Overlord (LN)

“Then, since there’s nowhere for you to run, let’s have some fun~”

Part 2

Registering Hamsuke itself was simple enough, but it took about one and a half hours. The most time-consuming part of the process was sketching an identification picture of Hamsuke by hand. While magic could have sped up the process, Ainz did not want to go to the extra expense of paying for a spell, which had led to this situation.

Ainz had to make up an excuse in order to avoid being labelled as petty.

“Although it’s a little late to mention this, the whole ‘I’m interested in drawing’ excuse is getting old... Ah, forget it. Let’s go over now,” Ainz said to Narberal as he finished the registration, before he headed toward Hamsuke.

He had become used to it.

Since the merry-go-round was not the exclusive domain of the rich — or people with lovers or family — then it made no difference if a lonely older man rode it.

Having given up on himself, there was no hesitation in Ainz’s movements.

Using his superior athletic ability, he mounted the Wise King of the Forest with a masterful vault. If he were an athlete, his name would have gone down in the history books. He did not have a saddle or reins, but several hours of experience was enough for Ainz to learn how to skillfully mount up.

The pedestrians were gasping in awe as far as his eyes could see. He could even hear the sounds of women screaming in excitement. In particular, he felt the piercing gazes of his fellow adventurers burning into him. After seeing the copper plate around Ainz’s neck, their eyes went wide with disbelief.

I’m the one who should have a hard time believing this. What’s wrong with your sense of aesthetics?

Just then, a voice called out to Ainz, interrupting the foolish questions in his heart and the process of ordering Hamsuke to move out.

“Say, would you be the people who went herb-picking with my grandson?”

The voice was an aged one. When he turned to look, he found an old granny.

“...And who might you be?”

He said that, but Ainz could guess at the answer. If this granny’s words were genuine, then there could be only one answer to that question.

“My name is Lizzie Bareare. I’m Nfirea’s grandmother.”

“Ah! So it really was you? That’s right, I’m one of the adventurers who escorted your grandson to Carne Village. My name is Momon, and this is Nabe.”

Lizzie smiled to the bowing Narberal:

“She’s an unbelievably beautiful girl. And what is the name of the creature you’re riding?”

“It is the Wise King of Forest, Hamsuke.”

“This one is Hamsuke! This one is very pleased to meet you!”

“What!? This mighty beast is the legendary Wise King of the Forest!?”

The adventurers around them who heard Lizzie’s cry were even more surprised. With shocked looks on their faces, they whispered, “Is that really the monster of legends?” and so on.

“Indeed. After receiving your grandson’s request, we encountered it at our destination and I managed to tame it.”

“You actually... tamed the Wise King of the Forest...”

Lizzie was dumbstruck and could do nothing but stare.

“Then... where is my grandson now?”

“Ah, he went home first with the herbs. We’re heading over there now to collect our payment.”

The old lady breathed a sigh of relief, and then looked at Ainz with a strange look in her eyes:

“Oh, I see... then, shall we go together? I’m quite interested in you adventurer types.”

To Ainz, Lizzie’s suggestion was like a life preserver to a drowning man.

“Ah, the pleasure’s all mine.”

The group proceeded through the streets of E-Rantel, led by Lizzie.

♦ ♦ ♦

“Then, please come in.”

Once they reached the storefront, Lizzie came to the front door and took out her keys. Then, she looked down, and pushed. The door swung open, without any resistance.

“What’s this? This is too careless of him.”

Lizzie muttered to herself as she entered the shop. Ainz and Narberal followed her.

“Nfirea, Momon-san’s here—”

Lizzie’s voice echoed through the shop, but it was silent. It felt as though there was nobody there.

“What happened?”

Lizzie was filled with confusion. Ainz, on the other hand, replied curtly:

“Trouble.”

Lizzie heard, but did not understand. Ainz paid her no heed, but instead placed his hands on the hilts of his greatswords. Narberal figured out what he was up to from that action and she drew her sword as well.

“What, what are you doing!?”

“Don’t ask, just follow.”