Chapter 46: The Harvest of Souls

The chaos unleashed by Ainz's devil-fruit-like creations continued to escalate across the seas. The carnage wrought by the newly empowered pirates had spiraled out of control, resulting in a staggering number of deaths. Cities and towns that once flourished were now nothing but ghostly remnants, their inhabitants either slaughtered or scattered to the winds. Ainz's dimension thrummed with power as he focused on the essence of those souls—the culmination of his grand design.

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The Reckoning of Death

As the weeks passed, Ainz calculated the number of souls collected in his dimension. The numbers were staggering; he had amassed over 600,000 souls from the relentless violence of the pirates and the battles that ensued. Each soul represented an opportunity, a building block for his growing power. He reveled in the knowledge that this monumental accumulation of souls had come from the foolish ambitions of mortals, each one serving his ultimate purpose.

In the shadows of his throne room within the Great Tomb of Nazarick, Ainz surveyed the shimmering pools of energy that flickered like starlight. The collected souls swirled in a chaotic dance, a testament to the bloodshed that had birthed them. "What a magnificent harvest," he mused, stroking the skeletal chin of his skull with satisfaction.

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Feeding the Dimension

Using the power of the souls, Ainz had not only enhanced his own capabilities but had also begun constructing a framework within his dimension to process and utilize these souls effectively. He established a complex system that would allow him to channel the energy of the absorbed souls into various projects, including creating stronger minions and enhancing the abilities of those already under his command.

As he drew upon the souls' energy, Ainz could feel the changes manifesting within him. The power coursed through his being like a raging river, fortifying him further and granting him access to spells he had not yet mastered. He was becoming an unstoppable force, and with each passing day, he transformed more and more into a being of unparalleled might.

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The Pirates' Rampage

Meanwhile, the pirates, blinded by their strength and the allure of their newfound abilities, continued their rampage across the seas. With every city they destroyed, Ainz collected more souls, their cries of anguish echoing in the vastness of his dimension. The concept of moral restraint had long since vanished from their minds, replaced by an insatiable thirst for dominance.

A notorious pirate captain named Redbeard, emboldened by the power of his stolen fruit, led his crew through a once-thriving port town. "Burn it all!" he commanded, the thrill of destruction igniting a frenzy among his followers. The flames engulfed buildings, and the scent of charred wood filled the air as they slaughtered anyone who dared to oppose them.

With every act of violence, the energy from the souls poured into Ainz's dimension, each kill becoming a tributary flowing toward his throne. Unbeknownst to the pirates, their ambition and savagery were merely threads in Ainz's grand tapestry of chaos.

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The Final Count

One evening, as Ainz gazed at the swirling souls within his dimension, a flicker of light caught his eye. It signified a significant milestone—a 600,000th soul had been added to his collection. Ainz felt an exhilarating rush of power surge through him. "How deliciously ironic," he chuckled, relishing the thought of those who had foolishly thought themselves invincible.

His mind turned to the future, contemplating how best to utilize this enormous reservoir of souls. "If I can harness this energy effectively, I will be able to establish dominance over not just this world but others as well."

The idea of spreading his influence further filled him with anticipation. Perhaps it was time to gather those souls and experiment with creating something truly unique, something that would ensure his reign as a being beyond compare.

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Plans for the Future

With the first stage of his grand design complete, Ainz summoned Demiurge, one of his most trusted guardians. The demon's presence filled the room with an aura of authority, his ever-cunning mind eager to serve Ainz's plans.

"My lord," Demiurge said, bowing low. "I have noted the extraordinary chaos you've unleashed. The souls collected will surely benefit our endeavors."

"Indeed," Ainz replied, a sinister grin creeping across his skull. "With these souls, we will be able to push our ambitions further. I have plans to create a new breed of minions—ones capable of absorbing power from those they kill. Imagine an army that grows stronger with each conquest!"

Demiurge's eyes sparkled with excitement at the prospect. "Shall I begin gathering the necessary components and materials, my lord?"

"Yes, do so," Ainz commanded. "We will craft a new era of dominance and terror. The fools who believe they wield power will become nothing more than fodder for our ambitions."

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A Realm of Shadows

As Ainz mapped out his plans, the reality of the situation weighed heavily on him. He understood that this world was filled with unpredictable variables. There were those who might seek to challenge his authority, especially once they learned of his immense power.

Yet, for now, the soul count and chaos had provided him with an invaluable resource. With the ability to create stronger minions and a relentless cycle of power, he was well on his way to realizing his ultimate ambition.

"In the end," Ainz whispered to himself, his voice echoing through the hollow chambers of the Great Tomb, "it is their ambition that will lead to their downfall. I will be there to reap the rewards."

With a renewed sense of purpose, Ainz prepared for the next phase of his plan, his mind racing with possibilities and ambitions that stretched beyond the horizon. The world was ripe for the taking, and he was ready to claim it all.