Breeding Issues

by The Ruff Pusher

Momon the Dark Hero encounters Zesshi Zetsumei. mature content/smut

6. Chapter 6

Note: This story is a work of fiction. It has many content of adult nature. If you do not want to read such content, please close your browser window or press the convenient back button.

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.

---

Drops of condensed steam dripped idly from the tiled ceiling, and streamed down the walls in lazy rivulets back to the floor—and to the source of the steam itself, the hot bath currently churning at the center of the large pool. Sitting at the head of it was Ainz Ooal Gown, his body half obscured by the water and the haze of steam, his mind immersed in that sort of lazy basking that such an environment inevitably brings. Currently he wore the guise of a normal human male, tall and brawny.

He scooped up a handful of water and doused it on his head, letting the hot liquid crawl down his transformed face. Eyes attuned to water opened and continued their upward gaze towards the ceiling, reflecting their owner's current state of mind.

"Hum..."

It had been a couple of months since he had successfully managed the resurrection of Calca Bessarez and Kelart Custodio. They were the former Holy Queen of Roble and its High Priestess respectively. They had initially been intended to have a very different purpose, but the circumstances had forced him to change things up. The two women had been added to his collection, to become part of his ever-growing group of mothers and lovers.

The pair's seduction had been easy enough to engineer once they were surrounded by orgies for nigh on a day, forcing them to forsake their former beliefs and preconceptions to indulge in the carnal pleasures that only Ainz could bring.

It had been Calca who had fallen first, succumbing to her lust for Ainz as she took up her place as a cock-hungry slut along with the rest of them.

The former Queen sat on her knees, her hands pressed together on her thighs. She looked up at him with adoring eyes, her beautiful milky skin gleaming in the torchlight. Her gaze tracked the movement of his large, turgid cock as it loomed and swayed above her.

"So, Calca?" he asked, "Are you ready?"

"Yes, my lord!" she said, nodding eagerly. She inclined her neck and closed her eyes.

He forced his length downward. He grunted, and a fresh batch of cum spouted from the tip, anointing Calca's forehead. He continued to spurt out his cum deliberately, spreading it on her hair, then her shoulders, then all over her breasts. Her whole face was now splattered with white, thick cum, which slowly dripped over her beautiful skin.

"Thus do I bless you anew: no longer are you the Holy Queen; you are now a royal bitch of Ainz Ooal Gown," he intoned.

To seal the compact, she opened her eyes and kissed the tip of his cock. "I do hereby accept my role as royal bitch," she said, then opened her mouth. A last wad of cum shot out onto her tongue. She closed her mouth and swallowed dutifully. He watched her throat move as she worked his thick, searing cum inside, proof of her acceptance of his words. She was no longer Queen in truth and in fact—she had fully become Ainz-sama's bitch.

Kelart, who had hitherto held fast to her beliefs in her gods, had then been "broken", as Zesshi described it, upon seeing her Queen and master transform to a literal bitch in heat. She held on for just a bit longer, enduring one humiliating orgasm after another. It wasn't long before she too had opened her legs to offer herself up to Ainz, panting and whining for his love like all the rest of them.

He carried her whole body, lifting her up until her dripping entrance of her cunt was barely about to swallow his hot iron rod.

Lying on the bed in front of her was her old friend and Queen, who had joyfully proclaimed her allegiance to Ainz. Her body stank of cum and sex. Her face was wild and unhinged as she inexplicably masturbated to the sight of Kelart being held full nelson.

"Have you finished praying?" Ainz said, in rumbling voice behind her.

"Please…" she whined. She prayed deep in her heart, to all the gods she knew, that she and her Queen would be saved. She knew that should he plunge his cock inside, she would feel the pleasure of being a woman again; and then she would fall into a deep abyss that she could never escape. She would forsake everything divine for carnal delights.

So she prayed. She prayed for deliverance. She prayed as a challenge to any god who should be listening.

She prayed until the very last moment, as his cock slipped neatly into her cunt.

Pleasure exploded in her mind. The bliss that engulfed her body, her soul, was so exquisite. She heard a loud, keening voice in her ear, only to discover in the next moment that it was coming from her own throat.

"Who is your master?" he demanded.

"Y-You..!" she said, as the overwhelming pleasure overtook her. Her whole body shuddered; her eyes unfocused and glazed. Pleasure coursed like lightning through her nerves. She was damned now, but who could blame her? None of the gods came, and she now doubted that they had ever existed.

The only one who did was Ainz Ooal Gown, and she was his now—forever.

They had then gotten to work in trying to engender the new offspring. He had even set aside days for them each, much as he did with Yuri and Solution Epsilon, to honor their acceptance into his collection. A period of time where there was nothing but beast-like sex and lazy lovemaking, when he could learn all about his partners in an intimate fashion. He was fully confident that much like Zesshi and the rest, the magic crest would ensure their fertility, that their fecund wombs would inevitably quicken with his child.

Strangely enough, that had not yet happened. There had been two months since he had introduced them to the carnal festivities, and still their bellies remained smooth and flat. It was not even a question of compatibility, as Ainz was sure to become one hundred percent purely human just for them. And yet even weeks of straight up breeding, when either Calca or Kelart were left like used up cum rags in the end, as gallons of cum were poured into their wombs, had failed to produce the expected effect.

Naturally, this got him to wondering if it had something to do with their bodies. They had been resurrected, after all, and perhaps there was something about their newly rejuvenated bodies that prevented them from conceiving children. A possible side effect might have been accidentally turning their wombs sterile, for which there was little he could do.

Or perhaps it had something to do with the ritual itself. He was the first to readily admit that he had no fucking clue whatsoever what any of his magic really did, and could only compare it to how it was supposed to work back in Yggdrasil. The analysis that Keeno and Kelart had proposed regarding the matter completely went completely over his head. If it came to it, he would have to ask the healers and perhaps Lupusregina about the matter, though he wasn't really sure if the latter really knew either.

When Zesshi and the others asked as they inevitably always did, he attributed it to the "mysteries of nature" which even he as a powerful magic caster could not circumvent. He hoped he could get to the bottom of this mystery—and that it solved itself in a timely manner—or that would leave him with two of his intended mothers unable to bring him children.

Well, it wasn't as if he had brought them on purely for child-making purposes. There was a certain pride in collecting such fine specimens as these two for himself, even if they had minimal use to Nazarick. Of course, their unique magic merited some study in themselves, particularly Kelart's divine-based magic, which seemed different from Shalltear's own. Calca's usage of magic as a sort of beauty agent also intrigued him, and he wondered if she was actually using a branch of illusion magic that he could definitely use for his own. If he could make himself a bit more handsome in a subtle way, that would definitely help with forming a better impression on any other ladies he might encounter in the future.

"Ainz-sama."

"Mmmmm…" He twiddled his thumbs. His mind was still stuck with his burning need to see their bellies swell with his child. Few things nowadays gave him much of a thrill other than to watch all his mothers carrying his children.

"Ainz-sama!"

"Hm?" He was stirred from his thoughts by Clementine, who was nestled between his thighs. She was kneeling half immersed in the steaming water. He looked down to see her pout up at him. Her swollen breasts, their areola thick and puffy, were firmly smothering his length, locking it in a pleasurable, pillowy embrace.

"Off thinking about something, my 'master'?" she asked, while moving her breasts around him. "If you hadn't answered I'd have used my teeth on these." She breathed down on the bulbous tip of his cock, which jutted upward from the tight space between her boobs. His legs were pressed up against her belly, which had grown considerably as her pregnancy progressed. He reached over to give her swollen nipples a twirl, letting milk leak from the rounded tips.

"You sound angry," he observed. "Are you really that concerned about me? I'm touched." He leaned back, smiling.

"Heh. Don't get too cocky about yourself, you damned freak. All you are is a convenient way to get free grub and all the best damned massages a gal needs. That you've got a really nice cock to ride every once in a while is just the cherry on top."

"If you really don't care too much about it you could stop, you know," he said, repeating an offer he'd made before. He made as if to remove his cock from between her boobs.

A look of panic came to her eyes. "Whoa, whoa hold on there, stud! There's no need to be too hasty—aw fuck." She glared up at the look of triumph he gave her.

She pursed her lips and started sucking on his tip more in a vindictive fashion, letting him know her displeasure, while at the same time doing her utmost to please him by alternating her rubbing motion with her sucking, using both friction and vacuum as tools to give his cock pleasure.

*Smack! Smack! Slurp!*

Well, two could play that game.

He thrust his hips upward, playing into her insistent motions. He started moving back and forth, rubbing and scraping his meat against her warm, supple skin. Her breathing quickened, as she breathed out warm puffs on his length. He could feel her heartbeat thrum against his cock. He repeated this thrusting motion of his hips, allowing his mind to drift back to other thoughts.

His gaze swept over the bathing area towards where the other mothers lay. First, he saw the one he had just been thinking about: Kelart, slumped over in a heap against the wall, her well-used pussy encrusted by drying cum. She had been the first he had used, while all the rest of them cleaned and scrubbed his body using their smooth, rounded bellies.

Yuri Alpha dozed on the tiled floor next to her, the maid's hair noticeably wet and askew, a result of Ainz fucking the bun completely into a sloppy, cum-stained mess. Beside her was the body of Narberal Gamma, limbs splayed out, her holes also dripping with cum, a happy smile on her sleeping face. Both of the maids had come next, and he had used them until their ecstatic voices kept bouncing off the tiled walls.

(He had chosen Clementine next, but she had recovered quickly enough to begin giving him a boobjob.)

Next to Narberal was Solution Epsilon, though the maid had degenerated into an amorphous blob as usually happened in their mating. She had been last, and only because it was always a bit touchy when it came to mating with her. He was able to replicate her well enough, but it was always a danger for him to stay in that form too long. Touching her body in the way their species procreated felt as if his entire body was as sensitive as his cock. It was kind of frightening to lose himself to the intense pleasure, and that was why he routinely used either the human-formed Solution as a partner, or transformed only part of his body to prevent it.

And lastly there was Shalltear, the only one of the bunch who was awake, who returned his gaze with a fervent look. He had chosen her after Clementine. He always made it a personal goal to fuck her senseless, for Peroroncino's creation was built to absorb and process sex with as much ease as a plant drinking water. It took him going all out using a spell to knock her out in under an hour, overloading her senses with the insane stimulus of pleasure.

Except for Kelart, all of these women were in varying stages of pregnancy, their bellies swollen with the children they had conceived of him. Shalltear's looked the heaviest, almost dwarfing her short, nubile body. Narberal was next in size, as she bore twins, and it was expected she would outgrow Shalltear in a few weeks. Solution, in either form, was carrying a noticeable load in her body, manifesting as a glowing bump on the surface of her form. Yuri's was the least—she looked completely normal despite the healers proclaiming her successful conception.

He smiled to himself upon seeing such a wonderful sight, as feelings of responsibility and superiority swelled within him. All these beautiful specimens, slick with sweat, sexual juices and cum, had given of their wombs willingly to him, and he was honor bound to reciprocate their loyalty and affections by working hard as the leader of Nazarick.

From the corner of his eye, Ainz watched Shalltear grow angry and impatient with the sight of Clementine servicing him. As time passed with him doing nothing but sit there watching her, she turned to the nearest body she could find—and that was Narberal's sleeping body. The maid woke up with a start to find that the vampire had latched her mouth onto her breast, while her hand started probing her steaming cunt, lubricating that entrance with his remaining cum and making lewd squelching sounds.

"Ahh… haah… Shalltear-sama…!" Narberal moaned, her eyes looking panicked.

"Mmmmur… Mrrr…" Shalltear replied. To Ainz it sounded like, "shut up, you", though he couldn't really be sure. Soon enough she was making loud sucking noises that echoed in the room, while her hands made squelching noises as she fit an entire row of fingers into Narberal's cunt. Ainz continued to observe her antics in bemused silence.

Of all his lovers, only Shalltear remained a constant threat in terms of sex. He was now fully aware that she was a being fully engineered for sex of all shapes and sizes, and was even gifted with the stamina to match that. It made her quite persistent and tenacious as a lover, as she constantly tried to monopolize her time with him any way she could. She was therefore a liability for him, as he had to balance work and pleasure a lot, and she demanded more of the latter. He thus had to think of ways to stave off her advances, and that often included throwing some others at her. Albedo made for the best shield, but she was not here.

A moment later, he set his wandering thoughts aside as the peak of pleasure came to him. Clementine's ministrations had gotten their intended effect. His orgasm exploded, his cock spurting out jets of hot cum all over Clementine's beautiful face, her hair, her shoulders, her neck, and most obviously her breasts. His pearlescent cum glinted on the moist, sweat-lined surface of her pale skin. The satisfied looking woman licked her lips, scooping out the wad of cum that had landed there. She purred against his orgasming cock, using her mouth to collect the last bits of cum he ejaculated.

It was always good to spew his cum onto Clementine. For one thing, the most vivid memory he'd had of her was her lithe form streaked with dirty soil, blood, and the sweat that made her skin glint underneath the moonlit night. Her expression had been one of hatred and fear, as she faced someone who was rightfully her superior in strength. The image of that angry, blood-soaked warrior was quite in contrast to this woman, this whore with streaks of cum on her blonde hair, her skin now glowing not from the exertion of mortal combat, but from carnal delight. Her belly, once toned from constant exertion, had now softened, turned smooth by the presence of the children she was now bearing him.

This was why he tolerated her disrespectful attitude, and ignored all petitions by those of Nazarick to chastise her. She was amusing in her own way as some sort of wild cat retaining her feral side. Further than that she was also proof of how he had tamed this fierce warrior and turned her into a slutty mother, ever eager to be bred.

This was why he didn't protest or stop Clementine when she stood up and turned around so her ass was towards him. Slowly, she rubbed her skin on him while she gingerly straddled his lap. She leaned her slightly heavier mass against him. Then after she was snugly in position, she carefully sank her pussy down on his rock-hard cock. He grinned and kneaded her breasts from behind, while careful to balance her descent.

"Gods fuck... You're as thick as ever...! Always feel like... being split open...!" she panted. "Better be careful not to hit the babies, you hear...!?"

After he was completely settled inside her steaming cunt, he leaned down to give her a long, sloppy kiss, which she returned eagerly. The heat behind her kissing told him that she was still quite horny, and for now he indulged her as she started to bounce up and down on his lap.

"Ainz-sama!" he heard Shalltear screech. "That is quite unfair! You harlot, get down from there! You've already had your turn; how dare you take another!"

He turned his head. Shalltear had let go of Naberal and was already rising to her feet. It took only a wave from Ainz to silence the seething vampire before she could do anything, who turned her watery puppy dog eyes at him. It was good that her previous punishments were still imprinted on her body.

"Later," he said, his voice carrying all the authority of Nazarick. Cowed, Shalltear went right back to molesting Narberal, allowing Ainz to continue pounding up into the blonde slut with impunity.

"Ungh! Haah… Unghh..!"

Despite the intensity of his movements, Ainz was always careful to moderate them for the sake of his children. From the hands cradling her waist to his undulating pelvis, every part of his lovemaking was measured, while also pushing the limit of what he was allowed to do, such that whoever he was fucking would receive the maximum pleasure possible. If there was such a thing as "leveling up" in this world still, he definitely could have achieved a level or two in lovemaking.

Presently his skillful movements caused Clementine to start howling with ecstasy not long into their fucking. As milk rained freely from her loaded breasts, as her folds clenched down hard on him, his cock sprayed another hot load, this time finishing completely inside the former assassin's needy cunt.

"Ohhh… Hnnnghh… Fuck…"

They kissed one more time, sharing another deep tongue embrace. He could sense the loving, tender intentions behind his former enemy's kiss, of which the woman herself was probably unaware. Pointing it out would only lead to rabid, vehement denial, so he contented himself with sharing what could rightfully be called a lover's kiss—one shared between two people who loved each other very much.

With her need thus sated, Clementine then had no objection to Ainz gingerly prying her loose from his cock. Her hole left his with a gentle pop, causing excess cum to start dribbling down her thighs. He set her aside on the bath, where she could spend the rest of her post-coital haze in the waterside. He admired her dozing form for a moment—there was something lovely about a woman cloaked in a maternal glow basking in the warmth of mind-bending sex.

He then rose, and turned to the only other people now awake—Shalltear and Narberal. The two gazed at him pleadingly, each hungrily wishing for him to choose them next.

"Come here, both of you," he ordered, signaling with his hands. The two NPCs obeyed at once, and made themselves available for him at the poolside. He noted that Shalltear was especially eager, easily outpacing Narberal by a few seconds. He had them positioned at the edge of the water, their hands and bellies resting on the side, their magnificent holes faced lasciviously towards him.

"Me first, Ainz-sama!" Shalltear said.

"Ainz-sama, please…" Narberal begged.

He thought for a bit. Then he shook his head. "Never you two mind. I'll use that."

Shalltear's face broke into a lascivious grin, seemingly elated at what was to come. It was Narberal who frowned, and said, "My pardons, Ainz-sama, but is it not very tiring for you?"

"It is," he said. "But since it's only you two, I can make do."

Marshalling his strength, he activated a fraction of his Ultimate skill, "One of Many", which conjured a flesh simulacrum of himself at the moment of creation. It was a powerful skill that he was only to use at a time when subterfuge was completely out the window; when brute force was needed. Other magic casters had their powerful spells of destruction. By creating his own army he could duplicate roughly the same level of power through the copies he made each using the same magic he did. Lastly, he could even use the skill as a means of escape when things were truly dire—as he the original slipped away at a moment's notice.

The solid illusion copy, linked to his will and synced to his mind, moved behind Shalltear's body. He likewise did the same with Narberal's. Together, they lifted the two's bodies and angled them against their cocks. Their feet dangled over the water, their feet barely grazing its surface.

At his signal the two plunged their cocks inside the NPCs. Just as they followed his commands, Ainz could also open a mental link to his copies. In this way, he was able to feel what the simulacrum felt—for this instance the tight confines of Shalltear's cunt—at the same time he felt Narberal's, which of course meant the pleasure was doubled.

It was an exquisite experience, and there was nothing quite like it. Having the feeling of two women's pussies at the same time, each squeezing around him in pleasure, was unparalleled. He could even feel how Shalltear's ass felt under his touch, in this instance, as his clone grabbed and squeezed her pert cheeks. The way her smooth skin felt beneath his palms was layered onto the sensation of Narberal's own skin.

One would think that he could have done this to the others in the room, for the ability had no maximum limit—its main purpose was to summon a literal army of his doppelgangers to support his fighting and not just as a means to deceive or distract. But he had discovered, quite a long time ago, that its power was very draining. His former guildmate Punitto Moe had observed this limitation and had subsequently advised Ainz that this skill was not to be used at all, if possible, as without the aid of various items to replenish his energies he would be left more vulnerable after than before.

The first time he had used it in this world had been to answer Zesshi's request for an orc gangbang. The after-effects were akin to experiencing a hangover after a whole night of drinking, and that was only with summoning two illusion bodies. Even if he had been satisfied with the result (not to mention getting Zesshi's approval), he still felt it quite dangerous to use for hours of sex. He had said as much to Zesshi, who while feeling disappointed, understood.

"So let's tone it down to getting spitroasted by you and one other body then, Ainz-sama," she had said with an amorous look.

Subsequently he only used it sparingly, when the situation allowed it, like today. Most of the time he had used it to support him in an orgy, as there was almost always a lover who get left out of the huddle—and who also didn't go for anything sapphic, like Keeno or Yuri Alpha. Calca had requested he play the role of two young, uncouth thieves, who had infiltrate the castle to "steal her dignity".

He had only gone up to two clones a couple of times, usually to teach a lesson, such as Shalltear's punishment a few weeks back; or to completely monopolize a woman, such as the time Kelart had requested to be gangbanged like he'd done to Zesshi, only this time disguising as brutish demons "defiling a priestess at the altar".

Seeing Shalltear molest Nabe earlier had aroused feelings of superiority in him, which he could only sate by fucking both women at the same time. Damn the energy expenditure, but he wanted the unique pleasure only this spell could bring.

"Hmmm.. haaah… Hmmm…!"

"Lord Ainz… so good… so good…!"

Nabe seemed to be still quite out of it, judging by the way her face looked despite screaming and pleading for his cock. As ever Shalltear didn't seem too displeased by being plowed by only a simulacrum. Ainz concentrated on guiding his minion's movement to ensure they were synchronized; while he savored the taste of two different pussies wrapped around his cock, each as distinct as the women they belonged to.

Shalltear's was perennially tight and elastic, no matter how big he made his cock, with a vice grip that always made him feel as if he were about to lose his manhood. It was notoriously one of the two pussies that sealed tight after his cock left, usually trapping his sperm inside until it dissolved naturally. It was both highly arousing and something of a danger, especially with her being pregnant as she was.

Nabe's was accommodating to his length, always in an attempt to keep him snugly fit inside her by the way her folds reshaped around him every second. In keeping with her partial doppelganger nature, she could fit him inside no matter how large or unusual his cock, which made her a prime "onahole" for when he just wanted to rub one out for a quickie.

Together, the two conflicting sensations made for a gauntlet for Ainz's self-control, and it didn't take long for climax to hit—especially when their climaxes hit at almost the same time, layering two powerful sensations together that would make any other man's mind explode.

He dismissed his ultimate ability and grabbed the two by the shoulder to face him. As they turned their needy faces towards him, he sprayed them generously with his seed, making sure to daub them liberally and equally. Like thirsty bitches they held out their tongues to catch some of his seed as if his cum could sate their insatiable thirsts. When his ejaculation ceased, the cock-hungry sluts took their time to lick his length clean of Nabe's juices, before starting in on each other in a carnal embrace with the full intent of imbibing as much of his essence from the other's bodies.

"Careful with your bellies," he chided, chuckling to himself as he turned away. He left them to wrestle on the tiled floor, though it was clear that Shalltear was easily overpowering the Pleiades to remain dominant, pinning her to the floor and using her longer tongue to lap up great stretches of cum from the other's skin.

"Where you going, big guy?" Clementine said, as she lazily lounged beside the pool.

Ainz glanced at her with a raised eyebrow. It seemed she was quick to recover as ever. The former assassin was already lathering herself up with soap, her eyes idly watching the other two women wrestling on the far end. "I'm busy, of course. Playtime's over for now."

Clementine nodded idly, before she pulled herself out of the bath. Even with a belly as heavy-looking as hers, she made it seem dexterous and effortless.

"Got to jet too," she said as explanation. "I don't want another round of bitching from that vampire. 'How dare you keep Ainz-sama to yourself'. Pah."

Before she could pass him, he turned her around to lock his lips with her in a deep kiss, his tongue instantly probing out to twine around hers. Clementine moaned and sighed, her breath sweet against his face. When he stopped, she just stood there with a dazed expression, her face flushed. No hint of condemnation, no snide comment, left her moist lips. That image alone made Ainz want to take her again, a temptation so strong that even his cock agreed—rising once more to the challenge.

He therefore deliberately looked away to glance back at Shalltear and Narberal, still fighting over his cum, over to Solution, who had managed to reform into a humanoid, and to Yuri and Kelart, who were still unconscious. Here was a sight that would never get old. He would always remember it, along with the other, similar memories.

His appetites sated for the moment, he turned around and left without a second glance.

---

Ainz rechecked the time on his miniature watch. He definitely was late for the scheduled meeting. An old, buried part of him cringed at his mistake, remembering the pressure of being on time and presentable at all times he was needed. All that was buried beneath the awareness that he was effectively the boss around these parts. The administration of a place as vast and intricate as Nazarick required him to be on hand and attentive the entire time. Therefore, he had to retain absolute focus and discipline, for the NPCs were never going to object to his deciding to shelve work for a day, a week, or even a year.

Still, the fact that he could didn't mean that he should. He was well aware of his responsibilities as Nazarick's master, now that he had entirely to his future course. He couldn't afford to be completely careless. For everyone to survive, including his unborn children, he (as father) had to work extra hard.

Of course, there were risks in becoming too focused on work, as he knew well from the examples of his friends, like Herohero. They would begin to forsake that which they had sought to use as an escape, until gradually they would forget about it altogether.

The leisure of attending to his committed lovers was an important means for him to unwind, but it could also lead to him getting complacent.

Every time he finished work and pleasure, Ainz had to undergo a little pep talk from himself to himself in front of a mirror, where the mirror Ainz would chide him for being in this state.

"Get it together, Momonga," he said now. After that he molded his face into his its normal state, and he smiled.

Later, Ainz arrived at his office, fully dressed, his mind clearer after drinking a new pick-me-up recently concocted by Nfrea Bareare. It was like coffee in a sense, and it perked up his mind from the post-orgy funk it had been in for hours.

Inside, there waited the maid Lumiere, standing off to the side, and Albedo, who sat on a luxurious chair in front of his desk.

"Welcome, Ainz-sama," they said, bowing. Albedo didn't rise, as he'd commanded, considering her current state. That is your right as a mother, he'd told her. So she had to settle with inclining her head in respect, if she so insisted.

"Yes. Sorry for being late." He swept over to his seat and made himself comfortable. Neither of the two made mention of the fact that he was indeed late. Most of the time he would have liked them to make a complaint about it to him, to light a fire under his ass. But they would never do that. He wondered if he could get any of the "outsiders" to take that role…

He decided not to press the matter and instead resolved to focus on business. He turned to Albedo. "So, what's first?"

Albedo first touched upon the matter of the Roble Holy Kingdom, which was still in the process of being reconstructed after the long war. It had only been a couple of weeks, but it was already clear that the fractious lines that had existed long before the war were already threatening to deepen. The Prince Caspond had still not been given an official coronation as the new Holy King. There was only the nobles' implicit understanding, stemming from a document written up not long after the Liberation, which acclaimed the Prince as the "Heir" to the throne. Of course, the document had as much authority as an oil rag, as none of the nobles had put so much as a signature to the document; not to mention the fact that they didn't even ascribe any sort of authority to Caspond, just a vague reference to his lineage.

Of course, Nazarick fully intended their "Prince" to be the ruler, but not without destabilizing the nation first, and making it ripe for further manipulation. Behind the scenes, it was understood that there would soon be a massive falling out between the northern and southern nobility, especially when it came to the power that would be allowed to sit behind the throne. Many nobles on either side were staking their wealth and their pedigree to come out on top; and there had already been mass disappearances related to the brewing feud. As ever, Nazarick kept a close watch on the proceedings, to ensure there was no unnecessary variable.

Ainz followed the developments closely for what he thought to be a quite selfish reason—to keep his ears to the ground for news of Neia. She was outside the Tomb, and out of his reach, even if he'd had Demiurge set up her hidden security day after day. He dared not receive any news about her, especially with Albedo around.

He had arranged it so that should she ever fulfill her promise to join him at last, all she would do was inform the Prince or Shizu about it, and news was then to come to him directly. If it was possible he would whisk the woman away to start with their honeymoon day immediately, if only to prevent anything awkward involving Albedo or Shalltear from happening.

So far, the nation she had chosen to prioritize first was still rebuilding. Albedo kept giving him reports daily about that fact for almost two months now. They started from accompanying the paladins on a complete scouring of the Kingdom (to which Shizu had been tasked to assist). Then there was the task of helping organize the levies and troops that had fought in the war, formally giving rewards and the like before sending them back home to work. Then there was the task of starting to rebuild the cities that the demihumans had razed, though he didn't know what Neia's role in them was.

"Here is a copy of the letter Emperor Jircniv sent," Albedo said, as she moved on to the next bit of news.

"He sent a letter?" he asked.

"To the Holy Kingdom," Albedo clarified. "But he had a copy sent to you, my lord. I am given to understand that he wishes your opinion on the matter."

What sort of opinion, Ainz wanted to ask, as he scanned the document. There was nothing he really could comment on—he was no expert on such things! It looked well-made for a letter addressed to Caspond: respectful and cordial. There were well-wishes, vague promises of friendship, among a whole bunch of words that twisted into themselves like spaghetti in his mind. He really had nothing to say about it. He returned the copy with a shrug.

"It looks fine."

Albedo cocked her head, as if he had said something strange. Then she smiled. "As you say, my lord." She moved on to the next topic.

There had been some reports from the Slaine Theocracy concerning their war with the neighboring elf kingdom. Apparently, there had been a breakthrough in the front-lines, and one that was in favor of the elves. The front was forced to be re-aligned and adjusted, which involved massive troop movements on either side that left devastating casualties. This sudden breach had the requisite effect on the respective sides: the elves achieved a morale boost, strengthening their resolve, while the Theocracy more fervently doubled down on their efforts, so no such weakness ever happened again. It was rumored that the Black Scripture would have to be deployed, leveraging the awesome power of the Godkin after years of inactivity.

The news had the effect of reminding Ainz about the unpleasantness surrounding the elven king, especially with regard to his lover, Zesshi Zetsumei. He reminded himself that it was yet too soon to order Nazarick against the elves, as that would produce unwanted effects on the Theocracy. Even Zesshi was not openly advocating for Nazarick to unleash its might against it. He would have to stay his hand, for now.

As if summoned by the news, the doors to the office suddenly opened to reveal the aforementioned Zesshi standing there. She proudly showed off her baby bump, which had grown larger as the triplets within her grew.

"Zesshi Zetsumei," Albedo instantly said, in a frigid voice. "What is the meaning of this intrusion? You were not summoned."

"I beg apologies, Ainz-sama," Zesshi said smoothly, bowing not to her but to Ainz directly. "In my haste, I seem to have forgotten my manners. Please allow me to repent in any way you see fit."

"How dare you, you insolent wretch—"

"Well, that's alright," Ainz said, waving a hand, as he tried to head off another round of Albedo's seething. "Was there something you wanted?"

Zesshi's face took on an expression of horror. "Why, I have just received word that you have been holding an orgy in the baths without me, Ainz-sama! It shocked me to the core, that it did! I would have sorely loved to join in!"

"But you had your appointment," Ainz pointed out.

"And it ended quite quickly, my lord," Zesshi said. "It left me to wallow alone in the Mother's Hall for hours on end. It was only then that I noticed that no other mothers came in, which surely meant they were either occupied on official business, or occupied with you, my love. And so I asked around, and there—the mystery was solved."

"The Lord does not need to explain himself to you, nor even show you any favor," Albedo practically spat. "You forget your place. Do you not have your duty to your children? Hm? Or is that but nothing compared to fornicating with the Master?" She turned smugly to him. "I'm sure Ainz-sama would be very interested to hear your opinion on that."

"Oh, were you not invited too, Albedo? That makes it a bit better then."

"I have an important task to fulfill you—"

Ainz sighed and bowed his head, his mind already tuning out the argument that ensued. It was an inevitability at this point, that the two would come to heated words as soon as a cause for friction was found. He glanced over to Zesshi, and marveled at how she had the courage to stand up to Albedo every time. Well, she was well within her rights to do so, unlike the rest of the outsiders he had brought inside to Nazarick.

He did a double-take. It seemed there were also some other things to marvel about the half-elf now. His gaze zeroed in on her body—more specifically her breasts. As she was wearing a loose-fitting dress fit for mothers, it was very clear how the cloth easily draped over every curve and swell. And in this case, Zesshi's robes were clearly hanging off a pair of very engorged breasts—each seemingly contributing to a mass that equaled her belly. They were quite comically oversized, and it was almost too easy to imagine her swinging left and decking some poor fool with the enlarged honkers.

How had he not noticed before? Well, he had, only a few days ago, but there hadn't been anything strange when he had been making love to her then. Or perhaps it was because it had been in their dim room, and he had been more focused on cuddling with her pregnant belly? But surely he would still have noticed her oversized milkers by then. It would have been hard to miss in the throes of passion, as those jugs would have definitely moved and jiggled to announce their presence.

Was it because she was carrying triplets? He had no idea how biology worked, but it would make sense that a mother carrying that number would also have to carry enough food for them all. Or was it because of her parentage? Were all elves prone to giant boobs like these during pregnancy? If so he would have to look a lot more closely at the species…

Or maybe it was something from her Player heritage. He wanted to imagine whatever Player had come before to have passed down such genes. Still, it seemed rather farfetched.

The other, final possibility was her high level. As NPCs, the other mothers likely had other parameters influencing their bodies. But these "natural" peoples operated on slightly different scales. What if her big boobs were a sign of her powerful status? Did a high level translate to bigger boob growth? That could explain why Clementine didn't show such dramatic growth, as she was quite lower level than Zesshi. And that was not to mention Keeno, though she was more of a special case, like Shalltear.

Yet wasn't Clementine only carrying one? Perhaps that was the actual truth. Ainz shook his head. All this speculation managed to do was give him more of a hard-on, especially when he imagined such succulent looking breasts swaying in the wind, glinting with sweat, with milk leaking right out from the nipples…

Ainz shuddered. No, don't think about it now. Later! He blinked and looked up to see Zesshi glancing back at him expectantly. He looked around. Apparently the others were also looking at him, the argument seemingly abandoned.

He glanced at Albedo, who still had a frown on her face. Then he returned to Zesshi, who seemed to have gotten an inkling about his thoughts. The half-elf puffed her chest out, making her boobs sway in the air. It was clear to anyone watching him that his eyes tracked the movement of those breasts, a fact that Albedo quickly caught on to.

"Are you alright, my lord?" Zesshi asked.

"Y-yes, of course," he croaked. He swallowed painfully.

"My lord?"

"Ah, hm." Ainz cleared his throat. "Yes, what is it Albedo?"

"… What is your command, my lord?" She glared at Zesshi. "Should we throw this wretch out?"

"No, no, not that," Ainz said. He cleared his throat again. "Right, back to you Zesshi. You didn't answer—what was your business here again?"

"At first I just wanted to complain about being left out. But I did have one other purpose here." She glanced at Albedo. "I wished to speak with Albedo alone, work permitting." She cocked her head and shot her a look he didn't get.

He glanced at Albedo who glowered. "Our work is still not done, human. And it is important work at that, all for the glory of Naz—"

"But it's almost over right?" Ainz asked, causing Albedo to stop. She began to stutter. "You said it yourself just now…"

"Er… um, right…" Albedo said, shuffling the papers in her hand. He reached over the desk to deftly snatch the papers from her hands.

"I'm sure I'll be fine with the rest of it," he said. "Please acknowledge Zesshi's request, Albedo."

"… Very well," the Overseer replied, gritting her teeth. She gave the other woman a look he didn't quite understand and then stood. "I'll be right back."

"Be careful with your bodies," he called after them, as they left.

"We will," Zesshi said, waving cheerfully in reply.

"Please excuse me, my lord," Albedo said, grumbling.

---

Acting on his promise to the Overseer, Ainz quickly set to reading the reports that he had pilfered from Albedo's grasp. Thankfully, they all seemed to have been made so anyone, even an idiot, could easily grasp their meaning, which made Ainz worried about the security of their intelligence. It was all well that these papers were inside the very heart of Nazarick, but if it were any other place…

Ainz shuttered that thought. No use in getting worried over nothing. Besides, all these reports never had a chance to leave Nazarick, as he had commanded that any written documents were to be kept inside the Tomb at all times. If there was anything important to report and they were outside, they had to use verbal communication at the least.

He pored over the next pieces of paper, studying them for any important bits before moving on.

Most of them involved the Re-Estize Kingdom in some capacity, as it seemed that Demiurge and Albedo already had plans in motion there. Ainz himself wasn't really sure of the actual details, but apparently it involved the criminal organization Eight Fingers in some capacity, along with the nobles of that kingdom. He recalled that Albedo herself had publicly appeared at the Kingdom after the war, and there had accomplished the groundwork for Nazarick's current plans. Over time, the web of control she had established had spread, allowing them to control some elements of the Kingdom to some extent.

There was also some sort of important spy that Nazarick was using to further their ends to further chaos within the realm, much as they were already doing with the Holy Kingdom. Having this sort of quiet control over another place was always good. Ainz wondered if this was the "soft power" that Punitto Moe had described.

"So far so good." Ainz next found the brief report given by the Treasury. The amount of gold that was usable for repairing Nazarick and reviving NPCs was tallied there. The total number listed made Ainz sit back and think. For their current needs it was indeed more than sufficient, but the amount was still rather worrying—it was quite finite in the grand scheme of things. The gold he had managed to acquire as Momon along with the rest of Nazarick's acquisitions were barely a drop in the bucket, in comparison, which worried him.

Ainz scratched his chin. Perhaps they could find a better, renewable source later. In the meantime, this made it all the more important that the other kingdoms brought under their sway become the new "Floors" to take care of any wayward intruders. And that was not yet guaranteed until they became utterly loyal to them.

There came a knock at the door. Ainz glanced at Lumiere, who nodded and went to see who it was. If it was another one of his lovers… But no, only Zesshi was bold enough to come in unattended like that. The rest, even Clementine, seemed to take extra care with regards to courtesy and such.

Lumiere turned around. "My lord, it is Demiurge, come to see you."

"Ah, let him in then." He placed the papers aside.

"My fervent greetings, Lord," Demiurge said, stepping into the office and bowing.

"Welcome Demiurge. Was there anything on your mind?"

"Yes. It grieves me to have to bear these tidings, oh great lord. But I have determined that this situation warrants your attention more than any other."

Ainz sat up straighter, recognizing the urgency in Demiurge's voice. "Continue."

"Zesshi Zetsumei's replacement reports that there have already been multiple attempts to scry it during its private moments."

Ainz narrowed his eyes. The replacement was a doppelganger similar to the one taking Caspond's place. It was a bit higher level, to accommodate Zesshi's innate strength. But a higher level did not mean better competence. Had it somehow failed in its most basic directive to be just an impersonator? Or was there something else in play?

"Have you confirmed it?" Ainz asked. "Is it sure it's not just some pervert over there using magic for frivolous ends?" He harbored a brief moment of indignance at someone ogling his lover—even if it was someone only masquerading as his lover.

"I have asked it myself, my lord. I have even assigned several night shades to investigate. They were able to corroborate the replacement's testimony. Something has routinely peered into the replacement's privacy, and the shades were able to discern the divination spells used."

"And of course, the doppelganger has been impeccable in performing under pressure?" Ainz asked.

Demiurge cocked his head. "Yes, my lord, though I confess there is ever a sliver of doubt. After all, there may have been something the replacement did that made the Theocracy suspicious without our knowledge."

Ainz had to agree. If it was some sort of magical protocol that they tripped, such as the ones he had laid upon Momon's private estates, then there really was nothing the doppelganger could have done to prevent detection.

"If this was indeed some sort of voyeur, then they have only just started recently, which is strange considering Zesshi's testimony that she had received no such thing during her tenure as a member of the Scripture."

"You asked Zesshi?" Ainz said.

Demiurge nodded. "Yesterday, to corroborate my analysis. On the off chance that it is indeed a voyeur, then there is little need to fear, and we shall then know that this happened only recently. However, the better explanation, and the one with the greater possibility is…"

"They suspect something," Ainz concluded. He steepled his fingers. This was bad. If they suspected that Zesshi had left—or even worse, if they assumed she was kidnapped, he knew that would change a lot of things. He started to think. "Well, I won't step in just yet. But do send the specialized detectors. Let's see who exactly it is who's spying on Zesshi, to confirm everything." They had several such creatures on hand, who would act as magical sniffing hounds that could track long-range magic to its source.

"With your permission, I shall also deploy the requisite protective detail, as precaution." The absolute worst scenario was if the Theocracy somehow contrived to surprise the doppelganger, incapacitating it and exposing its presence to them. While the doppelganger by itself would not reveal anything about Nazarick per se, it was still a damaging leak that had unforeseen consequences.

Ainz nodded. "Do that. But instruct them all that no action is to be done until I say so. Is that clear?"

"Very good, my lord."

If it was needed, Nazarick would have to intervene to "kill" Zesshi, to erase her completely from the world. But that would mean exposing Nazarick, however slightly, to the Theocracy. And that was yet unnecessary. This was why they still had to take a passive approach, at least until they could identify whoever it was doing the spying and interrogate them.

As Demiurge bowed in farewell, another knock came on the door. "It is Keeno Fasrith Inberun," Lumiere announced. "Here to see you, my lord." Ainz nodded, giving his permission. The doors opened once more to admit the slight, slender form of Keeno, resplendent in her maternity robes. Her eyebrows quirked to see Demiurge looming over her.

The latter bowed to the more diminutive woman. "I bid you greetings, Keeno-sama."

"Er… yeah… Good day," Keeno said doubtfully. The smiling Devil said nothing more as he smartly turned on his heel to leave, bearing the latest instructions.

She turned to Ainz and smiled, her face like a radiant flower that only bloomed on certain times. "Ainz-sama."

He returned the smile with his own, genuine and joyful. "Keeno, welcome. What can I do for you, my love?"

She blushed at the address as she took the seat that Ainz offered.

"Are you well?" he asked, eyeing the significant bump in her belly with concern. Much like Shalltear, it looked too big and unwieldy for her smaller frame. Unlike Shalltear, Keeno seemed to find it hard to move as much with her belly as it was. This was a concern, though as of now she had refused any efforts to assign a maid to assist her at all times. He hoped she would, when the pregnancy progressed to its final stages.

"Well enough, my lord. I and the baby are doing our best," she said, smiling shyly.

Seized with a surge of affection, Ainz rose and carried her smaller body in his arms, causing her to squeak in surprise. Then he went back to his seat, whereupon he laid her on his lap. Keeno blushed all the while, though she did cling to him with all her might and did not protest as he carried her. He was able to feel the warmth of her belly through her clothes. He gave her a quick peck on the lips, which she returned with some eagerness. Then she laid her head against his chest.

"Now, was there something you wanted?" he asked gently.

Keeno blinked, as if the question had only just occurred to her. "Oh… um, yes! Yes, of course…" She cleared her throat. "Would you allow me to leave Nazarick on a trip outside?" Before he could reply, she hurriedly continued. "And would you be able to accompany me?"

Ainz's brows raised. That was certainly an unusual request. It was also something he was hesitant to grant. There were many issues of convenience, as well as security. There was also the question of Keeno's health, especially with her pregnancy. He could not really allow her to leave the confines of Nazarick, unless it was with a full protective complement. He racked his brain, in an attempt to find a means to gently refuse her request.

"Outside… where?" he began. If it was something like just outside Nazarick but within a close distance, then it might be feasible.

Keeno hesitated, then she said, "Only to the city of E-Rantel."

"That's pretty… far." Ainz sighed. "Listen, Keeno, I do not like to disappoint you, nor less refuse any of your request." He patted her belly. "But your health must come before all, at this time."

"Oh. I see…" She looked quite sad and put out by his words.

Indeed, she looked so dejected that Ainz was forced to blurt out, "But what brought this on? Is there something you desired in there? Why did you want to go there?"

She glanced at him, blushed, and looked away. "It's… I… It's about my friends..."

Ainz's brows moved once more. There were many conditions of her stay with hi, and one of them was that she cut off most of her prior connections, which she was eager enough to do. But she petitioned him to maintain one single line of contact, that between her and her former comrades at Blue Rose. Ainz therefore arranged a messenger system with the Re-Estize Adventurer's Guild branch, whereby her friends could drop off a letter at the guild that "Momon" would pick up whenever he stopped by.

Of course, such letters were immediately collected by doppelgangers and sent to Nazarick without needing him to be there personally, as it was more efficient that way.

He was aware that over the past months Keeno had sent and received several letters to her friends. Naturally, for security purposes, the letters were perused before delivery, but it was clear that he didn't need to have bothered. Keeno made no attempt at betrayal or subterfuge by mentioning him or any details or Nazarick. She didn't even mention her own pregnancy. She was merely gushing over her new life, and of her honest feelings towards him, which embarrassed Ainz to read, as it mostly concerned him. This was why he no longer asked Albedo to present him with a full copy of the exact letter, just a summary.

"Blue Rose?" he said. "What about them?"

"They said they were going to be entering the territory of the Sorcerous Kingdom," she explained, causing Ainz to cock his head in curiosity. "Supposedly some sort of secret mission. They didn't really say. And I just…" she hesitated again.

"You want to meet them personally," Ainz concluded. He was gratified to see Keeno flush, affirming his words. "Hmmm, I see…"

She waited in silence, which meant she was still hoping for his permission. Quite honestly, what intrigued him more at this point was the notion that Blue Rose was entering E-Rantel on some sort of "mission". Naturally, none of Nazarick's network had any cause to watch over Blue Rose beyond their letter drop-offs. So this news of a secret mission tweaked his attention.

Of course, this was the sort of thing he could have easily handed over to Demiurge or Albedo to work with. But now it appeared to be a good opportunity to both grant Keeno's request while also simultaneously going on a fact-finding mission using his own eyes. He wasn't currently doing anything other than preside over Nazarick's current plots while indulging in pregnant sex, so he wasn't quite so busy.

"You know what?" he therefore said, smiling at his lover. "Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to go." Seeing her face light up like a blooming flower was always priceless every time he saw it. "And I shall certainly accompany you. Of course, there are some conditions."

---

The Gate spell deposited them at the safehouse inside a hotel at E-Rantel. Considering its status as a city under the Sorcerous Kingdom, everything should rightfully be under their ownership. However, Ainz allowed for those electing to stay in the city to keep their homes and their possessions. New arrivals, such as those demihuman refugees from the Holy Kingdom, were given properties of those who left—or the newer properties opened up by the city's constant expansion efforts under Nazarick's supervision. No one was made to feel unwelcome under Nazarick's auspice, and everyone was welcome—provided they follow the rules.

Obviously, Nazarick also had the local magistrate's office for its own use, a large building staffed by people handpicked by Demiurge himself. But that would be far too obnoxious for his taste. And so, he chose to teleport both himself and Keeno to a room that was put up for Momon the Dark Hero in perpetuity, where they could at least enjoy some form of privacy. It would also screen them from Nazarick's eyes for a short while.

"How are you feeling?" he asked Keeno.

"I'm fine, my lord," she said, nodding. "We're fine, I mean." She was clad in red traveling robes, and wore her old mask over her face. None of her garments could protect her in any real combat situation, except for the ring she wore perhaps. With her pregnancy in this state, though, she obviously would not be expected to fight at all. If there was ever any chance of that happening, then Momon himself was ready and fully armed to take on any challengers.

"You recall what I said concerning your home?" he said, while adjusting his own armor.

"Yes. Have no fear," she replied.

He had discussed the particulars of their situation with Keeno extensively. She was not to tell her friends anything about Nazarick, nor of the truth about himself, or of how she was able to get pregnant. She was also to be vague about their living arrangements, only that it was somewhere far away and isolated. Hopefully that would deflect most of Blue Rose's questions in the future.

"Good. Then let us go." He offered her his hand, which she took gratefully. He could feel her blush behind her mask as they both walked over the threshold of the door out to the corridor. There, they walked hand in hand, as if they were marching to some sort of ball. Naturally, this was also for Ainz to provide her with balance and relief, as she was perhaps the only mother whose pregnancy weighed heavily on her body.

The many citizens of the city outside all did a double-take upon seeing him walk down the road. For the many who had remained, his Momon guise was something of a local hero for his role in taking down that necromantic cult long before. Thankfully, his armor was forbidding enough, along with his cold silence, to not invite any casual greeting from any of them. And those who served Nazarick directly took a look and immediately got out of his way, following orders to the letter. No doubt Demiurge and Albedo would be alerted of his presence in the city now, but that could just not be helped.

"Where was it?" Momon asked, looking around. They had reached the bustling town square, from where a network of streets branched out. As it was in the middle of the day, there were plenty of people around. Mixed in with their number were a smattering of demihumans, who each kept their respectful distance from the rest. Lastly, there were the death knights standing guard at various points in the city. These fearsome sentinels did much to keep things orderly.

"The restaurant is over that way," Keeno said, pointing to a direction. That restaurant was the meeting place agreed upon. Ainz hadn't had anyone scout it beforehand, but he was reasonably sure any surprises would have been found out by the gate guards beforehand. E-Rantel had a strict policy concerning visitors, despite their open-door policy. Smugglers and other such riffraff were only given one chance to repent after being branded with a special symbol by the lich-magistrates. If they were caught again, a nearby death knight was quickly summoned to execute them swiftly, and as a result adding one more undead body to the workforce.

As such, Blue Rose's current presence here might already have been a part of the next set of reports Albedo would give him. It wouldn't have mattered if they came under false names—Nazarick had ways to discover the truth.

The restaurant was a place only vaguely familiar to him. He had probably passed it by when he had been here as Momon a while back. He took a quick look and found no dangers. It still did not reassure him, and that was why he stuck close to Keeno no matter what.

"Here?" he asked, pointing. Keeno nodded and squeezed his hand. He noticed that she kept sticking to his side as they walked, as if she was trying to hide behind his bigger presence or something. It felt good to support her in this way, to become the shelter he needed. As they entered, he heard a familiar peal of laughter echoing through the room. His eyes quickly sought and found the targets—there, occupying a table at the farthest corner, was Blue Rose. There was no one else inside the restaurant.

"Ah…" Keeno also seemed to have noticed them, as she'd gone stiff at his side. As they approached, he took his time sizing them up with his eyes. They didn't seem too different than from how they looked just a few months before—except with a hint of weariness perhaps, or was that only his imagination? Regardless, he kept his guard up, ever watchful for anything.

As he continued to watch them, the tall blonde woman whom he remembered as the leader caught sight of them. Or, more appropriately, she saw Keeno. Her eyes brightened, and she stood from her chair excitedly. The rest quickly turned their heads and saw their former team-mate. They made a chorus of cries.

"Evileye, there you are!" the one named Lakyus exclaimed, as she bounded forward. Then she, along with the rest of them, quite literally stopped in their tracks, as if they had walked right into a wall. By the look of their widened eyes, it was clear they had seen Keeno's current condition.

A long silence followed.

"Eh… wha?" someone finally croaked.

"Evileye, you're…" Lakyus sputtered, her eyes wide as saucers. She looked from her to Ainz, then back to her. They stood frozen for just enough of a time for Keeno to approach, allowing them to really comprehend the change in her appearance. It was fairly clear that none of them had expected to see this in their former team-mate.

"Yo," Keeno said, a little hesitantly. In that instant, it was as if a spell had broken. The other members of Blue Rose rushed forward to swarm around their smaller friend, each speaking in hurried, surprised tones.

"Evileye, are you really…?"

"Whoa, that looks quite big—"

"Are you okay—"

"How are you feeling—"

"Never expected this—"

"Hey, so I can't really call you shorty anymore, huh?" the tall mannish woman named Gagaran said.

"Oi!" Keeno suddenly cried, gesturing wildly, slapping their hands away. "You're all being rather rude! I didn't come here alone you know!"

"Oh right." Lakyus was the first to disentangle herself from the huddle and bow to him formally. "My apologies for the unruly display, sir Momon."

"Ah, it is understandable," he said magnanimously, patting his chest. "It's been a long time, after all."

"You didn't mention any of this in your letters!" Tia exclaimed. "We'd have been all a bit prepared if you'd said anything!"

"Ah, well," Keeno said, awkwardly. He recognized that it might be awkward to answer that with him being here.

Swift to the rescue he said, "Then may we please be settled in a table? We have had a long journey to come here." Emphasizing the journey would hopefully arouse their sympathies.

"Of course, of coure," Lakyus said. "You look very much pregnant, my dear. You shouldn't be standing around."

They all sat around on a bigger table, which had been reserved prior. Unlike before, Ainz practically sat close to Keeno now, reflecting the change in their relationship. Fortunately, the other women had the grace not to pry or needle either of them about this, which was surprising. Even Gagaran made no attempt to crack a joke, and seemed respectful of the bond that seemed to have blossomed between them. Ainz's presence here with them was therefore taken as a matter of fact, which was just as he intended.

"Where is Nabe, sir Momon?" Lakyus asked. "Shall she be joining us?"

Remembering Narberal Gamma sprawled on a tiled floor, naked, her beautiful skin smeared with white cum, Ainz shook his head. "For a while now we've traveled separately. Though we're still part of the same team, of course."

"And I even wrote all about it to you!" Keeno hissed.

"Ah, my apologies," Tia said. The others glanced among themselves awkwardly.

They were welcome to think about whatever implications they could gain from Nabe's apparent absence, which suited Ainz just fine.

"Anyway…" Gagaran said. "What I'm really curious about is how this all started. I mean… no offense, Evileye, but you're not exactly the mothering type."

Though Ainz had a ready answer prepared, it was Evileye who did it, and all by placing her hand almost casually on his thigh right before he could speak. "It's as those bards tell it. When love's involved… Well, miracles happen." She looked down and patted the swell of her belly. "And I shall not question the gods, or fate or whatever, for this opportunity."

Her former companions' expressions turned quite complex. It was as if they could not decide whether to empathize with their friend's awakened sweetness regarding her impending motherhood, or to remark fully upon it. Regardless, it was Lakyus who ultimately said, "We are all happy for you, then, and wish you the best of health."

"Thank you," Evileye said quietly. He reached over and grasped her hand. She squeezed back. The others did not miss this small exchange, and each smiled wistfully in their own way.

"Well, that's that," Tina said, in a tone of finality. "In a major upset, it's Evileye who goes on ahead up the stairs of adulthood."

"It's not as if she doesn't deserve it, of course," Lakyus said, beaming. "My dear, I am very happy for you, and mere words do not describe it. I should like to commission a piece as a gift for you to take back, as both apology and congratulations—as well as a commemoration of this glorious moment."

"Keep it," Keeno grunted. "You know me."

"Well, I shall insist upon it," Lakyus said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Perhaps I can hand over the prize to Momon himself."

He shrugged. "Certainly. I have no objection."

"Hum!" She elbowed him in what was supposed to be a subdued manner. Of course, everyone saw it, and they all had a good chuckle at that. Good. That was good. The more they saw them as an intimate couple, the less they would pry into their affairs, or so he hoped.

"Well, that's enough about me for now," Keeno said. "I'm curious now: what made you guys head on over to the Sorcerous Kingdom? I thought Leader here said she would never accept a job that would involve them, or this place."

"Times change," Lakyus said. "And the people change with them. You shouldn't be too surprised my friend. Especially when we're here on a mission."

"An important mission," Tia said gravely.

"Huh." Keeno crossed her arms. "… What kind of mission is it? Another one of those hush hush things for the little Princess?" Ainz wondered who this princess was. Unfortunately, he couldn't ask right now—he'd have to ask Keeno later.

"You're half right," Gagaran said. "It is hush hush. But it's not for the Princess."

Keeno leaned closer. Lakyus continued to speak, though in a much lower voice. "The request actually came from inside the Roble Holy Kingdom."

"That place?" Ainz said nothing as Keeno glanced towards him. Thankfully, whatever look she had was obscured by the mask, making it only seem as if she was giving him a look of bewilderment.

"Aye. I'm sure you've heard all about what happened there. The Scourge what plagued our Capital had erected a vile scheme all over the Abelion Hills. A bloody war ensued." Lakyus shook her head.

"Yes… we heard about that," Keeno said. "We only heard bits and pieces of course, just scattered rumors and the like… Didn't the Holy Kingdom win in the end? And I heard that the Sorcerer King was involved somehow." He almost wanted to pat Keeno on the head for acting so innocently despite her knowledge of these things. He knew she was well aware of the role Nazarick played, particularly as regards to the true identity of 'the Scourge', whom she'd just met in his office earlier.

Most of Blue Rose frowned. "It was the Sorcerer King who won, aye. He came to the aid of the Kingdom, he did, and vanquished the Demon Lord. Or so it is believed."

"Frankly, I'm not buying it until I die without seeing or hearing from him again," Gagaran said, with distaste.

"You want to bet on those odds?" Tia asked.

"That's assuming you even outlive me, you runts. Gya-ha!"

"So assuming that the Kingdom's put itself together," Keeno said, ignoring Gagaran's joke. "This request then came from a noble, I suppose?"

Ainz went from listening idly to listening very intently. Here was a topic he was curious about, and he was eager to actually hear the opinion of someone like Blue Rose about the situation that had been engineered in the aftermath of the Holy Kingdom War. There were many moving parts in there, and even Ainz didn't know the full picture.

"Well, how much do you really know about the War, Evileye?" Gagaran asked.

"As I said, we only heard scattered bits and pieces," Keeno replied. "And you all know how I feel about rumors. There's one about the Princess every other week, each as compelling as the last, and yet I know the truth, having met her myself."

"Well, to explain requires starting from the top. And it's a pretty long story," Gagaran said. "But we can break it down for you."

"Oh, please do," Keeno said, sighing.

"Well, any such retelling won't do without some nice spirits to wet my lips first," Gagaran said, grinning. "Oi, barkeep! One round if you be so kind!" Keeno sighed at this again, though she said nothing more. Apparently, this was something of an old scene that she was quite used to by now. Even Lakyus looked on wryly, even glancing at him as if to gauge his reaction. Ainz said nothing, though he did gratefully accept a tankard, and drank from it after transforming his gut into an appropriate poison-cleansing form.

After drinking the first round, Gagaran then launched into a condensed story regarding the whole war with Jaldabaoth. They were incidents that he recalled reading on the many reports from that time. Though even now his remembrance was faulty.

Ah, of course. During that time he had been celebrating his newly-shed virginity by indulging in Zesshi Zetsumei's body freely. His mind latched on to those remembrances, as Gagaran and the others droned on about their version of the war's events.

"The first assault was a big fucking disaster, or so we've heard," Gagaran said. "But it mighta been because it was a complete surprise attack. See the demihuman tribes are known for their ferocity, and not for their unity. They always end up butting heads with each more than they butt heads with the Kingdom. Some bigshot uniting all the tribes is virtually unheard of—and even then they'd have heard of it first, because those idiots always announce their intentions to invade as part of their ritual.

"But this Jaldabaoth comes in and he gathers them all up together with his demon armies into one big pile of death. All the leaders get rounded up and told to work together or their people would die. Many were even killed as an example for the unwilling. And of course, it seemed that Jaldabaoth forbade them from acting out their rituals. He really got to organizing them like some big army, with ranks and divisions and tactics and such. Real spooky stuff that makes him a demon lord you gotta fear.

"So even with that, no one really thought that the walls would be breached. The Roble Kingdom were able to detect the movement of so many soldiers beyond the wall, and were already prepared by the time the armies finally descended from the hills. Even united, there was still the possibility that the attack would be stalemated, that the defenders would reap a deadly toll. Give them enough time for the whole country to be roused, and to beg help from other nations at this unprecedented war.

"Well, who should come along but Jaldabaoth himself, to lead the first assault. Just like us, Roble's best men couldn't do anything to stop him. Within three days the entire outer wall fell to the beast tribes. Then they made good time, and the capital itself was besieged. Didn't take long before the defeated army had to flee like rats, and the place was completely sacked."

"What happened to the Queen?" Keeno asked. Ainz wanted to snicker. Keeno was well aware where the former Holy Queen was, having witnessed her personally drinking Ainz's fresh cum that dripped from her snatch as if it were holy nectar poured from the exalted heavens. Keeno had been blushing hard then, as it was a bit of debauchery she had never done before. Of course, it helped that Shalltear hadn't been present; as Keeno seemed reluctant to do any kinky stuff when the other vampire was there.

"No one knows to this day," Gagaran said in hushed whisper. "Same goes for the high priestess. The grandmaster—well she's deposed now—Remedios has been searching high and low for them. She still believes they survived somehow. Ended up dragging the whole damned order all over the place, pulling them from important tasks. Everyone thinks they're dead. Even we think they're definitely dead. A demon like that doesn't seem like the scheming type; they just prefer to destroy until everything's become ash."

"The once great paladin is quite mad now," Tia remarked.

"A shame," Tina said.

Ainz tried not to think about Kelart's sister, whom he had initially seen as a strong warrior, akin to Gazef. He'd harbored hopes that she could be like Gazef, only this time she would accept his sovereignty, instead of throwing it away like a fool.

However, her behavior and demeanor turned him off as time went on, particularly in the way she treated poor Neia. It reminded him of his old bosses, who only ever saw their subordinates as numbers to be pushed around. And reminding Ainz of his former life was a surefire way to get in his shitlist. His original plan to prop her up as some sort of holy savior was thrown aside in favor of Prince Caspond. And of course, the planned return of the Holy Queen and her sister was shelved in favor of turning them into his mothers (though currently unsuccessfully).

"What happened to her?" Keeno asked, stating the question that Ainz wanted to ask himself. As far as he knew Nazarick wasn't tracking Remedios anymore—or they were and there was just nothing much to report.

"As said, no one knows. She just dropped off the face of the map. Her own paladins elected to replace her, and that was that. It's strange that she didn't fight it, but perhaps there's more under the surface that no one really knows about."

"It's strange… she never seemed like the sort of person that would just let someone replace her quietly," Keeno said.

Gagaran moved on to describing the bits of pieces of the next battles waged since the capital's fall.

"It's interesting to note that the southern part of the country, where the nobles are all opposed to the Holy Queen, was completely spared from the assault, at least at first," Gagaran said.

"Oh. You think there was some sort of collusion?"

"It's just a theory," Lakyus said. "And we still don't know the whole picture. It is too much of a coincidence, though."

"You ask me, Jaldabaoth must have been counting on that situation, the devious fuck," Gagaran said. "Probably knew that taking care of the north first would be better in the long run than having to start fighting the south first."

"From a tactical standpoint, it makes sense," Tia said.

"He cut off the enemy's head with a decisive strike," Tina opined. "Efficient."

The story moved on to how the remaining paladins of the Order, including Remedios, went to petition aid from the neighboring empires.

"This part you know well," Gagaran said. "Since you were also there."

"Yeah, of course." As he remembered from the reports, the paladins had first gone to the Re-Estize Kingdom for support, specifically paying for the privilege of meeting Blue Rose as a means to gather information about Jaldabaoth, as well as a possible "in" to the royal house through Princess Renner. This was just before she joined him in Nazarick.

"She was very earnest and insistent," Lakyus reminisced. "She seemed to think that it was the Kingdom's sworn duty to rise and come to their aid as a matter of course. While as fellow humans we can definitely sympathize, the realities are far different."

Blue Rose had firmly rebuffed their plea to gather adventurers to aid in the crisis, and did not even agree to come themselves. The only other power who was close enough to matter was the Empire, but it had just been vassalized by another power. The only other recourse that Blue Rose could recommend was to turn to that very same power, who had humiliated Re-Estize in the most recent battle at Katze.

Thus, the story went towards the part that he was most familiar with. The paladins had come to this very city to meet with Ainz. They had brought Neia with them for whatever reason. It was here that he had entertained their pleas, fully intending to accept as Demiurge's plan had wanted. And it was here that he first met Neia, and had been charmed by her unique character ever since.

"I don't know what unholy bargain was struck, but the paladins did make one," Gagaran said grimly. "And so it was that the Sorcerer King himself led an expedition to the Holy Kingdom, and began to send his minions to defy the Demon Lord."

That was definitely not true. He hadn't brought anyone from Nazarick with him when he'd come "help" the Kingdom. Anyone who was from Nazarick was already there on the ground, like Demiurge's demon minions.

Gagaran went on to describe the siege of a certain city, where a hard-fought miracle had been won for humankind. Jaldabaoth and Ainz Ooal Gown had clashed there, and in the aftermath, both fighters had mysteriously disappeared. The rumors had then spread, even reaching Blue Rose directly, that Ainz had died.

"Of course, none of us believe that," Gagaran said, while drinking. "We didn't believe that Jaldabaoth was defeated, nor even that that Ainz died. Someone who can cast unbelievable magic wouldn't expose himself to danger so easily. And demon lords like that don't die without some grand, catastrophic sight. He might have been defeated, true, but he could not be destroyed. He fled, choosing to run when he saw the Sorcerer's powers."

"Well, after that, there was a whole bunch of uncertainty, not just in the Holy Kingdom. The Sorcerer King had been instrumental in helping them, but he had gotten killed in the process of helping them. Some wondered if the wrath of the Kingdom he led would descend upon them. And then we heard from people from that time that the Re-Estize Kingdom was sure to mobilize now, to reclaim E-Rantel from the monsters. No one really know what to do. How was it on your end, Evileye? Didn't the news reach you?"

"I also…" Keeno said, faltering before she cleared her throat. "I also didn't believe. Then again, we were… too far away for anything to affect us still. I, er, we didn't really give it that much thought yet."

"That must be nice, to basically ignore things like that," Gagaran said. Her smile widened. "What, were you rutting like rabbits during that time—" There came a loud noise beneath the table, which stopped the woman from continuing. Ainz cocked his head as she coughed and took another deep gulp of her beer.

"…Moving on," Lakyus said. "Where were we?"

The retelling concluded with the final battle, where a desperate attempt by Prince Caspond's forces to liberate a certain city had evolved into a battle that would be sung by bards for all time. The Demon Lord had returned, burning with vengeance, and threatened to annihilate Roble's last resistance then and there. Yet another miracle had occurred, with Ainz Ooal Gown returning at the head of an army. A magical battle between the two ensued, with the battle ending in Jaldabaoth's final defeat, or so it was sung. Blue Rose did not believe he was gone, even if the Demon never reappeared since.

The war was won, and humanity was saved. Fast forward a couple months later—

"And that's where we came in," Lakyus said.

About a month ago, she said, they began hearing news of job offers being made to many high-ranking adventurers. They mostly came from the southern nobles, who wished to buy grain and other such supplies covertly, for their own private use. They were reluctant to acquiesce, as it appeared shady on the surface.

"'Covertly'?" Keeno said. "It doesn't sound all that secret if they were literally posting it on the Adventurer's Guild."

"Technically, they only posted of a possible arrangement to be discussed later. You know, that sort of job," Lakyus said. "The ones that end up having the group carrying some sort of secret contraband the client tries to explain away as a personal thing, things potentially get ugly, and we have to resolve it one way or another—and so on and so forth."

"I can imagine. It's also against the rules of the Guild."

"Obviously. The Guildmaster had to sack quite a bunch of groups once they were caught. Now they got to do with being Workers," Gagaran said.

"I can guarantee you those new Workers will keep jumping on these jobs regardless," Tia said.

"I assume the Guildmaster went back on that somehow?" Keeno said. "Else why would you be here?"

"They're cooperating with the Princess and certain groups in the Kingdom, which is why we ultimately accepted," Lakyus said.

"Ah, it was sanctioned. I should have known."

"It's a fact-finding mission primarily, which means you might have been bored were you still with us," Lakyus said.

Keeno tapped her fingers on the table. "Here's what I don't get. I mean, if they really wanted that grain, then they would be going through the regular channels right?"

After meeting with their prospective employer and making some discreet inquiries, it appeared that the nobles' need for them went beyond just some strange whim. Apparently, the prices of commodities from Re-Estize was so high that hiring adventurers to smuggle for them was actually cheaper.

"What? How could the prices go that high?" Keeno asked.

"The Eight Fingers." Lakyus' grim expression told of a whole other story, and one which she seemed reluctant to tell in full. She only managed to relate that the situation in Re-Estize wasn't as stable as before, thanks to the disaster at Katze. According to the Princess, the Eight Fingers had taken firm control over the merchants, who were more than eager to be complicit in raising prices for some reason.

"That group managed a good turnaround after all. The fact that many nobles are still supporting them behind the scenes also doesn't help," Lakyus said. "It's part of the reasons why we accepted the mission. It's possible we can find some incriminating link for the Princess to use. Aside from that we also need to gather information from our contact in the Holy Kingdom. We intend to glean an inkling of what they're planning over there. What could they gain from hoarding these?"

"You lot got some thoughts?"

"The most likely explanation is…" Lakyus shook her head. "But I hesitate to even bring it up."

"Don't mince words. Say it. A potential civil war," Keeno said coldly.

"…That's the most obvious one. It is quite possible, and even the Princess says so. First, we can't deny that the northern part of that country was devastated by the Demon Lord. Acres of farmland, and the stores for the year, possibly plundered and destroyed by the armies. People are very likely to starve without help.

"Second, the south was left intact, but traditionally they have not been known as the places to stockpile goods. There are many warehouses along their coastal towns, but it is not enough to feed the whole nation. And they have a responsibility to aid their fellow countrymen, or so it is expected. With the war ended for two months now they must all be feeling the pressure. That must be why they're willing to fund adventurers as smugglers."

"Now that you've said that, I can also see how it'd be very easy for them to devolve into civil war. What else did our dear princess say?" Keeno asked. "Has she any more insights to offer?"

"She has shared her opinion with us," Lakyus said.

"No, that's not it," Gagaran said with a chortle. "It's more like she talked some really big words to you, and the rest of us all just nodded along!"

"We're not as stupid as you," Tia said.

"Perfectly understandable," Tina said, nodding.

"The Princess was able to offer an explanation for what is currently happening in both nations, as well as a prediction for how things will develop, if given time." Lakyus shook her head. "It's not pretty."

"War," Gagaran said with the bluntness of a hammer. Lakyus frowned at her teammate.

"And not the civil war we mentioned—though that is still quite possible," she said.

"A war between Roble and the Kingdom?" Keeno pronounced, practically scoffing. "While that was certainly plausible back then, it's pretty damned hard for them to do it now. Both of them are still bloody and bruised from their respective troubles. You yourself said the Holy Kingdom's practically begging for food! And the other side's not better off, though if it really came to it, I'd bet on them winning. Your Princess made a pretty bad read."

"Her reasoning is sound," Lakyus said soberly. "Especially when you factor in everything else that's been happening around."

"Like what? Has the situation really gone worse since I left? I can't help but think I was some sort of ill omen."

"Strong as you are, my friend, even you are still only one person against the pull of Fate," Lakyus intoned. "Sometimes things like these are beyond us, no matter how much we do our best to resist the pull."

"Let's skip that and keep gouing. What's your reasoning then?"

"For one, the merchants in the Kingdom have been put on quite a strain," Lakyus said. "Those who refused to join in with the Eight Fingers' schemes promptly relocated their business elsewhere—if they hadn't declared bankruptcy outright. Prices within the Kingdom are going up, leaving many of the commonfolk disgruntled. With the loss of so many nobles at Katze, not to mention the death of so many commonfolk, the Princess says the Kingdom is practically bleeding to its shins. While many smaller houses are on the rise, eager to fill the void carved in the Kingdom's heart by the Sorcerer King, their ascension does not directly lead to its stability.

"They cannot extract payment from the Empire this year, and perhaps never again, not after it nominally 'lost' to the Empire's new lord. Of all the other nations, only the Theocracy are willing to lend a hand, yet history reminds us they would never lift anything more than a finger as long as humanity still lived in some way. They have ever only watched as entire kingdoms rose and fell, as you well know, my friend."

"That reasoning more than ever means they cannot afford a war," said Keeno. Ainz could feel her frowning behind the mask.

"Not if this war secures them an advantage in the short term," Lakyus pointed out. "Not if those who clamor for it see that the other side is broken and, seemingly, vulnerable to defeat."

"Unaware that they are themselves vulnerable to defeat," Tina said.

"The fools," Tia said.

"The Princess also mentioned that those in the Noble's Faction fear that Ainz Ooal Gown may seek to encircle them for some grand plot, as he is somewhat of an ally to the Holy Kingdom," Lakyus said.

"You think the Holy Kingdom will call upon Ainz Ooal Gown in a possible war?" Keeno asked. Ainz thought he could imagine her glancing towards him.

"At this point no one knows exactly how that creature thinks," Lakyus said. "And perhaps the nobles in the Holy Kingdom are operating under some illusion of a swift victory for themselves if they manage to secure his aid once more. And that is perhaps why they're stockpiling all these grain supplies covertly. They think they only need enough for the decisive battle."

"How stupid," Keeno hissed.

Suddenly certain things clicked in Ainz's mind. Lakyus' statements made him remember those reports earlier. He had only skimmed them, but he definitely remembered some particulars.

One, of course, was the fact that these requests by the southern nobles were actually being made on behalf of Nazarick itself. It was all part of some complicated plan to antagonize the relationship between the two neighboring nations. It was easy enough to orchestrate, as the Eight Fingers themselves were ordered to supply the resources that the adventurers were paid to smuggle over the border.

Once delivered, some of the supplies were then brought back to the Re-Estize Kingdom through a Gate, to restart the cycle anew. The whole nation was in a chaotic enough state that it was easy to "lose" a ton or two here and there to help foment dissent and mistrust. The whole process was being paid from the Eight Fingers' pockets, as they had become rather rich and influential ever since Nazarick spread their influence over them.

So these mysterious requests were definitely manufactured by Nazarick. Ainz could vaguely see the pattern now. But he still wasn't sure what it was building up to. They might be right that war was the likely effect, but he didn't know what came after. What was the endgame?

A faint laugh drew his turbulent thoughts away. It was coming from Keeno.

"…the moment I admit that, dolt, is the moment I renounce everything to become some sort of mendicant priest."

"Aw come on! There's no need to be so melodramatic…"

Ainz found himself quietly observing their exchange, and marveling at the bond these five people shared. While Keeno was his now, there was no question that she still possessed feelings for her former comrades. It was a bond that would never be questioned. It was very similar to the one he shared with his guildmates from Ainz Ooal Gown. It was this sort of bond that led this group to sharing secret details with a former teammate.

Privately, Ainz thought that the group should be definitely keeping the details of their mission private, especially with him being actually present. Putting himself in their position, he could see there was a definite need for secrecy when it came to their work.

Of course, he had entirely forgotten about the dynamics of having comrades in a group, where one shared information freely for the benefit of all. And beyond that, there was the loyalty that friendship earned, that allowed one to truly share of oneself with others. This was obviously exemplified with his own experiences in Ainz Ooal Gown. Though, he couldn't really see a situation wherein they would share information to anyone who had somehow left the Guild—here was the stark difference between Blue Rose and his own group.

As time wore on, they began to talk less about work matters and more on the latest gossip about personal things. Though Keeno acted as if such things were mundane, she still took the time to listen to her friends talk about the Princess Renner's relationship with some guy, or that Gagaran had somehow caught Tia in flagrante delicto with a pair of adventurers one night.

Keeno also began talking about her experiences as a pregnant mother. He could tell that the others were very curious about the how, and all the other sordid details. If not for him, they definitely would have gone straight into the discussion. This gave Ainz a mischievous idea.

Ainz stood and excused himself, begging for a trip to the privy. Keeno seemed distraught by his leaving, to which he said, "I'll be back soon," with a wink and a wave. That should give enough time for the women to exchange gossip as they wanted so desperately, and only for a very brief time period for Keeno's sake. So thinking, he went to the privy as he claimed, and made sure to use the time to check out the premises with his magic.

A few minutes later, he emerged, and made sure his footsteps could be heard by them. When he saw them again, he saw that their demeanor hadn't changed—but the tell-tale blushes on all their faces told a different story.

Gagaran even whistled. "Hey big guy. You mind if Keeno lends ya for a night?"

"Gagaran!" Lakyus scolded, though her face was equally as red.

He settled back in, and the women duly moved on to discussing other, less spicy stuff. Keeno reached over to squeeze his knee, half in affection and the other half in anger, perhaps because of his perceived "betrayal". He patted her hand fondly, and so the meeting continued.

After a while he began to tune out the conversation again, as nothing seemed important to him. Ainz then looked around the room. His eyes fell upon the black sword laid against the far wall. If he remembered correctly, that seemed to be Lakyus' sword. He had appraised it before, and gleaned its general properties. But he hadn't really paid much more attention to it. Now with time on his hands he was able to narrow his eyes in scrutiny.

That sword…

That definitely was a sword from Yggdrasil wasn't it? He wasn't sure how it came to Lakyus' hands, but he was definitely sure that it came from the game. With the presence of Players, it made sense that something like this came over.

"Let's see…"

In order to confirm, he cast his diagnostic spell discreetly.

"Ah, so it is."

The spell definitely confirmed its provenance as something "native" to Yggdrasil, judging from the confirmation in his mind, rather than something manufactured in this world. It raised a lot of interesting questions.

"Ainz-sama."

"Er, yes." His eyes flickered, as his attention was arrested once more to the present.

"We're just about to finish," Keeno said quietly.

"Ah, of course," he murmured, looking at Blue Rose. They all were stretching, or draining the last drops in their tankards, or otherwise finishing up the last of their food.

"We're really grateful for your coming here, big guy," Gagaran said, yawning. "Especially helping to bring Evileye here. I know you guys would love nothing more than to be lovey-dovey—" Keeno made a hissing sound.

"You have our formal thanks, sir Momon," Lakyus said. "And we of course wish you two nothing but the best with your lives."

"Ahh, thank you." As they moved to stand, Ainz cocked his head. "Wait, wait one moment, if you please. Before you go, would you mind if I asked a question?"

"Yes?"

He pointed. "That sword over there… has it served you well?"

Lakyus raised her brows, surprised. The rest of her team were listening close to the conversation as well. Even Keeno seemed puzzled by his sudden inquiry. "… Um, yes, relatively speaking. It has supped of many a life in its inexhaustible hunger for blood. It has taken all of my will to prevent Kilineiram from overwhelming me." She hesitated. "Um… Why do you ask, sir Momon?"

"Because it is rather interesting." With a flourish, he produced the item he had just removed from his inventory. It was a sword, which looked exactly identical to the one in Lakyus' hand. The only difference between them was the fact that the blade was colored a pristine white. "I only just remembered that your sword looked like that. And that it looks exactly like this one I'm giving you, as a gift."

Everyone's eyes widened as they gazed with wonder at the blade in his hand. "A… a gift…?" Lakyus said, gasping with choked voice. "B-but why, sir…?"

"As a thank you for our previous collaboration," he said. "And, of course, for taking care of Evileye—and continuing to do so to this day." He brandished the sword, and tested its weight with both hands. It caught the light of the surrounding lamps and gleamed accordingly. He looked at Lakyus again, and ran his hands over the blade. "Interesting, is it not? See, they have the exact same design. This is an item I received from a treasure hoard in my previous travels, and I have intended it as a gift ever since. It is only now that I see the similarity with your own… Kilineiram, was it? With your own blade…" He chuckled. "Yet it surely is not coincidence. Perhaps fate has intended that I discover the blade from that ancient trove—and years later that same fate has willed that it is you who will receive this as a gift."

Ainz was amazed he could lie so easily and so quickly now. It helped that he was an innate shapeshifter, and could thus will his face from giving anything away whenever he wanted. As soon as he confirmed that the blade was from Nazarick, he immediately knew what it was—a low-tier weapon that came in a set. One part of the set was the black blade that Lakyus held, and the other was the one he'd quickly removed from his inventory while no one was looking.

When wielded together, the two blades bestowed a powerful buff on its user, which was why they were highly sought items for lower-leveled players to use. As they were made from smithing, the data in the items could also be customized such that a player didn't even need to use them as weapons—a magic caster like Ainz could use it just to boost his stats. (Though in Ainz's opinion it was rather inefficient, so he had never given any thought of using it)

He had dozens of these items scattered away in the Treasury. Most of these were mostly a result of Amanomahitotsu-san using them as practice crafts back in Yggdrasil. As they could also be used to outfit NPCs cheaply, there were several of the warrior-type minions in Nazarick carrying these as a set. He therefore lost nothing by giving these away—and in return he gained Blue Rose's gratitude and appreciation.

"Please, accept this with my fullest thanks," he said, offering the sword handle first. "Now that I have seen it, this seems to have been destined to fall into your hands. Perhaps when wielded together, they may yield some sort of power… though I can't really say."

"S-sir Momon," Lakyus said, stammering. "I—I'm afraid that is rather too extravagant a gift… is it not? B-besides, I do not think I could even use it myself, as I am rather too used to Kilineiram…" Despite her words, Lakyus' eyes could clearly be seen mesmerized by the glittering blade, as if there were stars dancing in her irises.

"Oh, just take it, leader," Gagaran said. "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. This is a gift painstakingly chosen, and you're just gonna turn it down?"

"That's rude," said Tia.

"And you obviously want it," said Tina.

"By the gods, what are you saying?" Lakyus snapped. "Do you think that my skills with my blade are lacking? Is that it? That I somehow need to get better through other means? You must be joking."

The others sighed. Ainz glanced at Keeno, who nodded.

"Just take the damned thing and don't waste Momon's time," Keeno said with a hint of exasperation. "If you're really that stubborn about it, then think of it more as a gift from me, then." She glanced back at him for confirmation.

"Indeed," Ainz rumbled, nodding.

"I… I…" Lakyus took a deep breath. Then she drew herself up, standing as stiff as she could manage. "Alright. Very well. I accept your gift, sir Momon, with my most profuse thanks." She grasped the handle and held the white sword in her hands.

"Splendid," Ainz said, rubbing his hands. "It almost looks as if it was made to be wielded in your grasp." There were soft gasps from all around as Lakyus began testing the blade herself.

"Yes…" she said. "It is similar to my blade. No, it is like I am still holding Kilineiram itself! There appears to be no difference, except for the color."

"As I expected," Ainz observed.

"And I feel…" Lakyus closed her eyes. "I feel… Yes…" She grabbed her own sword with the other hand, and held them both pointed up to the ceiling. "I can feel the power overtaking me…"

Ainz raised a silent brow. He knew it bestowed a bonus upon wielding both, but he didn't expect it to happen this fast.

"Truly, this is a marvelous gift, sir Momon," Lakyus said, opening her eyes. "And it is almost as if I am robbing you of what is rightfully yours. Are you sure…?"

Ainz shook his head. "No, no, it doesn't work like that, Lakyus. The gift has been given; it is yours now. Do what you will with it, it is no longer my place to say."

"I… I see…" Lakyus gazed down at the white sword with wonder. She glanced at Keeno. "You are very fortunate, my friend." Then she bowed deeply towards him. "I shall treasure this for all my life, sir Momon. And from now on, you may surely count on Blue Rose—and me, personally—as a friend."

"Very well. I accept."

They started a second round of farewells to complement the first, enough so even Ainz felt it was a little too much. He and Keeno waved her teammates off as they separated from them at the street outside. Ainz watched Lakyus toy with the white sword in her hand.

"… So that was interesting, my love," Keeno said, afterwards. "I never expected you to have a gift for Lakyus."

"To be honest, I only really prepared something for Lakyus. She is the leader, after all… Now I'm wondering if I should've given gifts to the rest of them."

Keeno was silent. He could tell she was thinking. "…That's… very kind of you, Ainz-sama."

"Can I count on you for help? You are their friend after all. If we should ever meet again, I shall be sure to make up for my deficiency." Not that he expected to see Blue Rose anytime soon.

He could sense her beam behind the mask. "Sure! Of course!"

They returned to the hotel room. He was able to spot the presence of new minions from Nazarick, invisible and undetectable to the majority, who had never been there before. That meant either Albedo or Demiurge had been informed of his impromptu visit, and had sent reinforcements immediately. He didn't let on that he saw them and instead went to their room directly. At least this time he was assured that no one would be able to follow them.

"My lord, I would like to thank you once again," Keeno said, once they were inside the room. He looked at her. She had removed her mask, allowing him to see her striking red eyes and her brilliant, toothy smile. "For allowing me the opportunity to see my friends personally again. And also… for giving Lakyus a gift. On her behalf I express my thanks. You honestly didn't have to, but you did. You are indeed a wise and generous man."

Ainz smiled. "It was nothing. And I was most entertained by your conversations just now, so in a way I profited from it. But do remember that I will always grant your requests, Keeno—as long as they're within reason."

"Ahaha… This is embarrassing…" Keeno said. "We talked about a lot of stupid stuff. I was really afraid you would get bored halfway."

Ainz went to sat on the edge of the bed. His longer, powerful legs jutted out like the masonry of a spindly house, almost as tall as Keeno's height. He gently led her to sit on his thigh, and she clung to him with a smile.

"As I said, it was all quite entertaining to witness," Ainz said, smiling. "It reminded me…"

"Hm?" Keeno cocked her head.

"It reminded me of the past…" Ainz said with a sigh. "When I was with my own friends."

"Oh." Keeno placed her head against his chest. "Are they…?"

Ainz shook his head. "They're long gone by now," he said quietly.

Her face fell. "I'm sorry."

He chuckled. "Nah, I'm not too upset by it." They had all forsaken Nazarick towards the end anyway, save for a few. And even Herohero had left, unwilling to bear the burden of seeing Nazarick to its end.

Maybe that was why he alone had been chosen to be transported here, to this new world, where he could live a new life among the creatures his friends made, as well as the natives of this world. All things considered, this life was good, even if it was stressful at times.

He draped an arm over Keeno's back and squeezed. Still, it felt lonely to be the only one here. Perhaps this was why he was so keen on creating new life now. He glanced down, and ran his palms over Keeno's belly. His lover giggled, as if she was tickled by it.

"I do love you," he said, leaning down to kiss her on the lips. She returned it softly at first. Then, as the kiss continued, it became deeper, more heated. She began to kiss back with more force, and it was clear that both of them felt a lot more heated than before.

"Pwaah… Ainz-sama…"

Just as he was about to seize her clothes and strip her bare, a Message came to him. He stopped. Keeno, recognizing that he was receiving a message, smiled and patted his cheek.

"Go ahead."

"No, I…"

"It could be important," she pointed out.

He looked at her, really looked at her, at her entire, beautiful body, heavily pregnant, all of it his. He sighed in frustration.

"Yes?" he said, answering the Message.

"My lord." It was Sebas Tian. "My deepest apologies for disturbing you. But you commanded that you must be informed no matter what when—"

"Get to the point."

"Yes. The scouts report that Neia Baraja has given word. She wishes to meet you now."

---

It was quite telling that Albedo the Overseer didn't launch into an angry tirade once they were out of earshot of Lord Ainz. That was a good sign, in Zesshi's opinion. It meant a lot of things, but most of all it at least assured her that Albedo was taking her seriously.

"What is it then?" Albedo said, without stopping.

"Let's meet later. I assume you have many things I would so love to hear," Zesshi said. "Am I wrong?"

Albedo grunted. "It appears not. Very well. Tonight, my office."

Later, at the appointed time, Zesshi arrived at the office to the sight of the Overseer going over some papers behind the desk. Without prompting, Zesshi silently helped herself to a chair.

The two waited in silence, mentally goading the other to speak first. And yet neither did, for doing so would be to yield the first disadvantage in the forthcoming exchange. Zesshi could sense the intensity of the tension in the room, as if she was facing down some terrible monstrous beast, alone. In a way, she probably was.

Tonight, it was Albedo who broke first. She sat back against the chair. "Well?" she demanded, with her fingers coldly steepled above her pregnant belly.

Zesshi smiled, and summoned to her mind the most recent memory of her rendezvous with Ainz.

She had been at the Mother's Hall, and no other mother was there. Ainz had caught her just as she was about to leave. He had been insistent, passionate, his kisses bringing her more heat than a normal greeting or exchange. He cast a spell of cloaking around them both, and they made love on that very Hall, unbeknownst to those who came after. Her cries and shouts were muffled by his powerful spells, and she gave full rein to her lust, and passionately proclaimed her devotion to him with his every thrust. For hours she was his and he was hers to savor, even as the other mothers came and left like stars in the sky.

"How's that?" she said, after concluding.

"Hmph."

This was their first salvo, a ritual proclamation to demonstrate one's devotion to the Master, as well as the Master's response. She who merited the better reaction from Ainz, or who achieved the better situation, was the victor.

Albedo proceeded on her own experience.

She described a time very recently, when the Master had seemed tired and in a peculiar, melancholic mood. By chance, Albedo noticed it, and swiftly took action. She followed lord Ainz to his room, and there offered him the warmth of her embrace. He had taken her then and there, and she accepted the full brunt of his emotions. When he was finished, he held onto her for a long time, and she was content to stay there in his arms, fully enclosed within his strong touch.

"How's that? I shared an actual intimate moment with our lord!" Albedo said, smirking proudly.

Zesshi made a gesture as if she was fanning herself. "While I must admit that your experience was definitely, positively simmering—even more so than the last—it's still not as impressive as mine was. And my situations are only getting better!"

"Hah, I'd rate it my win. You didn't spend your time getting intimate with our Master, getting closer to the vulnerable part of his being, to be connected to him, soul to soul!" Albedo grinned madly. "Yours is but another moment of being bred by a most worthy stud, of dutifully fulfilling your solemn obligation to be lord Ainz's cumrag!"

They continued in this vein for a couple more minutes, each of them firing off insult after insult, each eager to stake their pride on their superiority, each filled with the desire for the other to accept defeat.

And so, the conclusion was inevitable. Neither agreed that the other's memory was better, and each thought separately that they had won. Such was the nature of their contest.

"Hm."

"Humph."

The two women looked winded, as if each had been running an intense marathon, each competing against the other. Zesshi patted her chest and sighed.

"Well, we can set that aside. Let us move on." She narrowed her eyes. "Do you have anything?"

Albedo sighed. "And what makes you think yourself worthy of receiving my intelligence?"

Zesshi rolled her eyes. "Come now, you have asked that same question already, over and over again. At this point, it shows you've a lack of common sense when it comes to things."

Albedo gritted her teeth. "Let me rephrase then. Have you anything to offer in exchange for the information I bear?"

"As a matter of fact, I do," Zesshi said haughtily. "As I always do, whenever we meet."

The Overseer snorted. "The last time we met you offered nothing but something I already knew. You will forgive me if I feel less inclined to give you anything now."

That was indeed a small victory she'd managed to wrangle over the Overseer during the last time they'd met like this. She had asked Albedo to share what she knew of this "Neia Baraja" first. She had then given her own intelligence that Ainz was looking to bring her in within the next few months.

Albedo had practically exploded. "Of course I already know this little chit's joining us! Only a fool would think there was any other explanation!"

"But this is direct confirmation," Zesshi had then countered, though she knew she had scored a point. She didn't dwell on it too much, as gloating would only serve to inflame the Overseer to unpredictability. For her it was better to have an enemy she could control and predict.

Presently, Albedo seemed to not have forgotten, nor forgiven this perceived slight. "We have nothing to discuss—" she said, "Until you have given me something I can use. Or what use is this 'unholy alliance' of ours, if you clearly have no function than to be a thorn in my side?"

She carefully weighed her options. She had other "rumors" at hand, but they were also rumors in the most literal sense of the word: mere gossip passed around by the maids.

For example, there was the rumor that all the recent changes in the tomb had made the human maid Tsuareninya rather desperate to have Sebas all to herself. Because of this, their "mating" sessions had grown bolder and more frequent. Some of the maids were fearing that her newfound obnoxiousness would attract Ainz's displeasure, as she was almost on the cusp of missing work just so she could be with Sebas.

Having never met the girl, and only having heard of her circumstances before coming to Nazarick, Zesshi had no real opinion on the matter. But it was something that all in the know agreed should never reach Ainz's ears, as Tsuare was not only Sebas' responsibility, but the maids' as well.

She therefore decided that she would allow the other woman this small victory—for now—and give her a genuine piece of information. This was a dangerous game to play, and she intended to win it.

"This happened just today," Zesshi said, smiling. "You do know what I'm referring to?"

By the flickering of Albedo's eyes, it was clear enough. Zesshi hadn't been present personally, but she had heard over the grapevine from her acquaintances among the maids. It appeared that right after she'd collared Albedo to arrange the meeting, Ainz-sama had then abruptly left Nazarick without informing anyone of his plans, and had gone to E-Rantel without an escort. Supposedly, they only found out when the minions stationed at the city spotted Ainz-sama walking around, and had promptly reported the sighting to Albedo.

The panic that ensued was apparently similar to the time that he had disappeared with Zesshi herself, and the whole place was in a right panic about it.

Reportedly, Ainz had also yet to return.

Zesshi had then just learned, less than an hour before this very meeting, that he had taken Keeno with him. Keeno had returned safe and sound to the Mother's Hall, tired but satisfied. Calling upon their previous agreement of cooperation, she had immediately asked the diminutive woman for any particulars from the other mother.

"Are you not curious about the particulars of Ainz-sama's strange departure?"

"I assume you know something I do not." Albedo narrowed her eyes. "Out with it then."

"Ainz-sama took Keeno with him."

The Overseer snorted, then chuckled. Her eyes glittered with dark amusement. "Oh, is that all?" She clenched her fist and drew herself up to look down on her. "I am the Overseer, you stupid bitch! All that Nazarick has to know comes through me! Of course I know that Ainz-sama took that little vampire with him!"

Zesshi shrugged, unfazed by the outburst. "And do you know what exactly they did?"

Albedo deflated visibly. "… A little favor to the woman. Walking around the outside world with all those disgusting humans. A chance to explore the outside of the tomb after being here all the time—Hah! This only proves her inadequacy to her role at Ainz-sama's side, if she cannot even endure that much. She'll not last long, mark my words." By the end of her tirade her self-confident grin had returned.

"Is that all?" Zesshi said.

Albedo frowned. "Surely you do not mean to tell me that you have been privy to whatever intimate moments they shared?"

"Why Albedo, I thought you said that Nazarick's eyes are your eyes?" she said, chuckling. "But no matter. For it appears that I indeed have something to offer tonight." She raised her index finger upward. "Hear and listen well, then. For Ainz-sama did bring Keeno over to the city to fulfill a request—and this request was to meet her former comrades: the adventurer group Blue Rose."

"Humm… Blue Rose…" Albedo closed her eyes, as if she was thinking deeply of something. "A petty coincidence that their name appears twice in the same day… Or is it...? Could it all have been intended by His Dark Wisdom? Oh Ainz-sama, grant me your clarity…"

She had no idea what the other woman was muttering. "So, what do you think? It's something valuable right?"

Albedo clucked her tongue. Her brows were still furrowed. "… Perhaps. Very well. You've proven your intelligence is genuine." She shook her head. "Here is my part. I can say with a certain authority that Ainz-sama's newest addition is 'ready'. I have just received the high priority report that she has finally contacted our liaison at the Holy Kingdom, wishing to see lord Ainz again."

"That must be why he's still not here, then," Zesshi said, comprehension dawning on her.

"Most certainly," Albedo said in agreement. "Our lord is a great romantic, as you know, and has perhaps gone to collect her personally. I do not expect him to return for a while. Perhaps a day. But depending on how much she pleases him or not, it could go on for a week, as it did happen with you."

"That's wonderful, then!" Zesshi said, clapping. "Our Master deserves all the best."

"Indeed, but are those really your thoughts?"

Zesshi's expression fell. "No, of course not. I and only I shall ever be the first in Ainz-sama's eyes. The best."

"A sentiment we both share."

"This has been a long time coming…" Zesshi said. They had each known of Neia for months, though her name had eluded them until just recently. The addition of the newly resurrected Holy Queen and High Priestess had been quite surprising at the time. It had made Zesshi adjust her plans dramatically, as these two were most likely experienced with intrigue and diplomacy, and could therefore be expected to be on the level of Albedo.

Naturally, she and the Overseer had also made their own joint plans to handle them. The fact that neither had been able to show signs of bearing Ainz's children was a bit of good news—it meant that they had technically not been anointed the privilege of being a "mother". Still, she didn't want to bank on the hope that those coming after would also share the same experience.

"Yet another thorn in my side," Albedo said, cursing. She didn't miss the look she threw her way, as if she were indicating that the greatest "thorn" was right there in front of her. She was flattered, but it also made her ever cautious.

Truth be told, she was also a potential hindrance to Zesshi, as was every new woman whom Ainz considered worthy of adding to Nazarick. However, she tried not to think of them as obstacles, but as "stepping stones". For example, she had exploited Keeno's vulnerability by asking her where she had been from the position of a concerned friend; only to then ruthlessly use that knowledge as a bargaining chip against the Overseer.

At the very least, they worked as an excellent buffer against Albedo and the rest of the natives from Nazarick. In the future, if the number of those from outside brought here to Nazarick far outnumbered these creatures, then she might finally have a worthy advantage.

But that was something for the future. For the moment, Neia Baraja was the immediate concern.

"I've also heard something interesting," Zesshi said. "And I can reasonably assume that you're well aware of this. For all I know, you're the one of the brains behind the schemes."

"What is it?"

"I hear that there are mounting tensions between the Re-Estize Kingdom and the Roble Holy Kingdom. The sort of tensions that can definitely lead to an unprovoked war—which makes it all the more interesting, as both nations have just come from debilitating wars. The Holy Kingdom lost its Queen—to become my fellow fuckbuddy—while the other had to give up a city to Ainz-sama. That they would be willing to go to war despite all of that means there's something quite volatile beneath the surface."

Albedo's expression didn't change. "Are you just speculating?"

"Come now, my dear Overseer. Ainz-sama has not given me any role with Nazarick—"

"As is proper—" Albedo snapped.

"—So you have nothing to fear from me knowing things. And, after all, what's the risk? I am more determined to rise to the top and become Ainz's top wife than go out here than go risk it all to spread the 'truth'. Not that many would even believe me."

Albedo pursed her lips. "I cannot share the intricate details."

"Aha. So you do admit that Nazarick is behind it?"

"It is… We did not direct it personally," Albedo said. "But it is true that the actions we did in both nations have led to this point. Therefore, if a situation should occur, then it is because of the mortals' shortcomings, and not from any action on our part."

"Inaction is still an action in itself," Zesshi pointed out.

"That is true, but who will judge us?" Albedo said with a serene smile. "Ainz-sama has given no clear directive yet, so whatever happens between those two countries is also not yet our concern. Whether or not they go to war—it will certainly not be because we stoked the flames deliberately."

"Enthrall me with the details, then," Zesshi said. "To my estimation, it would only take the gravest insult for any one side to feel obligated to draw their swords when they are themselves bloody and bruised. Ainz-sama left his mark on them both, leaving them like two cowed beasts—I cannot imagine them fighting for any other reason than sheer desperation."

"Cowed beasts?" Albedo barked a laugh. "I like that. An inspiring picture. I like it. For that you have earned something.

"We have a source in the Re-Estize Kingdom. She is the Princess there, occupying a rank of some insignificance. She tells us that thanks to the devastation wrought upon the Holy Kingdom, there have now been numerous attempts by its nobles to reach some sort of deal or accord with its neighbor. In particular, the Holy Kingdom faces the prospect of a painful famine for the next two years if it cannot get some aid—in grain most of all, but also in other aspects. So yes, in fact desperation does drive their needs, now more than ever. Where will that desperation lead them? Who can say."

"And its main partner is the Re-Estize Kingdom is it not?" Zesshi said, remembering her briefings on the subject.

"Historical partners, yes, but it is clear from our reading that there never was any real friendship between the two nations. The Re-Estize Kingdom trusted the watch on the coasts and the Abelion Hills to its neighbor; while the Holy Kingdom could rely on a dearth of mercenaries and food from the bounteous lands of its partner if it was needed. Yet their predecessors seemed to think that there was ever a prospect of warfare from either side, as did exist between the Baharuth Empire and the Re-Estize Kingdom. So no lasting alliance was made—quite unfortunate."

"Is the Re-Estize Kingdom facing some sort of famine then?"

"No," Albedo said. "It has a sizable surplus from before its ill-fated war against our Master's nation. But the surplus will not last, and as soon as the next harvest the ruinous after-effect of losing so many able-bodied workers will be felt. Either the noblemen learn to farm, or they will face starvation."

Zesshi could see that the one good way for either nation to weather its troubles was ironically through the other—if the other were in a better position. A healthy Holy Kingdom could offer men and women to work the fields of the Re-Estize Kingdom; flip it around and the untouched Re-Estize Kingdom could offer a good supply of grain to its ailing neighbor.

Yet recent events had crippled both—and the metaphor of the two beaten beasts returned to the fore. More than being beaten: they were half-starved and ready to lash out at any provocation.

So how could Albedo claim that Nazarick was not behind it? Ainz-sama had dealt such a powerful blow to the Re-Estize Kingdom, and Nazarick had subsequently engineered the demihuman tribes to ravage Roble. Should war erupt, whatever the result would be would only lead to Nazarick's supremacy. Not that she was against it, of course, but it was disingenuous for Albedo to claim otherwise, when the whole scenario was their making.

She racked her mind. She recalled a previous meeting of theirs, where Albedo had described a certain Philip, a noble in the Re-Estize Kingdom who was in Nazarick's direct control, though he was not aware of it. It stuck in her mind because of Albedo's expression when she had described the "creature", it was a look so thoroughly disgusted that she had never seen before. Yes, she did gaze at Zesshi with seething hatred, but hate was different from disdain. Where Zesshi was an obstacle, this Philip seemed a pest.

"Is this 'Philip' character going to become a factor at all?"

"Who?" Albedo said, blinking.

"You know, the noble you mentioned a meeting or two ago. That guy you said was leading a growing faction of nobles at the Re-Estize Kingdom. The guy you seem to hate, though you deemed him too important for your plans to crush utterly."

Albedo chuckled. She rolled her eyes almost scornfully. "I'd almost forgotten about them. No, neither he nor his ilk are involved in anyway—I cannot tell you the details but their function is not statecraft. At least, not yet. For now, they are merely one of the many strings we use to guide the Kingdom along. Nothing that fool or his group does will ever matter in affairs as important as this."

Zesshi didn't feel convinced, but she let it go. "Oh, well forget him then. What about that Princess you mentioned?"

"That Princess, as I mentioned, holds no real power. Like that Philip, she cannot effect any change by her own self. If she were to attempt it, it would be like trying to steer past a raging maelstrom with only a paddle in hand. This thing is beyond her, and she would be better served continuing her services as a 'tool' if she does not wish to be washed aside by the inevitable roaring tide."

"So this war will really only depend on the leaders of either side getting all stupid."

"If war erupts," Albedo said with a grim smile. Seeing that expression, she knew that war was all but guaranteed.

"When the war does erupt," Zesshi said. "Which side will the Master take?" She could not fathom the infinite wisdom that Ainz possessed, but she still knew that he would act in the best interests of Nazarick, most especially themselves and the babies. So while she could not understand him, she could at least predict where such acts would be of immediate benefit. And so far, siding on any side didn't seem all that beneficial.

"We do not know; none of us do," Albedo said. "But his wisdom is far-reaching as his vision, and his appetite is forever voracious." She cocked her head. "Why do you ask? Do you have some sympathy for either side?"

"Oh, most assuredly not," Zesshi said, raising her brows. "I wouldn't even blink if the Master deigned to strike the Slaine Theocracy." That was the truth. She had no lingering emotions left for the country she left behind. Her whole world now revolved solely around Ainz-sama, and the life she was going to build with him. She knew that after these triplets there would be more and more to come.

"Hum…"

"But I do ask because of the timing. In a way, I want to assist the Master in whatever his endeavors. You understand, don't you?"

Albedo made a face, as if she had been given a difficult question to answer. "I am ever willing to come to the Master's aid. No matter what. But he has… other things in mind for me."

"Yes, yes, I was coming to that," Zesshi said. She looked down at her bump, which had grown to accommodate her healthy, growing triplets. Already she could feel the strain of being weighed down, an absolute rarity for one with her strength. She knew pregnancy would be one of the few foes she could never truly defeat.

If Ainz-sama desired that she bear him children from here on, then she would not protest. But she also wished that she be allowed to act by his side, to serve him in other ways.

"I will destroy His enemies," Zesshi said, with about the same conviction as if she was telling Ainz himself. "And protect our Happiness. Forever and always."

"As will I," Albedo said coldly. "And I am his to use forever."

"If you were to be given a choice by him, which would you prefer?"

"A tool does not wonder," Albedo said with a haughty air. "She merely is, and does. Why should I trouble myself with speculating on what-ifs? I am ever ready for whatever my lord asks. Everything."

In that, she knew she differed from Zesshi. While the Overseer was content to let things happen as her lord desired, Zessi always desired more and more, to be loyal and obedient on her own terms. And that was perhaps the fundamental difference between an "outsider" like her, and Albedo. It was probably inevitable that they clash, being so different in mindsets.

She sighed and allowed her thoughts to spring backward. All this plotting was making her head spin, and that was bad for the triplets. Take things one at a time. Remember your lov.

In her mind, Zesshi wondered what sort of event would lead to this momentous event in history. What would be the spark that would lead to war engulfing these lands once more?

"It will be a lovely show," she said aloud.

---

Chapter commissioned by UltraSpink of Da USA, 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".