Chapter 611

"Ha, what nonsense are you spouting, what a weird dream."

"In any case, you should return to reality. How do you feel? Does waking from the dream make you feel pain?" Thus: Banana Helper asked.

"Pain? Of course not! Too bad you're just a person in a dream, you can't see that familiar land I know—it's so beautiful you'd willingly die there."

Thus: Banana Helper was somewhat surprised: "I didn't expect someone so young to use such a metaphor."

"That's not strange; people must learn to console themselves, which includes how to view life and death lightly. The Algonquin-Apache have a saying: 'Death is the most fair protection.' For good people, death preserves their integrity; for deceitful evildoers, death cleanly ends everything."

"That's right. In other words, you're not afraid of death? Then please reach out your hand to me." Thus: Banana Helper gradually enticed: "I suppose you'd surely be willing to spread this 'most fair protection' to every corner of the universe… in the name of the Primordial Doctor."

"This is the final lesson; I will make you fully grasp his philosophy. And a star will thus… pathetically go out."

"No problem, Teacher. But I still have something to say…" Boteo slowly stepped forward, firmly gripping Thus: Banana Helper's palm: "I'm worried I might miss, but since I've grabbed you, I won't."

"Bang——!!"

"A gunshot rang from the boy's hand!"

——

OVERLORD.

Lizardfolk Tribe.

"It's amazing to stay conscious through willpower…… What an impressive man—why can't we resist the virus's influence? Is our willpower not strong enough……"

Sarius paused here for a moment, then continued after observing Koulier's reaction: "Should we increase our training of willpower?"

"I also can't figure it out… but there's definitely no trace of magic."

Frankly, as the forest priest Koulier, she fundamentally couldn't grasp what the "virus" meant; she merely took it as some strange magic seeping down from the heavens, affecting the thinking of the entire Lizardfolk Tribe.

"If it's definitely magic, then is increasing willpower useful? Can willpower resist mental magic?"

Sarius's expression grew even more solemn.

When initially fighting the undead under Lord Ainz, that simple monster capable of emitting a disturbance-inducing cry had already robbed many warriors of their combat ability; now the meme virus is soundless and formless, making talk of "defense" utterly out of the question.

But precisely for that reason, his admiration for the man called Boteo in the heavens grew deeper.

……It seems it's just because his cultivation is insufficient.

"That makes sense; if it were Lord Ainz, he'd surely be able to perfectly deal with this thing called a meme virus……"

At this point, Koulier put forward her own suggestion: "Sarius, why don't we seek aid from Lord Ainz, ask them to lift the meme virus's magic—what do you think?"

"Fine, tonight I'll bring gifts and ride Lololo to the Great Tomb. If Lord Ainz can casually help us Lizardfolk resolve this trouble, I'd be eternally grateful."

——

"The sudden gunshot interrupted Thus: Banana Helper's action; he staggered back two steps, incredulous: 'This… how is it possible…… degeneration clearly already happened……'"

"Ha… you know, I was still worried I'd messed up just now!" Boteo holstered his gun, "But now there's no problem—evildoers only ask 'why' before they die. I'm not deaf. When you were chatting so loudly, didn't you think I could tell good from evil?"

"……" Thus: Banana Helper froze.

"It really is just as Nick said: revenge needs no excuse, just like there's only one thing in the world you don't need to learn—shooting at bad people."

"How could this be… you're clearly just a child…… even if you're a natural-born bad seed, the first time doing this… you should feel some psychological burden……"

"Is that so? Then I think you've misunderstood a bit. There's a kind of instinct that both a wanted criminal with blood on his hands and a cowboy kid who's never fired a gun share—there's no difference between them……"

Boteo aimed the gun barrel at the Banana Master's head, preparing: "——that is to fire at evil, baby!"

"Since you've altered my synesthesia beacon, little cutie, I'll grant you a secret. I'll shoot you with a 'love-death' bullet—this line truly hasn't been tampered with—I really feel that way. Death is the most fair protection, especially for you, a little cutie who only gets worse."

"Bang——!!"

"No sooner had the words left his mouth than the bullet instantly pierced Thus: Banana Helper's TV-set head, accompanied by a burst of intense black flame, and he collapsed completely, extinguished."

"Gazing at the corpse of the Beautiful Dream Troupe, Boteo coldly smirked: 'This is another benefit of death—no matter your grievances or ideals, I won't waste time listening.'"

——

Funeral Frieren.

"Even research apes miscalculate sometimes—whatever your ideology, take it up with the bullets!"

Seeing this guy's miscalculation made Zan Yin feel immensely relieved.

Too bad this guy isn't the research ape's true form, but one can understand: these fellows each tout the Primordial Doctor's ideology as lofty and noble, yet in reality they're like mice hiding in a sewer, afraid to show their true selves—no matter how grand the reasoning, it's useless.

"Having taken him out, next is Banana Master, right?" Filien recalled that they were still trapped in Rik's celluloid ability.

"Banana Master has probably already left Origami University; although that fellow and Rik have had some stiff relations, it's clear Rik is still compelled to stand on its side……"

As for the Memory faction, the only word Halsark can associate with it is "elusive"; perhaps the Black Swan Miss gave him a particularly deep impression—in any case, he doesn't think this Rik can be dealt with as easily as the research ape possessing the Beautiful Dream Troupe.

In the situation where neither side promptly confirmed enemy information, Rik could even trap Boteo and March 7 together in its special celluloid ability, wiping them all out isn't impossible.

"There's still something formidable ahead—who knows when this meme virus will recover? I really don't want to turn into a monkey." Filien drooped her eyebrows.

"All right, Filien, don't worry." Frieren lifted her hand and rubbed Filien's head, "Even if you turn into a monkey, you'll definitely be the cutest."

Filien's shoulders slumped slightly; she lifted her head, gazing at Frieren with those large eyes tinged with a hint of resentment, and let out a soft sigh: "Lady Frieren, you really know how to comfort people……"