The demons didn't wait.
They charged.
Noar dodged the first attack, but as he spun around, he saw another demon lunging straight at Ainz. Without thinking, Noar leapt in and took the blow on his elbow. His arm twisted unnaturally, blood dripping from his fingers.
"A-Are you okay?" Ainz stuttered. "I… I'm sorry. I'm useless. I can't even move. I'm going to die..."
"Hey, Ainz," Noar said, forcing a smile through clenched teeth. "We're not dead yet. Arsh is on the way. Just hang in there, and don't give up."
Ainz looked up, fire flickering in his eyes. "I'm not gonna let you eat me that easily!"
With a roar, he charged.
The demon dodged and struck him hard. Ainz's armor shattered at the stomach. He collapsed, vomiting blood.
He flew backwards—headed straight for the wall.
But OSAI activated his rocket boots in time, slowing the impact. Still, Ainz lay on the ground, broken and bleeding.
A demon moved in for the final blow.
Noar jumped in again, blocking the attack despite his injuries. "Not today," he growled.
"That was a nice move," Ainz muttered, trying to smile. "But now we're both hurt…"
"Leave the rest to me. I heal faster," Noar said and charged the demon, slamming his fist into its jaw. The demon staggered, but only a scratch showed.
The counterattack came swiftly.
A brutal punch landed square on Noar's face, sending him skidding across the dirt. Blood smeared the ground. He stood back up, dazed but not broken.
Both fighters were barely standing, exhausted, bleeding, but they didn't stop. They charged the demons again—only to be dodged and beaten back.
They collapsed, side by side. Breathing heavy. Still conscious.
A demon raised its hand to deliver the killing blow.
Ainz watched, eyes wide with terror.
But then—
A blur.
The demon's hand hit the ground—detached.
Arsh stood before them, sword gleaming, eyes like fire.
"You guys did great," he said, placing a reassuring hand on their shoulders. "Now sit back... and enjoy the show."
The injured demon roared, charging.
"Strong, huh?" Arsh smirked. "Good. I was getting bored fighting those Rank 4s."
He struck. The demon's second hand flew off.
The other two demons panicked and lunged at him.
They punched—Arsh blocked it with his axe, the impact knocking him into a wall.
"Nice hit," he muttered, leaping forward.
In a flash, he beheaded one.
"Two left. One unarmed, one unharmed," Arsh whispered.
The last two demons screamed and charged blindly.
Arsh vanished.
"Too slow," his voice echoed behind them.
Two heads hit the ground.
"These ones were tough," Arsh said, wiping his blade.
Then... a slow clap.
From the shadows emerged a figure. Cloaked in dark miasma.
"So this is the power of the legendary Arsh," the figure said with a grin.
"Warning," OSAI chimed. "Extremely high energy levels detected. This individual is confirmed Rank 2."
"I can tell," Arsh replied calmly. "His aura reeks of decay."
"I'm not here to fight," the demon said. "I came to warn you."
"Warn me?"
"If you don't hand over your sister… the world will fall. This time, I'm not alone. Greed and Gluttony are coming. Even you won't stop them."
Arsh's eyes narrowed. "Is that so?"
"Yes. We will see you soon… King." The demon grinned and began melting into the shadows.
Arsh surged forward, blade drawn—but the demon vanished before he could strike.
The Next Day
Ainz slowly opened his eyes. He groaned, trying to sit up. Every muscle screamed.
"You're awake," Arsh said, entering the room. "Noar and I were worried."
"What time is it?"
"1:50 PM. You've been out for about fifteen hours. Come on—lunch is ready."
Arsh helped him into the dining room. Noar, bandaged and smiling, was already serving plates.
They ate in silence at first.
Then Ainz asked, "Is the city really in danger?"
Arsh nodded slowly. "If those three attack together, I'll have to go all out. And if that happens… this city might not survive. But for now, we hunt. We investigate. We kill every demon we can find."
Ainz looked up. "That demon… he said something about your sister, Rose. Is that true?"
"Yes." Arsh's voice dropped. "Doom needs her body to enter this world."
"What? Why her? And… how do you know this?"
"It's top secret," Arsh said. "The public can't know. But… yes. She's the key."
"Then isn't Rose… a ticking time bomb?"
"Mind your words," Arsh growled. A spoon crumpled in his grip.
He took a breath and relaxed. "No. If we kill her, Doom finds a new vessel—and we lose control. But now we know the vessel. We can protect her."
"Still… why her?"
"Rose is the child of a demon father and a human mother. Normally, such children are never born. But when her mother was pregnant, her human body turned… demonic. That's how Rose survived. She's human… but has all the powers of a demon."
"And if she ever loses control?"
"I've already made my choice," Arsh said. "She found out the truth when she was eighteen. She tried to kill herself to protect the world. I saved her. During the Lust Commander's invasion, she asked me the same question you just did."
"What did you say?" Ainz whispered.
"I told her… I'll never let that happen. But if she does turn—I'll bring her back… even from hell."
The room was silent.
"Eat well. Rest. We've got a lot of work ahead. You and I have to return to college tomorrow. Heal up quickly."
Arsh stood. "Noar, clean up when you're done. Then resume investigation."
Ainz groaned. "There's nothing to do here. I'll get bored."
"OSAI will keep you company. OSAI, train him."
"Yes, Commander," OSAI replied.
Arsh walked into another room and sat at his terminal. The screen came to life. Dozens of faces appeared.
The World Council.
Everyone bowed as Arsh appeared.