Chapter 2
A/n: Alvero: I understand where you're coming from, Ainz would certainly never destroy the environment of the new world. However, I think you're making the mistake of assuming the technology Ainz would be making and using would be powered by fossil fuels or something similar. This is not the case, all of Ainz's creations will be powered by mana. As for why I put Ainz down this path is because as an average person from earth it is the best he could do. I'd say Ainz would even step in if it ever got that serious.
Jadelcause: Thank you for your kind words.
MaskedKeeper: agreed, at the time it was a mistake to say eight edge assassins, but the more I consider it the more I think it might have been possible for a Mechanist to make one, as far as we know eight edge assassins are only summonable through Yggdrasil gold and data books, but I see no reason why a sufficiently high-level Mechanist wouldn't be able to make one, by their design in the anime they look like they're more machine than flesh, no flesh as far as I can see.
Hackslashbash: Thank you.
As Jircniv entered his private meeting chambers along with Fluder, Nimble, and a few maids, he walked straight to his seat. The day had been as long as any other but Jircniv was glad he could relax and speak with his son. Recently Jircniv had been increasingly looking forward to this time as the weeks went by, and although Jircniv still had his worries about the future. Those worries are lessened by the potential he sees in Ainz, both in intelligence and magic.
To Ainz the image he puts forth and wants others to see is that of a curious and smart child. But unbeknownst to Ainz, others who see his attempt at acting received a completely different image to that which Ainz was transmitting. To them, they did indeed see a curious child, but also a child which could connect dots he shouldn't be able to connect, and know things he should not know. Some called him a genius, others say the emperor was coaching him into giving predetermined answers. This was a failure on Ainz's part as he tended not to remember the things he should, and should not know. In other words, he was caught up in his web of lies.
Jircniv, of course, could tell. As someone who had spent his entire life unweaving the intricate web of lies that is noble society, it was impossible for him to not see it. But this did not anger Jircniv, rather it was promising. In the world of politics, one needed to protect themselves, and this protection usually came in the form of a web. This combined with Jircnivs own investigations, completely eliminated any of Jircniv's unfounded worries.
Ainz for his part never seemed to leave his room, only when dragged out by Olivia or himself did he ever leave. Five months ago Jircniv had asked Ainz why he lived such a hermetical lifestyle, but the only answer he received is that Ainz had no want to leave the palace. Jircniv had his concerns about this, but it truly did not appear to be affecting Ainz, so he decided to leave that matter be.
But the things which interested Jircniv most about Ainz were his unique ideas. These days Jircniv tended to ask Ainz questions just to see what he would say in response, and sometimes the responses he gives truly stumped him. Ainz, despite being an aspiring magic caster, often talked of non-magical methods of acquiring the same result. This truly stumped Jircniv. But this was not the only thing that surprised Jircniv, there was also Ainz's maturity for his age.
7 months ago there was a small bandit troop, which pillaged a village and murdered its inhabitants. Needless to say, the bandits were indicted and executed, and after some time had passed, Jircniv had asked Ainz's opinion of if the bandits should have been executed. Some would say exposing one's children to such topics at an early age is counter to their development. But for Jircniv, an Emperor, and his son, a prince, he felt that addressing such things would not just be appropriate but needed if Ainz was to ever be prepared for the outside world.
However, counter to Jircniv's expectations, the answer Ainz gave was quite simple…
"They are bandits?" upon Jircniv nodding his head, Ainz immediately followed up.
"Then I don't see why not," Ainz said in a confused tone.
… When Jircniv heard that response, he did not know what to think. But upon looking back on the matter, that was as correct of an answer as one could give, even if it sounded odd coming from the lips of a child, it was the truth. Those people did what they did knowing of the consequences, and yet they persisted, taking and killing as they please. But Jircniv quickly wiped his mind of all these thoughts. Ainz by now must have received his summons, and he is likely on his way.
"Prepare some tea," Jircniv said aloud to the room, and the maids rushed to fulfill his order.
"Fluder, have you gotten this week's report from Riel yet?"
"Yes, your majesty, according to Riel, Ainz has been making steady progress. Things might have been slow at first, but I can assure your majesty that it is common for novices to have such troubles." Fluder said, purposefully leaving out Ainz's latest achievement.
"Is that so? That is good to hear, and his other education?"
"No problems as usual… well except that Liam, Ainz's writing tutor still complains that his handwriting is subpar."
"So nothing new then." Jircniv said with little emotion in his voice. The truth of the matter is Jircniv simply didn't care about Ainz's poor handwriting, he had much more pressing matters on his mind.
Only a few moments passed before Olivia arrived with Ainz, and only moments more to be let in. As soon as Ainz entered the room, Jircniv rose from his seat and said, "It's nice to see you again Ainz, please come, take a seat, tea will be prepared in just a moment," saying this Jircniv sat back down.
"Thanks, Dad," Ainz replied, sitting opposite to Jircniv.
"So, Ainz, how have you been? I have been hearing good things from everyone but Liam," Hearing Jircniv mention Liam, he was honestly more than a little confused.
"Really father? Still? I feel like I've gotten so much better," and this was the truth. At first, Ainz's handwriting was so bad that his first writing tutor laughed at the sight of it. Needless to say, Ainz did not see that writing tutor again.
"Haa…" Jircniv let out a long sigh. "Listen Ainz, as a prince your handwriting is supposed to be immaculate. Sure you very well might have gotten better Ainz. But, it still remains true that you must set an example for others."
If Jircniv was being honest with himself, he did not believe in what he just said. Ainz would likely never have to write anything in his life if he did not want to, after all, that is what the scribes are for. Yet this was but one of the many lies nobility tended to tell their children, there are many reasons why they do so. This particular lie is told to instill patience and the desire for perfection. Yet unfortunately, Ainz seemed to have no desire for perfection, at least where his handwriting is concerned.
"Yes, father," Ainz said in a resigned tone.
"But enough about that, Ainz, how are your magic studies going? I hear from Fluder that you're making steady progress," as Jircniv said this, the maids finally came back with a tray full of snacks and tea. The maids in their diligence hastily set the table with said snacks.
"Ah, about that father, I have great news," Ainz said exuberantly, quickly reaching for the tea, only blowing on it and waiting for it to cool down just enough just to the point where it was barely drinkable, then chugged it down.
"Great news you say?" Jircniv questioned while also raising an eyebrow at Ainz's unusually fast drinking pace.
Seeing Jircniv's confusion, Ainz smiled and removed the cups from his lips, and pointed it at Jircniv.
"Look father, I have learned a new spell," Jircniv stared at the dirty cup, wondering where his son was going with this, but those wonders were answered when Ainz raised his hand to the cup and cast.
"[Clean]"
Seeing the magic cast successfully Fluder smiled and congratulated him. "Excellent work, your highness, for someone of your age knowing two first-tier spells is quite the achievement. Perhaps, if you could now learn a basic attack magic like [Magic Arrow] you could gain tuition to the magic academy early."
Hearing this the entire room looked surprised, Jircniv, and Ainz included. The average age of a student in the Empires Magical Academy for a First-year student was Sixteen-Years-old. This was seen as the average as after their two to four-year stay, they would be old enough and experienced enough to find work.
"Are you sure about that, Fluder? Ainz is still only six-years-old, now is too early for such a thing." Jircniv questioned.
"That might not be the case, your majesty. Ainz has already shown such proficiency at such a young age, of course sending Ainz now or even in the next year is out of the question, but after that?" Fluder replied.
Ainz, hearing Fluder say that creating water, then subsequently cleaning it up was "such proficiency" had to hold back a laugh, yet he could not hide the smile which formed on his face. Luckily for him, the others in the room did not see a mocking expression, instead, they saw pride.
"Hm, I will consider it, but as you said, not now," Jircniv said sternly.
But this is not what Ainz wanted, to Ainz, he immediately wanted to enter the college from the first time he cast a spell. Ainz often contemplated just how lucky he was, from a wage slave in a dying world to a Prince in a thriving land. To Ainz, this was luck beyond belief, but he knew that he had a lot of work ahead of him, the sooner he gain access to the college, the sooner Ainz reaches his goals.
"But I want to join the Academy as soon as possible!" Ainz practically demanded
Jircniv seemed surprised for only a moment at his son's ambition but quickly followed up "Ainz, you cannot join the magical academy at six, that would simply be ridiculous." slightly glancing at Fluder, Jircniv noticed the smile on his face, causing a frown of his own to form.
"If Fluder-sensei thinks I could do it, why not?" Ainz spat out knowing it would do no good.
"Because you have other studies to focus on Ainz, you cannot simply run off to the academy and do whatever you want."
Ainz groaned internally, 'Really!? Who the hell cares, I already know math at a higher level than anyone else in the Empire, well I guess no one knows that, and I can read just fine, just what more do you want?'
"But father-"
"I said no, and that is final, Ainz," Jircniv rebuked.
"... Fine" after some quiet mumbling Ainz finally replied.
"Good, I supposed this is a good time to talk about this. Ainz, just what do you want to be when you grow up?" Some might see this as a stupid question, obviously as the first prince Ainz should aspire to be the emperor. This is the answer one would expect, however, Jircniv knew that Ainz had little interest in politics. To Jircniv this was understandable, and despite how other monarchs might view this matter, Jircniv was happy Ainz wanted to stay away from the nonsense.
Ainz took a moment to think, 'Is this a good time to bring that up?' Ainz wondered to himself.
"About that father, I've been thinking."
"About what, Ainz?"
Ainz considered his words, 'how would I even explain what I want to do to someone who knows nothing about non-magical technology? Perhaps this way?'
"Well father, I have been wondering if there are some problems that magic can't solve, or if there are some problems that would be easier to solve without magic." Ainz let his words float in the air.
Hearing this, Fluder questioned, "and just what kind of problems would those be?"
"Well, I don't know… With magic items, I've heard it is possible to create water with them, right Fluder-sensei?" Of course, Ainz knew there were magic items that produced water, this was but one of many of Ainz's small lies.
"Yes, that is true…" Fluder answered.
"Then what about people who can't afford these magic items, they get their water from wells right?"
"Of course," Fluder said, wondering where this was going.
"Isn't that a lot of work? dragging up bucket after bucket of well water?" Ainz posed the question, and Jircniv started listening attentively.
"Yes, that is true Ainz, however, that is the only way for those people to get water. What are you suggesting, your highness?" Fluder asked, finally running out of patience.
'Alright I can't just reveal the answer, I have to make this seem real.'
"Well I don't know, Fluder-sensei, but I think that magic is not the solution. There has to be a way other than buckets to get water from the ground…" Ainz said, but contrary to Ainz's expectations, the reaction he got was confusion.
"And why are you thinking about this, Ainz? Are you saying you want to be a craftsman? Or enchanter?" Jircniv asked, curious about his son's reasoning.
"Well… something like that father," Ainz said reluctantly, assuming his royal status would get in the way.
"That's a wonderful ambition," Jircniv said with his normal smile returning to his face.
"Huh?"
"I said that's a wonderful goal, Ainz."
"No, no, I mean, that would really be ok? Isn't that a position for well… commoners?"
"That is not necessarily the case, Ainz. There have been many royal and noble craftsmen in the past," Jircniv replied with his smile only growing larger.
"As a matter of fact, would you like a set of tools? And a small workshop? I could certainly arrange that, Ainz," The surprise on Ainz's face was obvious, he had never expected things to go so smoothly.
"Ahahaha, Ainz, you shouldn't be that surprised. Do you remember what I told you on your fifth birthday?"
"Well, when you said I could do whatever I wanted I didn't think you were serious."
"I was very serious Ainz, just as long as you don't become a drunkard or greedy fool, you can do just about anything you want. Also, you shouldn't assume that a craftsman is such a lowly position. The idea you had was a good one. If you were able to complete said idea, it would make the lives of the villagers easier along with their farming duties, not to mention how profitable it would be to sell it to them."
When Ainz heard this, he smiled. Ainz was confident in his path, he just wishes people wouldn't ask so many questions. "Then yes father, that is exactly what I want to do."
"Excellent, but the question remains, what tools do you need?" Jircniv asked.
'Arrgh, damnit stop asking me such hard questions!' Ainz complained to himself.
"Well, I was thinking of working with metal and not wood, so a hammer, a forge, an anvil, a-" Ainz was cut off mid-sentence.
"Stop," Jircniv said bringing silence to the room. "Ainz, I will not allow you to work with metal, it is simply too dangerous," The annoyance on Ainz's face was visible but Jircniv was not done.
"For now, you'll use wood. Then, if you wish to continue, I would then allow you to work with metal."
Feeling this was a fair compromise Ainz agreed happily, 'well he's right… I don't know the first thing about being a smith. I would probably end up hurting myself as he said.'
"Considering that, what do you need?"
"Well I would still need a hammer, and some nails, a saw too, some files, maybe some-"
As Ainz went on about all the things he wanted Jircniv and the rest of those in the room couldn't help but wonder where Ainz learned about all of these things. So after letting Ainz go on for some time, Jircniv decided to cut in and ask, "Ainz, just where did you learn about all these things?"
'Oh, shit….' Ainz racked his brain for some time trying to find an answer that wouldn't give away his foreknowledge.
"From a book in the library father, I believe it was called, "The Basics of Woodworking as Taught by The Six", I believe," This was not a lie, Ainz had actually taken several books from the library some time ago in an attempt to find out more about the world around him. But the thing Ainz found most interesting about that particular book was not its content. As far as Ainz was concerned the actual knowledge in the book was subpar, a third-hand retelling of a second-hand retelling of what these "six" taught humanity.
What Ainz found truly fascinating about the book was the information about the "Six great gods". As far as Ainz could tell these people were definitively players. From the description of their strength to the knowledge they left behind, and even their human first policy, all of it screamed Earthling. Ainz had considered what that meant for him, at first he was bitter. Ainz came into this world with nothing, yet the six, and later the eight arrived in the new world with everything. Money, magic items, even an entire guild base. For an entire week Ainz was in shambles thinking about what he lost, and not just the wealth, but Nazarick itself, the guild, the memories. But after some consideration Ainz was concerned, why had they been brought here in the form of their avatars, but Ainz in the body of a human prince? Ainz was pretty sure there was something more to his situation, someone or something beyond him that affected his fate in such a way. But in truth, Ainz did not even know this, for all Ainz knew, it could very well be possible for Nazarick to simply show up later than he did, but Ainz did not know this.
"I see, very well Ainz, I shall have someone prepare everything you need then. Is there anything you would like to do Ainz?"
Ainz considered what he needed to do. When Ainz thought about it, what he really needed right now was inspiration. Ainz could have all of the tools and wood he wanted, but without a solid idea of what to build, he likely would never get anything done.
"Well, father, I'd like to visit the market district."
"Really? considering you barely ever leave the palace this is quite the change, what for?" Jircniv asked
"Nothing specific father, I simply want to look at what's for sale like magic items, weapons, and stuff like that"
"I see, very well then, you can do that tomorrow, I'll also send Nimble with you for protection."
"Thank you, father," Ainz replied, genuinely glad that the day had gone so well.
"Your majesty, if you'll allow me I am more familiar with the magic item shops in the capital, I could guide his highness if you so desire."
"Alright, but are you not busy, Fluder?"
"I am indeed your majesty, but I also need to visit a few shops for a ritual I am working on."
"I see, perfect then, Nimble, you will stay," Jircniv addressed Nimble.
"Understood, your majesty," Nimble said as he gave a bow.
"Is there anything else you would like to discuss, Ainz? The time we have is coming to an end."
"Yes father, when would you allow me to join the academy? Will I have to wait until I am sixteen? What if I'm already beyond the academies classes by then?" Jircniv looked at Ainz strangely, 'is he saying he thinks he will be a fourth-tier caster by the time he's sixteen?'
"I believe your worries are unfounded, Ainz. I simply find it hard to believe you could reach such heights so early." Jircniv said as he looked at Fluder. Understanding what Jircniv meant Fluder cut in.
"I too also find that hard to believe, your majesty… but nothing is impossible, your majesty, if Ainz shows enough promise then, by all means, granting him early access would be a good idea. I would implore your majesty to consider it."
Jircniv took some time to consider Fluder's words. Jircniv knew that Fluder was a crazy old coot when it came to magic, so needless to say he would encourage anything and everything magic. However, Fluder did have a point. Ainz showed promise as a magic caster, even at the age he is, knowing just the two spells he did. Fluder, Jircnivs source for knowledge of magic considered him to have great potential.
"Very well Ainz, When you reach the second tier of magic, I'll allow you to enter the academy early."
"I believe that would be a good idea, your majesty," Fluder cut in.
"Thank you, father" Ainz replied
"All right, sorry Ainz, but I have to hold court soon, so I'll take my leave," Jircniv told Ainz. Jircniv did not want this time to end. Compared to his other duties, spending time with his family was one of the more enjoyable tasks.
"All right, will I see you again next week father?" Ainz asked.
"Yes indeed, Ainz you need not worry about me making time for you. I would say this is the best part of my week."
Ainz did his best to put on a charming smile and said "thanks, father."
Soon after both Jircniv, and Ainz got up, and after a quick tussle of Ainz's hair, Ainz left saying,
"See ya!"