Using enemies to keep each other in check would indeed be a very useful approach if it could be done. However, this action carried significant risks. Taking such a risky move when the enemy's power was superior to theirs meant a certain death if it failed. Number 9's actions were too radical; while simply keeping that Platinum Hero at bay would have sufficed, he wanted to use the "Great Tomb" to eliminate his opponent. There were too many unstable elements in this plan, but Number 9 wasn't the type to listen to advice, and Number 1 didn't seem to have any intention of stopping him either.
"Action-priority, is it..."
Number 10 watched Number 9's disappearing figure and silently concealed his presence. Although he quite liked the current members, there was no helping it since it was for their plan. While Number 9's ability was very useful, he wasn't without potential replacements.
In other words, Number 1 had allowed Number 9's unauthorized actions while considering the possibility of his sacrifice; he likely already had a candidate chosen to take Number 9's place.
Number 9 himself was likely aware of this, yet he possessed the confidence that he would surely succeed.
Under the shade of the trees, the black figure vanished. Although it was just a Stealth technique, when pushed to the limit, it wasn't just hiding one's presence; even making one's figure disappear was very
easy.
After Number 10 left, Number 9 arrived at the location of the Great Tomb based on the map Number 10 had provided.
"Using magic to alter the terrain and hide its true form, huh." Number 9 looked at the mountain forest before him; combining it with the intelligence he knew, it was easy to guess what kind of methods the Great Tomb was using.
Terrain-altering magic; among known magic with such effects, even the lowest was high-tier magic. The area modified here was vast, and he could detect various stationary magic arrays for reconnaissance and anti-Stealth. Although these spells were currently in standby mode, they were enough to show what a powerful existence the master of this place was. To go to such lengths just to hide an entrance, not to mention that in Number 10's intelligence, it was marked that the danger inside the tomb far exceeded the outside.
Number 9 couldn't help but be surprised: "Did that guy actually manage to escape safely after infiltrating this place?"
Standing just at the entrance now, he already felt a premonition of "impending death." It was important to note that as Twilight Apostles, they were particularly sensitive to the premonition of death. It was precisely because of this instinct to foresee danger that they could often predict the movements of pursuers in advance and make advantageous arrangements.
However, if he stopped here, his goal would not be achieved. Besides, his ability was more convenient than Number 10's; since Number 10 could survive, he should be able to as well. Thinking this, he no longer hesitated.
Number 9 entered the entrance of the Great Tomb. Before the reconnaissance magic could sweep over him, he used his ability to dive into the Shadow Space and continued to explore deeper into the Great Tomb using this power.
At the same time, deep within the Great Tomb, Ainz received a report from Albedo: there was an intruder! In an instant, nearly all the Guardians were summoned to the Throne Room of the Great Tomb to discuss the matter.
The magical projection revealed the intruder's identity: a member of the Goddess Cult. He looked like a child, and his ability was quite interesting—he was a rare Space-type user.
If Nazarick's defensive measures weren't thorough enough, they might not have even known about the intrusion. The boy seemed able to detect the timing of the automated magic placed outside, taking a step ahead to dodge the scan before the reconnaissance magic could find him.
Unfortunately, Nazarick was monitored everywhere. So, even if he timely dodged the scans, the intruder's figure could still be found by checking Nazarick's surveillance footage.
"Lord Ainz, please give the order! I will go and eliminate this little bug right now!" Albedo said.
Shalltear, beside her, also vied for the task: "Please leave this mission to me, Lord Ainz!"
"No, such an important mission cannot be entrusted to someone like you who once rebelled!"
"Damn it, what did you say?!"
Albedo and Shalltear began their daily bickering. Ainz didn't find their feelings incomprehensible; Albedo had previously reminded him that he should give Shalltear some appropriate punishment, but he just hadn't decided on what to do yet. Although Albedo had that side to her occasionally, she usually didn't get along with Shalltear, which he was already used to.
However, regarding the matter of this intruder.
"Demiurge, what do you think?"
Compared to the others.
Ainz still wanted to know the opinion of Demiurge, who served as the strategist. Although Demiurge would always come up with various startling over-interpretations, there was indeed no one in Nazarick better suited to be a consultant than Demiurge. Thus, almost every time Ainz encountered a problem, he would want to know this guy's opinion. As for whether to adopt or reference it, that was for him, the one in power, to consider.
"I believe we can wait and see for now. The fact that there is only one intruder makes me a bit concerned, and the opponent's abilities are not yet clear. It appears to be a Space-type ability, but it seems somewhat different from ordinary Space-type magic. Plus, I also really want to see just how much this intruder knows."
"Lord Ainz, what do you think?"
"Ah, yes, that is indeed the case. The intruder himself isn't much of a problem, but I want to know how this intruder discovered the entrance to Nazarick." Ainz feigned composure. To be honest, he had initially thought about whether to step in, capture the intruder, and then interrogate him; he hadn't considered letting the intruder roam free at all.
After all, those guys from the Goddess Cult had many troublesome abilities. In the event that he didn't know if this intruder had any trump cards, it would be better to suppress him first. However, Demiurge's words also reminded him that they hadn't exposed any information about Nazarick yet. Aside from Players who might know about their Guild, the people of this world shouldn't know the truth about Nazarick. So, how did the opponent know the location of Nazarick's entrance, and what was their purpose for coming here?
If they were exposed, from where did it leak? It was necessary to observe. Moreover, he was also curious about the purpose of the opponent's risky entry into Nazarick. Was it possible that the Goddess Cult treated this place as an ownerless ruin and wanted to occupy it? If that were the case, it would indeed be inappropriate to act immediately; they should wait a bit longer.
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