Chapter 340: 338 Leaving Yelandir
Shalltear was defeated.
By the time this result emerged, Ainz and Shalltear had been fighting for nearly half a day, right until the sun was about to set.
The battle itself could be described as a rollercoaster, filled with numerous reverses, but Ainz still had the last laugh. Using Magic Power items and the weapons left by his former companions, he successfully eliminated Shalltear.
"Ah, I’m exhausted..."
An utterly drained Ainz then headed over to meet with Albedo and others, unable to resist uttering these words in front of them.
"Congratulations, Lord Ainz."
"It was truly spectacular."
"Worthy of the Supreme Sovereign indeed."
Albedo, Demiurge, and Cocytus approached to meet him, each displaying a face filled with relief.
For them, Ainz’s victory was naturally the best outcome.
Hence, the three felt reassured and simultaneously looked at Ainz with admiration, making his spine itch.
"Don’t look at me like that. This result was to be expected," Ainz said, not sure if he was being modest or exaggerating, before asking, "So, where did Reiger Brillhaut go?"
"He already left," Demiurge replied respectfully. "And he left quite early on."
"Oh?" Ainz’s eyes twinkled slightly as he asked, "He didn’t see the end?"
"No," Cocytus responded with a gravely voice. "He predicted Lord Ainz’s victory and then left on his own."
"Is that so?" Ainz nodded his head, dropping the matter of Reiger.
But while he dropped it, Albedo was keen to bring it up.
"Please forgive my boldness, but why does Lord Ainz allow that human to wander around us at will?" Albedo spoke as though she couldn’t keep it in any longer. "I understand that Lord Ainz does not want to act without thoroughly investigating the other party first, but from that human’s attitude, it’s clear he lacks respect for us of Nasalik."
"At this rate, I do not believe that the human will continue to coexist peacefully with us of Nasalik."
"That human, that man, will eventually become our enemy, I believe so," Albedo continued.
Her words earned agreement from Demiurge.
"I feel the same, actually. That human is not our kind, and conflict with us is inevitable," Demiurge recollected Reiger’s behavior until now, adjusted his glasses, and added. "No, from the human’s behavior so far, it appears he’s even tempted to test our abilities."
From Reiger’s attitude, Albedo and Demiurge both sensed a dangerous omen.
Therefore, among those in Nasalik, it was these two who harbored the greatest hostility toward Reiger—they could hardly wait to eliminate him.
"I think we should deploy the Guardians to encircle that human and dismantle this ticking bomb as soon as possible."
"That human might be strong, but as long as about three Guardians are mobilized like today’s lineup, we should be able to bring him down smoothly, right?"
"With Lord Ainz’s permission, I could return now to rally the troops and set an ambush for him."
"Aura and Mare are also nearby, so perhaps it would be better if we five were to mobilize, ensuring it is absolutely foolproof."
Albedo and Demiurge took turns advising Ainz, prompting him to stroke his chin.
"Cocytus," Ainz addressed him, asking, "What do you think?"
"Me?" Cocytus hesitated slightly, replying, "I will follow Lord Ainz’s decision."
"That’s not what I asked," Ainz waved his hand and continued, "I’m asking what kind of person you think Reiger Brillhaut is?"
This question truly stumped Cocytus.
He lacked the exceptional wisdom possessed by Albedo and Demiurge.
In the Nasalik Underground Tomb, Albedo and Demiurge were always responsible for mobilizing troops and strategy, making them tactically oriented characters, who would propose many suggestions to Ainz.
However, Cocytus was purely a warrior, purely a combatant, and not adept at handling complex matters.
In such a situation, Ainz’s sudden query left Cocytus momentarily unable to answer properly.
Thus, Cocytus could only respond from his own perspective.
"I don’t know if that human will pose a threat to Nasalik, but I agree with the sentiment that he is dangerous," Cocytus spoke gravely. "I can feel his strength, an extraordinary strength, even though he has somehow completely concealed his aura, my instincts still shout at me, urging me not to approach him carelessly."
"...Is that so?" Ainz fell silent for a moment, murmuring, "You rate him so highly?"
"It’s only a feeling," Cocytus said. "But I trust this feeling."
"Alright," Ainz pondered for a moment then declared, "For now, let us continue as is, and not meddle with Reiger Brillhaut unnecessarily."
Upon hearing this, Albedo and Demiurge seemed to want to say something more, but Ainz stopped them.
"I understand your thoughts, and I’m pleased that you’re thinking about safety, but currently, we know too little about Reiger Brillhaut. Acting rashly might trigger some unwanted chain reactions."
"Not to mention in PVP, the key often lies in intelligence. The side with more information and intelligence usually has a higher chance of winning. Considering he knows so much about this world’s secrets, whether there’s a large organization backing him and providing him with intelligence, we just don’t know."
"If we make a move against him, it’s very likely that we may invoke some unknown forces of this world, which would put Nasalik in a passive position," Ainz explained his thoughts to the group.
"Now is not yet the time to act against him."
Ainz’s words led the group to exchange looks and they reluctantly nodded.
Albedo and Demiurge, knowing they could not act against Reiger yet, visibly struggled with their impatience.
"Let’s do this," Ainz, seeing this, shifted his tone and said, "Albedo, Demiurge, after you return, start forming a special operations unit and dispatch them to gather information on Reiger Brillhaut."
"I can no longer keep watch on him myself; his senses are too sharp, making it unsuitable to send someone to provoke him directly, but we can investigate him from other directions."
"This way, we may obtain some unexpected gains and discover clues to strategize against Reiger Brillhaut."
"When that time comes..."
Ainz didn’t continue, but the meaning in his words was clear to everyone present.
"Yes, Lord Ainz."
"Once we return, we will immediately start preparing."
With this directive, the dissatisfaction on Albedo’s and Demiurge’s faces slightly eased.
"Let us go back," Ainz turned around and said, "Are the preparations for reviving Shalltear complete?"
"Yes," replied Albedo immediately. "All the necessary resources have been assembled and are located in the throne room, ready to initiate the resurrection at any moment."
Typically, resurrection does not require the expenditure of resources.
Regardless of the type of resurrection magic used, the only cost involved in resurrection is a significant drop in level, with no second price to pay.
However, Shalltear is no ordinary person but a Guardian of the Nasalik Underground Tomb, an NPC designed with guild privileges.
If she is resurrected by using a certain amount of Gold Coins within the guild’s headquarters, she can avoid the reduction in level and maintain her strength as before her death.
Right before preparing to face Shalltear alone, Ainz had given the command to the Guardians of Nasalik to prepare the Gold Coins needed for her resurrection.
"Very well," Ainz’s tone became lighter, "Then let’s return and revive Shalltear."
"Yes."
The three Guardians all nodded and followed Ainz out of the forest.
......
Yarant.
Within a room at the Golden Shining Pavilion, which was under renovation, Reiger, having had ample rest, emerged.
First, he checked out with the staff, and then headed to the adventurer guild empty-handed.
At the guild, not only did he meet the guild leader but he also received some intelligence.
According to the guild leader, Reiger’s battle in the Golden Shining Pavilion was already deemed justified, and he need not worry about being wanted by the city.
The incident at the tomb was still under investigation, and it was said that Kajit’s body had been moved for examination.
Regarding the northern forest, the guild leader noted that several professional adventurers had been dispatched to survey the area repeatedly, but none had returned.
Therefore, the guild leader decided to gather manpower, first build a defensive line within Yarant, and then seek further help from higher-level adventurers, Mountain Copper or even Fine Steel, to address the situation in the northern forest.
For this, the guild leader also extended an invitation to Reiger to join the mission.
However, Reiger, without hesitation, directly refused.
Not for any particular reason.
Reiger had already prepared to leave Yarant.
"So, where should I visit next?"
Stepping out of the guild, and even Yarant itself, Reiger continued walking down the road, pondering about it.
Soon after, Reiger turned his gaze toward the direction of the mountain range.
"First, let’s wander around that area; I remember there being many powerful creatures inhabiting it."
"After exploring the mountain range, going to the empire might be good."
"And the theocracy, I could visit there too if time allows."
Making a preliminary decision, Reiger suddenly smiled.
"[Fly]."
A pale blue Magic Power light appeared, lifting him into the air and toward the distant horizon.