The Cost of the New World

The crypt was ever so darker than usual this evening. Even the scuttling of rodents and bugs were quiet, as a foul, unnatural force grew ever stronger within the graveyard's center. Kahjiit focused tightly on the orb he carried in his hand,the soft purple hue growing brighter with each passing second as a cruel grin upturned his aged cheeks, "Soon…very soon…as long as that woman keeps her end of the deal, I should have enough to create another city…"

"You often talk to yourself when you're all alone in dank ol' tombs Kahjy?"

Kahjiit swerved faster than his old body should have been able to, and furrowed his brow at the arrival of Clementine, "Oh…it's you. Have you captured the boy yet?"

Clementine gave a small giggle as she propped her copper gauntlets behind her head to lounge, "Nope!"

Kahjiit stumbled at the response, "Seriously!? Then why are you here! Get out there and get him! Rmmm…what a waste of my time…"

Clementine was still for a second… before she lunged at the old necromancer. The young woman's eyes filled in bloodlust, and her hand clenched tightly around a stiletto blade. But just as her sword was to pierce the old man's heart, the bones of a hand bigger than the two of them erupted from the ground and guarded Kahjiit from the strike.

Clementine's smile never faltered even as she struggled to pierce the massive bones that blocked her path, "Hmmm, you're little glass ball's getting mighty strong Kahjy. The reason I'm here is to let yah know the kid's gonna be gone for another day or so. I'll bring him when the time's right." Clementine's eyes grew somehow more deranged as she continued, "Also, don't go around telling me what to do. It really pisses me off…"

Kahjiit smiled, "Alright…as long as you promise to put down the blade and to not stab me in the back when all's said and done here."

Clementine brought a finger to her cheek to think, "Hmm…" And thought some more, "Hmmm…" And fully contemplated the truce Kahjiit had offered, "Hmmmmm…" Okay…now Kahjiit was getting annoyed, "Okay!" Clementine pulled her stiletto back and began to skip out of the tomb.

The necromancer let out a groan before massaging his forehead, the skeletal hand around him shrinking into the ground once more, "Ugh, crazy bitch."

"This isn't a good idea…no, in fact it's a horrible freaking idea." Peter stated plainly as the group of adventurers peeked into the mouth of the Great Forest of Tob.

"Heh, yee of little faith." Ainz stated, his tone having a twinge of humor within its breath, "The Wise King of the Forest is said to be quite the powerful monster, correct? Me and my companions would very much like to…'meet' this creature."

Nina seemed less than enthused by his response, "Momon…the Wise King of the Forest isn't another ogre or goblin waiting to be slain. It's a beast that has been terrorizing this forest for over two hundred years! I don't think intentionally antagonizing it is the best idea…"

Nabe humphed in annoyance, "Our lord's mind has been made. Do something useful and wait out here to stay out of our way."

As the trio marched their way forward, the Swords of Darkness couldn't help but anxiously wait at the very edge of the thick brush. Lukrut having a particularly sour look on his face, "Well…it was nice knowing them at least."

Ainz walked out of eyeshot and earshot of the adventurers, before letting out a sigh that deflated his heroic stance, "Alright Aura, you can come out now."

As if on cue, the small form of a dark elf child dropped from the tree branches above and somersaulted directly in front of the three heteromorphs with a smile on her face, "Hey Lord Ainz! I wasn't expecting you to come here so early…did I do something wrong?"

Ainz removed his helmet and gave the child a smile full of sharpened teeth, "No, nothing of the sort Aura. I was just curious about the apparent 'Wise King of the Forest' and figured I could pay you a visit."

Aura snapped into a thinking pose, "The Wise King of the Forest…I've heard whispers of the beast, but it didn't really sound all that interesting or strong."

Ainz took a deep breath of the pollen-filled air around him, and let out a sigh, "Aura, you're here to catalog any beast that may be useful to Nazarick. I believe I distinctly told you that what could be considered 'strong' here is quite relative."

Narberal's eyes furrowed as Aura's face filled with a blush of embarrassment, "I guess this proves the saying. Never send a child to do a man's work."

Ainz let out a wisp of air between his lips, "No, no…Aura just misunderstood the assignment is all. Just make sure you catalog 'all' the strong beasts from here on out, okay?" The Supreme Being then looked down the dark mouth of the forest and grinned, "And you can start by bringing the Wise King here for me."

Aura pepped up and gave Ainz a salute, "Aye sir!" With little more than a jolt of a breeze, Aura had shot off deep into the forest, landing harshly on a giant black and gold wolf before riding its powerful form through the trees and greenery. As she zipped in and around the plantlife, dozens of exotic beasts scuttled to her side and gave roars and hisses of approval. Aura listened carefully to her pets, "Oh? So that's where it is. Let's go then…" The beasts growled in approval as they galloped ever so deeper into the heart of the woods.

Ainz stood as still as a statue and allowed the forest's scents and noises to wash over him. Faint chirping from birds, freshly bloomed flowers, a stream that flowed just a mile to the south, all of this might have been trivial to anyone else, but to him…it was beautiful, it was something he would have only imagined back at Japan.

"Hmph!?" Lupusregina shot to her feet, her ears twitching as she picked up on something big and fast heading their way, "It's coming."

Ainz's eyes snapped open, pupils dilating into pinpricks as he did so, "Well then…" The blades from his back were unsheathed with a reverberating twing, "…let's welcome this 'king' with an arrival fit for royalty, shall we?"

The three prepared themselves as trees were tossed aside and ground was flung into the air. A dark figure the size of a carriage smashing its way through its home towards the intruders, before it skidded to a halt, and presented the imposing form of the Wise King of the Forest, "Dare to come into my domain, you have?" It chittered, its eyes and rotund form glowing with magic, "Foolish mistake, it is. For it is the Wise King, you now face!"

Ainz's eyes widened in astonishment at the beast in front of him, so much so, he almost felt his blades slip from his grasp, "I-I don't believe it…" A chuckle escaped his throat, before turning into full blown laughter at the sight in front of him, "A djungarian hamster!? The legendary beast that stalks this forest is a fucking overgrown djungarian hamster!?"

The rodent in question leaned out from the shadows that engulfed its large, fluffy form and glared inquisitively at the red-eyed man with its beady stare, "Familiar with my kind, you are? Mayhaps knowing where others of my kind are, you do!" The hamster's bushy cheeks rose in an adorable, hopeful smile, "Tell me where others of my kind are, you must! If there is a chance I can reproduce and save my species, take it I will!"

Ainz stopped his raucous laughter at the demand, a brow rising as he thought on the beast's words, "Well…I do remember one of my friends having a pet hamster, but it died ages ago. Besides…" Ainz gave the creature a once over as a sweatdrop formed on his brow, " I think your size might have caused some complications with the…conception process."

The giant hamster gave a sad swing of its large green tail at the words, "Saddened, I am. Though, if you believe your courtesy towards me will make me spare your lives, you are mistaken!" The Wise King of the Forest stood tall and bared its teeth as it prepared for battle, "Prepare yourself, I'd advise…"

Ainz clanked one of his swords on the dirt ground with an unamused and almost bored demeanor. Was…was he seriously going to waste his time fighting an oversized rodent? No…absolutely not, "Aura of Despair."

With a simple incantation, a wave of negative energy spread across the forest area, and with jolt, the Wise King of the Forest fell in utter defeat, "Mercy! It seems I have underestimated your might, brave warrior! Spare my life, would you please!?"

Ainz didn't even ponder the plea before he raised a glowing finger to finish off the creature, only to be halted by Narberal's words, "My lord, would it not be beneficial to instead capture this beast? Its notoriety would surely be beneficial in growing our influence."

Ainz hummed at the proposal, "Also…" Lupusregina chimed in, "…he's so fluffy!" The maid squealed as she began furiously petting the rodent.

Ainz felt another sweatdrop form on his brow. Sure the Wise King held some clout, but was he really going to lower himself to buddying up with a fucking hamster of all things for a few extra brownie points?

"…"

"I still can't believe you actually tamed that beast, Mr. Momon. Truly awe-inspiring." Dyne spoke from besides the large rodent, the Swords of Darkness, Ainz and company, as well as Nfirea slowly galloping back to the capital after a successful mission.

"Yeah!" Ninya gushed, the young adventurer staring deep into the hamster's eyes, "Such an old and wizened creature. Oh what power and knowledge must hide behind those deep brown oceans."

Ainz, along with his companions, sat atop the beast and looked down at his newest steed to try and see what the magician spoke of…only to be met with the normal beady eyes of a hamster, "Right…"

"Well I for one am glad we were able to finish the quest when we did. If I'm being honest, the village's new behavior has gotten quite…eccentric since last I harvested the forest herbs." Nfirea noted, his angered glare never once leaving the oblivious samurai, "Enri working with monsters is already weird enough, but mingling with what may be a new faith? It looks an awful lot like Carne village has revolted against the kingdom. I honestly don't know what's gotten into her…"

"Heh, that's why we don't allow women into the Swords of Darkness." Lukrut stated bluntly, "Having a chick would throw off our whole balance as a group and before you know it, we'd be dragged headfirst into civil war over who gets to sleep next to the pretty lady."

Though the ranger was quickly shut up with a hard bonk on the head by his annoyed leader, "Oh please Luk, the only reason we don't let women in our group is because you'd be far too busy ogling them to land your shots correctly." Everyone laughed at that statement, with the lone exception of Ninya.

"Still…" Nfirea continued, "I worry what the royal family would think if they were to find out…"

"Stuff and nonsense my good sir." Ainz spoke, "I'm certain the kingdom wouldn't interpret their actions in such a way to imply rebellion. Besides, I'm sure that this 'Lord Ainz' fellow will protect them from any such harm if it were to befall them." The mage spoke, giving the young man a reaffirming smile from underneath his helm. Though Nfirea didn't take Ainz's words so generously.

"Arrive at the capital, when will we? Tired and weary, my feet grow." The Wise King spoke, earning it a swift kick from Narberal.

The maid chastised the beast with a cold tone, "Pets don't complain when their master is having a conversation. Learn proper etiquette, rat."

Ainz simply sighed at the display. Screw it, he was tired of micromanaging every little action the NPC's made. Besides, he didn't even want to bring the hamster along, now it was his responsibility along with the rest of Nazarick. Ugh, he was feeling tired after this trip. It was…weird. He thought that adventuring, questing, fighting monsters, would fill him with some sense of…I don't know, joy? Happiness? Contentedness? Something…anything…

What did he accomplish by going on this mission, sure on paper he was trying to gather more pertinent info from the upper echelons of the Re-Estize Kingdom, but even he laughed at how blatantly false that lie was. He wanted to play hero. Wasn't that what Isekai adventures were all about? To be sent to a new world, be totally overpowered, and save the day as a knight in shining armor…preferably after picking up a harem.

Ainz laughed to himself underneath his helmet, underneath the bucket he used to hide his infuriatingly perfect face. The only time he was ever truly 'happy' on this quest, was when he ripped those goblins and ogres apart, but he hesitated in telling that truth. Suzuki would have never laughed at bloodshed. Even in the corpse-filled streets of Japan, he always felt a twinge of sadness at the loss of life around him. But then again, he wasn't Suzuki anymore, was he?

Ainz's laugh grew a little louder, gathering the attention of his companions as well as the rest of the troupe. No…he wasn't human anymore…he wasn't…human. He hated that. But even though he hated it so much, he couldn't stop thinking about it! Everytime he was left alone to think, it always came back to this! Fuck! Why couldn't he be happy!? This was supposed to be a new start! Nobody cared about him when he was trapped in Japan! Nobody valued or loved or accepted him before! This was his world! His New World! With new friends! With an army of colorful characters ready to follow his every whim if he so commanded it! All for him! All for the Great Tomb of Nazarick!

So why couldn't he feel happy?

"Whelp, this is it I guess. Shame too, I was really starting to feel something blossom between us three. Wouldn't you agree ladies?" Lukrut chuckled out, earning the scorn of the maids, as well as breaking Ainz out of his trance.

The Supreme Being gave a quick glance of his surroundings, the capital…and it was already night. How long was he trapped with his mind in the clouds? He cleared his throat, "Oh, thank you my friends. It was a wonderful experience to go on this trip with all of you."

Peter gave a charming chuckle and waved off the compliment, "Eh, don't mention it. Besides, we'll meet up at the guild tomorrow anyway to split the reward."

"Bye guys!" Lupusregina cheered with a wave, "See you tomorrow!"

Ainz watched as Peter, Lukrut, and Dyne walked their way opposite of himself, Nfirea and his cart close in tow, "E-excuse me, Mr. Momon?"

Ainz turned to see the embarrassed form of Ninya next to him, a thoughtful expression on the young mage's face, "Yes my friend?"

Ninya thought on his words for a second, before speaking, "That story you told the other night, the one about the friends who conquered together, did you mean what you said…saying how my friends and I reminded you of them? Can we truly be as great as those heroes?"

Ainz laughed, "Ninya…not once have I ever thought otherwise. In fact, I'd be more than happy to help you achieve that dream…together as friends."

Ninya let out a soft smile at those words, "I…I think I'd like that very much Mr. Momon. Thank you, and I think I can speak on behalf of the rest of the Swords of Darkness when I say, 'we look forward to working with you and your friends in the future.'"

Ainz felt a flutter of something in his blackened heart at those words, "As do I. Now you must be off, I'm certain if you're not there to collect your portion of the reward from Nfirea, your comrades will have no trouble in taking it for themselves." Ainz joked lightheartedly. And with little more than a youthful giggle from those words, Ninya was off.

Narberal gave a stretch of her arms as Ainz turned to ride his new mount down the town road, the sight of a samurai riding atop a giant hamster garnering the attention of everyone who was awake at this time of night, "Well then, now that the riff raff is gone, should we settle in for the night?"

Ainz shook his head, "I'm afraid not Narberal, once we get the Wise King registered as a member of our party, as well as collect the reward for the monster ears we've procured, we'll need to meet up with Nfirea once more so that we can discuss some more on our potion agreement."

Lupusregina hummed as she looked at the overgrown hamster, "Are we really gonna just call him the Wise King? Shouldn't we give it a proper name now that it's serving under the Great Tomb?"

The rodent's ears perked at the suggestion, "Wonderful idea, that is! Please my heart, it would, if my lord gave me a new name, he did!"

Ainz thought for a moment, "I suppose you're right. Let me think…Hamtoro? No…Hamskrill? Ugh, no…Hamsandwich?" Fuck…Ainz just remembered…he was absolutely ass at coming up with names.

Nfirea opened the door to his house with a creak, letting the comforting smell of his home wash over him like a relaxing shower, "Just place the herbs wherever guys, I'll go grab the coin."

"Right!" Peter called out, as Lukrut and he carried the large sack of vegetation inside.

Nfirea looked around the old, dark house and hummed in confusion, "Hmm, is Grandma out?" Before skulking his way further into the living room.

That's when the door to the side room opened.

"Ugh, finally!" Nfirea was frozen as a woman covered in copper armor and a black cloak strutted out from within his house. The stranger gave an unnaturally wide smirk as she laid her ruby eyes on Nfirea's still form.

Peter, immediately sensing something was wrong, pulled the young pharmacist behind him as he thrusted his shield out to defend, the rest of his squad readying for battle just as fast as he did, "And just who the hell are-!" Though Peter never got to finish his sentence…and as the leader of the Swords of Darkness felt his decapitated head spin across the room, he bore witness to the rest of his comrades, his friends, getting brutally slaughtered like they were little more than helpless animals, before his head slammed against the wall and the last amount of life in his eyes were extinguished.

That night, was the night the Swords of Darkness died.

"Hence forth, you shall be known as…Hamsuke." Ainz christened the giant hamster.

The newly named Hamsuke smiled wide with its fluffy cheeks, "A good name, it is. Wear it with honor, I shall."

Lupusregina took a second from burying her face into Hamsuke's fur to speak up at the new name, "Sooooo cute! That's an amazing title, Lord Momon! Though it's nowhere near as cool as 'Samurai of the South Wind.'"

Narberal gave a curt nod in agreement, "Indeed."

Ainz couldn't help but sweatdrop at the praise. It really wasn't that clever of a name, "Thank you Nabe, Regina."

"Excuse me." Ainz was interrupted by a particularly elderly voice and turned to face the short old woman who had grabbed his attention, "I couldn't help but eavesdrop just a tad, and I overheard that nice young lady refer to you as the Samurai of the South Wind. You wouldn't happen to be the same samurai my grandson went to meet a few days ago, would you?"

Grandson? Nfirea! "I see, you must be Lizzie Bareare. A pleasure." Ainz gave a bow, much to the older woman's embarrassment, "I was actually on my way to meet your grandson to talk about a new business possibility we discussed earlier today."

Lizzie's eyes sparkled at the explanation, "Oh? What a coincidence, I was just on my way back from shopping for a few ingredients." She held up a box of various spices and plants to emphasize her point, "Perhaps a strong young man like yourself could afford to escort an old woman like me to my shop, seeing as we're heading in the same direction."

Ainz shrugged his shoulder guards, "I don't see why not. Come Hamsuke!" The samurai jumped onto the fluffy back of his steed before hoisting Lizzie Bareare on Hamsuke behind him.

Lizzie looked a tad uneasy as the giant hamster trotted along the road, Lupusregina and Narberal following close behind with impressive speed, "Uhm…are you sure this is alright? This beast seems mighty powerful…and fast for an old woman like me…"

Hamsuke turned towards Lizzie and gave a cheeky smile, "Careful, I will be! Lord Momon's friend, you are! Hamsuke will be extra safe, I promise!"

Lizzie's weathered eyes blinked for a second at having the beast she was riding turn to speak to her, "Huh, it can talk…neat…"

"Mr. Bareare!? Hello!? Anybody home!?" Ainz called out, only for silence to be the response.

"Hmm." Lizzie hummed to herself, "Maybe he's out or something?"

"Not likely." Narberal replied, before pointing towards the still half-full carriage, "They're still in the middle of unloading the herbs."

Lupusregina hopped up to the door before giving it a knock, "Hellooo! Anybody there!?" Though her knocking only served to open the unlocked door fully, showing the dark and foreboding interior.

Ainz dismounted his newest companion and stomped his way indoors, every instinct in his mind telling him that something was terribly wrong here, "Peter, Dyne, Ninya?" Ainz paused for a second, "Maybe Lukrut?" No response. Something was really wrong here…

A bang came from the door to his right. Ainz immediately unsheathed his swords. Another bang. Lupusregina and Narberal prepared themselves for battle. The door burst open, and three snarling, gagging zombies stumbled out with rotten teeth gnashing, and slothing skin peeling.

Lizzie screamed in terror at the sight of the monsters…only for the undead to be quickly dispatched with a swift strike of Ainz's sword. The elderly woman stammered to herself as the decapitated bodies fell to the floor, "Wha-whe-how did they-!" Her eyes bulged in fear, "Nfirea…Nfirea!" Before she ran as fast as she could into the other room in search of her grandson. Meanwhile, Ainz couldn't help but stare intently at the rotten faces of the three zombies. Even with emancipated flesh and rictus grins, he could tell…they were the Swords of Darkness…well, all except for one. Where was Ninya? "AAAAH!"

Ainz marched into the next room, the scream from Lizzie Bareare fresh in the air, "Mrs. Bareare, what's-! Oh…" Ainz froze in place as his crimson eyes laid onto the mutilated corpse of the last member of the Swords of Darkness. Lizzie stammered as she scurried away from the body towards Ainz's protective stance, as the King of Nazarick felt a cold needle rest itself into his blackened heart, "I…guess you're gone…"

Lupusregina and Narberal had calmed down Lizzie some time ago, using their natural charm and wit to distract the older woman from the zombie corpses and the mutilated adventurer and instead have her focus on the loss of her grandson…but Ainz didn't care. The ruler of Nazarick lowered himself and stared blankly at the bloodied body in front of him, the echoes of the Swords of Darkness's words reverberating in his mind…

"Having a chick would throw off our whole balance as a group…"

Ainz didn't blink as he observed the bandages that tightly hugged Ninya's chest…concealing the fact that the adventurer was indeed a woman. Though even that was hard to deduce from the state she was left in. Whoever had killed her…they didn't do it quickly, they enjoyed it, savored it. Fuck…even the unfeeling heart of Ainz Ooal Gown seized at the sight. The horrors she would have gone through…unimaginable.

"T-that's all I can remember! Please, y-you must save my grandson!" Lizzie cried out in despair.

Lupusregina did her best to comfort the old lass, "Don't worry gramps, Lord Momon is the strongest around! He'll find Nfirea in no time!"

"No." Ainz stated plainly, slowly standing from his kneeling position, "Regina, Nabe, let's head out, we have other jobs that need completing."

Lizzie was at a loss for words, and with no hesitation from his maids, Ainz's companions readied themselves to leave, "W-wait!" Ainz halted in his place, though he didn't even bother turning to face her, instead allowing the beautiful rays of the full moon to bounce from his armor, "How can you do this!? Aren't these corpses your friends!? Don't you want to find the culprit and get revenge for what they did!?"

Ainz lazily turned, his crimson cape swaying in the wind and his snarling samurai helm sneering at the old woman, "My…friends?" Flashes of faces from Yggdrasil skittered into his mind, "Hardly, they were little more than co-workers, business partners, fodder, uselessexpendableunlovableforgettablebetrayingyouleftmeyouleftallofusI'llneverforgiveyouI'llneverforgetyouyouweremyeverythingandyou'regoneIpromisedI'dbetherewithyousowhydidyouleaveIhateyouIhateyouIloveyouIhateyouImissyouI̶̮̪̍͂h̸̠͈͒ã̷̢̯́ț̶̓e̶̲̥̐y̴̫͆o̶̜̟̎ȕ̵͕!"

Lizzie stood silent for a few seconds, before using her pinky to clean out her ear, "Uh…sorry I didn't quite catch that last part."

Ainz was as still as the bodies on the ground, "What I meant to say is that saying that we're 'friends' is highly mischaracterizing of our relationship."

Lizzie sweatdropped at the admission, if she couldn't guilt trip the warrior to go rescue her grandson…then she'd have to speak the only language these guild-types knew, money, "Then I'll hire you!" Ainz tilted his helmet at the words, Lizzie gave a coy smile, "Oh caught your attention now haven't I? If you rescue Nfirea, I'll pay you any amount you want!"

Ainz felt a mysterious sense of…hate?…boil in his blackened veins, "Anything? Hmm…well, the person who killed my co-workers is rather skilled with a blade. It would be a huge risk for me and my companions if we undertook this job, and thus…the price will be rather unfortunate."

Lizzie felt frustration burn in her mind at the back and forth she was having with the warrior, "I don't care about the price! Just get out there and save my grandson!"

Ainz thought for a moment, "Fine then…" Before raising his gauntlets out to the sides like a showman, "In that case I'll take all of it!"

Lizzie blinked in confusion, "All of it? All of what?"

"All of it…" Ainz said, his tone taking a completely frigid edge as he spat through serrated teeth, "Every coin, every herb, every spice, every potion you have brewed, every fucking splinter that makes up this shop, all of it!"

Lizzie stumbled back as the height difference between the two grew ever more apparent as he stalked towards her helpless form, "Y-you would make me homeless, you w-would take everything from this frail old lady."

Ainz let out a cackle, the noise of which sent a shiver up even the Pleiades' spines, "I'm sorry…I thought you said I could name my price. Surely your only grandson's life is more important than some shabby old shack and a few revolting potions, right?" Ainz leaned over Lizzie with a wide grin hidden underneath his helm.

Lizzie, even through her fear, remained defiant against the samurai, "Y-you're a monster!"

Ainz stopped…then he chuckled…then he broke into full blown laughter…then the shadows on the walls joined in raucous joy. A chorus of uncontrollable laughter rang throughout as Ainz slammed a fist into his helm, then another one, and another. Every punch landed sent the shadows into even louder ecstasy as Ainz's helm dented and bent to the point that his head must have been squished into paste…

Then the helmet exploded, and the shadows were suddenly silent.

Ainz took a deep breath of the crips night air, before lowering his blazing crimson eyes onto the cowering form of Lizzie Bareare, his mouth contorting into a bladed smile too big for his face, his oil-like hair sprouting fangs as it slithered around his scalp, "A monster? No…nonononono…I am so much more than a simple monster. I am your horrors made manifest. I am the bump in the night. The thing under your bed. The lump under your skin. The wickedness of the undead." Lizzie backed away from the being in front of her as the world around her dimmed, leaving the only light in her life as the two crimson irises that stared back at her. Ainz landed a foot down onto Lukrut's chest, and caved in the corpse's torso with his weight, splattering toxic blood over his greave, "I'm the terror of the unknown. The bottomlessness of the sea. The stranger next door. The future you can't see. I am no monster. When I made this avatar I was not so constricting in my vision. I am no vampire, no demon, no slime, no ghost, no beast! I am fear!"

Lizzie felt her whole world cave around her, the only people in the universe, within that one moment, was him and her, falling into an endless abyss, "F-f-fear…" She saw it, all of it, the end of life, the beginning of it, the darkness that consumes everything, the unfathomableness of existence, the cries of a newborn, the death rattles of the old, the stars collapsing, the universe imploding…

And she was powerless to stop any of it.

Ainz's smile grew impossibly wider as his eyes seemingly grew in his sockets, "Fear…I am fear. And if you ever want to see your grandson again, if you ever want to escape the fear of dying all alone in this empty shop, then you will give me everything. Everything…all for me, all for the Great Tomb of Nazarick!"

Lizzie stared, terrified, into the atrocities' eyes. She felt so small, so incomprehensibly insignificant, and through chittering teeth and horrified tears, she spoke, "O-okay…take it all. A-all for y-you, all f-for the Great Tomb…"

And with that, the world returned to normal, like it had never changed in the first place. Ainz gave an exaggerated bow, his helmet somehow untouched and on his head once more, "Pleasure doing business with you Mrs. Bareare, rest assured, I'll bring your precious grandson back in no time. Now…" Ainz picked up the pharmacist with one arm before turning around and tossing her out of the shop as if she were trash, "…get the fuck out of my potions shop." Slamming the door shut behind her with a bang, leaving her all alone and afraid in the dark.