Re: Choices and Revenge

by SnowyWolborg

Subaru Natsuki has escaped the hellish loop that was the White Whale and the Witch Cult's devious machinations toward his loved ones. Now with a new goal ahead of him, Subaru has ventured with Sebas and Demiurge into the Sorcerer Kingdom where the Overlord himself awaits to greet him.

1. Death and Deathless

Subaru Natsuki was not a normal 18-year-old teenager.

When on his way home one night, Subaru suddenly found himself, without warning, thrown into a completely different world. It was like something out of a video game where he was surrounded by knights and magic and demihumans. All evidence pointed toward him having been somehow transported to a fantasy realm by mysterious means.

With a newly formed spirit for exploration and a desire to lead a new, more fulfilling life, Subaru wanted to head out into this world and announce that he was here to take on everything it could throw at him. Only, it took less than a few hours for him to realize what he could handle wasn't much at all.

Less than a day. It took that short a time for Subaru to be killed.

He died.

And yet, to his surprise, Subaru learned that when he did die, he would ultimately end up back at a location and time that he had previously visited. He'd come to call it a checkpoint. And he'd reached this conclusion through multiple deaths. Some of them were at the hands of enemies who came out of nowhere, and some from those who were so close to him from the start.

In less than a few months, Subaru somehow ended up in situations he never would have expected, and his misfortune soon forced him to to the conclusion that the country known as Lugunica was certainly not some sort of fantasyland where he would be the hottest name in the street. It was more than fair to say that Subaru paid for such a short-sighted way of thinking with no small measure of pain.

Again and again.

But his perseverance ended up paying off. Unbridled stubbornness turned out to be an asset for someone who not only came back to life after death but was also able to redo events that turned out in unfavorable ways. At least, to some extent. It became clear to Subaru after a certain point that he was not able to control where the checkpoint changed. It did when it did. Simple as that.

Subaru had managed to escape a bloodthirsty assassin, fight off savage beasts in an unfamiliar forest with a deathly curse at his neck. He'd solved a mystery involving a sneaky shaman that hid among the people of a nearby village and earned the trust of two paranoid maids who were as deadly as they were beautiful. And even after making what he considered to be the greatest blunder of his life, after stewing in a pool of self-serving actions and broken confidence, somehow, Subaru had managed to rise out of that hole. With the help of two new allies from another world, just like him, Subaru had even facilitated the defeat of a gigantic monster that had plagued his new world for 400 years as well as having killed an insane Witch Cultist that would no longer be named.

And after all that, Subaru now found himself again in another world for the second time. But fortunately, there was little mystery in how he arrived at his current destination. He'd given his full consent to come to this place and meet with the mysterious master of the two men who'd given him a whole world of assistance.

Now, here he was, standing in front of a huge, robed skeleton that was talking to him.

At a complete loss for words, Subaru's pupils seemed to shrink back from the sheer weight of what he had just walked into.

How was he supposed to respond? This...person was Sebas and Demiurges master? And he was a king?

"What exactly am I supposed to say in this situation? I wasn't expecting this. I don't know what to do. Last time I was in a situation like this I seriously flubbed it up! What's this guy hoping for me to say? Is he a real skeleton or is this some kinda get-up he's wearing?"

Questions like this and a hundred others poured into Subaru's mind, overwhelming him with stress. Yet surprisingly, this feeling was only coming from himself. Subaru didn't think he felt anything in the way of intimidation or hostility coming from the robed skeleton in front of him. And just going by the tone of his voice, he seemed pleased by his arrival? "How the heck does a skeleton even talk, anyway? What's the deal with this whole thing? And how the hell does he even know what a tracksuit is?"

His pulse raced. Sweat trickled down his forehead and his hands felt clammy. Without anything having even happened, Subaru Natsuki felt completely frozen, paralyzed by indecision.

It wasn't until the only other person in the room spoke that he was able to focus on something other than his own nerves shooting up.

Holding up a bony hand, one with fingers that seemed far too pointed and almost claw-like for them to have been human hands, the skeleton king spoke once more, "Please, feel at ease, Subaru. There is no need to seem so cautious. You are completely safe in this place. Ainz Ooal Gown guarantees this."

"E-Even if you say that, this whole thing is still a lot to take him. I don't even know what's going on here."

"I think you have some idea of what has transpired. You are no longer in the nation called Lugunica, nor are you even in the same world that it inhabits. You are now within the world that myself and my faithful subordinates inhabit, specifically in the country known as the Sorcerer Kingdom, over which I rule."

Subaru looked around the room, taking in the splendor of the bright designs and architecture. This was unmistakably a place fit to be called a king's castle, just from this room alone. Hesitantly, he walked over to the huge window that encompassed an entire wall of the room and looked outside. The moment his eyes adjusted to the brightness of day beaming through the glass, Subaru took in the sight of tall a massive courtyard below them along with high guardian towers and bridges connecting one part of the castle to another.

And as he looked further out he took in the sight of a massive city that seemed to be below. "Geez, we must be on some kind of hill! This view is freaking amazing!" He barely even noticed that his face was nearly pressed against the glass.

"Yes, this castle is situated on an elevated platform. Feel free to take in the sights for as long as you like."

The skeleton king hadn't moved even once fr where he stood. Indeed, with his hands placed behind his back, anyone would have been forgiven for thinking he wasn't capable of motion, given that unnatural stillness. "Or maybe he's just trying his best not to freak me out."

Coming away from the window, Subaru gathered himself, managing to shake off the earlier surprise at the entirety of...this.

"So, I...guess there's a bunch of stuff you wanna ask me about? Sebas and Demiurge were tight-lipped about what exactly you wanted with me."

"Yes, that was because I told them to say nothing more than I desired an audience with you. I believe that thanks are in order. Whether by luck or some other force, your meeting with my servants has provided a great benefit to me, Subaru. Greater than you might imagine. And for this, I of course had to meet the man responsible."

Upon hearing this, Subaru had a feeling that he knew what the robed skeleton was talking about. He'd heard that this person was happy with everything Subaru had done. But, from his perspective, it was Subaru who owed the massive thanks to his party. If it wasn't for Sebas showing up when he did, Subaru didn't even want to think about where he would have been right now.

But, Subaru wasn't even given the choice to voice his immense gratitude, because what came next was something he never expected to hear.

"Not only did you do us a great service with the knowledge that seemingly only you were in possession of, but I found it to be quite the interesting surprise when I suspected that you also might be Japanese. Like I once was."

Japanese.

Japanese.

Japanese?!

"This guy is also from Japan, too?"

In truth, this was not the first time that Subaru had encountered someone from another world who turned out to also be in the same situation as himself. It was only the second. Al, the helmet-wearing knight of a certain busty, but brash baroness openly admitted to him that he had been isekai'd into Lugunica more than fifteen years before he came along.

"No, wait! He didn't come to the same country. Didn't he tell those old men in the royal selection that he spent a lot of time in the country to the south and got seriously beat up back there?"

Either way, the specifics of his location didn't matter.

"You? You're from Japan, also? But...how? No offense, but I don't think we have anyone who looks like you where I come from? At least, not unless it's Halloween."

To Subaru's surprise, the skeleton king seemed to find his words amusing, responding with a hearty, but short laugh. "Your feelings are completely understandable, Subaru. But, I believe there may be some confusion on both of our parts, which is why I thought it best for the two of us to speak alone so that we may both become enlightened by the sharing of information. Do you feel up to it?"

The last time Subaru was in this position, he didn't ask nearly as many questions as he knew he should have. Yet again, he could only mentally kick himself for being focused on something that wasn't his business at the time rather than learning more about something that could have proved to be useful. "Yeah, yeah! Sure! I mean, I don't know how much I can provide, but I'll do my best. Can I...sit down?" He looked at the long table that seemed perfect for conference use. It was occupied by many chairs on all sides.

"Please, feel free to make yourself comfortable."

Ainz walked around to the otherwise of the table and pulled out a chair for himself. Even though there was a seat at the head of the room that was fit for a ruler, Subaru found it interesting that this important person would sit at the same table as himself.

Wasting no further time in explaining himself, Ainz spoke first, "First off, I believe I should explain my theory. Both of us come from Japan. However, I have strong reason to believe that the Japan you were born in and the one that I come from are not one and the same. Rather, I believe that you are very likely from my Japan's past. Or even a different Japan altogether."

Subaru felt fortunate that he wasn't having a drink right now, else he would have probably choked it down the wrong tube or ejected the beverage like a firehose. "Different timelines? Different...realities? Sorry, but I don't know jack about multiversal theory. What makes you think that the two of us come from such different settings, then?"

Already with an answer prepared, Ainz was quick to respond, "Well, there is a simple way to prove the theory correct or otherwise. Subaru, what was the year in which you were taken from your home and ended up in the country of Lugunica?"

"The year? Well, that's easy. It was 2012. I was just heading home from the store with some snacks and stuff, y'know? Then all of a sudden I was somewhere else. Didn't even blink and stuff was just...different."

Ainz was silent for a few seconds before he nodded. "Yes, that proves it, then. Because when I found myself here in this world, it was the year 2138 in my Japan."

Subaru was stunned into silence by this revelation. "He's from over 100 years in the future? That's nuts!"

And to add, he had been transported to a completely different world. One that also seemed to be full of magic and probably non-humans, but still, a different world that Lugunica knew nothing about! From this, Subaru could only wonder if people from their earth, regardless of the time period, had been dragged into fantasy worlds all over existence?

"The future, huh? That's amazing! What's it like? Please tell me we finally got around to the flying cars? And can we go to school from our bedrooms? How far into space have we gotten? We've gotten be on at least one other planet by that point, right?"

Subaru, being the former NEET that he was found the idea of talking with someone who came from the future to be inherently interesting. What sort of advances had humankind made in that century? He seriously wasn't going to be satisfied if he didn't find out that every kid had a jetpack or a rocket-powered skateboard.

"All very valid questions, Subaru. But, I am afraid that I will have to gently let you down. Suffice it to say, the world that I come from is a complete disaster that has been ruined by humanity's greed and short-sightedness. For example, pollution has gotten so out of control that toxic smog is constantly overcast in the sky. The air is so bad in most places that you needed a breathing apparatus to even go outside. The very first time in my life that I saw a clear, starry sky was when I came to this world. And what's more, the acid rain was so raw that it was hazardous to your skin if you were caught in a storm."

Ainz looked out the window and gazed at the pristine state of the sky above his secondary place of residence. It was at times like this that he fully understood why that person always said that human's inability to take care of their world would be the reason they ended up with no world at all.

Subaru couldn't believe what he was hearing. He didn't live in a big city, so he wasn't affected by the worst that pollution had to offer. But even still, he couldn't imagine needing a gas mask just to go and grab a bite to eat at McDonald's. "We...really messed the world up that bad? Not just Japan?" It wasn't simply shock that consumed him from this information. For reasons he didn't think he immediately understood, hearing what became of the world in the future just didn't surprise him. Yet again he was hearing about how people's small minds ended up screwing things up for others.

"Lugunica...and even our world, too? How come people are so damn idiotic? It's like they won't be satisfied until everything's screwed to hell and someone has to pick up the pieces."

"Mnm. And that isn't even the worst of it. Many countries, Japan included, are no longer run by governments. Rather, mega-corporations have greatly changed many laws in their own favor. And it essentially gave them the ability to control entire civilizations like a single business where those at the top of the ladder have almost unlimited power. And, they were usually the ones who caused much of the environmental damage in the first place."

"What?! So a bunch of rich people all over the world messes everything up, then they get to sit on top of a pile of ashes while everyone else just has to deal with it? That's so messed up!" Subaru instantly knew that Felt would have had a conniption if she heard this story.

"Exactly. Many of them now reside within domed cities known as arcologies where they are insulated from the dangers of the outside world. They even sometimes went to war with one another. But as I am certain you can imagine, it was only the poor who suffered from their battles."

The way Ainz explained all of this was calm and without any trace of emotion in his voice. That was because even when he still lived in those conditions, he had long since accepted his fate for what it was. He had no power to change it, and he didn't have any energy to rebel against it, even if such a thing was only within the privacy of his mind. He simply accepted it and went along to get along.

"Yeah, no rich CEO is about to send their kid off to fight when they can just wave their hand and have some janitor's kid do the job." That sounded far too realistic for Subaru to ignore. "Geez, at least in Lugunica it seems like some of the nobles take their jobs seriously."

Even though he hadn't forgiven her in the slightest, Subaru was genuinely surprised to find that the Karsten duchess rode into battle at the head of her entire militia. Subaru got to the scene first, but from what he observed, the green-haired woman at least seemed like she was fully intent on brandishing her sword. That was a whole lot better than some rich people who sent others to die in their name.

"There are other things that are even more unpleasant, but I do not believe we should speak on them at this time. I am merely satisfied in knowing that there is someone else who ended up in a similar situation to me. Or rather, someone who is still alive, that is."

Ainz seemed to let out a rather mysterious chuckle upon saying this, and Subaru couldn't help but wonder a few things. "So...when you said that you were Japanese, what did you mean by that? And what's with this 'still alive' talk?"

"Ah, that? Well then, let me answer your question with another question. How long were you in Lugunica, Subaru?"

"The time? Well..." He honestly didn't know if he should have counted failed loops or not. If he did, it would extend his duration in that country, but not greatly so. Even still, with everything he'd been through, it felt like months! "I was really only there for about two-ish months. But trust me, the amount of crap I went through amounts to at least a fourth of a lifetime!"

Subaru Natsuki had endured more trauma in his life than war veterans. And he had the scars on his soul to prove it.

"I see. Sebas did tell me that you have the eyes of one who has gone through much. And now that I am seeing you for myself, it is clear that you are no ordinary teenager. That said, I was in my late twenties when I first came to this world. And since then, I have been here for well over a century."

...

"A HUNDRED YEARS?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"

Subaru jumped out of his seat and leaned over the table, staring in disbelief at the Ainz who was perfectly calm and collected. The way his hands were folded together made him look like a serious intellectual who was mathematically intent on answering every curiosity Subaru offered.

But what he received was something very different.

Once more, Ainz burst into laughter, even patting the table a few times before his enjoyment vanished just as quickly as it came.

"Then I'm guessing this is...nothing new for you? You didn't like, rot away or anything like that from behind here so long?" Or maybe Ainz had found some way to preserve his life by turning himself into the skeleton that was in front of him?

"Simply put, Subaru, I am immortal. The ravages of time mean nothing to those of the heteromorphic race. And as I am certain you can see, I am undead. And while I usually do not tell other people of this, I am what is known as an Overlord."

Subaru fell back in his seat. He could only wonder how Al would feel if he was here and listening to this conversation. He'd spent over a decade as a sword slave and had walked away with a face so mangled that he didn't even want to show it in public. At the time, Subaru thought that was going to be himself in a couple of years when he received some injuries that Return By Death couldn't fix.

But Ainz? He'd been surviving in this world for over 100 years? And he didn't seem any worse for the wear!

Now knowing this, he couldn't help but wonder that out of the three of them if Ainz had been having the easiest time of it.

"S-So what's heteromorphic...whatever? It sounds intense."

"Essentially any races that you would consider to be strange and otherworldly. It includes undead like myself, demons like Demiurge, and a very wide variety of others. But suffice it to say, all who are members of the heteromorphic category have no maximum age. At this moment, I feel no older than I did when I first came here."

Subaru couldn't believe what he was hearing. He'd seriously been in a strange world for ten decades or more? It was so unbelievable that he didn't even want to think about how long it took him to adjust! Subaru had been lucky enough to find people who took him in and gave him a job. Despite it all, he knew he could have had it way worse.

That said, "This guy's a freaking king! A literal king! He's got it made. I feel jealous."

All he could do was sigh. Things really went in two completely different directions for both of them.

Thinking on everything that he had been told, a few pieces seemed to come together in Subaru's mind. "Wait! You've been here this long, so does that mean when you said you used to be Japanese that you meant you don't have any attachments to your old home?"

Looking at the way things were, why would he? It sounds like the world became a massive dump. And Ainz was just the lucky guy who managed to escape, somehow.

Subaru didn't know if he could say he wouldn't be glad to be rid of such a place, either. After all, if he hadn't met Sebas when he did, it was very possible he would have wanted to run as far away from Lugunica and the White Whale and the Witch's Cult that he could manage.

"That is correct. And with the power that I now have, I am determined to not let this country fall to the same ugly end. Contrary to what many would assume, even though I am undead, I prefer looking at a clear, blue sky and well-crafted cities of stone and steel rather than a grey, lifeless wasteland. The latter just doesn't have the vibe that I'm looking for."

Both of them shared a round of laughs from this, though Subaru seemed to go on for a few seconds more.

"So what did you mean when you said you were glad to meet someone in your situation who's still alive?" He could hazard a few guesses, but only Ainz would know for certain.

"A few decades ago, I came to find that I am not the only person from my Japan who has come to this world. And as a matter of fact, I have it on good authority that people have been coming here for the past 600+ years in this world's time. But as I have mentioned, all of them are certainly dead, for one reason or another. Some of them were humans and as such, died from age. And some of them ended up getting killed in truly foolish ways."

Ainz intended to meet neither end.

But not to his surprise, Subaru seemed to have trouble taking this new information in.

"Waitaminute! 600? How is that even possible?!" Ainz said he was from a century or so into his Japan's future. And he'd been here in this world for about the same amount of time. That made sense to Subaru. But, how was it possible that other people had been here as far back as six centuries?

After a few moments of thought, the red lights that served as Ainz's eyes seemed to vanish for a few seconds. "I believe that the method that brought us all here, for some reason, flung us into different time periods. And it seems that we came in waves by the century. As I have been here for a bit more than that, you can understand that I am on the lookout for others who may be in my position. Especially if they seek to cause trouble for me."

The way Ainz spoke these words carried an unmistakable hint of him being ready for a worst-case scenario.

In the beginning, he wanted to seek aid from any others who may have been in the same position as him. He thought they could compare notes and attempt to uncover the true meaning behind this great mystery. But at this point, his feelings had changed. And considering what he'd uncovered in the years about the power that seemed to have dragged him here, any Players he encountered would be worthy of caution based on them likely owning certain items he considered to be valuable.

Either way, Subaru clearly was not a Player, meaning that those thoughts were wholly unnecessary at the moment.

"Even though he says he has only been in his other world for such a short period of time, it makes me wonder what kind of life he has been living."

At the very least, Subaru had done a great service to himself and his domain. And Ainz was always one to return such a great favor in kind. This was an opportunity that had been 100 years in the waiting and it felt oddly liberating to speak with someone who'd come from a similar, but not identical background as him.

"The specifics of my coming here are rather complicated and I think it not best to heavy the mood with that discussion right at the moment. It is a long story, after all." Especially considering that it took Ainz himself years to gather the necessary information and put the pieces together.

Subaru wasn't displeased to hear this. Mostly because he knew he wasn't going to have any interesting answer to give in response. To this day, he still didn't know how he ended up in Lugunica. It was so sudden that there wasn't even time to stop and analyze anything. And even Al mentioned that he had no clue how the same happened to him. Subaru had no real clue what to say.

Well, actually, that was not true. He had a sneaking suspicion that he knew exactly how it happened. But he had no evidence. And absolutely no way to even prove anything.

The Japanese teenager did his best to keep his mind off the subject, too worried to even attempt to dive deeper into the topic. "I'm not in Lugunica anymore, so I don't know what'll happen if I try to talk about my situation. And if the worst happens..."

No! He didn't need to concern himself with that stuff right at the moment! If he was careful, nothing should even become a trigger that'd invoke that. And besides, Ainz seemed to want to keep the topic casual with them for the moment. Subaru was not going to complain about that.

Besides, there was a whole load of things that he wanted to ask, also!

"So, how'd you end up as being the king of a whole nation? That's a pretty huge milestone for a guy who came from a place like your home. You must feel like you're completely on top of the world!" 100 years was a long time. Humans were lucky if they could get to that age. And even if they were able to do so, things would surely be slowing down as they waited for the end. That wasn't the case with Ainz, who seemed to have no worry about time.

Again, he felt himself become slightly envious. "I don't wanna judge too quickly, but it seems like he's the one who's living the real isekai dream." The reason he didn't allow himself to become too excited at Ainz's situation was that Subaru knew that whether they were in Japan or not, the realities of life followed, no matter how they changed their face.

Responding with an amused laugh, Ainz didn't hesitate to drop this bomb. "The shortest way to answer is, myself and my subordinates overthrew this nation from its previous rulers. And without being too arrogant, I think this nation has become marginally better under my control." When Ainz used the word marginally, he illustrated his meaning by holding up a bony index finger and thumb, both digits separated from one another by an inch.

"Man, you sure know how to humblebrag." Subaru could only shake his head and concede that Ainz had indeed been living a more classical fantasy life than him. "It sounds good, but I can't help but think it's a lot of work. Way too much for a shut-in NEET like me."

In the past, Subaru would not have been so eager to identify himself as someone who did nothing but stay inside all day. And for better or worse, he knew that he was no longer such a person. With all the things he had been through, calling himself a former NEET just didn't carry any sting.

"This country was once known as the Re-Estize Kingdom, a nation that was human exclusive. It was led by the same short-sighted, ineffective leaders who allowed corruption to flourish at every level of society to the point where the king himself was essentially a near powerless figurehead."

Shifting his gaze, the Overlord appeared to be looking at something far off in the distance, yet nothing that was in the conference room, itself.

Looking back at things now, Ainz knew that he could not allow such a thing to happen. It was difficult for someone to understand if they hadn't seen the end result. But he knew. He knew that it didn't take a sword or an atom bomb to destroy. Far more simple methods could be made use of.

All it took was for enough stupid people to gather together and start believing they would never need to change anything about their lives. Those spoiled aristocrats had been insulated from the real world and become content.

Their ignorant satisfaction became their doom.

If that sort of proud ignorance was allowed to grow and fester, it would undoubtedly become a cancer that would spread far and wide. And if it was allowed to take root in the entirety of the world, then there would be nothing left for anyone to fight over. Having already lived this experience, as he was right now, Ainz simply could not allow this scene to repeat in another world. It was not because he was a savior or been big-hearted enough to care about countless masses. It was simply that he considered the outcome of his own former world to have been a waste.

A pointless waste of lives. A pointless waste of resources. A pointless waste of a more interesting future.

Coming back to reality, Ainz turned to Subaru once more and spoke, "Anyway, I do not mean to say I had the intention of becoming a hero of any sort. In fact, I will not deny that I only ever intended to ensure that my own people were safe from any dangers. It is just that this country came along for the ride. But I still intend to do my duty as this country's king. Also, I would appreciate it if you could keep our origins to ourselves, Subaru. My subordinates are not aware of this part of my past, considering that it is, of course, in the past." While he did have a lingering dream to return to his true form, that did not mean he had any desire to once again become human again.

Since Ainz had been in this world for decades, it made sense to Subaru that he'd had plenty of time to gather his thoughts, make a plan, then act on it. It was so different from how he had gone about things when he ended up on that market street in Lugunica. Due to his own thoughtlessness, Subaru ended up going through trial after trial before he finally started to take things seriously. "It's no wonder why Demiurge and Sebas are so loyal to him. He's not playing games, here."

But, Subaru wouldn't be discouraged. He'd greatly improved from the assistance of the two men who'd appeared before him in the city. And now that he was here in their world, he wanted to continue down this path. Everybody had things that they couldn't talk about. Nobody knew this more than Subaru. In fact, he felt a little bit guilty that Ainz was telling him all this and Subaru couldn't return the favor.

But if their relationship was going to be one of goodwill, wasn't it pointless to continue thinking of things as give and take? "Yeah. That's the same mistake she made, and look where that ended up landing her." He managed to shake off these thoughts. They were silly. He and Ainz were having an open dialogue. There was no reason to think of things as being transactional.

"I can't say that I have any super heavy goals like that at the moment. But, I do think I understand being worried about the state of your surroundings. Lugunica recently lost their entire royal family to a sudden plague. And they're struggling to find a new, fitting ruler. I won't go into the messy details, but I actually ended up acquainted with the five women who are in the running for the royal selection. And suffice it to say, it's gonna be messy."

Subaru wasn't a leader of any sort, but he knew what it meant to carry an unbearable weight on his shoulders that he couldn't share with anyone else.

Anyone who didn't have this burden was a lucky person, indeed.

"For only having been in that world for a bit over a few months, it sounds like you did the opposite of what a NEET would do, Subaru. You seem to have been incredibly active. From what I hear, the White Whale was a one-of-a-kind creature. One that had been ravaging the lands for centuries. Am I to assume no one has been powerful enough to defeat it?"

Ainz had been told that Evil Lord Wrath had delivered a great deal of damage to the creature and had not been harmed in any way during the fight. Though it was apparently Subaru and his companion who delivered the death blows, along with Subaru being the one who knew beforehand of the creature's most devastating ability and how to avoid it.

"If an Evil Lord was capable of defeating it alone, then its general level was probably a lot lower. Not to mention that in the end, it was described as basically just being an animal with no true reasoning ability. That said, its rarity alone makes it worthwhile."

This was a conversation that Subaru had been waiting for! And he wasted no time in jumping straight in! "Actually, it's more so that the White Whale shows up out of nowhere. And it brings with it a huge amount of mist that hides its movements. By the time anyone can even try to prepare, they're already under attack. And then it flies away without anyone knowing where."

Having experienced the terror of this enemy first hand, Subaru was truly pleased with the immense help Demiurge offered. Without it, the White Whale may have still been roaming the world.

"I see. But, common sense would dictate that if a mysterious mist shows up so suddenly, one should fly or teleport out of range. I can only assume that these skills are not common in the world you lived in?" If such a creature had been on the loops for four centuries, maybe the average people were more helpless than he assumed?

Holding up his arms in a big X fashion, Subaru immediately shot these ideas down. "Nope! No way! I've only ever met two people who can do either of those things in Lugunica, and neither of them are normal. The fact that Demiurge's bodyguard could fly and stay out of the mist was already a gigantic help! And I could tell from when we were hitting that bastard that the White Whale had never in its life expected to go up against something that wasn't stuck on the ground."

It was a darkly satisfying gotcha moment that brought Subaru no small measure of enjoyment.

"That does explain much. Having an aerial advantage is oftentimes of great use. Here in this world, even someone who had a baseline level of talent in magic is at least capable of learning the spell required to fly. As for teleportation, that is rarer, but not unheard of, either." But again, Ainz was only referring to the natives of this world and not his personal entourage.

Subaru knew that Beatrice could connect her mysterious door passages anywhere within the huge mansion. And while he didn't want to downplay the loli librarian, Demiurge instantly transporting himself, Rem, and Sebas to the Liphas Plains, seemingly with no difficulty at all was extraordinarily convenient! The distance between the capital and where they fought the White Whale was at least half a day's journey!

"So...onto something else. What are you gonna do with that thing's body? I mean, if you're gonna stuff it and use it as a trophy, that's fine. But I have been wondering this for a long time." And he wasn't the only person.

"Ah, yes. You are absolutely entitled to this information. I, or rather, my subordinates intend to use every part of the White Whale's body in order to see what can be made from it. Even the bodies of the fallen are useful resources, Subaru. The creature's hairs which appear to repel mana, its horn, organs, and even its blood may prove to be incredibly valuable, considering its otherworldly origin. I would be foolish to not harvest everything that we can."

Upon hearing this, Subaru was immediately reminded of a video gamer who collected drops from monsters. "Sounds like you smell a business opportunity. That reminds me of someone I met in Lugunica who I really don't like." If she had the capability to do so, he knew Anastasia Hoshin would not hesitate to try and make a few coins from the White Whale.

But even still, the idea of using a mabeast's body and turning it into a resource? Did anyone in Lugunica even have the capability of doing this? And what would result from these experiments? Subaru immediately visualized some sort of laboratory where the creature's body was surgically chopped up and preserved for later study. "Everything that can be exploited should be exploited, I guess?"

"That sounds like something Demiurge would say. But yes. Growing complacent with what one has is a quick way to be outpaced by others. Also, since you were instrumental in even finding this elusive creature, I also feel it is only right that you be rewarded with something that we are able to produce from its remains." If he was correct in his assumption about the creature being inferior to an Evil Lord, whatever they created likely wouldn't be equivalent to the equipment he would personally use. That said, it would still be worth the effort.

"Really, that's uber generous of you! But I don't wanna come off as being too greedy! This baby right here was already way more power than I've ever had in my life and it helped me not be such a dead weight on my friends." Subaru gestured toward the black bangle on his wrist. It could have been mistaken for just a plain old accessory, but in reality, it was a magic item. One that he assumed was also manufactured here in this world.

And he was soon proven to be correct.

The red lights that were Ainz's eyes scanned the seemingly insignificant item for a few seconds before he spoke. "I was told you appreciated that little trinket. It is dwarf-made, created from their culture's unique technology known as Runecraft."

Once more, Subaru almost jumped out of his seat in surprise. "There are dwarves in this world?! Are you serious? No wonder this thing is so badass! Everyone knows that when it comes to smithing that dwarves are awesome!" He had given up on the belief that these worlds were some sort of dream where his light novel fantasies would become realized, but it was still a welcome surprise to find that some stories were true.

"Indeed. The Dwarf Country is experiencing something of a great boon. I met and forged an alliance with them when they were facing a crisis. They had almost given up on their Runecraft due to the difficulty it takes in creating these items and the lack of smiths who were talented in carving them. However, a few decades ago, you could say that a hero was born who has helped to revitalize Runecraft. She was likely the smith who created the item you are wearing at the moment."

If he was being honest, Ainz never expected a dwarf to be born so soon that was in possession of the necessary talent that allowed her to push forward their people's smithing. In fact, it had been that very same occurrence that prompted his interest in other New World talents that may prove beneficial to him.

Internally, Subaru could only think, "Man, he really knows how to associate himself with the right people."

Grimacing a little bit, Subaru felt a shred of disappointment. "I only wish I could have gotten the opportunity to use this on that woman." He cast a gaze at his borrowed weapon, thinking fondly of how useful it had been. Not ever a few hours ago when he was set to depart, the very first person who ever took his life away returned. But luckily, this time Subaru was prepared for her.

Even still, he couldn't help but admit, "I'd have loved to blow her head off with this thing. She's pissed me off one time too many." But then, perhaps that was too easy? Subaru now knew that Elsa had some mysterious ability to heal from even fatal wounds. Was it a Divine Protection? Was it unlimited? If so, that was seriously cheap! "Maybe? Maybe not? She ran away that last time because she knew she was outmatched and too outnumbered." Either way, Subaru Natsuki had a fireball with her name on it.

And the Overlord did not fail to take notice of this. One of his skills that he'd spent years practicing was determining someone's feelings. And he immediately understood from Subaru's change in expression was that there was someone on his mind who he truly hated. "The look in his eyes has changed."

"Out of curiosity, what woman are you referring to, Subaru?" This was news to him. Was this a recent development that he had not yet been told of?

"She's a real pain in the ass, let me tell you! The first day, literally the first that I showed up in Lugunica, I get involved in a situation where a freaking assassin who's obsessed with cutting people's guts open tries to kill me! I only managed to escape because I happened to make friends with the other would-be victims." He of course had to omit that Elsa had killed him multiple times. As well as everyone else who was at his side in those failed loops.

At least, until they brought in someone above her pay grade.

"Her name is Elsa. And for some reason, she returned on the day I left to come here. And I don't know why. I have a theory that she was upset a target escaped her and she took it personally. But fortunately, the Shadow Demon that Demiurge lent me was more sneaky and told me about her before she got the chance to do anything." Because of this, Subaru made sure he was prepared.

It was ironic. The woman who was feared as the Bowel Hunter ended up having her intestines shredded out of her body after being rendered unable to even move. If that wasn't poetic justice, he didn't know what was.

"Ah, yes. The Shadow Demons are quite useful as field agents and messengers. Unless one is skilled in the area of detecting hidden enemies, they usually go unseen. It was smart for you to be given one for safety. As expected of Demiurge." There were other, even higher tier creatures that could have been used, but if this assassin had remained unaware of even a level 30 Shadow Demon, perhaps she did not possess any thief-like skills?

This left other questions, however. And chief among them was the one both Ainz and Subaru were keen to know.

"Why did she choose today of all days to come back for revenge?"

"What made her select the specific day in which you would leave to hunt you again?"

Silence took over between the two of them for what seemed like hours. Their thoughts identical, neither could hazard an immediate guess as to why the assassin had chosen arguably the most convenient time in the world to come after Subaru once more.

An unknown had been created, and Ainz wanted to know more as soon as possible. Subaru was a person who'd found himself in such a similar situation t himself. This was a truly rare opportunity for him to talk more openly about things that no one else in this world would understand. And besides that, Ainz still felt as if he owed the teenager more assistance.

This Bowel Hunter had chosen the wrong target.

"So then, I assume Demiurge and Sebas captured her alive? What is this woman like? If you escaped her before, you must know of her skills and talents to some degree?"

All Subaru could do was focus on how much he hated that northern bitch. It was only right that she held a special place of contempt within him since he'd never before experienced the paralyzing fear of death until he met her.

"I know a little. She's apparently from the country north of Lugunica. It's called Gusteko, but I know literally nothing about the place. Elsa's nickname comes from how she prefers killing her victims. If she can, she'll always try to slice open their stomachs because she has some weird, messed-up fetish for looking at people's bowels." Subaru felt a shiver run up his spine just from the thought of how strange it was. How did someone even develop a fascination for something like this?

When he was given a brief biography on her reputation in the final loop where he'd actually managed to walk away with his life, Subaru was surprised to hear that she was so infamous that she could easily be recognized just by her appearance and weapon. "And somehow, she seems to have the ability to heal from an attack that completely blew away an entire building. I saw it with my own eyes because I was in the building when it happened." That said, even when Elsa burst from that pile of rubble for one last-ditch effort to slaughter him, she still didn't look to be in perfect condition before her attempt was foiled.

This is what truly appeared to grab the attention of the Sorcerer King. "Mnm? She is capable of high-speed healing? And this woman is a human? I assume this is not a common ability of people within that world?" For a warrior-type, being able to go on without fear of injury was truly an asset for battle.

"No way! I swear I never saw a single other person do it! She must have some sort of special skill, I think. Maybe even something that's unique to her country that people in Lugunica aren't so familiar with." Subaru remembered that to be the case with curses, as Beatrice once informed him that they were not commonly used outside of the northern lands.

Without even being fully aware of it, Subaru felt a sort of ease coming over him. He'd never spoken with someone who seemed this interested in hearing him talk about these sorts of subjects without flinching away or wanting to change the topic. It gave him a sense of almost unfamiliar liberation.

Upon hearing all of this, Ainz's curiosity was truly piqued. Perhaps it was for the better that this Bowel Hunter tried her luck when she did. And failed. "She could become a source of information that may be useful to Subaru when he returns. And the most important thing to know is who sent her after his life in the first place."

"So, is there anything else of note that you know about this woman?"

Racking his brain for more answers, Subaru didn't think he had any. Perhaps when he was still in Lugunica he should have asked more people about this? Though, he figured most would likely be too afraid to talk openly about the terrifying Bowel Hunter. Figuring that he had nothing left of worth to add, there was one opinion Subaru wanted to put forth. "Sorry if I sound like a horny teenager, but the simple fact of the matter is, Elsa is really hot."

...

The expressionless, skeletal face of the Overlord was impossible to read, meaning that Subaru could only wait for him to speak as silence once more took over. He realized that was probably an immature comment, but it was all he could say to lighten the mood since they'd been talking about disembowelment and assassins.

Would Ainz even care about things like that? He was undead after all? Would such a being even have a libido? "Why am I even thinking about junk like this?!"

Seconds later, he got his answer.

"Oho? So how attractive are we talking about, specifically?" It wasn't that Ainz could really do anything with this information, but he did find it to be a humorous enough topic that he would allow himself to engage in this casual frivolity. Indeed, it reminded him of a lesser version of a close friend's borderline obsession with ero. He was one who enjoyed reminiscing of the past, and this was a rare chance to do so without unnecessary professionalism.

"I'm not even kidding! She's a 10! She's got long, dark hair that she wears in a braid. She's tall and really curvy! And that dress she wears? It shows off juuuuust enough to make your mind wander. And her boobs are huge! I don't even know how she keeps them in! It must be magic or something because I just don't get it! And to top it off, she can fight in high heels! How crazy is that?!"

Subaru had never openly revealed to anyone that he found Elsa Granhiert to be physically attractive. She just was. Saying she wasn't was like saying snow wasn't cold.

And funny enough, the Sorcerer King seemed to find his miniature rant to be worthy of praise. "Well, if that is how you describe her, then it is no wonder she is such a successful killer. With looks like those, many men would drop their guards before they lose their lives."

Subaru didn't think it was possible for him to have had this kind of discussion with anyone with whom he was friendly in Lugunica. Maybe Reinhard, but he got the sense that the Sword Saint was a bit too proper for this kind of talk. And it definitely wouldn't earn him anything but a mocking "ha" if a certain pink-haired maid heard him saying this.

Even though he was the king of an entire nation and clearly not a human, Subaru got the sense that Ainz Ooal Gown was someone he could get along with.

And a moment later, he knew this to be true.

"So, with all that in mind, do you have any moral complications about us using any forceful methods in order to secure her cooperation and have her reveal what she knows? I would prefer her to be interrogated as soon as possible so we may understand more."

As naturally as the sun rising over the horizon, Subaru Natsuki's expression darkened. A gloomy, half-lidded smile replaced his formerly joyful face that was only moments ago laughing about a teenage boy's subject. The answer he gave made his feelings on the matter clear as crystal. "None."

In his heart, Subaru could not feel any pity for the assassin who'd spilled his guts on the Loot House floor and who'd put her knife to three people who he considered to be his friends. Whatever was coming to her, she deserved it. Sooner or later, he was going to find out who hired her. The first time and this time. "I don't know who the hell is out there who keeps sending this bitch after me, but when I find out..."

Well, he would make a plan when he knew.

But until then, he was glad that Ainz seemed to be of the same opinion. Letting Elsa get away the first time was a mistake. And it wouldn't be repeated now that she was in Demiurge's captivity.

"Excellent. As soon as any information has been revealed, I give you my word that you will be notified, immediately, Subaru." He had faith in the information-gathering skills of his subordinates. All Subaru would need to do is enjoy himself and relax. The process wouldn't take long. And with the topic of relaxation in mind, "By the way, there is something that I wanted to give to you, Subaru."

Holding out his hand, in a flash of purple light, something manifested in the bony hand of the Overlord.

Leaning over the table as much as he could to get a better view, Subaru immediately recognized it to be some sort of emblem? It appeared to be made of solid gold, and on it was what looked like a well carved, skeletal face of some sort. It looked both cool and creepy at the same time.

Without warning, Ainz placed it in the middle of the table. Taking this as an invitation, Subaru reached out to grab the unknown item, uncertain of what it was or what to say. But he was quickly enlightened.

"This is the Sorcerer King's Crest. It is decorated with my personal symbol. As long as you are in possession of this, you will be recognized as having been given the personal favor of the Sorcerer King. Anything you desire may be purchased, completely free of charge. You are permitted to eat at any restaurants you like and stay at whatever hotel catches your fancy. I hope you will be comfortable with this?"

On one hand, this explanation of being given the full VIP treatment sounded amazing! How many people were given this sort of pass by a king? Subaru's instincts were lost driven into overdrive when he thought about the no-limits pass he was just handed! And yet, there was something that immediately bothered him.

"Hold up! You're saying this is essentially a...royal insignia?" Without even receiving an answer, Subaru couldn't help but feel a not so nostalgic feeling of sudden worry. "'Cause being near something like this is exactly what brought me into contact with Elsa in the first place! I'm not trying to be rude, but I have a bad history with stuff like this!"

The way Subaru flinched away from the Sorcerer King's Crest was almost comical. He didn't want to believe that things like this were some sort of danger magnet, but even still, he couldn't purge the memories of what being near objects like this had dragged him into.

"There is no need to worry about such things, Subaru. In fact, when the Sorcerer King's Crest was first issues...ah, well, I think I can have someone else tell you that story. But for now, I think I will provide you with an escort. Someone who can lead you into the city and show you around. Enjoy yourself and socialize. You are fully deserving of this reward."

Silently, Ainz made contact with his pre-prepared subordinates, informing them that it was time to make their appearance at his location.

Despite his fingers having no skin, muscle, sinew, or anything of the like, somehow Ainz still had the ability to snap his fingers. He cast the spell known as [Gate], and at his command, a dark, ominous void opened up at the front of the conference room, completely drawing in Subaru's attention! It looked similar but different than what brought him into this new world. The portal that Ainz opened so casually looked like a black hole from which there was nothing on the other side.

But there was. And someone was coming from within. Or rather, two someones.

Both of them were women, and while they shared the similarity of being drop-dead beauties in their own way, they were very distinct from one another in terms of appearance. The newcomers looked as if they were only a few years older than him. Perhaps twenty to twenty-four? Additionally, they were both wearing what looked like maid uniforms. However, they couldn't have been more different from what he knew Rem and Ram to wear.

The first was a fair-skinned woman with black hair that was tied up in a bun. She wore glasses that gave her a cool, intelligent look. While she wore a professional, elegant smile, Subaru got the sense that this first woman would not have been out of place as a teacher's aid of some sort, or perhaps even a secretary. But what was most strange was that she seemed to wear odd, green gauntlets on both of her wrists.

The second maid was a dark-skinned redhead with her hair tied into two, long braids. She was gifted with unusual golden eyes that Subaru found to be attractive. Unlike the first, this maid seemed to have a more relaxed posture and her smile was one that seemed to hold a sort of mischievousness about it. Her unique accessory seemed to be what looked like a sort of...staff, or perhaps even a strange-looking scepter that she wore on her back. Whatever it was, Subaru didn't have a name for it.

One thing he caught from the jump however was that both of these maids were clearly fighters. They simply didn't have the total domestic servant vibe, in his opinion.

"Greetings, guest of our master. Please allow us to extend our most humble greetings."

The one with the glasses was the first to speak, and both women bowed to him in perfect, practiced tandem. They both stood on either side of Ainz like pillars, despite both being shorter than him.

"I am Yuri Alpha. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance." The bespectacled woman was the first to introduce herself, and just like Subaru figured, she seemed to have a more strict atmosphere around her, but he still found her voice and presentation to be perfectly welcoming.

"And I'm Lupusregina Beta! Nice to meetcha!" The redhead, as expected, seemed to be about three times as boisterous and excitable. She seemed like the sort who was friendly with others and her outgoing smile made him feel more at ease. But even still, something about her felt like she was a troublemaker.

Subaru could not help but feel like he had been in this same place before where he was being introduced to two maids. Actually, he'd been here quite a few times, actually. Which was why he was stunned into silence, uncertain of how to behave.

"These are two of the Pleiades maids that serve me. They will be your escorts while you are in the city. Please feel free to ask them about anything you like and they will do their utmost to assist you. And while it won't be necessary, if, by chance some danger arises, they will handle it." Considering that Subaru was essentially a personal guest of the Sorcerer King himself, it was only natural he receive protective aid.

While he may have been rattled into silence, one thing did rouse his attention. "Did he said the Pleiades?"

Deciding that he couldn't just keep standing there and staring like a lump, the Japanese teenager finally pulled himself together! Standing up, he knew he need to return their politeness. "I'm Subaru Natsuki. I really appreciate you ladies taking time out of your own schedules to show me around. I'll do my best not to get in your way. Please treat me kindly."

This was probably the most Japanese thing he'd said in a long time. Must have been a result of his talk with Ainz.

"Now that the introductions have been completed, I think it is time for the two of you to show our guest everything that our capital city has to offer. We cannot very well keep him stuck inside this one room for the entirety of our stay, now can we?" Ainz's tone and demeanor seemed to change while in the presence of his maids. Standing to his full height, he towered over both maids by a noticeable degree.

Taking point, Yuri Alpha bowed her head to her undead master, "Yes. We will not fail you, Supreme One. We shall complete our duties with the utmost efficiency."

"Lord Ainz doesn't have anything to worry about! Now that we're on the job, our guest won't ever wanna leave when he sees what we'll show him!" Lupusregina pumped a fist into the air, seemingly the more excited of the two to get moving.

Once more, Subaru didn't want to get into the mindset of playing with fiction tropes. But this was indeed moe of what he imagined maids in this sort of world to be like when he first met the oni twins. Indeed, both of them had very different personalities when he truly got to know them, but Yuri and Lupusreina really couldn't have seemed more different even if they tried.

Folding his arms behind his back, projecting a relaxed, but regal image, Ainz spoke once more. "Well then, I suppose there is nothing left for us to discuss. We don't want to pointlessly burn daylight." This seemed to be the cue for the maids, both of them who immediately understood their silent orders. Yuri and Lupusregina turned, both perfectly in sync, then went to the double doors and opened them for Subaru, both maids standing on either side in wait for him.

"Well, they're definitely different types of girls, but they look like they know how to work together, that's for sure."

Taking the Sorcerer King's Crest and putting it into his jersey pocket, Subaru made way to exit the room, but not before one final reminder from the Overlord. "And Subaru, do not forget. As soon as any new information becomes available, you will be immediately notified."

"Right! Please keep me posted! I can't wait until we figure out this mystery!"

He wanted to know more than anyone why Elsa was so doggedly pursuing him. But for now, Subaru Natsuki felt that for once, it was time for him to relax and let someone else take on the hard work. He'd throw his metal fist into the face of anyone who said he wasn't entitled to an angst break.

Grabbing his knapsack, Subaru thanked the Sorcerer King once more for his hospitality and all the assistance he had provided in Lugunica. Only Subaru knew just how much his aid was appreciated. Because if he never received it, the Japanese teen would have undoubtedly been trapped in a spiral of hopelessness from which there was no visible hope of escape.

There were still many questions that both men needed to ask the other. But for now, those things could wait. Once more isekai'd, Subaru Natsuki's second adventure was about to begin.

Left alone in the conference room, the undead Overlord took in the silence of solitude. Everything was proceeding well. He hadn't had a conversation like that in a long time. It felt good. He was happy that Subaru appeared to be a rational and agreeable person. "He's clearly not had an easy time of things. It makes me wonder what his experiences have been in Lugunica. If possible, I hope the two of us can work together."

Once more, Ainz returned to his place at the huge window. His eyes gazed out into the distance, his thoughts wandering. "A new world, is it? Is this the beginning of a new quest?"