“Of course… Certainly. This old one will tell everything it knows! But, erm…”
Ainz waved for it to continue, and the Naga said:
“Could you spare this old one’s life after that?”
“I promise you this. If you swear fealty to me and work hard, I will reward you for your efforts…
Speaking of which, where are your subordinates? Are you like Hamsuke, no, the monster that ruled the southern forest, who controlled the west alone?”
“No, this old one has subordinates. I did not bring them along for the negotiation with Guu. If negotiations broke down, they would not be able to escape with invisibility.”
“I see, then next question. Are there any trolls working for you?”
“Just one.”
“That is splendid. Can it replace the Giant of the East? No, that would… be difficult. Alright, bring your minions to my— no, to the building this child is constructing. Aura, let him go.”
“Would it be fine?”
“It’s fine, he already swore fealty to me. If he betrays me, I will think of another way.”
Aura slowly removed her hand from the naga’s throat, which had bruises in the shape of a hand. It was still tense, but the naga relaxed a little. Ainz ignored him and walked towards Guu’s carcass.
“I will use this as a reference for zombie trolls.”
Using a special skill. Ainz could turn corpses into undead. They were either zombies or skeletons, but the stronger the physical body, the more powerful the zombie. One famous example would be zombie dragons.
Ainz picked up the sword, which was much taller than himself, from the ground. It was a magic item that could change its size according to one’s strength. It would fall out of his hand if he tried to wield the sword as a weapon he was unable to equip, but just holding it was fine.
“How about giving this to the village to make it stronger? That might be the best way to use this magic item. It is not valuable enough to bring it back to Nazarick.”
“Ainz Ooal Gown-sama!”
Ainz looked boredly at the Naga who was trying to say something.
“This, this one won’t do something like betraying you! The only ones who would do that would be fools like the ants on the ground.”
“I don’t think the look in my eyes told you so much… Is that your special ability? Even that observant Demiurge can’t read my true intentions.”
“This is not a special ability, I can only sense whether someone was interested.”
This might be the special ability of all Nagas, Ainz thought.
“Is that so… Well, I understand. Hurry and gather your minions. This is my first command.”
“Yes!”
Demiurge entered Ainz’ office elegantly. He bowed deeply to Ainz, who was seated before him, nodded at Mare and Cocytus, who were at Ainz’ side, and acknowledged the presence of the maid with a glance.
Ainz responded with a look and contacted Entoma with ‘Message’.
『It is time, Entoma. Give Lupusregina her orders, she has to protect those three with her life.』
“By your will. I will relay that to Lupusregina.”
Demiurge walked slowly to the center of the room, and his cool movements made Ainz envious.
How is he able to move so confidently, is it better to keep my back straight after all?
When Demiurge stopped, Ainz spoke to him:
“You came, Demiurge.”
“Yes! Thank you for your invitation. Is the ‘Message’ with Entoma proceeding well?”
“There are no problems, she reported back and conversed with me clearly. The test is a success.”
“That is wonderful news. I am very grateful to you for making time for me.”
“Don’t mention it, Demiurge. Accommodating the one who works the hardest for Nazarick is only natural. And you didn’t make me wait long… Well then, let’s hear your thoughts.”
Ainz handed the paper in his hand over to Demiurge. After Demiurge shifted his eyes from the top to the bottom of the page, Ainz raised his question:
“As you can see, the content is a menu for a meal, what do you think? It’s meant for either a human male or female, maybe even a child.”
“…My view is that humans will eat everything Ainz-sama offers without any complaints, but that is probably not the answer you are looking for... I don’t think children will like foie gras? Also…
Perhaps adding something refreshing will be better?”
“I see, good thinking. Thank you.”
“I am too honoured… Ainz-sama, are you planning to host some guests in the Grand Tomb of Nazarick, the sacred realm of the Supreme Beings?”
“That’s right, I want to entertain my guests.”
Receiving guests with hospitality, in order to establish warm relations, display wealth and power, or hint at offering benefits.
“Will that be fine?”
“It should be. Are there any problems?”
“No, absolutely not. Ainz-sama’s words are absolute.”
In the past, the Grand Tomb of Nazarick had almost never invited guests other than the guild members. Akemi-chan, younger sister of the guild member Yamaiko, did visit on several occasions.
There was no rule forbidding the invitation of guests, just that it was seldom done.
That’s why my guild mates should be fine with it even if I invite Nfirea and the others. They aren’t intruders, but guests.
Ainz asked Demiurge, who seemed to be pondering something, and the two guardians who were already waiting inside the room:
“Guardians, are you ready to visit the bath?”
“My deep apologies, Mare and I thought about going earlier.”
“Is that so, then Cocytus— you are already holding it. Let’s meet before the bath house then.
Increment, if anyone comes to my office, let them wait here.”
“Understood.”
Ainz got up and left the room after hearing the answer from the maid. Leaving the minions who wanted to follow behind, Ainz led the way to the bath house that was situated in floor 9 as well.
Ainz thought it would be better to chat idly as they walked side by side, but Cocytus’s cautious nature didn’t allow him to do so. Maybe he noticed that Ainz was feeling a bit lonely, Cocytus closed the distance and asked:
“Ainz-sama. Did. The. Number. Of. Eight. Edge. Assassins. In. The. Room. Decrease? Were. They.
Sent. Somewhere?”
It might still be related to work, but conversing casually with Cocytus made Ainz feel better. Still, he kept his elation a secret when he spoke.
“They are in the E-Rantel hotel. Narberal is staying there in case some visitors appear. The Eight Edge Assassins are conducting surveillance some distance away.”