“Y-yez! An’ you, Lord Ainz Ooal Gown, are the proof of thad!”
Ainz nodded a few times at the one cute girlish voice and the other sobbing voice.
“I see, I see. That makes sense, then. So short names are cowardly, and Ainz Ooal Gown is a name for great, courageous people, right?”
“Why you!”
“Shush, coward.”
Gu overcame his fear with fury and lashed out, but Ainz neither defended nor dodged but swung back with his wand. He didn’t allow it to be blocked with the sword or evaded.
The wand obliterated one part of Gu’s body.
“Khaaaaa!”
Amid the echoing scream, Gu’s subordinates looked on in fear.
“I’d expect nothing less from a troll. You can be turned into hamburger meat and still come back to life. But it does seem to hurt. That last blow was your weakest yet—the swing of a coward with defense in mind, trying to protect himself from my attacks.”
Ainz was looking at Gu’s head, which was now half its original thickness. Any normal creature would be dead, but Gu returned to his former shape before Ainz’s eyes.
Though the troll had gone back to normal, his face was bizarrely contorted. There was terror in his eyes—the fear of someone helpless, twice as intense as before.
“Wh-what are you? Why don’t my attacks work?”
Ainz cocked his head. Then he slowly spread his arms. “…I am death. And I have come to deliver it unto thee.”
“K-kill him, you guys!”
“Oh-ho, just what I’d expect from a guy with such a cowardly name. Breaking your word to duel me one-on-one? How fitting. So I’ll forgive you,” Ainz said in extremely good humor.
Captive to the fear of an unfathomable monster, Gu’s subordinates moved sluggishly. No matter how stupid they were, they could sense Ainz’s might, and they had just gotten such an eyeful of it they felt sick. Within them, two fears were in conflict; they all hesitated, looking between Ainz and Gu.
“Now!”
They still didn’t move. How could they?
That went for Ainz as well. Everyone was frozen in a delicate balance. If anyone moved, the balance would collapse and everyone would go scattering.
It would be a pain if they ran away. Chasing them all down individually to kill them would be a bother.
“Then, yeah, playtime is over.”
Ainz activated a skill that he didn’t consider very effective but was actually overpowered in this world. Aura of Despair V.
The aura radiated from his core and spread throughout the area.
The ogres, the trolls, and Gu crumpled to the ground exactly like marionettes whose strings had been cut.
Sprawled on the ground, the monster didn’t so much as twitch. It was clear that though the bodies were still warm, the flames of their lives had gone out.
In the now silent cave, a fearful elderly voice echoed out. “Wh-what did you do?”
Ainz turned to look at the naga, who was shrinking back in order to move even a short distance away, and answered. “I just used a skill. Trolls may be able to regenerate, but that doesn’t mean they have perfect resistance to instadeaths… You’re all worthless in the first place. I thought rather than meaninglessly killing you, I would use you for something, but I figured if you refused to bow to my rule, I would off you and be done with it.”
“I will be your servant! Yielding to the strong is only natural for the weak. Going forward, I would like to exert myself to the fullest for you, my lord.”
Ainz looked quietly at the naga pressing its head into the ground and then shrugged lackadaisically. “…Well, whatever. I don’t care. I mean, I did come here to negotiate, after all.”
“T-terrible. You truly think nothing of me at all. Though I have ruled the western forest all this time, you feel about the same for me as if I were a rock on the ground that just happened to look like an animal.”
“No, I have a little more interest in you than that. You mentioned something about dark elves, didn’t you? I’d like to hear more.”
“Of course…of course, my lord. I will tell you everything I know! So…” Ainz gestured for it to continue, so the naga spoke again. “If I talk, please don’t kill me.”
“I can promise that. If you work earnestly and loyally for me, I’ll provide adequate compensation. Before that, do you have any underlings? Were you ruling the western region on your own in the same way that Hamusuke—er, the Wise King of the Forest—ruled the south?”
“No, I have subordinates. But I didn’t bring them to this talk with Gu. They don’t have the power to turn invisible and flee in the event the discussion broke down.”
“I see. Next question: Do you have any trolls?”
“Just one.”
“Wonderful. So can we have him play the role of the Giant of the East? Er, well, no, that’s tricky… Okay, in a few days I’ll bring some of my— No…you should come to the building this one’s constructing. Aura, let it go.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s fine. It swore its allegiance. If it betrays us, I’ll just come up with a different way to use it.”
Aura’s slender hand let go of the naga’s neck. Beneath it was a blue bruise in the shape of her grip.
No longer paying attention to the nervous yet somewhat relieved naga, Ainz walked over to Gu’s corpse.
“I can’t remember what the stats for troll zombies are like.”
Ainz could create undead from corpses using a skill. They were only zombies and skeletons, but depending on the corpse he started with, the zombies could be fairly strong. For a well-known example, dragon zombies.
Ainz picked up the fallen great sword. It was far longer than Ainz was tall, so he took advantage of the basic ability contained in magic items to convert it to an appropriate size. If he tried to swing a sword too big for him to equip, the action would be immediately canceled, but just holding it was no problem.
“I guess I should up the fighting power of the individuals in that village. Maybe giving them this magic weapon is a good way to do that. After all, there’s no point in bringing it back to Nazarick.”
“Lord Ainz Ooal Gown!”
You still have more to say? Ainz turned apathetically back to the naga.
“Th-there’s no way I could possibly betray you, my lord. Who could, who has seen your chilling eyes and the way they gaze at us like an ant at the side of the road?”
“I don’t think my eyes are that expressive, but is that a special ability you have? Demiurge is observant, but not even he can understand how I truly feel.”
“It’s not a special ability, but I can at least tell whether someone takes an interest in me or not.”
Ainz thought maybe nagas had a racial skill or something. “I see… Got it. Now get out of here and bring us your underlings. That’s your first order.”
“Yes, sir!”
4
9:07 PM Nazarick Time
Demiurge arrived at Ainz’s office with his usual elegance. First, he bowed deeply to Ainz, seated before him, then shallowly to Mare and Cocytus, who were also present. To the maid in the room, he nodded.
Ainz replied with a nod and continued his Message with Entoma. “All right, Entoma. Give Lupusregina permission. Just make sure she protects those three with her life.”
“Understood. I’ll give her the orders.”
Demiurge strode to the center of the room. Ainz had to wonder jealously how he managed to look so cool when he walked. Every movement is bursting with confidence. Is it because he stands so straight?
Demiurge stopped sharply, and Ainz came back to himself. “Thanks for coming, Demiurge.”
“My lord! Thank you very much for the invitation. Have you finished your Message with Entoma?”
“There weren’t any issues. I got the report, and she had some questions. The test went fine.”
“Wonderful. And thank you for working around my schedule.”
“No worries, Demiurge. I
t’s only natural to schedule around the man who works the hardest for Nazarick. And you’re not late at all, so really, don’t worry about it… Now, I’d like to ask for your impressions…” Ainz handed him a piece of paper. When he had seen that Demiurge’s eyes had gone over it, he asked a question. “As you can see, it’s a menu, but what do you think? It’s for a human couple and possibly a child.”
“…I think humans should eat anything you serve them without complaints, my lord, but that isn’t the answer you’re looking for, so…not all children can appreciate foie gras. Also, don’t you think it might be good to have something a bit lighter?”
“I see. Thanks for the input.”
“Oh, you needn’t thank me… Lord Ainz, are you inviting someone to the Supreme Beings’ sacred tomb?”
“Yeah. I’d like to give them a nice welcome.”
Well, less making them welcome than winning them over. Essentially, he was using his assets to pressure them and presenting them with benefits in order to maintain good relations going forward.
“Are you sure?”
“Why not? Is there a problem with it?”
“No, my lord, nothing like that. Your word is correct.”
Back in the days of the game, they almost never invited non–guild members to the Great Tomb of Nazarick. They invited member Yamaiko’s little sister, whose screen name was “Akemi-chan,” a few times, but that was about it. Still, there was never any rule that said they couldn’t have anyone over. It just happened that they hadn’t really.
So I don’t think any of my guildmates would be upset if I invited Nfirea and Enri. There’s a clear difference between raiders and guests.
Demiurge seemed to have something on his mind, but Ainz addressed him and the two waiting guardians. “Guardians, you’re ready for the baths?”
“Apologies, but Mare and I will pick up what we need on the way.”
“I see. Cocytus, you brought your own supplies? Then let’s meet in front of the baths. Inclement, if anyone comes to see me, have them wait.”
“Understood.”
Upon getting the maid’s response, Ainz stood up and left his room. After stopping the servants who were going to follow him, he led the way to the bathhouse, which was also on the ninth level.
Personally, Ainz wanted to walk side by side and chat on their way, but Cocytus was too reserved for that. He probably hadn’t noticed Ainz feeling a bit lonely, but he did close the distance between them a little and ask, “LORD AINZ. THERE SEEMED TO BE FEWER EIGHT-EDGED ASSASSINS IN YOUR ROOM. DID YOU SEND SOME SOMEWHERE?”
Though disappointed he brought up work, Ainz consoled himself, That’s how small talk goes sometimes. He concealed the fact that his voice had been about to come out so happily. “They’re at the inn in E-Rantel. Narberal is in my room in case of any unexpected visitors; they should be keeping an eye on her from a distance.”
“ISN’T IT DANGEROUS TO LEAVE ONLY NARBERAL?”
“It probably is. Now would be the time to attack.”
“I SEE. SO SHE’S LIVE BAIT, THEN?”
“Yeah. If the enemy who brainwashed Shalltear is watching us, Narberal would be a drool-worthy target. No one has attempted to approach Momon, who defeated the immensely powerful vampire Shalltear (well, under a different name), so if Momon isn’t around, and it’s just one caster, then…”
“THEY’LL BITE?”
“Who knows? If they did, we’d catch them for sure.” Ainz gestured pulling up a fishing rod.
“THEN WILL WE MOBILIZE THE ENTIRE ARMY?”
“Ha, no. First, we’ll investigate our opponent. If they’re equal or stronger than us, we’ll have to adjust our attitude accordingly.”
Cocytus emitted a little groan like he understood but couldn’t endure such a thing. “LOGICALLY, I UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED TO BE PATIENT, BUT MY EMOTIONS REMAIN AGITATED.”
“We only have to wait until we’ve made a careful investigation of our opponent and grasped their weakness. Once that’s done, we’ll rip their intestines apart with our teeth and make them faint from the pain. To brainwash Shalltear and force me to kill her is a serious crime.”
Even if their opponent was a player, Ainz didn’t feel any particular affinity with them. The ones Ainz was close to were his guildmates and their NPCs. If players came out swinging, he would use pain to teach them what fools they were.
“One good turn deserves another, but that goes for bad turns, too. It’s only natural.” Ainz smiled with an air of indifference. The thought that they would be able to do even better experiments if they had players to work with excited him. They would start with the horrible ones he could never perform himself—terminal ones.
“AN EYE FOR AN EYE AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH?”
“Yes. But did you know that those words are also meant to prevent excessive retaliation? I want to retaliate excessively, so I don’t use that saying.” Ainz continued in his head, …Is what Squishy Moe used to say.
“OH! JUST WHAT I’D EXPECT FROM LORD AINZ! NOT ONLY IS YOUR COMBAT PROWESS WORTHY OF ADMIRATION BUT SO IS YOUR WISDOM.”
Ainz didn’t have to turn around to feel the wave of respect aimed at him.
“SO WILL YOU SPEND THE REST OF THE DAY AT NAZARICK, MY LORD?”
“No, after we have our bath, I’ll work here for a bit before going back in the middle of the night. I have a lot to do over there, too. What are you up to?”
“MY PLAN IS TO RETURN TO MY GUARD DUTIES AT NAZARICK FOR A WHILE. I’VE TAKEN CARE OF ALL THE THINGS I FELT I SHOULD BE PRESENT FOR IN PERSON, SUCH AS EXPLORING THE VICINITY OF THE LAKE.”
“So once you’ve returned, the ones working outside Nazarick will be Demiurge with his various responsibilities, Sebas and Solution collecting intelligence in the royal capital, Aura building our base in the forest, and Narberal and me?”
“THAT ONE OF THE SUPREME BEINGS IS DOING THE WORK WE SHOULD BE DOING DOESN’T SIT VERY WELL WITH ME…”
“Ha-ha. Forgive me, Cocytus.”
“ME FORGIVE YOU? HOW ABSURD. YOU ARE THE RULER OF THIS LAND, LORD AINZ. YOUR WORD IS LAW. WHAT I SAID EARLIER WAS SIMPLY SOME FOOLISH NONSENSE. MOREOVER—”
The atmosphere shifted and Ainz thought, Hmm? He looked over his shoulder at Cocytus’s dark—though he couldn’t read his emotions—expression.
“IF WE WERE ALL AS OUTSTANDING AS DEMIURGE, YOU WOULDN’T NEED TO GO OUT YOURSELF, MY LORD. ULTIMATELY, IT’S OUR LACK THAT—”
“No, that’s not right. You were each made for specific purposes, so it’s important that you all do the jobs you were made for. To be frank, you don’t need to be able to do anything else. Demiurge is versatile due to his knowledge and wisdom. That’s all.”
Cocytus didn’t seem quite convinced, so Ainz continued.
“If you want, you can increase your repertoire little by little. Yeah, you should be learning by reigning over the lizardman village, right? Your experiences in governance there will surely benefit you. And if you continue on like that step by step, someday you’ll be as versatile as Demiurge.”
“DO YOU REALLY THINK IT’S POSSIBLE?”
“I don’t think it’s impossible.” Ainz spoke euphemistically. “No one can match Demiurge when it comes to strategy. Aspiring to be a man like that is a long, hard road, but your efforts will not be in vain. That’s how I see it.”
The two of them walked in silence down the corridor. Then Cocytus said quietly as if squeezing out the words, “THANK YOU, LORD AINZ.”
“I haven’t said anything that deserves thanks, you know. All right, Cocytus, we’re almost to the baths. Stow that gloom away somewhere before Demiurge and Mare get here.”
“YES, SIR!”
Spa Resort Nazarick on Nazarick’s ninth level was a wonderful facility containing a total of seventeen baths, including men’s and women’s, of nine different types. The most unusual was probably the Cherenkov bath. The blue light so bright it seared one’s eyes made for a luxurious atmosphere.
When Ainz and Cocytus arri
ved, they ran into someone they didn’t expect to see.
“Lord Ainz!” The exclamation point might as well have been dotted with a heart. It was Albedo. No, not just Albedo. Behind her came Shalltear and an exhausted-looking Aura.
Meanwhile, Demiurge and Mare were nowhere to be found. Are they waiting in the changing room?
“A-Albedo. What are you doing here?”
“Huh? We thought we’d all come take a bath… Is that why you’re here, too?”
“Oh, right… Yes. Exactly. What a coincidence, Albedo.”
“It really is…! I’ve heard it’s good to get some exercise and work up a bit of a sweat before taking a bath. Maybe I should sweat with you, my lord.”
A chill went up Ainz’s spine.
“Ping-Pong or something like that wouldn’t be bad…”
“That’s not what I’m talking about, you meanie.”
With the swift motion of a level-100 warrior—impossible for a caster to evade—she approached Ainz, who was dressed in only a single robe, and reached out a finger to doodle on his chest. But it slipped—fwoop—right between his ribs.
“Ah.”
“Oh.”
Their voices were loud in the quiet corridor.
Of all the stupid things that could happen. Ainz winced and was about to say something to Albedo when her next comment made his face twitch.
“My finger went into your special spot…”
Albedo’s cheeks were red, and her eyes glistened. A fragrant perfume was in the air—like the scent he sometimes detected in his bed.
“Hey, I know I’ve asked this before, but has she always been this weird?” Ainz asked Aura in earnest, with zero affectation, as she flailed around, trying to restrain Shalltear.
“…Sorry, Lord Ainz. A lot has happened. Uh, you know how things are in Nazarick—please just consider this overtiredness.”
“W-well, I guess it can’t be helped, then. H-hmm. Albedo, I appreciate your hard work every day.”
As Ainz was about to swiftly move away, a hand clutched his robe. He didn’t even have to look down to know who it was. “Seriously, Albedo, what’s wrong with you? What has you so worked up?”
The Two Leaders Page 27