Well, it's going smoothly. Momon thought to himself.
"...Special skills! Those with powerful destructive power! Damn it... I have no way here, members of Blue Rose! Does anyone have any special skills with great destructive power?"
"Powerful destructive magic... from monsters? That kind of thing? I definitely don't have it! Anyone else... even little Iburiel doesn't have it, right?"
"Lord Momon, do you still have any high-level magic crystals?"
"...Crystals? No, unfortunately, they're all used up."
It was like a well-known wealthy person suddenly saying they "ran out of money," which was a bit incongruous, but after all, it was really abnormal to have so many of those crystals. Everyone just had to accept this fact.
"Weapons can do it too! Although it's rude to say, but does anyone in Blue Rose have any aces up their sleeves that could break this situation? Hurry up, soon the entire city of Rasel will be in danger!"
Truly an outstanding and noble person. Even with his own life hanging by a thread, he thought about the people of Rasel. No wonder he was the great hero who single-handedly saved the royal capital and took on the responsibility of the entire city of Ye·Lantier. ... The idea of trying to "escape" with him, perhaps from the beginning, was impossible.
Iburiel sighed in her heart, and then made up her mind, turning her gaze to the captain, Lakyus.
"Lakyus. The Magic Sword Kirilinaram... should be able to do something, right?"
The suddenly addressed Lakyus was startled, and before she could react, Momon quickly added:
"Oh! The Magic Sword of the Thirteenth Hero, the "Black Knight," right? Miss Lakyus, if you could, please use it! I swear in the name of "Blackness" that I will not泄露 any of your secrets that you do not wish others to know!"
However, in return, Lakyus cast a look filled with confusion and helplessness.
"Magic Sword? You mean using dark energy? No, I'm afraid that won't be enough...!"
"It's not that kind of thing! Lakyus, believe in Lord Momon. This is not the time to worry about information leaks! Or is the cost of using it too great?"
"Is it...? I heard you mention before that the sword seals some kind of high-level existence... That's it, right?"
"Huh? The Ghost Leader seals such a thing?"
"...Indeed, Captain Ghost."
Although the members of Blue Rose had already started to urge their captain, upon seeing that pair of eyes filled with shame, they could only be left speechless.
Iburiel stepped forward and lightly punched Lakyus's shoulder.
Then she said nothing more and turned around, facing the increasingly pulsating "egg."
"—Everyone! We have no choice but to fight with all our might!!"
(—In the worst-case scenario... No, this is already the worst-case scenario. If a full-force attack by everyone fails, I will have to use my innate ability...)
(Although it's a pity not to become Lord Momon's wife, he should survive, right! I've lived long enough. If sacrificing me can save everyone... then I will go along with it!!)
Her small palm, yet seemingly carrying an overwhelming momentum, swung forward and issued the combat order. The agreement of Blue Rose was that when Lakyus was absent or incapacitated, Iburiel would temporarily take on the role of captain.
"Let's launch a full-force attack first!!"
"Lakyus, snap out of it! Tia and Tina, try to target the gaps in that egg. Gagaran and I will handle the auxiliary and obstructive magic! Gagaran, you and Lord Momon are the main attackers! Just keep attacking non-stop! Lord Momon, you're the key! We leave everything to you————Huh? Lord Momon??"
Iburiel turned her head and saw that Momon and Nabe were talking.
No, the conversation itself wasn't strange, but the atmosphere was. How to put it, it was so relaxed that it would be natural to hold a teacup.
Seeing the main attacker being so lackadaisical, even Iburiel, who was in the throes of love, couldn't help but get angry.
"Lord Momon, don't you think there's something more important to do right now!"
"Huh? Ah, no, it's already over."
"Eh? What's over? That egg is still there, isn't it?!"
(—Wait a minute. Could it be that Lord Momon has already found a way to definitely destroy that egg?)
(No, it must be that. There's no other reason for Lord Momon to be so calm on the battlefield. He's truly amazing. No wonder he's Lord Momon.)
"Oh, the Egg of Annihilation, indeed a nuisance... Shalltear! Get rid of it."
(Shalltear? Who's that? Ah, maybe it's a reinforcement. A reinforcement capable of definitely destroying that egg... Could it be a divine being? Is it possible that divine beings live in groups... Although the name does sound like a woman's! Lord Momon is really something...)
The conversation continued.
—The conversation.
—The conversation?
Momon and his archenemy, the vampire Brad, were chatting very casually, and Nabe, standing by, also acted as if it were perfectly normal.
Iburiel's mind was filled with a buzzing sound. She could perceive the situation, but she refused to understand its meaning.
Commonly known as, a system crash.
In her peripheral vision, her companions seemed to be in an uproar. Why the uproar? Surely it was because of the impending explosion of that egg. There could be no other reason. Never mind, as long as I use my innate ability—
A magnificent white spear suddenly appeared, hovering in Brad's hand.
Then, seemingly without much effort, she hurled the spear.
The spear pierced the egg with precision and ferocity.
The outer shell, which had repelled even Momon's attacks, was effortlessly penetrated. The dreaded egg shattered and vanished without a trace.
But it seemed that the true despair had just begun.
"—Lord Momon—cough, cough!"
The intense exclamation caused the Undead Iburiel's throat to burn with pain.
"—Lord Momon?"
"Little one, this is bad! Very bad!"
Gagaran stood in front of her. Why? Why did he stand in front of her?
Lakyus stood beside her, Tia and Tina were on either flank—this was the familiar combat formation of Blue Rose.
Who was the target?
The egg had been destroyed, hadn't it?
Although I don't know the reason for the vampire's actions, the threat should be gone, right?
Yes, we are fighting a vampire, that must be it...
"Thank you, Pandora Actor, and Shalltear."
A dark curtain was drawn back, and from it emerged an exceedingly dangerous being.
—The Sorcerer King.
Never before had anyone seen such a terrifying skeletal Undead. He was clad in a pitch-black robe darker than the night itself, holding a golden staff that exuded a dark aura.
Behind him followed a beautiful girl who stared intently at them. No, she was an Insectoid, one that Blue Rose had defeated before.
Why were they here?
Why were Momon, Nabe, and that vampire and demon all kneeling in reverence?
Why... why... why... why!
"—Lord Momon?!"
"Little one, this is not good! Very not good!"
Gagaran stood in front of her. Why? Why did he stand in front of her?
Lakyus stood beside her, Tia and Tina were on either flank—this was the familiar combat formation of Blue Rose.
Who was the target?
The egg had been destroyed, hadn't it?
Although I don't know the reason for the vampire's actions, the threat should be gone, right?
Yes, we are fighting a vampire, that must be it...
"Thank you, Pandora Actor, and Shalltear."
A dark curtain was drawn back, and from it emerged an exceedingly dangerous being.
—The Sorcerer King.
Never before had anyone seen such a terrifying skeletal Undead. He was clad in a pitch-black robe darker than the night itself, holding a golden staff that exuded a dark aura.
Behind him followed a beautiful girl who stared intently at them. No, she was an Insectoid, one that Blue Rose had defeated before.
Why were they here?
Why were Momon, Nabe, and that vampire and demon all kneeling in reverence?
Why... why... why... why!
"—Lord Momon?!"
"Lord Momon! You've betrayed us to the Sorcerer King?!"
Beside her, Lakyus roared in fury.
Then, the Sorcerer King looked over for the first time.
"Hmph, what should I do... Well, let's start with a greeting. Long time no see, members of Blue Rose."
The Sorcerer King raised his terrifying hand to his chest as if in a bow, but the无形 pressure contained within left Blue Rose speechless.
"You must have many questions, but that doesn't matter. The truth is not simple, but it's not complicated either—Pandora Actor, revert to your true form."
The dark hero suddenly twisted.
"Lord Momon..."
What appeared there was a strange being in peculiar military attire, with an egg-shaped yellow head devoid of features, save for three eerie holes.
At that moment, Iburiel felt a glimmer of "hope." Like a lost person discovering a ray of light in the endless darkness, Iburiel ran towards that light without hesitation.
"So it's a fake after all!! Sorcerer King! You've created a decoy of Lord Momon, haven't you?! Tell me, where is the real Lord Momon?!—If anything happens to him, I, Iburiel, will never forgive you!!"
The tiny girl exuded an overwhelming aura, her slender arms waving as if in a fit of rage.
The emotional fluctuations were astonishingly intense.
"Is that so? This is love, similar to what Albedo conveyed. However, I'm afraid your emotions have no place here."
"—What?! What are you talking about! I'm asking—!!"
A magnificent, grand sword suddenly appeared in the Sorcerer King's left hand.
Even if the world were to turn upside down, Iburiel would never forget the owner of that sword.
The Sorcerer King swung it down effortlessly, the motion smooth and fluid, exuding an astonishing aura of pressure, completely unlike that of a high-ranking magic caster.
Then, the sword vanished as if it were a toy that could be summoned and dismissed at will.
"...「High-Rank Item Creation」, that's the secret, although you probably can't comprehend it. That's right, even as a king, I sometimes take an interest in going on adventures."
"Wha... How could that be... What? Huh? What...?!"
The "thorn" that Iburiel had thought she had removed suddenly turned into a huge wedge, fiercely piercing Iburiel's heart.
And Lakyus, trembling, murmured the fact that Iburiel was unwilling to face:
"The Sorcerer King... is... Lord Momon...?!"
"This is too much! I refuse to believe it! This, this can't be possible!"
The Sorcerer King shrugged.
"Well, I've said what needed to be said. Although you probably can't accept it, that's just how it is. Next, you're going to die."
—You're going to die. Without any emotional fluctuation, it was merely a declaration of an impending fact.
All members of Blue Rose—except Iburiel—assumed a combat stance out of instinct rather than fighting spirit.
"However, your opponent is not me. Anoma!"
"Present."
"Then I leave it to you. Fulfill your wish."
"Thank you, Lord Ainz!"
"Don't mention it. Shalltear, return to Nazarick with the Envious Demon General, and also return the command of the Envious Demon General to Demiurge."
"Understood!"
"Pandora Actor, how is the investigation of that "ring" going?"
"I apologize, but it will likely take a bit more time..."
"Hmm, that's fine, but please hurry. For now, return to the Treasury. Nabe will go back to Ye·Lantier and inform Ainzak that Lord Momon will need a bit more time to complete his mission... Do not be harsh with him."
"Yes, as you command."
"Very well. Then I shall also return to observe the battle. 「Teleport Gate」."
The dark gate opened once more.
Apart from the Insectoid maid who remained kneeling, the others—the aberrations—began to move.
"Wait—!"
The girl stretched out her slender arm, but failed to grasp anything. The Sorcerer King did not linger nor look back; he stepped into the darkness and vanished.
Then, the Insectoid maid stood up.
Wobbling—perhaps, due to excitement?