“It was a fist.”

Everyone’s eyes fell on Zero. He repeated himself, declaring that this imprint was made by a fist.

“A fist huh… that’s amazing~.”

“—Foolish. This is nothing.”

He cut off the woman’s admiration and, collecting his breath, Zero stabbed the door with his fist. His hand became lodged in the door as if it was ripping through paper. As Zero slowly pulled out his fist, leaving behind a same hole as the one that Sebas had made.

Looking dumb-founded, the lean man opened his mouth.

“You can’t really use the boss as a comparison… Well, the enemy had enough skill to pierce through a steel reinforced door and defeat Succulent, even if he’s the weakest among the Six Arms. I’m guessing we should consider him to be a formidable foe, right?”

“What nonsense. Just because that guy lost doesn’t mean that his opponent was strong.”

The one who had his hood pulled deeply over his head spoke in a voice filled with ridicule.

“If his illusions are seen through, then his battle strength falls greatly beneath ours. He is strong when there is a clear difference in ability between him and his opponent. But if it’s similar or he falls behind even slightly, then his defeat is certain. You all should know this as well.”

There was faint laughter. It was a laugh that agreed with his comment and at the same time, one of contempt for someone whose skill was beneath them.

“With that in mind, let me ask, what do we do? Are you going to take your hand off the matter? I do not think that clashing will prove beneficial, considering the losses.”

“Foolish.”

Zero’s voice was filled with an anger that he could not suppress.

“If we don’t kill the one who attacked this brothel and set an example, our value will drop. From this point on, don’t think about losses. All of Six Arms will step forward and kill the invader— ‘Undying King’ Deibanock”

The one wearing the robe held out his hand. The hand that did not belong to a living person was firmly grasping an orb. The orb responded to the emotions of its owner and exuded a strange aura.

“‘Void Executioner’ Peshurian.”

The one in full plate armor who had been silent until now beat his fist against his chest and the loud sound of metal rang out.

“‘Dancing Scimitar’ Edstrom.”

With the ringing of the metal bangle around her arm, the woman wearing the light silk gracefully bowed her head.

“‘Thousand Kills’ Malmvist.”

The lean man brought his heels together with a click.

“And I, ‘Battle Demon’ Zero!”

As if in agreement, those around Zero all nodded their head.

“First, we pay the bail on Succulent and the others who were arrested and gather information. Once that is done… arrange for people who know how to torture. We will show the invader hell. He will greatly regret his foolishness!”

Lower Fire Month (9th Month), Day 3, 17:42

By the time Sebas had finished everything and was heading back to the mansion, the sun had already begun to set.

Climb-kun protected the ones that were being held captive and Succulent and the owner of the brothel were all arrested. It seems they will be quite busy so it should buy a bit of time.

Then what was he to do with Tsuare? The best option was to take her somewhere safe. However, as far as Sebas knew, only one place fit that description.

While worrying over it, Sebas arrived at the residence.

He stopped his hand as he was about to open the door. There was someone on the other side close by. Although this presence belonged to Solution, he could not understand why she was standing right in front of the entrance.

Was it an emergency?

Feeling uneasy, Sebas opened the door. What he saw next was so unexpected that he grew rigid.

“Welcome back. Sebas-sama.”

It was Solution wearing her maid uniform.

A shiver ran down Sebas’ back.

While acting as the daughter of a merchant, in this house where a human whose circumstances were unknown — Tsuare — existed, Solution was wearing her maid uniform. Was it because the act was no longer necessary? Or did a reason that required her to be in her maid uniform appear?

If it was the former, then it meant that something had happened to Tsuare. If it was the latter—

“—Sebas-sama, Ainz-sama is waiting for you.”

Sebas heard Solution’s quiet voice and felt his heartbeat grow louder.

He who was calm in the face of a powerful enemy, in front of a Guardian class existence, that Sebas now grew nervous at the news of his master’s arrival.

“W-Why…”

He squeezed out his words, as if his tongue was twisted. Solution stared at that Sebas without saying a word.

“Sebas-sama, Ainz-sama is waiting for you.”

There was nothing else that needed to be said. Her demeanor said as much. Sebas followed behind Solution and began to walk.

Those steps were heavy, like the steps of a condemned criminal heading to his executioner.

Afterword

(Picture cleaned by Hiiro)

I am the author, Maruyama Kugane. In the blink of an eye, 《OVERLORD》 has already published its fifth volume. Thank you to all of my readers who have been supportive of this series. Thank you everyone.

Since the fifth volume and the sixth volume are two parts of a single piece, I wonder if an afterword is actually necessary? Thus I have discussed this matter with editor-sama, and in the end editor-sama said that there should be some readers who look forward to the afterword and hope that I write one… there are people who look forward to reading the afterword… right? Is the kind of stuff in the afterword interesting to read? Hm… editor-sama’s words do make sense, or perhaps he wants me to dig up from somewhere something interesting to write about?

An interesting thing… in order to deal with many various matters relating to the fifth volume and the sixth volume, from August to the end of November I had spent every holiday huddled up at home to rush out this book… that’s the only thing I can think of.