Chapter 405: What to take as compensation?
At this moment, Reiger’s appearance was indescribably wretched.
His clothes had turned into tattered rags that barely covered his modesty.
There were bloodstains all over his body, some of which had turned black and dried, sticking everywhere.
Dust and grit sporadically clung to every corner of his body, darkening his skin.
Reiger looked even more unbearable than a vagrant, perhaps even more miserable than a beggar.
Yet, such a pitiful figure was the center of attention among the aliens who regarded humans as insignificant and life as nothing. None dared to shift their gaze from him, nor did they dare to meet his eyes, subconsciously avoiding Reiger’s line of sight.
This was solely because Reiger’s eyes remained clear and bright amidst his disheveled appearance. Filled with a sharp edge, they resembled an unsheathed sword, piercing through with a gaze that made one’s skin tingle, making it impossible for anyone to look him directly in the eyes.
Especially when flames as fierce as the Sun’s Fire surged around Reiger, all the evil aliens present felt an impulse to flee in terror.
Had it not been for Ainz’s presence, the highest ruler and Supreme Sovereign of the Nasalik Underground Tomb, many of them would have seriously considered whether it would be better to flee immediately.
The fear that Reiger inspired in these aliens who treated humans as lower beings and disregarded life outside the Nasalik Underground Tomb could perhaps only be matched by Reiger himself.
Reiger’s near two-month-long fierce fighting on the eighth floor had sown such authority in the hearts of these aliens who feared nothing but Ainz.
Yet, Reiger acted as if he had noticed none of this. He adjusted his breathing while focusing on Ainz.
"At this point, what else do we have to discuss?"
He spoke in his usual calm and indifferent voice, as if the nearly two months of combat had not made any impression or impact on him.
This increased Ainz’s wariness and fear towards Reiger.
If it weren’t for the need of Nasalik Underground Tomb now, and the need to display the dignity befitting the name "Ainz Ooal Gown" in front of his subordinates, Ainz would probably have appeared very distressed.
Now, Ainz could only suppress his apprehension about Reiger and, relying on the forced calm of an undead, bravely engaged in dialogue with him.
"You’re a smart man. So, I won’t beat around the bush. Let’s get straight to the point," said Ainz, "Withdraw. Continuing this way benefits neither of us."
"Oh?" Reiger responded with a smile that was not quite a smile, "How do you know it doesn’t benefit me?"
"Because, if this continues, you will certainly die," Ainz stated calmly. "Don’t rush to deny my statement. Since you are familiar with ’YGGDRASIL’, you must know about the existence of ’The Twenty,’ right?"
Upon hearing this, Reiger narrowed his eyes again.
He was, of course, aware of the existence of ’The Twenty.’
"Among the only two hundred World-Class Items, they are ranked in the top twenty, the most powerful magic items that disappear after one use... right?"
Reiger confirmed.
"Correct," Ainz nodded and continued, "Even you couldn’t withstand them if you faced a World-Class Item from ’The Twenty,’ could you?"
To this, Reiger did not object.
At least, the ’The Twenty’ World-Class Items were indeed described as possessing terrifying power in the source material.
Reiger then recalled some of the items mentioned in the source material.
An item that could completely erase the target but required the cost of the user also being completely erased - the Slaying Saint Spear.
An item that could exert tremendous power against targets with negative righteousness values, with effects sufficient to cover an entire world - the Light Ring of Good God.
An item that could change some magic systems, with effects also spanning the entire world - ’Five Elements Overcoming’.
An item similar to ’Five Elements Overcoming’ but capable of changing a broader range of magic systems - the Eternal Damnation Snake Ring.
And the item known as the strongest among the World-Class Items, an ordinary staff that could continuously become stronger without limit. Given enough time, the bearer could eventually conquer the whole world on their own - the ’Will of the World’.
These were the World-Class Items referred to as ’The Twenty,’ so powerful that they could be used only once, treasures that no one wanted to easily use up.
Ainz Ooal Gown possessed two of these World-Class Items from ’The Twenty,’ precious treasures that were only permitted to be used when the enemy deployed a World-Class Item of the same level.
Unfortunately, the source material did not mention which two of ’The Twenty’ Ainz Ooal Gown possessed, nor their effects. Otherwise, Reiger would know whether he could handle the two strongest World-Class Items.
But since they belong to the same level as the previously mentioned ’The Twenty,’ the power of these two items was definitely very strong, and couldn’t be treated lightly.
Seeing Reiger fall into contemplation, Ainz felt a surge of spirit and promptly took advantage of the momentum.
"I am very reluctant to use such a precious item against one person, and I believe you also do not wish to be targeted by ’The Twenty’ in a battle, only to meet your demise before you have truly enjoyed the fight," Ainz said.
It was clear from his words that Ainz, through his observations over the past two months, had analyzed part of Reiger’s character.
That was why he said so.
"If we continue like this, the resources of the Nasalik Underground Tomb will be exhausted in this never-ending fierce battle, the mechanisms of the eighth floor will break down completely, you will win the battle, but by then, I will also have no choice but to use ’The Twenty’ against you."
Ainz stared at Reiger and said,
"In the end, we can only end up hurting each other and head towards destruction together."
Ainz didn’t mention that once he used the "Twenty," he would ultimately emerge victorious.
Because at that point, the Nasalik Underground Tomb would definitely collapse due to a lack of resources, unable to continue operating, and its many NPCs and servants would cease to exist as well.
Having lost the Nasalik Underground Tomb, having lost the crystallization of his companions’ painstaking efforts, Ainz felt that even if he survived in the end, he would utterly break down and become a monster without a soul.
Such self-destruction, what difference does it make from mutual destruction?
"This outcome, I believe, is not what you want to see," Ainz said solemnly. "So, let’s negotiate peace."
Upon hearing this, Reiger closed his eyes.
He didn’t reply, as if considering, causing the many disparate beings present to start feeling nervous.
Even the Guardians—those like Shalltear and Albedo, who harbored deep hatred for Reiger—did not oppose Ainz’s proposal but rather looked at Reiger standing opposite them with a complicated expression and feeling quite terrible.
Negotiations were indeed a step the Nasalik Underground Tomb had to take.
However, the thought of this man, who not only had acted recklessly within the Nasalik Underground Tomb created by the Supreme Sovereigns but also had killed many of its people and even slain the esteemed ruler Lord Ainz multiple times, and yet they were unable to exact justice on this primary culprit on the spot and had to negotiate peace with him, indeed caused a significant sense of defeat in the Guardians.
Indeed, Ainz felt the same way.
If possible, he really wanted to execute the offender who had corrupted the Nasalik Underground Tomb, the painstaking legacy of his companions.
But he couldn’t.
The man before him was just too terrifying, even more so than the past invasion of the 1500-player raid team that had entered the Nasalik Underground Tomb, and Ainz truly feared that if he did not negotiate peace, the Nasalik Underground Tomb would be destroyed by his own hands.
Thus, he could only do this.
"Forgive me, I have no other choice."
Ainz silently apologized to his former companions in his heart, then to increase the likelihood of negotiating peace, he continued to speak to Reiger,
"I have already released your companions. It seems they have stayed nearby and haven’t left; you will see them once you go out."
"I can also promise that I won’t do anything excessive to humans as I did last time."
"If that’s not enough, within an acceptable range, I am willing to pay some price to compensate you."
"How about that? That should prove my sincerity, right?"
Upon hearing this, Reiger finally opened his eyes.
"Compensation?" His interest piqued by this last condition, he asked, "I’m curious, what are you prepared to offer as compensation?"
The grievances between the two were not deep-seated, but it was almost unforgivable.
Given this, what was Ainz planning to offer as compensation to make him give up his assault on the Nasalik Underground Tomb?
Reiger was genuinely curious.
Under these circumstances, the next moment, Ainz gave an answer that surprised even Reiger.
"World-class items." Ainz declared boldly, "Just one piece, but I am willing to give it to you as compensation."
When such words came from Ainz’s mouth, not only Reiger, but the NPCs were also shocked.
"Lord Ainz!"
"Impossible!"
"That’s a world-class item!"
Voices like cries of shock came from the likes of Shalltear and Albedo.
Yet Ainz just raised his hand, stopping them.
"I know what I am doing; do not interrupt," Ainz spoke as he halted his subordinates’ vehement opposition then said to Reiger, "How about that? The compensation is substantial, isn’t it?"
Reiger then looked deeply at Ainz.
After a while, Reiger suppressed the raging flames all over his body.
"Since you’ve put it that way, what can I say?" Reiger muttered as if speaking to himself, "After all, my main objective has already been achieved, so stopping here is also fine."
While murmuring so, Reiger turned his attention towards his back.
There, like crimson inscriptions, the Holy Text was flashing on and off at a steady frequency.