Thank you for reading my fanfic and giving me a chance.
My mother language is not English so please be patient about the grammatical issues.
I don't own the Overlord(オーバーロードŌbārōdo?) novel or anime series created by Kugane Maruyama.
I would like to thank the wonderful job what the Skythewood translator team done with the light novel translation.
Without their hard and persistent work, I surely couldn't write this story.
Please review it I know I will make mistakes what I will intend to correct and try to learn from my mistakes and improve myself.
Thank you!
Now let's continue this little insanity of mine!
After the investigation and the fast stress relevation Ainz, Albedo, Yuri Alpha and CZ2128 Delta teleported into the Treasury. Where the guild Ainz Ooal Gown kept their treasures.
The first thing they saw was countless lights glittering in the air, like stars in the sky.
The ceiling was so high that one would have to strain to see its heights, and its walls were so broad that they exceeded the range of one's vision. The vast room they defined was filled with dazzling treasures.
In the center of the room was a heaping pile of gold coins and gems, so immense that it resembled a mountain range. Even the amount which could be seen to be counted was but a tiny fraction of the actual sum. In addition, there were masterfully-made works of art buried in the mountain of gold.
Needless to say, they were but the tip of the iceberg.
There were hundreds of more such articles buried within that gigantic heap of riches. As his followers behold this literal mountain of treasure, Ainz could hear whispered gasps of awe from them. It would seem the voices came from two people.
Ainz looked behind him, at the three women waiting for orders.
Albedo had shed her armor and changed back into her white dress. There was a look of genuine admiration on her beautiful face as she looked around her surroundings. A similar expression adorned the face of Yuri Alpha, the maid to whom he had given his ring upon returning to Nazarick.
Only one of them was unlike the previous two. That person did not gasp in awe but instead watched Ainz in silence.
Her face was a work of sculpted beauty. Only one of her eyes — which radiated a cool glow like a cut emerald — was visible, the other being covered up by an eyepatch. Her strawberry-blonde hair gleamed as it reflected the starlight which shone from the ceiling.
She was a heteromorphic being, of the kind known as Automatons. Her name was CZ2128 Delta or Shizu for short.
As a Pleiades Battle Maid, she was dressed similarly to Narberal and Yuri. However, the biggest difference in her outfit from the others was that all her accessories were done up in an urban camouflage pattern, while her skirt had a cute "1-yen" sticker on it. In addition, she had a firearm of some sort at her waist, attached to her belt like a sword.
Yuri adjusted her lensless black spectacle frames. She seemed unable to abide the mess around her, given her sense of duty as a maid. Then, she asked:
"Ainz-sama, may I ask why these treasures have not been tidied up? Even if there are protective spells in effect, this is hardly an ideal storage method. You have but to command us and we will immediately begin tidying—"
"Look closely around you one more time."
Yuri looked around, taking about the time of a single breath, and then she apologized.
"My sincerest apologies. Please forgive my lack of insight."
"Pay it no heed. However, the fact is that the items buried within the gold pieces are hardly valuable."
The places where Ainz had looked and where Yuri's eyes had followed were the reason for her apology. There were shelves everywhere, piled all the way up to the ceiling, and the treasures there were more eye-catching than the mountains of gold.
This was but a fraction of the wonders therein.
In addition, there were many mirrors of blue topaz, red crystals that were the size of a man, a gigantic platinum statue of a warrior, a pillar covered in mysterious characters, as well as a gigantic alexandrite which one would need both arms to fully embrace.
These numberless treasures gave Yuri her answer; which was that there was simply no place to put them.
"Let's go."
Albedo and Yuri answered Ainz in the affirmative. Only Shizu remained silent, merely nodding in acknowledgment.
Ainz cast [Mass Fly], and then the four of them took off.
It was then that they realized that a faint purple poisonous gas hung in the air.
"...Yuri-nee. The powerful magic toxin in the air."
"Eh?"
Yuri's surprising answer was met by a cold, inscrutable look. That look came from Shizu's calm green eye, which was devoid of any emotion.
"...Blood of Jormungandr?"
As Shizu named that most potent of poisons, Ainz replied:
"Mm, that's correct. I didn't tell you, but the air in the Treasury is toxic. Anyone without poison immunity or items granting it will die within three steps."
"Would that be why you chose me — forgive me, why you chose the three of us to accompany you?"
Yuri — who was adjusting her glasses — was a Dullahan, while the stiff-faced Shizu was an Automaton. The two of them were heteromorphic beings who were immune to poison as part of their racial features.
Albedo was a demon and did not naturally possess a resistance to poisons, but she had another way to render herself immune to them.
"You're right in the reason for which I brought you here… However, I brought Shizu for more than just that; she is also here for verification. I could bring Esdeath-san too. But she is outside. And we can't waste our precious time with waiting."
As they arrived before this painting-like door, Ainz fell into thought.
"This is the armory, so what is the password…"
"Ainz-sama, if there is an armory, does this mean that there are other treasures stored in other locations?"
"Yes, that's right, Yuri. However, it seems there was an exception to his orderly tendencies. If he was truly obsessed with cleanliness, then the treasures among the gold pieces should have been tidily arranged as well. One would not want to say that one's room was filthy, after all. Come to think of it, these items should be arranged in order of defensive gear, weapons, jewelry, wondrous items, consumables, crafting supplies, and so on. Also, there're the rooms for the management of Nazarick… and yes, there should be a room for data crystals."
As Ainz chattered on, he pointed to where a two-dimensional shadow now appeared on the wall.
"However, they're all located in the same place inside, and it doesn't really matter which direction you enter from… oh, my apologies. I seem to have said too much."
"Certainly not. I am grateful that you would answer our questions so readily, Ainz-sama."
The two battle maids bowed in thanks as Albedo made her reply.
This was a door which required a certain password to open. Perhaps one could force it open with magic or rogue skills, but nor Ainz nor Esdeath did not know spells like that, not did they have such skills. Thus, he had to speak the password. Maybe they can force their ways in with brute force but that would destroy the only known way in the inner treasury.
„Hm, I forgot it."
That was only to be expected.
There were so many such gimmicks in Nazarick that he would probably only be able to remember a password if it was one he used frequently.
Since he could not remember the password, Ainz spoke a master password:
"All glory to Ainz Ooal Gown."
In response, the jet-black door displayed a series of words: "Ascendit a terra in coelum, iterumque descendit in terram, et recipit vim superiorum et inferiorum."
( It ascends from the earth to the sky, again, who comes up from the earth, and unite together the powers of things superior and inferior.(latin language))
Ainz thought of one of the people who had designed the tricks and traps used by Ainz Ooal Gown.
He had a hand in designing about 20% of the smaller mechanisms throughout the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick. His abnormally intricate designs consumed much of Nazarick's free data capacity, which caused the other members to complain about being unable to indulge themselves. However, he got some help from Esdeath to increase the effectiveness of the traps and lessen the cost. It still cost too much from the free data capacity.
Thus, he took responsibility for his actions and paid for many cash items to expand said data capacity.
Ainz studied the words which appeared. This must be a hint for the password, but what could it mean?
He racked his brains, taking his time to plumb the depths of his mind for the answer.
„It should be — By this means you shall acquire the glory of the whole world, / And so you shall drive away all shadows and blindness — am I correct?"
„Maybe I can ask Esdeath-san about its meaning later. She learned many languages during her college days. At least that was what she told us. Maybe she can describe it to me. Heh, funny I advert her as her, not him. Strange. How my perspective changed after I came into this world."
As Ainz said this, he looked to Shizu with questioning eyes.
Shizu nodded in response to him.
Now that the shadow had vanished, one could see into the tunnel that had been left behind. This was an orderly place, completely unlike the previous area. The best way to describe it would be something like a display from a museum.
The dimly-lit room was very long and stretched ever inward.
The ceiling was about five meters above the ground, a height which was clearly not designed with humans in mind, while it was about ten meters from one wall to the other.
The ground was made of tightly-fit, shiny black stone blocks, and it looked like a single gigantic stone slab.
Ainz entered the Armory without waiting for his three followers
Neat rows of countless weapons were arrayed on the walls to Ainz's left and right, making an impressive display.
In addition, there were many unrealistic weapons here that stretched the definition of actually being called weapons. Those were the kind that could not possibly be sheathed, or which were more decorative than useful, and so on. No, these weapons were in the majority.
Almost none of them were made of anything as ordinary as mere steel.
Then there were other weapons that looked dangerous even at a glance.
One could guess that most of them were magic weapons, but the exact effect each of them had was a mystery. One might be able to guess at the purpose of a sword whose blade flickered like a flame, but it was impossible to know the abilities of a sword whose blade looked like a whip and which wriggled like a centipede.
The group looked at these weapons on either side as they silently walked through the Armory. Before long — about 100 meters and thousands of weapons later — they reached their destination, which was a rectangular room.
It might have been used to receive guests since there were a table and sofa set in the middle of the otherwise empty room. There were other passages visible to the left and right which looked similar to the one through which Ainz and company had entered.
There was only one route which led further on, in contrast to the way they had entered. The atmosphere of that way was also dramatically different. If the previous room had been like a museum, then the next one was like a tomb.
"Within lies the Mausoleum."
"The Mausoleum?"
"Hm? Albedo… do you not know the name of that room?"
"Well, I did pick that name myself… If it's like just now, Albedo might not even know the name of the Treasury's Guardian…"
"Then, do you know of Pandora's Actor?"
"Yes, I do. As the Guardian Overseer, I am aware of his name and appearance… Pandora's Actor is the Area Guardian of the Treasury, and his abilities are on par with myself and Demiurge. Other than managing the Treasury, his purpose is also to prepare the currency needed to activate Nazarick's defense network. In other words, he is a treasurer."
"That's pretty much it. However, that is not all. That fellow—"
Before Ainz could finish, he was interrupted — the three NPCs turned to look at one of the other passages and saw an entity there.
That being had a bizarre appearance.
While it had a man's body, its head was that of a distorted squid. The right side of its head was half-covered in twisted, tattooed letters, which resembled the ones that had floated up on the door just now.
Its skin was like that of a corpse, with purple blotches amidst a ghastly white color, and it was covered in some sort of sticky slime that gave off a bizarre sheen. Webs of skin grew between the long digits of its four-fingered hands.
Its body was covered in a shiny, form-fitting black leather outfit studded with silver jewelry. Several belts wrapped around it. Its black cape was closed in front of it, as if to conceal its body.
Albedo cried out in surprise:
"Tabula Smaragdina-sama!"
This was one of the 41 Supreme Beings. As a magic caster, he was superior to Ainz in terms of attack power.
"No, that's not right!" she immediately continued.
Shizu drew her gun and braced its stock against her shoulder, leveling her muzzle at the person before her.
Yuri clenched her fists in front of her chest, and punched her gauntlets together, which made a sound like a ringing gong.
"Who are you?! Even if you disguise yourself and your presence as a Supreme Being, I would not mistake my own master for anyone else!"
The mysterious being who looked like Tabula Smaragdina merely inclined its head at Albedo's question but did not make any reply.
"—Really now. Kill it."
As that cold voice rang forth, the two battle maids hesitated.
"That's enough. Return to your true form, Pandora's Actor!"
In the space of a heartbeat, another heteromorphic being stood where the impostor Tabula Smaragdina had been, though it was something else entirely.
Its face was flat, with no nose or other facial features. Its mouth and eyes were replaced by three empty holes. There were no eyeballs, teeth or a tongue; just three black holes which looked like they had been drawn on by a child with a black marker.
The pink, egg like the head was smooth and shiny, without a single hair to mar its surface.
This strange character — and Narberal — were both Doppelgangers.
His name was Pandora's Actor, and he was a level 100 NPC personally designed by Ainz and placed in charge of the Treasury. His talents lay in disguise, and he could copy 45 separate forms and even their abilities — though only at 80% of the originals' potency.
His hat bore the crest of Ainz Ooal Gown, while the uniform he wore was very similar to the uniforms used by Neo-Nazi elite guards during the Euro-Arcology Wars 20 years ago.
After forcefully clicking his heels together, he raised his right hand to his cap in a grossly overacted salute.
"I bid you a fond welcome, my creator, Momonga-sama!"
"...You seem quite lively."
"Indeed! I burst with energy every day! Speaking of which, may I know the purpose for which you have come? And to think you would have in your train these fair maidens, the Guardian Overseer and the Pleiades Battle Maids!"
Yuri and Albedo returned to their positions behind Ainz after the Area Guardian revealed himself, although the three of them had different looks on their faces.
"We will be going into the innermost vaults to retrieve World-Class Items."
"Of what do you speak?! Has the time come to unleash their power?!"
Pandora's Actor put on an exaggerated look of shock. This act made Ainz furrow his nonexistent eyebrows.
In the past, he had thought of military uniforms as being very cool, and he believed that actors ought to be dramatic, but watching someone as intelligent like him make such showy motions was—
"Uwah~ how lame~"
His living, breathing black history (Pandora's Actor).
Those quiet words slipped free of Ainz's heart, so softly that nobody heard.
„Knowing Esdeath-san. If she was here she would wallow on the floor with laughter because of my reaction. Of course, if I know her right. She would play along with Pandora Actor and salute him back with a more exaggerated manner. Luckily I am not brought her here. That would be only the stone into the fire."
"...Mm, you're right. I intend to withdraw [Greed and Generosity], [Hygieia's Chalice], [Billion Blades] and [Depiction of Mountains and Rivers]."
"...And what of the other two?"
"Leave them. They're one-use items. The fact that they're so powerful means you have to think about the right time and place to use them. Then, there's also the matter of how to recover the items from using them again."
"Indeed, it is so. For these legendary treasures, so mighty and potent that they are worthy of being called trump cards, which can make the impossible possible, or even change the face of the entire world—"
"—Pandora's Actor, I'd like to test your knowledge; there are 200 World-Class Items, but how many of them are you familiar with?"
"Forgive me, Momonga-sama, but I only know of 12 of them."
Ainz nodded in acknowledgment. Those were the World-Class Items which Ainz Ooal Gown possessed.
Ainz had observed the NPCs for several days now. He had learned that the NPCs seemed to take after his former guildmates in the parts of their personalities which were not covered by their character details, as well as in the interpersonal relationships with other NPCs. For instance, the relationship between Shalltear and Aura, or that between Demiurge and Sebas. Zero Rei and the others.
Ainz smiled, though his expression did not change.
„Children heh? As you said before Esdeath-san. They are like our comrade's children."
"Is that so, Pandora's Actor. I seem to have asked you a pointless question."
"Certainly not; I must tender my sincerest apologies for my lack of knowledge."
With that, he bowed. Every move he made was exaggerated to the point of being ridiculous.
"...Never mind. I will be heading to the Mausoleum soon. Has anything happened here?"
"Of course not; everything within this domain is the sole property of yourself and all your colleagues, Momonga-sama. How could anything happen?"
With a theatrical flourish, he gestured all around him.
"Although, it is with a heavy heart that I confess that I was hoping you intended to make use of my abilities, Momonga-sama."
He was right; at one point Ainz had indeed intended to make use of him.
In addition, Pandora's Actor possessed very flexible abilities, to the point where he could replace all the other Guardians.
"...You are my final ace besides Esdeath-san in the hole, so I do not intend to use you for petty tasks."
"...I am truly grateful for that."
"Understood. Then, I shall continue to manage the Treasury from now on."
"Mm, make me proud. Also, from now onwards, call me Ainz, Ainz Ooal Gown."
"Ohhhh! I hear and obey, my creator, Ainz-sama!"
Pandora's Actor was indeed far too dramatic, and it made his creator (Ainz) think that every single movement he made was designed to scream "I am cool".
Perhaps such actions would fit him if he was a handsome man, but instead, he was an egghead, which made them terribly unfitting. It even made Ainz feel uneasy when he saw him.
Ainz quietly studied Pandora's Actor for a while, and then he plucked a ring from his pocket dimension and tossed it to him.
The ring traced an arc through the air, landing neatly in the hand of Pandora's Actor.
"This… is the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown, and it possesses the ability to..."
"This is just in case. Albedo, inform the vassals of Nazarick about Pandora's Actor. Before that, you are only to travel between the Throne Room and the Treasury, Pandora's Actor."
"Understood."
The two of them responded at the same time, but Pandora's Actor clicked his heels together with great force, tossing out his arm which was straightened all the way to the tips of his fingers and saluted with great pomp and circumstance… or to put it less kindly, he was hamming it up.
"Uwah~"
„Why did I design him with such a personality? I used to think this sort of thing was so cool. No, actually, I still think his uniform is kind of cool... He is like a second Esdeath-san when she is roleplaying or joking. I don't know how I will bear two Pandora Actor around in the Tomb at the same time."
"I have an important question for you. I am your creator, and the one you are loyal to, right?"
"Indubitably so, Ainz-sama! For as I was made by you, if you desire me to do battle with the other Supreme Beings, I shall charge into the fray without hesitation!"
"I see… then, I have a request for you as a human being… no, a man… no, as your creator… But could you please not salute anymore?"
Pandora's Actor locked his vacant eyes with Ainz's own, his confusion at Ainz's words evident within them.
"Er, that… how shall I put it, your saluting is pretty weird, so please don't salute anymore… As for your uniform, it makes you look very strong, so we'll leave that be… but please, really, don't salute anymore."
"Wenn es meines Gottes Wille!"(If that's my god's will.)
"Is that German? Don't speak like that either. No, you may use it if you please, but just not in front of me. I'm begging you."
"Y-yes…"
"Then, there's something which has to be done before entering the Mausoleum. Albedo, leave the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown which I gave you with Pandora's Actor."
Ainz explained the reason for that to a confused Albedo.
"This is the final trap emplaced here; the Avataras within are programmed to attack anyone with a Ring, even if that person is you or me."
"I see… intruders would use the Ring to get here. Thus, they would trigger that final trap."
"Evil, don't you think?"
"Of, of course not!"
Albedo reluctantly plucked the Ring from her left ring finger, folding it into a silk handkerchief before handing it to Pandora's Actor.
"Albedo-sama… could you please let go?"
"My, my precious…"
"Ainz-sama said so, didn't he? If you wear the Ring, you'll be attacked. It's just taking it off for a while…"
"What are you saying? This is the Ring which Ainz-sama gave me! How could I—!"
"...Albedo, there's no time for this. If you're unwilling to leave it with him, then I shall..."
"My apologies, I'm ready now!"
"Is that so… then enter. Pandora's Actor, you will direct Yuri and Shizu to move some of the treasure to the Throne Room… Though it might be troublesome, be considerate of Albedo and do not use her Ring. Instead, use the one I gave you."
"—Understood! ...Then, who shall stay here and receive Ainz-sama when he returns?"
"We should be some time. I will notify you with a [Message] and you can return to us then. After all, we cannot leave this place without a Ring."
"Understood."
Ainz and Albedo entered the Mausoleum, under the eyes of Pandora's Actor and the two maids.
World-Class Items.
These items were closely linked to the game world of YGGDRASIL.
(The World Tree YGGDRASIL had countless leaves, but then a gigantic monster appeared which devoured these leaves, causing them to fall one after the other, until only nine were left. These nine leaves were the previous incarnations of the Nine Worlds: Asgard, Alfheim, Vanaheim, Nidavellir, Midgard, Jotunheim, Niflheim, Helheim and Muspelheim.
However,that leaf-eating monster continued its advance on those nine remaining leaves. This was the backstory upon which the players adventured into unknown worlds in order to protect their own world.
What did those World-Class Items represent? They were equivalent to those other leaves — in other words, a single World-Class Item represented a world. Thus, the basic design principle of World-Class Items was that they possessed enormous power, and indeed, many World-Class Items were extremely powerful.
Many players had even expressed the opinion that these items were too imbalanced, but the developers simply replied: "The possibilities of the world are not so small", and showed no intention of changing these balance breakers.
The developers seemed to have a soft spot for the word "World", and so any class or monster with "World" in its name was usually much stronger than normal.
To the developers, the incredibly powerful last boss of the main campaign storyline — known as the "World Eater" — was the signature World-Class Enemy. In addition, only the winners of a tournament held in each world could become a "World Champion".)
"Ai-Ainz-sama, are these statues made in imitation of the Supreme Beings…"
"So you noticed. That's right — the Avataras are statues made in the image of our former comrades. Still… while you can tell they're very strong, they look almost resembles them, don't they? I think Esdeath-san managed to capture almost of their coolness…"
"As one who was created by the Supreme Beings, there is no way I could not notice."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, just so. However, Ainz-sama… from the name of this place, and these statues… Could it be that the other Supreme Beings have passed away?"
"That… is not exactly correct."
"No, perhaps that was the right answer."
No man could possibly be unmoved by a sad look on a world-class beauty like her. In addition, she was the loving handiwork of one of his past comrades. Though Ainz was undead, his heart still filled up with guilt and anxiety.
Just then, Ainz noticed something, and he reflexively spoke.
"You, you see, those four empty spaces?"
After making sure that Albedo's eyes were turned in that direction, Ainz explained why there were no statues in there.
"I shall put my own Avatara and Esdeath-san Avatara in one of these niches."
His Guild members had said, "You can have them", and then left the game after transferring their equipment and cash items to him. Ainz had then used cash items of his own to make these golems, but Esdeath was the one who sculpted the golems in their current form in order to put their equipment to us and to serve as a memorial for their friends who had left the game.
Esdeath could do this due she had all of their former comrade's appearance data. So she only needed a few programmer trick to use.
She used the appearance data of her former comrades and replaced the golems basic appearance data with them. So she does not even need to any artistic action to make an acceptable appearance to the golems. Of course, this was a little forcible action and because of this little distortions appeared in the golems. But the golems almost resembled their former comrades.
This was also why the Avataras looked a little distorted in some place.
When his comrades left the game one after the other, Ainz made the Avataras to store their equipment. Those friends of his who had not left the game had once asked him why he had made the Avataras, and this was how he had answered:
He might need to use them as a final defensive line of guardians.
However, as the number of members steadily decreased, the motivation behind the creation of the Avataras was simply because he was lonely deep inside. After all, he had fewer and fewer friends who could play the game with him.
Of course, Esdeath was still with him. But that was only one member besides him. It is not nearly enough to have real fun together. They needed more members to organize events like races, raids and have a good talk. Hunting items and players together with Esdeath were good. But it was not the same as hunting items and players together with their other comrades.
„That said, I still want to believe that our friends were brought here as well. For all I know, everyone might be in some corner of this world..."
Just as Ainz sank into deep thought, a pained cry echoed through the passage.
"Please don't — please do not say that!"
The loneliness he had felt vanished in an instant, and as Ainz hurriedly turned to look at Albedo, an even more powerful sense of surprise assaulted him. Albedo's eyes brimmed with tears, and it seemed like they would flow freely if she just blinked a little.
"...Ainz-sama. Our merciful, compassionate master Ainz-sama, the only one of the Supreme Beings who stayed with us to the end, the one to whom we owe our ultimate loyalty — please do not say that. It is my sincerest wish that you will be our lord and master for all eternity!"
Albedo fell to her knees before Ainz.
Her voice was choked as she hoarsely repeated "Please… please".
"Forgive me."
After helping her up, Ainz saw that Albedo's face was streaked with tears, and her eyes were still moist.
Ainz produced a handkerchief and clumsily tried to wipe away her tears.
"Ai-Ainz-sama, p-please promise me, promise me you will not abandon us and leave!"
"...I'm sorry, but…"
"Why? Why can't you promise me that? Were you planning on abandoning us as well? Why? What has displeased you! All you need to do is explain and I shall correct myself immediately! If you consider me a hindrance, then I shall end my life on the spot!"
"Please listen to me. First, currently… there is no way to save Shalltear. Her mind control is definitely the effect of a World-Class Item. The only way to protect against the effects of a World-Class Item is to have a World-Class Item yourself, or a special job class."
"Correct. I wanted the Guardians to have World-Class Items of their own. The fact is, one could probably undo Shalltear's mind control with a similar World-Class Item, but I don't know if I should use the World-Class Items within… what a heartless master I am. To think I would actually value a measly little item over one of my loyal subordinates."
"That, that's not true! The World-Class items were gathered through the efforts of the Supreme Beings, and so they are more valuable than we are!"
Ainz Ooal Gown proudly boasted possession of two of the Twenty. They would only be used against enemies of incredible power because only items of matching power could rival them.
Momonga placed his hands under Albedo chin and raised her head. And wiped her tears with one of his fingers.
„Albedo don't say such things. You are all like children to us. And Even if I leave because of some kind of circumstance call me somewhere else. Esdeath-san will remain here with you to safe keep you from the dangers of the world to safe keep Nazarick until either I or my other comrades returning home. But I promise. As long as there strength in me I will not leave you."
„But why Ainz-sama. Why not Esdeath-sama go instead of you if time is coming? Why not her. Why you?"
„Albedo. Do you hate Esdeath-san?"
„Of course not Ainz-sama. She is one of the Supreme Beings. How should I hate her? I-I am just jealous of her because the time you two spent together. I just fear she might want to catch you from me. I fear you give your love to her instead of me. I do not wish her any harm. But if I can chose between the two of you. Who will we lost when the times comes. I rather lost Esdeath-sama than you Ainz-sama."
„I see. I did not know you feel this way Albedo. I am sorry. But I assure you there is nothing between us besides friendship. So you don't have to worry. And as I said before. As long as our strength is with us to protect all of you. We will never leave you. But maybe we need your strength to accomplish such thing. Do you help us? "
Albedo shot him a beautiful smile then nodded. But deep inside she was worried.
"No! He says this because he doesn't want to hurt me. He knows if he tells me the truth I could not survive that. Ainz-sama. You are such caring gentlemen. I will fight for you with all of my power. I can't let anyone claim you for itself beside me!"
„I understand Ainz-sama. We the denizens of Nazarick will do everything that our strength allows us to serve you."
„Thank you Albedo. I do not wish anything else. Now. Time is short. Let's continue our way."
„Hai!" she bowed deeply. Then they continued their way.
„However, I am very grateful because of your words Albedo. I will tell you why I said such things to you."
Albedo looked Albedo with an excited and nervous look.
"I intend to challenge Shalltear to a one-on-one battle. Therefore… I am unsure if I can return alive."
"—I understand that we must do battle with Shalltear because leaving her be is the worst possible option!"
"Still, why must it be a one-on-one fight? Can we not win by numbers? Are we unable to help you? Or you could even ask Esdeath-sama to fight instead of you. She is the enforcer of Nazarick so it should be her task to do such things."
As he wiped away Albedo's freshly shed tears, Ainz answered:
"It is not that, Albedo. I trust you. It's just that… well, there are three reasons. The first… is because I doubt my own suitability as the leader of Nazarick."
"How can you say that, Ainz-sama?!"
"...Since I considered the possibility of players existing, I should have also thought of the existence of World-Class Items. Therefore, I wonder if such a slow-thinking person as myself has any value as a ruler and if I am qualified to lead everyone."
"Your presence alone is value enough, Ainz-sama! If there is any inadequacy, we will assist you with all our strength!"
"Thank you, but the person most responsible for this incident is me."
"And so you intend to atone for your sins by fighting Shalltear in single combat… but who could possibly punish you, Ainz-sama, the highest ruler of Nazarick?"
"That's not all. This is the second reason… the fact that Shalltear is alone. It might well be a trap — indeed, it could be a fatal trap. In that case, Esdeath-san will be watching the battlefield searching for clues of the enemy. When she found them she simply get into action and eradicate them from the face of the earth."
"We — Ainz Ooal Gown — often used PK methods similar to how Shalltear is now. We would use one of our members as bait and then hunt down any prey who got hooked. Of course, there was a high chance of the bait being killed, but in exchange, we would make sure any enemies who attacked were wiped out."
„But why don't you use Esdeath-sama as a bait Ainz-sama. She is more suitable such tasks."
„Albedo. If you reveal your ace in the beginning of the battle what you will do in a time of need?"
"Wait a minute, I'm not finished. Do you know what we feared most whenever we set a trap like this?"
"That would be the number of attackers being less than the number of people used as bait. The fewer people we hooked, the more we had to worry about enemy ambushers turning the trap against us."
"And the last reason is because Shalltear has to die."
"In that case, let me go! I am the most suitable for the task since I have a World-Class Item of my own."
"... Are you sure you can win? Don't lie to me — tell me your odds of victory."
Albedo bit her lip under Ainz's calm gaze.
"Albedo… you are right. Shalltear is very strong. Only Esdeath-san and your sister had a chance against her in a straight fight."
Ainz sported a full set of divine class items and all sorts of cash items, while Shalltear only had a single divine-class item, her Spuit Lance. Ainz had a massive advantage in terms of equipment quality. However, what Albedo had left unsaid was the reason why Ainz's chances of victory were slim.
Ainz was fully aware of that reason as well.
It was because Shalltear Bloodfallen was the nemesis of Ainz Ooal Gown.
Ainz roleplayed an undead magician, and his character build focused on necromancer-type classes.
In other words, his character had been built for entertainment.
Shalltear, on the other hand, had been made with an optimized build. In addition, Shalltear's divine magic caster classes could use many spells which were very effective on the undead, and she was adept at melee combat.
She was the strongest Guardian of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick. Not even Albedo — no, nobody among the other level 100 NPCs was capable of facing her.
„I could easily send Esdeath-san to fight with her and she could easily win. But how could I see in my subordinates eyes after that? A ruler who always relies on their subordinates to carry out its job instead of it is not fit to rule."
„B-But. Ainz-sama…"
Ainz held his hand signaling Albedo to stop.
"—There is nothing wrong with your thinking, but it is in error. After all, you only possess the knowledge has been infused into you."
"Eh? What does that mean?"
"How experienced are you?"
"What? Experience?"
Albedo's face turned bright red in an instant.
"Yes, combat experience."
"Ah! So that's what you meant! Yes, I can make full use of the strength which the Supreme Beings have given me. So I believe it counts as being very experienced."
"That's not right. Being able to wield power and gained experience are completely different things. Do you remember the large-scale invasion of Nazarick? Are you familiar with Shalltear's memories of fighting players?"
"I did not ask in detail, but she said she vaguely remembered being killed once."
"...Besides that?"
Albedo shook her head to indicate that she did not.
Ainz smiled coldly. Naturally, his face did not move.
"When I was the guild master of Ainz Ooal Gown, my chances of victory in PVP combat were quite high… granted, I lost to people who had flawless builds, but how could I be defeated by someone who only relies on high stats? More importantly, I had a close friendship with Peroroncino. This is what they mean by "The battle's over before it's begun"... do you get it, Albedo?"
"...Ainz-sama, I will no longer try to stop you. However, I want you to promise that you will return here safely."
"I promise you that I will defeatShalltear and return to this place."
Scene Change: Forest near the fortress city E-Rantel
Esdeath reached the large large clearing within the woods she had to meet with Albedo and Ainz.
As she stepped out of the woods. She where they had to meet.
But there was no one.
„Huh. Where does his bony ass go? Could I misinterpreted the coordinates or they bored because I was away for a long time and went back to Nazarick to continue their investigation from afar?"
Esdeath looked to the middle of a clearing.
One could say this scene was filled with a rustic charm, but in the middle of it stood something that was completely out of place here — a person in a suit of crimson full plate armor. It was a fantastic sight as it glittered under the sunlight, but the stink of gore it gave off ruined the atmosphere.
It was Shalltear.
She looked exactly like what she had seen on the [Crystal Monitor], right down to her seemingly-unchanged posture. For a moment, Esdeath wondered if she was still looking at her image.
However, it felt real enough. The reason was that was the stench of blood carried to her by the wind.
„Shalltear?"
„Shalltear-san are you feeling yourself alright?" Esdeath yelled
But there was no answer.
Before she called out to Shalltear again, Esdeath carefully analyzed her up.
Shalltear was not ignoring her. Rather, her crimson eyes were open and vacuous, giving the impression that there was no consciousness there.
„Hmm. It seems the worst scenario happened. Mind control.
Judging from the information supplied by the Sunlight Scripture and my own experience with this sort of thing, I'm certain this is some form of mind control.
The only known thing what can cause such thing. To overwrite the undead races mind control immunity is the World Class Items or it is some kind of effect what is unique of this world."
It seems someone or something attempted to control Shalltear mind with some kind of effect but it failed before the person could finish the process. So she remained without commands. It is like when your computer or device on standby mode. It is waiting for commands but if you do not issue them they just standing here without anything to do by." muttered Esdeath under her nose with a pensive expression
„However, she will probably defend herself against anyone who gets too close or who attacks her. Most evil-aligned NPCs will do just that, so it is best to do not get close to her without any preparations."
„Could Ainz-san retreated to Nazarick because he feared to someone or something set a trap for him? Could I try to drag her back to Nazarick to solve this problem? But maybe the person who tried to mind control Shalltear is still alive and waiting to either of us make the first step."
Shalltear had been mind-controlled by something. It might be something unique to this world, something that could work on the undead or other races what are immune to mind control effect. If that were the case, either of them might end up getting mind-controlled as well if she stayed here.
[Message]:"Ainz-san. Where are you? I am waiting for you at the meeting point."
[Message]:"Esdeath-san. We just finished in the Treasury. Five minutes and we will be in your position be patient."
[Message]:"Momonga-san. Here you are. I thought for a minute you wanted to play me fool. But then I saw Shalltear in the clearing. Did you tried to communicate her?"
[Message]:"Yes actually. We are tried every peaceful solution. But it does not work."
[Message]:" Did you attempted to dispell the mind control effects on Shalltear."
[Message]:"Yes of course I tried. First I tried to reason with her as I said before. That did not bring any results. I even tried to use my [Shooting Star] and used one of my three wishes of the ring to remove every positive and negative status effects from Shalltear but it did not work either."
The super-tier spell imbued within the ring, [Wish Upon A Star], was one which consumed a percentage of one's XP to randomly generate an option for a wish. In other words, by spending 10% of one's XP, one could make one choice. By spending 50%, one could pick from five choices.
There were many choices that could be made for a wish; according to online walkthroughs, there were over 200 of them. In addition, some wishes were more common than others; thus this was a dreadful spell which many feared would deplete their XP for nothing.
Even in YGGDRASIL where gaining levels were easy, one would still need a lot of XP to cast it, given that a magic caster needed to be level 95 before learning this super-tier spell. Thus, many people hesitated over whether or not to gamble their XP on this sort of thing.
[Message]:"That was quite wasteful Momonga-san. You should wait for me to solve this problem together. We can not let yourself waste the precious experience until we find a way to replenish it! The ring still costs experience even if your wish did not come true."
[Message]:"However I learned one important thing."
[Message]:"What is it?" Esdeath asked in a frustrated tone.
[Message]:"The person who is attempted to control Shalltear used a World Item. There is something worse. I learned of Nfirea's talent from you earlier, I wondered if we could steal it with [Wish Upon A Star]. Now, I realized that I could have done it."
There were only 200 of these items in YGGDRASIL, and not even Guild Weapons or divine class items could compare to them. The power of World-Class Items was such that even controlling the undead — who were immune to mental effects — would be a piece of cake.
[Message]:"I see… Then I heading back to Nazarick."
[Message]:"Don't come back Esdeath-san if you are already prepared as I said before. We will come right away your position. I will bring with me Aura and Mare. If the enemy is still here maybe they can make them hesitate when they attack."
[Message]:"Ok Momonga-san. Then I just waiting here. Anyway. If you were in the treasury you meet your creation. Pandora Actor. How your little family reunion went? Did you have the father-son moment?"
[Message]:"Don't even mention Esdeath-san. It was horrible."
[Message]:"Nah. It could not be that bad. Is it?"
[Message]:"I was so embarrassed because of his german accent, how he acted and his constant saluting. My emotion suppression is triggered. Just by watching him doing his things what I programmed into him."
[Message]:Esdeath chuckled a little „At least his military uniform is almost cool as mine."
[Message]:"Don't say this Esdeath-san. Pandora Actor uniform is way cooler than yours."
[Message]:"That was not nice."
[Message]:"I know. The karma just hit you because of your previous chuckle and all bad things what you did before."
[Message]:"Arg. You will get that back guild master. I swear on it!"
[Message]:"Well young miss. We will see. We will see. If you don't behave correctly I will make you wear a prom dress. After that, I will make some pictures from you." Momonga chuckled evilly
[Message]:"Ahhhh. Don't even dream about it. Those things are horrible. I once tried out one of the similar clothes for my collection and it was horribly uncomfortable. How anyone even manages walks normally in one of those things. You never make me wear one of those horrible despicable things."
[Message]:"I have blackmail material."
[Message]:"What blackmail material?"
[Message]:"Where is the fun if I tell you. It's just take away the thrill of the game. Well. Do you behave?"
[Message]:"Yes. I will behave Ainz-sama. I promise."
[Message]:"That's what I like to hear."
Momonga chuckled then terminated the spell
„Momonga-san. You bastard. But don't worry. I have a few prank for you if we finished with this. Kukuku…You will have a bad time Momonga-san. You will have a bad time.." her mouth bent into an unnaturally wide smirk
Then she started to scratch her head and her expression turned to a nine-year-old annoyed child.
„Great. Just great. Just what I needed on this beautiful day. Ahh. What a troublesome day we have here." she sighed
Scene Change: Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick: Meeting Room
In the floor guardians, meeting room sat on the couch. Albedo, Cocytus and Zero Rei.
The last person to enter the room was Demiurge, who threw himself down on an empty seat near Zero Rei. It clearly illustrated his mood, given that he would never act so crudely under normal circumstances.
"Well, is there an explanation for this?"
"Why did you agree to this?"
His tone was even, but that was simply a thin veil draped over the surface. Everyone could feel the barbs in his words.
"This was Ainz-sama's decision. How can we subordinates oppose—"
"—Why?"
The question interdicted Albedo's reply with the finality of a guillotine's blade.
"Why? When Ainz sama left for the Dragon Kingdom, you were the one who insisted on having a Guardian follow him. Why did you agree to this now? You should be worried about Ainz-sama's safety now, as you were then."
"Then, I'll ask you again! Why did you permit this?!"
His anger seemed to shake the room. This intensity was completely unlike the Demiurge whom they were familiar with.
„Where is Esdeath-sama to drag him back to safety? Why is she did not protecting her leader?"
„Esdeath-sama is out there to inspect the battle," interjected Zero Rei with a bored tone.
Cocytus slowly turned his head, looking at Albedo and Demiurge who staring each other down. There was a worry in his eyes.
"...Also, you should have known that Ainz-sama was lying, right?" Demiurge asked, his voice low and angry.
After Albedo nodded again, Cocytus exhaled sharply.
"..Earlier. You. Said. That. Ainz-sama. Told. You. His. Reasons. For. Leaving. Alone. But. Do. You. Not. Find. It. Strange? From. Ainz-sama's. Point. Of. View. A. Sequential. Attack. Would. Be. Safer. We. Could. Attack. In. Waves. And. Wear. Down. Shalltear's. HP. And. MP. Or. He. Could. Dispatch. Esdeath-sama. To Fight. With. Shalltear."
"...You're right, Cocytus. There is no way Ainz-sama would not be able to think of a strategy that we could easily come up with. In other words, Ainz-sama was deliberately lying, to hide something else."
"What. Reason. Is. That?"
"I have no idea… which is why I'm asking. Since you did not know the reason, why did you let Ainz-sama go alone?"
"It's because Ainz-sama now is a completely different person from how he was several days ago. Abd he will be not alone. Esdeath-sama is already on the site and she will be inspecting the battle.
So. She can intervene when Ainz-sama will be in danger."
"Naive. Irrational. You're just making decisions based on your feelings. Ainz-sama and Esdeath-sama are the final Supreme Beings who remained here. Once we know their life is in danger, it is our duty to eliminate that danger. Even if we are rebuked for it, even if we should perish by doing so, we should still take action, should we not?"
Say something Zero Rei-san. Stop their madness."
Zero Rei sipped his tea. „I trust my creator and the other Supreme Beings Demiurge –san. They surely have a plan. What do you think why Esdeath-sama only inspecting the battlefield. She is waiting for the enemy to show up."
There was a thumping sound as Demiurge sprang up.
"Where are you going?"
Demiurge's voice was quite calm as he turned to leave.
"Need you ask? Obviously, it is to send my minions—"
Demiurge sensed something running toward him and turned to look. He saw Cocytus, brandishing a divine class weapon.
"...I see… So the reason you summoned me here and ordered me to this place was for this, was it not, Albedo?"
"Indeed, Demiurge. The 7th Floor is already locked down in the names of myself and Ainz-sama, and we have control of all the vassals. Need I tell you whose orders they will obey?"
"...Foolishness! How will you take responsibility if Ainz-sama or even Esdeath-sama perishes when she tries to save Ainz-sama? Ainz-sama and Esdeath-sama are the last remaining entities to whom we can pledge our loyalty! If either of them is die because of it. It could make the other one leave us because of its disappointment and sadness. We can't possibly let that happen."
"Ainz-sama will return."
"How can you be so sure of that?!"
"Believe in your master. This is our purpose, as those who were created by them."
Demiurge's mouth had been opening and closing all this time, but now he firmly shut it.
„She may be right. With Esdeath-sama his side Ainz-sama chances of victory are drastically increased. With her. He could not possibly lose. But why is she just inspecting the battle? What does Zero Rei-san mean when he said she is waiting for the enemy to show up? Why not she too fights with Shalltear?"
The NPCs of Nazarick were absolutely loyal to the 41 Supreme Beings, but the way in which they expressed their devotion varied from person to person. Thus, it was natural that Demiurge and Albedo might have different opinions on how to show their loyalty.
"If… If anything happens to Ainz-sama or Esdeath-sama, you will resign your post of Guardian Overseer."
"...Demiurge. You. Dare. Ask. Albedo. To. Resign. The. Position. Of. Guardian. Overseer. Which. The. Supreme. Beings. Gave. Her? This. Is. Treachery!"
"That will be fine. However, Demiurge, if Ainz-sama returns safely, you will obediently yield to me if a similar situation occurs."
"Of course."
"Then, Cocytus, what do you think of Ainz-sama's odds?"
Cocytus calmly informed the two of them of his opinion:
"Three. To. Seven. With. Ainz-sama. Being. Three."
„What about Esdeath-sama?"
„Even. With. Her. Inferior. Artifact. Level. Gear. One. Hundred. To. one. Esdeath-Sama. Being. One. Hundred."
„Is that so. Then I am relieved."
Scene Change: Forest Clearing near E-Rantel:
After Ainz reached the forest border. Esdeath came into his sight.
„Yo Ainz-san. I welcome you the clearing what I guard."
„Welcome. Esdeath-san."
„So what's the plan? Can I take her or someone else will be the lucky one who will take her to a dance."
„I will be the one who will dance her this time."
„Are you sure about it Ainz-san? She is your perfect counter of you. Jobs and stats wise. It would be not wiser if I or the others take her down?"
„I am sure. I had to show them I am worth of their trust. Besides it is a great opportunity to truly test my skills in a real combat. This is why I only brought gear with inferior stat and removed every auto-resurrect items from myself."
„I see… Just do not let her kill you. I don't want to rule instead of you. It is too much paperwork and responsibility for just one person."
„It is good to see that you are so worried about me Esdeath-san. Thank you. Please do not interfere in the coming battle. This is a thing what I have to do it alone."
Esdeath patted gently Ainz back „Ok. Just be careful Mr. Bones. If you lose I will go after you and kick your ass back here. Besides that, I don't want to rule alone. So just broke your legs Ainz-san."
„Esdeath-san. While I fighting Shalltear please inspect the battlefield far away. Maybe the one who tried to control Shalltear is still waiting for a chance to strike. When the uninvited guest shows itself. Strike it with all your might."
„It would be not wiser to subdue and capture the the one who tried to mind control Shalltear?"
„Maybe. Do that Esdeath-san if you able. But if it too much for you. Then I authorize you to release your restrictions."
„Oki-Doki Papa bones. I will on my guard." She saluted to Ainz in an exaggerated way
„Noo! you starting too. I don't want to bother with two Pandora Actor in Nazarick!" Momonga screamed inwardly then shook himself back from these thoughts
Momonga nodded in acknowledgment
"You will deeply regret your foolishness. If it is a fight with Ainz Ooal Gown you want, then a fight you shall have." thought Ainz
After giving voice to the anger in his heart, Ainz's frustration slowly ebbed away.
Shalltear was the strongest of the Guardians, but she was not that much stronger. If the other Guardians attacked in waves, victory would be assured.
Yet, there was one reason above all why Ainz had not chosen that method—
—It was because he did not want to see his beloved children killing each other before his eyes.
If Shalltear had betrayed Ainz Ooal Gown of her own free will, Ainz and Esdeath would have taken that treachery in stride and destroyed her with everything at their disposal. If that was the NPC's will, then as the ruler of Nazarick, he was obliged to deal with it sternly.
However, Shalltear's situation now was different from all those scenarios. She was under mind control, and the one at fault was Ainz, who had not anticipated such a situation. Thus, he was the only one responsible for this. He could easily ask Esdeath to do this instead of him. But the because the things what mentioned above he could not do that. And besides.
He wanted to finish it with his own hands.
Ainz removed one of his rings. It was a cash item that allowed for resurrection at hardly any cost. Removing this ring symbolized Ainz's determination to throw his hat over the fence, because if he could return to life, he would subconsciously relax in his heart.
Normally, Ainz would have many defensive spells layered on himself. The anti-divination countermeasure he used in Carne Village was one of them.
In YGGDRASIL, friendly fire was disabled, so his friends could cast divinations on Ainz as normal. However, things were different in this world. If Albedo and the others wanted to observe Ainz, Ainz would automatically respond with a magical counterattack.
If that happened, the counterattack would clash with Nazarick's defensive network. If he was not careful, Ainz might be hit by the network's own counterattack and take unnecessary damage.
This was why Ainz had disabled the offensive spells linked into his countermeasures and only used the one which told him the origin of any divination spells. What he learned from them was that nobody was observing him other than Nazarick.
Ainz looked to Shalltear. He ran a simulated battle through his head and felt like fleeing.
While he had resolved himself just now, just standing here filled him with incredible mental stress.
The fear of death had vanished, and he was no longer uncertain over the possibility of being defeated.
"...Then… let's start!"
A/N: Don't worry the battle will soon come. I just upload in two parts because the grammar checker hates the long texts and always freeze.