29 - The Scapegoat.

During the last few days, the sense of normalcy had returned. Barbo did not wake up screaming this morning. The replaced guards gave at least some sense of safety, not that Barbo believed Zanac would openly assassinate him. Even as not the best political thinker, he knew such a move would just cause an uproar among the nobles with no chance of Zanac ruling afterward.

Barbo knew he was the true king, and the throne was his for now more in name only, but by reports of his wife and brother-in-law, a large part of nobles were on his side. They were not his old allies, though. The consequences of his rash decision to attack Carne village had much direr consequences than he could imagine.

Nazarick had shown their true power to the world and massacred the majority of Re-Estize nobles with a large part of the army gone as well. One foolish decision based on his wounded pride may have doomed the future of his kingdom. If he would take the reins of rule right away, he would have to face Nazarick's ambassador.

The idea makes him shudder with fear. How could he look into the eyes of those monsters without breaking down? His fault, everything that happened, was his fault. Somewhere deep down inside, he must find the courage to carry on.

As in all the previous days, he goes through the morning routine lost in thought.

"You seem distant again, husband. Is something wrong?" Ellga asks.

"No, it's just… I caused all this. Everyone knows this. How can I be king?"

"But you are a changed man. We must show the people that. How about we appear before the commoners, give out food for the needy, show that we will help the commoners? If princess Renner can do it to boost her popularity, so can you."

"I guess we could do that."

"Excellent! I'll call for the royal tailor to refit your best uniform and organize the carts to carry the handouts on your tour through the city."

With preparation taking a few hours, Barbo's nervousness only grew. That vague sense of incoming dread was always at the back of his mind. It never truly left him.

The open carriage was waiting for him outside in front of his entourage. Renner even came outside and wished him a pleasant trip. Maybe he should have a talk with his youngest sister. She might turn out a useful ally.

They sent ahead runners to gather people as his carriage starts moving. Barbo does his best to appear dignified and hide his fears. Ellga sits beside him. Not counting their wedding, it was the first time they would appear in public together. Her excitement was so apparent that it rubbed on Barbo right after leaving the royal castle.

Common to the autumn, the cloudy sky was not the best for an open carriage ride. Luckily, there was no rain at the moment, only a droplet here and there.

First crowds had already gathered. With the wealthiest people living closest to the castle, the colorfully dressed public watched the entourage with curiosity, not showing any kind of excitement.

Barbo does a casual wave to the public but gets next to no response.

The carriage slowly rides the bumpy road with people just staring at him. No festive mood, no warm welcome. Not that Barbo expected a warm welcome, but his fearful paranoia only grew as the carriage moved towards the outer districts where the poor lived.

The glares unwashed masses gave him sent shivers down his spine. If not for guards, they would likely tear him apart with bare hands. Barbo motions for his people to hand out the food, hoping to make the situation less stressful. Surely once they see he wants to help, people will be less hostile.

Barbo motions to stop the carriage and stands up.

"People of Re-Estize, I, King Barbo, will do anything to help you during these hard times…"

"You sent my husband to DIE!" a woman's voice shouts from the crowd. He could not see who did it, but it railed up the crowd right away.

"Wait, I want to help.."

Another shout comes from deep within the crowd.

"Pig!"

Barbo tried his best to stop, but oink came out, anyway. The crowd seemingly considering the gesture as mockery pushes guards forward. Barbo just stands there frozen.

"Get us out of here!" Ellga shouts at the coachman.

It was too late, as the crowd was surrounding the king's carriage. A bloodcurdling scream. Barbo turns to see a boy no older than fourteen fall down and bleed out next to the guard, clutching a bloody sword.

It was the last spark to make the crowd explode in violence. Guards lose ground to the violent, enraged mob each moment. More and more shouts about lynching the king and nobles.

"Your highness get on the horse. We will cut a path to safety." One of his elite guard's shouts while helping Ellga to get on the horse with her long dress. Barbo gets on the same horse and grabs the reins as the guard points at the side street, free from the crowd.

With just a few horse-mounted guards in tow, he disappears from the main street. The noise was growing louder.

An hour later, Barbo was standing in one of the palace's guest rooms, looking outside the window. There was a mob at the gates. Ellga sits in a chair, some distance away, pale, afraid, uncertain.

A thought of Zanac just marching in with Gazef and ordering the head warrior to toss him at the crowd terrifies him. As guilty as he felt about the whole situation, the will to live still trumped it.

"Ellga we need to leave."

"How? How are we getting out?"

"The secret passage should still be usable."

"Right, we will have to wait for nighttime and get to brother's mansion. From there we can leave the capital for good and rebuild forces."

Leaving the capital sounded like the only option to save their skins. But then what? Barbo looks outside the window at the angry crowd. All his life, he couldn't wait to be the king. As the eldest son, he once considered it his birthright. Sometimes fate can be whimsically cruel and pay back any transgression with an interest.

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Zanac half listens to Raeven's report on current food reserves, paying it only mild attention. Administration of the rapidly failing kingdom was tiring. Half of all harvest rotted in fields. A predictable outcome counting how many were conscripted. Women, the elderly, and children alone were not enough to do all the work in such a brief time span.

This year, not counting the lack of work hands, vast parts of the nation were plagued with heavy rain more than a month earlier than usual. It may have been just an additional good or bad luck, depending on the viewpoint, but Zanac suspected it was done by someone from Nazarick.

The consequence was that food reserves were depleting rapidly and the poorest part of society already felt the bulk of the strain. A large number of orphans and widows without income made the situation in the capital so much worse. Renner, of course, uses it to gain even more popularity among the masses as the golden princess, always deeply caring for those in need.

On top of that, the Capital was rioting. His brother's latest actions made it inevitable. Renner's manipulation ability knew no bounds. Barbo simply was not smart enough to realize that the last thing he needed to do now was appearing in public.

His two advisors were no better. Both Marquis Boullope and his sister, Barbo's wife, were very inexperienced in politics and danced to the tune of Hilma and Renner without even realizing it.

While Raven continues counting all the details on food requirements, Renner comes in without knocking.

"Hm, looks like our brother is leaving the city with most of the western nobles in tow." Renner says with a cruel smile adding, "His stunt worked just as planned. Zanac, prepare to address the public. Hilma's men are already spreading the propaganda how you and I will fix everything."

Each day Zanac felt more and more fear for his sister. Renner's vindictiveness knew no bounds. She was not satisfied with the torture Barbo went through the last few months. No, she needed to let him take a breath and recover to remember how things were. Barbo now was a changed man and thus Renner desired to crush him even more.

It was no secret that Barbo had changed for the better. The stubborn arrogance was gone, same as selfish carelessness. If properly guided, he now could become a decent king, but it was simply not meant to be. The sadistic monster that was their sister wanted Barbo to suffer.

Zanac was not sure how he felt about it. All these years living in his brother's shadow, fearing for his life, had made him resent Barbo.

"Having doubts brother?"

"No, I will do as told."

The smile disappears from Renner's face.

"Don't tell me you feel sorry for that bastard?"

Zanac chooses not to answer and sits in silence. Renner's expression grew darker.

"You think I am going too far?"

"Renner, by the gods, I know why you hate him so much. Get your revenge, do whatever you want. I don't think you need my approval for that."

"Really now, do you think he should get a pass and live a free man after what he planned to do with us in the past?"

"N-no…"

"Good, I would hate to see you feel sorry for him. Prepare yourself. We will address people soon. Nazarick has prepared the food wagons to be delivered."

Renner turns around and leaves the room. Zanac slumps back in his chair with a sigh.

"You know she is not permitted to get rid of you, both directly or indirectly. Emperor has already been informed that you both will administrate Re-Estize for Nazarick." Zalarta says, appearing behind the chair.

"I still don't want to make her mad," Zanac says.

"We will just let her do as she pleases without complaining. No doubt Lord Ulbert has foreseen everything she will do." Raeven says.

"Barbo brought it on himself. No matter, there is little point dwelling on that. In any case, I need to prepare to address the people."

With Reaven leaving his office as well, only Zalarta remained with him. Her presence was constant, but at this moment she immersed herself in a book and left him alone as she did whenever she felt there was a need to not distract Zanac.

The more he thought about it, the more he just affirmed to himself that his best course of action was just to do as told. If people are already getting influenced by Hilma's agents inside the crowd, there was a chance they will not cry out for his blood the moment he steps outside.

The thick glass of the windows muffled the shouts, making it impossible to hear what exactly they said. Opening one tiny bit was enough to make the loud shouts in the distance at least distinguishable.

'Golden Princess, help us.'

'Down with King Barbo.'

'Save us.'

How easy it was to sway public opinion. The thought that Nazarick could conquer the kingdom without its unstoppable army and just use subversion showed just how outplayed the rest of the world was. But that's gods for you. No doubt the God of Trickery would take pride in crushing a nation from within. Not that Re-Estize had sturdy legs to stand on in the first place.

But that posed an interesting question. How many nations were going through the same process already? Baharuth and Dragon Kingdom were already allied with Nazarick. The curiosity of what two monarchs would reveal ate Zanac.

He was getting into speculation again. Maybe a short walk would help clear the mind. Even the invisible monsters scatted through the castle didn't bother him anymore. How amusing it was. Just a few months ago, he would likely run screaming if he saw any of them, but now they were just guards and nothing more.

Zalarta, as usual, trailed a short distance behind him. Maybe when his kingdom officially belongs to Nazarick, she will not have to hide herself anymore.

Zanac takes a slow glance at the long hall he had ended up in. Just two guards at the end. So few of old staff have left in the castle. In the last few hours, everyone associated with western nobles had fled or 'retired', leaving only a skeleton crew around.

The two guards, younger brothers of a minor Baron in his domain, politely bow and open the door for him. Soon they too will know the truth. Even Brain and Gazef already knew that they now served Nazarick. Of course, they were not aware of neither the grand plan nor Renner's true nature, but both at least suspected something.

He had ended up in a long, empty corridor. Zalarta drops her invisibility and walks beside him in a seemingly good mood. When he first saw her, her eyes, horns, and wings only served as a reminder of her inhuman nature and made Zanac fear her. But now he couldn't deny it worked to accent her exotic beauty.

"You know, I have never asked you anything about yourself."

"True. What would you like to know?"

"I understand you are Lord Ulbert's summon, how does it even work?"

"It's rather simple, actually. Summoning is like a contract. When Lord Ulbert cast his spell, a beacon of it attracted many of my kind. I agreed to serve him unquestioningly while I'm in the physical plane and in return, I have a physical body and chance to grow in power and knowledge."

"I see."

"Oh, don't be so droopy. I'm not assigned to you against my will. I volunteered when my master asked who wanted to take this task."

Zanac could feel her hand grab his hand, locking fingers.

"Forget all the politics for a moment and let us enjoy the walk for a moment, ok?"

All he could do was nod and agree. It didn't feel like just an act. The warmth of her hand and her quiet, cheerful humming were so soothing. Everything will be alright, nothing to worry about.

This part of the castle was empty and there was no worry about stumbling upon a guard or maid.

"Ah, not a moment of peace." Zalarta suddenly says with a momentary glare and then resumes a pleasant expression.

Before Zanac's heart could jump out through his mouth, the mist reforms itself into a tall figure in a dark dress.

"There you both lovebirds are." The pleasant voice of Nigredo rang through the barren corridor.

"Lady Nigredo!" both say and bow simultaneously, still locking hands.

"Be at ease. I'm not one for formalities, at least outside formal events. Food and grain carts will be delivered with the gate spell in front of the mansion you will address people from. I will say a few words on behalf of Nazarick as well. Lord Ulbert is pleased with how events unfold."

Nigredo smiles, becomes a dark mist once again, and disappears through the wall.

The time flew by fast enough as Zanac stood on the mansion's balcony overlooking the crowd. A large gate and a wall separated the masses from it, but if all hell broke loose, they could spill over it and try to storm the mansion used for public speeches. The angry, desperate faces did not give any kind of encouragement. It didn't matter either way.

Zanac steps to the edge of the balcony and puts his hands on the rail.

"Good people of Re-Estize. King Barbo has fled the city and as for now I will resume his duties as I was doing during his absence."

'Down with the Barbo!'

"Situation is dire but we will get through it together. Many of you have already noticed the food shortage but rest assured no one will starve this winter."

'Lies!'

Just as expected his no one believed it. Nobles didn't care that much before, so they had no reason to believe it now. In perfect timing, Renner steps out to the balcony with Nigredo behind her. Renner walks up to the edge, giving a pained expression to the public, and speaks with a soft voice.

"Please do not despair. My heart breaks seeing all the misery. This time, it is not just me and my meager funds to help you. Many of your husbands, brothers, sons fell in the battle of this unneeded war. They will never be forgotten as the testament of what happens when few put their greed ahead of people's needs."

The crowd fell silent as another figure appears on the balcony. Zanac uses the opportunity right away.

"There is no more war between Re-Estize and Baharuth, Nazarick alliance. As a sign of goodwill, both Empires had agreed to sell us food to help us get by till the next harvest."

Finally, the tall, dark-haired woman speaks to the stunned crowd.

"Let me assure you, in the name of the Empire of Nazarick, that we wish nothing more than peaceful coexistence. Despite the recent bad blood, we will not stand aside as our neighbors starve. Consider this the first offering in hopes of peaceful cooperation instead of bloody and unnecessary feuds."

A dark void appears just under the balcony as dark horned horses drag out car after cart filled to the brim with small bags. Figures in dark plates take the bags and hand them to people through the metal gates. One of them says in a low raspy voice,

"Those who already received their bag step aside and let others closer."

The trio on the balcony stood and watched how the crowd. Despite the intimidating dark plated figures, people were storming closer to the gate, proving once again that once you are hungry enough, you will take the food from the devil's hand. The crowd, in desperate hopes of getting the promised food bag, quickly gets disorganized.

Zanac motioned for the guard captain inside to deploy soldiers and get the crowd in order. Only by nightfall do the last people disperse with bags in their arms. It wasn't much, but two weeks of assured meals were enough to restore order in the capital, at least for now.

Renner would organize more permanent food distribution places for the upcoming harsh winter and expand the orphanages to take every child in.

He found it ironic how easily the crowd, with persuasion, turned on Barbo for wanting to do the same thing. The agents' provocateurs are a powerful weapon to wield.

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No matter how fast Tsar flew, the almost sky-high snowy peaks of the Azerlisia Mountains provided constantly pleasant scenery. To avoid unnecessary interactions with dwarves or Quagoa, their destination was the former dwarven capital where the white dragon lord dwelled with his clan.

According to Tsar, the frost dragons have always been outsiders and mostly avoided the inner politics of their kin. Rarely, one would rise above the rest to claim the title of dragon lord among them. The current white dragon lord claimed his title about seven hundred years ago and even then was not particularly high ranked both in power or influence.

Rigrit, as usual, enjoyed the ride immensely. Their new companion, however, was politely indifferent, as always. Seemingly nothing phased the old butler.

{ There is the entrance just below the snow line. Prepare yourselves, I'm descending. } Tsar messages his two passengers and aims for a large cave entrance.

He was deeply surprised to not sense any protective wards or even posted guards. Clearly, they have grown either too careless or too arrogant. Both options did not bode well for them. In the old days, his father would have executed such a careless dragon lord. Even as the most powerful creatures in the world, there was no reason to ignore basic precautions.

He quickly lands just inside the cave and lets Rigrit and Sebas dismount him and take the harness off.

"So what's the plan? We just waltz in?" Rigrit asks.

"Yes, I see no reason to not go speak with Olasird'arc directly. And Sebas, please try to be forgiving of his attitude. My kind is not thinking particularly highly of anything from Yggdrasil."

"You have my assurances that I will not take action without your consent," Sebas says, looking around the giant cave.

"Good."

Tsar moves forward with a casual stride, with Rigrit and Sebas walking by his side. He had to walk so slowly to let them keep up at the same time. Letting to be on his back would cause unnecessary complications when interacting with frost dragons. He was more on the open-minded side even before joining the Empire, but others saw everything as lesser. The rigid hierarchy based on power dictated almost everything within dragon society.

Feo Berkana, the old dwarven capital, had sustained heavy damage over the years. Not to mention the stench that invaded his nose. The reason for it revealed itself soon enough. First of Quagoa notices the trio and hurries to get out of their path.

Finally, the first reception arrives in a form of a single frost dragon who lands in front of Tsar and looks up at the much larger dragon.

"For what reason have you come here?"

"No manners whatsoever. Didn't no one thought you address a lord properly, whelp?" Tsar asks in a calm tone. Not that he particularly cared how the young dragon spoke with him, but this was not the time to show any kind of weakness.

"This is frost dragon territory with my father Olasird'arc Haylilyal ruling over it. What is your purpose here?"

Tsar straightens up, towering over the young dragon, and says with a growl.

"I am Tsaindorcus Vaision, The Platinum Dragon Lord, and you are testing my patience. Run to your father and tell him I am coming while you can."

The growling tone of Tsar makes the younger dragon shrink down from his boisterous posture and hurry off with his wings shaking a bit.

"Kids these days!" Rigrit says with a chuckle.

"All of them are like this. Testing their elders, fighting for their position in society. This one at least was sense to not push further."

Why dwarves made their royal castle big enough for an adult dragon moving inside freely was beyond Tsar. The corridor he walked through towards the vault was a bit narrow for him, forcing Rigrit and Sebas to trail behind him. Of course, the white dragon lord chooses the vault's entrance as his place of dwelling. This desire to collect valuables was shared by most dragons. Most even had an ability to smell the worth of anything around them.

Tsar had smelled that not only Sebas was dressed in a suit of unrivaled quality, but possessed an item that was on the level of Deep Darkness Dragon Lord's secret weapon. Rigrit had mentioned that in Yggdrasil there were artifacts of unimaginable power called world items, but she had never possessed or seen one used. He hoped to get to bottom of that one day, but now it wasn't his biggest concern.

Olasird'arc sat in the middle of the room with three female dragons beside him, his consorts no doubt. The young dragon he already spoke with sat a distance away from them.

"Tsaindorcus, the son of the fallen emperor. What is your business with me." Olasird'arc asks with a sneer and then turns his attention to Tsar's companions. "Seems your pets don't know how to show proper respect to us?"

"They almost rival me in power. I would not look down on them."

"Have you lost your mind, mere humans… hmm, that one is something else. No matter, what do you want?"

"Graladansa says that children on the Great Old one are stirring."

"So what? Who cares about those old legends? That old fossil can believe whatever she wants."

"Those are not legends. I came to ask where you will stand when the Old One awakens?"

"I will remain here. I don't care about that one bit."

"Then I will offer this once. Join my allies. They may be from Yggdrasil but they possess power unlike anything seen before in this world."

"You want to consort with Yggdrasil's trash. Pathetic,"

"Watch your tone! You seem to have forgotten where you stand in terms of power."

"Run to your masters while you can Tsaindorcus. I will not bend before them nor any of my kind will!"

Tsar walks up to Olasird'arc with his three consorts, taking a few steps back. The frost dragon, not wanting to back down from the larger platinum-colored dragon, growls and takes a wide swipe at his opponent's head. His sharp claws connect with Tsar's head, letting out a scraping sound but not leaving any damage.

The returning growl makes him step back, realizing the actual power difference between them. Was it pride or simple arrogance that prevented him from surrendering on the spot no one would ever know? The next moment Tsar grabs him by the neck and slams Olasird'arc into the floor with a loud crunching noise and slams his paw into the frost dragon's head, crushing it instantly.

Three females assume a submissive position in a blink of an eye.

Tsar lets go of the corpse and asks,

"Who is next in line?"

"I am!" the younger dragon from the side announces.

Tsar turns to look at him. There was no doubt that the young dragon was barely holding it together. The violent and almost instant death of his father served as a rude awakening of how easy it is to misjudge the situation and get killed by a more powerful opponent.

One of the Olasird'arc stood up as if to say something but remains silent. Tsar could easily guess she was actually stronger, but likely wanted to avoid her death. He didn't particularly care who will lead frost dragons from now on, only that one in charge was reasonable.

"So what is your answer?"

"We will serve you!"

"And others will follow you?" Tsar asks looking at the female dragons.

With them giving affirmative nods speaks.

"Then you will join the Empire of Nazarick and swear your loyalty to Emperor Ainz Ooal Gown. Do you have any objections?"

"No, we will follow your lead Lord Tsaindorcus." The four dragons present answers.

"Sebas, can you inform Emperor?"

After a moment of silence, Sebas says.

"Emperor will come personally within twenty minutes."

There was no reason to object, and he was not particularly interested in overseeing the daily activities of the frost dragons by himself. At best, he would counsel on how to treat his kin.

The awkward silence ended with the gate opening and Emperor Ainz stepping through with two angels in tow. Sebas, Rigrit, and Tsar bow as Ainz look at the four remaining dragons.

"An undead! Lord Tsaindorcus, you want us to bow to this skeleton!" The young dragon shouts.

"Tsar, do you mind If I use him as an example?" Ainz asks in a calm tone.

"No, he had all the chances to realize his mistakes."

Ainz turns to the young dragon and stretches out on hand. For an additional effect, he decides to cast 'grasp heart' silently. Once his skeletal hand clenches into a fist with blood dripping down, the dragon falls to the ground lifelessly. Without a word, Ainz turns to remain three dragons to see if the point was driven home.

One who looks the biggest of three slow steps closer and lowers herself to the ground trembling,

"E-Emperor Ainz Ooal Gown. My name is Munuinia Llyslym. Frost dragons will serve you unquestionably. I-I will make sure of it."

"Good. Then I will leave you in charge. Tsar, as I understand, you plan to seek another of your brethren hidden deep beneath these mountains and prefer to not deal with dwarves and Quagoa yourself?"

"Yes, Emperor Ainz. I only request that frost dragons are not enslaved and treated unfairly."

"You have my word that Frost dragons will be treated fairly."

"Thank you. Rigrit and I will be on the way then."

As Tsar walks out of the throne room, Ainz turns to Sebas and says.

"I will leave you to oversee the inclusion of this region into the Nazarick. Get both dwarves and Quagoa to submit by any means necessary. You can ask for whatever recourses you need."

Sebas' bows,

"It shall be done Emperor Ainz."

With his orders given, Ainz turns his attention to the castle he is in. A small tour would not hurt.

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Plans within plans. So many things to look after. Ulbert was going through the reports, as usual. Everything in Re-Estize going as Renner had planned. Slane Theocracy still gathering forces to invade the one potential ally they could still have in this world. Minotaur nation, Troll Kingdom, and City-State alliance are almost fully under surveillance for further action.

A perfect job for him. To see schemes unravel was such a delight. It wasn't even important if others saw his efforts. The work itself gave him all the satisfaction he needed.

Ulbert grabs his cup, only to find it empty again. Sixth this day.

"Mel!"

"Right away my Lord."

His loyal assistant is there with a fresh cup of rum-laced coffee right away. Dark sweet and with that all so nice aftertaste of rum. Just what he needed during the work. His high resistance to any mind-altering and poisons all but eliminated any negative effect from consuming large amounts of his new favorite drink.

A sudden knock on the door interrupts his work. He looks up and sees Ainz entering with a large scroll in his skeletal hand. The plans for the castle and city. So no way to deny anything anymore might as well play along and see how it goes.

"Ainz, what a pleasant surprise. How can I be of service?" Ulbert says getting up from his office chair and guiding Ainz to the guest area.

Both sit down opposite to one another. All could Ulbert could say was that Ainz wasn't particularly angry, but otherwise, it was next to impossible to read his inanimate skeletal face.

Ainz drops the scroll on the table and says,

"Well, you can start by explaining that."

"Oh, I hope you like it."

"You went behind my back again!"

"Hey, this time it was for you not to cover my own ass. How did you even find out so soon?"

"Albedo told me right after you and Tabula had created enough material to start the project."

"Oh, that... of course she did. I should have known. Do you like it?"

"That is not the point."

"So you want to stop it?"

"No, both palace and city construction go on as planned. So prepare to create materials every three days for the next few years."

"Wait, wait, you want me alone to create all the required materials."

"Well, since you were so eager to go behind my back and put in a particular section in the blueprint for Albedo, this is your reward for your 'efforts'."

"Dammit, Ainz, that's a bit much, don't you think."

"Bit much you say. You have any idea what you have done?"

"What do you mean?"

"Albedo and I had an agreement that we are not planning on having children until the world is safe. Big emphasis on 'had'!"

"Oh!"

"So as a reward for wonderful efforts, you are going to make the materials and be fucking happy about it!" Ainz says, with the dark flames flaring in his eyes sockets.

Ulbert takes a sip from his cup to hide behind it. Spending such an amount of mana will impede some of his plans, but from what he understood, spending large amounts of mana was also the bests way to increase his mana pool. But Ainz was overly dramatic about the whole thing, so there must have been an additional reason for this.

"You know, maybe it is not so bad. She will calm down over time. You talked her out once before, didn't you?"

"Yes, but is too late this time already."

"Seriously?"

"She tried to write it off as an accident out of enthusiasm."

"Congratulations!"

Ainz just slumps down on the sofa, outing two fingers in the sides of his eye sockets, making a similar motion to rubbing the sides of his eyes.

"Come on man, you wanted kids, don't you?"

"Yes... just not now."

"I can promise you one thing. That kid of yours will be most protected being in this entire world by a landslide."

"I know. I'm going to be a father... Anyhow there is another thing I came to talk about." Ainz says suddenly. It was a fair guess his emotion suppression worked again.

"Sure thing."

"How do you manage to keep Renner in check? As far as I understand, she has the same intelligence level as Demiurge."

"It's not that hard. Just the constant activation of mind read spell. Works like charm on anyone besides floor guardians. At least it does for me. If you maximize it, who knows what level, you can read."

"That's it?"

"Yes, she thinks with lightning speed and overanalyzes everything, but it's manageable. Why do you even need it?"

"I will have to interact with her eventually, so better be prepared, and lately I have been sitting in my office with reports and not even talked to floor guardians."

"Oh, doing your big boss tour and speaking with your subjects?"

"Something like that."

"Good luck then. Prepare for the usual worship."

"Don't remind me."

Only after Ainz left his quarters, takes the blueprint scroll and opens it. Although most of the planning was done by Demiurge, his input was substantial enough to take pride in it. The section where the future quarters of Albedo's and Ainz's children would live was circled around with red pen hundreds of times. In hindsight, he should have not included a specific reason for extra quarters, but now it was too late already.

The image of him being stabbed with the same red pen countless times if he would as much as suggest that spot to be used for everything else, flashes in his mind as a stark reminder of just how obsessed Albedo is with Ainz and having children with him.

Bonus story - Growing Collection.

With one of dragons as his guide, Ainz was heading towards the dwarven castle's library. Both Rubedo and Eleleth trail some distance behind, eyeing the dragon for any sudden movement. He had long given up trying to convince both that he was not in any kind of danger. It was easier to just let them perform their duties zealously.

There were two reasons for going to library. First, it would contain a large amount of local knowledge, as dwarves were known to be industrious and inquisitive. The second was a rather particular dragon he saw in the crowd when he shortly addressed his newest subjects.

Munuinia had kept her word and properly instructed every single dragon about their new circumstance and another power demonstration was not needed. The particular dragon was standing at the farthest corner. Fatter than those around him and wearing almost comically small glasses.

The said dragon bowed as low as he could, pushing his head to the ground the moment he saw Ainz coming in. It was unclear if the shivering mess of a dragon in his presence first will pass out or soil himself.

"Be at ease. As I understand, you are the most knowledgeable about this library. Would you mind showing me around?"

"Y-yes, of course, your majesty." Dragon whimpers and slowly stands up. "M-most of the books are sorted by the topic w-whit majority written in dwarven."

With rather general questions and calm tone, Ainz finally manages to get the scared dragon in a calm enough state to get the general information about the library. About forty-five thousand books on every possible topic. From the metallurgy and rune crafting to botany and biology. This was the knowledge he was looking for.

On top of that, the eccentric dragon tingled Ainz's collector's sense. Also, he was actually the eldest son of the former White Dragon Lord, but was shunned by his peers for his strange obsession with knowledge and lack of physical activity that had made him so fat. Hejinmal turned out to be more intelligent and soft-spoken than the average dragon, who seemingly had only two modes, arrogant or submissive. It also was very noticeable that the glasses Hejinmal wore were way too small for him and made him read by looking at the books at a weird angle.

"Can I take a look at your glasses?"

"Yes, of course." Hejinmal says and takes them off his face with a fearful expression.

Ainz carefully takes the glasses and inspects them. No enchants what so ever and clearly made for someone of dwarven size. He quickly puts a basic adjustment enchant on them and hands the glasses back.

Hejinmal Puts them back on his face, and once they grow to accommodate him, blinks in surprise few times.

"They fit!"

Ainz could swear that for a moment he looked at a giant puppy who just got his favorite toy.

"Thank you, your majesty. They fit, they fit my eyes."

"Don't mention it. I have an offer for you. You see, I wish this entire library to be transported to Nazarick." Hejinmal visibly deflates at the thought of losing his precious books. But Ainz just ignores his expression and goes on, "With that, I want to offer you a job. I need someone who will help my head librarian to move it and then look after it. Nazarick's library is expansive enough for you to move freely in it."

"YES!" Hejinmal says a bit too loudly and then adds quietly.

"I will gladly take the offer."

"Then you can start right away. The head librarian will arrive soon to oversee the process."

With a sense of satisfaction, Ainz walks out of the library. Another dragon added to his collection.