There'd been many different kinds of castles in Yggdrasil. During his adventures Ainz had seen them carved into mountain peaks and the sides of volcanoes. He'd seen them made of white marble and obsidian. He'd seen one at the bottom of the ocean made of coral and the Brotherhood of Mjolnir had had a silver one floating permanently in a cloud. Back in Yggdrasil the building he was currently in would not have been given the exalted title of castle. At best it might have warranted fortress, and no guild would have ever used it as a base. It was only three stories tall and made entirely of brick. It had a couple watch towers and a small, enclosed courtyard. The interior was filled mostly with offices and storage rooms. There was not even a throne and the treasure vault was filled with paper money. It was very disappointing.

Ainz reminded himself that it was not fair to compare this place to the castles of Yggdrasil. Those had been created specifically to inspire awe, and in a VR environment the only real limits were the imaginations of the designers. In a real world with actual costs for building materials there were more serious limits to deal with. The best feature about the brick castle was that it had a wide balcony that overlooked the street. Albedo, Sebas, Shizu, Yuri and Turner came out onto the balcony with him.

Down below a small sea of frightened faces were staring up. Men, women, children, young, and old had been gathered. Many were huddled together, holding one another. They were silent, Ainz could clearly see they were terrified. In the air above them were Shalltear, Demiurge, Jealousy, Avarice, Wrath, along with some lesser devils and imps. On the ground were the remaining Floor Guardians and combat maids as well as assortment of golems, vampire brides, wraiths, and other monsters. The crowd packed in on itself to try and keep as far away from his servants as they could.

Mare had used some of his nature magic to darken the sky and raise a cold wind. At least Ainz assumed it was cold by the way so many people were shivering. Ainz couldn't feel the cold himself. Along with the mass of humans three corpses were laid out on the ground beneath the balcony. One of them was the old woman who had been the very first casualty.

Ainz nodded to Turner. "You know what to say to them."

"Yes, Lord Mortem." Bloody Billy stepped to the front of the balcony and shouted down to the crowd. "Listen up, all of you! I know everything has gone crazy. Well there's a reason for that! Lord Mortem has come here to begin the Long Night!" He glanced nervously at Albedo, she had removed her helmet but was still wearing armor. "A demon took me down into Hell, and I knelt before the Great Lord of Death, Shadow, and Night. We managed to fuck up the entire world, so he's come here to end it all. We all belong to him now, he is our lord and master. Do as he says, for there is no other choice!"

Ainz could actually hear sobs coming from the crowd, wails of despair. If they were Christians this would be the same as being told the Devil had come to rule you.

Turner bowed to him. "Did I do it as you wished, Lord Mortem?"

"Yes, you have my thanks. Hell flame."

A tiny spark of black fire slid from the tip of one finger and touched Bloody Billy Turner. There was a comical look of surprise on his face and just enough time for the beginning of a scream before the flames engulfed him. He was completely consumed, leaving behind not even a fragment of bone or ash. There were gasps from the people below.

Ainz levitated up into the air, to give them the clearest possible view of him.

"I am indeed Lord Mortem, come here to bring the entire world into the Long Night. The world that you knew has ended. I intend to remake it into something wondrous. I am the one and only source of authority and my will is absolute. You have seen I can bring death. Let me also show you I can bring life as well." He held up his staff. "Resurrect!"

The three mangled corpses glowed. The ruined bodied pulled themselves together. The wounds healed, the muscles and organs that were missing were replaced. Their skins turned from a lifeless shade to a bright and healthy pink. Eyes opened and all three rose to their feet and looked about in total confusion. The crowd surged back from them.

"Your old lives have ended," Ainz continued. "Everything that has been is gone now. What was exalted shall be cast down and what was despised shall be raised up. You will follow me, for I am the one and only path."

Apparently at this moment Albedo could no longer contain herself. She flew up to the space just beneath him. "That is right! He is the absolute Supreme Being who surpasses even the gods! Kneel down and worship him for he is the god of this world now!"

That was going further than Ainz wanted. Yes, he had taken on the role of Lord Mortem, but that had only been to make his transition into power easier. No matter how powerful his followers and magical items were, he had a finite number of them. He needed to have people willingly follow him. He did not have the forces to watch over everyone. If the people acknowledged him as a being from their own holy texts they would be much more willing to accept his authority. His thoughts had not gone beyond this. Playing Lord Mortem was just a convenient tool to establish himself. He certainly had no intention to actually be worshipped. Before he could admonish Albedo however others took up the call.

Fire burst from Demiurge's palms. "Kneel down and worship the Supreme One."

"Kneel down and worship his glorious presence!" Shalltear cried.

Cocytus slammed down the butt end of a lance causing the street around him to freeze. "Kneel down and worship." He then did so.

"Kneel down and worship for he is deserving of your total obedience," Sebas said from the balcony. He, Shizu, and Yuri then knelt down.

"Kneel down and worship him." Aura and Mare said together and then knelt down.

The monsters on the ground knelt down and placed their hands on their hearts. The crowd hesitated for just a bit, then a few began to kneel. More quickly followed their example, until every one of them was kneeling down.

The sight made him feel nervous, but if he suddenly told them not to worship him it would seem a strange contradiction to his claim of having absolute power.

He held his staff out. "I accept you as my servants. Obey my laws and work hard in my name, and all shall be well."

There were no cheers from the humans, they just looked on in obvious terror.

Well, Ainz thought. That is good enough for now, it is better to be feared than loved after all.

XXX

Following the ceremony the humans were allowed to return to their homes or wherever else they wanted to go to. They were informed they would be told about the new laws soon. They were also told to rejoice at the beginning of their new lives. Ainz doubted any would, but he could hope. As the crowd was told to disperse he ordered that all Techs and Techs in training enter the castle. They gathered in the office Turner had used. Along with the Techs were the Floor Guardians and Sebas. There were twenty Techs and eight trainees who ranged in age from five to fourteen. The Techs were very easy to identify with the triangular brands on their cheeks. The trainees didn't have them, it was an initiation rite. The young kids stood close to the adults, who had protective hands on their shoulders.

All of them but one had their heads down and were clearly frightened. The exception was Tobi, who had been brought here from the Great Tomb. He was looking Ainz in the face, but licked his lips and appeared uncertain.

"Are… are you truly Lord Mortem?"

"I have many names," Ainz replied. It would probably be a good idea to maintain a little mystery.

"How can we be of service, master?"

"I have great plans for all of you." Ainz heard a whimper form one of the boys present. "There is no need to be afraid, your futures are very bright."

"Forgive me, master, but I don't believe not being afraid is even an option."

Ainz chuckled. "Well, I suppose from your point of view that may be the case. What matters is that you represent the most educated segment of the population. I happen to value knowledge, so to me you are all very precious assets. You will help me to reshape this world, and in return you will become very important men. You will be the most important of my human servants. You will no longer be the slaves, among your own kind you will be the masters."

That got a few of them to look up.

"You will not only help with building and repairing things, I will also use you as representatives of my authority. You will see that my laws are enforced and will have the power to bind and loose. You will be given plenty of food, good homes, respect, and real power. All I ask from you in return is loyalty."

"That is a very generous offer," Tobi said. He took a deep breath. "Could we ask for just one thing more?"

"You want more?" Albedo hissed.

Tobi flinched but kept his head up.

Ainz held up a hand and Albedo was silent. "Speak."

"Would you also allow us to marry and have families?"

Ainz thought about it and looked at the faces of these men and boys. As a human being, Satoru Suzuki would agree it was nothing more than a basic right. It was only natural that they should want the chance to find love and raise children. But he was not Satoru Suzuki, he was Ainz Ooal Gown and other things mattered more to him than human rights.

"Let me tell you a short story, Tobi. It is about an ancient kingdom called China. Now, this kingdom had an emperor who had many wives. It was important that his wives be kept safe, but even more important that their chastity be protected. For reasons of state, there could be no question of the paternity of their children. This was a problem, for the wives of the emperor were often among the most beautiful and desirable women in all the land. And because of his many duties and the sheer size of the harem, it was not at all unusual for some of them to feel lonely and neglected. Not surprisingly, even the most loyal of soldiers could be tempted in such a situation."

"Idiots," Albedo muttered. "A wife should be completely devoted even if she is alone much of the time."

Shalltear nodded. "A woman like that would be unworthy. If you have needs that is what other women and toys are for! Your womb belongs to your lord and master!"

"A soldier's loyalty should be absolute even when tempted." Cocytus said.

"Well you can only expect so much from weakling humans." Demiurge said.

"The point is," Ainz continued. "The emperor had a problem because even his finest guards could not be trusted. His solution was to have eunuchs guard and serve his wives, men who were not physically capable of causing an issue."

"I am not sure I like where this is going," Tobi said.

"As time passed, different emperors discovered the eunuchs to be particularly valuable. They did not have families or any other place in society. Their loyalty to the throne was total. This meant they could be entrusted with special tasks and with power because they had no competing loyalty and no place in the world outside the royal court. This is the role I have in mind for the Techs."

"You're going to castrate us?" Tobi placed both hands over his most precious possessions.

Demiurge nodded. "A very wise decision as always, Ainz-sama. Castration also tends to make males more docile. It will help to keep them focused on their work."

Albedo stepped forward and cracked her knuckles. "I will be more than happy to perform the procedure right now."

"Can I have the leftovers as keepsakes?" Shalltear asked.

The boys in the room all began to cry, the men were pale and starting to sweat.

"What? No, no, no, what I mean is that the Techs will be a separate part of society. They will not be allowed to have lovers or children or to work outside of my employ. They will be very well treated and given power, and in exchange they will owe everything to me. Do you not agree that is a very fair offer?"

Tobi paused a little too long before he replied.

"Is Ainz-sama not being more than generous, worthless human?" Albedo demanded.

"If you dislike these terms I am sure he can come up with something different." Demiurge promised.

Tobi gulped and nodded his head. "Yes, master, we thank you."

With that the humans were dismissed. Ainz brought out some of the maps.

"Demiurge, I want you to send an imp to each of these dead zones and have him explore the ruins there. It is unlikely, but there may be some valuables to be found. Also, I want to learn if they die from radiation."

"Yes, Ainz-sama."

"Aura, you will begin a survey of these lands. Find me any populations of humans that are not listed on these maps. Also, find me resources. Iron, copper, coal, gold, and precious gems have priority. Also, keep a special eye out for reward crystals. I doubt you will find any, but if you do they have the top priority."

"I won't let you down, Ainz-sama."

"Mare."

"Y- yes?"

"You are going to secure our food supplies. Find some vacant land and use your magic to raise crops there take some of your subordinate to harvest them. It is early fall in this part of the world. I want all our larders fully stocked before winter. Also, if you find fruit trees transplant some of them to the sixth floor, I want to see if we can raise our own crops there."

"Yes, I understand Ainz-sama."

"Cocytus, while Aura will explore the lands in the vicinity I want you to form an expedition and travel into the heart of this continent. You may choose your own companions, but you will also have to bring some humans with you as well. As with Aura's mission you will be looking for resources and for human settlements. If you find humans make contact with then and do your best to peacefully bring them into my service. If they prove difficult use force, but use the bare minimum. Living humans are more valuable to me than corpses."

"As you will, Ainz-sama."

"Shalltear, while most of the other guardians are busy with different tasks you will be the one in charge of the defense of Nazarick. I doubt anyone would attack us, but do not slacken your vigilance."

"I will not fail you, Ainz-sama!"

"Albedo, travel to the human settlements marked on the maps. Explain the new reality to them and bring them into my service."

"I will make them grovel at your feet or I will redden the land with their blood!"

"Try to keep the carnage to a minimum, Albedo."

"Yes, my beloved Ainz-sama."

"Finally, Sebas, I have a special mission in mind for you and the Pleiades."