The axe in Ainz’ hand disappeared and was replaced by a shield of pure white. The shield that matched so well with his armor gave him the appearance of a pure white paladin.
The shield made a solid noise as it repelled the attack from the Spuit Lance.
Why was he now switching to defense? Although it was probably due to the female voice from just before, Shalltear could not understand the reason for it. Ainz, who had completely switched to defending, the echo of metal carried with it his chilling voice.
“There is no need to even answer. It is to bring this to an end. The time has come to finish this battle.”
Why? Shalltear still had 25% of her health remaining. Then just how was he going to end the battle? Although Shalltear wanted to scream those words, they would not come out.
“…. A single attack of super magic cannot bring you down from 100%. Then would not the answer be to bring your health down to where it is appropriate? It seems your health has dropped considerably from our melee.”
“…..Ah, Ah, Ahhhhhh!!”
With her composure gone, Shalltear showered him with attacks; As if her imminent defeat could somehow be prevented by stopping him from talking.
Solid noises rang out endlessly from her barrage. It was like a torrential downpour.
However, Ainz splendidly blocked all of her attacks. With the composure and confidence to not let even a single drop touch him, even if it had been a waterfall, he continued to speak.
“…. In actual fighting strength, I fall short…. but equally so, I am higher in magic resistance. Then— do you understand what I am trying to say? Here I come, Shalltear. You can only pray that my calculations were wrong.”
“Kuuuuuuu!!”
Sensing her approaching defeat, Shalltear renewed her assault. Seeing her face that was greatly twisted, yet still not unsightly, Ainz started his final gamble.
Although he had boasted with confidence to Shalltear, in truth, not everything was still certain.
Super magic shared similarities with skills and did not consume MP. However, it was still considered to be magic and thus could not be used while he was a warrior.
If he released his warrior transformation magic, he will no longer be able to wear his shield and armor and they will fall off of his body. There was no chance that he could block Shalltear’s attack in that moment. If she were to use all of her skills in that attack, there was a possibility that the super magic would not be enough to end the battle.
That would mean his defeat.
However, there was no other way to win.
Ainz estimated the timing. He would first have to release his magic, then use the cash item he held in his hand.
Ainz laughed lightly.
Even in YGGDRASIL PVP, he had never used so many cash items. A game and reality— this was the difference between recreation and a fight he had to win at all costs.
He blocked Shalltear’s powerful attack with the shield of his friend and gathered strength to his eyes.
He released the warrior transformation, and launched the supermagic.
Like before, a magic circle appeared in the surroundings. As he was about to destroy the cash item in the shape of an hourglass in his hand—
—for an instant, he hesitated.
It was born from the feeling of guilt of killing the NPC who carried the thoughts of his comrade.
A fatal mistake.
Shalltear did not miss that opening. Having discovered the item in his hand, she channeled her skill into the Spuit Lance with the intent to destroy his arm.
Ainz, who released his warrior transformation, had no way to avoid that attack—.
—
As the Spuit Lance was about to break the item, she felt the presence of an enemy crawl up her spine.
Not knowing how it appeared, Shalltear sensed a presence right by her side. It was filled with such hostility that she could not simply overlook it. This was something she absolutely could not ignore.
Shalltear quickly took her eyes off of the item and turned to look at the one responsible.
And— saw that there was nothing.
The desert 200 meters in diameter created by Ainz’ magic. Within it, there was no one save for Ainz and Shalltear. The hostility that she sensed before was already gone without a trace. As if it was a daydream—
“Ah…!”
Although Shalltear, having regained her senses, shouted, it was already too late.
The broken hourglass reduced the casting time to zero.
“[Heaven’s Downfall].”
At the same time as his voice, everything was wrapped by the light that formed from the narrow space between them.
Within the white heat, Shalltear felt her body crumble away.
Her right hand carbonized and broke apart. In that white world, the Spuit Lance slowly fell to what should have been the ground. Her face dried up from the raging heat and her eyes could now only see white.
Her throat too, dried up and— no, whether or not her throat had yet to finish burning— it was difficult to speak. However, these words alone, she had to say no matter what. Gathering all of what was left of her life, of the existence known as Shalltear Bloodfallen, she spoke.
