“Let’s go.”
Jircniv’s words were quiet enough that only those behind him could hear them. Anyone who saw him would be surprised by how he could speak without opening his mouth. This was not magic, but pure skill. It was a skill that was particularly useful in this sort of setting.
However, Jircniv could not sense anyone responding to his words.
Advancing to Ainz Ooal Gown’s feet meant that they would have to pass between the flanking lines of monsters. Even though he was certain that these frightening foes would not attack them, walking in front of these creatures would still require a great deal of courage.
His judgement that they would not be attacked was not just his one-sided optimism.
The reasons for using a throne room like this were usually to provide a formal setting for official communication, as well as displaying national power. These were facts that anyone would know.
Which meant that the reasons for choosing this place were to display the power of Nazarick, and to show that he had no intent of killing Jircniv and his followers. After all, if Ainz wanted to get rid of them, he could simply have brought them to a slaughterhouse instead.
Jircniv’s underlings should have clearly understood that fact. However, that was not the reason why they remained immobile.
That reason was simply because they did not want to go near Ainz.
Beyond the lines of monsters were Ainz Ooal Gown’s aides. The power of those beings was clearly beyond the reckoning of sane men.
And upon the throne was Ainz Ooal Gown himself.
At great length, Jircniv realised something in the depths of his soul.
He realised that they were standing in the presence of what men would call a god.
Jircniv possessed a magic item that defended against mental attacks, but the pressure he was facing was outside the scope of the item’s protection. If he lost his focus but once, even the man known as the Blood Emperor would be able to do nothing but kneel before Ainz.
Still, it was precisely because of that reason that he had to go.
Just as Jircniv was observing Ainz Ooal Gown, Ainz Ooal Gown was also observing Jircniv. If he disapproved of what he saw, what would happen to the Empire in future? At the very least, he had to let Ainz recognize the value of Jircniv, and by extension, the continued existence of the Empire.
Jircniv laughed at his own naïveté.
What had he been thinking by ‘a war of words’.
I guess this is what it means to regret something. Nothing else matters anymore. All I can hope for is to minimize the damage to the Empire.
“Let’s go!”
Jircniv’s stern command was directed at his subordinates, but more importantly at himself, in order to snap himself back to reality. He could sense his followers looking at him expectantly.
It was a very soft carpet, but to Jircniv right now, it seemed far too light and ephemeral.
He firmly shunted aside the innumerable glares directed at him and moved forward, keeping his eyes fixed on the person that lay before him ― Ainz Ooal Gown. His instincts were telling him that if he averted his gaze for a moment, he would no longer be able to move.
Jircniv was not an excellent warrior or anything like that, but the reason why he could move forward at the head of his men where his royal guard feared to tread was because of the mental fortitude that had been bred into him as an Emperor.
At last, he reached the base of the steps, in front of Ainz’ close aides.
“Ainz-sama, this is the ruler of the Baharuth Empire, Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix, for your viewing pleasure.”
The sweet voice came from the winged woman standing beside the throne. Her dulcet tones matched her radiant looks.
In response, the being that was a veritable god of death spoke to Jircniv.
“I am glad you have come, Emperor of the Baharuth Empire. I am the master of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, Ainz Ooal Gown.”
A faint pang of relief ran through Jircniv. His voice was more normal than he expected ― like that of a human being.
If that was the case, reading him from his words might yet be possible.
“I humbly thank you for your most generous welcome, Ainz Ooal Gown-dono.”
One could not read facial expressions from a skull. What sort of greeting would best fit the current situation? Jircniv carefully pondered that question.
However, the one who spoke first was neither Jircniv, nor Ainz.
“Ainz-sama. It is disrespectful for inferior beings such as humans to address yourself as an equal,” a man’s voice said. “「Kneel」.”
Jircniv heard the sound of innumerable metal plates clanking, but he did not need to turn around to know what was going on. His subjects must have knelt in response to the man’s voice. At the same time he could hear the desperate grinding of teeth that came from those who wanted to rise, but could not.
It must have been some sort of powerful mental domination effect.
Had Jircniv not worn the necklace he never took off, he would be kneeling like his men.
Countless gazes affixed themselves on Jircniv, the only one to remain standing. They were cold, clinical stares, as though Jircniv were nothing more than a guinea pig.
“―That’s enough, Demiurge.”
“Understood!”
The toad-like monster called Demiurge bowed respectfully to its master.
“「Releasing control」.”
He could almost see the pressure around them disappear, and he could hear sighs of relief from behind him.
“…Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix, my subordinate has done something rude to a noble guest who has come from far away to visit my domain. The sins of the vassal are those of the liege, and as such I beg your forgiveness. I hope this is a matter which can be resolved with a bowing of the head.”
Commotion and activity rose from the two files of monsters behind them.
Countless feelings danced up in Jircniv’s heart.
He was cautious, because he realized that Ainz was not the type who handled matters solely with brute force. Clearly, he was a cunning person, and had to be watched carefully.
Similarly, he was relieved, because Ainz was not the type who handled matters solely with brute force. At least, he did not seem like someone who would wipe Jircniv out without bothering with negotiations.
Most importantly, he was afraid. He knew without a doubt that Ainz had the complete loyalty of all the monsters present here.
At the same time, Jircniv had the sickening realization that everything that had happened so far had occurred in accordance to Ainz Ooal Gown’s wishes. It was the ominous feeling that everything had taken place just as Ainz had planned.
“There is no need to apologize for that, Gown-dono. It is not uncommon for subordinates to act as they please from time to time. Citizens from our Empire have done the same themselves. That, I must apologize for.”
One of the royal guards who had been released from the domination began moving, and placed an urn beside Jircniv in a worried, panicky manner. Jircniv should have immediately taken it up, but he was delayed by his thoughts.