Chapter 43: Vol6 Intermission (1/2)

Intermission

There was a room which was the very definition of “spectacular luxury”.

The bright red carpet on the floor was so soft that it made people feel that their calves were sinking into it. The high-backed chairs were made of high-grade natural lumber and carved with intricate rococo designs, The cushions gleamed with the lustre that only genuine black leather could produce.

A man lounged atop the chair, sinking into its back as he extended a pair of long, slender legs before him.

Noble. If someone were to perfectly capture his appearance in a portrait, that was how they would describe him.

His blond hair reflected the light of the surrounding magic lamps, producing an effect like the radiance of a galaxy. The dark purple pupils within his narrow-slitted eyes were like amethysts, enthralling all who looked into them.

However, anyone who laid eyes upon him would probably have a different impression of him before they praised his noble appearance. Wholly separate from his looks, anyone who personally experienced the presence he radiated — the natural air of a born leader — would only be able to form one impression of him.

That was to say, they would think of him as a “ruler”.

He was Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix.

At the tender age of 22, he was the reigning Emperor of the Baharuth Empire. The nobles regarded him with respect and fear, while the people were filled with the utmost respect and praised him as the wisest Emperor in history. In addition, the neighboring countries feared him, because he had earned his title of the Bloody Emperor by purging many nobles.

There were four other men in the room besides Jircniv, but all of them stood motionless, as though they were statues.

Jircniv turned his eyes away from the papers he had been looking at for a while and fixed his line of sight in mid-air. He scribed his thoughts onto it, as though there were a blackboard there.

Before long, Jircniv snorted. It sounded like he was scoffing at something, but also like he was interested.

The news from his spy within the Empire had produced that reaction from Jircniv.

At this moment—

—The door opened, without any knocking.

This outrageously rude behavior made his attendants lower their stances and glare at the doorway with hostility. However, once those minions saw who had walked into the room, they immediately stood down and returned to their original stances.

The person who had entered was an old man, his long beard about half as tall as he was long. His hair was as white as snow, yet it had not thinned out.

The long years of his life were written on the wrinkles of his face, while his keen eyes concealed the light of wisdom within them.

He wore a necklace made of countless tiny crystal balls, and his withered hands were adorned with several practical, unadorned rings. His pure white robe was baggy and loose, and it was made of a very soft fabric.

His appearance was the first thing any know-nothing would think of when they heard the word “magic caster”.

“—Things have become troublesome.”

Those were the first words uttered by the old man who had slowly entered the room. He spoke them in a young-sounding voice that seemed thoroughly at odds with his appearance. Jircniv merely moved his eyes, shifting the object of his interested gaze.

“What’s the matter, Gramps?”

“I have investigated, but it is impossible for us to find him.”

“What do you mean, in simple words?’

“…Your Imperial Majesty. Magic is one of the principles of the world. Knowledge—”

“Yes, I know, I know,” Jircniv said with a disinterested wave of his hand. “You ramble on once you get going. Skip that for now and get to the point.”

“…If this Ainz Ooal Gown person truly exists, then he must surely possess some very powerful magic item or some personal power which prevents people from spying on him. In my estimation, he might be able to use magic of a similar, or higher tier than me.

Everyone in the room grew tense, with the exception of the Emperor and the old man.

The old man was saying that this person was on par with the highest-tiered magic caster in the Empire’s history, the Imperial Court Wizard, the great sage known as the “Triple Magic Caster”, Fluder Paradyne. Everyone else doubted their ears.