Arche pointed to the world. The sky, the stars, the gently-blowing wind, the forest which stretched as far as the eye could see. Although she did not think this place could be under the earth, when it came to these people, even that might be a possibility.
“The 41 Supreme Beings, our most august creators, once ruled this place. It was created by them, and even we don’t understand all of it.”
“…They created a world? That would make them like gods…”
“That’s correct. To us, they are beings on the same level as gods. Gods with Ainz-sama as their leader.”
Arche looked around.
She had accepted it. No matter how you put it, after seeing so much, the only thing she could do was accept it.
There was no way she would be returning alive.
“Well then, not fleeing?”
“—Would it even be possible?”
“Of course not. There was never any intention to allow you to escape to begin with.”
“—Is that so?”
Arche gripped her staff tightly with both hands and charged the girl. She could no longer use spells since she was out of mana. However, even in this most hopeless of situations she still had to try her best until the very last moment. This was the duty of Arche, the sole surviving member of Foresight.
“There, there, you’ve done your best.”
The girl’s reply to Arche’s fully-determined charge was little more than bored dismissal.
“Then, your sad little escape attempt ends here... though it’s a shame I couldn’t see you cry.”
The girl easily caught the staff with one hand, and yanked it toward herself. Arche was thrown off balance and fell into the arms of the girl. The two of them ended up embracing in mid-air.
In this position, the girl buried her face into Arche’s neck. Although Arche tried to struggle, the girl who stuck to her like glue could not be shaken off. She breathed hotly on Arche’s neck, and Arche’s body quivered.
“…Mm, the smell of sweat…”
Not being able to keep one’s body clean was part and parcel of the worker’s life for Arche. This was true for all workers, adventurers, travellers, and anyone who spent time moving around outside. Even if they got dirty, the appropriate response would be “So what?”
However, she still felt deeply ashamed at being told this by a girl who was younger and more beautiful than her.
The girl’s face left Arche’s neck. A feeling of revulsion swept up over Arche as she looked into those crimson eyes. Within those eyes burned a lust for the female body, stained with the same carnal desire that men possessed for women.
“Be at ease. You will die without experiencing any suffering. Be grateful to Ainz-sama for his mercy.”
“——!”
Arche wanted to respond, but instead all she felt was surprise - surprise at the fact that her body had been immobilized. It was as though those crimson pupils had stolen away her soul.