Overlord - The Lizardmen Heroes - Куганэ Маруяма (читать книги без txt) 📗

“Is that so. Right, have any suspicious individuals appeared on your side?”

“None. I have taken special care in my preparations. If any person gets close, he or she should be very easy to detect…”

“... That is good. However, above everything else you must not slip into laxity during the preparations. This is because the opponent may have some methods inconceivable to us. Apart from that, the skin that you have given to me… according to the conclusion of the Chief Librarian, this can be used to manufacture low rank scrolls. Is there a method to provide a steady supply of such?”

“Yes! There will be no problems at all. We have already accumulated a relatively adequate amount.”

“I see… then, what is the name of the wild beast?”

“Wild beast? … Ha! About the kind of creature that Ainz-sama is referring to…”

Demiurge deliberated for a brief moment, then continued with his reply.

“They are two-legged sheep from the Theocracy. How would you feel about naming them Bellion sheep?”

Demiurge’s elated tone caused some confusion in Cocytus. Basically, Demiurge was a good-tempered, even gentle, person. However, he was only like this to his comrades who were likewise created by Supreme Beings. To others, he was an extremely cruel person.

Under his superficial display of good mood, it was possible to have a brief glimpse of his cruel personality. Although Demiurge’s deep malice was directed towards the wild beasts which were the topic of discussion earlier, would he use such an attitude to talk about beings which lacked sentience?

Judging on the basis of Demiurge’s personality, something felt out of place. However, the current situation rendered it inappropriate to raise this issue with him.

“So that’s what it is… sheep.”

Ainz’ words carried a slightly pleased intonation, causing Demiurge and Albedo to break into smiles.

“Although I would prefer to call them mountain goats… but that name is also satisfactory. Well then, please continue to graft those sheep for their skin… will excessive capturing have an impact on the ecosystem?”

“There should not be. Furthermore, with just the use of healing magic, we are able to immediately repeat the grafting process. That is why as long as the supply required to be produced is not large, it will not be necessary to carry out a large scale capture. All of this is the result of our outstanding tormentor’s hard work.”

“Eh? If healing magic is used, won’t the part that was cut off disappear?”

“About this issue… there is one thing that we now understand through our healing experiments. If, before we apply healing magic, we merely allow that part to undergo a significant change in shape — for example mincing the flesh — then that fleshy body will effectively be preserved. That means to say, if magic is cast after the skin has been removed, healing magic will effectively recognise it as a foreign entity, therefore it will not disappear even when healing magic is applied. This is also the reason why they would not die starve even if they ate the meat. In addition, although this may count as outside the topic, if one aspect of healing magic is rejected by another aspect of healing magic, sometimes it is as if it cannot operate smoothly and results in a scar. Likewise, the lower the rank, the more likely it is that scars will form due to time lapse.”

“So that’s how it is… magic is powerful… very well, continue with your progress.”

“As you command. Henceforth I will proceed with conducting trials according to age and gender. With time, I feel that I will know whether or not a certain species of a certain age’s skin is the most suitable.

“Regarding this… hand the responsibility of this part over to the Chief Librarian. Victim is next.”

“snaem ti kniht uoy tahw snaem ti kniht ton od I .drow taht gnisu peek uoY.” [Yes, Ainz-sama]

“There is only one reason for summoning you here. If an inconceivable event were to occur, your special skill will be required for the protection of me and the other Guardians… sorry about that. I promise that I will immediately assist with your reincarnation, my apologies in advance.”

“siht naht reggib semit eerht …tsael ta eb ot sah gnidliub ehT ?stna rof retnec A ?siht si tahW” [Demiurge had already told me, please do not worry, Ainz-sama. I am also the servant of Ainz-sama. Furthermore, my death is my raison d'etre. If this modest ability of mine is able to assist the Supreme Being, I would be joyful beyond compare.]

“Is that so… please forgive me.”

Seeing the Supreme Being lower his head, Victim exclaimed:

“sihT ekaT !enolA oG oT suoregnaD s'tI” [This humble one would not dare!]

“When encountering an extraordinary situation, in order to prevent the opponent from escaping we may even have to kill you. Even if you are cooperative after accepting this, we would like you to know that we won’t be killing you because of anything personal. Although you are also one of my precious children, and I wish not to cause you any harm, if we allow an enemy we do not fully comprehend to escape, we may experience a disastrous end, that is why…”

“tihs suoires emos ees annog er'uoy ...ruoh rep selim 88 stih ybab siht nehw ,tcerroc era snoitaluclac ym fI” [Please say no more, Ainz-sama. I fully understand your feelings]

“In Nazarick, some mechanisms are used by uttering a single phrase. Although it is borrowed from the Gospel, that phrase is [Giving up one’s life for friends is the greatest love of all]. This phrase directly refers to you; thank you for your love.”

Ainz’ gaze shifted from the Guardian who would die for his loyalty to the other Guardians.

“Next is Shalltear.”

Not expecting to be called upon, Shalltear’s shoulders gave a startled jump, and her response was in an abnormally high pitched voice.

“Yes…yes!”

“... Come over here.”

Because unlike the other Guardians, only she was called to the master’s side, Shalltear was surprised and stood up in a flurry of panic. From her back, one could see that she was evidently unsettled, similar to someone who was about to be sent up to the chopping block. However, she still stood up attentively, as if the glory she desired was over there.

After Shalltear climbed up the stairs, she immediately got down on one knee at a short distance from the throne.

“Shalltear, I wish to talk about the matter which has been disturbing you.”

Just by hearing these words, Shalltear immediately understood what the master was referring to, and her face turned into a look of shame.

“Ah! Ainz-sama! About that matter, please give me my punishment! Even if I was clearly a Guardian, I still carried out such a grave sin so stupidly, please give me the most severe punishment!”