Looking at the destruction caused by a single attack from Sebas, even the demonified Demiurge could but sigh internally. Although both were of the same level and status within Nazarick, if Sebas ever did decide to duke it out with him it would more than likely end in a lopsided battle. Even if he was superior in terms of intellect and had been more useful to Ainz than Sebas, if an enemy that could stand on the same footing as their lord ever appeared then Sebas would be vastly more useful than him. But the chance of that happening was negligible.
Sebas looked into the distance with a cold glint in his eyes. He could still sense that Zesshi was alive, which was within expectations but still praiseworthy. Collecting his thoughts on what to do, he finally shouted out.
"Lycan, go and restrain that woman! Ainz-sama wants her alive! As soon as you've located her, call Shalltear and Cocytus to come and escort her to the frozen prison."
Lycan, who had gotten out of the blast radius the moment he had sensed that Sebas was about to use one of his Eight Immortal Blows, swiftly leapt into action and stormed in the direction that Zesshi had been flung as he howled to indicate that the order had been received.
Although it was a bit risky to send Lycan who harbored such a grudge, the two guardians had other matters which needed attending.
Without exchanging a single word, the two guardians transformed back onto their usual appearances and dashed towards the other end of the corridor to ensure that their master was still alive. Although, considering that it was Ainz-sama there could be almost no doubt that he would be fine. Finally, they reached the door to the treasury and busted it down with a single strike.
And once they entered….
As the two stormed into the treasury by bursting down the last door with ease, their eyes fell upon a smoldering pile of bones that lay on the floor.
It was clear that it had been hit with an enormous amount of energy and had instantly been reduced to this sorry state.
The battle in the treasury had already come to an end. And all that remained now was this ashen pile of bones and the sound of two creatures simultaneously crying out to their master.
""AINZ-SAMAAAAAA!""
Part 4
The Slane Theocracy's treasury was something that few in their lives could see and those who simply imagined what it was like would often fall short. This place, unlike the treasury in Re-Estize or the Baharuth Empire, was not the location where one stored solely the family fortune of the nation's rulers but instead the vault where the Theocracy kept the most sacred of relics, the items left behind by the Six Great Gods.
The treasury was a fairly ordinary stone room with oil lamps hanging from the wall that flickered with faint but numerous lights which illuminated the room aptly. Various altars and pedestals stood in this room, upon which were placed dozens of strange items and weapons that all radiated a dangerous and profound power.
Upon entering, one would see piles of gold coins that covered the room along with several golden items mixed in with the coins. If one would calculate the collective value of what everything that lay on the floor in this room, it was likely that their heads would spin. But to the Theocracy these items were worthless.
The real treasures were the ones that weren't lying around. The treasures that the Theocracy would gladly sacrifice all the gold in this room for to protect were the ones placed upon the various small and bigger altars. Those treasures were the items left behind by their gods and under no circumstance must ever be sold off. But even among those there were three items that were placed upon the biggest altar of them all that were revered and cherished more than any national treasure. The three great relics that held unimaginable power, one of which Archon currently held in his hand.
Archon was sweating bullets as he held the item in his grasp. In all his life he had only been to this place once right before the previous Archbishop of Death passed away in order to witness the greatness of the items that were left behind by the beings called the Six Gods.
Never in his entire life would he have guessed that right now in his hands…
He would hold the lives of countless creatures all over the world.
The item that was said to be capable of eradicating all evil by comparison was rather plain. Ahura Mazda looked like nothing more than an ordinary iron ring the size of two hands but it clearly emanated an unfathomable amount of magic power.
This item, like all the others that were left behind by the Six required an awakened godkin level of strength to activate, but Archon, like all archbishops was a godkin, if only a slumbering one.
Through the use of a certain magic item, it was possible for archbishops to use these items despite technically not being qualified and the only downside was that it drained Archon of his life energy as a price.
This was of little concern to him as the retribution for what he was about to do should be the same as dying a thousand deaths as far as Archon was concerned. Nonetheless, he had to continue with the ritual when the alternative meant that the entire human race was at risk of falling victim to the Sorcerer King's wrath.
"Yliana, forgive me for what I must do! I'm sure you and the others would object to me doing this even now even after everything that has happened."
Archon could feel something warm sliding down his cheek as he was lost in thought.
He thought back of how it had come to this. In his life, he had done his best to keep a calm composure and hold true to his beliefs. He had faced many temptations and difficult choices. Not the least of which was when he discovered his lifelong friend and fellow priest practicing necromancy. The toughest decision in his life had been when he reported him to the Firefly Scripture as was dictated. It turned out that his friend had joined the infamous cult known as Zuranon and therefore his capture had brought great appreciation and recognition to Archon. But in reality he hated that part of his past more than any other; every word of praise was like a knife stabbing him, every pat on the back like someone hitting him with a hammer. What did he care whether what he had done was seen as right? His friend's death certificate had been signed not by the soldiers that arrested him or by the judge that sentenced him or even by the executioner, but Archon.
The ultimate punchline of the joke that had been his life after that was when the Archbishop of Death appointed Archon as his successor due to his unwavering devotion to his faith. On that day, Archon could simply cry rivers as he realized the burden and turmoil that his actions had brought upon him.
As these dark thoughts ran through his head, Archon noticed how the relic began to glow even brighter and assumed that soon its power would activate and Ainz Ooal Gown would be no more along with all of the filth that served under him.
At the same time, a loud bang could be heard from the other side of the treasury. It sounded like the last door opening and then heavily slamming shut when someone entered.
Archon's heart beat skyrocketed as he heard the sound of footsteps nearing. The fact that there was no voice meant that it couldn't be Zesshi.
"Pardon the intrusion."
A dark voice echoed throughout the room as a black robed figure entered Archon's line of sight. An evil aura radiated from his body that seemed to cause the room temperature to drop with each step as he proceeded further in.
Archon looked at the figure with an icy chill as he tried to have his face stay as emotionless as possible even though terror ran through him like a current. The person that had entered the room was a black robed skeleton wearing an nefarious dark robe that matched his foul appearance and was outdone only by the crimson eyes that seemed to peer into Archon's soul from within the hollow sockets of where the skeleton's eyes once should have been.