A powerful spell was cast.
A minor version of 「World Break」, the most powerful skill possessed by the strongest warrior class, World Champion. It was a skill that was only obtainable when one reached the maximum level of that class. Despite being a weakened version, its destructive power was top class even amongst the 10th tier spells.
Blood sprouted as high as a fountain from Shalltear’s shoulder as space itself was cut in its wake.
However, the attack that almost completely ignored her magic resistance— as if time was flowing backwards; the blood returned to her shoulder and the damage was negated.
Witnessing such a scene, Ainz shouted.
“What did you do!”
“Don’t be so surprised, Ainz-sama. This is also a skill.”
Shalltear was dripping wet from superiority as she answered his question.
“Tsk! You mean my skill is ineffective, yet you use yours freely?”
“Please don’t think of it as unfair. This is a power granted to me by Peroronchino-sama. Isn’t it proof that he was greater than you, Ainz-sama?”
“—It seems that those words are your true feelings.”
It was as if his expression had vanished. His was a quiet voice devoid of emotion. Before Shalltear could begin to doubt, Ainz shouted once more.
“Here I come, Shalltear! No matter what skills you possess, know that my magic is stronger!”
「Maximize Magic: Reality Slash」 and Purifying Javelin were exchanged, chipping away at each other’s bodies.
As the skill exchange occurred once more, Shalltear mocked in her head how foolish he was. At the same time, she was wondering why she was fighting him.
Shalltear Bloodfallen was the Floor Guardian in charge of the Great Tomb of Nazarick’s first three floors, as well as a loyal subject created by Peroronchino, one of the 41 Supreme Beings of Ainz Ooal Gown. Then wasn’t it strange that she was now fighting that same Ainz Ooal Gown, who had once used the name Momonga? Why was she pointing her blade against a member of the 41 Supreme Beings?
If her creator had ordered it, she would have fought with all the strength in her body. She would not hesitate even if all of Nazarick became her enemy. But this was different.
No matter how much she wracked her brain, the answer did not come.
However, she could not stop her hands from moving. A voice was whispering to her, telling her to kill with her full power.
Shalltear spied with 「Analyze Magic」 as Ainz used up his MP. While suppressing her mounting laughter, she used her time reversal to restore her health.
Powerful magic comes at a heavy cost. Among them, 「Reality Slash」, considering its damage-to-cost ratio— was terribly inefficient. The fact that he used it in succession meant that he determined the crux of the battle to depend on how much he could wear down Shalltear before the battle came to a melee.
Shalltear narrowed her eyes as she stared at the person casting powerful spells one after another.
Shalltear’s skills were divided into those that could be used infinitely and ones that had a set number of uses. Her method of recovering through time reversal could only be used three times a day, same for the Purifying Javelin. The Unholy Shield had only one charge left.
But saving them held no charm. From the start, Shalltear believed that the final showdown would come to a melee. Her MP and skills were only tools for her to chip away at Ainz’ MP.
Shalltear who fought with both her HP and MP, against Ainz who was forced to fight with just his MP. From the beginning, there was an overwhelming difference between the two sides.
Shalltear’s gentle eyes were fixed on Ainz, who could not choose anything other than magic. Rather than a mother worrying over her child, it was more accurate to describe it as a look of compassion from the strong to the weak.
With her last Purifying Javelin fired and receiving 「Reality Slash」 in response, Shalltear moved to the second stage of the battle.
“Then how about this? 「10th Level Summon Monster」.”
“As if I’ll let you! 「Greater Rejection」!”
The summoned monster vanished in an instant. Ainz spoke in a voice tinged with pride.
“I won’t let you stall for time, Shalltear.”
Struggling to keep a straight face, Shalltear cast her magic.
“Is that so? Then shall I face you directly? 「Maximize Magic: Vermillion Nova」.”
