CHAPTER 18:

DRAWING UP PLANS

Albedo smirked even as she headed to Demiurge's study. The raid had gone off without a hitch, and they'd handed over the documents to Renner, courtesy of Keno. The sight of those farms burning was a sight to behold. A shame the Supreme Beings could not show off their power, though. The thought of Harry or Momonga using Super-Tier magic made her wet from the sheer power they would display.

Still, they had taken copies of the documents to analyse for themselves. They notified Keno of this, and she, in turn, would tell Renner. They were working towards the same end, but Ainz Ooal Gown had resources Renner could scarcely dream of.

Entering Demiurge's office, she placed the copies on the desk with little preamble. Demiurge had already been notified, so his only response was a delighted grin, before he shuffled through them. "Hmm, an interesting cipher," he said. "But a simple one."

"I felt the same way," Albedo said. "I suspect it to be a variation on a Caesar cipher, a substitution cipher, but as I am still coming to grips with learning the languages here, I couldn't decode it with a casual glance. I would not be surprised if the princess cracks it herself."

"Indeed. As it happens, I was considering…cultivating her as an asset," Demiurge said. "As brilliant as the Supreme Beings are, I had actually a Shadow Demon tailing her for a few days before her meeting with you. I have not reported the findings to the Supreme Beings yet because I did not want to present an incomplete dossier."

Albedo had to wonder if that was the entire reason. Demiurge was one of the most devious, if not THE most devious of the former NPCs. But it was a reasonable excuse. She just resolved to keep an eye on matters. "I would suggest relaying that to Lord Enzo and Lord Momonga. Incidentally, they tentatively approve of Operation Gehenna, as long as innocents are not involved."

Demiurge nodded. "Understood. Lord Enzo has already made his views clear, and I will respect them. However, in the event we end up warring with one of these nations, innocents may yet die."

"If they are part of an opposing army, I believe Lord Enzo would concede to that," Albedo said. "And he has already had to deal with the Adventurers Shalltear slaughtered, though she was in the depths of her Blood Frenzy. But remember, our long-term goal is to take down the Platinum Dragon Lord, the Slane Theocracy, the Elf King Decem Hougan, and Rigrit Bers Caurau, and be seen as heroes in the process. We will not be conquering these people's lands unless we have to, but we will be conquering their hearts and minds."

"Yes, I am aware of that, and it's a most brilliant scheme, and a worthy challenge," Demiurge said. "And bringing down the Eight Fingers will be a stepping stone to that goal. Incidentally, I have compiled dossiers on not only some of the Eight Fingers' leadership, but also on the Six Arms. I was going to bring them to the Supreme Beings, but I've been busy, and the Supreme Beings have been too. Take them to the Supreme Beings later if you don't mind."

Albedo looked through the proffered dossiers. Of them, there were three names in particular that caught her eye: Hilma Cygnaeus, Ampetif Coccodoll, and Zero. And she knew these three, along with their underlings, would be those they targeted most.

Hilma Cygnaeus was a former prostitute who now ran the very arm of the Eight Fingers they had just attacked most directly, the drug-cultivation and distribution arm. Demiurge's reports showed that she was an astute business woman, as well as someone who used her contacts from her former profession to great effect. Many a powerful man had shared her bed. The political and societal connections meant that she could be a potential asset.

Ampetif Coccodoll was the head of the human trafficking department. Effeminate and camp in appearance and demeanour, he was nonetheless possessed of a keen and dangerous mind, and a sadistic one. It was thanks to him that such disgusting brothels as the ones Tuare was degraded at existed.

And then, there was Zero. He headed up not only the Eight Fingers' internal security wing, but also the Six Arms. A brute of a man known as the Fighting Ogre, and a martial artist who was noted for his combat prowess, he would be challenging enough by himself, to normal beings at least.

Demiurge had managed to write up dossiers on the other Six Arms. Harry had mentioned Davernoch, a Lich who, in his unmitigated arrogance, dubbed himself the Undead King. Then, there was Erdström of the Dancing Scimitars, the sole woman, and capable of using the skill 'Dance' to marionette multiple weapons to float around her and attack on her behalf. Succulent, the Illusion Maniac, capable of wielding potent illusions in battle. Peshurian of the Spatial Slash, an armoured juggernaut whose sword could, supposedly, reach through space and attack from afar. And Malmvist of the Thousand Kills, a fencer reputed to kill any whom he so much as nicked with his rapier.

"I'll be sure to deliver these to the Supreme Beings," Albedo said. "But what is your personal assessment of the Six Arms?"

"Powerful by this world's standards, true, but I doubt the Pleiades would have much trouble with them," Demiurge remarked. "Against a Floor Guardian or a Supreme Being? They'd be ants crushed by a boot."

"It'd be more surprising if they could prove an actual challenge," Albedo said. "The Supreme Beings are at the very pinnacle of their powers, and we Floor Guardians were created to be their servants, with strength approaching their own. However, given what Lord Enzo and Lord Momonga have discussed, we know at least multiple Supreme Beings from outside Nazarick have made it to this world before, along with their creations, and we should be vigilant in case any such remnants are threats."

"Yes, six of them founded the Theocracy, if I recall," Demiurge said. "Lord Enzo worked with two others to face down rogue servants of those other so-called Supreme Beings two centuries ago, only to be betrayed by the Platinum Dragon Lord. I understand what you're saying, Albedo. We will not fail the Supreme Beings here by succumbing to hubris. We haven't encountered anything as strong as us yet, but the possibility remains. The Antilene girl that Lord Enzo has adopted is the closest we have to a being at our level, and I applaud him for suborning her."

"He did not suborn her, Demiurge. He showed her what her existence truly meant, showed her the love and affection she was denied by her birth mother," Albedo rebuked. "Just because their relationship is useful to us does not mean that is all there is to it. Lord Enzo lacked love before, the love of a family, and of a lover. I have provided the latter, and to some degree, we of Nazarick as a whole provide the former. It is why he has adopted those children, the Furts, and considers Aura and Mare his children as well. He sought out friendships in this new world while waiting for us, and those friendships stood us in good stead when we did arrive, Demiurge. Otherwise, we would be fumbling around in the dark, even with our collective intelligence, blundering around until the Platinum Dragon Lord decided that he had enough of our existence." Albedo turned her golden eyes to Demiurge. "That beast who wronged my love will rue the day he hatched from his egg. But we will not move in haste."

"Of course not," Demiurge said, adjusting his glasses. "Incidentally, I have reports from the Holy Roble Kingdom…oh, and I have something interesting from my Shadow Demons within the Baharuth Empire. Not anything of concern, but certainly something for the Supreme Beings to look into…"

"Ugh, I can't believe I missed that," Harry groaned as he read the report the next morning. "I've met that fat pervert more than once, and I think I saw the sword, but I didn't think much of it at the time. All I knew was that he loved collecting Dwarven stuff."

"…Fat pervert?" Momonga asked, bemused.

Antilene and Leinas snorted simultaneously. "Osk is definitely a bit of a pervert," Leinas said. "He enjoys battle, but he never was able to get the knack of fighting. That's probably why he got into the arena business. He has a fetish for muscular people of either sex, so Gargaran's basically his walking wet dream. Hell, he even has a Headhunter Rabbit warrior crossdressing as a maid."

Antilene chuckled. "Yeah. Leinas has fought in the arena a few times herself. Speaking of Osk, I think he and the Adventurers' Guild head in E-Rantel go back. Ainzach, wasn't it?"

Momonga nodded. "I see. These Runesmiths of the Dwarven Kingdom intrigue me. Still, I think we had best postpone investigating in earnest until this mess with the Eight Fingers is resolved. I have to admit, the raid went well."

"You mean it was a curbstomp," Leinas said. "Unless one of the Six Arms was there, I could have handled that myself. And even then, I probably could have prevailed, against one of them, anyway. Even with the Blue Roses' prior attacks, they have been slow to move. Then again, it may be they know Renner is behind it, and they're careful about moving against a princess, even directly."

"True," Albedo remarked. "Criminals, successful ones, tend to be furtive. As brazen as their actions are in some regards, it's because they have the support of other powerful figures, and I doubt they would be so blatant as to target the princess directly. Her bodyguard, however…it is clear that she values Climb, and as competent in combat as he is with Stronoff training him, all it takes is a surprise attack, and he would be dead or abducted to act as leverage. Though given what we know of her, it's possible that such an action would produce a very different response to what they think will happen."

"She'll go to war against the Eight Fingers, or rather, escalate the one she is already waging," Momonga said.

"That's certainly a possibility," Albedo said, before glancing to Harry. "If I had lost Harry to some fool, I would go to war myself. The same would apply with Momonga…I mean, Satoru, but Harry is the one I love, and my wrath would burn far more hotly in that case. Forgive me for saying such a thing, Satoru."

"There is nothing to forgive, Albedo," Satoru said. "But to other matters…how is Tuare faring here in Nazarick?"

"Very well," Albedo said, having checked on the girl's progress herself. "While she desires to be in Sebas' presence, she is acclimating well to being around us, more than her sister, actually. I believe it is because we, as monsters, have shown her kindness where so many of her fellow humans have not. In truth, she's been making enquiries to Yuri Alpha as to whether we need more maids. I know we have the Pleiades, not to mention Homunculus Maids in abundance, but I believe she feels that she needs to offer servitude in gratitude for Sebas saving her. And it could help her heal mentally, feeling as if she would be of use, I imagine. I would like to suggest that we have a Doppelganger or Slime pose as her in our forward base in Re-Estize City, as a decoy in case the Eight Fingers tries to abduct her again."

"I was considering something similar," Satoru said. "We should have Sebas visit her on a regular basis where his schedule permits. Celicia too. Incidentally, I have read the reports. I agree that Hilma Cygnaeus should be a top priority to capture when we mount Operation Gehenna. Her connections seem to be amongst the best of the Eight Fingers' higher-ups, and she is known to much of the nobility."

"How will we ensure her loyalty?" Leinas asked.

"Well, I considered sending her to the Prince of Fear, but that may just break her," Albedo said. "We want any defiant or disobedient streaks broken, not her entire mind."

At this, Harry and Satoru shuddered, but Antilene and Leinas looked bemused. "Prince of Fear?" Antilene asked.

"One of the more…disturbing denizens of Nazarick," Harry explained. "His actual name is Kyouhukou, but 'Prince of Fear' is a good translation. Think a human-sized cockroach. His den, the Black Capsule, is filled with all sorts of bugs that will eat you from the inside out."

"He is not exactly popular, even amongst we Floor Guardians and other denizens of Nazarick," Albedo said, shuddering in her turn. "While a fitting fate for the deserving, we want to be able to use Cygnaeus afterwards for her connections and contacts. There are simpler ways of securing her obedience. I am of a mind to have her witness the fate of her subordinates and her colleagues, and make it clear that such a fate awaits her the moment she betrays us. If she is still obstinate, then we can use Harry to rip the information we need from her head, but she might be a good proxy if we can ensure her loyalty."

"Perhaps that is for the best," Satoru said. "But make no mistake, Albedo, this woman profited from the misery of hundreds if not thousands of people, as did the rest of the Eight Fingers. Make sure she understands that, as lofty as her position in the Eight Fingers was, we only suffer her continued existence because she is useful, but she is not indispensable."

"Of course, Satoru," Albedo said.

Satoru then looked at Harry. "While we're waiting for any further news from Re-Estize, go see Osk at his arena, enquire about his Dwarven weaponry, especially any with Runesmithing. Find out any and all information you can about them, and about the Dwarven Kingdoms."

"I think there's only one kingdom for the Dwarves," Harry said. "It resides in the mountains bordering Re-Estize and the Empire. I heard they get into tiffs with the Quagoa, a group of savage mole Beastmen. I doubt dealing with the Quagoa will be as easy as sending Cocytus to impress them with his warrior mentality either."

"The Lizardmen are now a part of our own dominion, albeit unofficially," Albedo pointed out. "But it helps that, for fierce warriors, they have a well-developed culture and sense of morality. Unfortunately, many other Beastmen have a more vicious mentality. One only has to look at the attacks on the Holy Roble Kingdom or the Draconic Kingdom to see that. Incidentally, if we make contact with the Holy Roble Kingdom, Harry should be the one sent as an emissary. While not part of the Slane Theocracy, many of the knights are highly religious and despise undead. An Angel, even a Fallen Angel, may garner more respect."

Harry frowned. "I'm not so sure. They're not as bad as the Theocracy, true, and the queen is a decent person, if a touch too idealistic. But I've heard there's some pretty close-minded people amongst the paladins there. I think Jircniv spoke of one who escorted Queen Calca Bessarez, some self-righteous bitch called Remedios Custodios. Powerful paladin, but she's close-minded."

"Perhaps, but I daresay you would be best should we make contact," Albedo said. "Your contacts with the Blue Roses should also stand you in better stead than most others."

"That's probably for another time," Harry said. "So, Antilene, Leinas, up to visiting Osk tomorrow?"

"Why not?" Leinas asked. "Might as well see the fat pervert and his collection…"

CHAPTER 18 ANNOTATIONS:

The initial preparations for a modified Operation Gehenna have begun.

Review-answering time! SonatiShinonome: True, but there is much still compelling about the series anyway. I still consider it to be one of my favourite isekai series, and indeed, fantasy series of all time.

Nathair1: I think it was because he didn't seem to be intimidated by her intelligence, and viewed her as kind. As for Entoma…well, she won't get sprayed down by Keno's Vermin Bane spell.

framfrit: Again, I'm not sure it is even implied in the novels. Solution's wording in the chapters is too ambiguous. It could be referring to a pregnancy, but I decided to not have that be canon here.

AnimeGoji91: …Have you never seen Overlord, particularly the second series onwards?

No numbered annotations this time.