Chapter 252: Night of Universal Hallucinations 『 Part One 』
〜Zenless Zone Zero World〜
New Eridu, H.S.O.S.6—
Asaba Harumasa rubbed his eyes, staring intently at the screen where Argenti was bowing affectionately to a potted plant, his brow furrowed tight enough to crush an Ethereal.
"Am I seeing things? Is this guy… chatting up a potted plant?"
Harumasa turned to look at Tsukishiro Yanagi.
"Yanagi-neesan, do you have any idea what he's doing?"
"Uh…"
Yanagi adjusted her glasses. She couldn't quite grasp the behavioral logic of this red-haired knight either. She spent a few seconds scanning through every knightly novel she had read since childhood, eventually arriving at the only possible conclusion:
"Perhaps this is some sort of knightly… pre-battle ritual."
"Hah?"
Harumasa's eyes went wide.
"Is he planning to start fighting right off the bat?"
"You know, the tradition of 'salutations' in classical chivalry. Like bowing to a sword, swearing an oath to a banner, or even expressing respect to an enemy. Anyway, probably, maybe… that's what it means… right?"
"But this guy just started showering a potted plant with compliments; it doesn't really look like an oath or anything."
The corner of Harumasa's mouth twitched.
"Also, where did that spotlight come from? How come two spotlights just appeared over his head the moment he showed up?"
"I'm afraid. That… is something probably only the Genius Society could explain."
—
「 As March 7th drew near, suddenly another spotlight beamed down upon her, startling her.
"A lady?"
Argenti turned slowly, his tone imbued with respect and astonishment. He paced deliberately toward March 7th, then bowed to her just as he had to the plant.
Argenti inclined his body slightly, fingertips resting gently against his chest, his silver armor flowing with a soft halo under the light.
"Please allow me to offer you my sincere praise."
His voice was neither heavy nor light, yet it was like a ray of sunlight piercing the morning mist, carrying a warmth that could not be ignored. He gazed at March 7th, his eyes devoid of any frivolity or mere pleasantry, holding only pure adoration and appreciation—as if what stood before him was not a young girl, but an artifact blessed by a Star God.
"You are like a flower in the snowy plains of winter—"
Before he could finish, his attention was captured by the approaching Stelle, and he immediately launched into praise for her as well: "Oh? Yet another beautiful soul."
Perhaps realizing his behavior was slightly abrupt, Argenti took a few apologetic steps back, his left hand resting over his heart. "I have not yet introduced myself—my name is Argenti, of the Knights of Beauty. Might I ask for your distinguished names?"
Seeing that he seemed to harbor no hostility, March 7th and Stelle politely returned the courtesy with their names.
"A pleasure to meet you both! My apologies; I was just elucidating the meaning of beauty to this potted plant." Argenti smiled faintly. "Forgive my forwardness, but out of habit, I wish to ask you both the same question: as fellow lives within this universe, are you aware of Idrila, the Goddess of Beauty?"
"Idrila?" Stelle looked bewildered. This Star God seemed a bit niche.
"The Knights of Beauty travel from planet to planet, spreading Beauty's glorious reputation across the universe so that every being may know of THEIR existence. We strictly adhere to the commandments of our faith, tempering our physical forms and upholding our honor." 」
「 ..... 」
〜OVERLORD World〜
(Another Star God has appeared. The Goddess of 『Beauty 』… doesn't sound like she has much combat power.)
(But I shouldn't think that way. 『 Abundance 』 also doesn't seem as destructive as 『 Destruction 』, yet they are the arch-nemesis of 『 The Hunt 』.)
Inside the Throne Room, Demiurge was recording Argenti's every word and action via magic. Any description he gave regarding 『 Beauty 』 would be a crucial reference for their future analysis of this Star God.
'The Goddess of Beauty'—this reminded Ainz of the legends of the Roman goddess Venus he had read about before being transported to this world. Although there was a vast gap between Star Gods and mythological legends, he still tried to grope for some common ground.
"Cocytus, what kind of Star God do you think Idrila is?"
"Hrm…"
Cocytus remained silent for a long time, and Ainz realized that perhaps throwing such a question to a warrior like him wasn't appropriate. Aside from some of the combat maids and servants, the only "females" present were Albedo and Mare.
(Perhaps I should have consulted their opinions on this matter?)
Just as Ainz was pondering this, Cocytus finally spoke slowly:
"Ainz-sama, forgive this subordinate's dullness… if we are speaking only of appearance, she should be similar to Albedo. And the relationship between that Argenti and Idrila would be like that of Albedo and her subordinates."
"…Oh, is that how you see it?"
Leaving aside whether his answer had any value, Ainz heard a soft, pleased, and satisfied hum come from Albedo beside him.
Using Albedo as a comparison was likely because Cocytus hadn't seen any female more beautiful than her, right? To be honest, Albedo did indeed possess the beauty of a goddess—provided her facial expression didn't collapse into madness.
"Ainz-sama, this subordinate feels that… there is no need to give much thought to the Star God of 『 Beauty 』,"
Demiurge suddenly interjected from the side.
"Oh? Let's hear your view."
Demiurge bowed, a faint smile on his face.
"In this subordinate's opinion, Idrila differs from the other Star Gods in at least one aspect—whether it be 『 Destruction 』, 『 Abundance 』, 『 Erudition 』, or 『 Preservation 』… none of them require an organization like the Knights of Beauty to specifically spread their fame across the galaxy."
"Naturally. Many factions in the galactic universe follow Them; there is no need to specially broadcast it."
"Exactly as Ainz-sama says. But why does 『 Beauty 』 require it? This subordinate boldly speculates… Idrila the Beauty may have long since perished, Her Path swallowed up. The Knights are spreading the name of a dead Star God throughout the universe."
"As for why they do this… it is likely due to piety."
—
「 "Wait a second, weren't you here to help?" Stelle discovered a blind spot.
"I am, but not exclusively so. Just as I preached the whereabouts of 'Beauty' to this potted plant, what I hope for is an encounter—a collision and exchange of souls and ideals."
Stelle furrowed her brows. "Then were you genuinely praising me just now?"
"Why? Why would you ask such a thing? Please, do not doubt yourself, Stelle."
"You even praised a potted plant!"
Facing Stelle's inquiry, Argenti's gaze remained candid, with neither affectation nor false reserve. "My words and actions contain absolutely no falsehood. I believe its heart is as clear as a mirror."
Argenti looked at Stelle solemnly and leaned forward slightly. "Lady, I have now introduced Beauty to you in a superficial manner. I am very curious—do you acknowledge this philosophy, and do you believe in Idrila?" 」
「 ..... 」