"Leave our village? I don't know where you humans ca from, but do you have any idea what the Green Claw Tribe has gone through to claim this land?
We don't want to provoke human adventurers—but we're not about to abandon our ho just because of a few baseless words from a stranger. Now leave our village at once."
Once, seven lizardman tribes had lived throughout these marshlands.
But due to severe food shortages, conflict broke out between them—and in the end, two entire tribes were wiped out.
Now, after so much bloodshed, the lizardn had finally stabilized their lives here. Food was no longer an imdiate crisis.
How could they possibly abandon everything… just because of a warning from an unknown human?
"…Ren-sama, won't this upset Ainz-sama if we interfere like this?
We've already co to warn them, and yet they remain this ungrateful. In my opinion, such creatures aren't worth your effort—certainly not at the risk of straining the relationship between two Supre Beings."
Hearing Yuri's words, Ren could only give a wry smile.
Back when he'd watched this arc unfold, he'd always felt the lizardn had it rough.
They had been living their lives peacefully—only for disaster to descend out of nowhere. Their passionate resistance felt just like the heroes of a classic shounen story…
And yet, from Nazarick's perspective, they were the villains.
This ti, Ren and Yuri had co specifically to deliver a warning—to avoid that sa regret.
But unfortunately, these lizardn simply couldn't believe that re "humans" would show them such goodwill.
In truth, given Ren's status as a Supre Being—and his relationship with Momonga—he could forcibly protect the lizardn.
But from the standpoint of Nazarick's Supre Beings… he had neither the reason nor the position to do so.
And if he wanted to bring the lizardn under his command, then demonstrating overwhelming strength first was practically a necessity.
After all, monsters and yokai were not so different.
They both followed the sa law—
The strong devour the weak.
The lizardn were not native to Nazarick. Without power strong enough to crush any thought of betrayal, re subjugation would never be enough.
Just as the Green Claw Tribe prepared to drive Ren and Yuri away—
The sky above them suddenly twisted.
A black vortex tore open in midair, and from its center descended a grotesque mass—an amalgamation of distorted human faces, writhing together in silent agony.
It looked terrifying…
But in truth, it was nothing more than a level thirty- or forty-class undead—normally used in Nazarick as a simple ssenger.
Even so, to the lizardn—whose levels barely reached the teens or twenties—
It might as well have been an unstoppable calamity.
"By order of the Supre Being, Ainz-sama—three days from now, the glorious forces of Nazarick shall descend upon your village, and you shall beco the next offering.
When that ti cos, struggle, scream, and despair as much as you can.
Give everything you have… and entertain the Supre Being to the best of your ability!"
Having delivered Momonga's decree, the grotesque ssenger turned to leave—
But then, mid-flight, it caught sight of Ren standing among the lizardn.
In an instant, it descended rapidly from the sky.
Seeing such a terrifying creature suddenly approach, the lizardn imdiately tensed, gripping their weapons as if facing a mortal enemy.
Didn't it say three days?Why is it here now?Is it here to test us?
For beings of their level, even this re ssenger exuded a presence so overwhelming it bordered on despair.
Yet—
Instead of attacking—
The writhing mass of faces bowed deeply before Ren.
"With utmost reverence, I pay my respects to the Supre Being, Ren-sama.
Have you personally co to declare this village's destruction?
Such a trivial matter could have been left to lowly servants like us. A being as exalted as Ren-sama need not trouble himself with such insignificant tasks.
Or… do you have other plans for these lizardn? Shall I relay your will to Ainz-sama?"
The ssenger had originally intended to leave imdiately after delivering its ssage—
But failing to pay respects upon encountering a Supre Being would have been the greatest disrespect of all.
anwhile, the Green Claw Tribe—
stood frozen.
Their expressions were no longer wary—
They were utterly stunned.
Because the creature they had just perceived as an invincible monster…
Was now bowing in absolute submission to the human standing before them.
"I'm just passing through," Ren replied calmly. "I have no additional instructions. Proceed according to plan—and return."
The undead ssenger departed as quickly as it had co.
But the lizardn's gazes, fixed on Ren and Yuri, had completely changed.
"Who… are you, exactly?" Shasuryu demanded, his voice tense. "From what that undead said, you are one of these so-called 'Supre Beings.'
If that's the case—then why would you warn us to flee, while also planning our destruction?"
At first, Shasuryu had dismissed Ren's words as nonsense.
But now—
Even a being of such overwhelming power had addressed him with utmost reverence.
The title "Supre Being" carried weight.
"…It's simple," Ren said. "The one who plans to attack you is a Supre Being of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
And I… am one as well.
He has decided you will beco sacrifices.
As for —I found the idea distasteful, and thought to give you a chance to escape.
But you didn't believe .
So this… is where that choice has led you."
Hearing this, Shasuryu began to grasp the situation.
Before he could respond—
Another voice cut in.
"…Then, great Supre Being—would you be willing to offer our Green Claw Tribe that sa chance once more?"
The one who spoke was not the chieftain.
It was a lizardman clad in purple scales, riding atop a massive multi-headed hydra.
His na was Zaryusu Shasha—younger brother to the chieftain, and the strongest warrior among the lizardn.
In his hand, he carried one of their four sacred treasures—Frost Pain.
At level twenty, he stood at the pinnacle of their kind.
As a traveler, Zaryusu normally had no right to enter the village.
But after sensing the presence of the undead—and fearing for his people—he had rushed back atop his companion, Nono.
Arriving just in ti, he had overheard the exchange—
And now, unable to remain silent, he spoke.
"…I'm afraid not," Ren replied without hesitation.
"Opportunities don't co twice.
And I have no intention of causing conflict with a friend over sothing so trivial.
You ignored the chance you were given.
So now…"
His gaze hardened slightly.
"…you'll have to face the consequences.
Struggle.
Fight.
Do whatever you can to survive."
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