Part 1
Ainz main base was the fortress that Aura was constructing— the place that Cocytus visited yesterday. Faint construction noises could still be heard in the distance.
When they entered a room, Victim who had been following quietly behind said to Ainz.
“emoh gniog m'I ,syug uoy wercS… (Well then, allow me to bid farewell here.)
“Thank you for your hard work. Please defend the first level of Nazarick until we return.”
“amabO sknahT… (By your will).”
“「Portal」.”
Victim went into the door of darkness conjured by Ainz— with the first level of the Great Tomb of Nazarick as his destination.
After seeing off the Guardian capable of activating a deadly powerful movement restriction skill, Ainz turned his attention towards the room. At the same time, he could sense Aura lowering her face.
She must have done everything she could to give Ainz a grand welcome. Traces that showed the commendable effort put into this room could be seen everywhere, but it paled in comparison to Nazarick. Aura probably felt shame from this.
It is not that bad.
For Ainz who was just a salaryman, he didn’t mind it that much. His room in Nazarick wasn’t too bad either, but it troubled him as it was too luxurious. In fact, he felt relaxed and comfortable here.
I want an eight tatami room. I should find a corner to prepare one. Oh, I have to compliment Aura and convey my satisfaction for her work.
If people don’t talk about their trust, gratitude and care, they wouldn’t become successful.
Ainz remembered a quote he saw framed inside the display cabinet of a CEO during a corporate visit. He didn’t know who coined it, but it was a great quote. It felt like something an ideal boss will say.
You have to show your gratitude. People won’t strive for the best if there is no reward… Something like that?
“My apologies Aura, for insisting on using this place. Do not mind the details, I have high praise for what you have accomplished. If this is made by you, then it is as good as Nazarick.”
“... Yes.”
Aura’s eyes slightly widened. I should console her more. Although Ainz wanted to do that, no better words came to his mind, so he covered it up by observing the surroundings once again.
The smell of fresh timber still lingered here.
Normally, instead of this place that had absolutely no defences, returning to Nazarick was unquestionably safer. Without defensive magic, it was like a house made of paper in a way. But on the flip side, Ainz was using himself as bait to lure in the big fishes.
There was a large distance between here and the lake, so the ones that could chase them here — if they existed — would be players from YGGDRASIL, or people at that level.
This meant that the purpose of building this place was to bait the enemies targeting Nazarick to reveal themselves.
It was dangerous of course, but Ainz felt the risk was necessary to achieve this goal.
They are still not showing up. Could it be… the plan is a failure? Anyway, what is that?
“... Aura, I want to ask you. What is that thing?”
Ainz’s gaze stopped on the lone white chair placed deep inside the room. The back was made high and imposing. It was made so well that it was no exaggeration to call it an art piece. If he ignores that one glaring issue.
“It’s bit plain, but I have prepared a throne.”
The one answering confidently was the subordinate following behind him— Demiurge. That’s what I thought, Ainz said to himself in his mind and asked a further question.
“— What bones did you use?”
“Bones from all sorts of beasts. The best parts are from beasts like Griffon and Wyvern.”
“... Oh… I see.”
That was a throne made from countless bones. It wasn’t in the logistics list of goods they brought from Nazarick, so it was something Demiurge made outside. No matter how he looked at it, skulls from humans or demi-humans were definitely used too. It might look pure white without a shred of blood and meat on it, but it still gave the feeling of blood stain.
It was a bit disgusting, sitting on that thing was akin to sitting on a cushion of needles, making Ainz hesitate. But his subordinate had put in effort to prepare it, it would be difficult to reject it. Is there any reason he could use that won’t cause complaints...
Ainz snapped his fingers after thinking about it.
“... Shalltear. I will give you the punishment for what you had done right now. That’s right… I will punish you with shame.”
“Yes!”
Shalltear who was suddenly named was a bit surprised.
“Kneel with your head bowed over there, and put your hands on the floor.”
“Yes!”
Shalltear walked to the place Ainz pointed at— which was the middle of the room and did as she was told with a baffled face.
Ainz walked up to Shalltear and sat on her back.
“... Ainz, Ainz-sama!”
The surprised Shalltear could only made exhale while whispering ‘Hans-sama’. She was shaken and stiff from fear when Ainz sat on her back.
“You are now a chair, understand?”
“Yes!”
Ainz shifted his gaze from Shalltear whose voice was getting shrilled, onto Demiurge.
“— Sorry Demiurge, that’s how it is.”
“I see! Marvellous! To use a Guardian as a chair! This is a chair customized specifically for the Supreme Master! As expected of Ainz-sama. I would never have thought of that!”
“Is, is that so…”
In the face of the glittering respect shown on Demiurge was expressing, Ainz averted his face, not understanding why he was smiling so brilliantly. After this, a beautiful woman said to Ainz with a wonderful smile.
“My apologies Ainz-sama. Please allow me to excuse myself. I will return shortly.”
“You need something Albedo? Permission granted, carry on.”
After thanking him, Albedo left the room. Immediately, a woman screaming ‘Hyaaahhhhhhh!’ and the sound of a wall being smashed violently could be heard, and the whole fort seemed to be shaking.
After a minute or so, Albedo returned to the room dominated by silence with her usual smile.
“I have returned, Ainz-sama. Oh right, Aura. I accidentally ran into the wall when I left the room. It seemed to be damaged, could you repair it later? I am very sorry.”
“Ah, ermm... Okay, I will get it done.”
Ainz swallowed the words he wanted to say and sighed. He focused his wandering gaze and fixated on the staff emitting an aura of terror.
The real staff of Ainz Ooal Gown was not brought here, this was a replica— a prototype in replicating the guild weapon. Made from parts dug from the depths of the treasury, it was a prop that looked almost perfect on the outside.
The guild will fall if the guild weapon was destroyed, so it could not be brought out so carelessly. It was entrusted to the Guardian of the Cherry Blossom Zone in the 8th floor for protection right now.
We did come up with countermeasures for if we got robbed of our rings, but it is not easy to just find a place… to test it out...
As he was thinking about that, Shalltear suddenly fidgeted, adjusting herself for Ainz to sit more comfortably. This made Ainz look down at the back of Shalltear’s head with a strange sense of unease.
Her breathing was ragged.
It must be heavy for her. Under Ainz was the slim back of Shalltear who looked to be fourteen. A grown man was sitting on the back of this young girl. Realizing how perverted, shameful and cruel that was, Ainz felt he might have gone too far.
Shalltear was a NPC created by his companion in the past. Even Peroronchino wouldn’t abuse her like this. This action was akin to soiling the memories of his past comrades. It was foolish to think of this as a self-punishment.
To torture Shalltear like this… unforgivable.
“Shalltear, does it hurt?”
Ainz was planning to say ‘if that is so, let’s end this’. Shalltear looked up with a face blushing with passion, her expression full of pleasure.
“It’s not painful at all! This is like a reward!”
She kept exhaling the heat stored within her body, reflecting Ainz’ face in her dazed eyes. Her wet tongue brushed against her lips, reflecting light lecherously. She squirmed her body like a snake.
“... Hnngh!”
Ainz felt the urge to get away immediately.
He almost gave in to this urge.
No, I can’t do that.
He was punishing Shalltear, but Shalltear’s mistake was actually Ainz’ fault. That’s why enduring the urge to get up was Ainz’ punishment.
Ainz destroyed the complicated emotions welling up within him.
He tried his best to ignore the chair that was panting and squirming. But he couldn’t help thinking Peroronchino, what a perverted setting this is.
“... Well then, let’s move on to the serious topic. Did we intimidate them?”
“I think it was perfect, Ainz-sama.”
“Exactly, just look at the lizardmen’s faces.”
Ainz smiled in relief after hearing what the Guardians said. Actually, it was impossible to tell the changes in the expressions of the lizardmen. They might be closer to humans than reptiles, but their facial expressions were totally different from humans.
“Is that so. Then the first phase to awe them with might is a success.”
Ainz exhaled in relief.
He used the Super-tier magic ‘The Creation’ that could only be used four times a day after all. If that didn’t work, nothing else would.
“Demiurge, how long would it take to find out exactly how large the frozen area is?”
“We have already started to do so, but progress is slow as the area is wider than expected. Please grant us more time.”
Ainz stopped Demiurge who was about to kneel. Ainz covered his mouth with his bony finger and thought. The area of effect being larger than expected could be considered a success in terms of magical experimentations.
‘The Creation’ is a Super-tier magic that could change the terrain itself. In YGGDRASIL, it was used to guard against the heat of volcanoes or the cold of freezing lands.
It was possible to show their might without using Super-tie