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Chapter 11 - Chapter 9: The Weight of Power, the Price of Mercy

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Outside of Carne Village

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No One's POV

Moments after Sesshōmaru transported Gazef back for healing and recovery, we find Momonga standing before the mages who had attacked. Suspended in the air above Nigun were over forty Archangel Flames of varying tiers. Calm and poised, Momonga addressed the scene.

Nigun: "And just who are you?"

Momonga: "Nice to meet you, people of the Slane Theocracy. My name is Ainz Ooal Gown—but please, call me Ainz."

Momonga's POV

"I have something of a relationship with those villagers."

As I speak, the man Sesshōmaru warned me about—Nigun of the Sunlight Scripture—scoffs.

Nigun: "Have you come to beg for their lives? Or perhaps your own?"

"No, no… you misunderstand."

Gasps ripple through the mages as I continue.

"I overheard your conversation with the Warrior Captain. You have a lot of nerve, insulting my teacher like that..."

Nigun stiffens.

"He gave his time, his power—even his compassion—to save those people. (Even though I warned him not to overextend himself.) And you dare declare your intent to slaughter them like livestock? I can hardly imagine anything more detestable."

Just then, a warp gate opens behind me. I turn slightly, murmuring under my breath.

"...Albedo?"

She steps through, bowing low—90 degrees.

Albedo: "Forgive my interruption, my lord. Lord Sesshōmaru sent me. He said I would be needed."

"...Did he say why?"

Albedo: "No, my lord. Only that I would understand soon enough."

(I don't like this... If Sesshōmaru didn't clarify, it must be serious.)

Nigun sneers again.

Nigun: "Brazen words for a mere magic caster. So—what will you do?"

I raise my right hand, palm open—a final olive branch. Sesshōmaru always said: give them a chance. But if they refuse...

"Offer your lives to me peacefully. Do so, and you will feel no pain. Refuse—and I promise you will die in agony and despair for your arrogance."

3rd Person POV

Nigun flinches as a chill runs down his spine at the mention of Sesshōmaru. But he snaps:

Nigun: "Angels, attack this fool!"

Two Archangel Flames descend upon Ainz, striking him with glowing swords. The blades lodge themselves between his ribs... yet Ainz does not even flinch.

Nigun (shocked): "Is… is that all you had? I expected more after such a bluff."

Then, the angels begin to writhe—as if being pulled by some unseen force. Ainz raises them effortlessly, one in each hand.

Ainz: "I gave you a chance. You chose death."

Mages murmur in disbelief.

Random Mage: "It's a trick—"

Random Mage #2: "It must be!"

Ainz: "It's a passive skill—Nullification. Low-level weapons and monsters can't harm me."

He slams the angels into the ground. They explode in radiant light.

Ainz: "Just as Sesshōmaru said—these are indeed the Archangel Flames from Yggdrasil."

The mages recoil in fear.

Ainz: "Yggdrasil magic… summoning spells… How do they exist in this world? How did you learn them?"

He begins to walk forward slowly.

Ainz: "You wanted a massacre. Now you'll have one."

Nigun (panicked): "Don't just stand there—attack! ALL OF YOU!"

Dozens of angels converge on Ainz.

Ainz: "Albedo, stand back."

She vanishes in a blur of motion.

Ainz: "Negative Burst."

A dome of dark energy erupts, a shockwave blasting outward. The summoned angels vaporize instantly. Nigun trembles, hearing Gazef's warning in his head:

"When Lord Sesshōmaru gets involved… it'll be a massacre."

Mages fire spell after spell in panic, but Ainz walks through the smokescreen untouched.

Ainz (voice rising): "WHERE DID YOU LEARN THAT MAGIC?!"

A terrified mage hurls a rock—Albedo deflects it with casual cruelty. It slams back into the man's head, bursting it like an overripe fruit.

Nigun (horrified): "What… just happened?"

Ainz: "Albedo, you knew those spells wouldn't harm me."

Albedo: "Forgive me, Lord Ainz. If they wish to fight a Supreme Being, they should first survive me. These men are gnats before a mountain."

Ainz (chuckling): "You're right. They wouldn't meet your standards in ten lifetimes."

He turns to the army of trembling mages.

Nigun (desperate): "Principality of Observation—ATTACK!"

A massive angel emerges, wielding a mace of holy light. It strikes at Ainz, who blocks it effortlessly.

Ainz (raising a finger): "Hell Flame."

A blood-red spark flies, engulfing the angel. It screams—then is no more.

Nigun (staggering): "One hit…? That's… impossible…!"

Random Mage: "Captain! What do we do?!"

Nigun (pulling out a glowing crystal): "We summon the strongest angel—our trump card!"

Ainz (narrowing eyes): (A sealing crystal from Yggdrasil? Even items exist here… Sesshōmaru, just how much do you know?)

Ainz: "Albedo, Sesshōmaru must have known this would happen. Be ready."

Albedo: "Understood!"

Nigun: "BEHOLD! The divine might of the Theocracy—Dominion Authority!"

Meanwhile, in Carne Village

Sesshōmaru's POV

I watch the unfolding battle through a scrying mirror. Gazef, still pale, mutters beside me.

Gazef: "Now I understand why you called him your strongest mage. They never had a chance."

I turn and look him dead in the eye.

"There is no greater mistake than underestimating your enemy."

He flinches at the soundness of the rebuke as I rise.

"It's time. I'll intervene now. Stay here, Gazef. This could still be a diversion."

He nods. I wave a hand, dispelling the viewing mirror.

(I hope this illusion spell works… Ainz needs to learn caution.)

I extend my hand. A blue light glows, and Bakusaiga materializes in my grip.

(I hate doing this—but he's grown too reckless.)

Back with Momonga

3rd POV

Dominion Authority charges a light beam attack. Ainz prepares to tank it.

Suddenly—

Sesshōmaru: "AINZ, MOVE!!"

Sesshōmaru tackles Ainz, taking the full blast. Ainz hits the ground—just in time to hear a scream he'll never forget.

Sesshōmaru: "AAHHHHHHHH!!!"

Blood sprays. Sesshōmaru falls to his knees, vomiting blood—some splattering across Ainz's skeletal cheek.

Ainz: "SESSHŌMARU!"

He rushes to him. Nearby, Albedo shrieks—an unnatural, visceral sound of fury.

Albedo: "YOU FILTHY INSECTS! HOW DARE YOU HARM THE ONE I LOVE! THE LORD OF MY HEART—SESSHŌMARU!"

She prepares to charge, but a trembling hand clasps hers. She freezes, blushing as she turns to him.

Sesshōmaru (weakly): "Albedo… help me stand."

She obeys instantly. Ainz stares, grief and shame in his eyes.

Ainz: "Why? Why did you protect me...?"

Sesshōmaru glares, so fiercely that even Ainz quails.

Sesshōmaru: "You made it necessary. What if that had killed you?"

Ainz looks away, silent. Sesshōmaru lifts his arm.

Sesshōmaru: "Time to end this. Hakai."

Dominion Authority disintegrates—dust on the wind.

Nigun: "Even demons don't have that kind of power... Who are you two?!"

Ainz: "Ainz Ooal Gown. And Sesshōmaru, the Killing Perfection. In our world, none dared oppose these names."

Suddenly, a shattering sound echoes overhead.

Nigun: "What—what was that?!"

Ainz: "Reconnaissance magic. Someone was watching. But my barrier disrupted the spell. Likely your Theocracy."

Nigun: "They were watching me?"

Ainz: "It's over."

Nigun: "WAIT! PLEASE! Spare me—these men don't—"

Sesshōmaru (furious): "You abandon your comrades to save yourself?! Pathetic. Albedo."

Albedo: "Yes, my love~?"

Sesshōmaru: "Take him to Neuronist. Extract everything. The faster you do, the faster I'll… reward you."

His lips whisper against her ear, his hand resting low on her back. She blushes redder than fire and vanishes with Nigun.

Ainz: "What now?"

Sesshōmaru's POV

I scan the survivors with my full perception. I can sense who acted from desperation—and who did so for cruelty.

"You still see my markers, like in Yggdrasil?"

Ainz nods.

"Only kill those marked in white."

He casts Reality Slash—precise and lethal. 37 fall. 13 remain.

Sesshōmaru: "Kneel."

They obey.

"You are not monsters. You acted out of necessity, not malice. Come to my kingdom—I'll offer you food, water, shelter, and a chance at redemption."

They murmur among themselves. One finally steps forward.

Random Mage: "You… you won't harm us?"

Sesshōmaru (softly laughing): "Goodness, no. I only wish to help. Are you afraid of our power?"

They nod.

"I only use force when necessary. Otherwise, you are as safe beside me as among your own kin."

One by one, they bow.

As the screen fades to silhouettes, then to black:

[Author's Notes]

I've made edits and I'm getting back into the swing of writing! Stay tuned. And as a teaser for next time…

Sesshōmaru: "I'm… sorry I did that… wait—S-Satoru?!"

He turns—

And for the first time in all of history...

He sees the avatar of Satoru Suzuki—Momonga—cry.

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