A short story in 4 parts that follows up on what Neia might've done right after the events of Light Novel 14, The Witch of the Falling Kingdom. It is as follows. Neia didn't like proselytizing on behalf of Ainz-sama's fans who wanted her to become Pope Neia. It just wasn't her. So she chooses to be Adventurer Neia, and a Shizu disciple, who represents Neia's chance to stay close to Ainz who she's crushing for like he's a human. This is because she thinks he really is human for some reason she can't fathom, something maybe he said, or just one of his mannerisms? So on another level, this is the story of Investigator Neia, searching for Ainz' heart. But because this is Overlord, Neia will not just get to spill her feelings that easily. She doesn't even know where he is! And Shizu's not telling. So does that make her puppy-dog Neia?
Part 1
The secret guild base of Ainz Ooal Gown wasn't far but Neia was sure that Shizu-san was nervous. It wasn't anything in her ever neutral face that gave it away, but in the great time they had shared together she had noticed the aura put off of by her when she was worried. Like a little sister with a big sister. {Was it that we are late, or is it some other concern?}. They had become like sisters. Maybe more?
Neia's fan club had not liked the idea of her just abandoning her duties to them, to run off and follow that demon maid on her unknown secret mission. But that hadn't deterred Shizu. Later when they were alone, Shizu had explained that Ainz would convince them to let her go. Neia's face had turned sour when she said that. Maybe this was what was bothering Shizu now. For one who had no emotions, it was near impossible to tell what was going through her brain.
It was like a break out of prison the way they had decamped from the Holy Kingdom, all cloak and dagger. Ah what if it was for the best, these people are so clingy, she had thought. They need to find some other prophet.
Not that her adoring fan, Momma Saaba, was going to let her go that easy. Saaba took care of the kids in Kalinsha, and somehow or another Shizu had become embroiled in their games. Yuppari, who had survived two of the demihuman death camps only to be brought along as a meat shield in the final confrontation had miraculously survived. He wasn't afraid to show Shizu how much he loved her. It seemed nothing scared him anymore.
It was almost like the kids there had the objective of making up for all the disasters that had occurred just through their games, through how much fun they had. So much so that it brightened the mood of the whole fortress. Which frankly still reeked of death. Shizu had put it, "…If I wanted a tomb i'd be in Nazarick".
That was why they had both set out on a journey to the great tomb itself, to meet with his Majesty, Ainz-sama. She was permitted to call him that now. Shivers of pleasure rolled up her spine at the thought. {Now that I can chat so casually with Ainz-sama, why not the three of us take a slime bath together?} All she could think of was the slime bath Shizu had mentioned. {I wish I could be Ainz-san's slime. Just for one day.} She dreamed of his bony body encircling her like a child. It was a silly thought but it comforted her. After all, he was justice. It only felt right to feel safe there, cradled in his arms.
"…There. A creature. We should avoid."
While they had only been walking on the edge of the great forest of Tob, Neia's ears hadn't twitched at all. In fact the forest had felt eerily quiet. As if not even the creatures dared come out. The border the forest shared with the Slane Theocracy was still a ways further past the trees and into a part of the forest where probably even they avoided. The forest wasn't safe. But this path should've been safe. They were in the Sorcerer's Kingdom now that the entire Kingdom had been shredded to pieces, smashed to bits, burned to ash, and then pulverized out of existence. If someone were going to attack us, they would be taking an ungodly risk.
{Why would Ainz kill that many people?} She tucked that thought away for a time when it mattered more than her desire to simply get to know him better.
Still it wasn't long ago this was just a normal road for monsters, who would've at least tried to raid them. She trained her ears and tried to see it and noticed the shadow moving about in the forest. What was it? Just out of sight, like a monster had left its shadow behind to roam in secret.
And then Neia felt alone. Panicking, she looked around and saw nothing. Then a delicate hand popped up from a shrub behind her. She hurried over and took cover next to Shiza.
"Was that…one of Ainz-sama's?"
"…Unknown. Could be another."
"Then we should be careful."
After waiting under cover a few minutes they decided to scout around a bit before moving on, but they were unable to locate anything. Eventually they decided it was only safe to move on. As night fell they came to the shadow of a great city. It looked like a beautiful place even from a distance.
There were many pretty lights throughout it and the sound of laughter and music could be heard softly beyond the walls. It looked like a wonderful place to live. That music made her heart truly happy, as she had not heard the like since before the death of Calca. If it's truly as great as Ainz, then this place must be good. No, magnificent, surely this place is full of wonder. Where even a child who doesn't yet care to know all the grown up secrets is still safe.
As they approached the gate a voice called out to them.
"Halt. Identify yourself."
A lone soldier appeared with a crossbow and glared at them. Hunh, security was lax.
"Neia. My name is Neia and I'm a follower. Of Ainz Ooal Gown."
The human soldier seemed to confer with his associates.
It was true they could've simply camped on the outskirts of town. That way they could've reached his Majesty's base quicker. But Shiza did not seem in a rush. She had even said it was better to go slow. More fun, she had said, in typically laconic fashion.
Then the bystander goblins who had been disinterestedly watching became animated and started talking at them, saying how glad someone like Shizu was here. That they really wanted them to stay in E-Rantel. She heard one of them whispering, "good for business".
The gates opened and several of the goblins yelled up to the human guards above saying, "Eh, your job is done", and then escorted them to a room in a nearby building where a large demihuman snake named Ryraryus told them to behave while in the city. He had even said magic would be used to sort out the truth, so if you cause trouble, it won't be a secret for long.
But, the snake continued, the conversation was only a formality. And then he confirmed that Shizu was a much higher ranked subordinate than himself. After which the snake bowed and informed them of a nice inn to stay in and then left the room.
The Inn turned out to be one called the Nut House. There were toasted nuts on all the tables when they entered. Shizu entered quietly behind her but all eyes inside immediately turned on her and several people gasped. Was it the metallic armor, her gun sidearm, or just a cute girl?
"We'd like a room please."
The bartender was distracted, watching several patrons boozily arguing.
"Eh OK. We've got rooms available but you're lucky. The festival is next month and people are already pouring in. Come by tomorrow and it'd cost you double. Two silvers."
Two silvers! An inn in the Holy Kingdom would've been eight coppers at the most.
"Like I said. The festival."
"…It's fine."
Shizu put down the two silvers. The innkeeper put down a key and grinned at her like he wanted to say something else.
"Er- Well, I don't know if you…Anyway. Upstairs last room on the right. Room twelve."
The innkeeper smiled and chuckled, the belly under his dirty apron wobbled. He looked a little bit nervous but not much. As they went upstairs she heard the innkeeper mutter, "I had thought of calling it the Nut Inn. But that's a bit on the nose to lure cute girls…"
The room wasn't much more than basic accommodations, but it would have to do. The thought of there being only one bed crossed her mind. Was that wrong? Should she go get another room? But they had shared a bed before, startimg that first night Shizu had appeared back at the Holy Kingdom after leaving her alone for a few days after they had saved Kalinsha.
That had been two months ago. Since then they had camped while exploring a wandering trail around the Holy Kingdom and at night the two might hold hands and talk under the stars or just make animal sounds for fun while telling stories around the fire. The only uncomfortable night they had had was when the subject of civil war in the Holy Kingdom had come up.
Then one day a strange elderly man appeared with white hair. He had told Shizu her presence was requested by the Supreme one. She had curtsied and called him Sebastian, which seemed to fluster him.
They had walked some distance away from her while talking, but her curiousity was too great to ignore. What they didn't' know about was her new ability. The rabbit ears had amplifed her hearing greatly. Even her father the Mad Archer didn't have that skill. She fidgeted with the ring on her finger. It had grown soft on her finger as she said [Bunny Ears]. It was really nice of that lady from the Sorcerer King Rescue Corps to give this to her. But their conversation must have been too quiet because she had only caught that she had been given a new mission.
After that day every village they passed through had been abuzz with news about the mass destruction and carnage that had occured so quickly the entire Kingdom had basically evaporated within a couple weeks. `
Neia flopped onto the bed. While she was tired from traveling all day she didn't want to just lay around.
"Shizu, want to explore the city?"
"…Umu….Yes."
Well that was that, even if she was tired, she could hardly turn down sharing an evening exploring a new city with her. Their time together had not grown dull. Not at all.
"…After chocolate milkshakes."
(Back at Nazarick Ainz is seated behind the table in his meeting room. A maid and the eight edge assassins are standing by.)
Mare had already been on vacation in the Elven Kingdom for two weeks while he was still stuck in the tomb, often in this very meeting room waiting for Albedo to show up with more reports. Ah man, what a disappointment that was, he thought. He'd had no idea destroying an entire country, destablizing another, and taking on a vassal state, could cause this much paperwork.
And in those two weeks he had completely failed to implement a vacation policy. But like a true Overlord he'd been rehearsing a new plan while laying in bed scribbling his mad ideas in a notebook. Now all that was left was trying it on Albedo.
As she walked into the room Ainz watched her closely. She didn't seem bothered by anything at all. Her face seemed at perfect ease. Well perhaps that was simply because she got to spend her days by the side of her master. That could not be true for all the guardians. And just because she was happy working herself to death, did not mean the other workers did not mind toiling away day after day. It was his job as the boss to make sure they were happy. If they became depressed as a result of working all the time, their work would suffer. And more than that, he could not bear to see his children suffer. Even Guren had gotten to go outside and play..
"Mwuahahahahahaha"
His chuckles filled the air. Guren laughing and prancing while sloshing around the Re-Estize Capital had been quite amusing. Even Mare had laughed at that. It was a nice touch to an overall success of a mission. But more than anything, it had highlighted the absolute need for a truly magnificent vacation system. While a day off was nice, nothing could replace a long break dozing in the sun thinking of nothing, except perhaps Bukubukuchagama's voice acting skills as a lolli or what the latest manga was. She was quite attractive, now that he thought of it. But as his friends sister he had never really thought of her that way.
Albedo kneeled before him and said, "My lord, I have come as you requested." He had been too lost in thought so she had just sat there, breathing heavily as if simply being in his presence made her horny. Oh man, what did you do to her Tabula?"
"Rise Albedo. We have much to discuss. Tell me, have you reviewed the vacation documents?"
"I have Lord Momonga. They are…something to think about"
So she had some reservations about them. That much was clear. She had become more free spirited since he had allowed her to refer to him as Momonga in private. Although it might have been a mistake. Her presence had grown way too horny since then, even the eight edge assassins had been on edge.
"It's fine if you have reservations, but I need an answer. While you may be fine with not taking a break, I worry that stressing others will be a weakness to Nazarick. As such we must take preventative measure to be sure everybody has a chance to take care of their more basic needs. Surely you can understand that Albedo. Right?"
She mumbled something unsightly about goblins getting lazy, or something, but her face compressed into a smile as she bowed.
"It is as you say. Even I have been thinking. Wondering really, what's it like at the waterfall in the wind palace."
Crap, I don't know that place. It must have been in the reports. I knew I should've read that one the other day more carefully. It had something about powerful items from Yggdrasil, but I was cranky then. Ahh perhaps I am a bad boss after all. She should punish me.
"The Wind Palace you say, is that place, somewhere you would like to go one day? "
"Kufufufu. I would be most grateful. And the Minotaurs there are supposed to be of some intelligence. That place is supposed to be refreshing to one's skin. Although I am sure our own baths would suffice as I wouldn't want to inconvenience the tomb in any way."
He put out his hand majestically-
"No Albedo. Of all the guardians, convincing you to take a break is of the utmost importance. After all, what would happen to Nazarick without you?"
Her face flushed with pleasure. Saying this had been part of his calculated plan. The only way to convince her to implement a good vacation system was if she became convinced of its merits. But her loyalty was so great that Satoru the salary-man worried she had become a workaholic.
"Then I will go when I have some free time. It is as you command Momonga-san."
He knew that meant she might not ever actually go, but whatever. He couldn't really convince her. Sighh, am I really giving up so easily?
"Good. Then should we consider this matter completed? Yes, Well then there is another matter I wish to discuss. Guren it seems enjoyed himself while destroying that city for us. Seeing him that way made me quite happy. I was wondering what else might we be able to do for him?"
"While I don't know his thoughts personally my Lord, I doubt he is unhappy guarding his home as that is what he is was created to do."
"Just so, Albedo. You are correct, however I am sure there is more we can do to accommodate his needs. This could be a way to expand your creative thinking. Yes, I have been thinking, it would be nice to see your finer talents."
"Ohhhh! Ainz-sama, would you like to see my finer talents?"
Just now her cleavage hung so low her breasts were entirely exposed. A part of him did want to reach out and touch them. She presented them so well it was hard to turn them down. {No! they are my children, I will not demean them so. But how to be a gentleman as well?}
"Albedo, please do not expose yourself. While I do not wish to scold you…"
He trailed off as her lust seemed to turn to a pouting face. Ah, after all it could not be helped. But he had considered another way.
"Scold me Momonga? Actually, yes please I would like you to scold me! Give me all manner of rough treatment! I-"
"Albedo! I am not sure where to begin with this, but.."
He let that sit out there like a dog trainer with a treat. Oh how she begged and scrimped for that treat. His heart twinged at the thought of treating her this way when he in fact had no biscuit. Still, he could only play the cards he'd been dealt.
"If you were to appease my every demand, as the Supreme Being, the greatest of the forty-one, I may…no, I will reward you personally, in whatever way you desire."
I can't really ignore her true feelings, he thought. Although it is dangerous to allow this possibility to go to far, he knew that an office romance gone too far unrequited could become troublesome. But he had a trump card.
He had learned of a certain wild magic that could provide the charms she desired. He had considered having Pandora's Actor be his replacement, but there was no way Albedo wouldn't know. And then she wouldn't buy it. But that wild magic was still a mystery to him. How did did those dragons do it? They seemed to know the trick of temporary race changes. The only hint he had was that it was somewhere within the Elven Kingdom. Perhaps Mare would be able to find it there for him, but asking him would be tricky.
Albedo bowed her head deeply, wings gently flapping.
"Momonga-sama you know my deepest desire is to be closer to you. To share a bed with you."
"Yes. I understand. There may… come a time when that may become possible. But you must wait for now."
Double crap. Now he was screwed. She'll never let this go. Maybe there's a way to make her happy? No, this wild magic story is complete bullshit. But I can't let her find out or she will think less of me. If I cast mind magic on her then she will believe that it is a real spell. Then I will just have to practice to be that convincing. [Bone Tender]. No that wasn't it, how about [Sensual Body], that might work. Hmmm, he will have to try it in the mirror. Would she be more impressed if it really was wild magic?
[Bone Magic]. That's perfect! Say I take Albedo to a secret demihuman shrine with little fairies and we have tea together and enjoy some time together. I'll casually offer her to try a new spell. I'll tell her…
Albedo straightened herself up and smiled charmingly.
"Then that is what I will do. About Guren my Lord, what if we were to let him inhabit the ruins for a while longer? Would that not add a mystery to the charm, as well as roasting a few careless losers who nosed too far into the rubble?"
"Umu. Then inform him of this. Let this be an experiment. Gather data on what sort of vacation parameters would make the denizens of Nazarick most happy. Then report the results to me personally. I want results Albedo."
"It will be done at once!"
He stressed that last part and hoped she got the message. Sighhh. If this doesn't work I don't how I'll convince her.
"Now then, although I am a ruler and there may be more issues, I trust there is nothing pressing. So i have decided to take the rest of the day off. If you need me I will be in the slime bath. Or…try the library. Or hmm…well I had considered visiting Momon, that is if Pandora is available. Ah, and you might try the Dwarven Kingdom. I had heard there was a shack somewhere with many runes on it. What if there's good magic there? Umu, I must investigate that as well. What do you think, Albedo, can you handle that?"
It was a confusion spell. The best mind magic for situations like these where a subordinate was too helpful and didn't know when to buzz off.
"It would be the greatest of pleasure to serve you in the utmost, Lord Momonga. Your servant knows no bounds to her loyalty to Nazarick and you the greatest-"
He raised his hand and she stopped immediately.
"Umu…Mwahaha….You have my greatest trust Albedo, of all the guardians…."
Albedo let out a moan and fell to her knees. If this continued she would begin crying again, but then she wiped her eyes and stood up smiling.
"Thank you Ainz-sama. I'm sure I will find you when needed. Even with the suppression ring you wear there is no way my heart could stray from your side forever."
"Ah ha. That's good. Now then, unless there is anything else?"
"No my Lord Momonga. I will follow all your orders faithfully."
After Albedo left, Ainz toyed with the idea of spying of Neia. It was too early to tell but her evangalizing might help garner some praise for his actions. It wasn't as if the people of Re-Estize would ever forgive him, but Holy Kingdom should. He had played the villian and it had had the desired effect. Fear the Sorcerer King. Fear his Kingdom. And for those rare beings ready to know it, fear Nazarick. Maybe he'd gone too far with Re-Estize? What would Touch Me say?
His stomach really did hurt. He took out the Red Orb.
"Hmmm."
He used the ring to teleport to the secret bath house he had constructed on 7th floor.
A black elder slime was there.
"Herohero-san is that really you?"
"Momonga-san! It's good to see you…I've found myself here at this bath. But how did I get here? Didn't I logged out? didn't I go back to Japan and-"
"Hmm, I see. Well in that case."
Ainz scratched his head like he'd had a change of heart.
"Let's just go on past this part for a while, would that be alright?"
There was an audibly delayed pause but it passed before it became awkward.
"But of course Mein- Uh, I mean…"
"Now then, the bathing procedures were explained to you by that Sapphire Slime, am I correct?"
"Umu."
Two cups of noodles, miso style. Or just sushi. I've got to figure out how to eat, he thought. Maybe after I feel safe in this world I could afford to use a race change item.
.***
Herohero would meet him in the pool in a minute. He had rehearsed a speech for this as well, writing it in the notebook on being an Overlord that he locked away in a magic box. It would only be effective training if he took it seriously. Ainz cleared his mind of any doubt. Even he had to do his part, as a good Overlord, even if it was all doomed to fail because of his incompetence. Oh well, it wouldn't be a bad time if Albedo decided the tomb was better without me.
Ainz settled into the bath, no, Momonga settled in.
"Momonga-kawai, I'm ready, but to bathe in slime seems odd to me somehow haha. Say Momon while I'm here I'd thought I might-"
Herohero's tentacle waggled in mid-air as if a control panel was there. He threw his tentacles up as if struggling in vain.
"I just miss the control panel, it was always so nice in a game to have the option to…You know dangle my tentacle and ooze all over my favorite options."
HeroHero slimed over to the bath and fell into the sapphire ooze with a glop. His top half floated, black tentacles gently pushing him around causing him to bob up and down.
"So Guren are you here somewhere?"
Just then red ooze spilled out of the pipes leading to the bath.
"Oooh that is quite nice isn't it. Spicy even."
"Hehe yes Hero, our little steam bath is quite nice. Even for another ooze it could be a special little soup for undead beings and living beings of all sorts."
"Ahh actually Guren that's a bit much."
The sapphire slime was shrinking to one corner of the 8 by 12 meter obsidian soaking tub. It was lava pouring through that pipe after all. Nobody in their right mind would try something like this. But Ainz was not any man. After a week of trials he had finally discovered the right balance of Sapphire, water, and Guren that made a steam bath even the undead could die for.
Just then he noticed a maid was there in the shadows of the doorway. Well no matter, they were a crafty bunch and Ainz had been testing the limits of their abilities. Honestly, telling them to sit without moving for hours was way too much. But who had given her the ring that protects against fire damage? Pandora? No. Maybe Albedo had loaned one out to them for these kinds of purposes.
"Is it? So master I am quite eager to tell you about the joy it was gobbling up human bits in that city. When can I do that again with a new city? Tomorrow perhaps? I'm free now that the city is so free of humans."
"Yes. It's as I expected of you. A fine fire slime like yourself would be able to thoroughly cleanse that place as if it had been shined for centuries, as I instructed you to. I'm sure when I send Aura there to check it out she will-"
"Actually perhaps I will just spend more time there. I wouldn't want to disappoint you."
"No, of course not, be at ease Guren. This meeting was one you were specifically invited to and you should voice your concerns. I have not made enough time for you and if you'd like me to apologize I will."
"…Okay."
Okay? What was he thinking! This ooze was a reckless one.
"Ah ha ha ha that's a good one Guren. Yes, I do apologize for not using your talents sooner. I'll make sure to include you in my plans from now on."
"I was only joking with you Ainz-sama. I figured since all the other Guardians bellyscrape to you all day it might be nice to have someone….more feisty to talk to."
"Umu. For you, I will allow it. Perhaps you will even teach me some good jokes. We don't have any comedians in Nazarick, do we?"
"Comedians Lord Ainz?"
"Yes, funny men you know? Well anyway, maybe we'll have a comedy show sometime, I'll show you my true talents."
The sapphire slime closest to Ainz arm begun mumbling.
"Eh, funny man I wonder if I could tell a joke one day."
"That's good Sapphire, I will be sure to have you there that day. If it doesn't go well. Just remember you can always improve, and it would improve the morale of Nazarick to see everyone put forth their best effort. So if you try for everyone, surely you will succeed in some way, as long as you never give up."
That sounded a little too preachy but it just came out. Maybe the Sapphire Slime mixed with Guren was affecting him in some way, like making him lazy and spaced out? That would be nice.
He pulled out the red orb and let it float over to HeroHero who had up to now been lazily floating around the pool making little splashes of ooze that slowly drew back into the pool. The ball became attached to one of his tentacles and was absorbed into the center of his body and he shot out like a cannon at the wall, but it landed without breaking anything. Guren slurped it up and it disappeared into a vent.
"Er that was reckless, maybe I should've gotten you a basketball Hero?"
"Ah ha, yes, let's do it! If you're the leader of the guild then it must be true! Face it, you've completely convinced the Nazarick brain trust of your supreme intelligence. They are in awe of your every word."
"Now you're just trolling me Hero, but ah it pains me, you're right. So you know how it is."
"Well I figured it out pretty quickly at that meeting with Albedo. She really knows how to bow and scrape and other stuff too right?"
Oh no, what am I supposed to say? That she wants to have sex with me? That can't be right, we don't need to talk about that do we?
"Ah, it's as you say Hero-san."
Hero started wailing.
"Oh Momonga!"
"Okay cut it out I get it"
Man, Pandora was taking his character acting way too seriously. If only Herohero could really be here.
"So to the purpose of this bath then. Guren, if you don't mind."
The orb reappeared but was superheated. Ainz sighed, he might as well let the maid bring the table over. It's not like they wouldn't know anyway.
"Lumière, my table is over there would you get it please."
Her eyes opened in surprise for just a fraction of a second, likely thinking her presence was somehow invisible to him, but she quickly recovered and nodded. She brought the table over but stopped at the edge of the bath.
"It's so hot, I can't go any closer. But I will if you want me to."
"No. That's not necessary. And Lumière, that will be all for today."
Before leaving she bowed to Ainz, and then to her "creator" Herohero.
Ainz moved the table to the center of the bath where there was a raised platform underneath the slime for a table just this size to rest on.
"Now since you know the rules, let's play Ping Pong. Your serve Hero."
Using a World Item as a ping pong ball was a bit reckless. He should've cared more than he did. Maybe he was starting to relax? At least one of the Red Orb's properties allowed it to mimic a ping pong ball. He didn't even know how he'd go about having to make a real one.
After playing a few games Hero got the hang of it and was actually just as good as Ainz. He knew it was just a silly game, but it felt good to pretend like he was just a normal human being once in a while. If that helped him feel at home in this New World, then he didn't care if anybody thought it was bizarre. Everything about this was bizarre, would he be trapped here forever without anybody else from Japan?
"That wasteland…"
It wasn't great thinking about going back there now. Would Tokyo compare to living with all the children of Nazarick? He felt no doubt that this was and will forever be his one true home. He never wanted to go back.
"Guren, that wasteland of a city will be your home a little while longer. In that way I can accommodate another party of adventurers I am counting on. They will need to be tested in battle and you would be a worthy opponent."
It was a only slightly evil game he had decided to play with his subordinates. If this world couldn't or didn't want to present worthy or interesting challenges then they couldn't gain new experiences that helped them improve. Even Mare had come to him with that message, thanking him for the new battle experiences. Now, he had said, I could blow up a whole city in one go, at least I think so.
"And Guren."
"Yes Ainz-sama."
"Hang on to that orb for me. Find a use for it in the meantime. But understand this. That orb is very valuable to me. Losing it would be a blunder of astronomical proportions. Try your best to return it to me, otherwise it will be a great loss for Nazarick. I will carry a different World Item in the meantime."
"Understood. But what kind of use should I put it to?"
"Well isn't that something of a game for you to discover? It wouldn't be a bad game I promise. Think of it as a learning excercise. After all, if I didn't test you, would I be considered worthy of the title Supreme Overlord?"
"Yes Ainz-sama. Yes, hmmm. This is better than expected. This orb and I will be companions for a while then."
"It will also protect in case a danger arises. There are other beings with world class items that are unknown to me. They likely came from the Slane Theocracy but I can't prove that for sure."
"Why not simply destroy them master? Surely I could roll over them and squish them with ease."
"Maybe, but that is a risk I'd rather not take at this time. In the meantime I am collecting more information on them."
"Oooh, I see. In that case I will leave for the city tomorrow."
"Excellent Guren, I look forward to your reports. Be sure to keep Aura informed of any interesting intel you may acquire."
"Understood."
"And Guren don't forget about that other mission with that girl and our accomplice should the opportunity arise"
"Yes Lord Ainz I am sure that toady fool will get the nastiest shock of his short life . A spin off of what the 7th floor is, that's what you asked for? I don't know if it will please you but I designed the dungeon myself and I quite like exploring the lava there."
"Ufufufufu, that is good I look forward to watching it unfold. And will she be able to survive to acquire the books?"
"Maybe."
"Ah so you did listen to instructions given to you by Demiurge. I'm glad to find you being so attentive. So do you think Shizu will also be destroyed?"
"That is my aim."
"Yes, hmmm, but it will be a bother to destroy. What if she manages to survive, and to keep Neia safe?"
"That will not happen. But if it did, then I suppose that would prove her skills to be far higher than her level."
"Yes that is a distinct possibility. Shizu is the best min-maxed combat maid. Still, for her to defeat you would be a great surprise, even if that defeat were only for her to escape intact with the books. So, if possible, try not to destroy them, only defeat them, despite what Demiurge had told you. I wish to disrupt his plans and see how well he adapts. Now go Guren, do my bidding, have Shalltear return you. And tell no one of my orders. Remember, except for Aura, your command is absolute in that ruined city."
"It will be done Lord Ainz."
He had felt like quite the impressive king sending his powerful servant off like that. Hopefully Guren was impressed.
He had been thinking of building a duplicate dungeon of what he had seen in the Dwarven Kingdom, but had instead told Guren to use that place as merely a guide for his choices for his dungeon. So really it could be anything. It had been quite a pain convincing the dwarves his giant lava slime monster wasn't going to hurt anyone or anything, but just wanted to poke around a bit and discover if he even liked the dungeon features available that protected the Dwarven Capital. If he didn't, Ainz had offered to find a different dungeon more suitable to Guren's palate, but nothing had come of that. I guess we'll just have to see what you come up with Guren won't we.
"Before you go, did that dwarf you meet intrigue you in any way?"
"My guide at the Dwarven Kingdom you mean? He wasn't so interesting."
"By the way, you didn't think about eating him did you?"
"I did Lord Ainz. He talked far too much and he also farted. I did like his cooking, but beans and mushrooms is not nearly as tasty as human, or even dwarf."
Hmm. That's too bad, it seemed Guren had yet to make even one friend. How sad. He hadn't even mentioned the fellows name. Must've been boring for him. Maybe the right person hadn't come along yet for Guren. As a gigantic hell slime, was he socially stunted? I could look around his mind to understand, but I'd rather reserve that option. He wondered what Guren was thinking of right that moment, perhaps puzzling over his new orders. Or was he thinking about how to scare the pants off those intruders. He savored the moment, considering Demiurge had cooked up some idea of creating mythic hetermorph warriors and weaving them into a great tapestry of battle history between the Sorcerer King and his pantheon of mythic characters.
They would be his legion. He didn't want to go all King Arther, but if the shoe fit, the sword in the stone he'd set. In fact, an angel lady in a lake and a rune weapon lodged in a magical stone could be a nice plot line he could use sometime.
His plan was that over time many powerful beings would fall under his rule, like Momon had. Hopefully their disciples or associates would then take the cue to do the same. Only by winning over hearts and minds could he exploit the potential of this world to find out its secrets. Momon the Raven Black warrior was a nice concept that Renner had been actively plotting on. Perhaps she should manage crafting the legends of my pantheon legion.
()
And the dragons were a secretive bunch of idiots he could count on. But the Slane Theocracy was a big threat, probably the biggest.
Even if the Dragon Lords existed in great numbers, they were overly cautious or outright disinterested in pushing an agenda. PDL was a big exception, he clearly had ambitions to be a world champion, protector of justice. His dragon powered drone armor who fought Pandora was too confident. And even if he was hiding from him, just sending his puny drone armor pawn, hiding behind alliances with countries, Ainz would come. And then it would be scrolls or servitude. Unless they Dragon Lords stood together against them they would fall.
But his research on this New World had made it clear Players had arrived throughout the centuries. Hejinmal had
PDL had lived through other arrivals in the New World. What sort of genius was that supposed to be? He sighed, his competitors were either a joke, way underpowered, or just making bad moves. Was it all dragons in the New World that were cowardly? It was a wise tactic to an extent. And with wild magic, world items and maybe a guild base that made him just as worthy of an adversary as the Slane Theocracy.
The Deep Darkness Dragon hiding in the forest of Tob was more of an ally in terms of the mythic creatures he wished to cultivate. A wide berth had been given to his domain. Even if he wished to try anything, then he would become scrolls or servitude and nothing in between. But his death must come at the hands of one of his gifted mythic warriors. He'd like to send Guren but that wouldn't really be fair if Guren wasn't strong enough. Guren losing would end a story just beginning. It would be great to draw their clashes out over years, causing both mayhem and destruction.
PDL's weakness was his traceability. He was linked to several countries including the Argland Counctil State. Albedo had taken up the task of following the trail after the fight between Pandora's Actor "Ainz" and Platinum Dragon Lord "Armor". And she was extremely efficient. It was only a matter of time before there were results.
The urge of a collector welled up inside him while wondering what sort of guild weapon PDL had. The coolest thng really might be just to catalog every bit of information he has gathered over the centuries. That was unique data, and exceedingly rare. Every mystery he wished to unravel could be hidden there.
But the Theocracy was something to fear. They had Yggdrasil items in great number, and knew how to organize into parties of six with the correct skill sets. In other words, Players had taught them how to fight. Godkin Zesshi was a threat but Albedo wanted him to let her handle it.
Rubedo as part of Albedo's PK squad was a nice counter to whatever Zesshi could throw at them but Demiurge had given him an entirely different set of reports, stating Zesshi was rather enchanted with having a baby with someone powerful, which Mare would need to provide. So there was that. It was a rather attractive way to usurp their power while ignoring them. They were only a threat when provoked. One day they would use their weapon, their queen in chess speak, and Ainz would swoop up their world items.
"Pandora's Actor. Change your form. Prepare the war council."
Herohero morphed into the egg-man doppleganger.
"I look forward to it, my great creator, however I was hoping to ask about my reward."
"Umu, tell me."
"Could, er, Hejinmal come to the treasury sometime? You see he always manages to track me down because of something he read about in the Library, or of some accounting in the reports. He's made me question whether even I know everything about Nazarick's holdings! Such a thing cannot be so I must rectify it immediately. My Lord I wish to dive into all the new items we've gained, I must study them intimitely for hours until nothing escapes my notice!"
"That is acceptable. However be sure not to let him into the vaults where we store world items. He has no business there, and while I trust him to a degree, he was an outsider to Nazarick recently. Study him as well while he is there. See if he is suitable to become an archivist for me. I wish to collect data on dragons, would he be open to that? Find out."
"Ich schwöre euch, mein Schöpfer, Treue und Tapferkeit!"
Ainz only sighed and touched his skeleton hand to his head in embarrassment. It meant, blah blah my master you're awesome. Letting him be this way when they were alone inspired Pandy. It improved his acting skills, so he put up with it.