Ainz was currently filled with a mix of surprise and uncertainty, staring intently at the unique and magnificent staff.
This staff left a particularly deep impression on Ainz because it was the exclusive weapon of White Star, one of the nine World Champions in the former Yggdrasil game.
(Here, two good friends told me there's a slight controversy: whether Yggdrasil's official tournaments were single-class competitions only for warriors or all-class competitions, and whether World Champions had exclusive classes for Magic Casters. We'll have to ask Maruyama, the old scoundrel, about these two points.
However, everyone shouldn't worry too much. If it were exclusive to warriors, then just assume the protagonist played a warrior first and then switched to a Magic Caster later.
It's enough for everyone to have the impression that the protagonist has 'guild weapon-level exclusive equipment and can use a World Champion's skills.' It's not the main golden finger, so there's no need to be too serious about it.
Just enjoy reading; this setting will suffice.)
Of course, what truly made Ainz remember this player was that incident. The Great Tomb of Nazarick was once invaded by a coalition of other guilds. In that battle, he and his companions annihilated almost all the enemies. The only player who escaped was White Star!
Now, Lock Kote Albert,whomo Demiurge had earmarked for capture, was actually holding White Star's exclusive weapon, the staff of light. How could Ainz not be surprised?
What was the relationship between this native and White Star, or could he be White Star himself?
Ainz watched Lock gradually approach, finding it difficult to connect this white-haired, white-robed youth with the White Star who once wore a black Magic Caster's robe, had waist-length black hair, and an oni mask.
Just as Ainz was momentarily stunned, Lock had already flown over his head, launching an attack towards Aura.
"Magic Enhance · Holy Flame Blade!"
A five-meter giant blade burning with holy flames condensed in front of Lock. The scorching flames raised the surrounding temperature considerably. With a wave of his hand, the Holy Flame Blade shot rapidly towards Aura on the ground.
For Magic Casters of the magic power system, simply adding magic power could grant spells special effects.
Among them, the guaranteed hit effect was also included, though not all skills could achieve it.
Knowing this, Aura did not immediately flee. Instead, she immediately used enhancement magic to strengthen her subordinate magical beasts.
The high-level magical beasts around her were all above Level 70. With her skill support, they could gain effects like 'Level Up by 10 levels.'
"Attack with full power!" Aura should, after enhancing the Lizard King with petrification ability beside her.
The Petrifying Lizard King immediately aimed at the Holy Flame Blade flying from the sky, opening its large mouth. A giant petrifying beam shot out from its mouth, colliding with the flame blade overhead, petrifying the front half of the flame blade.
Then, withan explosionn, the petrifying beam and the flame blade canceled each other out in mid-air, and the scattered energy obscured part of Lock's vision.
"Disperse and attack!"
Aura immediately mounted the Divine Hunt Wolf, Fen, by her side, moving swiftly through the forest, while simultaneously issuing commands to her subordinate magical beasts.
Fen, with its special abilities, moved through the forest terrain as if on flat ground, completely unhindered by trees or protruding rocks.
Trying to catch Aura, who was riding Fen in such terrain, was not an easy task for a Magic Caster.
Lock's gaze quickly moved, tracking Aura, who was faintly visible through the gaps in the trees, focusing on the huge scroll she carried, the World Item · Map of Mountains and Rivers!
Although Lock had equipped Catherine and the others with World Items, he believed that Aura and the other Guardians were all equipped with a World Item at this time. This was merely to offset any advantage in equipment.
Moreover, Annea and Shivana, being dragons, could not equip items, so Lock chose to target Aura to ensure they wouldn't be trapped by this item.
"If I can seize this World Item and study it, perhaps it can add a powerful layer of defense to the sanctuary," Lock thought to himself, his actions never stopping.
"Magic Effect Area Expansion · Rain of Heavenly Fire!"
A huge cloud of fire rapidly expanded above the forest with the infusion of magic power. Dense explosive fireballs rained down, completely engulfing Aura's position.
Each fireball fell to the ground, causing a huge explosion, and the flames instantly ignited this forest area.
"Wow~"
The Divine Hunt Wolf swerved sharply to avoid an explosive fireball that landed in front of it, almost catching Aura off guard on its back, causing her to exclaim, "Fen, be careful!"
Saying this, Aura immediately lowered herself, gripping the Divine Hunt Wolf's fur tightly, allowing her pet to better utilize its speed advantage.
"Where do you think you're running to?" Lock watched the Divine Hunt Wolf running through the flames, letting out a cold laugh. But just as he was about to launch another attack, he was interrupted.
Hiss!!!
A two-headed snake with a pair of fleshy wings, somewhat resembling demon wings, lunged at Lock. Another head was at the end of its long tail.
Although aided by Flight magic, Lock could not be more agile in the air than a high-level flying magical beast, so he did not consider dodging.
"Get out of here! Your bad breath is getting to me!"
Such close range was not suitable for casting magic. Lock grabbed the staff of light in his hand and used it directly as a long staff, sweeping it hard across the two-headed snake's torso.
After all, it had two heads, and hitting a head might not be effective.
This strike from the staff, imbued with all of Lock's buffs, was certainly not something the two-headed snake, which was not even LV80, could withstand. It was instantly sent flying.
However, this two-headed snake was merely a decoy to attract Lock's attention. A petrifying beam and two streams of corrosive acid immediately shot towards him.
Lock, who had anticipated this, immediately raised the staff in his hand. A shining,g magical light formed a thick cocoon, enveloping him.
The petrifying beam turned a portion of one side of the cocoon into stone, while the acid breath landed on the other side, immediately corroding a large area with a sizzling sound.
Light burst from within the cocoon, and the entire cocoon instantly scattered. Another layer of enhancement buff was immediately applied to Lock.
The Cocoon of Evolution, in addition to its defensive capabilities, also had the effect of enhancing physical abilities, which was relatively rare among enhancement-type magic.
Glancing at the burning forest below, Lock suddenly grinned, revealing his white teeth.
"Greater Teleportation!"
Aura, who was in the forest, drawing her bow and preparing to attack, only saw Lock, whom she had locked onto in mid-air, suddenly vanish. The next moment, he appeared less than ten meters in front of her.
Without time to think, Aura immediately redirected her arrow, firing a light arrow at Lock, then instantly signaled Fen, "Run!"
"Too late!"
Lock slammed down his raised palm. Several arm-thick bolts of violent lightning rapidly converged behind him, transforming into an even larger, powerful lightning strike. With his movement, it locked onto the fleeing Divine Hunt Wolf and Aura, sweeping towards them.
Although the Divine Hunt Wolf was fast, it would certainly not exceed the speed of lightning.
Just as Aura watched in terror as the lightning was about to strike her, a black figure suddenly appeared in front of her. With a wave of his hand, a wall of bones immediately rose from the ground.
The lightning violently blasted against the wall of bones, instantly scattering the stark white bones, but this furious attack was also completely expended.
"Lord Ainz!?"
Aura looked at the figure that appeared before her with joyful surprise. If she weren't on a battlefield, she would have immediately knelt in greeting.
"Are you alright, Au?"
"Yes! I am safe and sound, all thanks to Lord Ainz!"
After Ainz confirmed that the dark elf was unharmed, he immediately shifted his attention to Lock on the other side.
The light arrows Aura shot in her haste posed no threat to Lock and were easily blocked by his magic shield.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, I am Ainz Ooal Gown!" Ainz immediately introduced himself to Lock, carefully observing the other party's expression, but found that Lock seemed not at all surprised. "I'll ask directly, where did the staff in your hand come from?"
Lock glanced at the staff of light in his hand, a slow smile forming on his lips.
Trying to probe my background?
"Who knows? Why don't you guess?" Lock said, feigning mystery.
For a native to become a Yggdrasil player, the matter itself was incredible enough.
Even if Ainz had experienced the transmigration event and could accept such things, why should Lock satisfy the other party's curiosity? To scare the old skeleton with the identity of a World Champion? There was no need! Because as long as he used that move, even if the old skeleton was stupid, he would connect the dots, and he would definitely use it next!
"…" Ainz immediately understood that the other party did not want to reveal the origin of this weapon. "Your Excellency, I request a cessation of this battle. Continuing to fight will not benefit either of us."
"Wrong. It won't benefit you!" Lock sneered, heavily striking the staff of light in his hand against the ground, emitting a dull thud.
What a joke, trying to run after showing off? There's no such good thing in the world!
Ainz felt that Lock was currently in a fit of anger, after all, his side had been the first to disrupt the other's plan, so he persuaded again: "Currently, our side still holds a numerical advantage on the field. I can tell you that as soon as I send back a message, other reinforcements will immediately arrive on the battlefield. At that time, you might not have a chance of winning. Therefore, I hope you can calm down. If you agree to a truce, our side is willing to pay a certain amount of property as compensation."
"When your subordinates chose to attack my people and ruthlessly kill them, you should have foreseen such an outcome. If I don't settle this score for them, what kind of master would I be!" Lock raised the staff of light, pointing it directly at Ainz, and said sternly, "Even if you give the greatest reasons today, or offer the most precious treasures as compensation, I'm going to slap your face and be truly 'brave but reckless' this once!"
Ainz sighed inwardly. Negotiations had broken down, so now there was only battle.
Thinking this, Ainz did not back down. The crimson glow in his eye sockets intensified. The operation, with the main goal of preserving the Guardian and ensuring a full retreat, was about to begin!!!
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A/N: 40+ Advance Chapter Has Been Uploaded.
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