Ainz held his hand against his chin and muttered, “Is that so…” As he recalled his previous conversation with the workers, what he felt was not anger but a sense of emptiness. There was nothing more unbearable than dancing between hope and despair. As the head of an organisation, he had to disregard his personal emotions and make the decision to move forward whenever a decisive moment appeared, even if it was just a small step.
“Albedo, it doesn’t need to be you, right? I had hoped you could remain here to manage Nazarick for me. Regarding the need to go out and search for information… wouldn’t Mare and Aura be more suited? Since dark elves exist even in the outside world.”
“It is as you say. However, if that was the case, I cannot help but be worried that they might ‘run wild’. For example, I would imagine Shalltear would definitely recklessly rush out if information regarding Peroronchino-sama was found. I am uncertain what kind of action Aura and Mare would take if it was information regarding Bukubuku Chagama-sama instead.”
“I see…” after thinking about Shalltear, Ainz smiled bitterly. “Indeed, it seems she would act that way.”
“That is why I hoped that you would consider allowing me to form my own unit.”
“…If information regarding Tabula-san were to be found, would you also ‘run wild’?”
“Please be at ease. As someone who holds the position as the Overseer of the Guardians of Nazarick, I would never do something like that. This I promise.”
“…I see.”
It was a lot less likely for someone like Albedo, who was both capable and wise at managing the operations of Nazarick, to run wild. Even though there had been a few odd hiccups along the way, she had been able to manage Nazarick without a problem during the times that Ainz wasn’t there, which showed that she deserved to be trusted.
“Personally, I believe Demiurge is also suitable for this task. However, he is burdened with many other responsibilities at the moment. I think it might be too much to add the task of searching for information regarding the Supreme Beings on top of the work he currently needs to deal with.”
“That does make sense. In that case, how about Pandora’s Actor?”
“Yes, as I had hoped. Please allow me to borrow Pandora’s Actor to be my adjutant for this task.”
“I see. Even within Nazarick, the two of you are among the most intelligent, so there will be less likelihood of making mistakes if the two of you handle it together… … Although there is also the task of managing Nazarick’s treasury… Very well, during the times that you require him, you may have priority in borrowing him.”
“My deepest gratitude. Also, is it fine for me to add a few more suggestions?”
Ainz raised his chin, signaling Albedo to continue.
“For the task of searching for the Supreme Beings, I would like to select only those that are capable.”
“Of course. I will provide you with the highest ranked subordinates.”
“My deepest gratitude. After that, if Ainz-sama would be so kind as to create a few undead adjutants for me, that would be most helpful.”
“That request I will have to reject. It is true that the undead adjutants that I make can reach level 90, however—”
The undead that could be created using Ainz’s special skill, the one which required the consumption of his experience points to make — Overlord Wiseman and Grim Reaper Thanatos — just one of them alone would be stronger than any NPC mercenary. However, Ainz wanted to avoid using any skill which consumed experience points for now, as he currently did not have the means to quickly regain them like he could in YGGDRASIL.
“That’s right, it’s better not to do that. Albedo will be in charge of the team; the adjutant will be Pandora Actor. The rest will be selected from amongst the monsters.”
“Understood. There is also one more suggestion that I wish to make, if possible, can we keep the creation of this unit a secret from the other Guardians?”
“How come? Would it not be better to receive assistance from other Guardians?”
“No, if the handling of the received reports was poorly managed, it might result in the leakage of dubious information before it has been verified. If that was the case, the other Guardians or those that were created by the Supreme Beings might end up wanting to come along to check as well. If the received information was a trap, it would put everyone in danger. Because I specialize in defense, it would be possible for me to get away. However, I fear it might be difficult for the others to successfully retreat.”
“A valid reasoning. Very well then, Albedo. Do as you like.”
“I express my deepest gratitude! Ainz-sama!”
Albedo bowed her head deeply, causing her long hair to hang down, covering her face.
“Good. I will be leaving this matter to you then.”
“Of-course! This secretive, specialized unit will carry out the most important order. We will definitely not allow Ainz-sama to regret his decision.”
Albedo’s response seemed a bit strange. If he had to express the feeling in his heart, it would probably have taken the form of a head tilted in puzzlement.
Well, forget it.
“Well then, select your subordinates. Pick from the newly created ones, as long as they haven’t already been assigned with other duties. How many do you need from those that are around level 80?”
“I believe fifteen will be sufficient for now.”
“Fifteen? Isn’t that a little too much…” Ainz stopped speaking and shook his head. Searching for his comrades was an important task. In that case, he shouldn’t be so stingy about it. “Ah, is that so? I understand.”
“Well then, I would like to ask for one more thing. Is it possible for me to take command of Rubedo as well?”
“Rejected.”
Ainz answered immediately.
Nazarick’s strongest individual, Rubedo. Her battle potential was well above that of Sebas, Cocytus, and Albedo in terms of pure melee combat. Shalltear would be a weakling in comparison, given the fact that even Ainz in his full equipment would most likely lose against Rubedo.
The only few that could possibly win against that one would be those stationed on the 8th Floor, and only if they were to use World class items. As expected, I don’t think they could put up a decent fight against that individual otherwise…
“The experiment to start up Rubedo has been more or less a success. I don’t plan on moving her for now. Besides that, is there a reason you require such a high amount of combat power?”
“It’s embarrassing to say, would you still like to hear it?”
“Not a problem?”
“It was rare for a chance like this to happen, so I wanted to create the strongest team.”
“Hahahaha—!”
It was such a childish yet understandable explanation from Albedo which had caused Ainz to burst into laughter. Although his emotions were almost immediately suppressed, a mild feeling of pleasantness still lingered like ripples spreading across water.
“Ainz-sama!”
Ainz smiled to Albedo, who had put on a troubled expression — although his facial expression did not change — and gave the following reply.
“My bad, my bad. Ah, ahem. That was amusing okay? Very well then, in that case, I will allow you to take command of your little sister.”