A New Day In The Great Tomb

Ainz sifted through the stack of papers on his desk and tapped his foot as he looked through the report he was given…that was…if he could fucking read it. Look, he knew he wasn't the smartest banana in the bunch, but he was pretty sure he knew how to freaking read. Which meant that either his avatar had never been programmed with the skill, which would be just plain stupid, or he was trying to make sense of an entirely foreign language. Ainz gave a sigh as he summoned his Rune Glass once more in order to actually read the report he was given. Usually the Rune Glass was used to decipher and identify runes and magical writing, but he found that it also worked great to translate languages.

"Is there anything you need of me, Lord Ainz?" Narberal spoke from besides the mage, her face as cold and as emotionless as ever.

Ainz took a sip from his ornate wine glass and chuckled, "Nothing right now Narberal, but I'll let you know if something comes up."

Narberal bowed out of respect as Ainz shifted through the papers. Let's see…looks like all the damage done to the tomb from our relocation has been fixed up, good, good. Ainz grabbed another page and read through it. Hmm, looks like there was a minor dispute with the homunculus maids over…a strand of my hair!? Ainz pursed his lips at the parchment, before slowly moving to another page. Ah, interrogation reports on the Sunlight Scripture members. Ainz read through what felt like hundreds of papers, marking down any irregularities or inconsistencies as he went. Most of them were about useless stuff, like what meals should be served on each day, who should scout the surrounding area around the tomb during the day, etc. before he handed them off to Narberal Gamma to log.

Ainz wasn't unfamiliar with this kind of mundane work, back when he worked as a salaryman he'd often spend days mindlessly slogging through paperwork and logging mountains of useless information. That wasn't even mentioning the fact that for the past few years he'd been almost single-handedly keeping Nazarick running through grinding away at dungeons. That's to say, useless fucking paperwork came naturally to someone like him…

Ainz took another sip from his wine glass…before looking at the wine curiously. Narberal picked up on this and stepped in to assist out of instinct, "Is something wrong with your drink, my lord?"

Ainz smacked his lips as he contemplated the flavor, took another sip from the glass, before giving a slight frown, "Is this the best wine we have within the tomb?"

Narberal nodded her head instantly at the question, "Yes sir, we had it specially picked for your enjoyment. Is it not to your liking?"

Ainz hummed in contemplation as he swirled the red liquid within the cup, "I suppose I'm not as much of a wine enjoyer as I thought." Ainz stated, before handing the glass to the maid. He'd never really divulged in alcohol all that much back in Japan. I mean, sure he hung out with his coworkers at some of the cheaper bars after their brutally long shifts to alleviate some of the stress, but he'd only really indulged in sake every once and a while. This was the first time he'd ever tasted such high class wine…and he found he wasn't the biggest fan.

That didn't matter right now though, he had a mountain of paperwork and reports to go through, and he couldn't get distracted by wine tastes of all things. Alright…Cocytus requesting more NPCs to help clear some of the snow to make a path on the Fifth floor, approved…Mare asking for he and his sister to spend some more time with the other Floor Guardians, adorable, approved…complaints from some of the female denizens that Kyouhukou has been trying to crawl up their legs…he'd have to check on that later. Workplace harassment should never be overlooked. Shalltear complaining about the lack of fresh blood she and her Vampire Brides are receiving, he'd just have Neuronist Painkill siphon some blood from the Sunlight Scripture prisoners to send to her. Ainz hummed in thought as he continued to mark down on the parchments from the stack. Demiurge requesting more art tools for recreational activities, huh, oddly wholesome of him, approved…Victim wanting to fucking die. What else is new? Denied…another request from Demiurge to start production on recreating magic scroll parchment…

Wait…magic scrolls weren't reobtainable? The Supreme Being furrowed his brow at this new information. Magic Scrolls were an essential part of any player's build, able to hold powerful spells without the need of using extra magic, and unlike the Sealing Crystals, which were mostly used to hold powerful summons, Magic Scrolls were super cheap to make. But if Nazarick wasn't able to craft anymore of them…that was really freaking bad.

"Narberal." The maid stood at attention as Ainz rose from his chair and summoned the staff of Ainz Ooal Gown to his hand, "Contact Albedo and have her handle the paperwork while I'm gone, I have to meet with Demiurge immediately."

Narberal bowed at the order, "Of course, my lord. When do you think you will be back?"

Ainz summoned a portal to the side before sighing at the question, "Hopefully not too long, expect me back within the hour." Then he stepped through the portal.

Demiurge's smirk widened as he made his way back to his room. He'd just completed his daily patrol of the Seventh Floor and was absolutely ecstatic at how well his thralls had done to optimize the floor's defenses and offenses since they've entered this new world. Surely Lord Momo-Lord Ainz would be equally ecstatic to read his report on such a development.

The demon exited the lava hellscape that was the Seventh Floor of Nazarick and into his lavishly decorated temple…or at least it would be lavishly decorated, if not for the massive half-smashed marble columns that littered the grounds. The roof of the temple had a massive hole punched through as statues depicting various divine figures were seemingly thrown violently out of their seats within the holy ground.

Demiurge was instantly greeted by a raven-headed demon who graciously gifted him logs and status updates from his more…personal projects, "Thank you Envy, that will be all. Return to your post and leave me undisturbed for the rest of the evening." The Evil Lord bowed her raven head, before immediately leaving through the temple's entrance. Demiurge strode up to his marble throne and took a seat, instantly opening up his logs and humming an unnerving tune as he went through the papers.

Though, just as the Arch-Devil was getting comfortable within his godforsaken temple, A portal opened up to his right. Demiurge's glasses snapped like a hawk towards the portal, only for his glare to soften when he saw Ainz Ooal Gown himself step through the portal, "Demiurge, good you're here."

The demon immediately jumped to one knee before his master, "Is something the matter lord? You seem rather…tense." True to his description, Ainz's brow was furrowed, and his gaze intense. It was clear that something had deeply troubled the Supreme Being.

Ainz tapped his staff, "I read your report, Demiurge. About the Magic Scrolls."

Demiurge rose with a look of understanding from the words, "Ah yes, the process that we used in Yggdrasil to make Magic Scrolls seems to be completely ineffective here. From what I've observed, only the scrolls we made before our transfer are usable."

Ainz sneered at the news. This was exactly what he didn't want to hear. He knew that they had a variable mountain of the Magic Scrolls stuffed away within inventories and chests and the like, but he also knew that scrolls tended to run out fast if used liberally. And without a way to refill the numbers of scrolls…fuck!

Ainz turned towards his Floor Guardian with his frustration barely contained under his more professional exterior, "Surely there has to be a way to recreate the scrolls. Have you tested to see if there are alternative ways to create them?"

Demiurge's smirk widened into a cruel smile. Uh oh, "I'm so glad you asked my lord! As soon as I realized the situation with the scrolls I immediately began experimenting to see whether different inks and/or parchments might produce a different result!"

Ainz knew better than to be optimistic at an Arch-Devil's excited tone, "And?"

Demiurge swung out his arms and gave a wag of his armored tail, "What I found through rigorous testing, is that parchment made from the skins of certain animals tended to produce Magic Scrolls able to cast spells up to the Second-Tier of magic, with one species in particular being able to produce scrolls up to the Third-Tier!"

Ainz let out an internal sigh at those words. At least Nazarick wasn't completely out of luck, even if they were only able to make Third-Tier scrolls, "That's incredible Demiurge, for a second I thought we were completely screwed. At least there's some good news in all this."

Demiurge bowed at those words, "Of course my lord! You'd be surprised just how many scrolls you can make from one human adult. That's not even mentioning the amount we can create when we use healing magic to regrow their hides."

…

Ainz's right eyelid twitched, "Do you mind…repeating that for me, Demiurge?" He spoke through gritted teeth.

Demiurge halted for a second at his lord's expression, before clearing his throat to repeat his words, "The human skin, my lord. From what I found, it's the only way so far that we've been able to recreate Third-Tier scrolls. If I were to guess, I'd say that it has something to do with the soul. Humans do have pretty vibrant souls after all."

Ainz tapped his staff slowly, then faster, then even faster. Human skin? Human skin!? Ainz thumped his staff on the floor a couple times before bringing his other hand up to his face in sheer disbelief. Human skin…was being used…to make Magic Scrolls…

He had to put an end to this.

"Demiurge." The demon stood at attention as Ainz turned towards him with a wide smile, "I think I'll have someone else take over the scroll making for here on out, okay?"

Demiurge tilted his head in confusion and a hint of disappointment, "My lord…was it something I did?"

Ainz immediately shook his hand no. The Master of Nazarick not wanting to make what was essentially his nephew disappointed or feel bad, "No! No, no, no, no, no, no, no! It's just-! Well you see I-! Actually there's-!" Ainz smacked his palm in his face again, this time out of irritation. Dammit! He had an image of a fearsome dark lord to keep up! If he told Demiurge that he wanted him to stop with the Magic Scroll skinning fiasco without a proper reason, then that would just undermine his whole tall, dark, and scary facade he had going on!

Demiurge waited patiently for his lord's response, but grew rather concerned when Ainz hadn't spoken in the last few minutes, "Lord Ainz, why exactly do you want me off this project again?"

The Supreme Being was snapped back to reality and gave a contemplative moment to gather his thoughts, "Well, you see Demiurge…" Then, lightning struck in the mages mind, giving Ainz the biggest grin he'd had all day, "You see Demiurge, there's actually a much more pressing project that I would like you to head."

Demiurge gave an interested hum at that, "I'm listening."

Ainz continued, pacing across the temple as he did so, "I've come to the conclusion, Demiurge, that humans on this planet are dreadfully weak. They are nowhere near the threat they once were in Yggdrasil. They are dumb, slow, feeble little things that gawk at any magic above the Third-Tier. That is to say, quite useless in the grand scheme of things."

Demiurge followed his lord out of the building and overlooking the molten hellscape, "My observations have led me to the same conclusion. While some humans are certainly stronger than others, all of them are laughable compared to the human warriors in Yggdrasil."

Ainz nodded his head, "Yes, and that is why I need you to find a way to make them stronger."

There was silence for a moment, before Demiurge turned to Ainz with a look of pure confusion, "Make them stronger…whatever for?"

Ainz closed his eyes and meditated on his reasoning, "Because…Nazarick is filled with monsters, undead hordes, eldritch abominations, and all the things that go bump in the night. All things that humans are utterly terrified of." Ainz took a step forward and raised his arms towards the magma that flowed in the distance, "Imagine, an elite guard of human soldiers, augmented to physical perfection, given training by the most powerful of beings, loyal to only Nazarick and its denizens." Ainz then gave his subordinate a side-eyed smirk, "And imagine…how the people of the New World will see these soldiers, these heroes…"

Demiurge's eyes widened, as did his grin. His lord…yes, humans would never accept monsters and horrors to rule them, but perhaps superhumans loyal completely to Nazarick could soften the blow…for when Nazarick began its quest for world domination! Demiurge bowed for the final time that day, "My lord, it would be my utmost honor to overhead this project. To create new warriors for the Great Tomb…and to further your ambitions at the same time…it's truly the greatest of pleasures to see your brilliant mind at work!"

Ainz rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. Well…he didn't know anything about furthering ambitions or anything like that, but he was just happy Demiurge was so excited to help with his project of making the denizens of Nazarick like humans a little bit more, "Glad to hear it Demiurge. I'll give the Magic Scroll project to another NPC so that you can focus entirely on the superhuman project. I'll contact you in a week to see how progress is going, okay?"

Demiurge gave a curt nod of his head, "Absolutely my lord! I'll have an entire battalion ready for you before you can say 'Supreme Being!'" Demiurge then brought his hand to his chin as his smarmy smirk made its way back onto his face, "I wonder…just how far can one push human anatomy before they could be considered…inhuman? Well, I suppose there's only one way to find out."

Ainz wasn't that enthused by his subordinate's cruel chuckles, but as long as he wasn't needlessly torturing and flaying humans, he was happy, "Just make sure to breed happy thoughts within these new humans, we don't want them betraying Nazarick as soon as we're done training them after all." Ainz smiled before tapping his staff, and teleporting off the floor.

Demiurge looked off towards the magma and sulfur-filled hellscape and smiled. A task given to him by the last of the Supreme Beings, what an honor! He had to work quickly, he should start by implanting some extra organs within the bodies…hmm, he'd need some more humans to experiment on. Perhaps he should implement a breeding program for the humans Ainz had captured to get him the numbers he needed? That way he could start the indoctrination early too! Oh how giddy he felt, his mind swirling with all the new ideas he had of completing his lords assignment. Positively fucking giddy…

Ainz reappeared within his office with a small smirk on his face. Now that he'd gotten Demiurge to focus on his other project, he could finally pass on the whole Magic Scroll issue to someone less…psychopathic. After all, human experimentation seemed right up the Arch-Devil's alley.

"Welcome back, Lord Ainz. How was your meeting with the Master of Nazarick's Defense?" Ainz's gaze fell on the happy face of Albedo, the succubus having already stormed through a quarter of the paperwork from just the short time he was out.

Ainz gave the demon a smile before allowing the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown to float back to its pedestal, "Thank you for taking over for me while I was out Albedo. I was able to work things out with Demiurge without too much issue."

Albedo's smile widened, "I'm happy to hear that, my lord. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to help correct our misdeeds, we are truly unworthy of your compassion and grace."

Ainz gave a nervous laugh at that, "It's nothing Albedo, Nazarick is only as strong as its weakest link after all. Taking time from going through all that borin-I mean essential paperwork to better the Great Tomb's residents is no issue to me." Ainz moved and sat back down in his chair with Albedo moving to the side of him, "Thank you Albedo, you may return to your room for the evening."

Albedo tilted her head at the order, "My room, sir?"

Ainz wrote down a scribble on a parchment as he began working again, "Yes, you've worked really hard the past couple of days, resting the body and mind is very important after a hard day's work."

Albedo didn't look any less confused, "Yes I agree. It's just…I don't have a room."

Ainz stopped his scribbling at that, before slowly turning towards the succubus, "Then…where do you sleep?"

Immediately a blush covered Abedo's face as a nervous look appeared in her eyes, "Oh you know…nowhere important. It's just, Lord Tabula never thought it necessary to give me my own quarters."

Ainz facepalmed at the explanation. Tabula…for someone so hardworking and intricate in everything he did, he really did forget the simplest things sometimes. Then again…how could he have known that his creations would come alive later down the line? Ainz went back to scribbling on the parchments, "I'll have one of the maids set up a room for you Albedo, if anyone deserves living quarters, it's you."

Albedo blushed at those words, "Lord Ainz…you flatter me. I promise to use this gift to its fullest!"

Ainz pursed his lips at the NPC, "It's just a room Albedo. No need to get all worked up over something so small." The Supreme Being then halted his movements as he suddenly remembered something important, "By the way Albedo, I'll be leaving Nazarick here in a few days on a solo expedition to learn a tad bit more about the New World. If you could handle the administrative side of things while I'm away, I'd very much appreciate it."

There was silence for a moment, Ainz scribbled more onto the reports as Albedo's face contorted into an indescribable expression, before the succubus slammed into Ainz and pinned him to the floor. Ainz and Narberal were completely caught off guard by the sudden attack, but were even more shocked when Albedo began shaking the Supreme Being violently, "Going out into the New World alone!? Are you mad!? Are you trying to get yourself killed!? What would I do if you were to die while out there, huh!?"

Ainz hadn't expected the Guardian Overseer to take this news very well, but he never expected her to attack him over it! Ainz did his best to say something as his head and oily-black locks whipped around from Albedo's attack, "Albedo, please! Stop this instance!"

As if she was let free from a spirit's hold on her mind, Albedo immediately stopped her rash action, before an expression of pure regret and dread washed over her. She bolted off of the mage and slammed to the floor in a bow so hard, the room shook, "My lord, I am so sorry! I don't know what came over me!"

Ainz rose to his feet with a little help of Narberal, "It's…fine Albedo." No, it wasn't fine. None of the other NPCs had ever reacted so violently before. Having something as strong as a level one-hundred tank pin him to the ground was…terrifying. He didn't think that the succubus would be so volatile. Did this have something to do with the changes he made to her code? Ainz straightened out his cape and tried to keep his air of professionalism around him, "I understood you'd have some harsh reactions to this decision-!"

"But going out by yourself!?" Albedo interrupted, her yellow eyes wide and maniacal, "You are the last of the Supreme Beings! If anything were ever to happen to you, Nazarick would be left without a purpose! I would be left without a purpose…"

Ainz's eyes softened at the words, "Albedo, we must discover more about this world other than just the fields around the tomb. A large force would bring far too much attention, and most of the denizens of Nazarick are too inhuman to pass as normal civilians. No, I am one of the only people within the tomb that is uniquely qualified for this task."

Albedo looked like she was going to have a panic attack at those words, "I-I understand…no…can't let you…I love y-you Lord Ainz…Gah!" Albedo jumped to her feet with a look of pure hate in her eyes, "Going alone is suicide! We haven't the faintest fucking clue what is out there! Do you think that just because you ripped a few measly humans apart that there is no threat to you in this world!? Foolish!" Albedo placed her hands over her heart as a saddened look overtook her features, "You…you aren't the same man that led us while we were in Yggdrasil. Making rash decisions, helping humans, speaking to the denizens as if we're equals when you never did so before!"

Ainz felt a twinge of fear in the back of his mind, clearly he didn't understand the lengths the NPCs had remembered Yggdrasil, "Albedo-!"

Again he was cut off, Albedo speaking as though she were a mother chastising her son, "No! I refuse to let the last of the Supreme Beings die for what comes down to a childish impulse to go adventuring-!"

Albedo stumbled over her words as Ainz's eyes within his skull, as well as the ones within his chest plate grew impossibly bright, his face contorting and stretching in rage, "S̴̼̾i̵̮̍l̷̯͆ê̸̟ṉ̵͝c̴̄͜ȩ̷́!̵̼͑" He felt his chest heave under his chest piece, his skin bristled in preparation for battle, and a line of black tar rolling down from his snarl. Albedo physically took a step back as Ainz stomped forward, hands tightening into fists, "Who was the one who led the charge whenever Nazarick was under threat!? Who was there for you when everyone else abandoned us!? Who was the one that created and governed the very tomb you call home!?" Albedo tried to stammer out an answer, but wasn't quick enough before Ainz spoke once more, "Me! You think to undermine 'my' orders because of some sense of misfounded paranoia!? Absurd!" Ainz slammed his fist down on his desk with enough force to splinter the entire thing. Report papers flew everywhere, adding to his growing frustration as more black liquid poured from his face, "Everything I have ever done has been for the Great Tomb of Nazarick, has been for Ainz Ooal Gown! To think that I'd try and take on this mission for my own pleasure, is the height of arrogance!" Ainz snapped his fingers hard enough to cause the door of the office to wobble from the shockwave, the desk he just obliterated reforming back into its original form, "I will be taking the mission alone, and that is final!"

There was silence after that. Albedo fell to the ground as the heaving, slightly larger, hulking form of Ainz stood over her, "My lord?" Ainz snapped his eyes towards the only other person in the room, as a visually nervous Narberal gave a bow, "If it pleases both you and Lady Albedo, I would be more than willing to accompany you on this quest as a bodyguard. I can easily blend in with humanfolk, and I am more than capable of holding my own in a fight." Narberal flinched at the look Ainz gave her. The maid felt like a small girl that was being stared down by her angry father, "I-if that is acceptable, my lord…"

Noone dared to speak as Ainz contemplated the thought, before Ainz's form shrank back to its normal size, "That…will suffice." The mage looked down at Albedo, her face hidden from view as a wave of newfound guilt washed over him, "A-Albedo, I'm…" He hesitated, no amount of words could fix his actions today, "I'll be in my room for the rest of the evening…I don't want to be disturbed."

And with that, Ainz disappeared from the room.

Immediately after his departure, Narberal ran to Albedo's side and helped the Guardian Overseer to her feet, "Lady Albedo, are you alright?"

Albedo didn't respond immediately, instead only giving a soft chuckle as her lips stretched into an unnatural grin. The Guardian Overseer broke into a full blown cackle as a look of confusion filled Narberal's face, "There it was! The God of the Night! He's still there, in all his horrifying glory!" A blush spread across Albedo's face as she completely ignored the maid as she continued to laugh, "Oh Lord Ainz! Even if you have forgotten who you are after the Great Tomb's relocation, I will be more than happy to help you remember!"

Narberal held her tongue as Albedo mumbled and squirmed in some messed up sense of euphoria, the maids mind inevitably wandering to the idea of joining her lord on his most important quest. Narberal smiled, it was such a gift that she'd be the one to serve Lord Ainz on his journey, she couldn't wait to tell the other Pleiades about this.

Ainz reappeared in his room, standing completely still for a good while, before grabbing the nightstand beside his bed and chucking it at the wall. The nightstand exploded in splinters as a boom resounded with the room. Ainz's breathing grew sporadic, the Supreme Being trying desperately to keep his anger from growing out of control…he failed.

Ainz gripped the sides of his head as a mix between a smile and a snarl etched itself on his face. Fuck…fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck! Fuck! Fuck! He promised himself he wouldn't do this! He told himself he would rule through compassion and care! Not fear! Dammit!

Ainz felt the typhoon of magic within his body swell, red and dark blue sparks swirling around his form as he swiped his hand, and tore a deep gash into the wall. The next few moments were fueled by blind hate, and an even more intense sense of self-loathing. He'd let his emotions get the better of him, treating Albedo like that…he knew better than to do that, he knew better.

The mage felt oily black spew from his eyes and mouth as his body swelled once more, his skin barely containing the writhing mass of blackness that pulsed through his veins. By the time he had regained lucidity, his room was completely trashed. Feathers from ornate pillows floating gently to the ground, pictures lovingly painted torn to shreds, fantastic architecture ruined. It looked as though a vengeful hurricane had decided to barrel through the room, and when Ainz looked at what he had done, he was overwhelmed with a deep sense of sadness.

The Supreme Being fell back onto the scorched remains of his bed and let out a breath, black tears flowing from his dim red eyes. He promised not to rule through fear…he shouldn't have lost his temper like that. Albedo…Albedo must hate him…

Ainz curled further into his ruined bed and took a deep shaky breath, the faint smell of lavender and flowers filling his nostrils. Perfume? Had the maids put perfume on his bed? Was that a normal thing that higher society types did? Nevertheless, Ainz found a semblance of comfort within the smell, as his self-loathing slowly left his mind. He'd have to make it up to Albedo somehow, maybe with a gift? He'd also have to catch Narberal up on the duties she'd have to take if they were to adventure together…

And as Ainz contemplated the events that were no doubt about to unfold, his mind slowly wandered off towards the land of dreams, and the Supreme Being of Nazarick went to sleep surrounded by the scorched wreckage that was his room.