The hall fell silent.
Decem Hougan's expression finally changed.
He looked at Higashino Makoto, and for the first time, fear appeared in his emerald green eyes—the kind of instinctive, deep-seated fear that arises when facing an incomprehensible being.
"You--"
"Take it easy."
Higashino Makoto retracted his right hand, and the golden light dissipated.
"Killing you wouldn't require such trouble."
He turned his head and looked at Ainz.
"Momon, are you coming or not?"
Ainz was silent for a moment.
"Then I'll do it."
Ainz drew his greatsword from behind him and silently activated the "Perfect Warrior" skill.
With a powerful stomp, he swiftly approached the stunned Elf King and slashed his chest with his sword.
"It hurts... it hurts so much! Why does it hurt so much!"
The Elf King lost his composure and, disregarding any semblance of "royal dignity," scrambled out of the room.
Leave here.
As long as I can leave this place, I can definitely make a comeback with my own strength.
But the next second, a sharp pain shot through his legs—
One was pierced by the spear of Certain Death, and the other was severed by Ainz's greatsword.
The Elf King, now without his legs, clutched them in a grotesque expression, tears blurring his vision. Blood and snot stained his once handsome face, making him appear ugly and foolish.
"It's truly ugly."
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.
Two spears of light flew out, pinning his hands to the ground as well.
The Elf King, like an insect about to be made into a specimen, could only let out a desperate, mournful cry.
"Aaaaaah--It hurts! It's so painful..."
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly, then turned to look at Certain Death.
Certain Death stood still, his scythe hanging at his side, his heterochromatic black and white eyes watching the twisting human figure on the ground, watching the man he nominally called "father".
Her expression was calm, so calm that it didn't seem like someone who had just killed her father.
No, the other party is not dead yet.
But seeing him like this, one might think it would be better if he were dead.
More than a century of hatred came to an end just like that.
There was nothing spectacular or earth-shattering.
Higashino Makoto and Ainz crushed an ant with such ease and casualness.
"Certain Death."
Higashino Makoto walked up to her and looked down at her.
Certain Death raised his head, his heterochromatic black and white eyes meeting his black eyes.
"How about that? I deliberately saved the last cut for you."
Higashino Makoto said.
"No need, I want to go back and eat an egg pancake."
Certain Death remained silent for a moment.
"Let Aunt Nazel do it."
Higashino Makoto was somewhat disappointed, as the scene of a loving father and filial daughter had not been achieved.
It's alright, though; it saves me a Resurrection Magic.
Higashino Makoto inquired.
"... You're treating."
"Okay. My treat."
Certain Death stared at him for two seconds, then a slight smile appeared on his lips.
It was faint, subtle, but it was definitely a smile.
"You're really annoying."
"I know."
She turned around and walked out of the main hall.
With a scythe slung over his shoulder, his silver-white armor gleamed coldly in the dim light, and his long, black and white hair flowed behind him.
His steps were much lighter than when he came, as if he had unloaded something heavy.
Higashino Makoto watched her retreating figure, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Ainz."
"Um."
"Should we take the Elf King back to Nazarick and interrogate him properly? After all, as the son of one of the Eight Greed Kings, he should possess not only a considerable number of magical artifacts but also a great deal of related knowledge and information."
After a moment's thought, Higashino Makoto offered his advice while holding up five fingers.
"Oh, and remember to share the intelligence. Also, how about we split the magical items we get from the treasure vault fifty-fifty?"
Ainz had no objection and nodded.
"Good."
Next came the enjoyable time for dividing the spoils.
The treasure vault mainly contains items that resemble extra-large coconuts and mysterious fruits exceeding one meter in length.
There were no items made of rare metals; they were all things that, in terms of materials, seemed easy to obtain from the natural environment.
One of the magic staffs, capable of conjuring fruit six times within four hours, was quite interesting and was taken by Higashino Makoto as a collectible.
In exchange, Ainz acquired a bow and arrows, part of the Eight Greed Kings' legacy.
The two men had no disagreements regarding the division of the spoils.
Although it wasn't as extensive as their own collection, it was still a reward from exploring the maze, and both of them were quite satisfied.
That's the joy of exploring a maze.
Especially Ainz, who, despite being a mere skeleton, clearly showed signs of happiness.
After that, in order to prevent the country from falling into excessive chaos due to the loss of its king, Higashino Makoto decided to leave behind a Doppelganger to temporarily maintain stability in the Elf Kingdom.
He gave brief instructions for the next steps.
Stop the war, disband the harem, and elect the next Elf King.
The four people and one cat then left the main hall, left the Royal Capital, and entered the Great Forest of Evasha.
After waiting outside for a long time, Certain Death simply complained, "So slow," and then said nothing more.
Sunlight filters through the gaps in the tree canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.
In the distance, on the border between the Slane Theocracy and the Elf Kingdom, the fighting had ceased.
Just now, the Elf King issued a ceasefire order.
The Slane Theocracy did not choose to break the agreement, nor did it take the opportunity to attack the Elf Kingdom.
The Elf Kingdom warriors laid down their bows and arrows, and the soldiers of the Slane Theocracy laid down their spears.
They looked at each other in silence, unsure of what to say.
The war is over.
Only a very few people know how it ended, and most people don't know who ended it.
But it's over.
In the forest, Higashino Makoto walked at the front of the group, with Ainz beside him.
Kurumi walked at the back, with the black cat "Zafkiel" perched on her shoulder, its tail swaying gently.
Narberal remained silent, as always.
Certain Death walked in the middle of the group, with his spear and sickle on his shoulder, his steps light and quick.
"Higashino."
"Um?"
"Is the Elf King dead?"
"You're dead."
Although he's still clinging to life, it'll be over soon.
Once Ainz has extracted enough information from him, he'll kill him.
Speaking of which, will the Elf King be sent to the interrogator, or to that giant cockroach called Terror Duke?
Should we talk to Ainz and ask him to provide the Elf King with a full-service package?
"That's good."
Certain Death no more words.
She simply quickened her pace, walked to Higashino Makoto's side, and walked alongside him.
Sunlight fell on the two of them, casting their shadows onto the forest floor where they overlapped.
The horse-drawn carriage waited at the border.
The driver, who was dozing off against the edge of the cart, was startled awake by the sound of footsteps.
"Come back to your Divine Capital."
Higashino Makoto jumped onto the carriage and leaned back in the soft chair.
The driver was taken aback.
"Now?"
"Now."
The carriage started moving, the sound of its wheels rolling over the gravel road echoing in the setting sun.
Certain Death sat on the edge of the car, his legs dangling outside, swaying gently.
She took off her helmet, and her long, black and white hair fluttered in the evening breeze.
She held a Rubik's Cube in her hands—it was her toy for passing the time, although she was never very good at it.
"Higashino."
Higashino Makoto's voice came from inside the carriage.
"What's wrong now?"
Have you ever tried Aunt Nazel's egg pancakes?
"No."
"It's delicious."
I know, you already said that.
Certain Death remained silent for a moment.
"... I wasn't praising the egg pancake."
"So what are you praising?"
There was no reply from Certain Death.
She simply lowered her head, looking at the Rubik's Cube in her hand, her fingers unconsciously turning it.
The colors of the Rubik's Cube are chaotic and disordered, just like her life—a mix of black and white, forever impossible to put together.
"I'm praising..."
Her voice was so soft, almost carried away by the wind.
"Someone is waiting for me to come back."
The carriage fell silent.
Higashino Makoto leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes gazing at the roof of the car. A slight smile played on his lips.
"Kurumi."
"Exist."
"When you get back, you should try that egg pancake too."
"Your subordinate obeys."
"Ainz, you eat too."
I'm not eating.
"Then just watch us eat."
"... good."