Londinium: Ending of the fight (Patreon)

Ainz was angry.

For the first time since the death of Medusa, and for the second time since his stay in this New World, Ainz was angry.

Very, very angry. Furious even.

The loss of a WCI, a cheat among cheats, an item that alone could raise the player to the TOP level, was a huge blow for Ainz. A blow to his unquenchable thirst for collecting new things. A blow to his curiosity, which seeks to analyze the most dangerous and effective abilities of this world. And, of course, a blow to his desire to increase his own fighting abilities.

Once upon a time, when Ainz Ooal Gown was still called Nine’s Own Goal, and was at the height of its power, one of the WCI in the guild's collection was stolen.

The conflict that arose from the incident was immense. So much so that one of his guild members, annoyed by such a failure, stopped playing Yggdrasil altogether, accusing Touch Me and his inept guild leadership as the cause of losing such a valuable item.

Subsequently, this became one of the main reasons why Touch Me left the post of guild master, giving this role to Ainz and thus was the main catalyst for the birth of Ainz Ooal Gown.

Of course, Ainz had not lost one of his WCI. That would merit… quite the response. But had only failed to receive one of the WCI of this world that he had coincidentally found, which softened the blow a little, but the resentment and anger he felt at Tesla could not disappear completely.

The death of Jack was a huge problem for Ainz. Not only did he lose a very rare opportunity to research the undead of this world, and perhaps even have the very rare chance to communicate with one of the representatives of the highest race of ghosts, his minion was destroyed. And not one of the mindless and impersonal summoning that he could summon a dime a dozen, but a very real Servant, a unique one at that.

However, Ainz could at least assuage the anger a little that the captured Jack was not one of ‘his’ Servants. So, formally speaking, no violation of Ainz's own rules about protecting his Servants had occurred. Besides, Ainz was not even sure that he could have taken Jack out of this Singularity without her being connected to Chaldea. But it certainly did not serve as a remedy to Ainz’ anger.

It's like finding a gold bar in the middle of a road. It’s not like he had spent any energy in finding such a thing, but losing it would still sting somewhat.

And, lastly, the thing that angered him the most, of course, was that his Servants were injured, beaten and exhausted. Which, in general, was relatively expected and that none of ‘his’ Servants died means that he didn’t really have a reason to go on a murderous rampage. But had he hadn’t interfered, they would have all died… And that pissed him off like nothing else.

Of course, Ainz understood that receiving injuries in battles were inevitable. But the realization of just how close it had been for him to lose them all, evoked a great anger in his soul. A great anger towards himself and towards his opponent.

In other words, if for example only one of the three things had happened. Say for instance, his Servants almost dying or the lost WCI. Ainz would exhale heavily and look at his opponent seriously.

If for instance, two of the three events happened at the same time, Ainz would clench his fists with anger bubbling inside him, barely suppressed by his skill, and then would start fighting somewhat seriously. He for example might use one of his Super-Tier spells to show his doomed opponent just how angry he was.

But, for good or ill, the three factors had come together at once. And so Ainz was unbelievably angry. He won’t be making this ‘King of Kings’ death short in any way. Just like Euryale and Stheno, his death is going to be long and traumatic. There would be no mercy.

But, before he put on the screws on the King of Kings, first he had to make sure that his Servants were okay.

Quickly glancing around at the Servants around him and finding that his Servants were somehow, if not uninjured, then at least alive and stable. Then a thought popped up in his head that he immediately dismissed when he ‘saw’ the King of Kings in the distance, they would be useless in the coming battle.

Ainz, satisfied that his enemy hadn’t planted some kind of curse on his Servants, began moving forward. In the distance the figure of his opponent could be seen walking towards him.

He was a young man that if he were not an enemy that he would crush, Ainz could charitably say even look attractive. With his bronze tanned skin, mottled with many exotic tattoos, and with the black lines rising up his arms to his chest giving him a sense of exoticism no less than his thick mane of white hair gathered in one huge braid running down his chest. A braid framed by red and black jewelry woven into said braid.

Ainz could charitably say that he looked like a guy that has no trouble attracting women’s attention. Though now that he looked closer, the tattoos on the back of his hands looked more like complex multi-sided black seals.

Wearing a pompous outfit of black and red toga with a white cloak adorned with numerous patterns made of red strings, his outfit was very eye-catching. Though for Ainz, the thing that attracted his attention the most was the nine gold rings and one silver on his fingers.

His outfit is literally screaming of how great the status of the man in front of him is.

If he were any other person, and they were not about to do their best to kill each other, Ainz would say that he would be expressing awe or admiration at his opponent's appearance. But he was himself and was about to do his best to grind his face to the ground, so no, he wouldn’t be expressing any other emotion than spite and anger.

But, well, judging by the expression his opponent is showing in his eyes, a black sclera and a red iris, looking with malice, joy, interest and contempt in equal proportions. And with a face literally contorted with hatred that exposed a mouth full of pointed teeth barely resembling human ones. It seems that his opponent is of the same mind.

“So…” Ainz's opponent looked at him. “You are the one who has ordained himself the title of my enemy?” Ainz ignored the thundering voice as he continued to move forward. It seems that his opponent is not as mad as Ainz if he still has the capability to speak that rationally.

“I must admit that under different conditions I would not have held back my joy at meeting you.” - Ainz moved slowly, encroaching ever closer to his enemy. “Still, as I saw your strength from the front ranks, I could graciously say that your claim, no matter how untrue, was not devoid of a bit of common sense.”

The other Servants, if they were in any condition to pay attention to the oncoming clash, would notice how dramatically the voice and behavior of the King of Kings have changed the moment when he saw Ainz.

But Ainz himself did not pay attention to it, approaching his goal, with a slow determined gait. Slow and steady, inevitable and imminent. Death will arrive.

“Tell me, my enemy, do you know of whomst you have decided to fight against?”  The speaker grinned, baring a mouth full of pointed teeth. - “I am Solomon, the King of Magic, Grand Caster, and King To All Of Human Kings.” Solomon then seemed to puff up his chest, prideful of his titles. Not paying attention to how little it mattered to Ainz. Ainz paid no attention to Solomon’s boasts.

A Magic King... Ainz have killed two of them? Hmm, if you count the Emperor of Magic, then three. If the Living Incarnation of Magic counts then at least two more Gods of Magic - and three more Majin…  Eight, it turns out. He has killed eight of such… ‘Thing’ that have decided to anger him so.

“Grand Caster, Caster of All Caster.” Solomon, as if intoxicated by his own voice, continued to speak. “ The Creator of magic. I was the one who had created the magic of this world, I was the one who laid the foundations of civilization. And I will be the one who will end the age of humanity…”

Ainz, after taking the last few steps, took one last look at the Servants in the distance. Hmm, it looks like he's gotten close enough.

Ainz turned his gaze to Samson - or something like that - and sighed.

If Ainz had been a little less angry, he would have at least tried to say some comments about Sigismund's - or something like that - pompous speech. But, since Ainz was angry in the full sense of the word, he just glanced at his opponent emotionlessly.

If his opponent was expecting a decent conversation before their battle - or, perhaps, a peaceful resolution to their conflict. He obviously got the wrong opponent to be doing it to and in the worst moment to try it.

Truly, if he wants some sense of mercy, he really should leave his Servants alone.

“Maximized Magic: Delay Teleportation, Maximized Magic: Hold of Ribs, Maximized Magic: Hold Species, Maximized Magic: Paralysis, Triplet Maximized Magic: Explosion, Triplet Maximized Magic: Astral Smite, Maximized Magic: Death, Drain Energy, Triplet Maximized Magic: Napalm, Triplet Maximized Magic: Hell Fire, Triplet Maximized Magic: Call Thunder, Triplet Maximized Magic: Cloud of Super Acid, Triplet Maximized Magic: Claws of Ice, Triplet Maximized Magic: Black Hole, Triplet Maximized Magic: Burst, Maximized Magic: Karma Conflict, Maximized Magic: Cry of the Banshee, Triplet Maximized Magic: Drifting Master Mine, Triplet Maximized Magic: Explosive Land Mine, Triplet Maximized Magic: Gravity Maelstrom, Negative Burst, Triplet Maximized Magic: Obsidian Blade, Triplet Maximized Magic: Ray of Negative Energy, Triplet Maximized Magic: Shark Cyclone, Triplet Maximized Magic: Thousand Bone Lance, Triplet Maximized Magic: True Dark…”

***

Mashu ceased to understand the course of the battle long before even one second had passed since the beginning of the battle. However, in that sense, she was not alone.

Jalter, Arthuria, Nobunaga, Mashu, Medusa, they all understood only one philosophical truth.

I know that I know nothing. Hey, if nothing else they could say that they have received true Wisdom.

None of them could even discern any specific spell or action, effect or attack, in the battle between two opponents in front of them. Any action has merged into one absolute white noise.

In one moment bursts of explosions were suddenly replaced by hundreds of light rays that crashed into dozens of transparent and indestructible barriers. Only for said barriers to crumble like glass under the blows of clots of darkness crashing into them. Clots of darkness that were immediately cut down by flashes of steel that was covered with fire, then covered with ice the next moment that then split into pieces upon contact with silver threads.

In another part of the pandemonium tornadoes were rising in the sky, devouring greenish drops of viscous liquid. With what’s left of the viscous liquid that was not devoured by the tornado falling to the ground, only to immediately evaporate as they touched the sparkling blades and spears.

And then, as if to add more chaos to the chaotic exchange of spells, intertwining pillars of light and darkness are crashing into each other…

It was impossible for them to even discern who had cast this or that spell. Never mind who’s winning or losing, they couldn’t even tell where Solomon or Ainz are! Flashes and spars of colors had covered the entire battlefield, forcing the Servants only to look dumbfounded at the view before them.

Of all those present, only Da Vinci could understand anything. But this did not mean anything good for her. For the first time in her life, Da Vinci couldn’t understand something… she even feels no matter how long she studied what she’s currently seeing, she couldn’t understand even one iota of what she’s seeing.

For the first time in her life, Da Vinci felt inadequate.

For an ordinary magus, Casters like Da Vinci, were like an unattainable ideal. They would either react with deadly envy, or burst into tears as they needle said Caster to teach them even an iota of their knowledge. Or they would fall into despair as they see a towering mountain that they could never climb. Despairing as they see their greatest works being so out-shined that they feel inadequate, an emotion that Da Vinci could now sympathize with.

Da Vinci couldn’t even imagine a way for her to reach or even imitate what’s happening in front of her. Perhaps it is good that Paracelsus and Tesla are not here… Da Vinci couldn’t imagine that they would react any better than she did.

What else can they think then ‘this is the work of the gods, Creators, and Demiurges. There is no chance that I will ever be able to even figure it out, so there is no point in me worrying. This is so much beyond the level of a human being that I can only bow my head before this force and step back.’

In Da Vinci's eyes, this battle was already beyond the very concept of magecraft. Not a single spell Da Vinci saw could even be classified as magecraft.

As unreachable and mysterious as Da Vinci was superior to an untrained common man that had never even heard of magecraft at all is the battle going on in front of her.

It was no longer a battle in the literal sense of the word, it was more like a confrontation between two elements, not gods, but something more. Two fundamental laws of the universe, two creators - two ineradicable principles of mankind. A battle between two Grands… no, Da Vinci has never really seen one fighting, but even to her lackluster senses, the two in front of her feels even more than that.

An ordinary magus would retreat, bowing their head in defeat. They would shrug in acceptance while admitting their weakness, then go about his business. They would not be bothered by the acts of gods they had witnessed, perhaps even trying their best to forget what they have seen.

However, Da Vinci, the one who was so exalted among the magi, saw in this… revelation, if she were to call what she’s seeing as anything. It was like a divine revelation that had opened her eyes.

As the Disciple John foresaw the Second Coming and yet not understanding anything, so did Da Vinci watched the Battle of the Two.

In the previous Singularities, she had a chance, for example, to observe the use of one of Ainz’s spell Napalm. It was, albeit strange, albeit unusual, albeit being extremely strong, it was still a spell that she can understand. Now seeing it casts again…  it was worlds apart. It was like…  a miracle, she could only guess. A true miracle that magi of all times have longed for.

It was not magecraft, but Magic. Not a craft, but an art.

Each of the spells she saw, the spell she could even see, each one from both sides seemed to be denying the very existence of the boundaries of magic. Each of these spells could be classified as a Noble Phantasm! A rank, A+... Goddamn it, even A ++, on par with the damn Excalibur, the Blade of the King That Was Promised! And that was only one ordinary spell!

She couldn’t begin to understand what would happen if Ainz or Solomon started using their strongest arsenal. Da Vinci struggled to even imagine what their Noble Phantasm would look like.

It was a stage that no other could enter. Truly what was the point of their struggles if Monsters like these can invalidate anything they put out?

Da Vinci in that moment suddenly realized that her great knowledge, which extended so far beyond the limits of what is humanly cognizable, seemed so small and limited now.

Truly, no more truthful words have ever been spoken than these.

I know that I know nothing.

***

Ainz teleported once more without losing sight of his opponent.

Indeed, as a guild master, his abilities were... Satisfactory. Nothing special, nothing outstanding or insufficient, more of a middle of the pack than anything exceptional. Truly he fails more than he succeeds in that regard.

His abilities as a negotiator or manager were relatively good, slightly above average due to his real-life job. But it was nothing that a stubborn newbie could not master in a short period of time if they put their mind to it.

And as a king, ruler, symbol - Ainz was bad. Not so much because he was so stupid, he was not stupider than most, but it simply because he did not understand what it meant to be a ruler, a leader, or a symbol.

He perhaps, if he were put into a position where he has to rule, could have made the most palatable decisions and would hardly have incurred the wrath of the people. But this, perhaps, was the end of his successes. The most ordinary and plain-looking king, which later would hardly even be worth the errant mention in history books.

There was only one area in which Ainz was unmatched. Only one field of competition in which Ainz did not yield the top spot to anyone.

And that strength of Ainz was in fighting.

He was not gifted with a bestial instinct for defeating enemies. Was not presented at birth with a particular talent for observation. Nor, was he skilled in warfare and or with a keen mind to create amazing tactical maneuvers.

Ainz achieved everything solely by his own labor.

Twelve years of grinding.

An explosion loomed over Ainz, as if trying to wipe him off the face of the earth. Anyone would say Ainz should have run, teleport away, but...

‘Explosion is a spell with a spread from the central area from 1.2 to 2.6 meters, damage ranging from 80,000 to 120,000, with the damage dropping 0.89 - 1.22% per meter traveled by the blast wave, and about 0.044% per point of Magical Defense. When used with the metamagic ‘Maximized magic’, the area of ​​the central explosion and the damage done is its maximum, the dissipation of damage is reduced to the minimum.

If, on the other hand, the spell was used with the metamagic ‘Triplet Magic’, then the spread of distance between the three explosions is not more than 200% of the area of ​​the initial explosion and not more than 300% of the area of ​​the second explosion. Also, the spread is not less than 50% of the area of ​​the initial explosion, the distance between the second and the third explosion is not less than 200% of the area of ​​the explosion...

This means that teleportation is not needed, for inflicting even one unit of damage from the Explosion it falls short about 1.22 to 2.4% from penetrating my Magical Defense.’

Even Da Vinci could only watch the battle between Ainz and Solomon in confusion, in admiration, and in awe.

Ainz on the other hand did not see the battle in front of him as a battle. He saw only a set of formulas and equations flickering here and there, memorized so many years ago.

Ainz was not the greatest lore master of Yggdrasil in his guild. No, he was very well versed in the plot of the game, but in order to catch all the subtle references and twists and turns created by the authors, it would be better to turn to Tabula or, perhaps, Genjiro.

Ainz was not the greatest fighter in the Guild. He would give that tile to Touch Me.

Ainz was not the greatest long-distance fighter in the Guild. He would have to give that title to Peperoncino.

Ainz was not even the greatest Magic Caster in the Guild. He would have to give that title to Ulbert.

But there was nobody else that knew the mechanics of YGGDRASIL better than he does.

Hell Fire's cooldown is 3.46 seconds...

The casting time of the Gravity Maelstrom is 0.48 seconds...

Chance to interrupt the casting of Call Thunder when teleporting: Damage * Tier of magic of teleportation - ((Magical Defense * 12) * Remaining Mana) + Magical Defense of the enemy * 84.5... Less than zero, I need to teleport.

While Da Vinci contemplated the greatness of the battle, while Solomon used all his abilities in glee as he went all out, Ainz simply showed the world the true power of humanity.

Sleepless nights, the uncounted consumption of cheap junk food, and dozens of hours spent trying to memorize meaningless formulas in order to acquire more of even an insignificant chance of winning.

Who knew it would be so useful?

***

Solomon, the King to All Kings, fought with all he has.

The spells that emerged at the snap of his fingers, each of which was strong enough to be a top-tier Noble Phantasm, collided with the spells of his opponent and... were destroyed.

His opponent did not push him with bare power, of course not, it would be simply absurd for anyone to be stronger than he is. But... He was winning. Slowly, bit by bit but still he’s gaining ground.

Solomon's attacks, capable of crushing mountains, collided with shields that were able to serve as walls of ancient legendary cities, and were both destroyed at the same time. Solomon's shields, each capable of withstanding Noble Phantasms, stood in front of the blade of his opponent, only in order to fall a second later, barely capable of holding back the power of his opponent.

Two great magicians that surpass the understanding of magic, set their whole might against each other.

And although even Da Vinci could barely understand what’s going in their exchanges, or to even foresee the result of this battle, Solomon himself understood that he was…  losing.

His opponent was winning by a miserable thousandths of a percent each time… But he was winning.

His attacks were slightly more accurate. His movements are a little more economical. His actions are a little faster.

Just a little bit, for insignificant gains, but... His opponent, his enemy was winning.

Solomon felt...

Anger, definitely anger. How could he, the Perfect Life Form, Solomon, lose?!

Interest. Unhealthy interest. Could someone really resist him?!

Anticipation. Expectation rising in a wave from within Solomon's body. If his opponent could resist him, can he still resist even when he goes all out?

Solomon was powerful. Perhaps it would not be superfluous to say that Solomon was indescribably close to defining what ‘invincible’ means.’ Servants, even the greatest, even hundreds of the greatest, were nothing in the face of a Grand Servant like him.

But, right now, Solomon was not fighting at full strength.

Not the time or the place.

And his opponent… were not fighting with his full strength, too. This Solomon could understand in their exchanges. He was not losing with that bare percentages because his opponent was only that much stronger than him, at that moment.

No, he was losing bit by bit, simply because his opponent was making him lose ‘bit by bit’ on purpose. His opponent has that much of a leeway.

Solomon saw, felt, understood that his adversary was holding back just as Solomon himself was holding back.

Was he holding back his true might because he didn't want to leave London as a melted goop of ruins? The bacchanalia of spells, their cavalcade of explosions created by Solomon and his adversary had long ago destroyed the walls and ceiling of the grotto, slowly carving their way for the surface. More likely than not, a couple of spells from Solomon - or his opponent's, probably had already made their way to the surface, destroying a couple of houses, if not districts.

If Solomon had fought with his full strength…  Never mind London, England, or even the whole Great Britain, there wouldn’t even be anything left of the whole World!.

Was his opponent aware of his level of power? Was he equal to Solomon? Did he fight while also fulfilling his mission to save the Singularity? Or was he not as strong as Solomon, and he was mistaken in determining his level? That indeed what he’s currently showing was all he could do?

Once upon a time, the very idea that Solomon could be wrong would have been laughable to him, but his opponent was truly that amazing. He so bravely, so recklessly swept away all of Solomon's ideas about the world to the point that Solomon was even ready for such an incredible assumption. The assumption that he had made a mistake.

Solomon fought off another attack, noting the mechanical calculating way his adversary fought.

So similar in forces, so similar in movements and in methods. Were they really that similar? Or was it all just a stupid assumption Solomon has made?

But could anyone truly fault his hesitance? It was the first time he had encountered something so unusual, something that he had not foreseen?

Solomon fought off another attack while looking closer at his opponent.

Thousandth of one percent, but his opponent was winning.

And, as much as he wanted it to be, now was not the time for their real battle.

But at least he had achieved his goal. Solomon wanted to see his opponent, and he had received comprehensive answers to all his questions.

Solomon took a step back before a smile appeared on his face as he fends off another attack from his opponent.

Of course, he interrupted his speech and behaved extremely rudely, if not impudently, but...

Solomon could allow such a small liberty to someone who not only dared to take on the burden of the title of his enemy, but also had confirmed his right to this title.

“I’m somewhat saddened to say goodbye to you, my enemy,” Solomon smiled at Ainz… Who immediately started casting another spell.

“Maximized magic: Dimension Lock!” After a moment, magic, truly unique magic, one of the many demonstrated by Solomon's adversary during this time, interfered with the work of the already opening breakthrough through realities… By blocking Solomon's teleportation.

Solomon, faced with another unexpected action from the enemy, even lost his calm for a second before trying to break through the fabric of reality again.

The fabric of reality did not give in, and one of Ainz's spells, until then held by Solomon's magic, burst a little closer to him this time, exploding in a burst of fire a little closer than usual. The attack forced Solomon to shift his gaze and attention somewhat.

Hah... It was... Unusual… Solomon smiled again.

What a rare emotion to one such as him, surprise...

Solomon appreciated this emotion. This emotion that his noble enemy had evoked in him.

Solomon even allowed himself a slight grin before the ring on his finger lit up with a bright light...

“Ha, legendary rings!?” Ainz only managed to frown, “Damn it, I will not let go of the legendary rings too!”

Solomon, however, only nodded in response. “I’m sorry my enemy, but I’m afraid it’s not in your power to hold me back at this moment. I would be glad that if the next time we met, we could indulge ourselves fully.”

After another moment, Solomon employed the magic trap...

“Maximized magic: Delay Teleportation” However, rather than teleporting as the spell cast by his enemy that blocked his teleportation got erased, Solomon's movement suddenly slowed down to a great degree. As if he was stretching in time, or being forced to pass through a viscous jelly.

After another moment, Solomon frowned a little, after which the second ring on his finger flashed, destroying the second magic of his opponent...

“Maximized magic: Hold of Ribs.” After which, rather than teleporting, a rack of ribs emerging from the ground pierced Solomon's body, pinning him in place.

Solomon frowned again, causing the third ring to light up...

“Maximized magic: Hold Species.” Rather than teleporting he was once frozen in place, again. He began to raise his fourth ring…  “Maximized magic: Paralysis”

Solomon blinked, realizing that he had been paralyzed before he could use his ring...

Ha…

Surprisingly, he could not escape his opponent in any way. What a... Delightful surprise!

Solomon sighed as he saw spell after spell beginning to cut into the shields around him. Before his shield could be pierced through, nine of his rings caught fire at once.

“You are really amazing, my enemy.” Nine rings that flashed at the same time, instantly covering Solomon’s body with its radiance. “I’m looking forward to our second meeting.”

Then, after a moment, Solomon finally disappeared, causing Ainz to instantly burst into another tirade. This time about the lost legendaries… Truly today was the worst day for the Necromancer.

***

Excerpt from the scientific work: "Analysis of the Reign of Caligula and Its Consequences for the Roman Empire":

... Although in modern popular culture, Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, better known as Caligula, is associated with the image of a wasteful tyrant and a madman, in this scientific work, we will try to move away from biased assessments of his reign. We will do our best to analyze the period of his reign from the point of view of modern historiography.

In particular, the analysis of our study covers both the early years of his reign, the period where the city of Antium was designated as the capital instead of Rome. A decision made due to the fact that at that moment, Rome was in the custody of one of the ‘War Emperors’ that popped up during Caligula’s reign.

And then the later years of his reign. In particular, the period after Caligula’s psychoses fully developed, with his declaration of being the reincarnation of the legendary Remus being the center point of this period. Particularly his fight against the catastrophic uprising of barbarians, who had managed to besiege Rome after the only successful campaign of the barbarians of that era. An uprising which resulted in the capture of part of Italy and Latium as well.

As we go through the periods we have outlined, as the goal of our work, we set out to debunk the myth of Caligula's madness as a consequence of his progressive schizophrenia and crazed love with the moon goddess Diana.

Not that Caligula didn't go mad, but to clear away the myth behind his afflictions. Instead, we will do our best to present a more ‘medical’ background as to the ‘why’ of the late Emperor’s mental degradation.

We would posit that the main reason for Caligula’s insanity was as a probable psychosis that developed against the background of an undiagnosed brain tumor. An illness which could also serve as the reason for the physical change in his appearance in his later years of life.

While at the same time also conducting a critical analysis of his actions during the barbarian uprising and to serve as background for his significant role in the education of his heir, Nero...