"Remedios I love you too, but- there is something I need to tell you," Ainz began. He found it odd that Remedios had reciprocated his feelings- it was like she was a new person now. Then again, she was a lady reborn, both literally and figuratively. People did have major personality changes after suffering through traumatic events, and technically Remdios had gone through the most traumatic of them all- laterally dying. It was not so strange, now that he considered it, that she would have a new outlook on life after that.

Of course, that meant that he couldn't keep his secret a secret any longer- it had to come out at one point, and if he didn't do it soon Remedios would resent him for hiding it for too long.

But before he could tell her what it was, his summoned monster then began barking as it got up.

Boss! The enemy's coming!

Why didn't this mutt tell him that earlier instead of asking for belly rubs? "Stupid dog, you made me look bad! You should've told me that way earlier!" Ainz said as he set Remedios gently down on the floor. He needed to prepare- half of a magic caster's strength came from proper prep time!

Well, it was hardly any use scolding it- as a summon, it had done everything to the best of its ability. He dismissed it as he readied himself for battle.

"Don't worry... I'm sure you'll get through it, my love," Remedios said. "The bonds of friendship you carry, both from the past and those in the present- they'll give you the strength to win."

Remedios was sure of it. With the power of love, friendship, and justice on his side- Ainz would definitely prevail. Well, there was also the matter of him having dark magical powers beyond her comprehension- but the powers of love, truth, friendship, and justice would be what clinched his victory!

As for Ainz, he tried to concentrate on preparing, even as he noticed that Remedios's outfit was now... deficient in certain areas revealing a bit more than what the paladin likely would've wanted. No! He had to focus on fighting, and that started with buffing himself!

[Greater Hardening]

[Penetrate Up]

"Yes. We had fun with the game because you were our guild master, Momonga-san... I hope that when we meet again, it'll be in YGGDRASIL II." Herohero had told him that before he had logged off. This might not be Yggdrasil II, but he wasn't going to let his new friends down! He would create a place that would let them cultivate sweet memories once more.

And yes, someone was approaching them from outside. Ainz could feel it, even if they had taken measures to hide their Undead reaction from him, it was as if he could sense the negative energy coming from them.

"If they make it to this point, let's give the heroes a grand welcome. There's a lot of players saying we're evil and whatnot, so why not wait for them majestically inside like final bosses?" Ulbert's words echoed- yes, Ainz would give this enemy the 'final boss' treatment that none of the guild members of Ainz Ooal Gown ever could, because no one had made it that far. In a way, their dungeon design, though impeccable, was the epitome of 'suffering from success' in that it was too good and it had never let them have the all-out cataclysmic battle they had so much desired.

[Ward Against Evil]

[Magic Ward- Holy]

[Bless of Magic Caster]

[Body of Effulgent Beryl]

"What should we do?" Neia asked. Ainz could hear the panic in her voice, because she had no hope fighting an enemy that could one-shot Remedios.

"Those who do not save the weak cannot call themselves strong." Touch Me had said that. It was time for Ainz to prove his strength to them! "There's no need to worry, Neia, I will handle things from here."

[Body of Effulgent Aquamarine]

[Body of Effulgent Heliodore]

[Fake Data: Life]

[Fake Data: Mana]

"I say that if we're all going to die, to commemorate the time we spent together, we should have a giant org-" Dantallion began.

[Sealed Triplet Maximize Magic: Magic Arrow]

[Greater Full Potential]

[Maximize Defense]

[Indomitability]

[Shield of the Wicked]

It was time for a PvP. Only this time, for Ainz- it was personal! As he thought of his friends from the guild and all the time they had spent perfecting their PvP skills, the motto of Ainz Ooal Gown came to him- "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

[Freedom]

[See Through]

[Sensory Boost]

[Mantle of Chaos]

[Sealed Triplet Maximize Magic: Magic Mine]

A fire had been lit in Ainz's nonexistent stomach. It was do or die here, because if he didn't fight, his friends were going to die. It was time to show this so-called 'Death Emperor' who the real ruler of the undead was!

[Draconic Power]

[Greater Luck]

[Heavenly Aura]

[Absorption]

[Greater Magic Shield]

"It's Overlordin' time!" Ainz said.