For an instant, Solution fell silent. That time was born from her thinking of her loyalty to Sebas, considering the possibility that it was all her misunderstanding. However, her loyalty to Ainz was stronger than everything.
And although they were to always act in the interests of Nazarick, of the 41 Supreme Beings, it could be said that Sebas’ current situation ignored this creed.
For this reason, she opened her mouth to hear the judgment of her master.
“There is a chance that Sebas-sama has betrayed us.”
『Huh? …Ehhhh?! …Wait, no way… Hrrmph… enough with your jokes, Solution. To utter such words without proof is inexcusable… …. You have proof? 』
“Yes. Although it is not enough to be called proof—.”
Chapter 4. Congregated Men.
Translator: Sene9ty
Editors/Proofreaders: Ferro, TaintedDream, Namorax, Skythewood, SifaV6, Storm Loki
Part 1
Lower Fire Month (9th Month), Day 3, 4:01
As soon as he entered Gazef’s residence, the fatigue that had built up in his body hit him all at once and Brain spent almost the entire day asleep. When he awoke, he ate a light meal and again, fell back into sleep.
Although he didn’t want to admit it, the reason he could get this much rest in Gazef’s home was because of the sense of security. Even if he knew that Gazef would be no match for Shalltear, his old enemy’s home, which he considered to be the safest place in the world, gave Brain peace of mind and allowed him to rest.
The light shining through the shutters fell on Brain’s face. The sunlight seeped into his eyelids and woke him from his deep, dreamless slumber.
He opened his eyes and closed them again due to the blinding sunlight, blocking a sliver with his hand.
Brain sat up and scanned his surroundings like a mouse. The simple room contained only the bare necessities. His equipment was lying in a corner of the room.
“This is the guestroom of the Kingdom’s Warrior Captain?”
With a sigh of relief, Brain spoke with sarcasm as he stretched. With a cracking noise, his stiff body loosened as his blood circulation returned.
He let out a large yawn.
“…That guy probably lets his soldiers sleep here from time to time. Won’t they be disappointed with a house like this?”
The reason the nobles lived extravagant lives wasn’t solely due to their love of luxury. It was to show off and keep up appearances.
Likewise, if their leader was surrounded in luxurious furnishings, it would stoke the ambitions of the soldiers and make them work harder.
“…No, that’s just pointless meddling.”
Brain muttered and snorted back a laugh, not at Gazef, but at himself.
For it was now the second time that his heart found comfort after a shock large enough to drive him to despair. It must be, since he had the peace of mind for such trivial thoughts.
Brain thought of the appearance of that powerful monster and could not stop his hands from trembling.
“As expected…”
He could not shed the terror in his heart.
Shalltear Bloodfallen.
Brain Unglaus, a man who gave his all to the sword, could not even reach her feet. She was an existence of absolute strength, a monster among monsters with an appearance as if all the beauty of this world was concentrated in one place. She was a being that possessed true power.
Just imagining it felt as if terror was piercing his entire body.
Ensnared by the fear of that monster chasing him, he fled all the way to the capital with almost no sleep or rest. The fear of Shalltear appearing before him while he slept, of her clawing through the darkness as he ran on the road... he was dominated by that uneasiness and moved without getting a decent night of sleep.
Although the reason he fled to the capital was because he hoped that a place with many people would allow him to hide amongst them, even he himself did not expect that the terrifying ordeal of his escape would exhaust his mind to the point where he would seek his own death.
It could also be said that his meeting with Gazef was also outside of his expectations. Perhaps the small hope that Gazef would be able to do something for him caused Brain to subconsciously turn his feet in his direction. The answer was unknown.
“What am I to do now…”
There was nothing.
In his open hand, there was nothing.
He turned his eyes to his equipment resting in the corner of the room.
The katana that he obtained to defeat Gazef Stronoff, but what good would it do even if he were to beat him? With the knowledge of an existence that was tremendously more powerful than he, what meaning was there in their insignificant bickering?
“Maybe I should work the fields… at least that might still mean something.”
As he laughed bitterly at himself, Brain felt someone’s presence standing outside the door.
“Unglaus, I see you’re awake.”
The voice belonged to the master of the house.
“Yeah, I’m up, Stronoff.”
The door opened and Gazef stepped inside. He was securely wearing his equipment.
“You were sleeping quite well. I was surprised.”
“Yeah, thanks to you. Sorry.”
“Don’t mind it. But I must now be off for the palace. Tell me what happened to you when I return.”
“…It’s a gruesome story. You might end up like me.”
“Still, I have to hear it. Perhaps a drink will make it easier to listen… Until then, treat this as your own home and make yourself comfortable. For meals or anything else you may need, ask the house servants and it will be prepared. And if you wish to go into the city… do you have money?”
“…I don’t… but if need be I’ll just sell the item on my hand.”
Brain lifted his hand wearing the ring to better show Gazef.
“Are you fine with that? It looks quite expensive.”
“Whatever.”
Originally, this item was also something he obtained in order to defeat Gazef. Now that he realized that it was for naught, would there be any reason to treasure it?