Chapter 1 Verbal Warfare Part 2

But he didn't sense anyone moving in response.

Standing before Ainz Ooal Gown meant walking past all the grotesques

lining the carpet. Even if they knew they weren't going to be attacked, it

would take courage to walk past so many.

It wasn't simple optimism that convinced Jircniv they wouldn't be

attacked.

It was a well-known truth if a throne room was being used, it was usually

for something ceremonial, to demonstrate a nation's authority.

In other words, choosing this location meant his aim was to impress

Nazarick's power upon them; he wouldn't kill them here. If he wanted to

slaughter them, he would have taken them to a slaughterhouse.

His subordinates should have understood that, too. Yet they still couldn't

step forward. More than anything, their instincts were probably forbidding

them to go any closer.

Beyond the grotesques were the aides. The power within them was

enough to break any scale of levels.

Then on the throne, Ainz Ooal Gown.

Jircniv finally realized—that Gown must be what they called a god.

Even with the mental defense item Jircniv had equipped, the pressure he

felt was extraordinary. If he wasn't careful, the man known as the Fresh

Blood Emperor would end up on his knees.

But that was precisely why he had to press on.

Just as Jircniv was observing Ainz Ooal Gown, Gown was observing him.

If the emperor failed to make an impression here, what would happen to his

country? He had to at least get Gown to recognize some measure of his

worth, then connect that to the continued existence of the empire.

Jircniv smiled wryly.

Verbal warfare? Ha.

This is the very definition of regret. Anything I do now is meaningless. I

should probably just try to minimize the damage.

"Let's go!" Jircniv ordered forcefully. It was for those behind him but also

to steel his own body and soul. He sensed them following him.

The carpet was soft. Considering how he was feeling, it was altogether too

fluffy. Shrugging off the countless ghastly presences surrounding him, he

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walked forward focusing only on Ainz Ooal Gown. His instincts told him that

if he took his eyes off his objective, his feet would stop moving.

It wasn't as if Jircniv was a brilliant warrior. He was able to lead the way,

even though his guards were frightened, because of the mental strength being

emperor had fostered.

Soon he reached the base of the stairs, where the aides were standing.

"Lord Ainz, the Baharuth emperor, Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix, is

requesting an audience."

The winged woman attending the crystal throne had a lovely voice that

suited her beauty. Jircniv noticed that detail in spite of himself.

The being who seemed like a representation of death, created by the gods

themselves, spoke in reply. "Good of you to come, Emperor of Baharuth. I

am the master of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, Ainz Ooal Gown."

It was a more normal—humanlike—voice than Jircniv had expected. He

relaxed ever so slightly.

He had a chance at reading the emotions contained in those words.

"I heartily thank you for your welcome, Sir Ainz Ooal Gown."

Since his face was a skull, his expression was a total mystery to Jircniv.

He wondered what would be a proper way to begin.

The one who broke that silence was neither Jircniv nor Ainz.

"Lord Ainz. I feel it is disrespectful for a mere human to attempt to speak

to you as equals." Then the man said, "Bow down."

A chorus of metallic clanks sounded behind Jircniv. He could imagine

what had happened without looking. His attendants had probably yielded to

the man's command and bowed down. Perhaps they were desperately trying

to stand? He could hear groaning.

They had probably been compelled by a powerful psychic attack.

Without the necklace that Jircniv never took off, he would have been

groveling, too.

Countless eyes moved to the emperor, the sole visitor remaining standing.

They were the cold eyes of someone observing an animal during an

experiment.

"Cut it out, Demiurge."

"Yes, my lord!" The somewhat frog-like monster, Demiurge, bowed

reverently to his master. "You are released."

With the invisible pressure lifted, Jircniv could hear sighs of relief behind

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him.

"…Sir Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix. You've come so far, but then my

subordinate did something so impolite. I hope you'll forgive me for not

properly keeping him in check. If you so wish it, I will even bow my head to

you."

A disturbance rippled through the crowd of monsters.

Multiple emotions clashed inside Jircniv.

His feelings of caution stemmed from the realization that Ainz Ooal

Gown wasn't the type to operate through power alone.

His relief stemmed from the same.

Above all, however, he felt fear—stemming from the knowledge that

Ainz Ooal Gown had a firm grip over the minds of every monster present.

At the same time, he had a bad feeling that everything was going

according to Ainz's plan, a strange feeling that everything had been arranged

ahead of time.

"No need to apologize, Sir Gown. Subordinates often misunderstand their

master's intentions and act recklessly. It seems some people in the empire

have been doing the same, I'm ashamed to say."

One of the guards who had been freed suddenly rushed forward with an

urn and placed it next to Jircniv. Really, he was supposed to act immediately,

but he had hesitated.

Did Gown's subordinate act in order to get me to do this? If so, then I

may need to veer off the prepared route… No, I can't. That would be the

same as bringing a real sword to a sparring demonstration. If I go against

the flow, I'll get seriously injured… This is bad.

"I'm not sure if I should call this place a tomb or not, but…this is the head

of the foolish noble who unilaterally sent raiders into your tomb… I'd like

you to accept it."

Inside the urn was Count Vemeer's head. He was the noble Jircniv had

indirectly instructed to dispatch the workers.

The reason he kept around aristocrats who had neither pros nor cons was

to use them in situations like this.

Dead men told no tales. Jircniv wasn't sure how much Ainz Ooal Gown

knew, but he figured it was better to put a lid on anything that stank.

The reason Nazarick's messengers came could very well have been a

threat to force the master of the empire to take responsibility for the workers

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setting foot in Ainz's palace. Which was why Jircniv would escape the

situation by insisting he knew absolutely nothing.

The beautiful woman next to Ainz made a subtle gesture with her jaw, and

Demiurge carried the urn up the steps.

Then he knelt before Ainz and took out the severed head.

Ainz took the head.

"I accept it. I wonder what I should do with this. It would be a waste to

simply toss it."

Hmm? Oh, he must be joking. I see. He must know that Vemeer was being

manipulated. The important question is where he got that information…

Suddenly, the count's head moved in the skeletal hand.

At first, he thought Ainz had moved it, but he soon understood he was

mistaken. A thick liquid coated the head, which then dropped out of Ainz's

hand onto the floor.

That development was so shocking that Jircniv's eyes stayed glued to the

head, and as he watched, a fountain of goopy black liquid sprayed onto the

floor.

When the liquid finished raining down, what was standing there was a

large suit of black armor.

A death knight.

Strangled gasps rose from behind Jircniv.

"Th-that's absurd!"

Yuri had certainly meant it literally when she said he "created" them.

Jircniv willed himself to not bite his lower lip. He couldn't bear doing

something so pathetic.

"Go. Get in line."

Following an order that seemed to resonate from the pit of the earth, the

death knight descended the stairs and disappeared out of Jircniv's view.

How many more death knights can he create? Can he create as many as

he wants if he has enough human corpses? That can't be! But if he can do

this…then can he create an undead more powerful than a death knight? He

might actually…be able…

"Now then, Sir Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix."

Hearing that quiet voice, Jircniv came back to his senses and turned to

Ainz with a pleasant face.

"Oh, Sir Gown. You can call me Jircniv. My name is so long."

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"Oh? Then I'll do that, Sir Jircniv. First of all, I'm sorry you had to see

that. Well, my subordinate's rudeness earlier has canceled out the trouble the

noble caused to Nazarick, so we have nothing more to discuss. I realize you

took the time to come all this way, but you may go now."

"Huh?" He didn't understand what he had just been told. "S-sorry. I don't

think I heard you properly. Do you mind saying that again?"

"An apology is no longer necessary. You may go. I'm going to be a bit

busy now anyway." Ainz waggishly shrugged.

Jircniv had no idea what was going on.

Didn't he have some other reason for summoning them in addition to

making them apologize? Then wasn't it strange of him to forgive them so

simply?

His conduct was too inconsistent.

Wait! What did he say?

"Excuse me, but what do you mean you'll be busy?"

"Thanks to you, I learned that even if I live here minding my own

business, there will be trouble. So I figure I'll go aboveground and crush the

trouble before it comes to me."

"Wh-what does that mean?"

"First, those who have harmed us will pay. Then the annoying ones.

Everyone who needs to be dealt with until my beloved tranquility returns."

The babbling of a maniac.

No. He wasn't insane. Considering Ainz Ooal Gown's ability, military

power, and fortune, it wasn't mere rambling. Jircniv simply hadn't been able

to accept it because the sphere of his common sense was so limited.

Ainz Ooal Gown was capable of those things.

Jircniv's skin crawled, the sensation working its way up from his toes—

The Great Tomb of Nazarick…

—because a monster who had been holed up in a quiet place had decided

to throw open his gates and stalk across the land.

Is that why he called me here? To declare war?! What's the best course of

action? He's basically saying that he'll be an enemy to the empire in the

future. Should I submit to him now?

He honestly began to think that was the wisest decision.

But he didn't think a country under the rule of a monster could be very

happy. If he wasn't careful, all the empire's people would be turned into

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death knights. That was surely a fate worse than simply dying.

Jircniv thought harder than he had ever before. Really, he would have

liked to take the issue home and discuss it with dozens of wise men before

charting a policy. But that would take too long. Instead, he refreshed his

smile and spoke.

"How about it? Would you like to form an alliance?"

"Don't you mean you wish to submi—? Urgh!"

A bell-like tone had sounded and then a creaking noise. The silver-haired

girl grimaced slightly while the close-by Aura seemed irked.

Jircniv's vision wasn't good enough to catch what had happened, but

apparently Aura had kicked the silver-haired girl.

"…You're always—"

"Enough. Silence."

Ainz waved his hand with the majesty of a demon lord.

The motion indicated that it had been acquired as the result of living a

long time as a ruler.

Jircniv was more alarmed than ever.

I guess he's been a ruler in this land for quite some time… That would

explain why his demeanor is so impressive…

The two girls' voices overlapped as they expressed their regret for their

foolishness.

The arrogance that Aura displayed when she came to his palace was

nowhere to be found. Having seen once again what a tight rein Ainz kept on

his followers, Jircniv steeled his resolve and forged ahead.

This is it.

He licked his dry lips.

Jircniv readied the plan that seemed the best out of all those he had

thought up in this short time.

"You will turn this land into your country and rule it as king. I think it's a

splendid idea and a fitting position for you, Sir Gown. And we in the empire

would like to back you as much as we can and help you build your nation.

What do you say?"

Ainz's fleshless, skinless face didn't move at all. But Jircniv had the

feeling the flames in his eyes burned brighter.

"…Sir Jircniv. I don't see anything in that for you, but…?"

It was an utterly natural and therefore anticipated question. So Jircniv did

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his very best act in reply. "I hope for the empire to maintain a friendly

relationship with the country you will rule. I'm looking ahead, you see."

"Aha. Then that sounds good."

Jircniv was shocked to receive such nonchalant agreement. It was like his

blow had been dodged. He never imagined the discussion would go so

smoothly.

For one thing…

Why doesn't he demand our subordination? Why does he just accept my

proposal when he holds such absolute power while occupying an

overwhelmingly superior position?

Jircniv had been considering an innumerable number of potential steps he

could take if that demand were to come. But he hadn't anticipated the reply

he actually got.

What is he after?

Jircniv couldn't read Ainz Ooal Gown.

When fighting a powerful adversary, the weaker party's strategy naturally

becomes a search for a way to undermine the stronger one. It could also be

called the technique of using an opponent's arrogance against them. But if the

opponent wasn't proud, that method was useless. The weakling's only means

of fighting lost all meaning.

Ainz was precisely that type of person. He did nothing that resembled a

strong man's arrogance.

No…

This must all be part of his plan, too. It's definitely plausible. His reply

came so fast. I must be taking the actions he had in mind, then.

It hit him that the horror of Ainz lay not only in the power he possessed

but also in his wisdom.

"O-oh. Great. Th-then if there's something you wish of us right away,

would you let me know?"

"I can't think of anything at the moment. But I would like to establish a

way to contact you, perhaps by leaving a representative somewhere with

you."

If this was all according to Ainz's plan, there was no way he didn't have

anything in mind. So was it just a coincidence?

Well, no, that in itself could be a bluff. Maybe he thought if he jumped at

it, his intentions would be an open book. This monster's got a head on his

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shoulders. No—it's because he's a monster that he has an extraordinary

mind.

"Aah, that's a good idea. I'm quite stupid for not thinking of that myself.

I'd expect nothing less of you, Sir Gown."

"…Mm."

He's not into flattery, then. Hearing the indifferent response, Jircniv made

a mental note.

"All right, I shall be taking my leave, but I'll have my secretary stay here.

Could I have you work out the details with him…? Reaunet Vermilion!"

"Sir! I shall pour my entire being into this work!"

Jircniv couldn't see Reaunet's expression, since he was in front of him,

but he could sense the resolve in his voice. This meeting could determine the

fate of the empire. If it wasn't imperative to return to the empire at once and

form an Ainz Ooal Gown task force, he would have liked to stay himself.

"That's a good answer. I can sense how loyal you are to your emperor.

For my part, I'll have Demiurge do the talking. He was impertinent earlier,

but you've forgiven that, so I'll leave the details up to him."

After silently sizing up the bowing frog-faced monster in the corner of his

vision, Jircniv had a hunch he was going to lose one of his brilliant

subordinates. As such, he had to work extremely hard not to let his eyes blaze

in hatred as he gazed at Ainz Ooal Gown.

So he's already made his first move!

The frog monster, Demiurge, could manipulate people with his voice. He

would definitely use that to turn Reaunet into a puppet. So he wants to extract

sensitive imperial intelligence?

This isn't how you deal with an ally. But it's awfully sly of him to tell us

his plan. Demiurge…doesn't seem terribly smart. Is he having him do this

mentally demanding work so he can make excuses when his subordinate takes

matters into his own hands and spies on the empire? Ainz Ooal Gown is one

surprise after another, the bastard!

Stringing together curses in his head, he was still impressed.

Ainz had probably arranged for that slipup earlier so Jircniv wouldn't be

able to say he didn't see that sort of thing coming. If Jircniv had an issue with

this setup, he needed to say so now. If he let this chance go by, it was

possible he would be accused of giving tacit permission.

He moved to speak, but Ainz was faster.

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"Demiurge is my trusted aide. If the two of them talk, I'm sure it will go

well."

"Oh, good." Jircniv forced himself to smile.

He had never met someone who so fully embodied the phrase never

misses a chance. The statement had carried such weight, there was nothing

else Jircniv could say in response.

But he saw how naive he was when Ainz continued.

"Now then, unlike before, you're an ally, Jircniv. I couldn't bear to just

send you off like this. You've come all this way, so how would you like to

spend the night? I'll take good care of you!"

He wants to trap all of us, not just Reaunet?!

Or maybe he had something even worse in store. There had to be some

reason he was suggesting they stay over. The knowing smile hideously

warping Demiurge's face felt like utter disaster.

"No, no, that won't be necessary. I've got a lot of preparations to make, so

I must get back."

"Oh? That's too bad. Then would you like me—or rather, one of my

servants—to give you a lift?"

The thought of himself riding a dragon made him a bit curious about

Ainz's offer, but he cleared it from his mind. There was no way it would end

with just that, and he didn't want to be creating debts, either.

"I thank you for your kind offer, but we did come by carriage. I think

we'll stick with that."

"A headless undead horse could drive you without rest…"

"…I'm touched, but no thanks."

"If you say so."

Was the hint of disappointment he heard an act? Or was it genuine?

Jircniv couldn't tell. Of course, there was a good possibility it was an act.

In any case, at this uncertain stage, he wanted to avoid announcing the

fact that the empire had formed an alliance with this undead creature Ainz.

Even if he put aside the knight-order priests he had brought with him,

Jircniv had no idea how the influential shrine priests would react if he came

home riding an undead horse that was filled with hatred for all living things.

"Okay, I'll be going now."

"Then, Demiurge, see our guests out."

"Th-that won't be necessary… You have these beautiful maids; perhaps

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we could ask them? I've never seen such lovely ladies."

Ainz cocked his head, seeming perplexed.

How annoying…

Jircniv desperately suppressed the fury beneath his faint smile.

Ainz was clearly doing this to be disagreeable because he could tell the

humans were wary of Demiurge. He had no intention of building friendly

relations with the empire. Surely Ainz's aim was to wordlessly teach him

how this hierarchy would work.

How evil… This was a crisis for the human race!

"Oh, thank you. Then tell the maids standing by outside. This is a great

day, the birth of our alliance. I'd like to make it a holiday."

You mean like Slave Day?! Without expressing so much as a squeak of his

internal scream externally, Jircniv smiled at Ainz. "Indeed. Yes, indeed."

4

The meeting had ended, and the guardians—Albedo, Demiurge, Aura, Mare,

Cocytus, and Shalltear—plus Sebas were in Ainz's quarters.

Ainz told them to rise from their prostrate positions.

He put his elbows on the desk and folded his hands together, concealing

half his face behind them.

The stomach he supposedly didn't have pained him. Here it comes. That's

how he felt when he looked over at Demiurge and Albedo.

He couldn't sense any anger. And no one seemed disgusted.

But who could prove those weren't poker faces? No, as he looked around

with that thought in mind, their expressions began to stiffen in anger.

I wanna run away. Why am I sitting here…? No, it's too late. Once the

milk is spilled, you can't put it back in the jug. Prepare yourself, Ainz Ooal

Gown!

The sensation like stomach cramps eased a bit, but he still felt something

like nausea.

When he heard the emperor had come to Nazarick as scheduled, he asked

Demiurge in a roundabout way what he should do, but the response was

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simply, "Everything is going according to plan, so you can just proceed as

you have been."

I don't know what that plan is!

There was no way he could say that.

As the absolute ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, he had to live up to

the expectations of the children, the NPCs. It was all he could do to put on a

dauntless king's smile and say, "I see."

Ainz took Demiurge's suggestions and ran around without really knowing

what was going on.

So the only way he could go into the meeting with Emperor Jircniv Rune

Farlord El Nix was to think, Que será, será. But let's just say it: He didn't

feel he had negotiated properly.

Ainz looked over at them again, awaiting his score.

This is just like a job interview.

He had done any number of interviews when he joined adult society, and

they had all been accompanied by this sort of nervousness.

"So the emperor has moved according to expectations."

Here Ainz paused for a breath, but just as he was about to continue,

someone interrupted.

"Lord Ainz. I beg your pardon, but may I ask a question? Why did you

give that human emperor supporter status? Why not simply conquer the

empire with our might?"

Shalltear's question made his nonexistent heart pound.

In order to pursue world conquest, the first step was to put pressure on the

empire. That was why he allowed the imperial capital's attack on Nazarick

and then used that threat as a way to lure the emperor into discussion. At that

time, the head idea was to demonstrate Nazarick's overwhelming fighting

power. That had been the general plan.

That's all Ainz knew. He had no idea about why it was necessary to

demonstrate their military might to the emperor or any other details.

So of course he didn't have an answer to Shalltear's question.

Aura spoke next.

"Shalltear's right. We barged into their capital. They weren't so tough."

Ainz surveyed the room, and all the guardians seemed to have the same

doubt.

They had not the slightest intention of going against their master's

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decision, but even if they believed he was most correct, they couldn't help

but have questions.

They also thought that if they knew why Ainz had made that choice, they

would be able to be of more use to him.

If they went ahead without understanding, there was a good chance they

would do something against his wishes. That anxiety was most noticeable in

those who had already committed an error, Shalltear and Sebas. Both of them

wore extremely earnest expressions and made sure they didn't miss a single

word or a fragment of his intentions.

Under the pressure of everyone's gazes, Ainz tried to think of a way to get

through the situation.

First, I have to decide if I accept or reject Shalltear's and Aura's

opinions. If I accept them, then this is just part of the plan to conquer the

empire. If I reject them, then I have no current plans to conquer the empire…

I wonder if Demiurge and Albedo feel the same way. Oh, crap. I'm taking too

long…

Ainz chuckled in a way he thought made him sound invincible.

Then he heaved a sigh.

The odds were one in two.

If he got it wrong, all he had to do was find a way to perform course

correction, and—

Shalltear has been messing up all the time, so I should oppose her idea!

"That would be foolish, Shalltear."

It couldn't just be a trick of his vision that the gleams in all the guardians'

eyes grew brighter. They were hanging on his every word or, rather, trying to

pick up every drop of clarity spilling from his brain.

It's rotten, but whatever!

Ainz turned to Demiurge. He took great pains to keep it from looking like

he needed help. "Demiurge."

He hoped this clever fellow would grasp what he wanted if he just called

his name.

"My lord! Please forgive we incompetents who cannot comprehend your

ideas."

"E-er, I think 'incompetent' is going too far."

"My apologies. Please forgive me!"

"…Uh, sure."

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That's not what I'm talking about. Why won't you say anything else? This

is bad. I don't really think calling on Demiurge again will help… Why didn't

he give me the answer?

"Albedo."

"I'm moved practically to tears by your kindness, Lord Ainz. I could

expect nothing else from our ruler, the absolute king!"

"...All right, then."

He wanted an answer more than praise.

But there was no one else from whom he could seek help.

Ainz braced himself and delivered his own conclusion.

"We need a good reason."

"WE DO?"

"Of course. It would be easy to conquer them with might, yes, but we

would make too many enemies that way. These aren't primitive opponents

like the lizardmen. If I had to explain it to someone, this is what I would say:

'We were living here minding our own business when the empire sent in

workers to steal our treasures. We got mad and killed them, and when we had

the empire apologize, they said they would make us a country if we forgave

them.' That's why I'm having the emperor cooperate with us."

"I see. But, Lord Ainz, will whoever wanted the explanation be satisfied

with that?"

"It doesn't matter, because it's the truth."

That was what a good reason was. And Ainz hadn't said anything untrue.

"Oh, s-so then, is that why you, uh, had the emperor come all the way

here?"

"Hmm? What do you mean, Mare?"

"Oh, umm, because if you negotiated in the empire, it's possible there

would have been all sorts of proof left behind, so maybe you spoke with him

here where nothing would leak to the outside world. At least, that's what I

was thinking."

"Ha-ha-ha! You're right. Very good, Mare."

Mare smiled bashfully.

Looking at that adorable face, Ainz was impressed. It was certainly true

that any negotiations in the empire might have left evidence behind. But only

a limited number of people visited him here, and it wasn't as if they did any

paperwork. That would work in his favor when someone wanted to

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investigate the truth of the matter.

Impressed with Demiurge's wisdom in having the emperor come to

Nazarick, Ainz looked at the guardians.

"Making a country will mean we have more to protect. There isn't anyone

to praise the name Ainz Ooal Gown in ruined countries. Now, is there anyone

else who thought of something?"

He wondered if anyone else had realized something like Mare had.

The guardians all looked to Demiurge. They probably thought that, since

he had the best intellect and functioned as their leader, he would have some

idea. Ainz strongly agreed with them.

"Neh-heh-heh-heh." Demiurge's laugh echoed. "Do you guys really think

that's all there is to Lord Ainz's plan?"

"Tee-hee-hee."

"Huh?"

"Huh?"

"What do you mean?"

"WHAT?"

"Ah."

"…Huh?"

"Think a little bit, everyone. Do you really believe our master, the leader

of the Supreme Beings, only thought things out that far?"

Ainz felt like he'd been punched and gulped, despite not having any spit,

as the guardians all nodded in understanding.

Why are you raising the hurdle?!

He was probably lucky no one could detect his internal scream.

"Exactly. Hearing a simple answer and thinking you know his full

intentions is too hasty. That's why he doesn't tell us the most profound

parts!"

The guardians besides Demiurge and Albedo, unable to grasp Ainz's true

intentions, looked a little humiliated. They must have been wondering if they

could be of any use to Ainz with the heads on their shoulders.

Ainz was deeply grateful to be in his current body. It was so easy to

maintain a poker face.

"Oh, brother… Well, Lord Ainz, perhaps you should tell my colleagues

your true aims? They'll be involved in the plan going forward, so…"

All eyes focused on Ainz. Their eyes pleaded, Please teach us; we're so

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stupid.

He looked around at their faces, inhaled once—no, he took several deep

breaths.

Then he slowly stood up. He turned his back to the guardians and praised

Demiurge over his shoulder.

"…Brilliant as always, Demiurge. And captain of the guardians, Albedo.

To think you discovered all my aims… Wow."

"No, you've thought it out so well. I could never follow all the way. I'm

sure what I've grasped is only a part of your scheme." Demiurge bowed in

return. "I heard the maids calling you 'the Resourceful King,' and I think

that's the perfect nickname. It's amazing that you've had this plan in mind

since the time you created Momon the adventurer. With a plot like that, you

won't end up with any ruined countries."

Ainz nodded proudly, but questions whirled within him.

…What is he talking about? Momon? What does that adventurer from ERantel have to do with this conversation?

"What do you mean?" Shalltear's voice was surely filled with jealousy

because only those other two had entered the realm of the master they

worshipped.

Demiurge wore a faint smile, while Albedo's was that of a victor. In

response, Aura was pouting with her cheeks puffed out, too.

"Lord Ainz, please tell us, too. Then we'll be able to be more useful to

you!"

"U-uh, p-please tell me! Please!"

"I'M SURE WE'RE SUPPOSED TO UNDERSTAND WITHOUT AN

EXPLANATION, BUT PLEASE FORGIVE OUR IGNORANCE."

"Could you also tell me, too, please?"

The voices had something frantic about them.

Ainz put a hand over his eyes, still facing away from them. He had the

illusion the stress was making him dizzy.

It makes us happy to serve and be of use to you, Supreme One.

Multiple voices said essentially the same thing.

Unable to answer the pleading guardians, Ainz's heart was racked with

guilt. The strong emotion should have been suppressed, but the pain was too

great to be muffled.

Perhaps I should just be honest about what a fool I am?

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But so many things wouldn't allow the words to come out of Ainz's

mouth.

He cast off his indecision, turned around, and pointed forcefully at

Demiurge with his staff, the proof that he was guild master.

"Demiurge. I permit you to explain to the others what you've

understood."

"Yes, my lord." Demiurge nodded and began speaking to the others.

5

Was the reason the vibrations through the carriage felt bigger, even though

nothing about the vehicle's structure had changed, because the atmosphere

inside it was so heavy? Or perhaps because the passengers were different?

Instead of Fluder, one of his leading disciples, and instead of Reaunet, one

of his subordinate secretaries. The other two hadn't changed: the owner of the

carriage, Jircniv, and Baswood.

The reason Fluder wasn't there was that he said he wanted to discuss what

they'd seen with his disciples. So Jircniv had invited the leading disciple,

who was second only to Fluder—albeit with quite a gap.

At this same time in Fluder's carriage, a no doubt passionate discussion

was raging.

That was the exact opposite of this carriage. In Jircniv's carriage, there

was only silence.

Only the heavy atmosphere ruled.

It was like that because of Jircniv. Because of his hard, sour expression.

Everyone knew Jircniv, despite fearing him as the Fresh Blood Emperor,

as a man who always wore a slight grin. And it was an act he put on. He

needed to show the masses that he was a strong emperor. Unless the one out

front was bold, the ones who followed would be uneasy.

Of the three present, Baswood knew him best, but even he had probably

never seen this expression on him before. And that was why everyone just sat

stiffly in their seats saying nothing.

Though he sensed their eyes on him, Jircniv still didn't feel like talking.

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They all knew why.

No, if anyone thought anything else, Jircniv would have split their heads

open to take a look at their brains. When else would he get the chance to see

a brain the size of a pinkie fingernail?

The Great Tomb of Nazarick…? Calling that a tomb was misleading.

It's the castle of a demon king…

That crowd of horrors. And the being beyond them…

Death seated on a crystal throne.

And it wasn't just fear he felt.

The shining buildings of concentrated luxury, the numerous furnishings…

It all had him in awe.

Jircniv was adept at politics, so he knew what ordeals the empire would

go through in the coming days facing this being whose power in military,

financial, and other spheres was without compare.

Having someone strong at the top of their country put citizens at ease.

Conversely, even if a nation had strength, the people would be anxious if the

top was a lamb. Luckily, the empire was a lion in both body and mind. But

here came a country that was a dragon. How would that make the imperial

subjects feel?

Jircniv looked down at his hands, white-knuckled from clenching them

too long.

No, not yet. Our defeat is not set in stone just yet.

He smiled. It was a smile that suited the Fresh Blood Emperor.

As if they were waiting for that nasty expression, the faces of his

subordinates relaxed. Seeing that, Jircniv put on a faint but genuine grin.

"Don't keep peeking at me! It's distracting."

"Your Majesty!"

All three voices overlapped. Hearing their joy that their emperor had

returned, Jircniv felt he knew what had to be done and nodded firmly.

"First, let's make sure there are no discrepancies among the way each of

us here felt in that place. If anyone has a different opinion, bring it up. Even

if it's off topic, that's fine… Okay, for starters, let's think about the ruler of

the Great Tomb of Nazarick, Ainz Ooal Gown."

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After leaving a beat, Jircniv gave his honest impressions of the

exceptional monster.

"Ainz Ooal Gown is a monster among monsters who can create death

knights with no trouble at all. If he became our enemy, I imagine the empire

would be destroyed. And even if our relationship is not hostile, there is still a

good chance living things could be killed for fun. Any objections?"

"No, sir."

"You're absolutely right, Your Majesty."

"No, I agree with you. If I was to add something, it'd be that I don't think

a human can beat him. I don't even think anyone could get close enough to

him to wield a sword—even if we sent the whole imperial army."

Upon receiving the three men's opinions, Jircniv continued. "Also, he

reigns as an absolute ruler, and he seems to have the proper charms of a

king."

"Yeah, he was awesome. He's more charismatic than our emperor!"

"Sir Baswood!"

"That's fine. It's true. I think there was only one time he displayed his

actual emotions, but it sure had a conqueror's impact."

"You mean when he said, 'Enough. Silence,' right?"

Jircniv nodded slightly at his secretary's confirmation.

The attitude Ainz Ooal Gown had displayed with that reprimand was truly

that of the king of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.

"And…what's more terrifying is that this monster is smart. He's that rare

breed of schemer whose every move has a meaning… Don't look so

confused, you guys. Think about it. Everything that happened from the

moment I arrived went according to his plan. If it hadn't, there's no way he

would have let us leave so easily. That monster with that much power is

trying to win not with might but with strategy! He's not merely strong."

He was the type that was harder to deal with.

"Next, we should think about his subordinates. Give me your opinions."

He wanted to hear the others' thoughts, so he urged them to speak.

"The ones lined up near the front must have been his aides, right? Was the

woman with wings standing next to Gown…his queen? That was how her

attitude struck me."

The peerless beauty in the white dress.

Her faint smile wasn't kind, but even so, it was so alluring that he felt his

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heart nearly waver. She was so beautiful, there must be guys who lost to the

desire to have her smile at them.

He had sensed that the black wings at her hips weren't a magic item or

part of her outfit. They were too natural. There were races with wings, like

birdmen, but it seemed to him that she was probably one of the residents of

the netherworld called demons.

"Maybe. She could be Ainz Ooal Gown's wife. But if he has a wife, then,

how do they…? Is just his face all bones? Or is he wearing a mask?"

"Who knows?" Jircniv shrugged, but he didn't get the feeling that it was a

mask. He didn't think it was an illusion, either.

"Then there was that guy Demiurge who can control people with his

voice… Is he a bard? Is he good at singing 'cause he's a frog?"

Bard powers involved performing with instruments and their voices to

cause special effects, similar to how Demiurge controlled people with his

voice.

He'd also heard that some sprites, like Lorelei, had powers like that. But

that man was definitely nothing as cute as a sprite.

"Oh, hmm. A bard? That seems likely. Then there was that one like a big

bug… What was that thing?"

"Well, he could be a vermin race or… I don't know much about any

besides antmen, so I'll ask Master later."

It was a wide world out there. Some races weren't very well-known, and

surely mutations occurred as well. And lord races were said to change faster

than normal ones, like the difference between a queen ant and worker ants.

Jircniv thought something like that could be a possibility.

"So I guess what's left are the silver-haired girl and the two dark elves?

Setting aside the latter two, what about the former? Judging from the amazing

swell of those breasts, she's gotta be his favorite concubine!"

Everyone in the carriage winced at Baswood's remark.

"No, I doubt he would put even his favorite concubine in that lineup."

"She must be at least as strong as those dark elves."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. That could be the wrong assumption."

Baswood spoke in earnest. "There's no doubt that the ones lined up there

were close to that monster, but that doesn't mean they all have to be strong. I

mean, think about it. If Your Majesty had a hundred of me as your aides, just

because I'm strong, don't you think politics in the empire would break down

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and fall apart? Basically, she might be an aide who was chosen for a reason

besides strength. Maybe his favorite concubine is really smart! Maybe she

keeps things running smoothly inside that castle pretending to be a tomb."

Someone said, "I see."

Jircniv could also agree.

Distracted by Ainz Ooal Gown's immense power, they had assumed that

the silver-haired girl had to be strong just because she was standing next to

those two dark elves. Of course, it was possible that her power was just as

formidable as the dark elves, but he didn't want to go in with preconceptions

and have it bite them later.

"I guess that's about it?" Jircniv looked at the others. "Your opinions were

all things I was thinking, too. But hmm, if his aides had all been undead, that

would have been at least some relief…but it seems like he had all kinds of

different monsters."

"Well, it was less like a monster trade fair and more like he's found the

ones that can do the job."

Jircniv smiled faintly at how Baswood refused to mince words.

"Right. From what we know, it seems like it would make sense to

investigate some more. As for other things I want to exchange thoughts on…

The magnificence of that castle. A place that splendid should be mentioned in

legends or something, wouldn't you think?"

"My humble apologies, but I don't know. As soon as we reach the capital,

I'll make a detailed search into myths and so on."

Jircniv generously accepted the leading disciple's apology. "All right,

thanks. But did anyone think of anything? I can't imagine an evil monster

built such a heavenly residence. Did you see anything that might have been a

clue? Is that place even a tomb? Does it have anything to do with the region's

history?"

There was no response.

Proof that everyone had the same question.

The possibility that it was teleported beneath the tomb from some other

place, perhaps even from the alternate world of demons, was hard to

discount. Or rather, that idea made the most sense.

"I guess we can't reach a conclusion. We just don't have enough

information. We'll need to get as much as we can from Vermilion and

whoever comes to us from them. Got it?"

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"Of course. I'll do my best without arousing hostility or suspicion."

"Your best had better be good enough. His war potential is far greater

than the empire's. Take care not to destroy our fake alliance."

His secretary bowed his head, and Jircniv felt a little bit of the burden lift

off his shoulders.

"…I've done a horrible thing to those others we brought along."

Perhaps that was why he brought up the people who had been crammed in

the carriages and not set a foot outside—the girls he thought he would give to

Ainz Ooal Gown.

In any world, sex was liable to be weaponized. Perhaps the empire's

intelligence agency should have prepared some people skilled in exploiting

that, but since there would have been trouble if they were found out via

magic, he decided to gather up some innocent girls.

"Well, it was probably bad for their spirits to have to go through bidding a

final farewell to their families, but they must be happy with this outcome,

don't you think?"

"I wonder. Just managing to become a favorite concubine of that monster

would be amazing."

"Any woman who would be happy to sleep with that monster has nerves

of steel."

Baswood implied that no human could feel that way, but Jircniv knew that

was naive. He had seen enough women's hidden struggles, like how his

mother had poisoned her husband, to be confident about that.

"Women are more courageous than men think, and they act out of

emotion and for profit. I'm sure there are women who would be unfazed by

sleeping with a skeleton king. In that sense, maybe we got lucky. A woman

might have conned Ainz Ooal Gown into killing me."

The others grinned, but Jircniv felt it could have happened.

He knew how the nobles hated him for the many reforms he had pushed

through with state power. Of course, he had allies as well, but the only ones

he could really trust were his aides and Fluder…

Then a question fluttered down on him like a feather.

It was about Fluder.

Fluder was his teacher, an important figure in the empire, and its trump

card. He was the empire's greatest hero, and Jircniv respected him. He also

knew that when you removed the wise-man veneer, a thirst to touch the

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depths of magic, like a madness, swirled below. Which was why the question

remained.

He wasn't himself.

Ainz Ooal Gown was clearly a great caster who surpassed Fluder. He

could create with ease the death knights Fluder failed to control. So why did

Fluder follow Jircniv out of the tomb without a word?

Normally, Gramps would have asked that horrible monster for magic

knowledge. He would have gotten down on all fours and thrown himself at

his feet…

It was so easy to imagine.

But he didn't do anything. He didn't even ask about it. Like he wasn't

even himself… Could something…have happened to him?

Everyone bowed down according to Demiurge's order. But maybe that

was only a distraction, and his real aim was to put Fluder under some sort of

mind control?

Jircniv didn't really think Ainz Ooal Gown would want Fluder as an

underling. Fluder may have been the empire's trump card, but in Ainz's

world, with so many powerful monsters, Fluder's abilities would hardly be

noticeable.

But maybe the knowledge he had amassed was valuable. And besides that,

if Ainz Ooal Gown controlled Fluder, the empire's military strength would

plummet, and at the same time, it would lose its trump card in the fight

against him.

They would be put under the yoke of slavery.

Is that it? What else could it be? Why else wouldn't Gramps have said

anything…? Because he already knew? Did he already know how powerful

Ainz Ooal Gown was?

That moment, it was like lightning struck him.

Cold sweat oozed from every pore.

"Your Majesty? Your Majesty? What's wrong? You're awfully pale all of

a sudden. Shall I call a prie—?"

"—need."

"Eh?"

"I said, 'No need,' because…it's not necessary."

With a glance at his puzzled subordinate, he tried to get sucked back into

his thoughts, but…

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Am I scared?

His ideas were all jumbled, and he couldn't pull them together. It was

almost as if he was averting his eyes, as if thinking about what came next was

forbidden.

No! Running away will only invite the worst possible scenario later! Calm

down. Just calm down. Calm yourself and think.

Jircniv concentrated on his thoughts despite the strange looks he was

receiving.

If Gramps—if he knew about Ainz Ooal Gown's powers… I mean, if he

already knew about those abilities, then I can understand why he wasn't

acting like himself. Does he have some kind of connection to that monster

behind the scenes? It can't be!

He didn't have the wherewithal to worry about his subordinates' surprise

and concern at his rapidly changing expression.

No, it can't be, Jircniv. Gramps saw that death knight and was shocked to

his core. Which means he didn't know about Ainz Ooal Gown's powers…

Well, no, it doesn't. Right. What if Gr—Fluder didn't know he could give

orders to death knights but still knew he was a great caster?

It was as if the pieces were coming together one by one to create a

beautiful—no, horrifying—picture.

So that monster and Fluder knew each other. Since when, though…?

From the beginning? Yes. The one who discovered people entering and

leaving the tomb and the one who suggested we send workers in was Fluder.

It was like a thread had connected.

When he thought of it like that, most of the questions began to make

sense.

"So he betrayed me. I see. He betrayed me. He sold the empire."

It was a resentful voice from the depths of hell. Or perhaps the cry of a

child?

The atmosphere wasn't such that his subordinates felt asking would be

permitted, so they watched him in silence. He turned to look at them.

"Fluder Paradyne betrayed us. What is the damage to the empire in this

case? Can a sinecure be arranged?"

Everyone's eyes nearly popped out of their heads at the unbelievable

accusation.

"Y-your Majesty. Could that really be? Surely you must be joking."

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The leading disciple's comment sent rage spouting from the pit of

Jircniv's stomach. He wanted to shout, I'm not interested in your opinions!

but held back. The reason he reined in the outburst was that Jircniv the child

was still there in a corner of his mind.

He had—unfortunately—grown up surrounded by the enormous amount

of plotting that lay beneath the facade of noble society. He dispelled the

passionate fury in his belly by taking a breath.

"I'll say it again. Fluder Paradyne has betrayed us. What is the damage to

the empire in this case?"

His subordinates looked at one another. After communicating with their

eyes for a few seconds, the leading disciple spoke as their representative.

"Unimaginable damage that would make you want to cover your eyes. We've

been able to coerce other countries with the mere suggestion of Master's

existence. That's why the empire has never fallen prey to foreign schemes."

When he looked to the secretary for confirmation, the man nodded with a

deathly pale face.

"If word got out that we pushed him into a sinecure, it would give the

other countries room to maneuver."

"But the empire has an intelligence agency, doesn't it? Oh, I see. Hmph.

Thanks to Fluder, they don't have much experience, huh?"

"As you so wisely point out. Your Majesty, do you really—?"

"The probability is shockingly high," Jircniv asserted, cutting the

secretary off. "Ahh, but I have such a mountain of things to do. First, I have

to decide who will take Fluder's place. Is there anyone good?"

Noticing the flames of ambition blaze up in the leading disciple's eyes,

Jircniv laughed in his head.

Fluder's position, principal court wizard, must have been incredibly

appealing.

Since such a great hero had been in it up until now, it wasn't a position

that could be reached. Anyone would be too outclassed to even aspire to it.

That job, over which absolute resignation used to reign, was now right in

front of him.

Ambition spurs people, generates the power for them to act. I

acknowledge your ambition. But I need to ask you this first.

"Because you know, the next principal court wizard may have to fight a

magic duel against the monster."

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The disciple's ambition was immediately extinguished. He no longer had

the slightest interest. To the leading disciple, principal court wizard was

suddenly the least desirable job in the world.

Plunging off a thousand-foot cliff into stormy waters offered a better

chance of survival than competing against Ainz Ooal Gown with magic.

Actually, it was possible that dying was the better choice.

His face looked like that's what he was thinking, and his eyes had the

same shine as a cornered mouse's.

Jircniv abandoned his expectations, having learned that this man didn't

have the courage to duel Ainz Ooal Gown. It was wrong to have expected

anything in the first place.

"I-i-in that case, there are some disciples who can use tier-four spells, so

what if we chose one of them? I can use them, too, but, well, I'm no expert."

"I heard you were the most talented of the leading disciples…"

"O-oh no, no! Some are more powerful than me. I'll suggest some

candidates later on."

Of course, Jircniv understood that being asked to fight such a colossal

monster would crush anyone's resolve. What he sought was someone with

the courage to do it anyway.

…This is no good. And it won't help to assume this disciple is an

exception. We can probably assume that anyone who knows about Ainz Ooal

Gown won't be brave enough to fight him. Our only choice is to leave things

up to someone who hasn't confronted him yet. Someone ignorant will get the

same gleam in their eyes as this guy just did and work their ass off for me.

It wasn't a good idea, but it was his only option.

"…I see. Then we'll hold interviews after you've put together some

details on the candidates. And we should probably start preparing our

response. For now, we'll cooperate and obey like a dog in order to build

friendly relations."

"Understood."

No one objected to the phrase like a dog. Well, how could they, after

laying eyes on the Great Tomb of Nazarick?

"So, Your Majesty, how long will we allow ourselves to be wagged as

that monster's tail? Until our grandchildren's generation? Our greatgrandchildren's generation?"

Jircniv looked around. He wanted to make sure there were no spies and

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that the doors weren't open. Once he determined the coast was clear, he

spoke of the strategy he'd had in mind ever since his meeting with Ainz Ooal

Gown.

"Our goal is to join the empire, the kingdom, the Theocracy, the council

state, and the sacred kingdom into a single grand alliance. We'll establish a

massive united front to oppose Ainz Ooal Gown."

Six wide eyes stared at Jircniv.

"Why are you surprised? The empire can't win against that monster by

itself. Our only choice is to get the surrounding countries involved to defeat

him."

"W-we're going to fight?"

"We'll fight," Jircniv stated curtly. "There's no other way for us to

survive."

"Then why are you helping that monster establish a country?!"

"That's the first step in building the grand alliance." Jircniv looked each

of his carriage mates in the face. "Listen. This land—the outskirts of E-Rantel

—is an area where the interests of the kingdom, the Theocracy, and the

empire clash. If Gown sets up a country here, he'll naturally be considered a

potential enemy to all three countries."

Jircniv paused for a breath and then continued.

"And another thing. He's undead. I don't think he can govern humans—or

any living things. I mean, I don't think our subjects would submit to an

undead. Do you? They'll definitely revolt, and then that monster will crack

down on them. The kingdom will have to act, after being forced to give up

their territory. And I have no doubt the strongest country in the region, the

Slane Theocracy, will make a move as well."

"B-but, Your Majesty! If we help him create his country, it'll look like

we're siding with that monster. The other countries will definitely be wary of

us! The empire will be excluded from the grand alliance! Even if they

managed to take out that monster, the empire would be next. They might

even get rid of us first."

"Heh," Jircniv scoffed. "We'll work behind the scenes. It'll be important

to convince them we're spying on Gown's country. I know it'll be difficult,

but it's the only way."

"Do you think anyone will believe it? If it were me, I'd assume it's a

trap."

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"That will depend on Ainz Ooal Gown's power. The best will be if we can

show everyone how immensely powerful he is… We'll have to think of a

way to talk to him about that. For example, maybe he could demonstrate his

strength on the battlefield."

"Couldn't the empire have avoided supporting him and left things

vaguer?"

Jircniv turned his eyes on his secretary like he was looking at an idiot. "In

order to secure a bare-minimum security, we have to play both sides. What's

the point of siding with the kingdom if Gown just seizes all the land in the

region?"

Jircniv was choosing the least awful option.

"For those reasons, the empire will pretend to back that monster while

actually supporting the alliance. Clearly, if that comes out, there's a high

probability the beast will aim to crush us first. At least, if it were me, I'd

make an example out of us, for sure."

"Ahh yeah, that you would, Your Majesty."

"…I'll take that as a compliment. Anyway, this is why we can't be the

ones to propose the grand alliance. We need those countries to form it of their

own accord. We need to focus on gathering intelligence from within

Nazarick. At the same time, we search for anyone who might be able to

defeat him."

"Do you really think someone like that exists?" The leading disciple asked

this in a tone that made it clear he had no confidence a person like that would

turn up, but he posed the question anyway. Someone who could defeat that

unrivaled monster? It seemed like it would be impossible even for a dragon,

the strongest race in the world.

But Jircniv's answer was full of confidence. "Sure there is."

"Really?!"

"There were! In that Throne Room."

Then the disciple understood.

He meant the monsters lined up around Ainz: Aura, Mare, the silverhaired girl, the insect, and Demiurge.

"You're going to make them defect?"

"I don't really think I'm capable of that, but it's still worth a shot. We'll

prepare money, status, and members of the opposite sex to see if we can

attract them even slightly to our side."

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"It seems like a long shot…"

"Of course, but that goes without saying. Ainz Ooal Gown has the air of a

high king. No one with a ruler like that is going to readily betray him. But we

must act nonetheless. This isn't a mere dispute between states."

Jircniv eyed the other three with determination.

"This is a fight for the continued existence of the human race. It's a fight

to protect the future. We've got to wager our bodies and souls."

6

"—So I think that's how this emperor will think and then act. If he was more

foolish, he might do something unexpected, but I think the chances of that are

quite slim. It's convenient that these middling thinkers are easier to read than

idiots," Demiurge said, holding up a finger.

"Do you mean that he desires to form an alliance with the intent to destroy

us—and Lord Ainz?"

"Mm, I dunno, he seems pretty stupid to me."

"U-umm, would it be better for us to make the first move and crush

them?"

Shalltear's disgusted comment was closely followed by Aura's and

Mare's input; none of them seemed angry. It was as if they were talking

about picking a pebble up off the ground.

"The bigger problem is—"

Sebas began to speak, but his sentence was finished for him.

"—Are you saying that he plans to convince us to betray Lord Ainz?"

"EXACTLY, SEBAS. THAT EMPEROR DOESN'T KNOW THE

MEANING OF THE WORD LOYALTY."

Everyone scoffed.

Ainz and the Forty-One Supreme Beings created them. Did those humans

really think they would betray their creators?

Of course, all this supposition was merely Demiurge's guess, but even

that seemed to make the guardians very uncomfortable; they all had hard

glints deep in their eyes.

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"I don't mean to copy Mare, but I'm kind of annoyed. Couldn't we just

crush them?"

Something dark had come over Aura for the first time, and Shalltear

smiled at her.

"Transforming them into vampires would be the best. If they were high

quality, we could put them to work in Nazarick."

Cocytus didn't say anything, but he began clicking a warning sound.

"Everyone, Lord Ainz is present."

Shalltear's, Aura's, and Cocytus's anger subsided in response to Sebas's

levelheaded voice.

"Ho-ho… That's right, everyone, please calm down. Remember what

Demiurge said. This is all according to expectations. If you don't enjoy the

clowns performing their comedy routine, then what is left? The appropriate

response from us is admiration—because everything is happening according

to Lord Ainz's plan. Right, Lord Ainz?"

Huh… Ainz's plan? Seems like some guy with the same name as me has

come up with some special plan. And I guess part of that plan is that the

Baharuth emperor will create an alliance to oppose Nazarick… I don't get it

at all. I'd like to ask that Ainz guy what it's all about.

…He couldn't run away from reality forever.

Ainz wanted to make a clean break, tell them he actually had no plan, then

ask what kind of misunderstandings Demiurge and Albedo were operating

under.

But there was no way he could do that.

Ainz looked at Albedo anew without moving his eyes.

What he saw was a woman who seemed to be dripping sticky honey. Her

entranced eyes were moist, her cheeks slightly rosy.

It was a reaction to her belief that everything was going according to his

plan—she was in love with his wisdom.

It was too late to deny everything. Who in this situation would be able to

ask, What are we talking about exactly?

There was only one thing Ainz could say in response to Albedo's

question.

"Tha…t's right."

He wanted to pat himself on the back for suppressing the tremors in his

voice.

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The guardians oohed in respect.

"…Tee-hee-hee." As Albedo opened her arms, the wings at her hips also

spread. "Lord Ainz will peacefully occupy the human cities and reign over

this whole region with his love. That emperor will build an evil alliance to

oppose his earthly paradise. Thus, in the not too distant future, Lord Ainz will

probably teach that country what goodness is. Our cause is just!"

"That's something to look forward to. When that fool realizes he's been

dancing in the palm of Lord Ainz's hand, I wonder how he'll react… You're

always several moves ahead, my lord."

After Demiurge honored Ainz with a sincere appraisal, Albedo spoke

again with a respectful expression on her face.

"We are truly unable to grasp the extent of Lord Ainz's wisdom. Without

the hero, Momon, he created, a peaceful takeover would have been

impossible, and he would have had to rule E-Rantel through fear and

violence."

"…He might have used the Golden Princess instead, but that would have

been a waste of one of our cards. As I found in my analysis of the intelligence

Sebas gathered for us, she's quite—no, she's beyond interesting. She'll be

very valuable to us."

"From what I've heard you say, I really want to meet her."

"Then maybe you could go as a messenger to the kingdom after our

country is built? We have to make good on our promise, after all."

"…AREN'T YOU TWO GETTING OFF TOPIC? DON'T YOU THINK

YOU'RE WASTING LORD AINZ'S PRECIOUS TIME?"

The pair hurriedly apologized, and Ainz said, "It's fine."

In fact, Ainz was gleaning information from their chatter and using the

time to think up excuses, so it was perfect for him.

"Ah, but you do so amaze us, Lord Ainz."

"You said it, Shalltear. I mean, he came up with a strategy that surprised

even Demiurge and Albedo…"

"M-magnificent as always, Lord Ainz. Y-you're so cool. I—I, uh, really

look up to you."

"I'M ASHAMED OF MY LACK OF INTELLIGENCE."

"I can't help but feel that if I can't keep up with your ideas, I'm useless."

The guardians' compliments stabbed into him like knives.

He half wondered if they were making fun of him, but the deference,

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respect, and adoration in their eyes were unmistakable. Ainz couldn't say

anything in response; he only carried on with his usual act.

"That's not true. It just happened to turn out that way this time. Plus,

Demiurge and Albedo, you figured it all out."

"No, if you hadn't handled that human the way you did, we wouldn't have

been able to guess."

"It's just as Demiurge says. To see ahead so far into the unknown…it's

just what you would expect from the leader of the Supreme Beings. I've

fallen for you more than ever before."

"Brilliant as always, Lord Ainz. To think you could outsmart the greatest

intellect of Nazarick, Demiurge."

"For real! You're awesome, Lord Ainz!"

"Yeah! You're awesome!"

"I KNEW YOUR ABILITIES WERE EXTRAORDINARY, LORD

AINZ, BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE JUST HOW EXTRAORDINARY… YOU

ARE TRULY NAZARICK'S GREAT TREASURE."

"Indubitably. You are so compassionate and wise. There can be no greater

ruler than you, Lord Ainz."

"…Ahh…"

"Oh, that reminds me—there's something we need to decide. I have

absolutely no objection to Lord Ainz being a king, but if he's only a king,

then he'd be no different from any of those worms out there, right? I think we

need to decide a more suitable title for Lord Ainz."

The guardians unanimously approved Demiurge's idea.

"What do you think, Lord Ainz?"

"I have no objections. Do as you like."

Really, he felt like King Ainz Ooal Gown was fine. With King attached,

there was a palpable increase in his status, to the point where his mental state

was forcibly stabilized several times.

"Then does anyone have any suggestions?"

"I do." Shalltear raised her hand. "I think we should pay tribute to Lord

Ainz's beauty and call him 'the Gorgeous King.'"

The guardians oohed in appreciation.

Gorgeous King Ainz Ooal Gown?

"Now me!" Aura raised her hand next. "I think we should emphasize Lord

Ainz's strength! So 'Power King,' meaning a king who's powerful, seems

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good to me!"

Several voiced their understanding at last.

Power King Ainz Ooal Gown?

"U-umm, can I suggest one, too? Uh, Lord Ainz is nice, so I think we

should make sure everyone knows that. U-umm, s-so what about something

like maybe, uh, 'the Affectionate King'?"

The guardians all nodded.

Affectionate King Ainz Ooal Gown?

"I humbly submit"—Demiurge paused, probably for dramatic effect

—"that we pay tribute to Lord Ainz's sublime mind and call him 'the Wise

King.'"

The guardians all seemed to find that acceptable.

Wise King Ainz Ooal Gown? Sorry, anything but that, please…

"How about you, Sebas?"

In response to Albedo's question, Sebas said, "I was thinking that just

plain 'King' would be fine."

"Then it's my turn, right? Since he is the loftiest of all the Supreme

Beings, I think 'Supreme King' would be good."

Admiring gasps went up from the group of guardians.

Supreme King Ainz Ooal Gown? All the proposals are pretty…unique.

All eyes turned to the one guardian who hadn't commented yet.

"How about you, Cocytus? I realize it's hard to follow up my suggestion

of 'Supreme King,' but do you have anything that would be a good fit for

Lord Ainz?"

"…HMM. LORD AINZ WILL LIKELY GO ON TO SUBJUGATE

MANY CREATURES BY WAY OF HIS SUPREME MAGICAL ABILITY.

THEREFORE, I BELIEVE HE SHOULD BE KNOWN AS THE ONE WHO

RULES OVER THE CREATURES OF DARKNESS AND MAGIC ITSELF

—'THE KING OF DARKNESS.'"

The guardians didn't react immediately.

But everyone looked at Ainz. In their eyes, he saw silent agreement—they

all thought there was no greater title for him than this. Albedo seemed a tiny

bit disappointed, but even so—

"Very good. I'll take Cocytus's suggestion."

Ainz slowly rose from his seat.

"Once my kingdom is established, I will be known as the King of

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Darkness, Ainz Ooal Gown!"

He waved off their shower of applause, feeling embarrassed. But it was

true that he was a bit tickled.

"All right! When the time comes for the kingdom and the empire to fight,

the moment for Nazarick to show them its might will be at hand!"

"Quite right, Lord Ainz. They will try to investigate your powers, but they

won't even know that it's part of our plan."

Demiurge continued, seeming very pleased.

"Before negotiating, it's important to give them one good blow to make

them understand the power disparity. When the creatures known as fools

don't fully grasp the strength of their enemy, they tend to behave stupidly. In

that sense, that emperor is a fool; he didn't realize that the smartest thing for

him to do was to bow his head and lick Lord Ainz's boots."

"I was wondering about that. Wouldn't allowing humans to lick Lord

Ainz's boots be a reward?"

"Ohh, that's an Albedo question if I ever heard one. But I'd rather lick his

body."

Ainz pretended he couldn't hear Albedo and Shalltear whispering.

"…Very well, everyone. Prepare to increase the renown of Nazarick even

further!"

"Yes, my lord!"

The chorus of acknowledgments echoed throughout the room.