Overlord (WN) Chapter 86

Chapter 86Various Countries Part 4

Translators: Frostfire10, Skythewood

Editors: Redbaron, Greenfish

　Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix. Inside the office of the Empire’s young Emperor, the man feared as the Blood Emperor, several people lined up and performed their work in silence.

　As they normally would.

 

“Kuhahahaha!”

　That day, a hearty laughter reverberated through the room. Only one person could laugh like that in this room. The master of the room.

　Hearing Jircniv’s laughter, several people looked at each other.

　They wondered who was going to ask.

　They could roughly guess why Jircniv had burst into laughter. It was not unusual for Jircniv’s emotions to undergo sudden changes. But there was always a [reason] for it.

　However, no one dared to ask for that reason.

　All the people in this room were excellent, crème de la crème in the Empire. However waves had shook the Empire and all were too timid to question the Blood Emperor. If this was related to governance they would. But should this be Jircniv’s personal situation, it might invite his displeasure.

　The last person he looked at was an old man in robes— The Head Imperial Magic Caster, Fluder Paradyne.

　Receiving his gaze, Fluder made a face as to say that it could not be helped and asked the convivial Jircniv.

“Did something happen? My Emperor.”

“Ooh, Jiji.” Jircniv wiped away the tears at the corner of his eyes. “I just received a <message>. It seems that not a single worker has returned.”</message>

　While everyone presented thought that it was nothing to laugh about, Jircniv clearly begged to differ.

“Well well, as expected, the magic caster Ainz Ooal Gown inside the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick is on another level. There is much reason to believe that he is more powerful than Jii. Oh, but we need to confirm that. Oi. I ordered to send in the highest level adventurers, but were workers sent in instead so they could be easily abandoned?”

　In response one of the members from the Ministry of Central Intelligence stepped forward.

“Yes. Workers are different from adventurers, and have—”

“—That much is fine.”

　As it seemed that it would be a long talk, Jircniv raised a hand to stop him.

“Then my next question. Were the hired workers strong?”

“Yes. According to your orders, we have assembled workers that are noteworthy even in the capital. If they were adventurers they would be equivalent to A-Class.”

“Basically they were all destroyed— Ah, maybe welcomed. Is this situation dangerous?”

“Indeed. The destruction of A-Class equivalent workers would affect the public safety of the Empire in the long run.”

　The Empire was patrolled by knights, and they hunted monsters to the extent that human life was not affected, but dangerous monsters were left to adventurers and workers. Thus the loss of well known workers was a headache inducing problem.

“Then think of methods to deal with that.”

“Yes.”

　Several people related to the public safety of the Empire bowed their heads.

“Now, the next thing is that we have to handle Ainz Ooal Gown. Jii, how was the divination?”

“It seems that he has some defensive measures. Not a single scrap of information could be gained.”

“Hou. Did he cover it in metal? Or did he use magical defenses?”

“This is unknown.”

“Hmm…. I just wan

t to ask but did you hold back because of your cute disciples? No way right?”

　The sitting Jircniv asked the standing Fluder. While his face was laughing, his eyes were not. There was only coldness and blackness. Those that saw his face felt a pressure that almost made them squeak.

　However, those weighty eyes had no effect on Fluder.

“Absolutely not. Even I understand what is important. Information regarding an unknown magic caster. It is vital information that can seize advantages for the Empire. Considering that, I would easily use a few of my disciples lives for it.”

　Jircniv’s expression brightened and became one of familiarity.

“Right. There is no way that Jii can’t do such a simple calculation. So how can we gain information?”

“Magically it is impossible. 3rd Tier magic is useless.”

“How about higher tiered magic?”

“No one can use it. Even I could not learn anything with divination magic.”

“Yes yes. Then we should send spies inside…. Or not.”

　While their methods were different, he could not send them to a place where workers with battle experience all failed to return from.

“Then what should we do?”

　Jircniv then laughed from the heart. Almost everyone who saw this felt a chill and began to get stomach aches. The last time Jircniv made this face was after the end of the houses of several resisting nobles. After he had conjured up some crimes which turned them guilty.

“Let’s go.”

　All of them blanked out for a moment. They could not understand what Jircniv said. Then, in dissatisfaction, Jircniv made himself clearer.

“I can do nothing else but go myself to Nazarick and meet Ainz Ooal Gown.”

“This is dangerous! There is nothing more I can say about a place where the workers did not return from!”

　Their immediate refusal was natural. There was no way that they could send the most important Emperor into a dangerous place where not a single worker returned. Jircniv’s response to this was to laugh.

“A mysterious existence is there. Isn’t that itself the problem? And time is needed for them to learn that I was the one who sent in the workers.”

“As there are multiple dead ends placed, such things should be normally impossible.”

“Jii. Can magic discover this?”

“One might think magic is all powerful, but it is limited to a certain extent, and it cannot do everything. However using control or charm magic or divination, they might be able to find out.”

“I do not intend to be rude to Fluder-dono, but we have taken precautions of such measures.”

　The man from the Ministry of Central Intelligence immediately rejected this. The Empire viewed magic as an important method of attack and invested heavily in this. Thus they fully understood magic’s importance. Thus their caution against magic never slackened.

　However, the most powerful magic caster in the Empire— The highest level magic caster amongst the humans, Fluder still had questions.

“Those are precautions for information-type magic of the third tier right? I do not believe that you are protected against higher tiers….? There is also the possibility that other spells have been developed.”

　The number of people who could use magic above the 3rd Tier were few, and the number of spells also fell. Those that knew what magic lay at the 5th or 6th Tier were almost non-existent.

　Most of the magic in this world was spread by the Eight Greed Kings, and were from a certain city. Many types of magic were developed with that as a base.

　There was no way that they could protect against unknown magic. Fluder believed this.

　However Fluder’s thoughts were based on his imagination. To someone performing intellectual warfare against other countries, this was hilarious. If one feared air they could do nothing.

“There are no such things. We have properly thought this through.”

“….Then they have to struggle to get to me?”

“Probably.”

“Isn’t that extremely convenient? He is valuable enough for us to risk danger. And they have sent us a parchment you know? Of course, doesn’t this show they knew it would reach me? And afterwards workers invaded, and they would think that was the Empire’s reply. Thus we have to say that this was not the case. We can say that we have a hot-headed subordinate.”

“However such thoughts only apply to a person with normal common sense right?”

　The only ones who would accept what Jircniv said would be those of a certain intelligence and could calculate. To someone who could not, such a thing would be pointless.

“Who knows. Anyhow, our first hand was blocked. Thus we have to play our second.”

“However….”

　Listening to his arguing subordinates, Jircniv bared his teeth.

“Is this dangerous?”

“Ye…….s, No…….o.”

　The expression on Jircniv’s face was far from a smile. Irritation and agitation. There were multiple emotions. The most prominent on it was an expression one would make at a rival, one like a hungry beast.

“I have never faced a non-dangerous situation in my life. Even when I killed my uncle, and when I killed my brothers. A single misstep would have destroyed me. However, I beat the odds. Even now. I will not lose.”

　Jircniv looked at everyone in the room. His upright and noble figure resembled one of an emperor.

“I understood this when our first hand was blocked. It is dangerous if this Gown magic caster becomes an enemy. Then…. What about turning him into an ally? We can make an exchange right? Land, the opposite sex, authority, position, money. We can give him whatever he wants. If he rivals Jii any amount is fine. We just cannot let him fall to the Kingdom right?”

“U, understood.”

“Now, make three routes to Nazarick, and secretly send forces on all three.”

“Are they bait?”

“Yes. Check which routes we will be attacked on. Send orders to those even in my personal bodyguards. And Jii.”

“Yes.”

“Jii, select several representatives among your disciples to head to Nazarick. Jii, you yourself are also coming.”

“Understood, my Emperor.”

“Just to confirm,  if I bring that I will be immune to mental manipulation right?”

　What Jircniv was speaking of was instantly understood to be the magic item that was the most precious heirloom in the Empire.

“Of course. That is an item that protects one from all mental effects. Magic cannot break it.”

“What if I have that item on and have equipped that item?”

“It will break the mental effect and you will return to normal.”

“I see. Then you understand right? Should I return without that item.”

“I shall inform the disciples remaining behind.”

“Good. Then begin preparations. We should get to Nazarick as soon as possible.”

　There was an area that was protected by tall walls. The place patrolled by multiple guards was the most secretive location in the Empire.

　The Ministry of Magic.

　They were in charge of  the production of magical equipment for the knights, the development of new spells, research into raising the standard of living through magical experiments and so on. Headed by the Head Magic Caster Fluder Paradyne , it was the centre of all magic in the Empire.

　Several buildings were lined up and each individual one was separated by walls.

　When one looked to the sky, one could even see members of the Emperor’s own bodyguard, the [Royal Air Guard], mounted on flying beasts, as well as high-tier magic casters using flight magic as they stood on watch.

　There was the innermost tower at the Imperial Ministry of Magic.

　Comparing the number of people here to the number of those in the Ministry, there were extremely few magic casters entering and leaving the tower.

　It was a tower where one had to be able to use the 3rd Tier of magic or had some important reason to be able to enter.

　Fluder brought along several of his direct disciples and entered.

　The magic casters that noticed Fluder bowed and moved out of his way.

　He occasionally saw the figures of knights on their guard.

　They were sheathed in enchanted full plate armor, carrying magic shields, and with magic weapons at their waists. Their crimson capes — embroidered with the emblem of the Empire — were also magic items, of course.

　While the gears were only mildly enchanted, ordinary knights were not entitled to wear it —  not even in the Empire. They simply  would never be assigned to such a vital state institution.

　Yes.

　These ultra-elite knights were part of the Emperor’s bodyguard, the [Royal Earth Guard].

　Passing by them, there was a cone shaped area. Fluder passed through its tip.

　Seeing Fluder’s arrival, the most important person amongst all the busily working magic casters moved forward in a panic.

　Fluder wondered for an instant who the man was, but from his great knowledge he found his answer. He was one of the thirty disciples he had, and was the vice-head of this location.

“Any problems?”

“Not at all, Master.”

　Understanding the other meaning hidden in his bowing disciple’s words, Fluder made a strange face.

“Is that so. You still haven’t been able to induce a natural genesis, then?”

“Indeed. Not even a Skeleton, the least of all undead, has appeared so far. Currently, we are placing corpses beside it in the hope of inducing the creation of Zombies.”

“Mhm.”

　Fluder stroked his long beard, and then cast his gaze to the landscape beneath him: .

　Ten-odd Skeletons were  tilling a field. Each Skeleton raised their hoe, then swung them down, in an identical manner to the one on either side of it. They were so perfectly synchronised that, if one were to look at them from the side, their overlapping forms would seem like just a single Skeleton.

　That scene of perfect harmony was similar to something in a command game. (TL: What sort of game is Clash of Clans)

　This was the true identity of the large-scale project which the Empire had been running.

　It was [The Usage of Undead to Solve the Labour Problem].

　The undead did not need to eat, drink or sleep, and they did not tire. In other words, they were the perfect workers. Granted, the undead were unintelligent: they could only listen to orders and could not perform complex tasks. However, with the mere supervision of a few managers this had ceased to be a problem.

　The merits of using the undead as field labour had exceeded their expectations. Since they worked efficiently and for free, the prices of crops had since been reduced, the farms and fields expanded, and the risk of human-related damages eliminated.  It was truly a dream plan.

　However, there still was one thing keeping this  seemingly-perfect plan from growing wider in practice .

It was the fact that people opposed it. The factions led by the priests opposed it in particular.

　They believed that creating the undead, creatures of death which hated life, was an act which stained the soul.

　There were also problems from a religious perspective. It is believed that a criminal’s sin was paid off with the execution of their sentence, and that going any further would be a form of blasphemy. Thus, from the religious point of view, many could not condone using corpses of criminals to make the undead, and convincing them otherwise was a very difficult task.

　Perhaps they might be convinced if the nation was facing a desperate food shortage and many people were starving to death However, the Empire’s food stocks were ample, and they were in no dire need for manpower.

　In the end, the unofficial reason for this project was related to the military. For these reasons, the clergy opposed this plan.

　In addition, some were worried that once undead labour became a common practice,  human laborers would be made redundant. What’s more, the undead might not submit to humanity forever, and overwhelming numbers of undead might upset the balance of life and death and lead to the spontaneous genesis of more powerful undead.

　This location was investigating a solution the last point. They were performing experiments to see if collating a certain number of Skeletons in an area would cause the natural formation of more undeads.

“You haven’t found the underlying reason yet?”

“No. My deepest apologies, Master.”

　Why did the undead rise by themselves? Discovering the fundamental reason would have a decisive influence on future plans.

　There exists a place known as the Katze Plains.

　It was the spawning location of one of the strongest undeads–immune to all magic, the Skeletal Dragons. Serving as the main battlefield of the Empire and Kingdom, the appearance rate of undeads there was high.

　Even if the Empire wanted to conquer the region around E-Rantel in the future, they did not want to have undead-spawning land in their domain. Thus, discovering the process by which the undead rose would definitely aid rulership. Perhaps they might even find a way to keep the undead from spawning ever again.

“Is that so? I understand.”

　The assistant supervisor bowed, grateful to have been spared a rebuke.

　Fluder walked past him, going in one big circle around the crucible-shaped room before finally stopping in front of the door. The guard knights pushed the door open, and Fluder walked through.

　It led to a passage similar to before, but there was nobody around. Close inspection revealed its dirtiness.

　Fluder brought his disciples down that passage. At the end of it was a staircase heading downwards.

　The spiral staircase downwards was long.

　For an extended period they listened to the sound of their own footsteps going ‘click, clack’ down the steps. It was not that long, at most about seven floors worth. However the atmosphere slowly became heavier and heavier.

　This was certainly not because they were underground.

　The best proof of that was that everyone, Fluder included, had a stiff expression on their faces.

　At the lowest floor.

　It opened up into a small hall, with only a large metal door.

　Everyone was  visibly tense, the heavy atmosphere indicating their readiness for battle.

　Fluder issued a warning to his disciple,  his voice strained:

“You must not be careless.”

　In response to the usual warning, the accompanying magic casters nodded simultaneously.

　Fluder’s warning was spoken to them everytime they came here. Thus to all the magic casters here it was already ingrained in their brains. But for those that knew what was inside, their expressions did not slacken.

　That was because the ultimate undead was behind that door. It was an existence far stronger than Skeletal Dragons.

　Several people began casting protective spells, some of which did not just defend against physical threats but also protected against mental ones. After giving them ample time to prepare, Fluder looked around at his disciples’ faces.

　He nodded, and then uttered the keyword which would undo the seal.

　The heavy doors went thoom, and then slowly opened.

　Cold air spilled out of the darkened room, and several of his disciples shivered, as though they were chilled to the bone

　One among them gulped; all around them it resonated in the vast, empty dark. The fear and silence in that place was palpable.

“Let’s go.”

　Hearing Fluder’s words, his disciples created several magical lights to disperse the darkness in the room. Yet, for some reason, it felt like it only made the darkness beyond the light thicker and heavier.

　Led by Fluder, the group entered the room.

　There stood a gigantic pillar which reached the ceiling. This tombstone-like pillar certainly attracted attention. But what truly held the eye was the entity that was crucified to it with thick and heavy chains.

　Each link of the chains which bound it was much thicker than a grown man’s thumb, rendering the entity completely immobile. In addition, its arms and legs were hobbled with gigantic iron balls. No entity could move even a finger under these conditions.

　However, whenever the group looked at the thick chains, they still felt uneasy. They feared that this creature would snap the chains and regain its freedom easily.

　From the outside, it looked like a knight in full black-coloured plate armor. However, there was a huge difference between this entity and a fully armored man. The most noticeable was its massive frame. Minimal estimates of its height would be at above two meters.

　After that, there was its full black-coloured plate armor. The armor was covered in tracery mimicking blood vessels, and studded with brutal-looking spikes.

　A pair of demonic-looking horns sprouted from its helmet, the exposed face was like a rotten human visage. Two crimson dots of light shone from within the empty orbits of its eye sockets, formed from hatred for the living and a longing for massacre.

　This hatred permeated the air.

　It was a legendary class existence amongst naturally created undead.

　As a being of legends, it was not particularly well known even by sages. This existence called a Death Knight.

　The red dots of light within the Death Knight’s eyes moved, sizing up all the magic casters as if it were licking them. No, they could not possibly see any movement from within those dancing masses of light. However, the spine-chilling terror made them feel that the death knight was looking right at them.

　The people who came here were all powerful in their own right and were disciples of Fluder, each capable of casting at least third-tier spells. Yet, even they could not stop the chattering of their teeth.

“—Be strong. The weak-willed will perish.”

　Fluder spoke words or warning.

　Despite their spells to protect their minds, they could not stop the fear welling up from within them. Yet, these magical protections may well be the only reason why they could pull themselves together and not flee for their lives.

　Fluder slowly approached the Death Knight. The Death Knight reacted to him; radiating its killing intent and flexing its limbs. It was trying to kill the fools who dared stand before it.

　The chains groaned as the Death Knight struggled, its body quivering as its bonds pulled taut. The number of chains on the Death Knight gave indication towards the extent of their wariness towards it.

　Fluder extended his hand towards the Death Knight.

　His incantation reverberated through the darkened room lit by the magical light. This was a modified version of [Summon Undead 6th], an original spell penned by Fluder.

“—Obey me.”

　Fluder’s voice. But the Death Knight’s eyes still bore its hatred for the living.

“….So I still can’t control it, even now?”

　There was a hint of disappointment within Fluder’s voice. For the past five years, he had tried continuously to control this undead creature without success.

　They had discovered this monster in that place known for being haunted by the undead, the Katze Plains. While Skeletons and Zombies were low class undead, they hated the living and were enemies of both countries, thus both the Kingdom and the Empire sent soldiers— The Kingdom sent adventurers— to subjugate monsters in the Katze Plains.

　There, a company of the Empire’s knights discovered a legendary class undead.

　Tens of seconds after the battle began.

　The faces of those Imperial knights were filled with fear and despair. At that absolute power. After several tens of knights were killed, it was determined that they could not defeat it. An immediate retreat was made. Of course they could not leave such a monster alone. After much deliberation, the Empire decided to call upon Fluder and his best disciples.

　The only reason why Fluder and company could defeat the Death knight was simply because it could not fly. They had attacked from above until the Death Knight’s movements had dulled. Then Fluder bound the Death Knight with absolute force.

　Currently, Fluder had imprisoned it here and had gone through countless spells, countless magic items and countless means, attempting every method to control an undead being in order to control the Death Knight.

“What a shame… if only I could control this monster, I’d be able to surpass that magic caster and become the greatest magic caster.”

　If he succeeded, he would be far superior to the necromancer of the Thirteen Heroes, Rigrit Bers Carau.

“Master, you’ve long since exceeded that hero.”

“Exactly. The Thirteen Heroes are beings from the past; there’s no way they can beat our Master, who stands at the pinnacle of modern magic.”

“I also feel that Master has long since surpassed the Thirteen Heroes. However, if Master could take control of the Death Knight, the Empire would gain access to a source of incredible power.”

“It’s often said that an individual can’t defeat a group, but that’s just because the individual’s too weak. That Death Knight is the most powerful individual around.”

“Still, if even Master cannot take control of it… then how powerful is that Death Knight, anyway?”

　His disciples tried to comfort him, but they were not really doing so. There was much truth in there.

　Firstly, Fluder could command an undead equal in strength to Gazef. Of course, one was his limit. However he could not command this Death Knight. Then the simple answer was that this undead was stronger than Gazef.

　However that was just a simple approximation, actually controlling an undead being with magic involved more complex mechanisms.

　Fundamentally speaking, controlling or destroying the undead was the domain of the priests, who borrowed the power of the gods. Magic casters used arcane power to emulate divine might, so various discrepancies were only to be expected.

　In fact, if their simple theory was correct, Fluder should have been able to command this Death Knight.

“Yes…. But strength is like a game of rock-paper-scissors. We magic casters can defeat the Death Knight, but not a weaker Skeletal Dragon. Considering that, how do we evaluate the strength of one Death Knight?”

“It would be easier if we had data.”

“Adventurer ranks right? Even for those, the basic numerical values are sketchy.”

“But…. Excluding unknown monsters, those numbers are helpful.”

“They do not help in the case of legendary existences like Death Knights though.”

“There are countless secret documents mentioning the Death Knight. Is nothing inside?”

“Now.” Fluder stroked his beard. “There might be a complete version inside Eryuentiu, but the released version is incomplete.”

　One of his disciples seemed to have a question, which he addressed to the disciple next to him. While he whispered, the room was the very embodiment of silence, and so his words seemed surprisingly loud.

“What’s the Eryuentiu?”

“Isn’t it the name of a city?”

“I know that, but it sounds really weird.”

“Hm… I looked it up once. I think it’s a word from an ancient language which means [At the heart of the world].

　Fluder rapped the floor with his staff, as a warning to his chatting disciples. This was a dangerous place incarcerating a legendary-class monster. Carelessness was strictly forbidden.

　His disciples heeded the warning, and silence ruled the once more, aside from the sounds of the Death Knight struggling against its chains in an attempt to break them.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

　Even Fluder could not maintain the same pace leaving the room as he had when entering it. His steps quickened as he felt the Death Knight’s vicious glare burning into his back. In that respect, his disciples were the same as him.

　As Fluder walked through the darkness, he recalled the word his disciples had mentioned just now.

[Eryuentiu].

　It was the capital of the kingdom founded by the Eight Greed Kings, and its sole surviving city. At the same time, it was a city defended by 30 city guardians equipped with magical arms and armor that surpassed conventional reason.

　It was said that the Eight Greed Kings had left behind magical items there, with which he would surely be able to vastly improve his own magical skills,  Fluder thought. These incredible items had never fallen into anyone’s hands, and only the Thirteen Heroes had been allowed to take several pieces away.

　The Thirteen Heroes; heroes of the past. Fluder’s might ought to be the equivalent of theirs, but only they had been granted that permission, while he had not. In what way did he not measure up to them?

　A black flame flickered in Fluder’s heart.

　Fluder tried to put out that wavering fire by thinking of other things to reassure himself. His present position and all the contributions he had made were no less than that of the Thirteen Heroes. No, among the Empire’s magic casters, Fluder’s status was even higher than the Thirteen Heroes.

　However, the black flame, his envy, did not subside.

　What he envied was not their power, their knowledge, or their abilities, but rather, the fact that they had obtained a chance to peer into the abyss of magic.

　Fluder was a magic caster of the highest order; nobody would dispute that. The only people who could match up to him were the Thirteen Heroes of the past. However, he could not control the Death Knight, and of the ten tiers of magic that were said to exist he could only cast spells of up to the sixth tier.

　This fact was a stark reminder that he was far from the abyss of magic.

　Fluder was old. He controlled time with one of the 6th Tier spells to slow down his ageing, but he is slowly approaching death.

　Indeed.

　Fluder would die before he could gaze into the abyss of magic.

　Perhaps if a skilled predecessor had guided him, he might have been able to reach his current position sooner. However, there had been no one before him, so all he could do was blaze his own trail.

　Fluder looked nonchalantly at the disciples around him.

　He looked around at the people who walked along the trail Fluder had blazed.

　He felt envy well up inside of him.

　He… the most knowledgeable person present, how old had he been when he had been at his disciples’ level? No, there was no need to think about it; he would surely have been older than his disciples were. That was how great the difference was without anybody to guide him, without anybody to show him the way.

　Why did he not have a Master of his own?

　Fluder tried to think in a different direction to mask the complaints he often had.

　It was fine, right? He would go down in history as a forerunner. Every single magic caster would give thanks to Fluder for the results he had left behind, which were derived from the trail he had blazed.

　These pupils are my treasure. So long as any of them reaches a greater height than myself, it will be a part of my accomplishments too.

　Fluder thought of one of his disciples while consoling himself. That disciple had long since departed his side.

　What tier could that girl have reached?

“—Arche Eeb Ryle Furt.”

　She was an excellent girl. She had mastered the second tier of magic at a young age, and even begun her first steps upon the third. So long as she continued training, she might well have been able to reach Fluder’s domain. But regretfully, at the end, she had abandoned her studies for some reason…

　Fluder had been utterly disappointed back then. All the could think of was that she had been terribly foolish.

“What a shame.”

　Perhaps she had been the one that got away.

　Where was that girl now? Fluder wondered, perhaps I could try and find her. If she can use magic of the third tier, perhaps I could give her a good position.

　That said, there were still things which had to be done.

　Fluder incanted the command word, and opened the heavy door.

　After that, he exited the room, and took several deep breaths with his disciples. That was because the air in the Death Knight’s room was heavy with the stench of its presence, and it felt like the air would not enter their lungs.

　Hearing the door close behind him, Fluder faced his surrounding disciples.

“Tomorrow, I shall be going to the land of Nazarick.” Fluder turned to face his disciples. “It is unknown who it contains and what waits for us. It is probably dangerous. However thus I shall select a few volunteers.”

“Please allow me.”

“No. Me!”

　Several people immediately spoke.

　Hmm—

　Fluder looked at them. Inside the eyes of those people, a bright flame of ambition burned.

　Despite having multiple disciples, Fluder had no clear successor. Since the position of Head Magic Caster was given by the Emperor, many tried to win his favour by doing notable jobs. However what his disciples truly wanted was Fluder’s spellbook and equipment. Those would earn them the title of the best magic caster.

　Thus they stood next to Fluder and tried to steal everything they could.

　—It felt good.

　Fluder laughed in his mind. That magic casters should be like this. One who shrinks back due to fear could never reach the depth of the ravine known as magic.

　Magic was a mass of knowledge, and was extremely dangerous. They were skills that surpassed the limits of human strength, and their possessors are feared as perilous beings.

“Inside Nazarick, there is someone who can control an undead equal to or stronger than Gazef. If that is the truth, it would be nice to exchange knowledge.”

　Commanding a Death Knight.

　If the master of Nazarick utilised undead , then he would be attracted by this proposal, Fluder thought.

　And if–only if– he was truly a stronger magic caster than Fluder, like the Emperor implied in their conversation, Fluder’s heart would beat so fast in such a discussion. He might know a spell that could control a Death Knight. If that was the case, Fluder would give anything to learn it.

　Anticipation, unease and excitement. With all those emotions, Fluder felt a childish excitement which caused his face to turn red.

“….It is difficult to imagine a person with knowledge that rivals master still walks this earth.”

“Agreed. Even though several people fell unconscious during the divination…. We cannot be sure that it was the magic caster who caused the result.”

“….Wouldn’t it be great if the person inside Nazarick exceeds me.”

　The disciples said nothing about their master who was gazing into the distance. There was no one who could stand next to him— Except in legends— and thus no one could understand his feelings.

　And several days later, Fluder’s wish was granted.\n