Clash I: Part 1

Ainz furrowed his non-existent brows. At the same time, an imaginary wave of sweat cascaded over his porcelain-white body. The source of his sudden tension was the anomaly walking over to him with casual steps.

He quickly casted [Discern enemy] and [Discern magic]. The result stupefied him. While there was no presence of magic traps, there was a deep concentration around the human man's beautiful sword, strapped to the right side, and the sheath gleaming under the light of the sun high above.

A World item?! No…it's probably not. But I have to be careful.

If it was only the weapon that he had to be careful of, then there was no need to be so tense that his bones were creaking. However, the matter of the person who held that powerful sword, and two other normal swords, caused his caution to peak until his emotions were inhibited.

[Discern enemy] did not reveal the exact level of this person. Of course it did not. Yet what was revealed was enough to consider this red-haired swordsman as someone easily at level 100 or, perhaps, even above.

"[Life essence]. [Mana essence]."

[Mana essence] revealed an interesting result. In comparison to those spirit-art users and other magic-users in this realm, the internal mana accumulation of the red-haired anomaly was negligible. But that did not sway his caution. The system of magic, and especially for spirit-arts, was quite different in this world. If his prediction was right, then it was likely that this anomaly could absorb mana from his surroundings like many of his foes from before.

[Life essence] on the other hand revealed an enormous vortex of energy that swirled as far as the blue skies above, and swayed the small grass of the plains that they stood upon. Never had he seen a human having this much life force. Even lethal and critical strikes might not end this person.

A pure warrior. Build wise, he's probably like Touch me-san. Maybe better, but that is still to be seen. For now, it's that weapon I have to worry about.

He thanked his past self for keeping Momonga's red orb—a world item—always equipped with him. If his instinct was on point and that strange sword was a weapon comparable to that of a world item, then he might avoid some stupid situation like getting one-shotted right at the start of battle. Well, even then, there was the high-tier resurrection item he had gotten after spending so much money in the cash-item shop. He also had the ring which allowed him to resurrect at the penalty of only losing some experience points.

He sighed, reaching into his inventory from underneath his robe and equipping himself with cash-shop items—a few hourglasses, and a few other magic items for the sake of preserving his life even in the case of an attack that could take out his entire HP bar.

It's not certain that I would lose, me. If only I could have Touch me-san's incredible confidence. This is what I get for focusing on role-play, and not on min-max. Should have taken a page out of Ulbert-san's book.

The anomaly confidently and calmly walking over to him had been stealthy. No, there had been no true attempt to hide his superhuman speed. He had simply walked here, but each step was too silent to detect. There was no presence, no sound, no smell, and not even his swords, his clean uniform, and his boots made a single sound.

If Ainz hadn't been using the mirror of remote viewing to survey his surroundings, he might not have caught this anomaly until it was too late.

He observed him with his twin points of red light, making sure that his presence and his understanding of the intruder were acknowledged. There was some distance left, and time left to ponder.

Do I teleport back to Nazarick? There is no doubt this human is here for me.

There was the option to switch places with Pandora's actor. In fact, that was perhaps the best option regardless of the definite danger presented to Pandora's actor. Thus, he would save himself from danger, and gather information through the mirror of remote viewing.

From the earlier occurrence of using the mirror of remote viewing, it was proven that this anomaly did not have countermeasures against divination. If so, he could observe him with relative ease.

"Hmmm. No. The time for retreat has not yet come. [Message]."

He quickly casted the spell, connected himself to the Guardian Overseer, and whispered out a series of orders, ignoring everything else that came from the other side.

"Observe this situation from all angles. Have the guardians return and gather. Have Shalltear prepare her [Gate] just in case, but do not interfere. Send teams of Hanzos and Eight-edge assassins in the surrounding areas—maybe five-hundred of them, and get ready to send human hostages if it comes to that. The Guardians are to equip themselves fully, and arm yourselves with the World items. Ready Victim. Ah, but, let Demiurge to his current task. That takes priority for the sake of our expansion. Have Aureole Omega ready herself. If I can't teleport, then her abilities will be vital for my survival."

"A-Ainz-sama?! Please, wait a second. Why are you so sudden–"

"Albedo, listen. If I perish here—"

"Perish?! Please, do not say something like that. I will be there in a moment, ready to become your shield. No, not just me, but all of Nazarick would die first rather than let you perish."

"Albedo!"

His emotions were quickly inhibited. There was no doubt that the red-haired swordsman was listening, yet the pace of his steps did not go any faster. Such a response slightly terrified him.

He continued his order despite the guilt in his heart:

"If I perish, then these are my final orders: The Great Tomb of Nazarick will assemble to destroy this entire world."

"..."

"You are not to fight the person who kills me. Only Rubedo and the denizens of the eighth floor are allowed to do so. The rest of you will attack every town, city, village, congregation of society, and will brutally massacre every one of them, regardless of who it is. Teach them terror, pain, despair, and leave them the present of death in response to a Supreme One's death."

If I die as a villain, then I will play out that role in the name of Ainz Ooal Gown. Not that I have any intentions to fight to the death though, but I'll keep that a secret.

Only such a result would satisfy him and his comrades. There was the chance that the overpowering anomaly in front of him could replicate himself into millions of copies. In that scenario, combined with his possible defeat, defeat of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick will be guaranteed. But if this powerful person was just a single entity that could not occupy every battle at the same time, then there was an entire eternity worth of ideas and tools available.

But first came the process of figuring out this human's personality.

He created a long obsidian table with two chairs at each end, and prepared the necessities for a conversation: a pitcher of eternal water, two cups, a plate of cookies conceived in the Capital of Gustecko, and some assortments.

"[Create Middle-tier undead: Death Knight]"

Two death knights were created as his role playing guards.

"Come, strong human," he called out in a high authoritative voice. "This place, the border of Gustecko, is under the territory of Nazarick. Yet I will welcome even a rude intruder like you."

First I'll use Grasp heart. If that doesn't work, then true death. If all of them don't work against this person, then it's better to escape—no.

He shook his head. The denizens of Nazarick were watching. Because of that, he needed to test as much as possible before choosing the route of escape. In the first place, there were many routes of escape available. The ring of Ainz Ooal Gown, [Greater teleportation], [Gate], and if all of those were obstructed, then Shalltear could open a well-timed [Gate] and let him out of the battle.

He was removed from his thoughts by the answer to his invitation:

"I truly apologize for having come here so suddenly. The situation asked for it, after all," the man had a pleasant voice.

It was the fact that a conversation was probable that shocked him the most. If this red-haired swordsman was efficient in the work that he had most likely come here to do, then the best course of action would be to instantly close the distance, unsheathe his sword, and strike a blow with his all. Then the man would continue to shatter everything with consecutive blows to make sure that even if Ainz resurrected, he would be caught in another attack right away.

However–

He's human.

He suppressed the urge to sigh in relief. It was one thing to fight an OP opponent who did not give any chances to conversation, and another thing to fight with one who did. The amount of options had considerably increased from just those simple two sentences.

Ainz stood on one end of the table, and the smiling red-haired man stood on the other end. He paid a nod of acknowledgment to the two death knights, but if there was caution on his mind, he did not show it on his face.

"Ah, I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Reinhard Van Astrea, a Knight of the Dragon Kingdom of Lugunica. You may leave all honorifics, and call me simply as Reinhard."

I had suspected it from the crest on his uniform, but he's that person, huh.

Reinhard Van Astrea. Sword Saint. Protector of the Kingdom. A knight serving a royal candidate. The strongest man in the world.

His reputation preceded him, yet it formed a perfect image of him. He was someone Nazarick had been cautious of, and had gained entire binder's worth of information on. (Demiurge had)

Still, he thought, what kind of a person brazenly enters the territory of another nation while dressed in the outfit of their nation? In this kind of a situation, the possibility of war becomes a fact. Is he just that confident? Or–

—Was this a show of sincerity? Did he seek a different conclusion other than force?

He spread his right hand, and asked,

"Then, Reinhard, may I first ask whether you are here to be hostile to the Holy Kingdom of Gustecko and to the leaders, the Nation of Nazarick? Is it a fight you seek?"

Reinhard gave him a wry smile, replying, "I was hoping we could settle it with words, and not with force. Of course, my duties to the Kingdom may compel me to take action given the situation. I do thoroughly apologize for having to come here on such short notice."

"No, no. I am glad to talk. I suppose an introduction isn't needed, but I will give one regardless."

He quietly activated [Despair Aura V]. Tormented black waves arose from him, the pressure descending upon those in range. Reinhard raised an eyebrow, but did not steal himself against the waves that could cause instant death. It seemed to be a slightly bad air to his physical body, a black smoke that made him cough a little, and nothing more.

Ainz concluded that the legend of Reinhard being a possessor of many divine protections was true. Even the Mad Prince had shown aversion and hesitation against [Despair Aura], a racial skill capable of intimidating most living creatures.

He spread his arms—his divine-class robe flopping in the wind—and proclaimed:

"I am Ainz Ooal Gown! Leader of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, and, well, I am sure you have heard the rest."

Reinhard gave a polite bow and said, "The Holy Ruler of Gustecko, and the Council Head of the reformed City-States of Kararagi. Your tales have spread far and wide, Ruler of Death. That is exactly why I have been sent here."

"Take a seat. Have those treats as my form of a warm welcome. Of course," he paused and punctuated with his eyes glowing, "they might be poisoned."

Reinhard took a seat, his smile unfaltering, and elegantly took a simple bite of the cookie.

With that confidence, it's probably complete immunity to poison, right?

"How tasty," Reinhard said.

"Isn't it?" Ainz took a seat. "It is one of many products crafted through the advances created under my reign. You're the first person from Lugunica to take a bite, Reinhard. Now, I would like to get to the main topic. What is it that you hope to accomplish here?"

"Ainz-dono, currently, your Nation is at war with the Empire of Vollachia, is it not?"

"Ah, hmm, indeed. What of it?"

"Pardon my curiosity, but I wish to know the reason for such a meaningless war."

"Meaningless, is it?"

"Yes. The amount of death, suffering, and insurmountable difficulty is too much for the Empire. For what reason would you attack every town, city, and race?"

"No, no. I would stop the attack if the Emperor surrendered, but he's quite stubborn, you see. Their people would continue to fight against Nazarick, refusing to become a vassal state. If we pull our forces back without crushing them, then it would be a defeat on our end. Plus, it is a good way to set an example, don't you think?"

Reinhard narrowed his eyes.

"I do not agree with that statement. Are you truly the way that they state you are? A merciless Ruler of Death."

"I give mercy with reason, and only to those who deserve it. Even though my appearance is that of an Overlord, I do not massacre for the sake of pleasure. But, either way, your question has given me quite a lot of information."

Reinhard's eyes widened.

"Let me guess: it's the senile old men of the council that forced you here in secret while the war continues?"

"That is…."

"They know that the nation as a whole cannot interfere in this war. But having seen the terror from a distance, they use you as their tool—as their dog, to cause chaos in Nazarick. However, you chose not to assassinate me like they would want you to."

"It is because I believe that you are not a monster, Ainz-dono."

"Hoh? You see my appearance, and you still say that?"

"It's not a matter of appearance, but a matter of the heart. It's true that your actions against the Empire are repulsive, but the reformed Kararagi is a great example of the goodness, benefits, change, and advantages a person like you can bring to this world. You banned the rampant slavery in Kararagi, did you not? You made a sanctuary for the demi-humans, right? The Nobles of the Kingdom deem you as a world-destroying monster—deemed a Great Calamity, but there are many of us that think otherwise. We believe that a friendly relationship can be formed."

"Don't get me wrong, sword saint. I do everything not for the sake of this world, but for the sake of Nazarick."

"Even then, I implore you to stop this senseless war. Too many lives have been lost. And I, unlike my superiors, believe that fighting you will put the entire world at risk."

"Quite a commendable praise, Reinhard. However, I refuse to stop the war for such a sentimental reason."

"...I see." Reinhard lowered his head. His nimble fingers quickly finished up the cookies on his plate.

"Unless," Ainz stopped him right when he was about to finish his cup of water. "If there is a certain condition in place, then I am willing to stop this war, even if it means that Ainz Ooal Gown will have to retreat from the land of Vollachia."

It was a statement that was half a truth and half a lie. He would certainly stop the war if Reinhard accepts this condition, but he'll continue a secret power play from the shadows. Demiurge will be the best suited Guardian for taking over the Empire without using military might.

"May I ask what that is?" Reinhard asked, his eyes brimming with hope.

Ainz stretched his arms out, and opened his palm, then said:

"Join me. Become my subordinate, Reinhard Van Astrea. A person such as you shouldn't be the dog of a bunch of senile old men. I would not treat you like a tool if you join the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick. Wealth, health, women, safety, and happiness. I assure them all. At the same time, you'll be given a position suitable to ascertain whether our laws for ruling over mankind are fair or not. How about it? It's a nice deal, is it not? You can be the watchdog in our certain rule."

Reinhard's eyes stayed wide for a little. But then he gave a bitter smile, and shook his head.

"Your offer is kind. And I truly sense no lies except the, well, except the safety part. The assurance of my safety seems to be the only place where the wind of lies blew with certainty."

Ainz suppressed the urge to laugh. It seems these abilities known as Divine protections were quite troublesome. In truth, he desperately wanted Reinhard. He was rare, powerful, and would not only strengthen Nazarick, but would also help him in one other part of his life.

The other Guardians would be forced to be less cruel to humans.

Ainz did not care much for humans. But he also did not wish torment on them. There was a time and place for that. Thus, he did not agree with some of the experiments they used humans for. It satisfied his comrades, so he was happy with it. However, if someone like Reinhard entered the fray—in a limited capacity—then he would have an excuse to refuse those tortuous experiments. Simply put, it would allow him to relax and take it slow.

He might even go on adventures with a person like Reinhard. Or, depending on the situation, he could even become friends with this man.

The reason why the safety part of his deal was a lie was because he desperately wanted to experiment with Reinhard. Would memory-altering spells work? Could he kill his apparent humanity? How much pain could he endure? What sort of items could he wield? Could he become a literal raid boss in this world?

Risky yet exciting, such was the allure of a rare specimen like Reinhard. However, the answer he received was not to his liking.

"I will have to refuse that kind deal, Ainz-dono."

"...May I ask why?"

"My loyalty lies with my Lady. As a knight, I cannot swear allegiance to other Masters."

"...I see."

There was a thought in his mind. What if I kill this Lady of yours? What if I manipulate her to leave you behind?

He sighed.

"Those aren't really my fields of expertise," he mumbled, then addressed Reinhard, "It seems negotiations have been broken down."

Through his link to the two death knights, he readied their skill that allows them to divert the attackers attack and aggression towards them. It would be of use in the next few seconds.

"Then, Reinhard Van Astrea," he cupped his fingers, as if grasping something. "I'll have you die now."

"What are you-?" There was confusion on the sword saint's face. He was cautious, stiff, and ready for an attack, but he did not know what sort of attack this even was.

He had his eyes on Ainz's hand, hoping for his divine protection to avert any attacks as long as he watched it. Then there were the divine protections which would prevent him from being hit by surprise attacks, first attacks, second attacks, and allow him to dodge everything as long as he was physically capable of it.

However, the attack that Ainz used wasn't one that could be evaded through physical methods.

"[Grasp Heart]."