Roaring Heroes Battle the Overlord (Ainz)

The Last Defender of the Way adventuring team sat around a table, chewing slowly and savoring their breakfast.

The table was set with a bowl of oatmeal porridge paired with mashed eggs, slices of roasted sausage stacked neatly on the plate, a glistening oyster pie filled with meat and brushed with lemon juice, and a plate of Brussels sprouts roasted in olive oil. The enticing aroma filled the air, making one's appetite surge uncontrollably.

Yesterday, EeDeChi had brought back the bounty Renner Princess had taken from her private vault and distributed it to the three teammates. She also settled her own promised wages and handed out the salaries to the others.

Sean immediately said that he could buy back the family estate and even build a watermill. Stella was so excited that she stayed up all night. She said she wanted to use the money wisely to help her sister open a tailoring shop in the capital of Baharuth.

After breakfast, EeDeChi gathered the team together for a "morning meeting."

The adventurer captain cleared her throat and spoke, "Next, we're leaving Re-Estize and heading to the Slane Theocracy. Any objections? If not, pack your things, we leave the day after tomorrow."

She was about to say "meeting adjourned" when she saw Sean raise his hand. Stella looked at her nervously, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the right words.

It was rare for anyone to object during the team's "meetings." After all, they had been together for so long that everyone knew no matter how many opinions were raised, EeDeChi wouldn't listen. It was better not to waste their breath.

EeDeChi asked, "Young man, what's on your mind?"

Sean and Stella exchanged a glance, then their hands intertwined, their faces flushed and burning red, like a couple nervously meeting the parents for the first time.

After the recent kidnapping incident, where they had danced with death on the edge of a cliff, the young archer had confessed his feelings to the cleric girl, and they quickly fell into a whirlwind romance.

EeDeChi raised an eyebrow and said, "I don't mind you two falling in love, but don't let romance delay our adventures. Also, when you get married, make sure to submit a marriage application."

"Captain, Stella and I have something we need to tell you. We hope you won't be mad." Sean said cautiously.

Stella tightly gripped his hand, as if the contact would transfer some sort of immense energy between them, boosting their courage to face EeDeChi.

"What is it? Go ahead, I'm pretty open-minded. Just as long as it's not something like getting pregnant before marriage."

Sean hesitated for a moment, his eyes shifting away. He finally made up his mind and said firmly, "Stella Famillion and I… we're done being adventurers."

"Done being adventurers…" EeDeChi's words trailed off. It clicked in her mind. If this couple was no longer going to be adventurers, it also meant they were going to leave her adventuring team.

"Do you mean you don't want to be adventurers anymore, or you just don't want to stay in my team?" EeDeChi's gaze hardened as she looked at them.

Stella nervously spoke up, "It's not that we don't want to be adventurers anymore, we just really respect you, Captain."

Sean quickly added, "We're just tired of the constant wandering. For the long-term, we're thinking of settling down in Baharuth."

EeDeChi fell silent, not saying a word. The silence lingered, a heavy, unnerving silence.

Stella and Sean's palms were sweating, but they held on to each other even tighter, like two little squirrels trembling together in front of a fierce tiger. Barrett silently observed the three of them, guessing how EeDeChi would react.

The comings and goings of teammates were nothing new in the adventuring world. After all, most people grew tired of the dangerous, unpredictable life where tomorrow could very well be their last.

Being an adventurer was like gambling. Maybe on the next expedition, you could strike it rich, earning enough gold to fill a bathtub, but more likely, you'd lose a part of your body—or even your life.

For most adventurers, their choices were no different from Sean and Stella's. After making enough money, they quickly left the blood-soaked, dangerous game, eager to escape while they still had their lives intact.

Only a small fraction of adventurers, whose blood runs hot and restless, can never settle down. These adventurers grip their swords tightly, blind to any escape routes, and choose to step onto the battlefield again and again until they can no longer wield their weapons, or they leave their lives behind on the path of adventure.

Barrett was one of those people. For adventurers like him, the thrill of the journey was life's greatest joy, an irreplaceable part of existence. A calm, peaceful life was like water soaked in bitter herbs—unbearable. Only the intoxicating mix of honey and poison, a strong drink that could burn the throat, was worth savoring in life.

People come together for various reasons and become companions. When a companion decides to leave, adventurers never force them to stay. After all, everyone in this world has their own choices, their own reasons.

EeDeChi remained silent. She clenched her right fist so tightly that it almost hurt. Sean and Stella flinched, terrified.

Finally, the adventurer captain sighed and said, "Fine, I approve."

The young archer and cleric girl both looked as if a weight had been lifted off their shoulders. They bowed deeply to EeDeChi. "Thank you, Captain!"

EeDeChi asked, "When are you leaving?"

"We plan to leave this afternoon," Sean said. "We don't have much luggage, so it won't take long to pack, and then we'll hire a long-distance carriage."

EeDeChi frowned slightly and said, "I need to take care of some things. I'm leaving the capital for Slane Theocracy the day after tomorrow. It's on the way, so you might as well wait for me. We can all leave together then."

She turned to Barrett and asked, "It's on the way, right?"

Barrett shook his head. "Not really. Slane Theocracy is to the east of the Re-Estize, while Baharuth is to the south. The directions are different."

"Uh…" EeDeChi said, "Forget about that. We'll travel together. We've been adventuring together for so long; let's spend these last few days together."

"Okay, okay!" Sean and Stella quickly nodded in agreement. They didn't dare go against the captain's will.

"By the way," EeDeChi took out two pieces of parchment, a feather quill, and an ink box from her spatial ring, saying,

"I'll draft a template for you. Later, fill out the resignation form. You need to explain in detail why you're leaving the Last Defender of the Way adventuring team, what you'll do after leaving, and your evaluation of the captain. No copying, and don't fill it out carelessly, or it will be void!"

...

In the Tenth Floor of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, Throne Room.

Beneath the grand dome, Princess Renner, her golden hair cascading down, knelt on the cold, iron-gray stone floor. Her robes were disheveled, and large beads of cold sweat dripped down her forehead, her head bowed deeply.

Behind her, a humanoid creature, wearing a top hat and covered in tentacles, extended an octopus-like appendage, drawing strange arcs near her temple.

In front of her, seated on a majestic throne, was the ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick—Ainz Ooal Gown, sitting upright.

Ainz Ooal Gown held a staff, its body pure gold, looking as though two golden ribbons had intertwined to form it. The staff's edges were jagged and fierce, and its bowl-shaped top was studded with several differently colored gemstones. An indescribable pressure emanated from the staff's center.

Ainz asked, "Kyouhukou, is the information provided by Renner true?"

The creature known as "Kyouhukou" bowed and replied, "I report to the Supreme One, it is undoubtedly true!"

"Heh, how interesting." Ainz tightened his skeletal grip on the staff, his bony hand clutching it firmly. "Renner, tell me, what do you want in exchange?"

Princess Renner lowered her body even further, her forehead now touching the cold ground. She whispered,

"I want to become the King of Re-Estize!"

"From now on, you are the King of Re-Estize."

Renner's head lowered even more, pressing against the floor. "Thank you, Supreme One, for your grace."

Ainz rose from his throne, the red glow in his skeletal eye sockets burning like the sun. He gripped his staff tightly and gave an order to the Great Tomb of Nazarick:

"Immediately halt the war with the Dragon! Recall all 100-level guardians who are able to return in time!"