Why would someone like that be hiding in a place like this? Although Jircniv did not know the answer, he would probably find out soon enough.
At least, he hoped to achieve that much during the discussions that were to follow.
I doubt he’ll be satisfied with a simple apology after that spectacular show of force he put on.
Initially, Jircniv’s plan was to determine Ainz Ooal Gown’s desires and then meet them in order to gain benefits for the Empire. This whole pretence of making an apology was merely an excuse for achieving that aim.
However―
As if I could begin to meet the desires of someone as powerful as this. I couldn’t do it, even if I had more wealth and power than I already do.
Just as a one-carat gem would not gain Jircniv’s attention, Ainz Ooal Gown could not possibly be interested in anything Jircniv could offer.
To begin with, wealth would be completely out of the question.
As for providing military and magical support ― well, why would he be interested in things that were far inferior to his own?
Even using members of the opposite sex as honeytraps would be impossible. Jircniv was firmly reminded of that as he thought of Yuri and the other maids.
Offers of rank and authority would be useless, for someone who lived in a place like this.
Jircniv wondered if human desires could move the heart of Ainz Ooal Gown.
“…It would be very difficult, huh.”
Jircniv’s mind ran through countless stratagems and ploys to use against Ainz Ooal Gown.
The conclusion was that he could not overcome him.
The best outcome he could hope for was that Ainz would not regard him as an enemy.
The victory conditions for this engagement are: the Empire remains intact, and that I return alive.
As he gave voice to these thoughts, Jircniv found that they were louder than he imagined. However, nobody around him reacted. They were too mesmerized by their surroundings.
“This is the throne room. Ainz-sama waits for you within.”
After that, Yuri announced that her part was over, and bowed deeply to Jircniv.
As though waiting for those words, the vast double doors swung slowly open of their own accord.
Several sudden intakes of breath reached Jircniv’s ears. It was not just one or two instances, but over ten of them, probably well over half the people who had come to this place. Many among them had not been able to fully muster their resolve and allowed their desire to flee to show on their faces. In other words, many of the Imperial contingent had been hoping that those double doors would not open.
It was precisely because of that reason that Jircniv was grateful that the doors opened automatically.
Who knew how long they would have to wait if they needed to work up the courage to pass through those doors first?
The ceiling that came into view was very high and very broad. The walls were predominantly white, with extensive gold decorations and highlights.
Multicolored chandeliers ―made of precious stones from all the colors of the rainbow― were suspended from the ceiling, radiating an eerie light. Flags hung from poles set into the walls.
Jircniv and the others blanched pale as an oppressive air swept over them from inside the room.
A crimson carpet ran down the center of the room, and flanking it were a series of immeasurably potent beings.
Demons, dragons, bizarre humanoids, armored knights, bipedal insects and elves. Each was different from the other, but the one thing they had in common was the overwhelming power each of them possessed. Such beings were arranged in two lines on either side of the carpet, and it felt too disheartening to count them.
They watched Jircniv and company in silence. Although it was said that one could sense a certain kind of strength in the eyes of those with power or status, this was the first time Jircniv had ever felt a physical force pressing on him when he met someone’s gaze.
The sound of low moans and the shuddering of metal armor plates came from behind Jircniv.
It was proof that his subjects were scared out of their wits.
However, Jircniv did not intend to reproach his subordinates for showing their fear. Rather, he wanted to praise them, because every single one of them had conquered that fear and stayed behind him.
They had remained steadfast in the face of this primal terror from the dawn of humanity.
Jircniv’s threat evaluation of Ainz Ooal Gown rose by several dozen notches at once. He had been on guard up till now, and that assessment of Ainz’ power had been revised ever upward since he arrived here. But even that had been far too naïve.
The matter of dealing with Ainz Ooal Gown was no longer simply a matter of the survival of the Empire, but rather, it concerned the survival of the entire human race ― even demi-humans.
Jircniv’s eyes followed the carpet forward.
Before them was a set of stairs, and around it were assembled people that Jircniv surmised were Ainz’ aides. A beautiful silver-haired girl. A bluish-white monster that looked like an upright insect.
A toad-like man in a suit. The twins from before ― here Jircniv felt some relief. If it turned out that the ones who wiped out his royal guards in a few seconds were mere foot soldiers, that would hardly be a laughing matter.
Above them, upon those stairs, was a beautiful winged woman, and just behind her―
“That is…”
Upon a crystal throne sat the personification of death. It had a strange-looking staff in hand.
It was a monster with a skull for a head.
It was like a being that had been formed from concentrating darkness into a single point.
It was Ainz Ooal Gown.
A magnificent crown sat upon his head, and his body was cloaked in a luxurious sable robe. Rings glittered brightly on his fingers. Even from such a distance, Jircniv could clearly tell that the exquisite accessories which Ainz wore were beyond the skills of his Empire’s artisans.
Blood-red points of light glowed within the empty eye sockets of Ainz Ooal Gown’s skull. As they swept over Jircniv’ and his contingent, it felt as if they were tasting him.
He was shocked by the fact that Ainz was not human, and at the same time he was relieved.
It was because Ainz was not human that Jircniv could honestly accept that Ainz was a superior being that was far out of his league.
“Hu…”
Jircniv exhaled quietly.
It was a sign of his resolve.
The door had been opened, but it had not been opened for long. It was certainly not long enough for anyone to comment on their inactivity. Still, they could not wait out here forever. And so, Jircniv took a step forward.