“Then shall we go, Climb?”
"...Yes! Right away.”
Climb commanded his group to start moving. Group leader Climb, deputy leader Brain Unglaus, four former orichalcum ranked adventurers, 20 soldiers from Marquis Raeven’s household troops, as well as several high class clerics that Marquis Raeven knew and people that Magician’s Guild secretly lent out came to total of 32. In the dark of night, they departed silently.
Part 4
Lower Fire Month (9th Month), 4th, 20:31
“For him to send this kind of force… I must thank Ainz-sama properly.”
It was Sebas’ first words after looking at around those gathered in the mansion. With Demiurge as their leader, the Floor Guardians Shalltear and Mare, as well as Pleiades’ Solution and Entoma were present. There were also several of Demiurge’s high level subordinates, the Evil Lords. It was a truly powerful force. One may even say it was overkill.
“Especially for Guardians who compete for first place in strength to come…”
“As per Ainz-sama’s orders, I, Demiurge will take command… Is there an objection, Sebas?”
“Of course not.”
“Then I shall get this out of the way so there is no misunderstanding between us. Ainz-sama did order us to rescue Tsuare, but the reason we have committed such strength is to punish these ignorant Eight Fingers who committed a grave sin against the Supreme Being.”
“I know that very well. Rescuing Tsuare is only a secondary objective.”
“That is correct. I doubt this Tsuare has resistance against revival magic, so the only reason I will try to rescue her alive is due to your suggestion.”
It was not a pleasant tone.
“Even so, if she’s already dead, there will a bit of a problem in finding her. If I was the enemy, I would throw her chopped off head at the idiots that come wandering in.”
“I thought you were more likely to show them a scene of you torturing the hostage as an example, Demiurge.”
“A very logical conclusion. To tie up the would-be rescuers and torture the hostage in front of their very eyes… Just imagining it makes my heart race.”
“And what exactly is it that would make your heart race?”
Sebas hid his anger underneath his smile. Though, if it’s Demiurge, he would see through the smile. It was a thin act before him.
“All of it, Sebas. All of it.”
Demiurge’s slit-like pupils emitted a cold gaze.
“Of course, if it was me, I would even scheme for the rescuer to escape with the hostage, and the moment they believe they have escaped, I would turn the tables around. The greater their hope, the greater their despair.”
“That sounds like fun. If we get an opportunity, I would like to try that out as well.”
“B-but if they really escape, w-wouldn’t it be dangerous?”
Demiurge and Shalltear laughed.
“Mare, that was a funny joke you made. Of course we would ensure they can’t actually get away. Well, if they ever do, they would deserve praise.”
“Demiurge, did you already obtain the necessary information to destroy the Eight Fingers?”
“Of course, Sebas. I have all the necessary information.”
Sebas was honestly surprised. The time Demiurge had spent in the capital was extremely short, but for him to have gathered information this fast... Sebas did not want to imagine what kind of method Demiurge used. The only thing he was certain about was that if Demiurge was acting on the Master’s orders, he would not mess around.
“Now about the locations, there are quite a few, but all that remains is to attack them. If possible, try to capture those who looks like they have useful information, and make sure to remind these Eight Fingers of their wrongdoing—”
Demiurge suddenly stopped, glancing at Sebas before he continued.
“—That they dared to sully the most graceful and magnificent name of Ainz Ooal Gown. If we want to pay them back proportionally to the insult they have done to us, we will need to extract more information as well. Any objections?”
“N, no!”
“They need to pay for their rudeness toward Ainz-sama with death.”
“Of course, there’s no objection.”
The two Guardians and the butler replied. The Pleiades and the Evil Lords simply bowed without saying a word.
“Good, then Sebas. Can you tell me of the location they called you out to? I need to confirm if it’s one of the locations I have learned of.”
When Sebas spoke the address, Demiurge smiled.
“Should I be happy that it’s a match or be saddened that there is one less place to attack. It is one of the places I’ve scouted out. I shall leave that place to you.”
“Thank you. But there is a chance she may be injured. I wish to bring someone who can use healing magic.”
“To save her is the wish of Ainz-sama as well… Solution, since you have superior detection abilities, I wanted to leave you as a reserve, but can you support Sebas?”
“As you command, Demiurge-sama.”
“But, Demiurge, about the humans inside that building who kidnapped Tsuare…”
“If you leave any of the scum that tried to trample on Ainz-sama’s words alive, I’ll kill you myself this time.”
“No need to worry Demiurge. I will exterminate them.”
“I wanted to say this for a long time… can’t you two be more friendly with each other?”
Sebas could see Demiurge making an ambiguous expression from the corner of his eyes. He imagined that he probably made a similar expression. The more he thought about why he didn’t like Demiurge so much, the stranger it became. He was perfectly fine with Shalltear, who shared similar hobbies with Demiurge, but Demiurge annoyed him whenever they talked to each other. Even so, to quarrel with Demiurge right before the mission would be like spitting on the kindness of the Supreme Beings. Sebas deeply apologized to his master inside his heart and bowed towards Demiurge.
“I apologize for showing you rudeness even though you came to correct my mistakes.”
“...Well, it doesn’t matter. For now… Is it going to be alright for you to evacuate Tsuare immediately to Nazarick after you rescue her?”