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

After swallowing a mouthful of his own saliva — more accurately described as a mouthful of poison — Cocytus slowly raised his head, and looked at the Supreme Being who was his master.

The light shining in the master’s empty eye sockets seemed to slightly turn into a shade of bright red.

“I repeat myself again, what request do you have, and can you share it with us?”

He could not utter a single word. Although he tried to speak out many times, it was stuck in his throat, and no words could come out.

“What is it, Cocytus?”

Heavy silence filled the air.

“… I am not angry, I merely wish to know what you are thinking, and what you request.”

As if comforting a child that remained silent, the tone was quite gentle. Under this gentle encouragement, Cocytus eventually said:

“I oppose exterminating all of the lizardmen, and I request for your mercy.”

After giving his decisive speech, Cocytus felt as if the atmosphere was shaking. No, the atmosphere was actually convulsing.

The main source came from the front— from Albedo’s killing intent. The secondary source was from the wavering confidence of the other Guardians. Only Demiurge and the master were as calm as a still lake and were unaffected by any ripples.

“… Cocytus, do you know what you are asking of?”

Albedo’s cold voice was filled with murderous intent, even causing Cocytus, whose entire body was of a frozen attribute, to feel a chill.

“Ainz-sama commanded you to exterminate the lizardmen, as penance for your crime, yet you as the defendant dare to sing a different tune… Guardian of the Fifth Floor Cocytus, have you become afraid of the lizardmen?”

That tone was mocking, but Cocytus could not refute what was asserted.

It was natural for Albedo to have that attitude. If their positions were reversed, Cocytus would probably also be aggravated.

“You remain sil—”

What made Albedo shut her mouth was not a voice, but the sound of a striking sound. That was the resonating sound made by the staff coming into contact with the floor.

“Albedo, quiet. It is I who is asking Cocytus, don’t be presumptuous.”

“My extreme apologies! Please, please forgive me!”

Albedo lowered her head in apology and returned to her original position.

The master turned his gaze around, and stared at Cocytus with sharp eyes. It was still impossible to determine the master’s emotions. It looked as if it was at the bursting point of rage, yet it could also be an amused look.

“Cocytus, seeing as you make such a request, the reason must be due to some benefit towards the Great Tomb of Nazarick right? Do explain.”

“Yes! In the future, tenacious warriors may appear amongst them. As such, exterminating them completely at this stage would be too much of a waste. This subordinate reckons that it is in our interests that we should wait for more tenacious lizardmen to appear in the future, and for now have them pledge their deep loyalty to Nazarick and accept them to serve us.

“... This suggestion is indeed not a bad one. Lizardmen corpses are of high quality when used to serve as undead in comparison to using human corpses. If only it was possible to have a perfect method of collecting the corpses buried in Re-Lantier, then there would be no purpose in using the lizardmen corpses.”

Just as Cocytus was about to say “So then…”, he realised that the master had not finished with his speech. He felt an uneasy premonition which unfortunately became a reality.

“However, compared to using lizardmen, if I were to use corpses to create undead, the efficiency in terms of consumption cost should be higher. Not only is it possible to guarantee loyalty, but it is also not necessary to waste consumables. The lizardmen’s advantage is that eventually they can increase their population, and this advantage would require a lengthy period of time to realise… If I have missed out anything, speak up for us to hear. Is there any other benefit which can convince me?”

If it were possible to obtain the master’s mercy, his own desire would be realised. However, Cocytus could not think of any other benefit.

This was because all along he had considered himself as a weapon, and would only rely on the master to command the troops, and also because he himself had never considered this before, which was why he had no further means to convince the master. He had not considered what should be done to allow for the group as a whole to reap the most benefits beforehand.

Furthermore, what the master requested was a benefit in relation to the Great Tomb of Nazarick. Cocytus did not wish to exterminate the lizardmen because they had dazzling and outstanding individuals; he was attracted to those who protected a group because he was a warrior himself. However, these thoughts were his personal feelings, and not a decision based to serve the wider group.

Cocytus was frantic.

If he allowed his silently watching master to become agitated or displeased, then this miraculous suggestion would become meaningless, and all that would result would be the command to exterminate all of the lizardmen from before.

He desperately racked his brain, but still could not come up with an answer.

“What is it, Cocytus, can you not come up with one? Then shall the final decision be extermination?”

The question had been repeated.

Cocytus’ mind was completely blank, his teeth felt heavy, and only his thoughts were ceaselessly darting around and coming up with nothing.

A deep voice resounded throughout the gravely silent Throne Hall.

“… Is that so… what a shame.”

Just as these ‘what a shame’ words were about to suffocate Cocytus into silence, a calm voice lent out a helping hand.

“Ainz-sama, please allow me to insert a few words from the sidelines.”

“… What is it, Demiurge? Do you have something to add?”

“Yes. About Ainz-sama’s earlier decision, if it is convenient, would you be willing to listen to my humble opinion?”

“... Then speak it out for us to hear.”

“Yes! Ainz-sama, you fully understand the importance of experimentation, therefore, would you consider having a few lizardmen to be taken here for experimentation?”

“Oh, this is an excellent suggestion.”

Cocytus felt that as the master leaned forward from the throne, those two red eyes almost seemed to rest on himself for a brief second.