Ainz Ooal Gown and Mare strolled down the hall and came upon a massive set of double doors flanked by two metallic golems. These were rare armored golems specifically stationed in the inner parts of Nazarick.
In response to their approach, the golems put their hands on the door and slowly pushed it open. After the heavy sound of mahogany creaking under pressure faded, Ainz Ooal Gown and Mare made their way inside.
They were greeted by a grandiose scene. Not a single speck of dust was visible on the meticulously polished oak floors. The resin and amber coating reflected the glow of the extravagant chandeliers on the ceiling. The high arched semicircular ceiling was covered in grand frescos and luxurious carvings. Sculptures of gemstone and marble were artfully stationed around the room. In the center of the room was a large petrified willow tree. There were cracks in the bark which revealed the mesmerizing jewel-like wood underneath. Mineral laden water with trace elements such as copper, cobalt, and iron had fossilized with the tree in a process known as permineralization. This gave petrified wood its unique multi-colored gem like quality. The branches of the willow tree was bare except for a single long branch in which a giant ruby red ornament carved in the fashion of an apple was hanging at its edge.
Herohero, who designed the library, had always liked history and renaissance themed artwork..
However, by far, the most impressive part of this room was the sheer amount of books that filled that glass bookshelves that surrounded the entire area. They were stacked neatly and as high as the ceiling. It gave off an imposing aura of overbearing knowledge.
Amidst a silence befitting of a library, Ainz and Mare proceeded to walk down the hall and into a particular row of books in the middle of the library.
There were five kinds of books in Yggdrasil. The first category were monster data which contained information to summon monsters. The second were magical tomes that functioned in a way similar to one use spell books. The third were event items, such as the "Book of the Dead" which evolved a being from a Skeleton Mage into an Elder Lich. The fourth were cosmetic skin data which allowed players to re-skin or transmogrify their armor or weapons. Finally, the fifth type were simply filler, and the reason why both Ainz and Mare were here today. Essentially, they were books that were added to the game simply for immersion and decorative purposes.
Normally, these books were typically old and classic literature whose copyright ran out a long time ago, but there were also background stories distributed by the development team and original novels written by players in Yggdrasil. There was also fanfiction based on the worlds of YGGDRASIL or game guides in the form of diaries or novels. (actual quote from volume 8)
A hooded figure hovered towards the direction of Ainz and Mare. It had a jewelry embedded wand and a skeletal visage. Remnants of skin was stretched tautly across its face. A faint darkness seemed to encircle the being.
It was an Elder Lich created specifically for the maintenance and upkeep of the library of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
Librarian J.
"Welcome, Ainz-sama"
"Welcome, Mare-sama"
It bowed deeply. The sound of creaking bones could be heard.
"Do you require any assistance?"
Its hollowed voice seemed eager to service.
Ainz waved his bony hand in a dismissive gesture.
"We should be fine. You are dismissed"
"As you command, my Lord".
The Elder Lich genuflected and hovered away disappointed.
Both Ainz and Mare were here for a specific purpose. He had left Mare in charge of building the dungeon in which he would eventually use to train the new generation of adventurers. However, he soon realized that with only the knowledge and information inputted into Mare's character biography, it would be difficult for him to independently design the dungeon on his own. As such, Ainz had suggested that they search the library for inspiration. In particular, he was looking for developer notes that were part of the fifth type of book in Yggdrasil.
Ainz Ooal Gown scanned the bookshelf with an outstretched finger.
"….um…what…are…we.. looking for… Ainz-sama?" Mare quipped.
"We are looking for anything that would help us in building the underground training dungeon. Why don't you take a look over there?"
Ainz motioned to the bookshelf behind him.
"YES! Ainz-sama"
Mare hurried to obey.
Ainz scanned the row of books in front of him, and took out a pair of glasses.
Hm.. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Nope. Origins of the Mages Guild.. Nope. Galerion the Mystic.. Nope. Elder slimes and their counterparts. Nope. Punnito Moe: Anyone Can Easily PK. Nope. Confessions of a Dunmer Skooma Eater.. Nope. Light's downfall.. Nope. A banquet and other royal duties.. Nope.
A glint of gold embossing caught Ainz eye.
The Reluctant Overlord.. Nope.
"Damn it. Where could it be?"
Ainz began to feel frustrated. He made an effort to sigh as best his undead skeletal body was capable of doing so.
Oh!
His long bony fingers finally rested on the tome he was searching for. It was bound in a fancy green-tinted leather hardcover and in silver lettering, it read:
Developer Diary #5: Concept Art and Level Design in Yggdrasil
Perfect!
Ainz turned around.
"Mare..take a look at-"
"AINZ-SAMA!. I FOUND IT!"
He was conferred to a scene of young dark elf child eagerly holding out a large red book. The child had lustrous golden hair and mismatched heterochromic eyes. He wore an elegant blue dragon leather full bodied suit covered with a white and gold vest emblazoned with the crest of Ainz Ooal Gown. A rangers' forest-green clock hung from his back. Despite being a boy, he had a short white skirt which bewitchingly revealed his dark skinned thighs. He wore the signet ring of the guild on his right ring finger, and an acorn necklace hung from his neck which emitted a faint silver light.
Mare restlessly presented the book with both hands outstretched. He was trembling with excitement and happiness at being able to complete the objective set forth by the Supreme One.
"I FOUND IT!"
He even managed to overcome his usual stuttering and subservient attitude.
"Oh.. good job, Mare. Let me take a -"
Ainz Ooal Gown froze. Several waves of a verdant green aura washed over him.
What?!
Ainz took a closer look at the title while another cascade of green energy passively washed over him in an attempt to regulate his emotions.
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An Easy Guide to Building Your Own BDSM Dungeon.
What?!
How was this possible? Yggdrasil was on the lower tier of M-rated games. Any AO material was strictly removed from the game. In fact, the reason he could touch Albedo's breasts was used as proof that this was not Yggdrasil 2.0.
Then why was this book here?!
Wait..
Ainz examined the title closer and something odd occurred to him. It was a subtle discrepancy in the actual lettering of the book and what he read.
Is this… ENGLISH?!
Yggdrasil was a DMMO-RPG (Dive Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) that was developed in Japan and service from 2126 AD to 2138 AD.
Suddenly, a revelation came to him, and the events that transpired became clear.
Ah.. I think I understand what happened.
Books served two purposes. Firstly, it was another medium to provide insight into lore of the game. Secondly, it aided in the immersion of the game. To fill a world as large as Yggdrasil with interesting books was an impossibly difficult task. As such, the developers had allowed certain high ranking players and community moderators to submit their own original works to the game as long as it pertained to the lore and passed through screening. However, if one was cunning enough and abused their mod powers..
"Still.. to think they would come up with something like this-"
Even in the future, Japan had retained a lot of its traditions and customs, and has not fully embraced other languages and cultures.
Ainz chuckled.
He could imagine the huge uproar if this book was discovered. He could envision the faux outrage posts, the smug grins of the persons responsible as they claimed credit, and the posts which condemned the developers for being lazy and screaming that the game was broken, along with the unavoidable unrelated posts criticizing Japan's isolationist policies.
"Um….Ainz-sama… there seems… to..be… pictures… in.. this… book"
Mare blushed as he opened the book and flipped through the contents.
An avalanche of a green-hued aura washed over Ainz Ooal Gown.
"Ah. Wait. Mare-"
As Mare settled on the last page, Ainz managed to glimpse at the name of the author.
It was a name he did not expect to see.
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BUKUBUKUCHAGAMAAA !?
Meanwhile, a pink elder slime raised its arms in an apologetic manner.
"- - - - - -Sorry"
(Yup! Even big sis had a mischievous side)
