The desk Ainz was sitting on is filled with huge piles of documents, scrolls, books and reports of several of the newly developed farming villages, as well as a huge variety of feathers, ink jars and stamps. While looking at the mass of office work waiting for him today, Ainz couldn´t help but sigh, even though he had no need to breath and had no respiratory system at all. As he tried to muster up the motivation to get himself to work on this mess, he saw Vier, the homunculus maid that was assigned to him for the day move in the corner of his eye. Every time he barely moved the maid would jump into action, as if jolted by lightning. For Ainz this was so tiring, because he had to watch his every move and action.
While rereading the same line on the document he was holding for the fifth time Ainz thought (I get the meaning of every word on his own, but when I try to connect them it sounds like total gibberish.)
The maximum volume of agricultural products according to minimal deployment of nutrition...
Once again Ainz was unable to grasp the content of the text in front of him. As he looked through the window and saw the growing city of E-Rantel his inner thoughts continued.
(It must be around six weeks, huu. But when Demiurge told me how delighted he was by my plan to lure out possible traitors and enemies, I could not tell him the truth.
Now I am stuck here with no excuse to ditch the paper work. It is amazing how much piled up during my visit in the Holy Kingdom. Six weeks and I barely managed to do half of it. I get more and more respect for the higher ups in my previous life, as I learn how much they really had to work for their money. Is it too late to think of a vacation system for managers? I wonder if there are some tropical islands on this world I could build a summer house on? Or maybe even a whole vacation destination. Would an improvement of tourism be feasible? I don´t think the people of this world have a concept of vacation, except for maybe nobility. But wouldn´t it help to improve the living standards of my citizens? It would open up new possible ways of income, but before the common people could enjoy something like this, I would have to make it possible to leave work for a few days and still have enough to live on. Merchants could close their shops for a few days without bigger problems but farmers could not. They need to tend their livestock and crops nearly permanently, otherwise they would die and the farmer soon after.)
"Is something the matter, Lord Ainz?"
As Vier interrupted his day-dreaming, he became aware of, that he stared at the wall for several seconds.
"N-no, I was just thinking about the development of remote areas." Without lying, Ainz concealed his primary goal of fleeing his workload.
"Please excuse my impertinence to disrupt your thoughts." While apologizing Vier bowed down as if she was ashamed to look at him.
"I do not mind, it was nothing special I was thinking of."
Again, the room was filled with the sound of rustling paper. Back in his thoughts, Ainz was beginning to think
(I wish I could just run away from this. Albedo and Demiurge are much more suitable for this kind of work anyway. Is there a way to escape from all this paper work?
No, I should not do such a thing. I don´t want to be the kind of boss that dumps all their work on their subordinates and reap all the benefits. I have to be a good example for all.)
After a few more minutes somebody knocked at the door. Vier hurried to answer the door.
"Milord, Pandoras Actor wishes to give his report about the current situation in E-Rantel and its surroundings."
"Ah, yes. Please guide him in."
As soon as the Doppelganger entered the room, he slammed his heels together and saluted in an overwhelming exaggerated way.
"Greetings my lord. I wish to give my report on my given task."
His voice was clearly louder than necessary.
Ainz, again grateful that his skinless face could not turn deep red in embarrassment, nodded and asked him to sit down.
Pandoras Actor grabbed a chair and sat down right at the edge of the desk Ainz was sitting on. He leaned over and their faces were only a few centimeters apart. Ainz, trying to maintain a comfortable distance leaned back in his chair and asked "So, has anything noteworthy happened?"
"So far everything is according to your satisfaction. Even though, some citizens began to feel a little uneasy. Several people have come to me to ask about the rumors about your demise. I reassured them that all of these rumors are baseless and that they should not pay attention to them, but some of them begin to worry about the cities future."
"It can´t be helped. For the plan to work, I have to stay hidden for a few more weeks."
"In my opinion this is a good sign"
"You think so?" Ainz said in a very calm manner.
"Yes, it seems the people of this world finally started to recognize your greatness and and begin to appreciate to be ruled by such a superior and worthy existence such as yourself. They get to know the joy and honor of staying in the presence of a Supreme Being."
During the last words Pandoras Actor stood up, placed his left hand on his chest and raised his right hand in an exaggerated manner, again, turning up the volume of his speech.
Vier nodded in approval. She was standing in the corner of the room to not get in their way,.
Ainz covered his face with the palm of his hand.
(For the mercy of the lord, please don´t show everyone how mortifying my past is. I just want to hide in a hole.)
It took a few seconds for his emotional damper to kick in, but as soon as looked back up and saw Pandoras Actor still posing he immediately felt the shame again. This repeated itself three times, until Ainz regained his composure and the conversation resumed.
"It is good to see, that they get accustomed to being ruled by me. You said they start to feel uneasy. Is there a chance, the situation might get worse, so that I have to take action?.
"I don´t think so. So far it is not more than a feeling of doubt. When the rumors first started, many began to look at the patrolling Death Knights with worry, but since they are still fulfilling their duty and don´t go on a rampage, they feel better. It should be no problem to maintain the order for a few more months even without you showing yourself."
"After this is over, I have to make sure to show a little token of gratitude to them, after all, loyalty should be rewarded. "
In that moment, Ainz got a brilliant idea.
"That reminds me of something. The work you have done must be rewarded as well. A little while ago you said you wanted to spend more time in the treasure chamber. I think this is a good time for you to take a day off."
"As much as I would appreciate it, I have to decline. How could I take a day off, when there is so much to do?"
"It is important to rest once in a while."
"But what will happen to my duty of posing as Momon?"
"This problem can be easy solved... I do it."
Indignantly Pandoras Actor shouted "How could I possibly rest, while dumping my word on my lord. I would never commit such blasphemy."
(Please, don´t make it so hard for me. I just want a reason to escape my office and take a walk in the city. What do I do? Seems like I have to play my trump card)
"Everybody who works hard for the sake of the Sorcerer Kingdom deserves a reward. This is especially true for all residents of Nazarick. If you work too hard, that could have negative effects on your health. After all I want to see all my children grow up healthy and happy. Do I have to order you to rest?"
What followed were several seconds of silence. Then suddenly, Pandoras Actor began crying like a child, who got his candy stolen.
"To think that our supreme ruler is such a merciful and caring person... There are no words to describe such happiness."
Ainz was clearly taken by surprise by this sudden outburst. He was shocked by this picture. Because Pandoras Actor had no eyes or other facial features, him crying looked like a leaking water balloon. Helpless he looked to Vier, but noticing she was also shedding tears of joy, he had no other choice but to give them a few minutes to pull them together.
(I knew Pandoras Actor is a little over dramatic, but is this really a reason to be that happy about?)
Clearing his nonexistent throat audible, Ainz tried to pull the guardian back to reality, as he was still mumbling about how magnanimous Ainz was.
"Ahem,... I think you understood now, so please go back to Nazarick and rest well."
"At once, I will clearly show respect to your wishes and rest with everything I got. Please forgive me for not noticing your true intentions right away. I am not worthy of your grace."
Again, Ainz was not sure if the Doppelganger was really grasping what he meant, as he saw him saluting energetically while proclaiming to give everything while resting.
(Well, as long as he rests and I can get out of the office, I think it will be OK)
"As long as you understand it will be fine. Now please enjoy your time in the treasury."
Again, Pandoras Actor slammed his heels together, turned around and marched out of the room.
While sighing in relief, despite not having any lunges, Ainz began to wonder, what he was thinking, when he created him.
It was a sunny day in the capital of the Sorcerer Kingdom, E-Rantel. The cold of the winter season could be barely remembered and everybody seems to get busy. The adventurers were getting to leave their winter quarters in the local taverns, so they were busy purchasing everything necessary for their upcoming travels. Potions, general first aid material like bandages, rations, weapons and equipment for their maintenance and many more things were sold everywhere. Among this crowd, one adventurer was special. He wore black full plate armor and two giant swords on his back. The crimson cape on his back fluttered in spring wind. Everyone on the market square was aware of his presence. Some stepped aside to give him room to walk, some went up to him to talk to him or simply be near him. What they all had in common was the respect and admiration for the black hero. He gave them a feeling of security. What nobody knew, this hero was actually the undead Ainz, whom they were all afraid of.
(What a nice day. Has the sky always been so blue, or is it just me? Maybe I have been holed up in my office for too long. It is so nice to be finally able to breathe freely again, even though I don´t breathe.)
Being free of the burden made him feel relaxed for the first time in weeks. He was free of his dark and gloomy office, the overwhelming amount of paper work and the mental pressure of being watched permanently by one of the maids, Knowing, that he could not run away forever, Ainz enjoyed every second of it. He visibly took his time strolling around the market, visiting the guild master for a quick chat on the progress of the labyrinth being build outside the city and going to newly developed Demi-Human district of the city. Seeing all the different species, including some of the newly inquired citizens he got while freeing, and technically occupying the Abelion Hills, made Ainz´ collector mind very happy.
(I am always amazed to see how many different species there are in this world. Some of them are very similar to the creatures of Ygdrasil, but others are totally different. Have they similar to those in Ygdrasil always been here, or have they also been transported here? If that is the case, are the different ones native to this world, or have they come from another world?)
While he let his mind wander a while like that, Ainz found himself in front of one of the slightly inferior bars of the city, The fermented Apple. Inferior only in comparison to the rest of E-Rantel, since the city had greatly improved since Ainz took it over. For outsiders it might has been a middle class inn. The people that came here were workers or farmers of the near vicinity. As its name suggested, it mainly served products made of apples, such as ciders, apple flavored spirits and on so on.
(I still wonder, if there are differences between the taste of things here and in my old world. Not that I have ever eaten a real apple, only synthetic apple flavor. Blue Planet always said that nothing beats the taste of natural products. I wonder if he knew that, or simply wanted to believe that. It is a shame I can´t taste anything. That is one of the many downsides of having an undead body.)
Ainz sighed again in frustration and wanted to continue his journey, when he heard loud voices shouting in the bar. Getting curios of what this commotion is about, he decided to get a little closer and started listening.
"Please, quit your nonsense."
"I tell you, they will come for your families and then you will remember my words."
"Quit shouting, or I will kick you out."
"Why? I am only trying to save you all."
"OK, I think that you had enough."
"I know when it is enough."
"Here goes the old man again. So, how many times have we all heard his rambling?"
"I have heard it seven times."
"Only seven? I heard it at least a dozen times."
"Come on, old man. At least come up with a new story every once in a while."
Some of the men in the bar were rather amused over the clearly drunken old man. When Ainz looked through the window, he saw a rather thin old man, maybe in his mid-fifties. The bartender was standing right next to him, trying to keep him from falling. The old man's face was deep red, whether from alcohol or anger.
"You better get home, before you cause any more trouble."
"Are there any problems here?" Ainz said as he entered the bar.
"Wow, it´s Momon."
"Momon is here."
"That´s so cool."
"Welcome to our establishment, Momon-sama. No, there are no problems, just the old Jezaya here, getting drunk again and annoy everybody with his fairy tales."
"I tell you, they are no fairy tales. The Witchers are real and they will come for you and your families."
"What are Witchers?", Momon asked slightly puzzled.
"I forgot. You are not from here, right? Do they not tell this story to scare little kids where you come from?"
"No, I have never heard of them. Would you like to tell me?"
"Oooh please, don´t encourage him."
"Finally, somebody will listen to my warnings."
"But before you start, maybe you should drink a glass of water and sober up a little bit. We don´t want you to get your story wrong."
"You might be right."
After one hour of throwing up and a few glasses of water, the old man Jezaya was clear enough to apologize to the bartender for the trouble he caused. But it seemed he was used to it, so it was no big deal for him. After that, he sat down on a table with Momon and began the story.
"It happened when I was like 5 years old. My family used to live farther up in the north. In this region many wild beasts and monsters roamed around and because the next branch of the adventurer guild was far away, we had a hard time protecting our farms and cattle. One day, a man came to our village who offered to kill the monsters if we paid him. He was wearing a hooded robe, so we assumed he must have been an adventurer or a traveling magic caster. Of course the village elders agreed, thinking their problems would be solved soon. So they agreed to pay him by the amount of monsters he killed. He was gone for nearly 3 weeks. Everybody thought he was either dead or ran away. So everybody was stunned when he returned. He carried 3 big bags full of trophies of Trolls, Ogres and Goblins. Needless to say nobody expected him to return with that amount of monster corpses. Some accused him of having brought the trophies with him only to scam poor people. We were only a poor farming village, so there was no way the elders could manage to pay him. He was clearly angry at us. When they tried to explain their situation and hoped to come to an agreement with him, he took of his hood for the first time. At first, I didn´t know why everybody was so shocked. The man said in a cold and emotionless voice, that they better pay him, what he was owed, or he would find another way of payment. When he looked around the people gathered in the village I saw his eyes. At that moment I felt my blood freeze. Those weren´t the eyes of a human. Those were the eyes of a monster."
"How so?"
"At first, his pupils were not like any humans. They were slit-like, similar to cats. And the expression in those eyes. Have you ever seen a cat playing with a rat, still not sure if to kill it right away or torture it some more? That was the exact expression his eyes had. No warmth or compassion. I was so terrified I could not move. All the stories my mother told me about these creatures came back to my mind. That they kill without any remorse, that they are in league with monsters and practice dark magical rituals on little children they kidnap, to turn them into their kind. The man then said that he would take food and other things in exchange for money. One of the village-men tried to appeal to his emotions and touched his arm. Before he could even blink the man punched him in the face and knocked him out. Another man pointed the pitchfork he was holding on him, probably out of fear. The man drew his sword and said he would kill anybody who dared to come at him. That is when all hell broke loose. In a matter of seconds the man has killed nearly a dozen villagers, without even getting out of breath. When the village elder fell to the ground in shock, the man closed in on him and demanded to get his money, otherwise he would take what he was owed. He took the money and everything else of value and left without another word. The scene of that day hunts me till today. There was blood everywhere. I still wake up, seeing his runic blade cutting down my neighbors."
After listening to his story, Ainz remained silent. He was thinking over the details. Then he asked
"So these Witchers seem to be rather strong fighters, I wonder how strong they really are? Killing that many monsters alone is pretty impressive. I would love to test their strength against mine."
"That´s Momon for you. Not being afraid of them and even seeking out to challenge them. If you really want to meet them, you would have to look for their hidden fortress."
"A hidden fortress?"
Now Ainz curiosity was finally triggered. A group of strong fighters, gathering in a secret place, going out to hunt monsters, were they connected to Ygdrasil in any way? That fortress could be a guild base. Maybe they have some connections to Players who have come earlier.
"Yes, it is said that it is built somewhere in the mountains, far up in the north. It should be at the border to the council state. Rumors say, the Witchers made a deal with the dragon lords and were allowed to build it there, roughly 500 years ago."
"They were allowed to?"
"Yes, it seems they became their subordinates."
Slightly disappointed, Ainz sighed. No Player would need to ask for permission. And if they build their fortress, it means it didn´t come here like Nazarick. Just before Ainz became disinterested, he remembered a little detail Jezaya mentioned.
"You said, they turn human children into their kind, but aren´t they human?"
"No, they are something different. All of them have been human at one point in their life, but they went through an old ritual, that changes them. They get stronger and faster, but they become cold-blooded killers."
(Is this some kind of race change? This is the first time I heard of something like this, since coming to this world. Do they have a way to transform humans?)
"What can you tell me about that ritual?"
"Not much, I fear. Rumors and myths, that reach back nearly 1000 years, tell of their dark magical arts, but nothing definite."
"Dark magical arts? So they don´t use Tier magic?"
"No, they use the old magic."
The gears in Ainz head began spinning. There was a group of powerful individuals that had a way of race changing unique to this world, which implemented the very much unknown wild magic. They had a hidden fortress somewhere in the mountains. They clearly had connections to the dragon lords, which could be seen as the most powerful beings native to this world. Furthermore, they have a history, which could reach back up to 1000 years back. The sheer amount of information that could be hidden in their base was immense.
"Weird, I have never heard these stories before."
"It´s not that weird. The last time they were seen, was decades ago. Nowadays they are just ghost stories to scare children, and nearly everybody doubt they ever existed. But I keep telling you they are real."
The last sentence was spoken several times louder, addressed to all people present. All of them just shrugged it off, as an old man rambling.
"Well, in any case, I thank you for listening to me."
"No, I have to thank you. That story was actually quite interesting. Please take care of yourself. And please, take it slow with the alcohol from now on."
"Yes. I´m sorry for troubling you."
Ainz patted the man on the shoulder, before he left. Once outside, Ainz made a decision.
(It seems I found out something interesting. Investigating that topic some more might prove to be useful. But if everything that is known about them is rumors and myths, how can I get my hands on some trustworthy information? I don´t really want to ask Fluder. If he decides to tag along, he would keep begging me to teach him. I´m glad he is still busy with the book I gave him. Jezaya mentioned him carrying a runic sword. Maybe the Witchers had some connections to the dwarfs. I wonder, if there are some notes in the books I acquired there. Should I ask Hejinmal, if he ever read something about them? Sounds like a good idea. Weren´t the Witchers supposed to be subordinates of the Dragon lords? Then a dragon should have some information, that aren´t written down anywhere else. Let´s stick with that plan. If it turns out to be insufficient, I can still go and ask Fluder.
The things on the list are now
Find the location of their fortress
Investigate their connection to the Dragon lords or Players
Learn about their race changing method
Learn more about wild magic
Claim their fortress, to further strengthen the Sorcerer Kingdoms defenses