“Zenith Cage!”

Divine Chain threw his metal coil, the links separating. They formed a ring around the walls of Carne. Beams of light connected each link. Once the ring was complete, a translucent dome of light sprang up over the small city. The falling raindrops sizzled as the landed on the luminous dome. The alarm bell was sounded, as the goblin soldiers began scrambling to arm themselves, gathering around the Bareare house, mainly.

Momon reached for his Amulet of Flight, activating the spell. He then hurled his sword at nothing. The blade rushed through the air, then was struck to the side. There stood the Captain of the Black Scripture, his invisibility broken.

“Don’t bother with invisibility, Captain. I know exactly where each of you are, and so does Nabe.”

The Captain said nothing.

“Fine. Nabe?”

“With pleasure, Momon-sa-n.” Nabe rose into the air slightly, extending both arms towards the Captain. “[Widen Boosted Magic – Lightning].” A bolt of lightning shot from hands. A flash of white, as Myriad Barriers stepped in, taking the full force of the attack on his shining shield. Momon took the opportunity to attack, leaping forward, his sword in one hand ready to swing down on Myriad Barriers.

“[Impenetrable Fortress]!”

“[Fatal Edge]!”

“[Piercing White Dragon’s Tusk]!”

Myriad Barrier’s shield warded off the greatsword attack, as Strongest Human and Blazing Star closing from either side at the same time; the former swinging with his greataxe madly for Momon’s neck, the other aiming with the point of his lance for the helmet’s eye-slit. Both blows connected. Momon’s armor coated over with frost as Blazing Star’s [Piercing Dragon Tusk] released.

“[Shield Bash]” cried Myriad Barriers, shoving Momon back slightly. Momon’s empty hand took out Frost Pain.

“[ICY BURST]!”

The frigid blade smashed against the mirrored shield, a freezing explosion encompassing the whole area. This time, Divine Chant didn’t get out of the way in time. Several members of the Black Scripture appeared where once was nothing. The invisibility spell was broken.

“Attack!” ordered the Captain. Momon returned Frost Pain to his inventory, summoning his second greatsword back. He laughed.

“Oh, are you actually trying now? I guess I can too.” He twirled both blades in his hands, finishing with one pointed forwards, the other pointing to the side.

“[Blinding Fl-]”

“[Lightning]!” Nabe’s [Lightning] spell interrupted Veil Breaker’s [Blinding Flare] spell, sending the latter flying backward, stunned, over the city wall. Strongest Human roared, hurling his mighty axe at the enemy spellcaster. She swerved aside nimbly, as the axe spun back in the air back to its owner. Nabe reached for the sky with a hand. “[Call Thunder]!” A column of lightning broke the clouds above, crashing down on Strongest Human.

“[Enhanced Magical Resistance]!” he shouted, steeling himself against the electricity that coursed through his grizzled body.

Gloom Herald next. [Triplet Magic, Proximity Blast Fireball]!”

Three motes of fire shot from his fingers, two stopping before and one behind Nabe, before exploding and encompassing her in three fiery explosions. Nabe swooped backwards, the end of her red cloak singed.

“[Greater Magic Seal – Release]!”

Three circles of light appeared around her, all pointed forward. Three spheres of electricity shot out from the circles. Gloom Herald moved to dodge, but too late. He was engulfed in three flashes of lightning, and hurled through the air, landing against the wall of a building nearby and crashing through.

At the same time, Myriad Barriers directed his shield at Momon.

“Mirror Shield – Release!”

The very shape of the shield changed, from convex to concave in shape. All the energy in the shield converged in its center, intensifying from a light blue to a bright white. The deafening roar of thunder filled the air as a beam of light shot out from the shield. The beam hit the ground before Momon, but that was quickly corrected, the beam rising from the ground, cutting a vertical line across Momon’s breastplate. The electricity coursed through his armor. The Black Knight stumbled back, stifling a cry of pain, and staggered back some more.

“Electricity damage…” said the Captain. “Use electricity spells!” As the lightning dissipated from Momon’s armor, he stood there, silently for a moment. In an instant, the Black Knight leapt forward, bounding straight towards the Captain. Blazing Star and Strongest Human moved to intercept. Momon crashed into the ground in front of them, swinging down both swords at once. Strongest Human raised his axe to block both blades, succeeding. But he had no time to retaliate. No sooner had their weapons met, when Momon drew back one sword, dismissing it. Blazing Star’s lance approached rapidly.

“[Piercing Blue Dragon Tusk]!” cried the lancer.

Momon’s free hand took hold of the polearm, deflecting it into Strongest Human’s shoulder. The great barbarian warrior roared in pain, reeling back, as the lance released the [Piercing Blue Dragon Tusk], engulfing the massive berserker in lightning. Blazing Star struggled uselessly against Momon’s death grip on the lance. The Black Knight twisted the polearm. Crack! The lance fell off to the ground, and Blazing Star cried out, drawing a dagger with his now sole unbroken hand. Momon’s black greatsword rose up, paused, and fell.

CLANG!

The falling edge was met with the haft of the Captain’s spear, the spearman having rushed forward to defend his wounded comrade.

“[Greater Deceleration]!” cried Time Turbulence, his hand extended to cast a spell. The magical blue circles of tier magic appeared, brightened, then shattered. In that moment, Momon circled around the retreating Blazing Star. He kicked at the vibrantly-armored warrior. His adamantite sabaton made violent contact with Blazing Star’s leg. The lancer was down for the count, dropping his dagger and gripping his broken knee with his unbroken hand. Momon threw the Captain away from him, sending the spearman tumbling on the road.

Having recovered his strength, Strongest Human roared, charging forward with his axe. Momon turned rapidly, hurling his sword at the brute. With an angry swing, the barbarian turned the blade aside with his axe. The Black Knight then drew Inferno, his fiery spear, from his inventory and hurled it next. Strongest Human swung too soon. The point pierced his neck.

Engulfed in flames, his throat spurting blood, Strongest Human collapsed.

Certain Death, who had been watching with growing interest, finally burst into maniacal laughter. “Amazing! Momo-kun is the new Strongest Human, ahahahahaha!” Her voice was almost shrill and grating.

Veil Breaker, having flown over the wall, cast a spell. “[Maximize Magic – Blindness/Deafness].” The spell’s magic circle shattered as it formed

One-Man Army raised a hand upward.

“[Triplet Magic – Summon Greater Storm Elemental]”

In response, three large elementals, ablaze with lightning, appeared, swooping down on Momon all at once. Momon’s black sword swung, horizontally. The elementals, cut in two, dissolved.

Gloom Herald returned to the fray as well. “[Maximize Magic – Mist of Niflheim]!

Black mist sprang up around Momon, encompassing the dark warrior. Nabe responded.

“[Whirlwind Vortex]!”

A veritable tornado of wind roared into existence around Nabe, as she floated down to the black fog, using her own spell to disperse its necrotic tendrils. Through it all, Momon stood there, unbowed, and unbroken. Momon turned his head to Nabe. “That’s good enough. Stay in the air.”

Nabe nodded, returning up and dismissing her [Whirlwind Vortex] spell.

The Captain had regained his footing by now. “Prepare to retreat!” he ordered. “Collect the wounded!” The Scipture prepared to move forward. Nabe clapped her hands again, parting them again, a stream of lightning appearing between her palms.

Gloom Herald raised his hand.

“[Twin Magic – Wall of Force]! Not this time, spellcaster!”

Nabe smirked. “[Chain Dragon Lightning].” The lightning, taking a dragon’s shape, poured forth.

Time Turbulence cast a spell. “[Mass Acceleration]!” He and his comrades leapt away from the [Wall of Force]. The lightning dragon surged against the twin barriers, eating through them both like a fire through paper.

The Black Scripture was on the run. All save one.

Certain Death charged forward, her scythe in hand. She stabbed its central blade at Momon, shoving him back some ways. The two stood at bay.

“Just the two of us, then,” said Momon. Certain Death smiled widely at this.

“It is! What’s at stake then? Here’s my idea. If I win, well, I win. If you win… hehe… you can do whatever you want with me, Momo-kun… Sound nice?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh, Momo-kun… you probably don’t know much about m-“

“Your name is Certain Death, you inhabit the Theocracy’s Treasury, are constantly frustrated by the Cube of Rubik, and you want to kill your father.”

“Very good, Momo-kun! But some of your information is out of date, I’m afraid. My father, the Elven King, is dead.”

“The Elven King?” I think Mare mentioned something about the Elven King having a daughter in the Theocracy… “My condolenc-“

The chain barrier around the city dissipated.

“Aww, don’t get sappy on me, Momo-kun… I don’t go for the gushy romantic types. They’re so boringgggg.”

“I was about to express my sympathies towards you, since you had a father like that. However, mentioning possible romantic partners is a moot point. You are about to fight Momon! The Black Knight of E-Rantel! No weapon can overpower me!”

“Hahahaahaha! Momo-kunnnnn… You’re so arrrrrrogant, it’s cuuuute… We’ll find out just how cute you are soon enough… won’t we, Momo-kun?” Certain Death’s grin was almost as wide and diabolical as Solution Epsilon’s smile when the latter thought about devouring screaming humans.

This girl is a maniac! Are all the girls from the Black Scripture this way? I’d prefer hearing Albedo and Shalltear tackling me than having to deal with this weirdo!

“Indeed,” said Momon proudly. “You may be surprised.”

“You’re full of surprises, Momo-kunnn… You took down two members of the Black Scripture, but that’s happened before. Let’s hope your next one isn’t dying in five seconds, heeheeeghhahahahaaaaa!” She spoke in a sing-song voice, enjoying every moment of it.

“We shall see.” Momon turned to Nabe, whose furious grey eyes were boring holes into the side of Certain Death’s head. “Nabe, ensure the Black Scripture really retreats and does not regroup. Chase them for a few miles, return, and take the wounded prisoners. Don’t kill any of them if you can help it. If you see the World Item user, retreat at once.” The mage nodded and flew off.

“Aw, Momo-kunnnnn… I never thought you the type to take prisoners? What are you gonna do with ‘em?”

“I doubt the affairs of the living pertain to the soon-to-be-deceased.”

“Heeheeheeeeeheeheeheee! Momo-kun! You’re almost my type, you know that? That reminds me, you mentioned the Cube. What do you know about it?” She put her gauntlet-armored hand to her chin, tapping with her index finger thoughtfully.

“Ever heard of an unwinnable battle?”

Certain Death giggled again at this. It might have been endearing if she hadn’t already placed herself firmly in the ‘Nutcase’ region of Momon’s memory, right next to the late Clementine. “Teeheeheehee! So funny and opinionated… But do you really look down on the gifts of the Gods that much, Momo-kun?”

“I look at things based on their effectiveness, not their place of origin.”

“Have you ever seen how effective you are, Momo-kun? Let’s find out!” she shouted, zigzagging forward twice before charging straight for Momon, smiling wildly, her scythe in hand.

{The Bareare Residence, Carne Village, a few minutes later…}

The Bareares had hunkered down with Lupusregina Beta in the cellar. It was out of sight, had only one entrance, and was livable. The goblin Redcaps insisted on being present as well, to keep an eye on the battlemaid. They sat silently in the shadows, their eyes fixed on Lupusregina, who leaned against a wall opposite the family.

“Onē-chan, why did Jugem-san and the others leave?” asked Nemu.

“Ainz-sama’s plan needed half of the goblins in the village to the Draconic Kingdom and help fight the Theocracy. No one wanted to volunteer and go, so we had them all draw lots. It was fair and random. It was just pure luck that Jugem-san and Goblin Troop all got picked. They’ll come back, Nemu, I promise. Soon.”

The earth rumbled loudly, shaking the entire cellar.

“What kind of man is Momon?” asked Lizzie in wonder. “I know he’s incredibly strong, even among adamantite adventurers, but this is just incredible! Just how strong is he?”

“He’s just like Ainz-sensei! Incredib-…“ Nfirea trailed off in confusion as Lupusregina grinned widely at him, showing some teeth and tightening her grip on her crozier. The Redcap guards took hold of their weapons as well, as the room sank into a tense silence. The room shuddered again.

“Don’t trip of your words, potion boy. Say what you wanted to say,” said the battle maid, her usually bright and cheery tone underlined with menace. Enri glanced between the two with confusion. What’s going on between Enfi and Lupu-san? Does she not want him to say something? I should ask him later.

“He’s… something beyond the realm of heroes. It’s absolutely incredible! The sheer talent Ainz Ooal Gown-sama has collected. He’s got me and Grandma doing alchemy for him, and he’s got the Emperor, and the Lizardmen and the Dwarven runecrafters, and all that! And even his other people like Lupu-san and Darkness.”

Lupusregina relaxed both her grip and her smile, as the rumble returned, and the cellar trembled once more. She looked up. “I think I’ll go peek outside and see if Momon-san and Nabe-san left anything to clean up. They should be done by now, I think. Don’t go anywhere!” The Pleiades maid strolled up the stairs.

Stepping out of the house, Lupusregina cast [Fly] on herself, moving up to get a better view of the area. Carne Village itself seemed fine, although the goblin forces were currently maintaining a high alert. Some of them were gawking in the direction of the Great Forest of Tob to the west, in the shade of whose branches the earth trembled and flashes of light sprang up. Lupusregina turned that way as well, observing the torn-up fields and the fallen trees that showed a clear trail of destruction, all glinting in the moonlight. That’s where the main fight was.

{The Great Forest of Tob…}

Momon and Certain Death paused, both panting for breath. Momon’s armor was marred with dents in several places. Blood dripped from the corner of Certain Death’s mouth, stark red against her pale skin. But she ignored the pain, her joyful laughter threatening to escape with every shuddering breath. Momon stabbed both his weapons into the ground.

“I call for a truce. I should point out that we made no agreement about surrender or quarter. I am a reasonable man. I allow you to surrender if you wish.”

“Gggheeheeheeehaaa! Momo-kunnnn! Do you know how long, how long I have been waiting for a man like you? A man who has a chance to beat me in open battle! This is one of the moments I’ve been waiting for all my life, next to castrating my father! Just a little more, Momo-kun! I have to make sure you’re the one!”

“The one?”

“The one to father my children, Momo-kun! Can you imagine how strong our children would be? They would be unstoppable! I would be so, so, so proud to be their mommy, and you would be proud of them too, Momo-kun! Ah, but I’m getting ahead of myself. I’ve never been so excited before! We’ve still got some way to go before one of us goes down, so it could go either way!”

Great, another crazy messed-up woman who wants the only thing I don’t have. I kinda feel bad for her though; where Albedo and Shalltear are concerned, she’s got death wish, and she doesn’t even know who Momon is.

I’m not worried about losing to her, though. She’s definitely over level 70, as her weapon is easily damaging me, but it’s based on damage types I’m highly resistant to, piercing and slashing. My HP losses are minimal, although my armor is rather damaged. I could engage in a slugging match and probably outlast her. She seems to be a martial class. If she brings out a warhammer or a mace, I might need to retreat, because the bludgeoning damage she would inflict is problematic. I can’t cast [Body of Effulgent Beryl] with [Perfect Warrior] active to protect myself, and she’s really good at landing hits.

I can’t cast [Life Essence] either, so I can’t track her HP loss, but I know I’m damaging her a good bit. Overall, I’m holding back, but what concerns me is that I’m sure she is too. She hasn’t used a single magic item, class skill, spell, or martial art this whole time, and neither have I. This has just been a contest of raw swordsmanship. I need to force her hand, but I don’t want to accidentally kill her, not like this. I need her to be at Kami Miyako with the other leading figures of the Theocracy when I put an end this whole thing.

The bigger and more spectacular the showdown at Kami Miyako is, the better. The physical destruction of the Theocracy is a shallow retribution compared to their spiritual destruction. Demiurge told me a while back where the word ‘theocracy’ came from, based on some things he read in Ashurbanipal. The Greek words ‘theos’ and ‘kratos.’ Instead of destroying the second part, I need to destroy the first, and replace it with myself. No better way to do that than a grand final battle for the bards and sages to write about for millennia afterward...

“Momo-kunnnn? What are you thinking about, Momo-kunnnn? Wake up!” called Certain Death, resuming that grating sing-song voice. “Did I hit your head too many times? Rememberrrr, we’re dueling, right?”

“Yes, I haven’t forgotten. I apologize for the delay. Shall we continue? Have you regained your breath?”

“It’s hard for me to catch my breath just for someone as strong as you take it away again!”

Okay then!

“Enough of this foolishness. I agreed to duel with you under the assumption that you would fight me, and not toy with me. Therefore, I consider this duel to be null and void, as its conditions have not been fulfilled.”

“Oh? You want me to get serious, Momo-kun?” she lowered her voice, her ear-to-ear grin’s diabolical aspect intensifying.

“I don’t like foes who hold back.”

“Are you surely surely surely sure?”

“I just want to confirm how weak you are.”

“Ah, I see, Momo-kun. Well, your wish is my command!”

Could I wish for you to not want to be my wife?

Certain Death stepped back with a gleeful smile, twirling her scythe in her hand. In a blur, she held an adamantite bow in her hand instead. She quickly drew the bowstring back, an arrow of light appearing. The bow loosed with a twang. The bolt of light sailed through the air, smashing into Momon’s well-worn pauldron. He stumbled back upon impact. Oh? What’s this?

Certain Death spun the bow in her hand. The bow vanished, replaced by a rod of some sort. With a flick of her wrist, a whip of pure light shot out form the rod. Cackling madly, she spun the whip around her head in a circle. The forest thundered as trees, sliced by the radiant lash, fell all around her. She spun three times before bringing the whip to crack down on Momon.

Momon juked out of the way. The whip made a cracking sound as it hit the ground, followed by a blinding flash. When the flash ended, the whip was gone. A black and white blur sped towards Momon, shooting to the left first, and then the right, then to the left again, and then straight on target. Momon lifted his blades to ward off the attack. With a thunderous clang, Momon deflected the incoming blow from the morningstar that Certain Death now wielded.

A Changeling-blade! That’s from YGGDRASIL! I’ve never actually seen one in use before, so this is actually really cool! It can take the form of almost 50 weapons, but each weapon deals less damage than the actual weapon. They were rare and highly coveted by us Players, with only 300 ever existing. They used to randomly spawn in dungeons early on, but the shitty devs made a quick-switch cash shop items later and turned the changeling-blade into a limited supply item, like World-class Items. In terms of raw numbers, it probably deals slightly more damage than a Relic-class weapon. But since she damaged my HP through my armor, I wonder if she has a passive ability to ignore defense.

Certain Death moved just out of range of her own weapon, then stabbed forward with the morningstar, before it lengthened and narrowed into a spear, closing the distance and shoving Momon back when the attack landed. She spun the spear back around over her head rapidly. When the weapon came back around it was a flail. The black knight ducked before the business end of the flail could connect with his helmet. Certain Death did not close in again, this time settling into a low guard position, the flail morphing into a greatsword, its edges glowing bright white. The blade itself was wavy in shape, giving it an almost serrated appearance. Her smile seemed to almost split her face in half, and her black and white eyes burned, half with infatuation, half condescension.

This is good, this is good! I’m drawing her abilities out slowly. Now I just need to see her using some skills or martial arts and if she can cast spells!

“Had enough yet, Momo-kun? Usually I’d just murder you outright, but I don’t think I’d ever meet someone as strong and challenging as you for the rest of my life! It’d be a shame to lose a potential husband! I’ve waited so long for someone like you… I get shivers just thinking of the wonderful strong terrifying children I’d give you if I lose!” The tone of her voice was enough to tell Momon that she was absolutely sincere. He didn’t need to seek further confirmation in the manic grin and the lovestruck eyes.

Yeah, about that…

“Hahaha… my offer about you surrendering still stands.”

“Anddddd so does my refusal. Sorry, Momo-kunnnn, but I’m not that kind of girl.”

“Well, come on then.” Momon moved both of his swords into a guarding position.

Certain Death darted back, and then dashed to the right, then the left, and then the right again, and then the left, and then straight for Momon. As she closed, instead of raising the blade to swing at Momon, she gripped it with one hand, preparing to stab at the adamantite armor.

Momon swung one of his swords, missing. Certain Death’s stab struck the armored bevor, being turned aside by the shape of the armor, but denting it. She quickly drew back, taking the sword’s blade and both hands, threatening to use the crossguard and pommel as a make-shift mace. Momon parried the downward thundering blow, forcing it off to the side. Certain Death fell back to try again. She twirled the blade in her hands, as it morphed into a double-bladed sword.

She zoomed forward again. “[Acalanatha]! [Kurikara Sword]!” she cried. The two blades surged with white light, stronger than before. Momon had to act fast. With one sword, he turned aside her initial attack, raising the second up to ward off the downward strike from the other blade before pushing Certain Death back.

If she lands several blows with a bludgeoning weapon with that skill on me, I might be in some trouble. That ability deals heavy damage to low karma beings, and she can get past my armor. But this is great information! She uses combat skills like YGGDRASIL players, not martial arts. What’s better is that she’s got at least some classes in common with Takemikazuchi-san and Cocytus, so I have a better idea of how she’s going to fight, accounting for the Changeling-blade of course. This should be an easy win for Ainz Ooal Gown. Come to think of it, I might keep her alive or resurrect her and have her work for Cocytus. I don’t think she’d turn my command down once I beat her. They’d both like that, I think. She gets to be with someone who can beat her, and he can have someone challenging to spar with. It would be risky though… she’s probably just below or on par with the Platinum Dragon Lord. I don’t want Cocytus getting hurt. Well, I’ll decide that later.

The double-bladed sword was gone, replaced by a cord of light, topped with a crescent blade. “[Self-Enhancement]. [Cutting Wind]!” Certain Death hurled the crescent blade at Momon, which he then dodged. She retrieved the blade, spinning to menace him with the crescent again, bringing it slamming down on him. The rapid-moving crescent blade hit the adamantite pauldron, leaving a noticeable gash in the metal. Enough was enough.

Momon dismissed his two swords, opting instead to lift the trunk of a fallen tree and swing it at Certain Death like a massive club. She sliced the tree in two once it was about to hit her, but not before Momon recalled one of his swords and hurled it at her. She swept the projectile blade aside, morphing her own weapon into a bow again, shooting a single arrow of blazing light at Momon. The arrow pierced the armored breastplate.

Momon stumbled back, and dropped to his knees, breathing heavily. He tossed his remaining sword away. He clutched at the buckled adamantite.

”Enough! I yield! I yield!”

Certain Death smiled deeply and approached her vanquished foe.