"Leave our village? I don't know where you humans came 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 home 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 lizardmen had finally stabilized their lives here. Food was no longer an immediate 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 come 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 Supreme 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 lizardmen 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 time, Ren and Yuri had come specifically to deliver a warning—to avoid that same regret.
But unfortunately, these lizardmen simply couldn't believe that mere "humans" would show them such goodwill.
In truth, given Ren's status as a Supreme Being—and his relationship with Momonga—he could forcibly protect the lizardmen.
But from the standpoint of Nazarick's Supreme Beings… he had neither the reason nor the position to do so.
And if he wanted to bring the lizardmen 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 same law—
The strong devour the weak.
The lizardmen were not native to Nazarick. Without power strong enough to crush any thought of betrayal, mere 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 messenger.
Even so, to the lizardmen—whose levels barely reached the teens or twenties—
It might as well have been an unstoppable calamity.
"By order of the Supreme Being, Ainz-sama—three days from now, the glorious forces of Nazarick shall descend upon your village, and you shall become the next offering.
When that time comes, struggle, scream, and despair as much as you can.
Give everything you have… and entertain the Supreme Being to the best of your ability!"
Having delivered Momonga's decree, the grotesque messenger turned to leave—
But then, mid-flight, it caught sight of Ren standing among the lizardmen.
In an instant, it descended rapidly from the sky.
Seeing such a terrifying creature suddenly approach, the lizardmen immediately 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 mere messenger 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 Supreme Being, Ren-sama.
Have you personally come 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 lizardmen? Shall I relay your will to Ainz-sama?"
The messenger had originally intended to leave immediately after delivering its message—
But failing to pay respects upon encountering a Supreme Being would have been the greatest disrespect of all.
Meanwhile, 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 messenger departed as quickly as it had come.
But the lizardmen'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 'Supreme 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 "Supreme Being" carried weight.
"…It's simple," Ren said. "The one who plans to attack you is a Supreme Being of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
And I… am one as well.
He has decided you will become sacrifices.
As for me—I found the idea distasteful, and thought to give you a chance to escape.
But you didn't believe me.
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 Supreme Being—would you be willing to offer our Green Claw Tribe that same 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 name was Zaryusu Shasha—younger brother to the chieftain, and the strongest warrior among the lizardmen.
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 time, he had overheard the exchange—
And now, unable to remain silent, he spoke.
"…I'm afraid not," Ren replied without hesitation.
"Opportunities don't come twice.
And I have no intention of causing conflict with a friend over something 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."