Maruyama Kugane: The Invaders of the Large Tomb

Ainz couldn’t help but feel a little distressed after hearing Albedo’s words overflowing with emotions while seeing Entoma’s eyes shining, filled with respect.

“…Umu. Well, ahem… This was just my personal view; it is not something that I had wished to force onto you guys. But from the looks of things… think of it as a form of etiquette to not waste anything.”

“Understood. In that case, we should also make better use of the others!”

Watching the two of them bow, Ainz couldn’t help but feel that somewhere, somehow, something had gone wrong, and replied with an “umu”.

Part 4

The ministry of magic had several conference rooms which served as reception rooms, and Fluder was currently headed towards the one that was the most luxuriously decorated. It was the room used only when the Emperor, or those second to him, had arrived.

Before entering, Fluder checked his outfit.

The robes he wore could be considered a first grade clothing suitable even for the grand banquets hosted by the Emperor, and the perfume on his neck and sleeves had a nice fragrance as well.

Originally, Fluder did not concern himself with political or social issues. Rather, in order to concentrate on magic research, he considered everything else to be trivial in comparison. However, due to his position, he still had to maintain awareness of these things.

His own accomplishments were related to the prestige of the Empire, although this was not done intentionally.

Good, no problems.

After confirming to himself that his clothes were flawless, he knocked on the door and entered.

There were two adventurers in this luxurious room. One was a warrior clad in jet black armour, reminding him of the Death Knight he had been staring at not long ago, and at his side was a woman whose beauty caused even Fluder to be taken aback for a moment.

So this is Momon of ‘Darkness’ and the ‘Beautiful Princess’ Nabe.

“I am extremely sorry for having you wait for so long.”

Fluder gently closed the door, then felt a sense of discomfort.

…How strange…

He stood in front of the door, staring at the peerless beauty.

“…I can’t see it?”

Fluder’s eyes should have been able to see the amount of magical talent one possessed, but he accidently voiced his surprise since he was unable to do so.

Fluder had a natural talent to determine the tier of magic one was capable of, just by observing the aura given off by a magic caster.

Despite having heard that the ‘Beautiful Princess’ Nabe from ‘Darkness’ was an arcane magic caster, Fluder’s innate ability was unable to see any aura around her

An anti-detection spell?

This was the only conclusion he could draw, but that raised another question. Why would someone protect themselves from being investigated? Ordinary adventurers would not need to use this. It was difficult to discern one’s strength, and as a result, few people would bother taking precautions against such situations. Besides, it was rude to be casting this kind of defensive magic while meeting with someone.

Well, I was also quite rude myself for using a detection ability on them… But why did they try tohide their power level?

Fluder’s talent was quite well known, so was it a countermeasure against him? He couldn't reach any conclusions.

Addressing Fluder, who was still surprised, Momon spoke.

“Excuse me, is something wrong?”

“Hohoho, sorry for being rude.”

Fluder sat in front of Momon, but he could not take his eyes off Nabe who stood at Momon’s side.

“Ah I see, so this is what’s going on, well then let’s begin.”

Begin what? However, before Fluder had any chance to ask, Momon continued talking.

“...Nabe, I think it’s about time to remove the ring.”

Nabe took off her ring, and in that instant—

Fluder felt as if he had been hit by a storm.

“What!”

He exclaimed without thinking.

Nabe radiated an overwhelming power.

This overflowing storm of pressure did not really exist. Only Fluder and others with similar abilities would feel the torrent of power washing over him.

His body shook violently, as if he was exposed to the icy north wind.

“Im-Impossible…”

Impossible. How could it be possible? How was it possible for someone stronger than himself to exist?

But, even if he tried to deny it, what appeared before his eyes was still reality. Up until this point, his ability to perceive a magic caster’s tier had never failed him.

“7th tier... No, with the huge amount of energy pouring out, could it be... proof of the 8th tier…?”

If that was the truth, then it bordered on the realm of legends.

Fluder was already unable to speak. The 5th tier was already in the realm of heroes, and the 6th tier that Fluder had reached was a realm that nobody had ever attained before. However, someone who had easily attained the higher tiers had suddenly appeared before him.

And it was a young and beautiful woman.

Does her age not correspond with her appearance?

While Fluder was still trembling in shock, he caught sight of Momon taking off his black gauntlet, then removing one of the rings he was wearing.

“——— ！ ”

In that instant, the world was dyed in bright light, and Fluder felt his consciousness fading.

What happened in front of his eyes was unexplainable. Even Fluder, who had lived for over two hundred years, someone who had reached the highest peak of magic attainable for humans, could not understand what was going on.

“What... what... how is this possible?”

Fluder felt something warm flow down his cheeks, but he did not bother wiping it off—or rather, he no longer had the strength to do so. The shock had caused his emotions to descend into chaos.

Who could have seen this coming? The person praised as the Dark Hero was in fact an arcane magic caster who had attained a level that Fluder could never reach.

“If that is the 8th tier, no the 9th tier… No! ……… What….. hoooo, god!”

The overwhelming energy released by the dark warrior Momon easily surpassed that of Nabe beside him. If he could surpass Nabe, who was presumably in the 8th tier, then what were the heights of magic that Momon could aspire to?

Fluder answered the question in his mind with his soul.

The 10th tier. Although it did exist in legends, there had never been anyone who could provide absolute proof of its existence. Someone who was in a position to do so had deigned to appear before him.

Fluder, who was standing before, knelt before Momon with tears flowing from his eyes as he spoke.

“……My faith lies in the god that rules and presides over magic. But if you are not that exalted being, then I shall immediately recant my faith, for the one true god has finally appeared before me.”

In his haste to prostrate himself before Ainz, Fluder struck his head on the ground. Yet the pain he felt was nothing compared to the joy he felt surging up from the bottom of his heart.

“I know it’s disrespectful, but allow me to kneel here! Please enlighten me with your knowledge! I want to peer into the abyss of magic! Please! Please!”

“...What are you willing to give in exchange for that?”

The voice was as cold as ice. If a hundred people heard it, they would all answer the same, but what Fluder heard was a sweet voice that soothed the heart. Even if he knew that the voice was laced with poison, what of it?

Fluder did not hesitate for a moment, even if it meant giving up his soul in exchange.

“Everything! Yes, I will offer everything to your royal being! The master of the abyss! The supreme being!”