Overlord - Prologue

The man who continued was also part of the clan’s intellectuals, the man who went by the alias of Zhuge Kongming, Punitto Moe.

He was composed entirely of the plant known as Death Vines.

“When Tuvegs spot intruders, they cry out and alert their entire tribe. Thus, they’ll be troublesome opponents, because it can’t be easy to remain undetected until we reach the dungeon.”

“Ah, it’s quite deep into the swamps. I found it while searching for something else, so I can’t tell you how far away it is in a straight line.”

“Did anyone here travel with Nishiki-san?”

Everyone shook their heads when they heard Punitto Moe’s question.

“Then, did you lead a huge band of NPC mercenaries there? No, if you brought them along, you would be discovered and overwhelmed by sheer numbers. It’s far too difficult, which is why people have only ever reconnoitered the area from the air. Well, if everyone here went there it wouldn’t be a problem, but I guess that’s not the case. Then, how did you find it out, Nishiki-san?”

Punitto Moe tapped his temple with a vine that looked like a finger. There might have been some reason behind it, but sadly, Momonga did not know why. However, his questioning style of speech was not like his usual self.

Even so, Punitto Moe’s dramatics were quite effective in disseminating the information to the other members of the clan.

“Policeman-san, you’ve made a fatal mistake,” the masked ninja declared with a laugh. “All you need to do is silently approach a Tuveg and relieve him of his head in one strike. That way you won’t alert his friends as well.”

Punitto Moe had nothing to say.

This was the end of the guessing game.

“Yaa, you see, it’s child’s play for me to take someone out from behind in one blow. That was how I delved into the depths of the swamp. While there were some worm-like monsters which used vibrations to navigate, I’m pretty sure I can sneak myself past their detection ability.”

“…Nishiki-san, something’s been bothering me. Doing that much, even for a ninja… how did you build your character to do all this weird stuff?”

Punitto Moe delivered those lines in a daze, and Nishiki Enrai responded with a laugh.

“Ah, don’t you know? It’s just a simple sneak attack. There’s a damage multiplier for backstabbing people. My defense is rubbish and I’ll die if I get found… but I love that thrill. I’ve always liked the glass cannon, high speed sort of character. You could say that it’s my dream build. Speaking of which, Punitto Moe-san, you also play Aberage, right? What machine was it? It’s just like what I was talking about.”

The game they were talking about was one which Momonga did not play. It involved building power suits, and then using them to fight each other.

“Ah, I play a balanced type with average armor. The aim is to take on anyone.”

“That sounds like what you would build. Like I said, mine has paper armor, high speed and high firepower. I even dumped my radar, relying on my eyes alone, to move faster.”

“…That is pretty weird.”

“Still, Punitto-san. My machine’s among the upper ranks, with the title of Violet.”

Beast King Mekongawa, seated beside Nishiki Enrai, suddenly exclaimed, “Ehh?! What did you say? Doesn’t that mean you’re a super top-class player?…I’m just a Green. Maybe I should quit Aberage…”

“No, no, please don’t say that. Group up with me next time.”

It was kind of lonely to see one’s clan members get excited over things that one knew nothing about. Just as Momonga was feeling hurt, the sound of several claps rang out.

“All right, all right, we’ve gone off-topic. Nishiki-san, tell us about that dungeon.”

“Ahhh, yes, Touch-san, my apologies. Then, there’s an island in the deepest reaches of the poison swamp — or rather, there’s a base there, and in the middle is the entrance to the dungeon.”

Nishiki Enrai said it was called the Tomb of Nazarick.

“Why didn’t anyone find it by aerial recon before?”

In response to that question, Punitto Moe replied:

“I think it’s a dungeon that can only be discovered under special circumstances.”

Some dungeons could only be found under certain conditions. For instance, the entrance to a dungeon amidst a field of flowers in the depths of a forest could only be seen under the light of the full moon. A notable example of this was the Frozen City in Niflheim, which could only be entered during a blizzard.

Although this was only a hypothesis, Tabula Smaragdina continued:

“Perhaps the Great Tomb of Nazarick only appears to people who’ve traversed the poison swamp on foot? Or perhaps it’s only visible under a certain altitude.”

After the replies of “I see” and “That might be so” passed, Nishiki Enrai continued speaking.

“Then — I have a suggestion. Why don’t we go there after this is over?”

The response was more subdued than when the news that “there’s an unexplored dungeon” was announced.