But then—
“Hey, hey, what nonsense is this kid babbling?”
“Yes. Taking on this work was a group decision. This isn’t your fault. Don’t you think we’d still have taken it even without your personal problem?”
“That’s how it is, so there’s no need to be worried.”
Hekkeran and Roberdyck smiled as they spoke, and Imina patted Arche’s head.
“Well then, although planning is hopeless at this stage, we should still have a discussion. Arche, can you identify that undead?”
“—Seeing that it seems intelligent, perhaps it’s an upper-class skeleton-type?”
The skeleton in question, Ainz, waved his hand before them. The movement looked as if he was wiping something.
The sounds disappeared. In an instant, the golems’ movements stopped, and once more they were subjected to the almost deafening silence. Hekkeran bowed sincerely to Ainz, who was slowly turning to face them.
“Firstly I would like to apologise, Ainz Ooal…dono.”
“…Ainz Ooal Gown.”
“My apologies. Ainz Ooal Gown-dono.”
Ainz stopped and raised his chin, as if he were waiting for an inferior to continue.
“We wish to apologize for entering your tomb without permission. If you can find it in your heart to forgive us, we will gladly offer the appropriate compensation to atone for our transgressions."
Time passed in silence. Then Ainz sighed. Of course, as one of the undead, Ainz had no need to breathe. But he did so in order to get his message across.
“Is that how you do things where you come from? After someone else eats in your home and leaves waste behind which sprouts maggots, would you actually show him more mercy than a swift death?”
“Humans are not maggots!”
“They are the same. At least, they are to me. Or, not—perhaps humans are even lower than them. If a maggot is born, the fault lies with the fly. You, however, are different. You were not forced along, nor did you have any particularly compelling reason to come here, but purely for the sake of greed, you attacked a tomb which might have had people living in it, with the intention of plundering its treasures!”
Ainz’s laughter echoed through the coliseum.
“Ah, do not take it to heart. I am not blaming you. It is only natural for the strong to dominate the weak. I have done it myself and I do not consider myself an exception from this rule. It was precisely because there might be someone stronger than me that I was on guard… Now then, the time for idle banter is over. In accordance with the principle of the strong feeding upon the weak, I shall claim one thing from you.”
“No, actually, there’s a—”
“Silence!” Ainz declared in a voice which allowed no interruption. “Do not upset me with your lies! Now then, you shall pay for your foolish mistake with your life.”
“What if we had permission?”
Ainz froze. Apparently, that had gotten through to him.
Hekkeran was surprised that a single sentence could have had such a great effect, but of course he did not let it show on his face. Just when all seemed lost, a ray of hope had shone through the darkness. Clearly, he had to seize it.
“…Nonsense.”
It was a still, small voice, almost on the verge of fading away.
“Utter nonsense, it’s nothing but a bluff. What do you gain from angering me?”
His unease was spreading, and even the dark elf boy beside him was starting to look uncomfortable. When he turned to look at the last person, goosebumps broke out all over Hekkeran’s body.
The beauty behind them was still smiling. But she radiated a murderous intent that beaded Hekkeran’s brow with sweat.
“And what if it was true?”
“…No… no… it’s impossible. Absolutely impossible. You should all be offerings dancing in the palm of my hand…”
Ainz shook his head and fixed Hekkeran with a gaze that seemed to bore right through him.
“But… however… I… yes, that’s right, just in case, I will hear you out… who gave you this permission?”
“Don’t you know him?”
“Him…?”
“He didn’t leave his name, but he was a pretty big monster.”
Hekkeran desperately thought on where the safety lines to evade danger were hiding.
It was a question that only a person paralyzed by indecision would ask, because only by asking could a person know what was true or false.
It was a purely human attitude, Hekkeran thought. It wasn’t the reaction of a monster, but of a coward. This was a good chance.
“Tell me what you saw.”
“…He was very very very big…”
“Very very…”
As Ainz descended into another round of introspection, Hekkeran reflected that they had avoided danger yet again, and breathed an internal sigh of relief. He gestured to his colleagues with small movements of his fingers, telling them to find an exit. Ainz would not act without confirming the truth or falsehood of Hekkeran’s words. This was all the time they had to think of how to get out of here.
“Did he say anything?”
Who knows, someone might have used a charm or dominate spell or some other special ability…
“Before that, I hope that you can guarantee our safety.”
“What? …If you have indeed gained the permission of one of my friends, then your safety is assured. Do not be afraid.”
A new word—friend.
Hekkeran analyzed the information he had just obtained. From the events of the negotiation, he had learned that Ainz Ooal Gown had friends, which he was currently not in contact with.
The secret of trickery was to expose the information your mark wanted, and then force him into a mistake.
“…Well? Why so quiet? Then let me hear what the person you met said to you.”
Up to now, the deception had worked. Then, this would be the next time. His palms sweated profusely.
“He said to give his regards to Ainz in the Great Tomb of Nazarick.”
“…Ainz?”
His fidgeting suddenly stopped. Hekkeran noticed, and an “oh crap” expression spread across his face.
“…He said, to give his regards to Ainz?”