Before long, traces of the white world disappeared. after the heat dissipated, the effect had drawn a circle that completely changed the surrounding scenery.
Outside the area of effect, everything was left untouched. The trees remained the same and the land teemed with life, thanks to the nearby forest. It was the unchanged— the normal world.
On the other hand— everything inside the circle had been charred black, a surreal land of death.
The immense heat had obliterated all the plants in the area, and only smoldering tree trunks remained. Amongst the blackened surface, there were spots where the land had turned vitreous. Even now, pillars of smoke were scattered about.
Ainz stood just barely outside the area that permitted no survivors. From within that area, he felt a ghastly presence pierce through his body.
The source was just one person.
Who else could survive temperatures that eradicated all life?
“Kaka— ahahaha—.”
A strange voice mixed with a grinding noise, an unimaginable sound that made one clench their teeth, flowed into Ainz’ ears.
The sound had come from the crimson spot in the world of black.
With smoke rising from her body, as if to say that this wasn’t enough to kill her, Shalltear Bloodfallen laughed. Her scarlet eyes were filled with killing intent as she glared directly at Ainz.
“Ainz-sa—ma—! That was pretty painful—!”
Shalltear slowly placed one foot forward, forming a crack along the charred earth.
She closed her distance to Ainz by a step, then another, and swung the Spuit Lance she held in one hand. The sound as it cut through the air was a testament of the fact that she could still fight.
A magic caster displayed his true strength in a long range battle. For Ainz, who was not strong in close combat, narrowing the distance would only put him at a disadvantage. However, instead of quickly retreating, he spoke to Shalltear with an imposing attitude, like a champion waiting for his challenger.
“It was a boring gift, but how did you like it Shalltear?”
“Ahahahahaha!’
From the bottom of her heart, Shalltear laughed happily.
“It was amazing! I can’t believe I have to kill someone with such tremendous power, Ainz-sama!”
“.... ’sama’ you say…. Shalltear, why do you still address me with honorifics? Who is your current master?”
“You say some strange things. It’s obvious that I would call you Ainz-sama, the Supreme Ruler. And my master right now is….”
Shalltear wore a large frown. It was a look of confusion.
“….Why am I fighting with Ainz-sama? No, that’s not it? Because I was attacked? But why did Ainz-sama attack me? ……Because I was attacked, I have to use my full strength and kill? Why?”
Before long, as if Shalltear had come to some conclusion, the smile from before returned to her face.
“I don’t really understand, but since Ainz-sama attacked me, I have to kill you!”
“…. I see. …. I understand your condition now….”
“Ara? What’s wrong, Ainz-sama? You seem tired. Do you think you can win against me like that?”
“Hmph. You seem to be misunderstanding something. Do you truly believe that I – Ainz Ooal Gown, will lose to the likes of you? There is no defeat for 『Ainz Ooal Gown』. Shalltear, you will be the one to kneel before me.”
“Ahahahahaha! How scary—!”
With a speed that would make even the wind seem slow in comparison, Shalltear closed in, filled with bloodlust. Every step caused the charred earth beneath her to explode. Clementine had been fast, but Shalltear was at a different level altogether. Ainz was thankful for his body that did not need to blink. If he had blinked even once, he would have lost track of her.
With the sound of laughter trailing behind her, Shalltear’s lance flew in his direction. Originally, a Lance Charge had the weight and speed of a knight on horseback behind it. However, with her strength and speed that was in a different league and left others agape, Shalltear easily surpassed the power of such an attack.
Even calling it an ultimate skill did not do it justice. Such an attack was heading straight for Ainz’ chest.
Even as the point of the lance flew towards him, Ainz did not budge.
Rather, he opened his mouth and said gently:
“It will be dangerous for you.”
A voice overflowing with concern, as if he was worried on Shalltear’s behalf; a word of warning was his response against her attack.
The moment Shalltear brought down her foot, the spell that had been prepared beforehand, 「Triple Maximize Magic: Explosive Land Mines」 was activated. Three large explosions roared out and Shalltear was blown back.
Once again, Ainz spoke in a gentle voice:
“Forgive me for being late with the warning, Shalltear. In truth, I’ve laid some mines there— 「Maximize Magic: Gravity Maelstrom」.”
Aiming at Shalltear who had been blown away, Ainz launched a sphere that drew a black spiral. It was a spinning ball of super gravity that could deal significant damage even to beings like Shalltear.
She immediately recovered her balance and raised her free hand.
“「Wall of Stone」.”
