20
The "Hero's" Short Journey I
Pandora's Actor was frolicking about in the Treasury.
In order to gain the attention of his creator, Momonga-sama, no, Ainz-sama, he must present himself to him in the best behavior possible.
Ever since that one fight with the Platinum Knight, he hasn't been really called on for anything to do in particular.
That is, until now.
A 'Message' broke through as Pandora's actor was looking at himself in the mirror.
Ainz-samAAA! It is truly a GREAT honor to have you message me! I could not be excited enough!
Ainz felt a bit held back.
Y-yes, Pandora's Actor, I have come. In fact, I wish to give you a special task to do.
Pandora Actor's eyes figuratively gleamed.
So, according to Demiurge's report, as he was monitoring the portal, he noticed that a human had found our portal and attempted to trespass it. We don't know much of the details.
A human, Ainz-sama?
Yes, a human. We were told that he was traced back to the Slane Theocracy.
Pandora's Actor stood in silence.
...I understand, Ainz-sama. What do you wish me to do?
First, teleport to my office. I would explain the details there.
I understAAAND, Ainz-sama! I shall be there soon!
The Message' cut short.
Pandora's Actor stood in front of the Treasury entrance, looking back at the Treasury itself.
I wonder what superb mission Ainz-sama would tell me to do.
He glanced at the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown on his hand and activated it. A "fwip!" sound could be heard as Pandora's Actor disappeared from the Treasury.
Ainz glared at the office door, waiting for Pandora's Actors arrival.
As he was thinking what to tell him, he remembered that he forgot to call someone else suitable for this mission that he is planning.
He quickly opened up a 'Message' channel.
Ainz-sama, what is the matter?
One of the Pleaides, Narberal Gamma, answered the message.
Narberal, I want you to be in my office room, for I have a mission you need to fulfill.
I understand, Ainz-sama. I shall be there soon.
The 'Message' cut short.
As soon as he cut short the message, Pandora's Actor suddenly appeared before him.
"Ainz-sammmmMMMAA! I have ARRIVED!"
Ainz flinched a bit at Pandora's Actor's sudden hollering.
"Yes, yes, you have come."
He glanced at the maid that served him today.
"Now come over here."
He stood up and signaled Pandora's Actor to come close with a hand gesture.
Ainz whispered. "Didn't I tell you MANY times to not make a fool out of yourself? I know you're enthusiastic and all, and I appreciate such behavior, but please keep it a bit more toned-down!"
Pandora's Actor saluted.
"Yes, Ainz-sama, I shall stay as low-profile as possible! W-"
"Don't start speaking German again. I beg you."
Pandora's Actor stood there in silence.
"... I understand. I will try."
He lowered his head.
Ainz sighed as he walked back to his seat.
As he sat down, the office door opened a little, and Narberal Gamma appeared from it.
"Ainz-sama, I have arrived."
"Umu. Please stand beside Pandora's Actor."
Narberal nodded as she slowly approached beside Pandora's Actor.
"Now may I ask if you guys know why you're here?"
Pandora's Actor responded first.
"Ainz-sama, you wish us to deal with that 'human' you mentioned, yes?"
Narberal responded promptly. "I apologize greatly for not knowing what to do. However, in accordance with Pandora Actor's words, I assume I may be doing the same thing…?"
"Exactly so." Ainz's eyes gleamed red.
He pulled out the world map and put his index finger on the Slane Theocracy.
"As you can see, Demiurge and his group of hanzos tracked a human trespasser to our portal to this country, the Slane Theocracy. You know what this means, yes?"
Narberal responded, "You wish us to find that human and eliminate him?"
Ainz chuckled.
"Not exactly 'eliminate', but close. Yes, I am intending to send you two to investigate such matters."
Pandora's Actor tilted his head. "But how? Are you intending us to disguise as humans and get access into the country?"
"Precisely, Pandora's Actor! But you're not just going in there as any human. You two will be going in as the Darkness hero group, Momon and Nabe."
Pandora's Actor caressed his chin.
"Hmmm … I see."
"Ainz-sama, I have a question."
"Hm?"
Narberal glared at Pandora's Actor and looked back.
"Why are you not acting as the hero Momon?"
Ainz glanced at Pandora's Actor, who was still pondering, and back at Narberal, who had a face of disgust.
Ah, I see. She doesn't want to put up with his chuunibyou attitude.
"Well, about that, *ahem*, during the fight with the Platinum Knight, Pandora's Actor showed an excellent ability to mimic me when analyzing the enemy."
He glanced at Pandora's Actor.
"I assume he would achieve the same results here."
Narberal kneeled.
"Ainz-sama, forgive me for my short-sightedness!"
Ainz chuckled.
"Now, now, no need to kneel."
Narberal slowly stood up.
He looked back at the map and pointed at the city of E-Rantel.
"I would like you two to go to E-Rantel as the heroes and find a way to get into the Slane Theocracy. Once you're in the country, connect me via a private Message to prevent being caught, as the Slane Theocracy is a nation known for its magic."
The two kneeled.
"We shall fulfill these duties, Ainz-sama!"
Ainz's eyes gleamed red.
"Do your job well."
The statues of Ainz basked in the sunlight as the gates of the city of E-Rantel opened up.
A party of caravans entered the city, possessing valuable items. The gate guards scrutinized every nook and cranny of every cart.
Ever since the fall of the Re-Estize kingdom, an economic depression occured as trade in the Re-Estize kingdom was forced to close down. This made trading assets extremely valuable in the region. On top of that, many survivors of the Re-Estize kingdom turned to theft, terrorism, and banditry, ambushing trade carts along trade routes, instilling fear into merchants, and attacking cities for no reason.
As a result, border restrictions for countries that once shared borders with the Re-Estize kingdom became stricter, and every item has to be checked to prevent possible terrorism.
That includes the Sorcerer Kingdom's capital: E-Rantel.
As soon as the first cart of the caravan entered the gates, a short, round man hopped off the cart. He wore a green yellow-buttoned vest over a green linen shirt with drapes on the sleeves and white collars on the neck, along with green linen pants and leather shoes with curved tips. A brown, leather belt was wrapped around his waist, with a money pouch clipped in between. He wore a musketeer's hat adorned with two, large red feathers, and he sported reddish-brown hair that curled upwards in regards with his mustache, followed by his pale skin and flushed cheeks.
As he looked back at the cart he just hopped off, his apprentice approached him.
"Mr. Waht, it appears that the security check would take an extra half an hour."
The man, named John Waht, looked back at the line of caravan carts.
"Half an hour?! I don't have time for this! Can we expedite the process somehow?"
"I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Waht, but this is the Sorcerer Kingdom we're talking about. There's no way they'll expedite the process just for us."
John Waht was the boss of a major trading corporation, with his profits mainly relying on the Re-Estize Kingdom and many other human nations. But since the kingdom has fallen, he needed to find a new source of income in the general area.
And that's how he ended up in E-Rantel.
John also moved the company headquarters into the Slane Theocracy in fear of the Sorcerer Kingdom, as it was originally in the Re-Estize kingdom. However, business is business, and he must do whatever it takes to earn a profit.
He gave a huge sigh.
"Tell the rest to trade off the required items when the screening is over. When you're done, I would like you to come with me."
The apprentice tilted his head.
"Why so, Mr. Waht?"
John chuckled.
"I'm going sightseeing."
Pandora's Actor and Narberal teleported to an inconspicuous alleyway, already disguised as the heroes Momon and Nabe.
As they exited the alleyway, they were met with the blinding reflection of Ainz's statue in the middle of the city plaza.
"This never gets old to look at, huh?" Pandora's Actor gazed at the statue.
"Indeed so. Words cannot describe how magnificent it is."
After gazing at the statue for a while, they turned around and headed for the city gates.
Pandora's Actor pulled out a map and skimmed the contents.
"So we are to find a way to get to the Slane Theocracy. We could either go in as heroes alone or go incognito. What do you think?"
Narberel pondered a bit.
"Hmmm … I guess the incognito works better. We are tracking down an insect after all, is it not?"
Pandora's Actor looked at Narberal.
"That is certainly okay, but we won't be able to emphasize the hero Momon's charm!"
Narberal looked at Pandora's Actor in slight disgust.
Pandora's Actor cleared his throat.
"Anyways, my point is that it's okay to be inconspicuous, but we should also use some of Momon and Nabe's fame to our advantage."
"I see …"
Narberal was lost in thought as the two trekked towards the city gates.
John and his apprentice strolled through the streets of E-Rantel.
All around them they could see not just humans, but a myriad of monster and demi human races coexisting in harmony.
"Hard to believe, isn't it?"
The apprentice glanced at John. "What is, Mr. Waht?"
He gestured with his hands.
"Look at this, a myriad of humanoid races living together in harmony. You don't get to see that every day."
The apprentice looked around.
"Indeed, it is most certainly impressive."
As they continued strolling, the apprentice glanced at John again.
"By the way, Mr. Waht, you must have some other reason to stroll around the city, right?"
John chuckled.
"Of course, Cun. As you can see, the trade paths between E-Rantel and the Slane Theocracy are highly dangerous. As a result, I'm trying to find some willing adventurers who are willing to escort me back to headquarters."
Cun pulled out a notebook and began scribbling down something. John just continued strolling with an amused expression.
As he looked around the city, he spotted something interesting.
"Oh? Aren't those the legendary heroes of Darkness?"
Cun's eyes gleamed with enthusiasm.
"Darkness?! Where?!"
"Now calm down, my boy, no need to rush here."
Now that I think about it, what if I can try hiring the heroes of Darkness? Not only will our safety be guaranteed, but it will be made as good marketing!
John giggled as he slowly concocted his plans.
As the two pairs slowly approached each other, John raised his hand at them to grab their attention.
Pandora's Actor stared intently at the map.
Narberal slightly giggled.
"Come on, Pandora's Actor-san, you won't find anything useful on the map."
Pandora's Actor glanced at Narberal.
"Who knows?! Maybe I'll get something out of this."
He proceeded to continue glaring at the map.
As they walked along, Narberal noticed what seemed to be a hand raised at them to grab their attention.
She lightly tapped on Pandora's Actor's shoulder.
"Hey, I think those in—humans are calling us out."
Pandora's Actor slightly chuckled as he put away his map.
"Insects, huh? That's an interesting way to interpret them, Narberal."
"But they are insects."
"Let's put those matters aside. We should approach them."
The pair approached the fat man who was waving at them.
Pandora's Actor responded.
"You called for us?"
The fat man responded promptly.
"Ah, y-yes, hero of Darkness Momon. I would like to make a request with you."
Narberal was about to unsheath her sword as Pandora's Actor stopped her.
"So, your request?"
The fat man wiped his sweat with a handkerchief.
"Yes. Would you like a job offer? It's only temporary."
"A job offer?"
"Yes. I would like you two to escort us to the Slane Theocracy. Of course, the pay will be high."
Pandora's Actor nodded as if he understood something. He looked at Narberal, who nodded in response.
"Very well then, we shall take the offer."
The fat man bowed deeply.
"I thank you for your gratitude."
Pandora's Actor chuckled. "No need to sweat about it. By the way, may I know your name?"
The man raised his head. "Ah, it's Waht. John Waht."
"I see, Mr. Waht. And that squirming one behind you?"
John turned around to see his apprentice squirming about upon looking at the two adventurers.
"Th-this is t-t-t-oo much for me!"
John slapped him on the head, making him regain his senses.
"Forgive him for his rudeness. He is my apprentice, Cun."
Pandora's Actor nodded in response.
John turned around, towards the direction of the gates.
"Then, shall we?"
"After you, Mr. Waht."
