This story uses the same setting as my other story "Momon, Big Black Changeling". Essentially, Ainz Ooal Gown is the same type of creature as in that story, although this and that story happen in different worlds.

A whole squad of homunculi maids were busy dusting off the many furnishings, along with the carpet, when he entered the room. They all stopped and bowed deeply to him when they saw him approach.

"Greetings, Ainz-sama!"

Ainz nodded quickly. "Carry on," he said, going to the back of the desk and retrieving something from inside one of its drawers. It was a scroll that he had entirely forgotten to put back inside his inventory. "There you are." Satisfied, he looked around at the cleaning homunculi and nodded to himself.

Using the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown, he departed his office and arrived at the Arena once more.

He went up to center of the vast central space. Cocytus and Demiurge were already there, and as expected they bowed to him when he approached. He acknowledged them with a regal wave, and they each turned to look towards the center of the field. For here were gathered the Pleiades maids, along with the group of homunculi maids who had been selected to train under Cocytus in his new initiative. Today, he would see if his decision had gotten any results. They all stood still as statues, patiently waiting for him.

"Cocytus tells me you've all been working hard," Ainz announced, his gaze sweeping across them. "That is good." He turned to the looming icy giant. "Cocytus, you are to be commended for this."

Cocytus inclined his upper body in a semblance of a bow. "My. Thanks. Master. I. Have. Only. Been. Doing. As. Ordered."

"And Demiurge, of course, you are to be congratulated for setting the pace and writing up the schedules," Ainz said, turning to the bespectacled devil. "I know I've just been piling this extra work on you. I hope it hasn't been too difficult."

Demiurge's smile widened and he bowed deep. "It is always a pleasure and a privilege to serve, my lord. As such, no task, no matter how numerous they might be, is impossible with the right attitude."

With the accolades done, Ainz took a step forward and produced the scroll in his hand. "Now to see if my test has yielded something. But tell me first: do any of you feel anything different?"

"Yes, Ainz-sama," Yuri Alpha answered first. "I am feeling… rather more energetic than before."

"Interesting." He glanced towards Lupusregina.

"Yup, yup! Feeling like I can do a lot more. A whooole lot more, Ainz-sama!" she chirped. She was literally bouncing on her heels. "It's like I can take on a whole army of puny humans, su~"

"Hm. Interesting. Solution?"

"Yes, Ainz-sama." The blonde said with a bow. "In-between my duties as Vanessa I have been keeping up with Cocytus' training. I believe it has borne fruit, and I am eager to share my findings."

"Very good." He turned to Narberal Gamma, whom among the rest was someone he met on a regular basis, for both business and pleasure. He knew she had already reported changes in her body from a short while back, so this was just a matter of protocol.

"Ainz-sama, I also report some significant changes in my power level," Narberal replied.

Beside her, Shizu spoke next when he prompted. "I have also noticed some irregularities in my form when I was playing with my little brother and the human. Ainz-sama, is this concerning?"

"Not exactly, Shizu, but we will try to work it out later," Ainz said. He turned to the last of the Pleiades, who raised her hand cheerfully.

"I noticed I'm getting a lot hungrier now, Ainz-sama!" Entoma said. "There's something like a… burning pit inside my gut… I have to keep eating and eating just to stop it, but it's making a lot of people upset!"

"Hm. That is certainly a concern." He would have to see if the increased energy requirements would be an actual detriment to increasing the level of NPCs. If they had to "eat" a lot more, then that would also start to "eat" into their expenditures. He unrolled the scroll, then stepped forward to hold it towards Yuri. "But now first we shall see how exactly you have changed. This scroll will tell me. Place your hand upon it, one at a time, please. Yuri Alpha, you go first."

The bespectacled maid dutifully followed orders and stepped forward. She raised her hand and placed it on the scroll. It glowed bright for a brief moment, before fading. Ainz took the scroll and held it up to his eyes. On it was etched a few scribbled lines of information. It was a complete reading of Yuri Alpha's current stats: including her racial levels, job levels, total levels, statistics and other relevant information.

It was all presented as if he was back in Yggdrasil, and he was looking up the information on an NPC by clicking on their information tab. In here he had to use his special scroll, which had been used on some occasions to gain information on defeated or captured players—for when Player Killing was not the goal just yet. One just needed to present the scroll to someone, and it would instantly "read" all that was to know about them.

"Humu, I see, I see," he muttered to himself, upon scanning the scroll that now showed Yuri Alpha's information. He racked his mind and tried to remember how her stats looked like before. He sure hadn't memorized it. On a rough glance, her basic parameters read:

But he was really sure she had changed, though he less sure by exactly how much.

Zombie: 10

Dullahan: 6

Ki Master: 5

Striker: 10

Single Blow: 5

Cook: 3

Other: 24

Total: 63

But he did know that she hadn't just been Level 63 before. She had been Level 50-something. There had definitely been a marked, clear improvement. And "Ki Master"? He thought about it, racking his mind. She definitely didn't have that before, he was sure of it! Yamaiko-san had never made her with that skill in mind.

He smiled widely, and flapped the scroll excitedly in the air. "It is my pleasure to announce the first sign of confirmation," he said, in excited tones. "Thanks to your tireless efforts, there have indeed been improvements to your forms. You have gained more power, so to speak. This is remarkable! Cocytus, Demiurge, you should be applauded. Everyone, clap for them." And then he led the wave of applause that followed, as he turned to congratulate his two subordinates for a job well done together with the maids.

"Ah. It. Is, Our. Pleasure," Cocytus said, beating his chest with his hands and making dull thunking sounds.

"You give me too much credit, my lord," Demiurge said, with trembling voice. "We are only fulfilling our sacred duties as your loyal servants."

As it would later turn out, Yuri Alpha was not the only one to have improved. One by one, he used the scroll on each of them, revealing to him proof that his tests had indeed worked.

Next was Lupusregina, whose stats now read:

Werewolf: 8

Cleric: 10

Battle Cleric: 5

Warlord: 5

Hierophant: 5

Alpha: 3

Other: 30

Total: 66

It had not been as drastic a difference as Yuri had done, but there had still been an improvement. He also saw that she had now adopted levels in Alpha, from which he recalled had something to do with creating her own pack of werewolves. It seemed she had even more potential than before.

Next came Solution Epsilon's turn:

Shoggoth: 10

Ubbosattla: 10

Racial other: 25

Assassin: 5

Poison Maker: 4

Master Assassin: 5

Job other: 5

Total: 64

At first glance, he only saw that her level had increased, and saw nothing to indicate that she had adopted something new. He reasoned that perhaps this was because of her ongoing duties as an undercover noble in the Re-Estize Kingdom. Then she saw that her levels in "Predator Slime" had increased, and he realized that she had "evolved", so to speak.

Predator Slimes were notorious creatures in the Yggdrasil overworld, whose higher-leveled versions had an array of terrifying abilities. They could instantly melt equipment, could split up into clones of themselves, and could even swallow a Player whole and adopt their forms. The latter was especially fascinating in this world, as there was no respawn mechanic from dying in this way.

Solution would be someone to watch for, at any rate. While her loyalty was not in question, there was always a chance for unforeseen "accidents".

Next came Narberal, who stepped forward smartly and pressed her hand dutifully on the scroll. As she did so, she shared a smoldering look with him, as if she was trying to tell him that she was ready to mate with him then and there.

Doppelganger: 5

Fighter: 4

War Wizard: 10

Elementalist Air: 10

Elementalist Fire: 3

Elementalist Lightning: 3

Elementalist Ice: 3

Armored Mage: 10

Other: 31

Total: 79

Out of all of them, Narberal seemed to have the most improvements, almost reaching the level of an actual Guardian. In terms of raw levels she was the highest among her sisters now. Ainz guessed that this was perhaps linked most to her constantly being at his side as the Beautiful Princess Nabe, and therefore able to soak up so much experience in the outside world in addition to being trained occasionally by Cocytus.

With this, he was also able to notice that she had now acquired a whole host of Elementalist specialties, which made her that much more powerful of a magic caster. She was almost equivalent to a Player who was just about to approach endgame with her levels, and with the specialized build that Nishikienrai-san had set for her, it was clear where her strengths would be.

As such, he was tempted to ask Nabe: "Have you learned any new spells or anything, Narberal Gamma?"

She cocked her head in puzzlement at him. "I… am not sure, Ainz-sama."

So did only her levels increase? That was a shame. That meant she still needed to find some way to "acquire" new spells.

"But I was able to modify a spell," she continued.

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"I added some lightning elements to the teleport spell," she clarified. "May I demonstrate?"

"No, that's fine, I believe you," he said. He rubbed his chin. Still, that meant she was now able to apply certain metamagics? That was actually quite impressive. "Did you learn this yourself?"

"No, it was that mortal who told me it could be possible."

"Huh?" For one moment, Ainz was literally taken aback. "Mortal? Who?"

"That puny red one from Blue Rose," Nabe said, practically spitting the words. "She told me of how she was able to add various effects to her normal spells."

"And so you applied it to just that? Impressive." The image of that Evileye briefly flashed in his mind. Ainz was genuinely impressed, but just didn't want to praise Narberal excessively in the presence of so many others. That would mean he would have to work to praise the others excessively in their turn, and that would just take up time.

Still, Narberal really had earned the accolade, and more. She had intuited a method of metamagic without needing to use the medium of a game. That was a level of learning he hadn't ever thought was possible. Though it still made him glad that the NPCs were able to manage it without his input.

They were "growing up" so to speak.

He dismissed Nabe, who went back to the line, and called up Shizu. Her stats read:

Automaton: 5

Gunner: 10

Sniper: 8

Assassin: 3

Stalker: 8

Akimbo: 3

Other: 22

Total: 59

He would have to recheck it later, but it appeared that once again Shizu was the lowest level among her "siblings". She still earned a whole host of levels, and that was not something to be sneezed at. But the fact was still interesting, especially since she was currently assigned together with Nabe's protégé as part of Eclipse Nebula's Empire branch.

Speaking of which, I really have to get back to that… he thought to himself. He nodded to Shizu, who returned to her place dutifully. The last of the Pleiades stepped up with a cheerful saunter, tapping her dainty arms on the scroll. Entoma's stats read as:

Arachnoid: 10

Racial other: 2

Medium: 10

Shaman: 10

Insect Master: 10

Weapon Master: 3

High Shaman: 3

Job other: 12

Total: 60

This confirmed it; Shizu really was still the lowest among them, just one shy of Entoma's. Still, she was specialized a lot more differently, and the levels were hardly an approximation of their usefulness.

"Very good, Entoma, that will be all." He turned to address the others. "For now, I am pleased to say that this scroll has confirmed that you have indeed gained a few more notches in power. How you use that power to serve Nazarick will have to be decided for later. But let me just say once again that you are all to be commended for doing your best with training." And privately, Ainz was pleased that they had managed to confirm something for him in his tests. That made all the effort worthwhile.

He went forward to the homunculi maids, who were all each arranged in their own way. All of them had begun with a base-line level of one, and Ainz was eager to know how Cocytus' training had paid off.

One by one the maids placed their hands on the scroll, showing Ainz what changes they had undergone. After the last maid had shown him her stats, he felt overwhelmed by the proof that was there to see.

All the homunculi had boosted their levels from a mere Level 1 to a whopping Level 20. In Yggdrasil terms, it was a vast gap separating someone just starting out to a Player who had already braved several dangerous yet lucrative situations and was ready to dip their toes into even more. In this world, it separated a normal human with no powers or abilities whatsoever, into something like a highly-trained veteran soldier or a brilliant scholar of magic. No matter the perspective, the maids had literally made such a huge jump in only a small time.

"Once again I congratulate you, and you all in particular," Ainz said, addressing the maids. "You have achieved much in the time I gave you. You have done well." He swept his gaze back towards the Pleiades, and back towards Demiurge and Cocytus. "In fact, it bears repeating that you have all done exceptionally well."

He stalked over to another position from where he could address them all equally. "In fact, your performance here has pleased me so much that I am willing to grant each of you a suitable reward. When you have time, please apply for it to my office, where I shall grant it to you personally.

"But Ainz-sama—"

"It was our—"

He raised his hands in a grand gesture to halt the inevitable cries of "we don't need anything" that came, and sure enough they did. "Please, allow me this privilege as your superior. It is my firm belief that good work deserves a good reward, and that even if good work is rewarding in itself for you lot, I still wish to grant you my favor. So, without any further arguments, you will think on your appropriate reward and submit it to me personally in my office. Understood?"

"Yes, Ainz-sama." Luckily, he already had all their names on a document so he would be able to check off those who claimed their rewards.

"We shall speak more about your new capabilities later," he then said, addressing the homunculi maids solely once more. "For now, please return to your other responsibilities." With this group having been enhanced by Cocytus' training, it was now a foregone conclusion that the rest of the homunculi maids would need to catch up. He foresaw a point where each of them would be able to match the former power of the Pleiades.

And the Pleiades themselves might also finally reach the level of their loyal sister who guarded the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown.

As the homunculi shuffled off, carrying with them an excited buzzing sound of many voices speaking, Ainz went back to addressing the Pleiades.

"I know it's repetitive, but good work, all of you. The strange changes you felt in your body have indeed made you a lot more powerful than before. Still, that doesn't mean you can afford to be careless. Especially in your other duties. As of this moment, my former orders still stand."

"Yes, Ainz-sama," they said, bowing in unison.

"Furthermore…" Ainz raised a finger. "I think… now would be a good time to change your original uniforms. At this point, I think you've already outgrown them." He rubbed his chin. Thanks to the good news he had received, Ainz was feeling a whole lot more indulgent and generous. He could've given away a whole box of gold if anyone has dared to ask.

Now he was reminded of the time when his comrades had picked out the uniforms for their own respective member of the Pleiades, and wondered if they would mind if he actually replaced them here. "Hmm… Yes… I think that would be a good idea."

"I can't wait, Ainz-sama!" Narberal blurted out. Her sisters looked askance at her in shock, before following up with their own murmurs of agreement.

"That's good, that's good…" Ainz said, feeling quite smug and happy. "Well, for now, as with the others, please do return to your assigned tasks. We will discuss your 'upgrades' later. Also, please don't forget the rewards you wanted."

"But Ainz-sama," Shizu asked. "Will the uniforms not be the reward?"

"That is a separate thing, Shizu," Ainz said. "The uniforms are something you actually need now; whatever reward you wish is another thing entirely."

"I see."

"Thank you for your generosity, Ainz-sama!" Solution now practically shouted, bowing repeatedly.

"Yes, Ainz-sama!" Nabe said, stepping up and bowing right beside her.

"Ah, yeah. You're welcome…" He watched them leave, each returning to their assigned responsibilities; and some of them were even bound to leave Nazarick entirely. As he recalled it, Nabe was currently needed back with Amelia (Albedo).

He breathed out a sigh and now turned towards Demiurge and Cocytus. "Don't think you're exempt from this, you two," he said, wagging his finger. "Feel free to name your reward, and if I can grant it, then I shall certainly do so. But, in addition to that, here—"

He produced two items from his inventory which he had retrieved from the Treasury just prior to this meeting. They had been stored there by their Creators, cheap trinkets that would nonetheless mean a whole lot to these NPCs.

"First, for you, Cocytus. Here is a weapon forged by Warrior Takemikazuchi. Do note, that this is not a sword to be used for battle." It was a "failure", according to his friend, and had the wrong data crystals slotted and so on. He had then dumped it inside the Treasury instead of tossing it out entirely. Ainz had his doubts as to its actual effectiveness as a weapon, but it would serve as a good gift.

"Ohhh!" Cocytus sounded like he could not believe his eyes.

"I mean, it's up to you if you want to use it for battle," Ainz said, turning the sword over in his hands. "But I am sure it is far weaker than anything else that he gave you to use. Yet as his Creation, it seems only fitting that you receive it, and keep it."

After Cocytus received the sword, he stood staring down at the small sword in his hands for a good long moment. To Ainz, he looked like some sort of gigantic ice sculpture, completely still and unmoving.

Then he began to shake and convulse. At first, he watched with bemusement as Cocytus began shaking and writhing on the ground, slamming his fists against the earth with wild abandon. Then, when moments passed without any change, he became a little more concerned. He shared a look of alarm with Demiurge.

"Uooooooohhhhhhh!" Cocytus shouted. Shards of solid ice began to form all around his body.

"Oi, Cocytus? What's wrong? Stop that!"

"Cocytus, this is most unbecoming of a Guardian! You are in the presence of Ainz-sama!" Demiurge shouted.

Still, neither of them made a move to touch the convulsing Cocytus, as Demiurge was not given an order and Ainz also refused to touch him. Sending in Demiurge would have turned it into a full-scale battle, and Ainz would have been unable to hold himself back—which would have led to an injury. In the end, they had to call in other minions to hold Cocytus down.

The ruckus lasted for all of an hour. By the end of it, Cocytus had calmed down considerably, and had started going off on making his most profuse apologies to him. Ainz sternly sent him off to reflect on his mistakes, while also making it clear he wasn't disappointed.

That finally left him alone with Demiurge, where he was finally able to present the gift that he had been just about to give before Cocytus went crazy.

"Here, Demiurge. I know I've already given you plenty of your Creator's old artifacts, but here is another one." He presented Demiurge with a star-shaped trinket, which gleamed a dull bronze.

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Ainz-sama," Demiurge said in fervent tones. "May I ask what this is?"

"A trinket that was used to safeguard against attacks of Holy nature." The item's effect itself wasn't that powerful. It really was a trinket that Ulbert-san had earned from an old gacha contest, which he had thrown into the Treasury and promptly forgotten the very next day. As with Cocytus' gift, Ainz didn't have to tell Demiurge that little fact. "But, it is similar to what I gave Cocytus. Do not use it as an item for battle. I give that to you for sentimental reasons, as these are objects meant to remind you all of your Creators."

"I shall never forget this favor, Ainz-sama," Demiurge said with overawed voice, grasping the necklace in his clenched fist and placing it firmly against his chest.

"Very good." But just as he was about to turn away, Demiurge stopped him.

"Ah, Ainz-sama, my pardons, but may we speak for just one more moment?"

"Hm? What is it, Demiurge?"

"It concerns that 'reward' you wanted to grant," Demiurge said, his tone now exceedingly polite. "I only thought… Please do not think it too presumptuous for me to present what I want now."

"Oh, not at all," Ainz said, turning back. "So you have something in mind now? Well, go on, I still have time."

"I thank you, Ainz-sama," Demiurge said, bowing again. "In short, permit me to present this humble proposal of mine. I wish to establish a base in Solution's lands. Its purpose will be to capture and study the exotic creatures we encountered there, all with the purpose of understanding our enemy."

"Hrm…" Ainz rubbed his chin. "But that is a dangerous place for most of Nazarick, Demiurge. Will you need to be there all the time?" He knew he shouldn't be completely relying on his subordinates, but he had to admit that Demiurge filled a very important cog in Nazarick's inner workings. And of course, with everything still an unknown there was the chance of Demiurge himself being felled by whatever unknown power still lurked in the underground.

"Oh no, it shall be manned primarily by a rotation of my minions from my Floor. While I shall certainly look in from time to time, I will leave the general operation of the facility to them. And of course, they will follow strict protocol with regards to blending in with the humans."

"Hm… Perhaps…"

"And I also wished to propose that such an area would also be a good staging ground from where the Pleiades may hone their heightened skills in battle. They could, perhaps, gain even more power here than with Cocytus' training alone."

At that, Ainz's felt himself nodding along. "I see… That's definitely a good point. Still, we should be cautious about it. Believe me when I say that even to me they were a challenge. But your proposal is sound, Demiurge. Please present to me an outline of the plan and of how it will impact our operations going forward. Understand that I do see the wisdom in your proposal, but we do have other duties."

"I completely understand, my lord," Demiurge said. "I shall be drafting the new plan immediately."

"Very good." At that, he turned away in dismissal. "Thank you for your hard work, Demiurge. Keep it up."

"Ainz-sama."

As he walked along, his thoughts dwelled on that mysterious underground maze, with those monsters that were nearly a match for a Floor Guardian. Then he imagined the Pleiades going at it as a group, honing their new abilities as a team. He had to admit: there was certainly some appeal to the notion.

It was night-time. The stars shone brightly in the dark canopy of night. Far below their watching eyes stretched a road that connected the capital of the Slaine Theocracy to the nearest major town. Here, in the deepest time of night, a great wagon could be seen speeding over the thoroughfare. It was pulled by a pair of magnificent stallions, their hooves thundering loudly on the dirt and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Riding fast on the wagon's heels were a group of outriders, who were each mounted on their own formidable steeds. They formed a rigid protective formation around the wagon, their horses keeping up pace with its speed as it pounded forward towards the Capital. In the dark of night, the riders' shapes were obscured by black cloaks, though occasionally a gleam of gold and silver could be discerned by any scrutinizing observer, reflecting the silent brilliance of the stars. It was proof that despite their small numbers, they would be no less serious in proscribing their defense of the wagon—along with its contents.

Presently this caravan reached a bend in the road, and there came upon an obstruction far in the distance. The head rider immediately gave a signal, causing the wagon's driver to slow down. With the road surrounded by trees, it would be difficult for the wagon to bypass whatever obstruction there was. The wagon dutifully slowed down, with the horses dragged back from their full gallop as two of the outriders sped forward.

"It's a tree," they said, upon closer examination of the obstacle. It had fallen right over the road, completely blocking access to and from the capital.

"Keep alert!" their leader ordered. They drew their weapons, each ready to spring to action. This sort of setup was exactly the sort of thing bandits and highwaymen used, and they were no green mercenaries.

In the meantime, the two lead riders sprang to action. One immediately started casting a powerful spell that would cut through the tree in record time, completely bisecting it and allowing the wagon to start moving again. In situations like these, the riders knew of the various contingencies they had to follow to ensure the success of their mission. Currently, that mission was to safeguard the contents of the wagon on its journey to the capital city.

The tree trunk broke into so many wooden fragments, its two sides falling apart as magical flames consumed it. In that instant, the wagon started to stir, as the driver started to whip the horses back into shape. But just as it was about to break through the roadblock, there came a clamor from all around, like stones rolling down a hill.

One of the outriders ignited a spell that flashed a bright light. It illuminated the surrounding trees, casting light into the abyssal shadows within. It revealed the source of the ominous sound.

It was an army of skeletons. In that moment, as if the flash had been a signal, they began to move, rushing forward in a noisome clamor of ancient armor and bone. They pushed forward through the trees in a great mass.

There came loud shouts and yells as the outrider leader bellowed orders. There came more flashes of light. Gleaming blades were enchanted by sorcerous fire—adding a bite that would sear undead essences. One rider took out a wooden stave, upon which were carved mystical symbols. The tip then ignited like a torch, casting its blue radiance over all.

The night-time scene erupted in a furious battle. The guardians cut the undead down with righteous fervor, turning whole masses into dust with barely a blink. Riders stormed through the path, sweeping their blades and burning their unholy forms to the dirt. Balls of magical might streamed out, raining hot fire on the undead.

And yet they still came. For each they slew, two more came bursting through the trees, without ceasing, untiring, unflinching in the face of oblivion. It was as if they were being led by a malevolent power that was hell-bent on pushing all its resources towards the assault.

The skeleton waves were joined by shambling corpses wielding arrows. The first barrage of bolts came as a surprise, wounding the riders. For a time, they resisted through healing aid and the prayers to their gods.

But the poison in the bolts seeped in, turning their fiery defense cold and useless. They screamed as the skeletons tore them from their mounts, before being mauled and trampled by the relentless mass of undead.

Yet before the undead army could claim its prize, the doors to the wagon opened and bright light surged from within. A trio of paladins in gleaming armor stepped out, bellowing their defiance into the undead mass. No blighted arrow pierced their enchanted armor as they formed a spirited defense of the wagon, cleaving through the undead ranks with sword and spell.

For a good while it seemed that they would hold the tide. They felt confident in their last-ditch effort, for word had been sent to the Capital, and they would be relieved soon by the mightiest human force in all the land. And yet there now came new threats from within the shadowed trees. Liches, one of the most dangerous kinds of undead, emerged as if called from their hidden barrows. Spying them from afar, the paladins thought they had found the mastermind. But even more came out, wielding various magics. A cabal of liches was practically unheard of—was this a threat that had slept for so long?

They could not find the time to get an answer to that. As one, the liches cast their magics, and the sheer multitude of them overpowered the paladins' protections. Fire, frost, all the elements—there was death, debilitation, destruction, enfeeblement—a rich panoply of magic that pierced through their armors. One by one, this last line of defense fell, their brilliance dimmed forever.

For a while there was silence. The killing of the driver was practically an afterthought. The undead surrounded the wagon but did not move, standing silent like eerie statues in the starlight. It was as if all the bloodlust had been shed from their minds, leaving them docile. Then a hooded shape emerged from the trees. Her lithe, slender body discarded her from the ranks of the skeletons, and the healthy pallor of her skin revealed her to be not any form of undead. Yet with eyes equally as cold and brutal, she approached the wagon, her gaze sweeping left and right.

Then she entered the wagon, using a small crystal to illuminate her way. When she found what she was looking for, she stepped back out and whistled. At her signal a pair of undead came.

"This box right here," she said.

Acceding to her command, the undead grabbed hold of the heavy cargo and hauled it out of the wagon.

The woman stepped back onto the dirt and clapped her fingers together. The army of undead started to return back to the trees. The cargo bearers took some time, the strain of the large box pulling on their unholy sinew. Just as the woman herself was about to disappear, there came a loud burst of sound like thunder, followed by a flash of light.

She whirled and stood before the cargo-bearing skeletons in a crouched position. From the far side of the wagon there appeared another group of armor-clad people, their forms brought here by instant teleportation. They charged forward, and having caught sight of the woman and the skeletons, immediately brought their weapons to bear.

"Halt!" their leader cried. "You will go no further, thief!"

The hooded figure cocked her head. "That voice… I don't believe it… Of all the stupid coincidences in this world…"

"Hm? Wait, you're—"

The woman pulled back her hood, revealing the features of Clementine. "Hello, brother dearest. In retrospect, it's really obvious they'd send you here. Still a loyal dog of the bishops, eh?"

"What…" The man said, with steely voice. "… What are you doing here? And consorting with the undead? Have you gone mad?"

"I am working, dear brother," Clementine said with singsong voice. "A gal's got to eat. She's got to fuck. And to do that, even 'consorting with undead' is the least demeaning thing I got to do. It beats sucking off some disgusting adventurer."

"Be that as it may, the situation here is obvious," the man said, raising his sword. "You are surrounded by people you know you cannot beat, even when you were with us. Unless you were given a power by the gods themselves, you cannot hope to best any one of us. So, let's make this simple. Surrender to us now. We will take you prisoner, but at least you will get leniency."

Clementine snorted. "Leniency? It would be lunacy for me to expect anything but a date with the headsman."

"You will have time to repent, sister."

"Ohh, that's tempting. But no thanks."

"Captain!" said one of the others. "She's clearly stalling for time! We should apprehend her now!"

"Aw, but family reunions should be something to be savored!" Clementine said. "Well, he is right, though, brother. I have no time to waste."

"You move, and you die."

"Oh, I'll certainly move, and I certainly won't die."

Just as the group was about to charge forward there came a burst of energy from the ground. It was like coursing lightning, abducted from the clouds by some unknown artifice. After being forced to blink, the Black Scripture members were amazed to see now a great, skeletal being, garbed in robes of regal black, standing before Clementine. His poise, his aura, his very being exuded a dread, unforgiving might.

"Who..?"

The Scripture members gasped. They stared with shock at this undead standing before them, wreathed in so much power and majesty. They had stared down powerful liches before, but never had they felt as if they were standing before something like this. It was the awe of someone beholding the ancient giants striding over the mountains in the horizon, condensed into the smaller form of a lich.

"It can't be… Surshyana-sama…?"

The lich presently raised its hand into a fist. As one, the Scripture members felt their bodies freeze, as if some powerful force were inhibiting their movements.

"Kuh… What?"

It was far more powerful than any spell that they had encountered before. They could only watch helplessly as Clementine started walking away.

"Ehhh? You're not killing them? That's a shame, but whatever. Since Zurernon's footing the bill, then I got no reason to complain." They left without a backward glance, taking the box with them.

Once the lich and Clementine melted into the trees they were finally able to move. They collapsed to their knees, panting, their hearts racing in their chests.

"Captain…" one of them asked. "What do we do?"

"We stay back, and report this," he replied quietly. "That was not a force we should be trifling with carelessly."

They stared helplessly into the trees, as if afraid that the lich would re-emerge to once more crush them with overwhelming power. Not a single one of them possessed the courage to give chase.

Ainz rubbed his palms together as his minions put the box down. Beside him were several other guards, among them Lupusregina, who was summoned as the "chief" of this security detail. If things had escalated, she would have charged in to wreak havoc with her new powers. He couldn't help feeling slightly disappointed that they had managed to hijack the shipment with minimal exposure, thus eliminating the need to see her in action.

Maybe another time.

"It was good for you to mention that group," Ainz said over his shoulder.

"Ahhh…" Clementine swallowed. "I hope you didn't mind."

"Not at all," Ainz said cheerfully. On the other hand he had hoped that Clementine would have been enough to execute the whole mission, but the appearance of more reinforcements had forced his hand. Still, that did allow him to be here and attend to the shipment as soon as possible—freshly pilfered and ready for him to peruse. "It was good thinking to misdirect them with that other group. I would never have thought of it myself."

The box was opened with a hiss, and within he could see the items gathered in piles, all gleaming beneath the starlight. He picked one at random—a dusty-looking shield, and cast an appraisal spell on it. The stats revealed themselves to him: and then proved his suspicions beyond a shadow of a doubt. This really was an item from the game. It was of good quality, too, even if it was a bit lower level than he liked.

He checked the other items one after another, appraising them all with the spell. All betrayed their unanimous source as Yggdrasil, much like the items Ainz himself was wearing now. This whole trove was just about what he would expect from a Guild's own repository or bank. And yet why did the Slaine Theocracy have this? Surely there were Players involved here, as well.

"Amazing." It was a remarkable breakthrough and revelation. Now he knew he wasn't the only one who had come to this world. And perhaps he also wasn't the only one currently present. There could be more of them, hiding out in the farthest corners, controlling from the shadows, just like he was doing.

"Fu fu fu…" He couldn't help but laugh to himself. Now he would be ready. He turned to face Clementine. "You have done well in your duties. So well that you have impressed me. It seems my servants have all done their best, in their own ways. And now it would be unfair of me to offer a reward to them and deprive you of your own."

"Reward…?" Clementine asked hesitantly.

"Yes… I will grant you power—more power than you could ever have dreamed of. That group back there? I took a glance, you could never have hoped to match them. Yet with my blessing you will get a fighting chance. And maybe you could even defeat them."

"Your… blessing? Are you going to…?"

"Oh, no, I meant that you would get more power with my blessing, not that I had some boon to give you personally." He gestured and Lupusregina stepped forward. "She will be the one to grant you the power."

Clementine raised a brow at the red-haired woman, and wondered why her smile had widened to an almost feral-like degree, exposing teeth shaped like so many knives.

"Do keep up the good work," Ainz said.

It was a crisp and clear morning when Ainz and "Amelia" visited the Aindra estate, in response to the Aindra patriarch's invitation to a leisurely hunt that day. They came wearing brand-new riding outfits that they had managed to acquire a while back. It seemed to have made quite an impression, as even Lakyus' mother had something to say about how Momon looked, gushing on about how he looked more like a dashing prince.

Incidentally, she had nothing to say about Amelia, who was pretty much wearing the same thing with a green color instead of Ainz's red. This could be attributed to the fact that she would not be joining the hunt and yet both Lakyus and Amelia would be coming along as active participants. Lakyus herself was wearing a sharp-looking riding outfit of purple color, with knee-length boots of black leather. The fabric hung tight over her body, accentuating her feminine curves despite the decidedly masculine dress.

The hunt itself was a bit of an awkward affair. It was clear to all participants that Ainz and Amelia knew literally nothing about how to hunt. It was easy to pass themselves off as foreigners who knew nothing of the tradition. It also worked in their favor—it gave Lakyus an excuse to take Ainz and Amelia to a corner to tutor them herself. Her father and all the rest would see it in a romantic light, and it gave them a private moment all to themselves.

Ainz was surprised to find it easy to talk to Lakyus. She seemed a far gentler person in this setting than she usually was outside. He couldn't deny that in any other circumstance he might have genuinely pursued her for a mate. If he had still held onto his convictions to never touch any of the NPCs, Lakyus would have been a prime candidate for taking a "mate" if he really needed one.

"How is everything?" she asked, after she taught him the proper etiquette for catching game.

"You have been a very good teacher," he said easily.

The two of them were walking through a forested path, away from the main hunting party. Amelia was there with them, though she was some distance behind. He knew Albedo was keeping the usual watch over things, as well as giving him the necessary space to converse more with Lakyus.

"I hope I have not disappointed," Lakyus said.

"Now that we are here in private, though, I believe it is the right time for us to discuss some important things."

Lakyus stopped and cocked her head. "And what would that be?"

Ainz clasped his gloved hands behind him. "We both know that you were forced into this course by the evil hands of the Eight Fingers, whom we are still contending with to this day. I want to reassure you that, provided the Eight Fingers have become just a sorry footnote in the history of the land, you are free to have our marriage annulled."

A series of complex emotions flashed on Lakyus' face. Then she glanced back towards Amelia and sighed. "I… thank you, sir Momon. You're far too kind, and perhaps a better man than most."

"Hm. I will also have no qualms with your continued dalliance with Amelia. You may choose to be intimate with her no matter the time, whether it after we have called it quits, or during our marriage, or right this very instant." He turned and raised a brow. "But please do understand that we share a common… bond."

"I… I do," Lakyus said, a blush forming on her cheeks. "Much as it is quite unusual to me and mine sensibilities, I understand your situation. And I have no objection whatsoever to this…" she cleared her throat. "… Arrangement."

It was good that they didn't have to spend more time mincing words about Albedo's relationship with the human. To be perfectly blunt, Lakyus was as a pet, or a toy, that Albedo was keeping, using her feminine wiles to seduce the human onto a path much debauched. He had no idea what was going through her head right this instant, but he only hoped she would not break from this blatant example of "culture shock". Even Ainz was still trying to get used to it, and he was the one making love to a different NPC every day!

"So, I am to assume that you are also working against the Eight Fingers in your own way, sir Momon?" Lakyus asked. "May I ask how?"

He smiled. "I have some plans regarding that. Things have already been set into motion that will ensure the removal of those stains to society. I will just ask that you be patient for a good while longer. I estimate it will take some time before the plan bears fruit. And of course, it's rather obvious that we don't need to hasten things, right?"

"Indeed, caution is a most wise maneuver."

Presently there came footsteps from behind. "Are we all getting along then?" Albedo asked, smiling brightly. She looped her arms around Lakyus' shoulder.

"Amelia…" Lakyus stammered, her expression once more turning bashful.

"It will be a nice week before the wedding still," Albedo proclaimed. "So close and yet so far, my dear. Are you excited?"

"Y-Yes, Amelia."

"Oh my dear, you are so precious." Albedo tapped her cheek and leaned her face close. Lakyus no longer had any qualms melting into the kiss, eagerly responding to Albedo's soulful kiss. It was good to see that Lakyus was no longer nervous about his own presence while they made out.

"Mmm…" Albedo smacked her lips as she pulled back. She turned her head and beckoned towards him with her eyes. As Lakyus watched, it was then Ainz's turn to lean in and thrust his tongue inside Albedo's mouth. Their tongues danced and flicked against each other, and Ainz could taste just a bit of Lakyus as a foreign taste inside her mouth.

"Ah… Momon-sama…" Albedo said, when they ended. Licking her lips Albedo turned back to Lakyus. "Well now, my dear, are you ready to take on Momon-sama as well?"

"Ah… maybe?"

As she dawdled, reticent, Albedo stepped back to allow Ainz to sweep Lakyus into his arms. She squawked with surprise at being carried princess-style. Ainz went to a secluded part of the forest, where they were sure to not be spotted. Albedo stood watch as he sat with his back against the tree and laid Lakyus on top of his lap.

"Auuu~"

"Shh… Calm down, Lakyus. It's alright," Albedo said, caressing her back. "If you don't want to, then it's alright."

"No, I… It's really fine," Lakyus said, swallowing. She looked up at him with resolute eyes. Then, without warning, she moved up and pushed her lips against his.

Though she was slow and clearly inexperienced, she was at least eager, and he indulged her tentative attempts to French.

They drew apart with a loud smack.

"Mmm.." Lakyus said, with a dreamy look in her eyes. She laid her hand against his chest and sighed.

"There, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Albedo said. Ears and cheeks burning red, Lakyus nonetheless nodded.

"Shall we go for another?" he said. A moment later, she nodded and they kissed once again. No one looking on would see anything wrong with two engaged partners making out. At least, not until Amelia joined in, pulling them into a three-way, sloppy, tongue-lolling kiss.

Chapter commissioned by anonymous, thank you. A reminder that the story is commissioned.

If you'd like a story commissioned, feel free to contact me here, or on archiveofourown under "RHoldhous".