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Chapter 225 ~ Breakthrough

First light. 

Arche packed up all her adventurer gear and clothings. She snuck into the twins’ bedroom silently, and placed a small pouch of silver and gold, and a letter. 

It was a letter telling them to run away and find the worker team “Foresight”, her dear friends, in the inn a few blocks down the road. 

“I will be back for you… I promise. I love you, Kuuderika, Ureirika.”

She kissed them on the forehead. The twins squirmed, mumbling her name, and bringing a soft smile to her lips. 

Archeh closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and walked out their rooms. Hands clenched into determined fists as the phantom pain on her left cheek left by the slap for her father remained stinging. 

She had failed. Failed to seduce the man old enough to be her grandfather. Failed to have him defile her and have him take responsibility by marrying her. Failed to gain his wealth for her father and mother to squander and maintain their petty, foolish ego and delusions. 

‘It can’t go on like this… I need to do something… Anything.’

She clutched the letter she had received from Lord Sebas the night before. 

Her last hope. The only hope she had had for a while. 

She had read it the moment he left and her father beat her upon learning of her failures. 

All written in it was a location. It was where she was heading to right now. 

She arrived in a quiet, old neighborhood. And after following the instructions written in the letter, she found herself within an alleyway. A small, deserted one. 

And just when she wondered if she was early or lied to, darkness appeared in the space before her. 

The darkness grew into a swirling sportal, and a beautiful, doll-like girl with red-gold straight long hair, an eyepatch, and dressed in some sort of a maid outfit with a skirt made completely in steel, and greaves.

Even as a girl herself, a lady of noble birth, Arche could not help but stare in awe at the beauty of the figure before her. And she began to wonder, how much more beautiful she would be if she were to smile.

“Are you… Arche?”

“...Y-Yes!”

Arche replied, more startled and nervous than she wished to, and the girl before her nodded. 

“I am CZ2128 Delta. I am sent here by Sebas-sama to pick you up.”

“Ah…”

Recalling her embarrassing and shameful attempt to seduce Sebas, Arche felt even more ashamed and embarrassed. 

He had such a beautiful maid by his side, why would he be attracted to someone like her? 

The maid named CZ… 2128 Delta nodded, then spoke once again.

“Let’s go. Our masters are already waiting for you. We can’t make them wait.”

“Y-Yes!”

‘Our… master.’

The peculiar words the maid had used confused her. Was she referring to… Lord Sebas? As in, he was now also her master?

Or could it be… the “master” she was referring to was Lord Sebas’s master as well?

Arche shook her head and shoved the idle thoughts into the corner of her mind and followed after CZ into the swirling darkness. 

And upon entering it, the portal closed behind her, leaving nothing behind in the quiet, empty alleyway. 

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

A giant door appeared before her. No, it was a majestic set of double doors, over five meters in height, and covered in intricate carvings beyond the capability of any mastercraftsman Arche knew or could even think of. 

The left side had a shape of a beautiful Goddess, while the right was made to resemble a cruel demon. 

Their design was so realistic that for a moment, Arche thought they were true deities and almost fell to her knees. 

‘A Goddess… and a Devil… It’s like the gate of judgment…’

Standing before the majestic set of double doors, Arche couldn’t help but feel like she had arrived before the true gate of judgment, where all her actions would be judged and if she would be in the Goddess’s heavenly embrace, or fall into the deepest pits of hell. 

“What are you doing? Come on. Don’t make Them wait.”

“Ah, yes!”

Arche rushed over to CZ as she opened the massive set of double doors with ease, as if opening by themselves, although they did so slowly, in deference to their massive weight. 

And in that moment, Arche could feel the air change. 

The atmosphere earlier was filled with quiet solemnity, mirroring the silent determination she had sworn in her heart. But now, the air became a pressure that weighed heavily on her entire body. 

Before her, a wide, high grand hall unimaginable to her previously appeared from behind the doors. 

The sheer size of it, Arche presumed that even packing several hundred people inside would not make the room feel crowded. 

The high ceiling and surrounding walls were predominantly white in color, with golden decorations highlighting and accentuating its contours and carvings. 

Numerous chandeliers which hung from the high ceilings were made in precious stones of all colors of the rainbow, emitting a fantastic, dreamlike radiance. 

Numerous flags emblazoned with different symbols hung from flagpoles sunk into the walls. And although there was no wind or breeze, the flags seemed to sway gently in the wind, from ceiling to floor. 

There were around… more than thirty, in a quick glance. But Arche could not count the numbers precisely as her attention quickly gravitated towards the figures standing within the room. 

In the center of this room that was tinted in gold and silver, she could see a familiar stoic and sturdy figure, Lord Sebas, standing to the right along with a golden-haired beauty dressed in a maid’s outfit to his left. 

They stood at the bottom of a flight of stairs about 10 steps high. And atop the stairs… She saw two figures that made her breath hitch from their presence alone. 

A young man… more handsome than any young noble heirs or boy toys owned by the noble ladies of court she had ever seen in her entire life. 

Jet-black hair that shimmered like the starry night sky. A pair of obsidian jewels that glimmered under the fantastical light of the chandeliers. And dressed in a suit more majestic and beautiful than even the emperor’s ceremonial military garb. 

But what attracted her attention most was the six pairs of dark, jet-black feathered wings behind him. The only thing that was not human about him. 

Then, her gaze moved towards the tall, massive figure who sat on what could only be described as a gigantic “throne”. 

But, unlike any other throne, it seemed to have been carved out of a single huge piece of marble or obsidian crystal whose back was high enough to touch the ceiling above it. 

And sitting upon it, holding a majestic golden staff with seven snakes coiling around it to the top with each head holding gems of various colors in its mouth, was a supreme being. 

He was adorned in a majestic yet beautifully elaborate jet-black mage’s robe with golden and violet edges. His face obscured by a crimson red mask, yet somehow, she felt like he was seeing through her very soul. That she was but an open book to him. 

Arche snapped out of her daze when CZ began to walk forward, and quickly followed after her. 

Then, when she was about several paces before the bottom of the stairs, CZ kneeled onto the crimson-red carpet. 

Arche kneeled, following after her, and was stunned for a moment from the sheer velvety softness of the carpet. It was even softer than any luxurious robes she had ever felt. 

“I’ve brought her here, Ainz-sama.”

“Umu.”

A deep voice of acknowledgement echoed within the halls, and reverberated deep within Arche’s heart. 

“Is this the correct girl, Sebas?”

“Yes, my lord. She is, indeed, Arche Eeb Rile Furt.”

Ainz nodded and returned his gaze towards CZ.

“You did well, CZ. You may rise and stand beside Solution.”

“Yes. Thank you very much.”

CZ raised from the ground, and as Ainz had ordered, stood by Solution’s side. 

Then, Ainz trained his gaze onto Arche once more. And as if capable of feeling his gaze physically, Arche shuddered slightly. Nervous and anxious. 

It was obvious to see for all, but Ainz did not notice it as his attention was fully on the floating status screen of Arche that only he could see with his Geass. 

‘Everything is as reported… But that level… And experience points.’

Her level showed two numbers. They were the same, 23, separated by a slash. It was a pitifully low level, especially when compared to those within Nazarick capable of combat. However, after witnessing many adventurers as Momon, the girl before him was equivalent to the captain of the Mythril-Ranked adventurer team they had eliminated in the past. 

She had reached her maximum potential, according to her level. However, she was still accumulating experience points by living through adversaries. 

Although her body and magic wouldn’t improve more than this, the accumulated experience points would still enhance her battle sense and instincts. 

The same was also true to the denizens of Nazarick. If not for Aika’s spell which granted them additional levels and a new race instantly, the 41 maids and Pleiades wouldn’t be able to rise in levels. 

After all, they’ve used up all the levels they could assign to NPCs long ago, and used up all the treasures they had to enhance them to this level. 

But the device Yuuji and Lelouch thought of and created along with Demiurge… If it worked, then… the possibility would be limitless. 

‘That said, we can’t just experiment on the maids. Maybe this is one of the reasons why Yuuji wanted her to come…’

Ainz mused in silence, his eyes never leaving the screen, particularly her level and experience points. 

If they could break the limits of her potential, grant her strength, and even save her sisters… She’d be indebted to Nazarick, and would perhaps even pledge her utmost loyalty. 

They could also have Aika turn her into a succubus of her household, ensuring absolute loyalty. 

‘These kids… They became even craftier after coming here…’

Ainz shook his head inwardly, and if he wasn’t in his skeletal form, a helpless smile would be apparent on his face. 

Meanwhile, Arche could feel each drop of sweat flowing down her forehead and back, falling down onto the velvet carpet and seeping into her clothes. The feeling of vulnerability, helplessness, and anxiety filled her as her heart pounded wildly in her modest chest 

Then, his voice thundered, snapping her out. 

“Arche Eeb Rile Furt”

“Yes, my lord!”

Arche responded immediately, perhaps even a bit hurried. But her readiness to respond and her reverend way of addressing their master satisfied Sebas, Solution, and CZ. 

“I am Ainz Ooal Gown. Master of Nazarick, the place you are currently in, as well as the master of Sebas and Cz, who you’ve already met.”

Ainz introduced himself and continued. 

“One of my dearest friends was the one who had noticed your existence. He is not here currently. However, he told me that you are a Talent holder, one with quite the interesting Talent.”

“Y-Yes! I do own a Talent!”

Arche’s voice trembled as she responded. A thought crossed her mind to actually explain what her actual Talent was. But, she didn’t know if doing so now would be out of turn! She didn’t want to risk offending the figure of stature beyond her imagination before her. 

“I have heard everything from Sebas, including your situation.”

An arrow pierced her heart as she froze for a moment. She was surprised, but… it wasn’t unexpected. 

Of course Sebas had told his master everything after he figured out her household’s situation. 

The shock quickly turned to shame and embarrassment, as Arche lowered her head even more and clenched her hands. 

“Rest assured. Your little sisters will be saved. They won’t need to worry about food, and they will live peacefully. With you.”

Arche’s widened her eyes in surprise, the light of hope within her beginning to shine brighter.

“However, you shall offer me everything, in return. Your loyalty. Your magic. Your Talent. And your life.”

As if doused in ice cold water, Arche froze once more. 

“You came… So you must be prepared, right?”

Her lower lips trembled. It was only natural. The fear and anxiety to offer her everything to someone she didn’t even know was terrifying, no matter what. 

However… 

Arche glanced at Sebas, whose eyes were locked onto her. His gaze was unlike the ones he showed while he visited his household. 

This one seemed like he was staring at a potential threat. Wary, observing, and prepared. As someone who worked in hazardous environments with similarly dangerous people like herself, she was familiar with the gaze. 

But his familiar appearance reminded her of her own so-called home. 

There, she was also going to be married off. She was forced to offer her everything to someone she didn’t even know, just for some gold and silver that her parents would squander off anyway. 

In comparison to that, offering herself for her sisters’ lives was incomparably more worth it. 

“Yes… I am prepared. Save my sisters, and let them live a healthy, peaceful life, and mine shall be yours.”

Ainz nodded, and the air within the grand throne room eased. Arche could feel the difference physically, as if a heavy weight was lifted from her chest.

“Very well. Then, tell me about your talent.”

“Yes. I have a talent which allows me to tell the highest tier of magic a person could cast with a single glance.”

“I see. That is, certainly, interesting. Then, can you tell me the highest tier of magic I can cast?”

Arche hesitated for a moment before lowering her head once again.

“Forgive me, my lord. But… I don’t see even a speck of magic in you. Not even tier one, or even lifestyle magic… Please forgive me!”

Arche felt her heart pound once more, fearing she would be seen as a liar who faked her own talent. But the truth astounded her as well!

How could such a being be void of magic that even regular commoners have?! Was he a warrior?

No, even a warrior should have some speck of mana which allowed them to use martial arts. And he wielded a staff, which even by the looks of it, held tremendous magic. 

Ainz tilted his head confusedly for a moment, before realizing something. 

“Ah, that must be because I am still wearing the ring which obfuscated my magic.”

Ainz took off the gloves, revealing a human hand, each finger adorned with a ring. 

He had chosen to take the form of a human, at least when he met those outside of Nazarick. After all, in this new world, it’d be easier to interact with others if he was a human, instead of an undead. 

This was also one of the essentials they’ve all agreed upon for the plan to complete the group chat missions and the future of Nazarick. 

Ainz took off the ring from his right index finger, and a Sun exploded before Arche’s eyes.

“By the Great Gods!!! Y-You wield magic beyond anything written in any legends! Beyond sixth, seventh, or even tenth tier… It could only be called God-Tier magic!”

Arche fell back to her butt, her whole body shaking as her eyes witnessed the sun before her. 

‘I-Is this what Teacher Fluder was talking about…? The one he called the abyss of magic?!’

Seeing her reaction, Ainz nodded and put his rings back on. Only then did Arche be allowed to catch her breath as sweat now finally fully drenched her clothes. 

“Apologies. I did not expect for it to affect you this much. Solution.”

“Yes.”

The beautiful, tall maid with golden hair approached her. She pulled out a scroll from the void and unscrolled it. Then, arche felt warmth and energy fill her body rapidly as she glowed with magic. 

Arche’s breath calmed down as the comforting sensation of the healing spell washed over her body, but her shock was still visible on her face. 

It was a healing spell from a scroll. She could recognize as much since Roberdyke was also capable of using it and had plenty of time during their jobs. 

But this… This one is much more potent, it wasn’t even comparable. Was it… a spell beyond the third tier? 

A scroll capable of unleashing a healing spell beyond third tier… It could easily be worth hundreds of gold! And yet, they’re using it as if it was nothing!

“Now that you have calmed down, let us go to the main topic.”

Ainz started, and Arche, hearing his words, immediately turned towards him and forced herself to focus. 

“Although what I wanted from you was your life and loyalty, you may rest assured. I do not intend on simply wasting the life of someone who would be more useful alive. First, I want you to help with an experiment. If successful, you will gain the strength and power to protect your loved ones and yourself.”

Arche lowered her head, deeper this time, reflecting the deep reverence she now held towards her savior and master on the throne. 

“I have sworn my loyalty and life to you, oh savior of my life and family. Your will shall be done, and I shall assist you with my life.”

“Good. Then Zero, let’s head to the Breakthrough Chamber.”