The Ruler of Conspiracy

by Kugane Maruyama

  Jircniv put himself in the Theocracy executives’ shoes. If the country he was dealing with made such an inept excuse as Ainz Ooal Gown just guessed what I was up to; there’s really nothing more to it than that, he would probably deem it not worth partnering with and cut it off. Or he could use it to start a conspiracy.

  It was probably impossible to ally with the Theocracy at this point.

  “Since there’s no chance of an alliance with the Theocracy, you’re saying we should fight on alone? I mean, I would expect nothing less of Ainz Ooal Gown, King of Darkness. All I can say is that he’s done brilliantly. His reach is far longer than I imagined. He gave me some space and then swooped in for the kill the moment I was careless.”

  Despite being enemies, he had to admire such a perfect plot.

  Having received such a perfect blow, all he could do was admit defeat.

  Reinforcements wouldn’t show up for the empire anytime soon—and the Nation of Darkness probably had all the proof of conspiracy it needed. He was as good as fried.

  Perhaps the two understood the situation they were in. Baswood shook his head. “Man, I don’t even know what to say. I guess he used the most powerful attack in the most vulnerable spot.”

  “Yeah. There’s nothing we can even do anymore. My spirit is pretty much snapped in half. I almost feel like nothing matters.”

  “Your Majesty…”

  Jircniv turned toward Nimble’s gloomy voice. “He’s more like a demon than an undead. He really knows how to break people mentally.”

  “But still, to become a subject state…”

  Nimble seemed to be having a hard time accepting it, and Jircniv smiled kindly at him.

  He knew how he felt.

  But he didn’t want him to express his feelings like a child; he wanted him to explain his logical plan of action. That said, there was no way Nimble would have a plan when Jircniv couldn’t come up with anything.

  “…I’ll be straight with you. We have no chance of victory. If we have any move to make at all, it’s as I said before, dependent on one of his subordinates defecting. I can’t think of any way to defeat him individually. As we learned during the war, he’s the most powerful caster in existence.”

  The two knights agreed.

  “So how is he as a warrior? Can you kill him with a sword?” Jircniv shrugged. “You saw, right? The martial king couldn’t beat him as a warrior. And what the hell was that? He took the martial king’s blows unharmed! Was he using magic?”

  “…I don’t know, but it’s possible.”

  “Ah. So if he uses his magic, he can make himself immune to all attacks? It seems like it would be practically impossible to assassinate him. Is he invulnerable?”

  “If he has a form, he can’t be invulnerable.”

  “Then how come he didn’t get hurt at all?”

  Nimble wasn’t sure what to say and looked to Baswood for help, but Baswood’s lips remained in a tight line.

  “…For now, this is what I’ll do. I’ll gather information about the martial king’s weapons and then talk with casters and adventurers to find out why they didn’t do anything—that’s all I can do. Luckily, he’s made an enemy out of the Adventurers Guild. It’ll probably cooperate with us.”

  “Wouldn’t it be better to discuss being a subject state after that investigation is done? Luckily, he hasn’t accepted yet…”

  Jircniv was annoyed, but he didn’t let it show on his face. Instead, he looked at Nimble with pity.

  “Was it lucky? Do you really think so? I thought the reverse. I think we should secure vassalage as soon as possible.”

  Nimble looked like he had no idea what was going on, but Jircniv was the one to ask a question.

  “Why do you think he refused?”

  “I—I…don’t know, but…”

  “If he were some fool, it would be possible that he wasn’t confident enough to deal with the changing circumstances—but this is him we’re talking about! The way he schemes, I’m sure that during the short pause after I made the proposal, he was calculating what would happen. So if he didn’t accept, that means that something about the proposal doesn’t align with his aims.”

  “What could that be?”

  Baswood’s question made Jircniv’s face twist up in disgust. “I don’t know. But I’m positive that it can’t mean anything good for the empire. Otherwise why not have us as a subject? We should probably assume he has some objective that he can’t achieve with the empire around. So…”

  Jircniv was working his brain so hard, it seemed like it might start smoking.

  This was Ainz Ooal Gown they were talking about. There had to be a reason for his actions.

  What would I want if I were the King of Darkness? What would I hate?

  Jircniv thought so frantically, he broke out in a cold sweat.

  “The Adventurers Guild? Could he have put a stop on turning us into a subject state because of something to do with the Adventurers Guild?”

  “You mean his announcement? …Can we allow that, Your Majesty? If we’re unlucky, all the empire’s best material will have gone to his side in a few years.”

  “…I didn’t understand it. What did you think when you heard it?”

  “Even if you lose some freedom, having someone so powerful as the King of Darkness at your back is incredibly tempting. More people die trying to be adventurers than succeed. But people who don’t have confidence in themselves will think, With a guy that strong supporting me… Besides, here the knights do lots of the work that would normally go to low-ranking adventurers.”

  “Talent drain…? …And about those people with low self-confidence, it’s not because they don’t have aptitude, huh?”

  There were plenty of outstanding individuals with low self-confidence, and who could feel confident from the get-go jumping into a new world anyhow?

  “So is it that those sorts of people wouldn’t want the empire to be a subject state? But…wouldn’t everything be a lot easier if we were? He could probably just incorporate the entire guild… Ahhh! Ainz Ooal Gown! I guess his intellect just far surpasses mine! He’s too smart—I can’t get a read on him!”

  “Maybe he’s not thinking anything.”

  Jircniv responded to Baswood’s joke with a harsh look that contained even hatred. “That couldn’t be. He already foresaw so many of our moves… It’s no good. I don’t know. It could also be that he’s still looking for a place to take out his hatred of living things and wants to torment us, or some other emotional thing that humans can’t fathom…”

  Maybe trying to understand the thought process of the undead was a mistake.

  Maybe all this agony and skepticism was part of the plan already, and Ainz was waiting with open arms for Jircniv to panic and go through with the transition to subject state.

  “What are you going to do?”

  Nimble was probably asking about what moves the empire would make.

  “My plan is to gather the secretaries to inform neighboring countries. We have to come up with a document that explains that the empire is aligning with the Nation of Darkness and will become a subject state. We’ll tell neighboring countries and establish it as a fact. We’ll make it so the Nation of Darkness has to accept us.”

  “Your Majesty…”

  The pair hung their heads. Never thought I’d see you make a face like that, Baswood, Jircniv wanted to joke. He wiped the bitter smile off his face and spoke kindly. “Why the long faces? There are all sorts of ways to be a vassal. If we’re allowed a great deal of autonomy, our lifestyles won’t even change. In fact, if we’re protected by the Nation of Darkness’s overwhelming military, we might be even safer than we are now.”

  Hearing about their bright (potential) future seemed to cheer the two up slightly.

  “To prepare for that, we need to resolve all our internal dissent. If the Nation of Darkness doesn’t grant us autonomy, the empire may split. And there could be influencers who begin to move out of dissatisfact
ion with the idea of becoming a subject state.”

  Jircniv thought quickly over what sorts of powers existed in the empire.

  The greatest faction was certainly the knights, but they probably wouldn’t join an opposition faction. They might verbally disagree, but they would never act on those feelings.

  Next were the nobles. He wasn’t sure what they would do. There was only a minority now who disagreed with Jircniv’s decisions. But that minority might see this as a chance to dethrone the Fresh Blood Emperor, and there would probably be plots to become the ruler of the empire as it transitioned to a subject state.

  The masses he could trick as much as he needed to. As long as the status quo in the empire continued, they wouldn’t care about the politics involved.

  “The issue is the priests.”

  The shrines would almost certainly be against it. And what would be especially problematic, in addition to their hostility, would be if they stopped providing all healing treatments. In order to avoid that fate, he would have to meet with them as many times as it took to persuade them.

  “…Will you be all right, Your Majesty?”

  “Who knows? I intend to tell him the transition to subject state will go more smoothly with me around and show him results, but…I just don’t know.”

  Why me? The thought came to mind.

  He had inherited the empire from his deceased father and strengthened it according to plan. He was sure he hadn’t made any mistakes during that time.

  But ever since that monster showed up, everything had gone haywire.

  He didn’t think he made any errors in his negotiations and dealings with the monster, either. Ainz Ooal Gown simply had abilities too far beyond what humans were capable of imagining.

  In a few short months, the situation had changed completely.

  Jircniv sighed. “I’m the unluckiest guy in the world right now…”

  This is a side note, but a few days later, Jircniv was still in despair when he was astounded to receive word that Argenti had changed their hometown from the imperial capital to somewhere in the city-state alliance. My bad luck is truly bottomless…

  Epilogue

  Demiurge strolled the ninth level in good spirits.

  It felt like it had been a while, but that was probably just in his head. He did come back now and then, so he had been away only two weeks at most. The reason he felt nostalgic even so must have been because it made him so happy to walk these grounds.

  His mood grew even better the closer he got to his destination.

  Ignoring the guards Cocytus had stationed on either side of the door, Demiurge straightened his tie and made sure he looked sharp. Of course, he always paid attention to his appearance, but it wouldn’t do to look even the least bit frumpy before his master.

  After checking over his appearance to excess, he finally knocked on the door.

  A maid opened the door and peeked her face out.

  He had the urge to try to see his master through the crack in the door, but he couldn’t possibly do something so embarrassing.

  “Is Lord Ainz in?”

  “My apologies, Master Demiurge. Lord Ainz isn’t here right now.”

  Demiurge’s spirits plummeted, but he didn’t show this on his face.

  “Oh? Where did he go?”

  “My apologies. I don’t know… But Mistress Albedo might know something.”

  That made sense.

  “I see. And where is Albedo?”

  “She’s here.”

  He knew that Albedo had made their master’s quarters her office. He thought she could use the room she had been provided, but given her personality, he didn’t comment. Their master had approved of it, so for Demiurge to say anything was wrong in the first place.

  “Is she working…? Please ask if I may enter.”

  “Understood.”

  The door closed before him. Then a few moments later, it opened again.

  “Come in, Master Demiurge.”

  When Demiurge thanked the maid and entered the room, the captain of the guardians was sitting at their master’s desk.

  Her lowered gaze shifted to land on Demiurge.

  “It’s been a while, Albedo.”

  “Yes, Demiurge. You’ve done a great job outside. What can I do for you today?”

  “I came because I was hoping to get authorization to enter with the final stages of the project underway in the Sacred Kingdom. I would like to have a doppelgänger… Where is Lord Ainz?’

  “He’s sort of far away. I don’t think he can come back anytime very soon…”

  So he’s not in E-Rantel? Demiurge gathered. If he was in the city, Albedo wouldn’t have worded her response in such a weird way.

  “That’s a bit of an issue. Then until he returns, I’ll be on the seventh level prepping for other work.”

  “If you’re in a hurry, you can send him a Message.”

  Demiurge furrowed his brow slightly and observed Albedo’s face.

  She was wearing her usual smile, but Demiurge, with his excellent powers of observation, picked up on an emotion that was subtly different. In other words, she was knowingly saying that. The question was: With what emotion?

  It was no problem if she was only teasing.

  He took a quick look, but he couldn’t tell.

  It was a bit frustrating, but then again, it wasn’t as if they were competing.

  And the only people in Nazarick he had met whom he couldn’t see through with his observant eyes were his master and Albedo. Reminding himself that she was an exception was good for his peace of mind.

  Demiurge shrugged.

  “I’m not in that much of a hurry. I’ll speak to him in person when he returns.”

  “Lord Ainz hasn’t said when he’ll be back. It might take a very long time.”

  “In that case, I’ll go to him, Albedo. It’s not worth using a Message for.”

  “Oh? Why not? Doesn’t being loyal mean conveying important information as soon as possible?”

  Albedo’s smile changed. Up until a moment ago, it was her usual fake smile, but now it was a mischievous grin. I guess she’s being nasty now?

  Apparently, she wanted to get him to spill the reason.

  What a pain, he thought but explained it anyway.

  “I would like Lord Ainz to praise me for the work I’ve done so far, so I don’t want to contact him via that method. Yes, it’s possible to receive praise through a Message, but I prefer to hear his voice directly, that’s all… I’m sure any member of Nazarick feels the same.”

  “Yes, that’s right, Demiurge. It’s just as you say. Probably everyone feels that way.”

  “So where has Lord Ainz gone?”

  “He’s visiting the dwarf country, which we haven’t established diplomatic relations with yet and about which we don’t even have reliable intelligence. That’s why it’s unclear how long it will take.”

  “Who’s with him?”

  “Shalltear and Aura.”

  In terms of fighting ability, that was no issue. But apart from that, he was slightly concerned.

  I doubt there will be any problems with Aura along, but I hope she doesn’t cause our master any trouble, Demiurge thought, bringing to mind the face of the other member of the party.

  “If he’s taking Shalltear along, does that mean he intends to destroy the dwarf country?” he asked, but in that case, he would have expected Mare to have gone, so perhaps there was some other objective for the choice.

  “Where are all the other guardians currently?”

  “Cocytus is managing the lake area. Mare is building a dungeon on the outskirts of E-Rantel. Sebas is working inside E-Rantel. I don’t know what Lord Ainz is thinking, but since he didn’t take an army with him, perhaps he means to meet the dwarves on a friendly basis…”

  “…We don’t have enough information. Why did he go there?”

  “Demiurge, we cannot know what Lord Ainz’s mind holds.”

  Albedo was righ
t.

  Ainz Ooal Gown… The highest ruler of Nazarick possessed a fiendishly brilliant intellect and had countless strategies for each move he made. Not even Demiurge, who was created to have an outstanding mind, could hold a candle to him. It was a mistake to even try to fathom his intentions.

  But reading their master’s emotions and preparing in advance, according to his wishes, was true devotion.

  As Demiurge renewed his determination—I must try harder—Albedo picked a piece of parchment up off the desk.

  “This came yesterday from the empire. Ainz gave me permission via Message to open it. To summarize, it’s a request from the empire to submit to us. They want to consult us at a later date about what sort of subject state it will be.”

  Demiurge was surprised. It had happened sooner than he expected.

  “Why? I was sure the empire’s submission would come after the destruction of the kingdom.”

  “It’s the result of Lord Ainz’s visit.”

  “Oh my… Well, I wouldn’t expect less from Lord Ainz.”

  “Demiurge, did you really think the empire would become a vassal state after the kingdom?”

  “Of course. That’s what my plan was.”

  “No matter what it took?”

  “…What is that supposed to mean?”

  “Sometimes Lord Ainz starts to say your name. It’s always in the context of ‘Have you heard from Demiurge lately? Is it okay if we keep going like this?’ In other words, there must be something about you—something about one of your plans, for sure, that doesn’t sit right with him.”

  “What…? Albedo, why didn’t you tell me sooner? Then I—”

  “Then you would have done what, exactly?”

  Demiurge wasn’t sure what to say.

  “…Can I ask you this? Was there a way to get the empire as a subject state before the kingdom?”

  “…There was. But it would have involved having Lord Ainz make a move himself, which would have been shameful as his servant. And I thought that it would take a number of steps—over about a month’s time—and include a riot in a major city. I figured if it was going to require so much work, it would be better to conquer the kingdom first and then put pressure on the empire afterward… How long did it take him?”