“Hmph”, Ainz sneered through his nose.

“—Huh? How funny. I, who has the cowardly name is advancing, while you, who has the brave name is retreating? Why is that?”

Ainz asked in a flat tone, and an answer came from behind.

“Because Ainz-sama’s name is brave, and the weird name Guu is cowardly. Right, snake?”

“Yes, Yes! This is proof of the greatness of Ainz Ooal Gown-sama!”

After hearing the cute, girly voice and the pained voice on the verge of tears, Ainz nodded repeatedly.

“I see, I see. That make sense. Cowards have short names— Ainz Ooal Gown is the name of the brave and mighty.”

“—Why you!”

“Shut up, coward.”

Driven by terror and wrath, Guu attempted a cleaving attack. Ainz didn’t dodge or block, hitting back with his staff directly. Ainz did not allow the sword to parry the attack or Guu to dodge.

The staff blasted part of Guu’s body away.

“Guwaaargh!!”

Amidst the terrible screams, Guu’s minions who were watching the battle cowered in fear.

“As expected of trolls, you recovered thanks to your regeneration ability. But it still hurts right? That was the strongest hit I have thrown so far, you coward who wants to protect himself from my attack.”

Before Ainz was a head that was half the thickness from before. Normal creatures would have died instantly, but the giant’s head was slowly recovering.

Guu’s face recovered to its usual ugly form, with intense terror engraved onto it. A fear several times stronger than before was pressing down on him.

“You, what are you! Why is my attack not working?!”

Ainz lowered his head and spread his arms slowly.

“...Death. I am the one who will bring you death.”

“All, all of you! Kill that thing!”

“Well well, as expected of the one with a cowardly name, to break the rules of a one-on-one challenge… It suits your name. That’s why, I will forgive you.”

Ainz announced in a great mood.

Bound by their fear of the unknown monsters before them, Guu’s minions moved slowly. Even the most stupid person could sense Ainz’ power. Even if they hated it, the scene before them confirmed this fact. They were very hesitant in going against either Ainz or Guu, staring at them without moving.

“Hurry!”

Even so, they weren’t moving.

It was the same for Ainz. Right now, there was an intrinsic balance that was restraining everyone. If this balance collapsed, the giants would flee from the cave immediately.

It would be a hassle if they ran away... A hassle to hunt and kill them one at a time.

“You are right, playtime is over.”

Ainz activated an ability he hadn’t thought much of— but which was a powerful force in this world.

‘Despair Aura V’.

An aura radiated out with Ainz at the center. Like puppets with their strings cut, the trolls, ogres and Guu all fell to the ground. The monsters laid there without moving. It was obvious that the flames of their lives had been extinguished.

The fearful voice of an old man echoed in the silent cave.

“What, what did you do, my lord?”

The naga did its best to keep away from Ainz, twisting its body. Ainz looked back at it.

“I used a special skill. Trolls might have regenerative abilities, but that doesn’t mean they can resist instant death attacks… All of you don’t have much value, but you might still be useful. However, if you reject my rule, you will be disposed of.”

“This old one is happy to serve under your rule! The weak submitting to the strong is only natural. This old one will brave hell for you with no hesitation!”

Ainz stared at the Naga whose head was almost on the ground, and shrugged nonchalantly.

“...Well, anything is fine. The reason I came was for negotiation after all.”

“How, how frightening. My lord, you must think that it’s fine whatever happens to this old one. My lord must regard this old one who rules the western forest on the same level as rolling stones.”

“No, I am slightly more interested than that. You mentioned something about dark elves right? Tell me the details.”

“Of course… Certainly. This old one will tell everything it knows! But, erm…”

Ainz waved for it to continue, and the Naga said:

“Could you spare this old one’s life after that?”

“I promise you this. If you swear fealty to me and work hard, I will reward you for your efforts… Speaking of which, where are your subordinates? Are you like Hamsuke, no, the monster that ruled the southern forest, who controlled the west alone?”

“No, this old one has subordinates. I did not bring them along for the negotiation with Guu. If negotiations broke down, they would not be able to escape with invisibility.”

“I see, then next question. Are there any trolls working for you?”

“Just one.”

“That is splendid. Can it replace the Giant of the East? No, that would… be difficult. Alright, bring your minions to my— no, to the building this child is constructing. Aura, let him go.”

“Would it be fine?”

“It’s fine, he already swore fealty to me. If he betrays me, I will think of another way.”

Aura slowly removed her hand from the naga’s throat, which had bruises in the shape of a hand. It was still tense, but the naga relaxed a little. Ainz ignored him and walked towards Guu’s carcass.

“I will use this as a reference for zombie trolls.”

Using a special skill. Ainz could turn corpses into undead. They were either zombies or skeletons, but the stronger the physical body, the more powerful the zombie. One famous example would be zombie dragons.

Ainz picked up the sword, which was much taller than himself, from the ground. It was a magic item that could change its size according to one’s strength. It would fall out of his hand if he tried to wield the sword as a weapon he was unable to equip, but just holding it was fine.

“How about giving this to the village to make it stronger? That might be the best way to use this magic item. It is not valuable enough to bring it back to Nazarick.”

“Ainz Ooal Gown-sama!”