devastating biting power. Pack leaders have a unique skill that causes its members to drive into bloodlust and is also capable of human speech. Mostly located at the outskirts of the Draconic Kingdom, seeing one in the Re-Estize Kingdom is rare. There are rumours that a pack of them is serving under a tribe of beastman also located at the same place."

Olfaction is sense the sense of smell, right? And it's accurate within a hundred kilometers? Amazing! Plus, the leader can also speak human language, huh. I want one!

Ainz's collector's senses quickly tingled from hearing about the creature's qualities.

There are several monsters under Aura that also has a sharp sense of smell. And there are also magic that can heighten one's sense of smell. But none of them has the same absurd range as this one. The maximum range Ainz knows about is within thirty kilometres in radius from one of Aura's pet. This is the first time he had heard of a creature's sense of smell that can reach a hundred kilometres.

After all, in YGGDRASIL, covering up one's smell to keep enemies from tracking you down is mere child's play. That's why the developers didn't put up much effort in that concept. And YGGDRASIL, being designed as a game where the places or areas were divided in different zones, someone's smell cannot be traced once he had already transferred into another zone. That's why olfaction heightening skills/abilities are considered as a low priority subject.

But that is not the case in this world. Every single advantage is vital in any situation. And magic cannot solve everything. Ainz is aware of that. That is why, gaining every advantage they could is necessary. Just like this wolf's special ability. That's why, catching this wolf is not just to satisfy Ainz's desire but will also bring a great benefit to Nazarick.

Well, it cannot be denied that a part of the true reason is because of Ainz's personal desire to collect anything interesting he finds under the sun.

"Alright, I've decided. Narberal, capture him. In any case he tries to run, Hamsuke will go after him. If escape is inevitable, it's a pity but kill him. Since resurrection magic can be utilized, we'll just use it if it has come to that conclusion."

"Understood."

The two started to walk towards their target when Ainz remembered something important.

But, doing that may affect his abilities due to the reduction of levels as a resurrection penalty. Wouldn't it be better for me to do it instead?

Ainz does not have any hunter skills, but he has plenty of other skills that can be used as a substitute in capturing preys. [Paralysis] and [Touch of Undead] are just some of them. What's more, he is flexible and adaptable in any situation.

Deciding to do so, he almost recalled back the two when he saw his fallen prey shakily rising up from the ground.

"Y-you! Damn human! Dammit! Dammit! I'll kill you! I'll definitely kill you!"

Uwah. Doesn't he know how to give up?

"Narberal, listen up. Capture that wolf as unharmed as possible. If you cannot, call me. I'll finish this up immediately."

"Be at ease, Ainz-sama. I will definitely present that wolf to you safely to the utmost of my abilities. I won't disappoint you anymore."

Sensing conviction from her eyes, Ainz smiled slightly and decided to believe in her.

"Very well. Go, Narberal. I will be anticipating your success."

"Yes!"

"Good. Now then, instead of going after it, wait for a good chance to pin it down. Since that beastman seems to intend to rampage, he will most likely make a blind charge towards me and try to take me down. When that happens, that wolf will most likely follow after him. The moment it arrives, intercept it and capture it."

And it bring them closer within my location, so I can immediately respond to any sudden situation.

"Understood!"

Right after giving her affirmation, Narberal and Hamsuke distanced away from Ainz and set themselves on a good spot.

Meanwhile, Ainz prepared himself for Raiel to attack, focusing his entire focus towards him.

"Too bad. If your pet didn't interrupt me earlier, you would've been granted a peaceful death by me."

And I could already return to E-Rantel and check out what's going on. Oh well, what's done is done. No use on complaining about it anymore.

Hearing another taunt from Ainz, Raiel's rampaging impulse increased even more, and he angrily grabbed the choker in his neck and started tugging it madly.

"Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit, DAMMIT!! For a mere human to knock me down, unforgivable! I'll definitely kill you this time!"

The choker emitted a faint glow before finally snapping off from Raiel's neck. After that, Raiel's body began to convulse madly. Every muscle in his body began to contract and expand, and his body became bigger and much more robust than he already is.

I see. So that's how it is. That choker earlier is a limiter, huh. Since he's the type to snap once he gets pissed off, a safety precaution was secured to keep him from getting berserk. And now that it's gone, he had finally unleashed his Berserker Mode.

All beastman has a Berserker Mode skill. That's how it is in YGGDRASIL. However, what Ainz did not know that in this world, for a beastman to undergo berserker mode requires the permission of the pack leader. Only the pack leader and the former pack leaders can undergo Berserker Mode on their own. Which means that either his current enemy is a pack leader or a former one.

Beastmen pack leaders are extremely strong among their species. For it to be able to rule over other beastmen, which are a violent, viscous species with short fuse, he should be strong enough to handle multiple beastmen on his own. Demihumans like beastmen follows only the strong ones. That's why, comparing beastmen pack leaders among his subjects is utter foolishness.

Since a normal beastman is at A Class, a pack leader should be at least A, the same rank as an adamantite-ranked adventurer. That's before it goes berserk. But when it does, the gap increases tremendously and the danger level of a berserk pack leader bypasses 100, which is considered as humanely impossible to defeat. A single average adamantite-ranked adventurer has a low chance to win, at least an entire party of them is required to secure a complete victory against it.

That's how terrifying a beastman pack leader is, especially when it has finally unleashed its Berserker Mode.

But of course, to Ainz, that fact does not change anything. The outcome is still the same, just with a little more struggle than before.

"Have you finally finished your-"

"RAAAGH!!"

Raiel, who had finally lost his rational thinking and succumbed to rage and desire to rampage, didn't wait for Ainz to finish his sentence and charged towards him on all fours. Much more faster than before, Ainz was caught in surprise and almost got tackled into the ground.

It was followed by a dozen of attacks on all directions. Stronger, faster, and wilder than before. Only some of those attacks were blocked, most of them successfully landed onto him and chipped his armor everywhere.

Tch! If only I didn't throw away my other sword, what a failure!

Raiel's flurry of attacks relentlessly poured down onto Ainz, not caring about his safety and only focusing on offense. If not for his heightened vision, Ainz would've been unable to see any incoming attacks, much less blocking it.

The longer their battle drags on, the more damaged Ainz's armor gets. Realizing that he can hardly keep up with Raiel's speed, Ainz decided to rely on the quickest option.

"Shadow Demon, go!"

The Shadow Demon leapt out from Ainz's shadow and swiftly buried its claws onto Raiel's abdomen. Vaugh off-guard, Raiel was shocked, and Ainz took chance of that opening to commence his offense.

"For making me use one of my hidden cards despite being resolved not to use it, you really should be proud. It was a wonderful battle, Raiel. In terms of pure ability, it's my loss. Good work."

Shluck!

Ainz's sword easily penetrated Raiel's chest, just like how a knife on a butter does. Raiel just stared any him wide-eyed, probably at loss on what just happened.

Finally realizing the situation due to the growing pain in his abdomen and his chest, Raiel latched his trembling hands onto the sword so tightly until his hands bled and tried to pull it out. However, no matter how hard he tried to, it wouldn't budge. It's as if he is trying to pull out a whole tree from its roots.

"D-dammit... By a mere... human... Such humiliation..."

Blood freely gushed out from both his mouth and his wounds, but his strength never waned as he tried to pull the sword out. The blood from his hands dripped into the ground just before Ainz's boots as he continues his struggle.

Eventually, after a few seconds, Raiel's struggle weakened until the lights in his eyes had finally disappeared. Confirming his death, Ainz pulled back his sword and let his corpse fall down into the ground.

"Shadow Demon, good job. You may now return."

The Shadow Demon returned into Ainz's shadow and remained motionless, silently basking from the bliss and happiness from being praised by its master.

"Wonderfully done, Ainz-sama."

Ainz turned around and saw Narberal smiling at him. Behind her, the figure of the Great Black Wolf lying on the ground can be seen.

"Hooh. Seems like you're already done. As expected of Narberal. It was right for me to trust you."

"Thank you very much!"

Ignoring the bowing Narberal, Ainz strode towards the Great Black Wolf and inspected it.

No injuries, huh. She have done better than expected.

Ainz knelt down and inspected it. Seeing that the wolf is still awake and angrily glaring at him, Ainz guessed the capturing method that Narberal used in it.

It's still awake. It's most likely [Paralysis]. Good choice.

To confirm his guess, Ainz touched the wolf and let a skill take effect. One of his passive skills grants him the ability to check if there are any abnormal statuses on the things he touches. However, there was no reaction.

Ainz was surprised for a while, bewildered on how it was captured. That's when he noticed some little, shiny objects all around the wolf's body. Looking closely, Ainz uncovered the identity of those objects.

"Needles?"

"Yes, Ainz-sama. I have considered using [Lightning] imbued with [Paralysis, but it might hit him on a vital spot and end his life. That's why I used needles to hit him on the vital points, mostly on the joints, and rendered his movements."

"Huh? If I recall, you don't have any Acupuncture skills. Did I miss it?"

"It's exactly as you say, Ainz-sama. However, it has caught my interest when I heard about it from one of my sisters, and I had Neuronist to teach me a little about it. That's why I am a little knowledgeable about it. Because of that, I was able to improve myself a little bit more and become a little bit more useful to you, Ainz-sama."

I see. So just like me, she is also trying to improve herself and gain more power, huh. How reassuring.

"How admirable, Narberal. Keep up the good work. This effort of yours to be more useful for Nazarick would never be ignored. Continue learning and you will be rewarded someday. Once again, good work."

"Ye-yes! Thank you very much! I will definitely strive to be stronger so that I could assist you more, Ainz-sama!"

Ainz affectionately patted the beaming Narberal's head to convey just how happy he is for her efforts to be stronger for him. He is truly grateful for this and decided to reward her later.

Oblivious to Ainz, the real reason on why Narberal sought for knowledge about Acupuncture was because she was sick of those lower life forms that would try to approach her whenever they get the chance to.

Following her master's order, she always held back her desire to get rid of them and endured the unpleasant feeling of being close to them, particularly those who tries to talk to her. Normally, she would drive them away 'politely' and that would be the end of it. However, there are some who are too persistent and would follow her even though she had already warned them.

Because of that, she would always stay inside their room in the Shining Golden Pavilion, being suffocated by boredom and peacefulness. Ainz gave her permission to go out and take a break whenever she wants to, particularly when he is back in Nazarick. And Narberal wouldn't mind walking around the city despite being surrounded by insects. She prefers that than drowning in boredom from the solitude. However, she fears that she might not be able to hold herself back against persistent insects and ends up killing them and causing problem for her master.

To kill time, she would sometimes engage into casual conversations with one of her sisters through [Message]. And when she mentioned about this predicament to her eldest sister during one of those casual conversations, she told her about Acupuncture and advised her to have Neuronist teach her about it if it interests her.

"Since it wouldn't hurt them and they would be immobilized, you will not be going against Ainz-sama's orders on not hurting them."

Hearing Yuri's flawless logic, Narberal immediately consulted Neuronist and asked her to teach her about it, who happily taught her about the art of Acupuncture. Since she's only fixated on targeting human beings, whose biological structure is simple to comprehend, she easily grasped the basic knowledge about it and learned the vital points that could immobilize a person.

With several practices on a live human sample, which were from the remaining survivors from the Slane Theocracy's Sunlight Scripture, she had shown excellent growth towards it.

Well, there are some fails on the process, which resulted into having a partial of their body permanently paralyzed. There was even one who had completely become a vegetable after having the spine on his neck pierced by the needle and cutting off the connection between his brain and his limbs. Seeing this, Demiurge granted him mercy and ended his suffering by feeding him to one of his minions.

Of course, she apologized to Demiurge for damaging his precious samples, which is more likely treated as playthings than the former description. But since he found Narberal's interest in immobilizing humans fascinating, he let her off with a smile and a word of encouragement to continue the good work.

Putting it into actual situations, she encountered no trouble up until now. Most of them would just suddenly find their legs refusing to move, while there are some who just loses the strength in their body. Others would sometimes just fall down, unconscious for unknown reason.

To erase the evidence, Narberal uses a tiny magical needle that eventually dissolves after 5 minutes, also provided by Neuronist. They would also regain their mobility when it finally dissolves without any problems. Infusing it with a weakened version of her [Electric Bullets, the victims would only feel a tickle as the needles she shot would completely bury itself inside their body and immobilize them. That way, she wouldn't have to touch those disgusting lower lifeforms' bodies that she loathes so much.

But of course, when she is together with Ainz, she refrained herself from doing the deed due to the fear of having her secret activity being found out. And whenever they had to communicate with some of them, Ainz would try to have the control of the conversation among them and completely keep out Narberal from getting involved, which she is really grateful for.

She has no intent whatsoever to reveal it to Ainz. Not because she finds it unnecessary to do so, but because she fears from getting scolded by him for immobilizing humans left and right. However, this time, she was ordered to capture the target, the Black Wolf, as unharmed as possible. And her Acupuncture ability being the most efficient way to do that, she used it without any hesitation or regret. After all, her master's orders are absolute. She would use every fiber of her being to execute it as flawless as possible. Every method she knows, every skill she knows, she would use to fulfil her mission, secret or not.

Refusing to do so is considered as betrayal, and she would never do anything like that. No one in Nazarick would held themselves back in fulfilling their master's orders.

By accompanying Hamsuke for quite some time and observing her, she was able to grasp her vital points easily. Using that knowledge as a guide, she shot a real, stainless needle which are as long as her pinky finger and also infused with [Electric Bullets, towards the wolf. Some of the shots missed, but since she shot it en masse, some of them would definitely hit those points and immobilize it. As a result, without even being able to scratch her, much less go near her, the wolf fell down and was immediately captured.

She also avoided damaging its vital organs on the process by infusing the needles with just the right amount of [Electric Bullets] and making sure that it wouldn't bury itself too deeply and pierce its organs. Since her target is a nimble, fast beast, she might mistake her aim and hit it on its flanks. But it seems that it was unnecessary in the end.

Right after immobilizing the target, she observed her master's battle while worrying about what to reply when she gets questioned about her method later on. She is prepared to confess everything when she will be asked to. Since she was already scolded earlier, disappointing him once more would be the end of it. She braced herself from receiving any punishment, whatever it may be.

But instead, she was praised and encouraged to keep up on polishing her skills.

Could it be that Ainz-sama didn't realize on what I was doing behind his back, that's why he praised me instead of scolding me? No, this is Ainz-sama, after all. He must've realized and understood my reasons and decided to forgive me instead. Haah. What a compassionate master. I, Narberal, devote myself even more to you until my very last breath.

Concluding with that train of thought, Narberal deeply enjoyed the heavenly sensation of her master's hand affectionately rubbing her head, which fills her with eternal bliss and happiness.

"Ehehehe."

Narberal couldn't help herself from expressing her joy and giggled happily. She doesn't care about anything right now, she just wants this moment to go on forever.

Ah, how I wish that time would just stop right at this moment.

Just right after she thought of that, she felt the comfortable weight in her head disappear. Her mood instantly plummeted but she didn't show it in her face.

Next time! I'll distinguish myself even more next time, and then Ainz-sama might reward me once more! I'll definitely do my best!

Narberal silently pumper her fist away from his master's view and cheered herself up, fully determined to get another head patting session from Ainz.

{Back to Ainz's POV}

Ainz thoroughly enjoyed patting Narberal's head. It was an indescribable feeling, but if he were to compare it, it's something similar to the joy of a father on seeing his child achieve something remarkable. Of course, for Ainz, no, for Suzuki Satoru who lost his parents when he was still a child himself, much less than having a child for himself, he cannot be certain that it is indeed the same thing.

"Ehehehe."

Ainz heard Narberal giggle joyfully while smiling from ear to ear. Because of that, he snapped back to reality and remembers his objectives.

He lifted his hand from her head and turned around. As he did so, he thought that he saw Narberal's eyes lost its light but concluded that he must've imagined it.

"Now then, our business here is almost done. Narberal, cast the Anti-Detection and Anti-Surveillance scroll sets I've given you."

"Yes!"

Narberal swiftly began the task and casted several scrolls in the air. As for Ainz, he pulled out two items from the void at the space, a golden lamp with a blush flame burning inside it and a single scroll.

"[Seeker of Truth, Activate]. Target, closest human lifeforms."

A hatch on top of the lamp snapped open and the bluish flame came out from it. The flames floated away and settled onto a certain part of the earth, the unnatural mound that Ainz noticed earlier.

So that's where they are, huh. As expected.

Ainz closed off the hatch and the flame disappeared. He returned it in his [Inventory] and turned towards Hamsuke.

"Hamsuke, dig this part. Be careful, the hostages are in there."

"Understood, Ainz-sama!"

Hamsuke began to dig that spot with her sharp claws. With that progress, she will finish it up in several minutes. Satisfied, Ainz tossed the scroll on his other hand, which burned up quickly like a highly combustible paper. The magic inside it, [Message, immediately activated.

Placing his index and middle finger into his temple, Ainz spoke to the person currently responsible for Nazarick's various transportation.

"Shalltear, I need your assistance."

[Yes, Ainz-sama. I understand.]

Hoh. She already knows my intention? I didn't expect that.

"Very well, I'll be waiting."

Cutting off the connection immediately, Ainz waited for the [Gate] to appear. Soon after, the space before him began to distort, and a [Gate] has appeared.

Shalltear gently stepped out of it while elegantly lifting her enormous skirt and walked towards Ainz with eyes filled with excitement. As soon as she arrived before him, she immediately genuflected before him without any wasted movements or errors.

"Ainz-sama, I have come before your summons."

You don't have to come out, you know.

Ainz, who only intended to have her open up a [Gate] and chuck in the subjugated wolf inside it to be placed under Aura's care, didn't expect Shalltear to come out herself.

"U-umu. Very well. Take that wolf over there and place him under Aura's care. Tell her to train it on improving its sharp olfaction ability, especially its accuracy on deciphering individual odours and having him track it down within a hundred kilometres. Well, since it is Aura, she would certainly understand that creature's abilities and specialties more accurately than what we've gathered and train it accordingly."

Seeing Shalltear's puzzled face, Ainz wondered if she didn't understand him.

"What's wrong, Shalltear? Do you want me to repeat what I just said?"

"No, that's not it! I just, um, thought that I would be given a different order. Please forgive my rudeness!"

"Different order? And what do you specifically expect it to be? Don't hesitate, Shalltear. Speak out your mind."

"Y-yes! I just thought that maybe Ainz-sama is not yet satisfied with my given punishment, or maybe his legs are sore after working for so long, that's why I present myself to provide assistance to relieve Ainz-sama's predicament!"

Huh? What in the world is she talking about?

"Shalltear, speak clearly and get straight to the point. What do you mean?"

Shalltear had a perplexed face as she fidgets slightly, hesitating to answer.

"Shalltear."

"Ye-yes! I just thought that maybe, just maybe, Ainz-sama would like to use me as a chair again and sit on top of me once more!!"

Ainz felt his jaw dropped. Even Narberal's jaw dropped. Hamsuke, who was busily digging the earth, was visibly shaken when she heard Shalltear's declaration.

Ainz could only stare flabbergastedly at Shalltear, whose eyes are wide open in anticipation while breathing heavily, her face flushed with excitement.

Peroroncino-san! Look at what you've done! You eroge maniac! Dammit!

While cursing his former friend, Ainz contemplated on what he should do.

No, this is partially my fault. I knew that she's a little off in the head, but I didn't expect her to be that 'strange' and find her punishment to be pleasing. I should've gratefully accepted Demiurge's chair and chose to sit onto it, even though it looks so gruesome. I shouldn't have done that kind of shame play. What a failure. Haah.

"Shalltear."

"Yes?"

"I appreciate your concerns, but I don't need it. My legs are not sore, nor am I tired. Undead doesn't tire, after all."

"Wha-?!"

Shalltear looks like she was struck by lightning as she heard Ainz's reply. Not just because she was rejected, but also because she forgot that fact, despite her being and undead herself.

"Now I remember! I'm very sorry, Ainz-sama!"

"I forgive you. Now, do as you were ordered and be careful not to hurt our precious new ally. I'll leave it to you."

"Understood, Ainz-sama. I'll keep that in mind."

Shalltear summoned several Vampire Brides and had them carry the cargo into the [Gate]. She bowed down to Ainz before stepping into the gate herself and closing it off.

When she was finally gone, Ainz placed his hand on his face and sighed exhaustedly.

Just who gave that stupid idea in her head. I had confirmed that Shalltear is an idiot, but I never expected her to be this much of an airhead. Phew. I gotta make sure that Albedo wouldn't learn about this or else those two would clash against each other again. I hate teleporting back to Nazarick every single time they fight. Seriously, what a pain.

"Narberal, don't include what just happened in your report to Albedo. Just tell her subtly about my order to Shalltear and about the wolf's reason for capture. Keep out the details on what just happened between us. You got that?"

"Duly noted, Ainz-sama. I won't tell her about Shalltear-sama's desire to be seated upon."

"Uh, you don't have to mention that. Anyway, Hamsuke, how about your side? Have you finally recovered them?"

"Ainz-sama, there is a terrible problem! Please come here immediately!"

Sensing the panic from Hamsuke's voice, Ainz ran towards her side and saw four people lying on the ground, lifeless and unmoving.

"We were too late, huh."

Ainz felt his mood drop due to him failing the mission while Narberal knelt down and inspected them.

"No, please wait, Ainz-sama. I don't think they're dead yet. They just fainted due to suffocation. But their respiratory activity has begun to collapse, and if we leave them like this, they will eventually die."

Since the hole was dug slightly curved into the ground, they were not completely buried and there was a stable breathing room left inside it. However, having four people breathe the same air for several hours, oxygen was bound to run out soon, and they began to faint one by one. Luckily, they were rescued just before their brain activity completely stops and submits their souls to death, but their respiratory activity has begun to deteriorate.

But there is still hope. And that's what's important. Ainz's mood lightened up from hearing Narberal's analysis on the hostages.

"What? Is that true? That's great to hear! Can you do it?"

"No problems, Ainz-sama."

"Good. Do it. We can't let our hostages to die on us now, can we?"

"Please leave it to me, Ainz-sama. [Minimized Magic: Bolt Shock, Parallel Mode]."

A very small amount of electricity discharged from Narberal's hand into each of the hostages, and their bodies shook and convulsed. After receiving two more strikes of the same magic, their respiratory activity had finally returned and they began breathing normally.

Thank goodness. That was really close.

One of the hostages began to cough violently, and he regained his consciousness first among all of them four.It was a rather good looking young man. His clothes are obviously of high quality and expensive, despite being filled with dirt and dust.

"Please be at ease. You are already safe now."

"Th-*cough* thank you... so much. I will definitely... return this favour someday."

The youth expressed his heartfelt joy from being saved. Seeing his face up close, Ainz recognized him, but he couldn't remember the name.

What was it again? Pourke-no, Pyorijenh-, not this. Ah, it's no good, I can't remember!

"Ara, what a coincidence, Pyorukenheim-san."

Wonderful, Narberal! Good job on remembering his name!

"Ah, Nabel-sama... What a coincidence indeed... Thank you... for saving me."

Ainz had finally remembered the name of this youth. Toukeru Karande Iru Pyorukenheim, he is a noble's son who once hired Ainz's team to accompany him on his journey, which has something to do with killing a humanoid demihuman as a preparation for him taking over his father's occupation someday.

Since being a noble family's head will also mean that he will get involved into a lot of dirty business, killing a people or two would certainly occur during his lifetime. That's why a ceremony of that sort is necessary. In case that when that time comes, he will not hesitate on killing a human by already having an experience on killing demihumans that looks the same as one. That's the logic behind it.

Well, the real reason why team Darkness was the one chosen was because this youth, Toukeru, fell in love with Narberal and tried to hit on her during the journey. But she was harshly rejected by Narberal without batting an eye, just like how she does with everyone else.

Something must've happened during their conversation back then when he was rejected, but Ainz noticed that the youth's selfish and childish nature had diminished after their exchange of words. He also stopped being rude to Ainz and changed his attitude towards him. Whatever it may be, he didn't try to find out anymore and left it as it is.

But still, for that Narberal to remember the name of a human she only journeyed once, I'm shocked once more. I thought the only human she knows is Ainzach alone.

Once again, Ainz is oblivious that the reason why Narberal cared to remember his name is because she is planning to take revenge upon the said youth someday, who insulted Ainz multiple times during their journey out of jealousy for him being accompanied by a beauty like Narberal. It may have been better that he doesn't know. It will just add his headache if he did, if only undead does suffer from headache.

"Pyorukenheim-san, it has been a long time. I would love to celebrate our reunion but, we have to return to E-Rantel immediately. There might be more enemies hidden in the shadow, waiting for a chance to strike. So we can't stay here for long."

"Ah! The enemies!"

Toukeru bolted upright from panic and hurriedly looked around. Seeing the corpse lying on the ground, his panic lessened a little, but not completely.

"Don't worry, Pyorukenheim-san. I already defeated him."

"What about the others? Those humanlike creatures who have wings instead of arms! That enormous wolf with pitch black fur! And that human riding a strange-looking lion with an eagle's head and wings! Were they also taken down already?"

"What are you talking about? You mean, there are more?"

"Yes! That wolf suddenly jumped out in front of our path, so the adventurers got down from their horses and engaged the wolf. But suddenly, that beastman over there appeared out of nowhere and fought the adventurers. And then, that human riding that strange creature took out something like an incense cup and the adventurers all fell asleep. After having those birdlike humanoids carry them away, he opened up the carriage doors and made us fall asleep as well. That's the last thing I remember before drifting off."

His allies, huh. Did they fall back after capturing those adventurers, or are they hiding somewhere, spying on us? Tch, I was careless!

Ainz hurriedly pulled out the same lamp he used earlier from his [Inventory] and grasped it tightly.

"Pyorukenheim-san, please keep this a secret."

Without waiting for reply, Ainz activated the lamp's ability once more.

"[Seeker of Truth, Activate]. Target, all sentient or intelligent individuals at maximum range."

Just like earlier, the blue flames floated upwards from the lamp. But this time, it didn't go anywhere. Instead, the blue flames expanded and expanded until it is now at dozen times bigger than it was. After that, it began to swell before exploding.

Toukeru and Hamsuke tried to shield their faces from the blast, but they were completely unharmed. Ainz and Narberal were unfazed and didn't even react in any way.

The blush flames from the blast continued spreading around until it became hard to recognize due to too much spreading until it completely disappeared far into the horizon.

500 meter radius, 1 000 meter radius, 1 500, 2 000. No signs of any other intelligent lifeforms except us seven here and those soldiers on standby. Either they really did fall back immediately soon after achieving their objective, or maybe the eavesdropper has already ran away after seeing the conclusionof the match. Whatever the correct answer may be, its already too late to found it out.Shit.This is bad. If we were seen by the enemy, especially Shalltear's appearance earlier, I'm going to be in a heap of trouble. Let's just hope that they weren't able to see through the safety measures Narberal had set earlier.

Ainz offered a silent prayer to whatever god there may be out there that his guess is correct.

"M-momon-sama, what is that?"

"Please don't concern yourself about it, Pyorukenheim-san. It's a trade secret. Anyway, except from the beastman over there, it seems like everyone else ran away somewhere with the adventurers. They might return soon, so we have to head back to E-Rantel immediately."

"Understood. I entrust my life to you, Momon-sama."

"Please leave it to me."

Ainz gestured Narberal to come to him and issued her and order.

"Narberal, take your horse and call those escorts here. Tell them that the hostages are now secured and we need to return to E-Rantel immediately. I'll explain to them the situation later. Hurry."

"I got it."

Narberal whistled loudly and the horse she left at a distance came galloping. With a single leap, she saddled the majestic horse gracefully and immediately headed towards the location where the soldiers that accompanied them here are located.

After a few moments, she returned, bringing along the soldiers in horseback and the carriage. Toukeru and his three companions who had just regained their consciousness, rode the carriage and basked in the joy of finally being freed from their predicament which almost cost their lives.

"Momon-san, thank you very much for what you've done."

The captain of the escorts deeply expressed his thanks to Ainz while bowing down on him.

"Ah, yes. I'm just doing my job. And sadly, it seems that it's not over yet."

"What do you mean? Is there something else that you have to do?"

"I'm sorry captain, but I don't have any time to give you the full details. But according to that beastman I slew right there, this is just a diversion to keep me away from E-Rantel. Which means that right now, something big is happening in E-Rantel. That is why, we have to hurry back and confirm for ourselves on what the hell is going on. In that case, me and Narberal are going on ahead. Please quickly finish up your preparations and follow suit."

Without waiting for any reply, Ainz left the wide-eyed soldier behind and headed to Hamsuke who is patiently waiting for him and jumped on her back.

"Hamsuke, Narberal, let's head back to E-Rantel immediately. We got no time to waste. Let's proceed at maximum speed."

"Understood!"

They immediately took off towards their destination and left the escorts behind.

Abeiron Hills, Same Location, 900 Meters Above the Ground

A lone hippogriff is hovering in the sky, flying in circles for several hours already. Riding it is a creature with humanlike features. Its clothes, which are eastern robes calledkimono,billowed violently from the strong winds around him. On his waist, a singlekatanais attached, its scabbard engraved with elegant designs and carvings. Even the hilt has gems engraved in it, making the weapon look more like a work of art than a tool of war.

The said person lowered the long tube with glass lenses at both ends from his eyes and brushed aside his long, green hair that was covering his face and smiled slightly.

"A~ah. Raiel got killed. What a surprise. And here I thought that he was more than enough for the job, what a let-down. Oh well, it's not his fault since his enemy is out of his league. I had a hunch that my guess is right, but to think that the new talk of the town, Momon-san, is exactly who I think he is. Seems like the trap somehow worked, after all."

The man had a giddy expression while busily pondering his findings.

Screech!

Because he is too focused on his thoughts, the man almost fell from the sudden jolt of his ride, but he quickly grabbed the rope and regained his balance.

"Whoa, whoa. Calm down, Kuu-chan. I get, I get. Sorry for making you fly for too long. But please hold it in for a little bit more longer. Just a little more. We need more information about that Momon guy, alright? Just a little bit more."

Just then, a blast of bluish flames suddenly erupted from the location of the one he's observing.

What was that just now? AnAoEattack?No, that would end up harming those people around him. It doesn't seem to be a defensive magic either. Worst case, that thing might be a detection magic. I've got no choice, I should get away for now and analyse the information I have gathered. I definitely cannot be discovered, no matter what!

"Kuu-chan, fly away, hurry!"

The hippogriff gave another screech before blasting off at full speed with the mysterious person.

To be continued...