The sound of muscle tensing erupted. It came from Zaryusu’s right arm, his clenched fist. He was gathering all the strength he had left in it right now.
“Impossible—! How can you still move! You monster—!”
The scene of Zaryusu still moving despite all that was incredulous.
Heated emotion appeared in Iguvua’s mind, but he suppressed it.
He was Iguvua, the field commander of Great Tomb of Nazarick's army. And more importantly, he was an undead created by the great king of death— Ainz Ooal Gown.
He cannot permit his powerful self to lose this fight—
“Die—!”
“It’s over you monster!”
Zaryusu was a step faster.
That’s right, his strike with all his might was an instant faster than Iguvua’s injection of negative energy—
The tightly clenched fist hit the hilt of Frost Pain—
Zaryusu’s fist bled. After taking such a heavy blow, Frost Pain that was lodged into the left eye pierced all the way through Iguvua’s brain.
“Oooowwwwww!!”
Iguvua was an undead that couldn’t feel pain, but— he could still feel his negative life dissipating.
“This… this… impossible… Ainz… sama…”
Iguvua’s eyes reflected his understanding of what failure was. When Zaryusu’s body fell like a puppet with its strings cut, a huge splash could be heard—
“… Please… Please… Forgive… me…”
Iguvua’s body fell as he apologized to his master.
The room was silent. The scene reflected in the mirror was unbelievable and no one said a word. Except for the maid— Entoma.
“Cocytus-sama, Ainz-sama has summoned you.”
“— Understood.”
Cocytus who had lowered his head turned slowly to face Entoma.
Basked in the worried gaze of his subordinate, he gritted his teeth in shame.
At the same time, he wanted to compliment the lizardmen.
A magnificent battle.
They turned the impossible possible and achieved a turnabout victory. The Lich did have some lapses, but it was more than capable of winning the battle despite that.
“… Spectacular. Absolutely spectacular.”
Cocytus kept repeating this phrase which reflected how he actually felt.
The lizardmen overcame this huge obstacle.
“… A pity.”
Cocytus sighed as he watched the lizardmen cheering and dancing in celebration.
The warriors reflected in the mirror might be weak, but it stimulated Cocytus’ fighting spirit.
“Ah… What a pity…”
Cocytus hesitated. He picked the worse scenario he could think of, thought about it and made his conclusion.
“— Let us be off.”
Part 6
Zaryusu felt his body being lifted out from the darkness, it was really comfortable.
Opening his eyes, a blurry world greeted him, similar to the one he sees whenever he wakes up.
Where am I? Why am I sleeping here?
He had many questions, and at the same time realized a weight pressing down on him.
— White.
Zaryusu stared at that white colour, that was the first word that came to mind in his sleepy mind. As he became more wake away, he understood what that was.
That was Crusch. She was sleeping on top of him.
“Ah…”
I survived.
Zaryusu felt relieved and almost said that out loud, but held it in. He couldn’t bear waking Crusch who was still sleeping, suppressing his urge to touch her. Even though her scales were beautiful, he couldn’t caress the scales of a female lizardman so thoughtlessly.
Zaryusu pushed the thought of Crusch out of his mind and thought about other things.
There were many things he needed to consider.
First of all, why was he here.
Searching his memory, he tried recalling what happened. After seeing the destruction of Iguvua, his consciousness was cut off. He wasn’t captured and was still lying here, meaning his tribe probably won the war.
To avoid waking Crusch, Zaryusu sighed softly. He felt the burden he shouldered recently lightened. But thinking over it calmly, there were still some worries. They still didn’t know about the enemy or what their goal was, there was a high chance their foes will strike again… No, they will definitely do so.
He allowed his mind to rest. Zaryusu felt the warmth from Crusch’s body and sighed again.
After this, Zaryusu lightly moved his body. His entire body could move with no problems. He thought he might be maimed, but luckily he was fine.
Zaryusu remembered his brothers in arms. Aside from Crusch, there was nobody else here. What happened to Zenberu? He was uneasy, but was quite sure a powerful lizardman like Zenberu would be fine.
Crusch seemed to be waken by Zaryusu’s movement and stirred, as if a soul had been injected into her supple body. She should be waking soon.
“Hmm…”
Crusch made a cute sound and moved her dazed eyes to look around her. Shortly after, she noticed Zaryusu under her and smiled happily.
“Muu—”
Crusch who was still half asleep hugged Zaryusu and grinded against him. Just like an animal wanting to leave her scent behind.
Zaryusu stiffened, allowing Crusch to grind as she pleased. An evil thought ‘I didn’t do anything’ surfaced from a corner of his mind.
The white and smooth scales were smooth and comfortable, emitting an alluring fragrance of herbs.
It should be fine to hug her back right?
When he couldn’t stand it any longer, Crusch’s eyes focused and looked at Zaryusu right in the eye.
— And froze instantly.
Facing Crusch who didn’t move while hugging him, Zaryusu wondered what he should say. In the end, he chose something he thought would not be a problem.
“— Can I hug you too?”
It only seemed okay because his heated passion got into his head.
Crusch made an intimidating cry and her tail thrashed around. She then rolled away from Zaryusu until she hit the wall.
He could hear Crusch who was lying prone saying ‘Stupid, stupid, I am stupid’.
“… Well, I am glad you are safe, Crusch.”
These words allowed Crusch to regain her composure— but her tail still kept on thrashing about— Lifting her head, she smiled at Zaryusu.
“You too, it’s great that you are fine.”
Seeing Crusch’s gentle face, Zaryusu had lewd thoughts, but suppressed it and asked a proper question.
“Do you know what happened after I blacked out?”
“Yeah, more or less. After you defeated Iguvua, the enemy retreated. Your brother also defeated the monsters and saved the three of us… That was yesterday.”
“Zenberu isn’t here…”
“He is fine. He had stronger recovery speed than you and regained consciousness after receiving healing spells. He should be settling the aftermath of the battle. I seemed to have blacked out from exhaustion after hearing all that…”
Crusch got up and sat down beside Zaryusu. Zaryusu wanted to get up too, but Crusch stopped him.
“Don’t push yourself, you have the most serious injuries out of us all.”
She was probably recalling the scene that time as her voice grew softer.
“It’s great that you are okay, really great…”
Zaryusu caressed Crusch who was looking down and consoled her.
“I will not die before hearing your answer. I am worried about you too.”
Answer. This term stopped their movements.
They didn’t say anything as the room fell into darkness, and their heartbeat almost seemed to be audible.
Crusch moved her tail slowly, tangling Zaryusu’s tail. The black and white tail entangling together looked just like two snakes mating.