Shadows and Strategy: Nazarick's Council

Momonga's chamber was adorned with opulent furnishings, while the floor was laid with a vibrant red carpet. This expansive room was typically shrouded in a delicate veil of silence, and today it was even more hushed than usual. The maid who usually attended to him was conspicuously absent. The only occupants were Momonga and the small infant cradled in his arms.

Momonga spoke in a weary voice, "So, how do I deal with this child?"

There were numerous issues he needed to address immediately, but tending to the child took precedence. On a whim, he had rescued the infant and brought him to Nazarick. In the past, when this was merely a game, the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick had seldom hosted anyone beyond the guild members. The guild never forbade inviting others; it was simply that no one had considered it. At most, they had occasionally invited the little sister of the guild member Yamaiko — whose Player name was Akemi-chan.

'Which is why my friends ought to have no issue with me bringing this child. Invaders are different from guests.'

Momonga then turned his head to the boy , who stared back at him with emerald green eyes. 'Now that's been settled, how long should I keep this child in Nazarick? Even though his parents are dead, he must have other relatives — an aunt or uncle perhaps...'

After pondering for a moment, the Overlord used [Message] to contact the Commander of NPC defenses.

"[Demiurge..]"

"[Momonga-sama. It is a great honour to receive your message. How may I be of service to you?]"

Momonga, still not accustomed to such polite and deferential greetings, found himself momentarily spacing out.

"[Is something wrong, Supreme One?]" When no response came from his master, Demiurge inquired with concern.

"Umu... I believe Albedo has already informed you of my current actions. I want you to look into the child's background and, while you're at it, learn all you can about this world. Every piece of knowledge could be crucial. Use the stealth units already present in the village. If they are insufficient, contact me. However, secrecy is of utmost importance."

"[Understood, Momonga-sama. Your will is our command.]"

As Momonga terminated the [ Message ] spell, the little boy, after getting bored with no one to interact with, started crying.

"Uuh-Uuh–UWAAHHH!!" 

'Oh..Ahh.. W-What do I do!?' Seeing the little infant bawling his eyes out, Momonga couldn't think of anything.'What would Yamaiko-san do!?

Yamaiko, one of the three female guild members of Ainz Ooal Gown, often expressed her fondness for children, considering them treasures to be educated, protected, and cared for.

'—Ahh! I am getting distracted again. Why is this child crying? Is it hungry? What do children even eat? I don't have any nutritional fluids. Wait, don't babies need something called baby formula? I recall Yamaiko-san mentioning that mothers who couldn't lactate due to health issues or other reasons fed their babies Baby Formula…'

"Hmm—, Milk!!"

At Momonga's abrupt exclamation, the baby's cries grew even louder.

"Yeah–Yeah. I got it. Be quiet."

Momonga chided the kid before retrieving Auðumbla's Milk, of which he had an unreasonable amount for reasons even he couldn't recall. As the little one drank the milk, it began to calm down.

'Now then, I have many other duties to attend to. Who should I entrust this child to? Hmm... I remember Tabula-san created one of Albedo's sisters to be very caring towards infants.' Momonga, recalling the grotesque appearance of a woman with no facial skin and giant scissors in hand, quickly rejected the idea.

'Wouldn't she frighten the child into seeking his parents beyond? What about Albedo?' The thought of an enraged woman wielding a Bardiache made him quickly reject her. 

'Shalltear? With those kinks and fetishes— No Way!' Recollecting the questionable content from Peroronchino's character design for Shalltear, Momonga swiftly ruled her out.

'Demiurge, with his demonic nature, is also a No-Go. Cocytus? But children are prone to catching colds easily. Aura and Mare are too young. Sebas and Pestoniya have numerous responsibilities as well. For now…'

X

Albus Dumbledore appeared at the corner of number four, Privet Drive, as if he had emerged from the earth itself, his arrival sudden and silent. The great wizard didn't seem to realize that he had just arrived in a street where everything from his name to his boots was unwelcome.

He was engrossed in rummaging through his cloak, searching for something. Despite his preoccupation, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched and looked up sharply, his gaze meeting that of the cat lingering at the other end of the street. There was a hint of amusement in his expression as he chuckled softly and muttered, "I should have known."

After extinguishing all the street lamps with his Put-Outer, he slipped the device back into his cloak and proceeded down the street towards number four. There, he settled onto the wall beside the cat. Though he didn't look at it, after a moment, he spoke.

"Fancy seeing you here, Professor McGonagall."

He turned to smile at the tabby, but it had vanished. Instead, he found himself smiling at a rather stern-looking woman wearing square glasses that perfectly matched the markings around the cat's eyes. She, too, was wearing a cloak, an emerald one. Her black hair was drawn into a tight bun, and she appeared distinctly ruffled.

"Professor Dumbledore... Is it true? The rumours everyone is speaking of? About why he's disappeared? About what finally stopped him?" she asked anxiously, worry etched across her face. It was clear that whatever "everyone" was saying, she wouldn't believe it until Dumbledore confirmed.

Dumbledore, however, was staring into the distance and did not answer.

"What they're saying," she pressed on, "is that last night Voldemort turned up in Godric's Hollow. He went to find the Potters. The rumour is that Lily and James Potter are — are — that they're — dead."

Dumbledore bowed his head. Professor McGonagall gasped.

"Lily and James... I can't believe it... I didn't want to believe it... Oh, Albus..."

Dumbledore reached out and patted her on the shoulder. "I know... I know..." he said heavily.

Professor McGonagall's voice trembled as she went on. "That's not all. They're saying he tried to kill the Potters' son, Harry. But — he couldn't. He couldn't kill that little boy. No one knows why or how, but they're saying that when he couldn't kill Harry Potter, Voldemort's power somehow broke — and that's why he's gone."

Dumbledore nodded glumly.

"It's — it's true?" faltered Professor McGonagall. "After all he's done... all the people he's killed... he couldn't kill a little boy? It's just astounding... of all things to stop him... but where on earth did Harry vanish?"

"We are doing our best," said Dumbledore. "But so far, our efforts have yielded no results."

Dumbledore took out a golden watch from his pocket and examined it.

"Hagrid's late. I suppose it was he who told you I'd be here, by the way?"

"Yes," replied Professor McGonagall. "And I don't suppose you're going to tell me why you're here, of all places?"

"I've come to deliver the news of the Potters to their (still) living family."

"A letter?" Professor McGonagall echoed faintly, sitting back down on the wall. "Really, Dumbledore, you think you can explain all this in a letter? I've been watching them all day. You couldn't find two people who are less like us. They will never understand the Potters' sacrifice!"

"It is still their right to know," Dumbledore said firmly.

 Just then, a low rumbling sound shattered the silence enveloping them.It intensified steadily as they scanned the street for any indication of headlights; it crescendoed into a roar as their gazes shifted upwards at the sky — and a massive motorcycle descended from the air, landing on the road before them.

"Hagrid," Dumbledore exclaimed, sounding relieved. "At last. And where did you get that motorcycle?"

"Borrowed it, Professor Dumbledore, sir," the giant replied, cautiously dismounting from the motorcycle as he spoke. "Young Sirius Black lent it to me."

"Did you uncover any clues?" Dumbledore inquired.

"No, sir — the house was almost destroyed, I couldn't find any clues until the end, and then the Muggles started swarmin' around…"

"Understandable. You did your best," Dumbledore replied with a reassuring nod.

"H-However, sir — while I was there, I felt like I — I saw some strange shadows moving about," Hagrid continued, his gaze darting around as if searching for something. "A-And it feels like someone's constantly watchin' me since I left that place."

At those words, Dumbledore's eyes gleamed with intensity.

"Are you sure it wasn't just one of your pets?" Professor McGonagall inquired.

"I am sure — Most probably?"

"Very well," Dumbledore said at last. "There's nothing more for us here. We may as well go and join the celebrations."

"Yeah," said Hagrid in a muffled voice, "I'd best get this bike away. G'night, Professor McGonagall — Professor Dumbledore, sir."

Hagrid swung himself onto the motorcycle and kicked the engine into life; with a roar, it rose into the air and disappeared into the night.

"I shall see you soon, I expect, Professor McGonagall," said Dumbledore, nodding to her. Professor McGonagall blew her nose in reply.

Dumbledore turned and walked back down the street. After relighting the street lamps with his Put-Outer, he turned on his heel and, with a swish of his cloak, vanished.

At that very moment, people meeting in secret all over the country were raising their glasses and saying in hushed voices, "To Harry Potter — the boy who vanished!"

X

On the lowest floor of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, in the heart of the Tenth Floor, the air of the Throne Room — adorned with 41 flags — was filled with a quiet ardour. Silent rows of vassals bowed deeply toward the throne, displaying their unwavering loyalty. Their ranks were packed with inhuman shapes. The Floor Guardians aside, all the NPCs which had been hand-crafted by the 41 Supreme Beings and the direct vassals of the Floor Guardians were gathered in this place.

Sebas trailed behind Momonga as he entered the room, carrying the child in his arms. The many beings kneeling here demonstrated their fealty. Momonga ascended the stairs and sat on the throne. Sebas remained at the foot of the throne, kneeling behind Albedo. Momonga silently surveyed the throne room from where he was seated. Almost all of the guild's NPCs were gathered below him. They looked quite majestic when he watched them from on high, like a Night Parade of monsters.

"First and foremost,I would like to apologize for taking independent action," Momonga began, his tone lacking any genuine contrition. "And thank you all for your tireless efforts in gathering information. You have all done well."

Surveying the assembled individuals bowing before him, Momonga nodded with a sense of contentment. However, the ensuing challenge loomed large. It was a daunting task for an ordinary individual to emulate the demeanour of a true ruler, and Momonga keenly felt the weight of this responsibility. As he gazed upon his numerous subordinates, their reverence and admiration shining through, he recognized the magnitude of their expectations.

His purportedly non-existent stomach twinged with pain, and his heart — which should have been similarly absent — throbbed within his chest. However, that fleeting discomfort was quickly overridden. The overwhelming urge to flee this place with all his might was suppressed by the emotional override, a unique feature of his body. In that moment, Momonga found himself embracing the role of a true ruler, and he commanded:

"Guardian Overseer of Nazarick, Albedo. The keenest intellect of Nazarick, Demiurge. I charge you with elucidating our strategic plan for the future. Should anyone have suggestions, you may raise your hands and speak. The two of you will explain clearly to everyone present. These are the elite personnel selected by the various Guardians. Ensure they are apprised of our future trajectory without omitting any details."

Momonga had tried to read the reports sent to him, but the sheer volume and complexity proved overwhelming. No matter how hard he tried he could not make heads or tales of it. Ultimately, Momonga had been forced to employ this stratagem. It was like telling them to "explain to the other Guardians" on a larger scale. His plan was to use the excuse that someone or everyone did not understand, then pretend he knew and listen to the explanation.

"Then Demiurge, rise. You will clearly explain what we now know to those who do not understand the details. Begin by recounting the actions Nazarick has taken thus far."

"Understood, Momonga-sama." Demiurge then addressed the assembled NPCs.

"As you all may be aware, the Great Tomb of Nazarick has been transported from the realm of Helheim to an unknown New World. This world is so different and mystical that even the laws of magic we are familiar with differ from those of Yggdrasil. However, thanks to the Throne of Kings, those laws do not affect the beings inside Nazarick. The same applies to those carrying World Items outside Nazarick, though they can choose to be influenced by these new laws of their own volition."

Taking a moment to let everyone digest his words, Demiurge continued his explanation.

"Next, regarding the races we have discovered in this place. Through the extensive reconnaissance that Momonga-sama ordered, we have found that this world is divided into two distinct parts: Magical and Muggle."

At those words, Shalltear raised her hand, while many others appeared visibly perplexed.

"What exactly is a Muggle, Demiurge?"

Momonga, relieved that someone had asked the question, did his best to mask his elation.

Demiurge, adjusting his glasses, replied, "I was just about to clarify that. Muggles are non-magical beings, primarily humans who lack any magical abilities. This category also encompasses other non-magical entities."

A wave of nods followed, signifying their comprehension.

"The magical community encompasses races similar yet distinct from those in Yggdrasil. Among them are humanoid entities like witches, wizards, hags, goblins, and elves. Additionally, there are various demihumans such as trolls, giants, mermen, and many other mystical beasts. We have also learned of heteromorphs, notably Dementors and vampires, each characterized by unique appearances and abilities that set them apart from our prior knowledge.

For reasons we have yet to uncover, the magical community is intent on concealing their existence from ordinary humans. There exists a law called the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, which safeguards the wizarding community from Muggles and ensures their presence remains hidden. This concealment is so effective that magical beings are often relegated to folklore and legends in the eyes of muggles. To maintain this secrecy, they employ various methods, including coercion, brainwashing, and sometimes, targeted elimination.

Regarding their magical practices, due to the distinct laws governing magic here— Wands serve as indispensable conduits for spellcasting, rendering most wizards and witches powerless without them..."

Reflecting on the massacre from a few days prior, Momonga recalled the father searching frantically on the couch and the dark wizard casting spells through his wand. 'Isn't using wands to cast spells inefficient? In Yggdrasil, wands had charges that they consumed to produce their effects. Only magic casters who had run out of mana would rely on wands as a last resort.'

"The wands used here differ from those in Yggdrasil. These can be used indefinitely unless they break, merely serving as vessels for the wizard's magic. The wizards must expend their mana and learn the spells themselves in order to cast the magic. Additionally, only humans are permitted to use wands, likely to prevent other races from potentially overpowering them and becoming the dominant species..."

'Ah, the age-old tactic of suppressing others to maintain supremacy,' Momonga mused. He had witnessed this many times in the history of his original world and had experienced it firsthand in the world of 2138, where large corporations had taken over the government, manipulated laws to their advantage, and controlled the populace.

"The magic system here has many discrepancies. For instance, flight magic can only be used by the most powerful casters in this new world, whereas for us, it's merely a third-tier spell like [Fly]. To counter this limitation, they have developed their own means of flight via tools like— broomsticks, flying carpets, and so on."

"Umu. I recall that we have a few of these items in our Treasury. Demiurge, take them later and compare them with the ones from this world," Momonga commanded.

"As you wish, Momonga-sama," Demiurge responded with a bow.

"It seems these beings have found ways to compensate for their weaknesses. But that's not all, is it?" Momonga inquired.

"As expected of Momonga-sama, to discern so much from just a few words of this lowly servant," Demiurge replied.

"Haha! It was just a fluke.. And Demiurge, you are far from a lowly servant. You are the creation of one of my friends, the Commander of NPC defenses, and one of the three greatest minds in Nazarick. Take pride in that." Momonga then turned to see the other NPCs looking at him with teary eyes. "The same goes for all of you. Never belittle yourselves. For, you are the reason Nazarick exists."

At those words, all the NPCs bowed their heads, their bodies trembling with reverence.—"Your will is our command."

"Umu! Demiurge, please continue."

After the moment of emotion passed, Demiurge composed himself and spoke, "Yes, Momonga-sama. As I mentioned earlier, while these people lack flight magic, they have developed a rudimentary teleportation spell that causes discomfort to its user. Additionally, their memory alteration and erasure spells are far more efficient than those used in Yggdrasil. Almost all wizards we observed could use these memory altering spells to make the Muggles around them forget their actions."

'Necessity is the mother of invention?— Was it Punitto Moe who said that? I think he quoted it from an old philosopher's book,' Momonga mused. 'These people, in order to keep their society's secrets, have focused on certain magical aspects more than others. If Punitto-san were here, he could probably deduce their history and values just from their magical capabilities alone.'

"Now, for the final and most crucial information—their strength. As you may have already deduced, these beings' powers are highly unpredictable, varying with their emotions and innate talent. However, they resemble glass cannons; they possess formidable offensive capabilities but lack any significant resistances, defenses, or immunities. They have virtually no passive abilities, and even the simplest concealment spells can be used to hide in plain sight.

There is, however, a certain form of magic called Ancient Magic. Little is known about it, as the ways of which had been all but forgotten in the current wizarding world. It is said to be very mysterious and extraordinarily powerful, far surpassing the magic they currently use. Those who can perceive and wield it are considered to possess a unique and exceedingly rare ability."

"...Mm?"

Momonga quietly voiced his doubts. 'This power… I think I felt something similar during my experiments.' He recalled a time when he tried using several spells together, only to have their power increased severalfold due to a new force he couldn't perceive before.

Just as Momonga was lost in thought, Demiurge closed his mouth and looked back, staring at him.

Realizing that his murmuring had been heard, Momonga quickly diverted attention by giving instructions:

"This Ancient Magic... Further investigation is necessary. Determine if the denizens of Nazarick can wield its power."

"Understood, Momonga Sama. I will make certain that all denizens of Nazarick become adept in ancient magic."

"N-No! There's no need for such extensive measures. Just... keep tabs on any information pertaining to it... Very well, proceed with your explanation."

"As for the Muggles, their society is technology-oriented, and the strongest weapon in their arsenal is a nuclear bomb, whose power is comparable to the Ninth Tier spell, [Nuclear Blast]."

'Nukes!? If these humans possess such weapons of mass destruction, it's no wonder the magical community is wary of them. But...'

"Demiurge, have you obtained a map of this world or the surrounding areas? And do you know the current year or date they use?"

"My apologies, Momonga-sama. While I was able to procure a relatively well-developed map of the Muggle world, the Wizarding Community is hidden deep within several secret realms scattered across the world, which has delayed the creation of a comprehensive map." Demiurge raised his hand, conjuring an ethereal globe in the air. Despite his previous remarks, the map was incredibly detailed, displaying the names of locations, terrains, native creatures, and the entrances to the secret realms he had mentioned earlier.

Momonga, seeing this, couldn't help but gasp. His eyes focused on a particular country named Japan.

"Momonga-sama, is something the matter?"

"Hmm… Demiurge, does this world follow the Gregorian calendar?" 'I remember Shizyuutensuzaku-sensei once giving a brief lecture on its history and significance.'

"Sasuga Momonga-sama, to think you have ascertained even that."

"Haha! It is nothing of the sort. I just happen to have a bit of knowledge about this world."

"I see. My apologies; I should have known better than to question the Supreme One's vast knowledge, having traversed countless unknown worlds. As for your earlier question, today is November 3rd, 1981."

"So, the two World Wars have already occurred. But why didn't this magical community interfere during such cataclysmic events? Is it due to the Statute of Secrecy..? Will the same happen in the third World War and when the Arcologies take over? It seems they will hide away in their secret realms. No wonder the world turned to shit," Momonga thought, feeling anger rising within, only to be subdued by the mysterious force that kept his emotions at bay.

"I will have to do something about it," he vowed with determination. Just then, Albedo dropped a bombshell that shook Momonga to his core—

"So, this is the reason Momonga-sama saved Harry Potter," Albedo said.

"Huh, what do you mean?" Shalltear asked, looking puzzled.

"I will answer that, Shalltear," Demiurge interjected smoothly.

"Momonga-sama's unfathomable wisdom has left me in awe, especially after learning about his actions in the outside world," Demiurge began, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "In the current wizarding world, the greatest wizard of modern times is Albus Dumbledore. He is the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as well as the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, among many other prestigious positions."

Albedo interjected, "Dumbledore, you say? He sounds quite fascinating. His influence and power must be substantial for him to hold such titles."

Demiurge nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Indeed, Albedo. Dumbledore is a figure of immense respect and fear within the wizarding community. His abilities and intellect are said to be unparalleled, making him a formidable figure. Yet, despite his prowess, he couldn't defeat a dark wizard so terrifying that they fear even speaking his name, referring to him as 'You-Know-Who'."

"Quite interesting," Albedo mused, a spark of intrigue in her eyes. "It seems he is a complex individual, wielding significant power and influence, yet the true intentions remain elusive."

Demiurge continued, "That dark wizard, Voldemort, was vanquished by Momonga-sama a few days ago as part of his grand plan to take over the world."

"H-Hold on! Was that wizard really one of the strongest in this world? Are you sure this information is accurate?" Momonga asked amidst his confusion.

"Yes, Momonga-sama. I would stake my life on the accuracy of this information. Even now, in the Wizarding World, people are celebrating his defeat."

Momonga thought, 'Hmm. It seems the defense and resistances of the people in this world are really weak. To think even their strongest got defeated by such a low-tier spell.'

Demiurge went on, "One more thing to note is that there was a prophecy pertaining to Voldemort's defeat, and the child saved by Momonga-sama is key to it. Now, the child is hailed as the 'Boy-Who-Vanished'. His story is known throughout the wizarding community."

"With one move, Momonga-sama has laid down the foundation for Nazarick's objective: world domination. I trust nobody is foolish enough to not recognize this."

'NAANIIII!!!!???!?' Momonga thought, stunned. 'When did I do that!? When did things end up like this?!' However, he could not ask about it.

Momonga glanced down at everyone's faces. They all appeared to understand, without exception. Momonga was the only one who did not understand.

This was the greatest exercise of Momonga's intellect in his entire life. He spent several seconds reflecting and searching himself. It had been far too unexpected, too difficult to accept. How had it ended up like this?

All he had wanted was to keep a low profile, avoid making enemies, improve his reputation, and then find a way to communicate with his friends from the past who might be in this world. Those cute little wishes were all he had wanted.

A sudden wave of panic surged through him, but a calming force washed over Momonga, allowing him to think rationally. 'Isn't this too dangerous? It has been only a few days since we came to this world.'

Still, when he thought calmly about it, world domination was not a bad idea. Of course, it would not be as simple as it was in games. To a plebeian like Momonga, this large-scale plan was too vague to grasp fully. However, he could understand that this was a perfect means for him to build his reputation — although it might end up being infamy instead. The problem now was what his friends would think if they knew about this. At that point, all he could do was apologize for his inability to manage Nazarick well.

'Besides, aren't there people searching for this child? What if they come here? And…'

Having composed himself a little, Momonga asked a question that had been on his mind for quite a while, "Is there any information on Resurrection Magic?"

"Resurrection Magic is only heard of in legends, even in the Wizarding World. There have been various attempts throughout their history, and Voldemort's infamy is partly due to his pursuit of it. Rumor has it that he split his soul into several pieces to create Horcruxes for his resurrection. The world now believes that he has failed and will not be coming back. But we know that you, Momonga-sama, have deliberately not used higher-tier magic so that we can use him for our own goals."

"Wow! Momonga-sama's genius can never be compared to anyone," Aura said in admiration.

"R-really! M-Momonga-sama is great," Mare spoke in awe.

"Arinsu!~ Momonga-sama!~ Truly befitting of my one true love!~" Shalltear added, her voice dripping with adoration.

Having steeled himself, Momonga magnanimously nodded to Demiurge, who seemed to be waiting for praise.

"Y-You remembered."

"Of course. I, Demiurge, have committed every word you have spoken to memory, Momonga-sama."

"Is that so... I did bring it up then, did I not?"

"Indeed."

"...From that time, then?"

"Indeed."

'At what time?!'

"That time... I see. This pleases me, Demiurge..."

"Thank you, Momonga-sama."

"However, world domination is quite difficult."

"It is as you say, Momonga-sama."

"Then… how do you think we should move forward?"

Momonga wanted to praise his voice for not trembling.

"I propose that Nazarick ought to take its place upon the global stage, as part of our overall direction for the future."

"...Indeed."

Was that really the case? Momonga felt it would be better to remain hidden. He had no idea how Demiurge had reached that conclusion.

"I concur, Momonga-sama. If we make ourselves known to the world, we can deal with problems in an above-board manner. We will not need to send small amounts of personnel to conduct secret investigations."

"Ah, I see."

Enlightenment dawned suddenly on Momonga as he heard Albedo's explanation. The idea of not having to hunt for a needle in a haystack and being able to move as boldly as they pleased was very attractive.

"So that is why we are to rule the kingdom from the shadows and achieve legitimacy for Nazarick through various means. However, I cannot agree with the idea of allowing the land which Momonga-sama governs to become part of any other country," Albedo stated with firm conviction.

Demiurge shook his head at Albedo's question. "Of course, Albedo. I would not be able to tolerate it either. Furthermore, after reviewing and contemplating our information on this nation, I have concluded that it — as it stands now — holds no appeal for us, aside from one individual. This sentiment applies to all other nations as well. Having our organization serve any single state would be an unwise course of action."

"Corporation…" Momonga murmured, as he recalled the past discussions of Ulbert and Punitto Moe about how huge conglomerates took over governments.

At the end of the twenty-first century, the old societal structure was under strain but still somehow intact. However, at the beginning of the twenty-second century, advanced environmental destruction and crop failures led to the collapse of primary-sector industries. This sparked food riots across the country, which eventually turned into a coup d'etat. Politicians, targeted by the people's discontent, were tried by the mob.

The power vacuum left by the government's collapse due to the coup d'etat was filled by huge conglomerates, which seized legislative, executive, and judicial powers. They succeeded in taking over the country. Ironically, the same conglomerates had caused the environmental destruction in the first place. If they had protected the environment, there wouldn't have been food shortages or riots. In retrospect, it seemed the world had been manipulated by these conglomerates for a long time.

Just as Momonga was contemplating this, Demiurge closed his mouth and looked back, staring at him. Grateful that his body did not sweat, Momonga asked, "What's wrong, Demiurge? Is something the matter?"

"I see. What a splendid plan, Momonga-sama. I could never fathom such a move."

"Demiurge, what are you talking about?" Aura asked, confusion evident on her face, mirroring everyone else's.

"Hmm…" Demiurge glanced towards Albedo, who had a faint smile and nodded.

Albedo stepped forward and explained, "Our original proposal was to create a nation known as the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, as serving another nation would restrict our actions to that one country. However, Momonga-sama's great foresight provided us with an alternative — creating our own sovereign state in our current position with limited information would strain our resources and be quite risky. Therefore, we should instead establish a trading firm that will operate in several countries and gradually infiltrate their administrative bodies. This will grant us freedom of movement and generate funds for our future endeavors."

'What?! They were planning to form a country!? Good thing they stopped before taking further action.'

Momonga's first priority was the continued survival of Nazarick. In the worst-case scenario, even if he lost the place known as Nazarick, it would suffice for him to protect the NPCs, the children of his former friends. He could create a shelter and find other ways to ensure their safety.

His second priority was to gather information. Although this should be the primary concern, safety had to come first.

The third priority was to spread the name of Ainz Ooal Gown across the entire world. Momonga considered that if his friends were in this world, they might come to find him. Perhaps this objective could be lowered in terms of priority.

His fourth priority was to strengthen Nazarick. Perhaps this should be moved up in importance.

The more he understood this world, the more he realized that while Nazarick seemed like an impregnable fortress, and Ainz Ooal Gown felt like the strongest organization within it, there was still a vast unknown outside. Arrogance and pride would be very dangerous. In particular, since Ancient Magic exists in this world, it was best to assume that there might be someone capable of destroying Nazarick if they let their guard down. Thus, they had to take action to increase Nazarick's strength.

This was Momonga's thought process. However, it was ultimately the product of Momonga, the commoner. There might be flaws in it, or he might not have analyzed the information well enough before using it as a foundation. Because of this, Momonga had called upon a pair of keen intellects. If all he needed was their wisdom, he could discuss the matter directly with them. There was no need to risk revealing his ignorance by putting on a big show to talk about this problem. However, doing so would be a mistake.

As their master, he had to put on this show to fulfill the role the NPCs envisioned for him — though he felt it was more of a delusion. He had to play the part of their leader, an incomparable being and a thinker of fathomless depths, and do so on a grand stage.

"Then—" Momonga looked out at everyone, "—We shall create a company: Nazarick Corporation, to implement an asset acquisition plan through trading."

He turned to Demiurge, "Demiurge, I apologize for increasing your workload again. Please identify the Yggdrasil items that can be mass-produced and sold in the wizarding world. They have no knowledge of the Tier-System, so our monopoly should last quite a while. Seek assistance from Pandora's Actor for this matter."

"There is no need for an apology, Momonga-sama. Even if I must grind myself to dust to accomplish your task, it would be my greatest honor."

"N-no need to go that far. —Next, as for the Muggle world… Shizu, activate the Professor's Lab, start the Super Computer, and deploy all available Automations and A.I. Lifeforms to infiltrate their systems and gather more information. Also, find a way to access their Stock Exchange Markets to gather funds. Create at least a hundred paper companies to conceal those funds."

Momonga rapid-fired the actions the guild took when confronting an advanced civilization in Yggdrasil. After the large-scale update, Valkyrie's Downfall, new races and classes like Automations and Gunner were added to the game to introduce modern elements. This led to new strategies and counters being developed around them.

As for the final point, his guildmates once discussed how rich people hide their black money. Since Nazarick is already more advanced in both Magic and Technology, why not earn a few bucks through it? This is how most developed countries looted the developing nations. But these were only the thoughts of a commoner, Suzuki Satoru. There were many finer details that had to be addressed.

"If there are any doubts or suggestions, please speak up now."

Everyone chorused, "None, my lord."

"Alright, now... There is a matter of great importance. I must inform the gathered members of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick of something—[Greater Break Item]."

Momonga cast a spell that could destroy a magic item of a certain level. A large flag fell from one of the poles attached to the ceiling, bearing the sigil of "Momonga."

"I have changed my name. From now on, my name is..."

Momonga pointed to a certain place, and everyone's eyes followed his finger.

"My name is Ainz Ooal Gown. You may address me as Ainz."

He was pointing to the flag which hung behind the throne, emblazoned with the icon of Ainz Ooal Gown. Momonga raised his staff and forcefully slammed its tip into the ground to capture everyone's attention.

"If anyone objects to this, rise now and let your views be heard!"

Nobody spoke out in opposition. Albedo, beaming with pride, responded:

"We have all heard your glorious name. All hail Ainz Ooal Gown! Oh Supreme One, Ainz Ooal Gown-sama, every member of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick pledges their undying loyalty to you."

Shortly after, the Floor Guardians shouted as one:

"All glory to Ainz Ooal Gown! Supreme Lord and leader of us all, Ainz Ooal Gown-sama! We shall give ourselves completely to you!"

"Long live Ainz Ooal Gown! Oh King of fearsome power, Ainz Ooal Gown-sama! All shall know of your greatness!"

The shouts and praises of the NPCs and servants thundered through the Throne Room.

As he basked in the praise of his subordinates, Ainz thought:

'—My friends, what do you think of me using this great name? Are you happy? Are you displeased? If you have any objections, please let me know, tell me, "This is not a name you can take for yourself." I will gladly return to my old name of Momonga.'

"Then—"

Ainz looked out at everyone.

"—Next, I shall announce our new direction. This is an absolute order."

He paused, observing the serious, stern faces before him.

"Make Ainz Ooal Gown an eternal legend."

Then, as if responding to Ainz, the crystals socketed on the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown radiated light in all the colours of the rainbow, and the air around him trembled.

"There may be many heroes, but we will surpass them all. We will let everyone in this world know that Ainz Ooal Gown are the true heroes! If there are people stronger than us, we will deal with them in ways other than force. If we encounter a magician with many subordinates, we will achieve our goal some other way. This is just the beginning. Let us fight together for this glorious future!"

He would spread this name throughout the world. The former members of Ainz Ooal Gown may have left Yggdrasil, but there was a chance they might be in this world, like Ainz. Therefore, he had to make Ainz Ooal Gown a legend, so everyone would know of it. Be it in the air, land, or sea, he would spread this name to all the sapient beings in this world. He would carry this name to the ears of his comrades who might be in this world.

Ainz's fearsome presence was startling, and his thunderous voice echoed through the Throne Room. Everyone lowered their heads in unison, their gesture resembling a prayer.

Ainz gazed at the infant cradled in his arms. With a measured gesture, he placed the child gently on the Throne of Kings and declared, "As for this child... proceed with the plan."

He had no idea what the plan actually entailed, but seeing Demiurge nod in understanding, he trusted his subordinate's judgement. Satisfied, Ainz turned and strode out of the Throne Room, leaving the details in the Guardian's capable hands.

X

"Everyone, raise your heads,"

After hearing Albedo's calm and steady voice, the assembled guardians lifted their heads in unison.

"Everyone, please act as Ainz-sama ordered. Before we proceed, does anyone still have doubts about the plan?"

"Is such a thing truly necessary?" Shalltear asked. "The plan is to create a company so we can infiltrate their world, gather information, and amass power."

"―Kukukuku."

"Is such a thing truly necessary?" Shalltear asked. "The plan is to create a company so we can infiltrate their world, gather information, and amass power."

Demiurge's laughter echoed through the room. "...Did you really think that was the extent of Ainz-sama's plan?"

"Kuhuhu..."

"U-Uhm...??"

"Ehh?"

"What do you mean?"

"What. Did. You. Say?"

"Oh."

"...Hm?"

"Everyone, you need to think harder. Ainz-sama is our master, who assembled all the Supreme Beings. Do you think that was the extent of his planning?" Demiurge's voice was tinged with amusement.

If Ainz were present, he would have felt as though he had been punched in the face. Meanwhile, the Guardians were nodding and murmuring, "Indeed."

"Precisely. Aren't you being too hasty by thinking you knew the depths of Ainz-sama's intentions just because he supplied you with an easily understood answer? That's why Ainz-sama didn't tell you the deeper meaning behind his plans."

A vague hint of regret coloured the faces of all the Guardians, except for Albedo and Demiurge. They were probably worried that their foolish brains were incapable of being useful to Ainz.

"This is about the successor to the Supreme Ruler."

"BLaSpheMY!—" Cocytus roared, drawing his halberd. "ThiS. ChiLd. iS. No. bLOod. oF. ThE. SUPreme. OnE. But. IF. ThAt. Is. wHAt. He. DeSIrEs…"

"I am not saying it has to be this child," Demiurge interjected.

"Please, explain in more detail." Aura urged.

"Th-then, um, uh, please tell me too. Please!" Mare added, his voice desperate.

Albedo continued, "This child is but a test."

"Test?"

"Precisely," Albedo affirmed. "This child is a test for us Guardians. To see how we care for Ainz-sama's heir when he is born or created."

"Didn't you want to be an uncle, Cocytus?" Demiurge asked. "You can prove that you are worthy of that position by becoming the master of this boy."

"Ooh!~ Then I can prove myself to be a worthy mother of Ainz-sama's~ child by nurturing this boy to be the strongest beneath the Supreme One," Shalltear said with excitement.

"Hmm... You wish," Albedo countered. "I will raise this child to possess the keenest intellect. His Wisdom surpassing all of ours. So that he can become a worthy aide to Ainz-sama's heir."

The light in the Guardians' eyes brightened as they shared their ideas on how to raise the little infant, each eager to prove their worthiness.