Eva mused over the map as Ainz put out the remnants of the fire from the night before. As he had expected, the night had gone on quite uneventfully, with only one exception

It was only a few hours into Eva's shift. He was laying down peacefully, thinking about his old friends from the guild and how much he truly missed them. Usually he was able to block out these depressing thoughts by doing something to distract himself with, but on rare occasions such as these, where he had to pretend to sleep, these thoughts plagued him.

He realized ever since coming to this new world he's been seen as the ultimate supreme being by everyone he's met. The floor guardians think of him as a king. The people who have seen his powers think of him as a god and even people who have only seen his Momon persona see him as a hero of heroes. Of course, that was his aim from the very start. To be seen as an almighty being who could not be opposed. But sometimes he couldn't help but yearn for a moment to talk to someone on the same level as him. Someone who didn't see him as a god or a supreme being. Someone with whom he could share his concerns with without fear of losing their loyalty. The closest he has ever gotten to that was with Pandora's Actor. But it wasn't the same since the NPC sees him as a father, which he honestly had no qualms with (if he would stop acting so embarrassingly in front of others). Whenever he was troubled by something he could talk to his guild mates, but they were no longer here. Ever since coming to this new world he found himself to be... lonely.

He let out a soft sigh. Thinking of this always put a mental strain on him. He missed all of his friends so much it was sometimes nearly unbearable.

It was then that he felt it. A sudden poking feeling against what felt like his mind. It was intruding and invasive and he didn't like it one bit. He knew what this was. He had felt it many times before in the game. Someone was trying to look into his mind. Alarmed, he immediately sat up straight and scanned his surroundings. His glowing red orbs investigated the bushes and trees around him, but he found nothing. When his eyes fell on his companion he saw her staring at him, bewildered and a deep frown on her face.

''Is something the matter?''

Ainz shook his head as if to clear the lingering sensation from it. It was no good worrying her. If it was what he thought it was, it would be no good to make her worried. He just had to be on his guard for the rest of the night. No more mulling over the past.

''No, it's nothing. I am awake now and won't be able to go back to sleep for a long while so I'll take over the shift. Get some sleep'' he said as he stood up, leaving no room for argument. She seemed to consider protesting, but with a defeated sigh she did as she was told and got ready to go to sleep.

As they were once again walking down the road he was sure what that feeling was. Someone had tried to either control or look into his mind. Now, there is a lot of variety in mind control spells, like clairvoyance and foresight, but since it is so useful and could easily be abused they are usually high tiered spells. He was not sure what kind of spell was attempted on him, so he could not gauge the user's strength. He was just lucky that he, as an undead, is immune to mind control.

Still, the fact that someone had targeted him was worrying. For all he knew his companion could be affected and was now being mind controlled or, being the more favorable but still bad possibility, gained information on where they were going. He had already informed Albedo on his whereabouts, so if something were to happen they could assist him immediately, but he hoped that wouldn't be the case.

''Hey, Momon... Do you have any family?''.

Startled by the question, but refusing to show it, he answered quickly. He told her that his father still lived in his home country far away and that he had no siblings that he knew of.

''and your mother?''.

''she passed away'' he said. ''From overworking in the fields''.

The elf seemed a bit taken aback at that, muttering a short 'I'm sorry'. As if it was her fault. Ainz could still remember how he had come home to see his mother on the kitchen floor... as she was making his favorite dinner. The memories made him feel melancholy, but he had put her death behind him a long time ago. He accepted it now.

''what about friends?''

This ripped open still healing wounds. Ainz had not noticed, but he had stopped in his tracks as his mind took him on a trip down memory lane. He remembered him and his friends laughing around a large table, discussing what raid they would do that day. He saw himself talking to Touch Me about the data crystals he got that day. He remembered everyone making fun of Peroroncino when he got shoulderguards that did not at all match the rest of his attire, making him look more like a clown than a birdman.

All fond memories, but they now served to stab a sword through his non-existent heart. ''my friends...'' he started, hesitant. The memories of his friends caused him to not think clearly. ''My friends aren't here anymore...''. He finally admitted it. He finally admitted his worst fear. That his friends abandoned him. He thought that finally speaking of it would ease his mind, but it served to do only the opposite.

He did not realize that Eva was now standing in front of him, looking at him with genuine concern and what looked like pity. ''I lost my friends too...'' she whispered to him. ''A long, long time ago'' For a moment she got a far away look. He didn't care how selfish it was, he needed a distraction. So he asked her what happened to them.

''My best friend died in a c-... an accident. It was a quick and painless death, so she did not suffer. After she passed all my other 'friends' disappeared one by one, as they were not really my friends to begin with, but rather hers''.

''It was a long time ago now and I've accepted everything that's happened. But sometimes I wish I could just go home. But I know that is not possible. There is no way back for me...'' She said it as if it were a comforting fact, but her face showed her somber expression.

''I'm all alone in this world...'' She whispered it so softly that he almost sure he imagined it.

''But I know what it's like to have nobody to confide in. So, even if you don't need or want to, I'm always open to listen''.

Ainz knew that he wouldn't and couldn't accept her offer, but he had to pretend like he would keep it in mind so he nodded. Still, it would be nice for someone to listen to his problems once in a while. Someone who wouldn't judge him or think any less of him because of it. He couldn't confide in anyone in Nazarick, as he was afraid of losing their loyalty. But he also couldn't confide to anyone as Momon. It seemed whatever he wanted was impossible for him.

''Thank you for the kind offer''. Then he continued walking down the road.