As the trio advanced down the corridor in silence to the throne room, the surrounding people cleared out of the way for them to move without impediment. Though it was common courtesy to move for the king of a nation, some even stopped in the middle of their task to create a path for them, which could not help but make Ainz rather suspicious.

Anyone who was in the middle of a conversation would freeze up at the sight of the entourage and wait for them to leave before resuming, which left only the sound of their footsteps resonating through the halls.

Though it could not compare to the 9th floor, it was not fair to compare the two as the gap that existed between the standards of the new world and Nazarick were like a insurmountable wall. Still it was nice in its own way. The halls floor was a marble white with a carpet that lead to the doorway. While similar to Nazarick in design, there was nor door at the end, simply leading up to the throne. One could see the effort that must have went into designing such a hall, so it was impressive in its own right.

As they neared the end of the great walkway, the throne came into view. It was fairly simple by Ainz standards, though in the grand scheme of things, it was a fairly nice seat. Though small in make, the rim of the back seemed to be made of some metal that gave it a similar luster to the room, most likely silver, with sea green cushioning that was pleasing to the eye. And upon it–

"That's..."

–Was a young girl – No – A child, that could not have been over the age of ten. Though her outfit was indeed something befitting of royalty, A frilled dress that stopped just above the knee, her appearance could not have been further from the expectations. Ainz almost felt like he was being duped for a moment until she made her response. He could even see Peroroncino's eyes widening next to him.

"Greeting your majesty, I am known as queen Draudillion of the dragon kingdom. Though I am sure you already knew that. I am truly honored to be in your presence. But before we get down to business, as a show of good faith, my nation has prepared a gift to welcome you to our country. Carron, please give them the gift."

The cutesy voice that could not belong to anything other than a little girl only further insinuated the idea that he was being pranked, but he choose to withhold judgment until his assumption was concrete.

At the sound of the mans name being called, the one closest to the queen moved forward and presented to Ainz a ring that glowed from within. The band was made from silver and gold, with a large yellow gem that was perfectly cut into a sphere at the head. It was most likely a magic item based on how gifts between countries usually worked.

"This ring is one of our countries most prized possessions, as it was made by the brightness dragon lord himself, and possesses more power than any magic item in this kingdom at the moment. It is said to be the ultimate accessory to any magic caster."

"I am–" though he was about to say something along the lines of "I am most pleased" as he was used to being the superior of others in conversations, it would be terribly rude to do so now, as they we the lessers in this situation, and Ainz did not want to seem pompous to a country he was trying to earn favors out of, so he quickly changed his speech pattern. " –Am most grateful Draudillion-dono."

Ainz was not faking his gratitude, as collecting magic items was one of his favorite pastimes. Especially if they are unique to this world. So being given a rare artifact like this was quite pleasing. Before he continued the conversation, he cast a silent [All Appraisal Magic Item] to learn its effects.

"!"

However despite not expecting much, what he detected completely threw him off his rhythm for a moment.

Just what is this item!

The ring, named [The Earths Essence], was something completely foreign to Ainz. The abilities it possessed were not something that YGGDRASIL could replicate. It was able to exchange Exp for a 75% boost to spells, and could make even very minute spells devastating attacks.

How is this even possible? Powering up spells like this should only be available to classes like Ulbert's [World Disaster]! Not only that, but only extremely high level skills can use up experience, but that's relegated to the specific skill itself!

Ainz Joy suddenly soared as he had just obtained a extremely rare artifact with little effort. As he wondered if the other side even knew its value, he realized that he hadn't spoken up after receiving the ring and instead had been staring at it for the past few seconds. He was filled with a burning shame at how rude he had been, and scrambled to hide his elation in front of the other party.

"This is quite the find. I must once again thank your grace. However my nation also had the same idea as you, and we have prepared a gift for you as well." as Ainz put the ring into his pocket space, he also pulled out the sword from earlier and gifted it to the same man who had handed him the ring. "This was a weapon from my personal armory that I though may prove of some assistance to your majesty. Please accept it."

At the sight of the weapon, most of the people in the rooms eyes seemed to bulge out of their sockets, while others sagged their shoulders as if in defeat for some reason. However when the sword was presented to the queen, her face paled slightly before regaining its usual youthful complexion.

"T-this really is a amazing weapon your grace. I truly appreciate it and we will be sure to find a appropriate wielder for it! But now that the formalities are out of the way, we can get on to the main topic. Your majesty, may I ask what brings you to our kingdom?" Ainz was slightly worried that he had given the wrong item due to the initial reaction, but now their was no going back and he had to press on with his pitch.

"Very well. My reasoning for my visit is twofold. The first is a merely wish to establish diplomatic contact with you. I have been setting out to other kingdoms as of late to create friendly ties with other nations that I believe will benefit me, and to that end I have come here to do just that."

The queen nodded along with his speech which prompted him to continue.

"My second reason is less diplomacy then it is mutualism. I wish to negotiate a trade between us, as I have come to learn that your country possess information that I might have use for, and due to that fact, I would like to establish a trade that will benefit us both. Would you find these arrangements acceptable?"

The queen merely looked to the ceiling for a moment and pondered the matter, and after a brief period of cognition, responded.

"I Would be more than happy to abide by your majesties terms."

-eh?

That was too fast.

Any country would at least have asked what the terms were in more detail before agreeing right? Not to mention there was practically no push back from their end whatsoever. Every country he had visited so far had at least one naysayer in the crowd when something like this occurred, but it seemed to be a unanimous approval this time. Though his suspicious was growing during this meeting, he could no longer hold back his tongue. This was all to good to be true.

"Drudillion-dono, while I am happy to hear this, I have to ask what are you hoping to gain from this? Not only have the servants of this building completely avoided my group as to not get in our way, but you also present us with one of your nations most treasured possessions, as well as immediately agreed to my proposal. Forgive me, but this all seems to be a little to good to be true, and I can't help but feel that it's pushing towards some hidden agenda."

The rooms inhabitants began to grow pale, much like the queen had before, until there faces almost blended in with the marble behind them. Draudillion on the other hand, merely smiled bitterly and shook her head.

"So you've already seen through it... May I ask that everyone except Carron and his majesties followers please leave the room."

Though the looks of worry were plainly obvious, since it was a direct order from the queen, they had to comply. And so they began to file out, leaving only the five people present in the hall, which now appeared much to large for the group.

"Before we continue your majesty, may I ask that we drop the formalities for now?"

"I have no qualms with that if you deem it acceptable."

In an instant, the bright and cherry little girl that had occupied the seat had vanished, and their place was the same girl, but whose face seemed to be completely done with everything.

"Thank you your majesty. With the stress my kingdom is under right now, I really can't hold up this cutesy ruler facade, so I needed to clear them out to do so. I also feel it is best to have these discussions in private. I take the shape of this child like body because it is easy to for me to get on peoples good graces, regardless of age or gender. But I feel that is not a strategy that will work to my benefit this time, so I will have to stop trying so hard with that."

"I see. Then could you please answer my question?"

Ainz was not displeased with the info that she revealed. In fact, he felt some kinship with her, as he had to constantly practice his ruler persona just as he was doing right now. However, that was not what he needed to know right now.

"I'll be frank with you, it was simply because we were left with no other option. Our country is on the verge of collapse at the moment, and your nation is the only one who can change that."

"Your Majesty!"

In response to the mans wail – Most likely due to her revealing the precarious state of her nation to a possible enemy – he was met with a scowl from the queen.

"Don't start complaining about this now. If we want help from them we need to be completely transparent. Whether it is by them or the beastmen, we are bound to be destroyed."

"Please do not say such things! There is still options left that..."

"Like what? Even if we had the money, its not as if that would be able to help. All we could hope to do is enlist more soldiers, which would take time in of itself. Or is there some other way I'm not seeing?"

His lips merely pressed into a flat line as a response.

"Please pay him no heed for that display your majesty. Now onto why we are trying so hard, it's because as I said we have no other choice. Until now we have relied on the countries sole adamantite adventurer team to fend them off, but as you may have heard, they recently perished."

Ainz moved his chin as a indication to continue.

"We also gave yearly donations to the theocracy to send the sunlight scripture to our nation and fend them off with us, but for some unknown reason, they have not sent them to us despite the fact that we already payed them there fee. Because of this, we assume they have just left us to die."

Ainz silently gave thanks to them for all there uses thus far. He almost felt grateful that they attacked the village at that time since it had given him so much leverage.

"While we could have gone to other nations, I doubt they have the power to help us to any significant degree. However your majesty is already known to possess incomparable might, and because of that, I felt that supporting you with all our nations might was the best decision. Which is why we had signed off on your war with the kingdom despite not establishing contact with you yet."

Eh? They did that?

"Of course Dradillion-dono. I assumed that was the case myself, which is why I felt is was a good time to establish contact. Though I was not aware of the exact circumstances until now."

"As expected of your majesty, I would expect nothing less. But now that you have heard our nations plight, may I ask your answer to our situation? Though I don't know what information you seek, I would happily tell you anything you need to know in exchange for my kingdoms continued preservation."

Ainz delved into another round of introspection as he thought of the merits and demerits to the situation. Certainly they may possess information he could use, but what if the beastmens golems were to strong to pass up?

Should I agree to it, then if I find out that the beastmen hold more value, take the answers through a dominate spell, or would we not be able to learn enough like with Nigun? Or should I try to gain more info about them by asking her now? But wouldn't that rouse suspicion on me for asking about the enemy? And since I now have some of the other members, should I try and solve this through a majority...

"We will gladly assist you!"

His train of though was cut short however by a certain Birdman making the decision for him.

"Ah... well I'm glad that you feel that way, but doesn't the sovereign have to be the one to sign off on this?"

"It's fine! All three of us a equals aren't we Momonga-san?"

"Y-yes Peroroncino-san, but shouldn't we discuss this a bit mor..."

Though he was surprised at his friends eagerness, he would not oppose it if it was what the guild wanted. Everything he did was for the sake of his guilds survival, so if his they wanted to do something, then he would naturally go along with it.

"Its fine Momonga-san, besides I'm sure onee-san feels the same right?"

He turned his head to the pile of sludge that was his friend to see her nodding along with him. "I agree Momonga-san, I feel like this should be the best way to help Touch-san don't you agree?" She had said this in her trademark voice that put any attempts Draudillon had made to sound cute in vain.

Since the guild had made its majority vote, Ainz could not complain.

"Very well. Then it would seem that we have reached a consensus Draudillion-dono. In exchange for whatever information we desire, we shall defeat the beastmen attacking your country. Is this acceptable?"

"Yes of course! We could ask for nothing more! On behalf of the dragon kingdom, we humbly accept your aid, Your majesty uh... Momo..."

"Please pay it no heed. I am Ainz Ooal Gown." These words were spoken with the finality of a executioners blade, leaving only one option.

"Y-yes of course, your majesty Ainz Ooal Gown! Thank you for your assistance in this war! Also..." From the inflections in her tone of voice, it seemed that she was going to make another request. Well as long as its not too large, I guess I could grant it.

"May I join you on the battlefield?"

"Eh?"

Ainz was completely bewildered. Not only him, but the other two were also making similar faces. Her own followers face however could not even compare to there's in terms of shock.

"What are you saying your majesty! You should be nowhere near the battlefield! We cannot risk losing you!"

"If I die then so be it. How many have perished under my rule because I have failed to protect them hm? How can I call myself a ruler if I don't at least face the same risk my people have?"

Ainz could understand her conviction very well, as he too felt the same when he went to fight Shalltear to atone for his actions. His opinion on the monarch went up by a few notches.

"Your majesty, the reason I'm asking this is not because I wish to see if you will uphold your end of the bargain, but merely because I want to see the menace that has wiped out my people and made sport of their deaths fall in terror with my own two eyes. If I could see that, then I could die with no regrets."

"Is that all? Then I would be more than happy to allow you to accompany me in this massacre. How soon would you like us to leave to defeat them?"

"The invasion will be reaching our last city extremely soon, so if we could depart today, I would be extremely grateful."

"Then we shall leave one hour from now. I shall wait for your majesty by the main gates. Until then, Draudillion-dono."

And with that, the three beings left the throne room, leaving only silence in their wake.

.

.

.

"Your majesty!"

"Be a bit quieter will you? I'm right here."

As the rest of her court received the signal to enter the room once more, an eruption of questions came flying toward her. And after they had learned of the deal that was struck, they could not hold back their shock.

"Your wondering why I accepted the deal? Come now use your heads, he probably knew there would be no other option for us from the beginning. And he is right, its the only way to save our country is through him."

Looks of confusion dawned on the nobles as she told them the truth. Bearing witness to this, she simply sighed and gave her explanation like she was talking to a child who could not understand something so easy to figure out.

"Think about it, we had prepared a gift for him to get us on his good graces, and he responded by giving us something of even greater quality. And by the look of things, he was not impressed with ours. That left us with no option but to tell him everything, as good will was no longer a option.

"E-even so–"

"Besides what use is it that we are giving him information. Its not like us telling him info is going to cause our country to be destroyed sooner. We are simply choosing the only option we have. If we don't, then were doomed."

They could say nothing in the face of this, and merely lowered there heads as they all tried to accept it. Though seeing as all of there faces looked like they had just bitten into a worm, it was safe to say that was not happening.

"Still though, I have to wonder who the two that came with him were. If they really are on equal footing with him as they claimed, were did they come from? Could the sorcerer kingdom be ruled by multiple leaders?"

"I feel like that would have been common knowledge if that was the case. Its probably something that we can't comprehend."

"Mm. Still, wonder why they other two agreed so readily? No matter. I need to prepare to travel. I'll be in my chambers if you need me. Maybe i'll get some wine while I'm at it..."

A/N I wonder why Peroroncino would want to help the loli? Couldn't tell ya. Once again I appreciate all the support you all give this story, as that gives me encouragement to get these chapters out so fast. And just so everyone knows, I am aware of the innumerable spelling errors I have made, and I will go back and fix them eventually. I just type really fast, so things slip through the cracks.