Chapter 1, Part 4

The maid opened the door and Demiurge walked in. Normally Ainz would try to avoid talking with Demiurge alone, since it made using the usual “I permit you to tell the other guardians what you know of my plan,” defense impossible. However, the smug expression the demon wore didn’t scare Ainz today. The months of boredom during which he actually gotten into reading reports instead of skimming them were finally paying off, he was now much more aware of his servants actions.

“Ainz-sama,” Demiurge bowed.

“Demiurge,” Ainz nodded. “How did the Elf King’s interrogation go?”

“Neuronist Painkill has proved herself worthy of the title of the Special Intelligence Collector of Nazarick. It took a bit of time, but he started talking,” Demiurge said with a smile.

“Oh, did you bring the report?”

“Here it is,” Demiurge said while placing a few sheets of paper in front of Ainz. “There is however something I would like to discuss with you prior to that though,” he added.

“Oh? And what would that be?” Ainz asked, as he wiggled around in his chair, searching for a more comfortable position.

“It’s about a certain development in the Holy Kingdom.”

Holy Kingdom huh? He’s probably not talking about them becoming a part of the Sorcerer Kingdom, then what? Unable to guess what Demiurge wanted to discuss, Ainz motioned for Demiurge to go on.

“Thanks to your magnificent improvements of my flawed plan for the Holy Kingdom, a certain persona had arisen. The so called Pope Neia,” Demiurge said.

“She, seems to be doing a good job of spreading my name. I am not sure of the whole Godhood thing though.”

“What are you saying, Ainz-sama? These humans should feel lucky to worship such an amazing being as you as their God,” Demiurge exclaimed.

“Mm, if you say so. Then, what concerns do you have regarding this person?”

“So far, she had been operating by herself, almost on a whim, though the Holy Kingdom didn’t stand in her way. Still, I think it’s time we gave her some focus,” Demiurge said.

“I see, you want to use her zeal and persuasion to spread the word to other parts of my nation?”

“My plans have been seen through yet again,” Demiurge bowed respectfully.

“Not at all. But, you are right, the Holy Kingdom had mostly recovered from Jaldabaoth’s attack. On the other hand, if we were to send her to the Draconic Kingdom. She could both rise their morale while making the citizens more loyal to me,” Ainz said.

“I also think we should provide her with security. After all, it would be a shame if one of Ainz-sama’s puppets were to have its strings cut.”

“Demiurge, I’ve already told you that this Neia was a lucky accident, I did not plan for her appearance. How could anyone guess that, after her parents were killed by Jaldabaoth, seeing our fight would cause her to declare that Ainz-sama is justice?”

The whole thing seemed absurd. Neia Baraja was a simple village girl, had been sent to the capital to become a paladin. When demons attacked the Holy Kingdom, her parents happened to live in one of the villages which were overrun. This had no doubt plunged Neia into despair. Yet, when she witnesses Ainz fight against Jaldabaoth in front of the capital, something clicked and she became filled with devotion to the Sorcerer King. Her claim that Ainz-sama is justice was so absurd that Ainz almost fell out of his chair when he first read it in the report.

It almost felt like a hoax. But after looking at the evidence, they had concluded that her behavior was genuine. More surprisingly, Neia’s burning passion resulted in her cult of Ainz spreading throughout the Holy Kingdom with a speed that beggared belief.

Of course, Demiurge had imagined that this was not a lucky accident, but a deliberate scheme, which came about when Ainz improved the demon’s plans for the Holy Kingdom’s subjugation.

“Your modesty helps me feel less inadequate,” Demiurge bowed.

“You have a brilliant mind, Demiurge, there is no need to be modest about your accomplishments,” Ainz said. “Then, who did you want to send to protect Neia? We are a bit short on Hanzos, what’s with most of them currently being in the Slane Theocracy.”

“I was thinking we should send someone in an official role, who could guide Neia, in addition to protecting.”

“True, without our guiding hand the chances this girl will come to Draconic Kingdom are nearly zero,” Ainz nodded in agreement. “Then, who can we send? Yuri has her plate full as the head of the Pleiades, Solution is busy in the City-State Alliance, and Entoma’s lack of facial features won’t work for prolonged close contact. I guess sending CZ Delta is the best option we currently have. Make the necessary arrangements,” Ainz ordered..

“Yes, Ainz-sama.”

With the matter of the Pope Neia taken care of, Ainz changed the conversation back to the original topic.

“Then, about the Elf King, are there any problems with keeping him imprisoned?”

“Not at all, so long as we don’t heal any of his limbs,” Demiurge grinned.

“I guess the experience of keeping the minotaurs from breaking out came in handy?”

“Yes, although the need for the additional measures was more pronounced this time.”

The two minotaurs brought back from the Draconic Kingdom were among the most powerful beings Ainz had encountered in the New World. While they were too weak to be a threat to high level NPCs, they were strong enough to overpowered lower leveled servants, like Death Knights. Which presented certain issues, given that Demiurge wanted to keep them in his Happy Farm, and use them for various experiments. However, the demon was able to solve this problem – he had cut off a leg and an arm from each minotaur, rendering them completely powerless. Ainz could still remember the delighted smile Demiurge had on his face when he announced this solution.

“That’s good. Then, do you have any plans for him?” Ainz asked.

“I do. Although, his lack of limbs reduces the area significantly, I would like to test the scroll paper produced from his skin,” Demiurge said.

“Hmm, I wonder about that. The scrolls made out of minotaurs’ skin can hold a spell up to 5^th tier. Since the elf is much stronger, scrolls made out of him should be of higher tier. Too bad there is only one of him.”

“To that end, I would like also to run some breeding experiments. Granted, it seems like the Elf King’s attempts to create powerful offspring were a failure, his one success sheds light on how to do so correctly.”

“Meaning you need to breed him with a powerful female?”

“Yes, Ainz-sama. It is unfortunate both him and the minotaurs are male,” Demiurge shook his head dejectedly.

“The Theocracy will be bringing their forces to Nazarick within two years, there should be many powerful females among them. When that time comes, you can take them,” Ainz said.

Although, he was a little uncomfortable with the idea of breeding powerful beings, only to harvest their skin and turn it into scrolls. Ainz understood how such actions would strengthen Nazarick, and so he had decided to let Demiurge run with that idea.

“Did we learn how he became so powerful in the first place?” Ainz asked.

“No. He has no recollection of his childhood nor early years, but claims he had always had such degree of strength.” Demiurge said. “His name is also rather peculiar.”

“Oh? Let’s see,” Ainz said as he picked up the report of the Elf King’s interrogation.

He barely began to read the report when his eyes widened. Or at least that’s what would have happened if Ainz had eyes. Instead, his red dots blazed with an unusual power as he stared at the very first line in the report.

Interrogation Report of Elf King, Elvyon

Why does his name sound so familiar? And what’s with that title being a part of his name? Elvyon, Elvyon… wait, wasn’t that the name of the Boss of the Blackened Forest dungeon in Álfheimr? Having recalled this much, Ainz felt shocked. Granted, if players and guild NPCs could arrive at the New World, it opened the possibility for other NPCs being able to do so as well. Still, if he was correct it would confirm his guess.

“He is from Yggdrasil?” Ainz asked Demiurge.

“Or so he says. Once Neuronist informed me of this, I had the interrogation halted, and this Elvyon moved to the Frozen Prison. So you can question him yourself,” Demiurge bowed. “He was very reluctant to divulge this information, if Neuronist continued, you’d have to wait several days for him to recover his senses.”

“Excellent work as always, Demiurge. Then, I will see him now,” Ainz said.

“I wish to accompany you, Ainz-sama.”

“Of course,” Ainz replied as he stood up and walked around his desk.

He opened [Gate] to the fifth floor, and went through the portal, followed by Demiurge, the maid and several Eight Edge Assassins. A moment later Ainz found himself in a frozen expanse, in front of him was a two story, fairy-like building, which was covered by a layer of ice. This cold, quiet place, with no one insight was designed to create an eerie feeling in any would be visitors.

Of course, it had little effect on Ainz or his entourage, as he briskly walked inside the frozen prison. Wraith like undead monsters greeted him inside, after learning in which cell the prisoner was being held, he continued toward his destination.

A few minutes worth of mostly desolate corridors later, he came to the cell he was looking for. Inside, Elf King sat on a chair covered in ice. Although, “sat” may not have been the right word, as he had no limbs, and his torso was sort of propped up against the chair’s back, while chains looped around it, securing him in place. However, despite his pitiable state Elvyon had a defiant look on his face.

“I am Ainz Ooal Gown, the ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. I have some questions I want you to answer,” Ainz introduced himself. “And you WILL answer them,” he added when a mocking scowl appeared on Elvyon’s face.

“Were you born in this world?” Ainz began.

“I’ll kill all of you, just you wait!” Came a defiant response.

“I apologize, Ainz-sama. It looks like stopping the interrogation was a wrong choice,” Demiurge bowed.

“It’s fine, Demiurge.”

I wonder if this is due to Elvyon being an NPC. Hmm, given the dungeon’s design, his settings and backstory are probably those of a haughty royal who sees everyone as a bug, barely worth the honor of serving him. Ainz mused, as he tried to recall his experience adventuring through the dungeon in question.

Ainz pointed a bony finger at the prisoner before unpleasing his skill [Despair Aura II]. He watched the elf writhe and struggle to get away from the source of his fear. A few second later, the prisoner’s appearance lost all signs of resistance. Satisfied with the results, Ainz resumed his interrogation.

“Were you born in this world? And if not, where did you come from?”

“Ugh, I came from, my domain in Álfheimr,” Elvyon said, while trying to catch his breath from the panic attack he had just suffered.

“And when was that?”

“About two hundred years ago.”

“So, you came around the time the, so called, Demon Gods showed up. Do you know of them? Were you one of them?”

“Yes, a number of others had appeared in this world at that time. They were idiots though.”

“Oh? What makes you say that?” Ainz asked curiously.

“What kind of morons would decide to randomly lash out at everything, just because they had been removed from their dominions?” The elf replied with a condescending smirk.

“But you have chosen to take control of the Elf Kingdom and to build up your power base, before embarking on a world conquest?”

“That’s right. Now, all I need is to kill you and your servants, except for female, who will bear powerful offspring for me. That’s right skeleton, your time will soon end!” Elvyon started shouting as he got more and more into it.

Wow, the fear effect was really short-lived. As expected of an NPC whose setting state that he is above all others. Ainz thought, as he once again cast [Despair Aura II]. The fear inducing skill had once again worked it’s magic, allowing Ainz to continue his questioning.

“Are any of these entities still alive?” Ainz asked.

“That nutjob, the Black Knight, is the only one left,” Elvyon replied.

“One of the Thirteen Heroes? Why did he joined them to fight against his fellow transported beings?”

“That’s why he’s a nutjob. Struggling with his background, unable to accept who he is. Still, he managed to become a hero of the City-State Alliance. And what does he do? Go into exile! That basket-case.”

“Hmm, how strong is he? Is he stronger than you?”

“Please, as if some failed paladin could match the power of someone like me – one born to stand above all!” Elvyon started to brag again.

Is this guy even aware he doesn’t have any limbs? Ah, whatever. Ainz dismissed the question.

“Just before you found yourself in this New World, what was happening in Yggdrasil? Were it at the timer the server was to be shut down?” Ainz asked.

“Server shut down? What is that? There wasn’t anything unusual about it,” Elvyon replied.

Hmm, I guess it makes sense an NPC wouldn’t understand the concept of a server shut down. After all, Nazarick’s NPCs don’t really understand it either. With this conclusion, Ainz announced that he was leaving, before motioning to his entourage to follow him.

After they left the Frzoen Prison, Ainz opened [Gate] and returned to his office, along with the rest of his entourage. He walked around his desk, before lowering his skeletal body onto an intricately carved chair. After a few moments of collecting his thoughts, Ainz addressed Demiurge, who was standing in front of the desk respectfully.

“Demiurge, see if you can gather more information about this Black Knight. Specifically, his level of power. Also, have Neuronist collect info regarding the Thirteen Heroes and a detailed info about the Demon Gods. Elvyon might know some things, and it would help us gain a better understanding of the more powerful beings of this world,” Ainz said.

“As you command, my lord.” Demiurge’s body bent in a respectful bow.

***

It was a dark, cold night in the capital Re-Estize. The streets were deserted, save for a grumpy guard who was cursing his luck as he made the round along the fence which encircled the Magician’s Guild Headquarters. He gazed at the sky – the dark clouds above almost made him feel physical cold. More curses followed, as the man’s pace quickened, the only thing on his mind was the warmth he would enjoy after returning to the guard’s outpost.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. A hand suddenly covered the guard’s mouth, sniffling his scream. He tried to pull out his weapon, but it was too late. A blade entered his chest from the back, and the dead man slumped to the ground. His assassin pulled the body toward a place covered by shadows, where it wouldn’t be seen until morning.

More figures leaped over the fence, some surrounded the guard’s outpost, while the rest went inside the building. The shadowy figures killed any guards in their way, as they made their way into the basement. Once there, they went past shelves of musty tomes and boxes of various materials, magic items and other random things the Guild had stored there.

Finally, they arrived to their destination – a massive, metal safe, which was melted onto a thick metal column. The column was berried in the ground and disappeared into the ceiling, seemingly being a part of the building’s foundation. With the safe box being secured in such a way, stealing it was out of the question. Of course, the intruders didn’t plan to do so to begin with.

A hooded female stepped to the metallic container and pulled a ring out of her pocket. She presented the ring to the box, a second later there was a click, and its front plate moved aside, revealing a set of dials. The woman began to twist the dials until they were positioned in the correct way. She then reached into another pocket and pulled out an amulet. She held it in front of the safe, and a few moments later there was another click, as the door unlocked.

She swung it open, and then carefully pulled out the item that was their reason for infiltrating this place. In the dimly lit basement, the statue of a six armed demon she held in her hands looked especially ominous. The thief carefully placed the item into a bag, before motioning for the rest of the infiltrators to move out.

The mysterious figures left the Magician’s Guild with little caution, triggering an alarm spell in the process. The guard’s rushed out of the outpost to secure the building. However, they were met and quickly disposed of, by the other half of the infiltrators.

One of the assassins pulled out a bag and then placed the items contained in it near the slain guards. After his job was completed, he followed after the rest of the infiltrators, disappearing into still sleeping streets of the capital.

 

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