Demiurge waved his claws, and in moments, he undid Mare's bindings. Mare, who had been held captive by EeDechi and her group for several dozen days, was free at last!
EeDechi was level 100, while Dragon Endbringer, being a spirit, had an overall combat strength of only around level 90 or so.
The tide was about to turn—EeDechi and Dragon Endbringer were now up against Demiurge and Mare, two level 100 warriors!
"Mare! Let's charge together and slaughter EeDechi!" Demiurge was so exhilarated that he forgot all about the pain from his wounds.
"I... I don't want to hurt EeDechi," Mare said in a small, timid voice.
Demiurge froze like a statue.
It wasn't just Demiurge who was stunned—even EeDechi in the distance paused for a moment.
"Wha... what did you say?" Demiurge wondered if EeDechi's blows had damaged his hearing.
"EeDechi has treated me very kindly. When Franco and Antilene were picking on me, it was always EeDechi who protected me." Mare lowered his head, clutching the hem of his skirt with both hands, looking terribly embarrassed.
"What are you talking about!! It was EeDechi and her crew who captured you, locked you up! Tied you down! Don't you want revenge?" Demiurge was on the verge of losing it.
"That may be true... but I think we could be friends. Lord Ainz could get along with EeDechi peacefully. I really don't want to hurt EeDechi..." Mare's voice trailed off quieter and quieter.
A chilling dread crept into Demiurge's heart. Cold sweat dripped down his forehead, his hands shook, and even the way he looked at EeDechi changed.
This was Stockholm syndrome!
Stockholm syndrome, also known as hostage syndrome, is when a victim develops feelings for their captor, even going so far as to help them out.
Hostages develop a psychological dependence on their captors. Their life and death are completely in the captors' hands. If the captors let them live and show them even a bit of kindness, they feel overwhelmingly grateful. This emotion leads victims to feel fondness and dependence toward their abusers, even going so far as to help them.
Though Demiurge kept a forced calm on his face, his thoughts were already in turmoil.
A terrifying suspicion rose in his heart: The reason EeDechi hadn't killed Mare but imprisoned him instead was to control Mare's mind! EeDechi had deliberately let Franco and Antilene treat Mare horribly, while she played the role of savior.
Antilene and the others were the stick, beating Mare down, while EeDechi offered the carrot. Just like that, EeDechi had successfully won over Mare's heart.
Demiurge had always thought EeDechi was a cunning schemer, but now he realized he'd only scratched the surface before!
EeDechi was a master of mind games! A devil who manipulated minds and knew psychological weaknesses like the back of her hand! Beneath that innocent, harmless-looking face lurked a pitch-black desire to control all who fell into her grasp!
Demiurge was convinced he'd uncovered the truth. He turned his head shakily toward EeDechi, staring at her like she was some terrifying creature wrapped in boundless darkness!
EeDechi scratched her head, looking innocent and confused. She had no idea why Mare didn't want to hurt her, but she had to slaughter Demiurge anyway. It was for her old comrades, and to win this fight and earn the right to meet the Eight Greed Kings' guardians.
EeDechi stepped forward, her aura erupting like a tsunami. The winds and clouds churned overhead, sand and dust swept through the air, and a razor-sharp Slash intent began to take vague shape.
Demiurge ordered himself to stay calm. He sucked in a deep breath and said to Mare, "I won't push you to take on EeDechi, but for the sake of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, can you help me kill Barrett and the others?"
"Of course, no problem at all." Mare nodded over and over.
A giant sword cleaved through the air with a ripping sound, and EeDechi had already charged right up to Demiurge.
"Then fight!" Demiurge shoved Mare toward EeDechi, his figure darting out like a rabbit. In the blink of an eye, he fled three thousand meters away, escaping into the city ruins and disappearing from sight.
In this vast arena space, there were still plenty of rundown old houses and clock towers—these were all ruins left over from the past. Demiurge slipped inside like a snake, and there was no telling where he had hidden himself.
Dragon Endbringer's phantom emerged behind EeDechi, and Barrett, Antilene, and Franco closed in. Mare stood unarmed on the sand, his face blank with shock.
BOOM!
Mare was ultimately a level 100 guardian, his class was forest druid, with absolute mastery over the earth and plants.
Mare gritted his teeth and unleashed earth magic, heaving up the whole ground. The flat, solid land surged like a sea of earth, rolling in waves as sand and dust blotted out the sky.
"Protect yourselves!" EeDechi glanced worriedly at her companions while scanning for Mare's location.
Franco and Antilene immediately flew into the sky, while Barrett dashed across the heaving ground. EeDechi stepped forward, scooped up Barrett, and with her powerful arms hurled him skyward. Franco swooped down and caught Barrett.
The ground's wild churning settled, but Mare was nowhere to be seen—he'd either fled or burrowed into the earth.
"Forget Mare for now—go find Demiurge and take him down!" EeDechi moved with astonishing speed, covering the three thousand meters in an instant and reaching the city ruins, where she began searching for Demiurge's trail.
"Let's go help the captain," Barrett said. Antilene nodded in agreement and flew straight toward the city ruins, while Franco, with a sour look on his face, headed to the battlefield alongside Barrett.
...
In the city ruins, Barrett pushed open a rotting door, relying on an adventurer's gut instinct to hunt for Demiurge's hiding spot.
This was an ancient manor, the air utterly silent, walls blanketed in dust, with only a stone staircase leading up to the second floor.
Barrett gripped his two-handed sword tightly, cautiously scanning all around. This was the outskirts of the city ruins; Demiurge shouldn't show up here.
"Congratulations, Barrett, you've found me."
Barrett looked up in shock, only to see Demiurge standing right at the top of the stairs on the second floor, his eyes full of mockery.
"Congratulations to me? Then let's celebrate with your life!" Barrett snarled. He craned his neck to glare at Demiurge in the stairwell, holding his two-handed sword before his chest in a guarded stance.
Even so, Barrett's back was dripping with cold sweat; he knew he was no match for Demiurge at all. Even after bathing in the Dragon Progenitor's blood and greatly increasing his strength, there was still a vast gulf between him and the level 100 Demiurge.
But even so, Barrett didn't back down; he knew full well that escape was impossible. If he turned and bolted right now, he'd just be handing his back to the enemy, dying in shame.
That wasn't a death fit for an elite adventurer, much less for a warrior!
In that case, better to die with honor! Facing the enemy head-on, brave and fearless, swinging his sword until he dropped in the final moment!
Barrett clutched the longsword with both hands, stepped onto the stairs, and headed toward Demiurge at the second-floor landing!
"Oh? This surprises me—you're actually a man with guts. Lord Ainz once told me that in EeDechi's team, there's an adventurer who left a strong impression on him."
Demiurge looked down at Barrett with contempt, mocking, "Too bad courage can't help an ant take on a lion."
There wasn't a hint of fear in Barrett's eyes; he marched up the stairs as if death held no terror, closing in on Demiurge step by step.
"I'm starting to like you a little," Demiurge sneered. "I'll give you a chance: back down two steps, and I can make you one of my vampire minions. Otherwise, if you want to die, just keep climbing."
"Do you think I'm some coward who's afraid to die? Hah, death isn't scary—what's scarier than death is wasting your life away in decay. Adventurers have always lived by facing death head-on!"
Barrett didn't hesitate, climbing up two steps, the sound of his feet striking the stairs firm and solid.
"Is that so, Barrett?" Demiurge crossed his arms, standing at the top of the stairs, his smile cold and grim. "You just backed down the stairs—does that mean you want to become my, Demiurge's, subordinate?"
Barrett glanced down and realized... his position on the stairs had indeed retreated two steps!
How was that possible?! Barrett was shocked inside; he clearly had been heading up.
Could it be my imagination... Barrett gripped his two-handed sword tightly and stepped forward on the stairs once more.
Suddenly, Barrett noticed his position on the stairs had retreated another step.
"Wh... what, I definitely... climbed one step!" Barrett stared at his own legs, completely stunned.
"What's the matter, Barrett? Why did you back down the stairs? Could it be that you claim not to fear death, yet your body retreats on its own? You are... afraid." Demiurge smiled faintly.
Cold sweat trickled from Barrett's forehead; he clutched the longsword tightly, taking firm strides, Thud Thud Thud climbing several steps in a row.
All at once, Barrett looked down and saw he was still in the same spot!
"How can this be..." Barrett muttered to himself, "Did I... subconsciously give in?"
"You're an excellent human; stop being EeDechi and her crew's ally. Become my subordinate, serve me forever. What's so bad about that? Power, lifespan, wealth, fame—I can give you everything you desire!"
Demiurge stood at the top of the stairs, his voice laced with a sinister charm.
"I got it!" Barrett's mind suddenly clicked, and he yelled, "Your ability is controlling the stairs!"
"You actually figured it out. That's right, my ability is controlling stairs." Demiurge smiled smugly.
"That scared me to death." Barrett panted heavily, still rattled, "Good thing your ability isn't stopping time."
Demiurge's face turned icy. "Are you mocking me?"
"Yeah, so what?" Barrett stared back at Demiurge without fear.
"Die, Barrett!" Demiurge vanished from the landing and lunged with a punch straight at Barrett's chest!