When they came out of the forest, there was another waterfront of a swamp different from the one before. A sizeable construction was underway.

The water was dammed off and close to ten stone golems dug up the dirt and the lizardmen carried off the dirt in a handcart off to somewhere. When Mare was observing and wondering what they were doing, a large lizardman came running out.

The lizardman had a magnificent physique, with scars all over his body. He stood out among the other lizardmen in many ways. The medal on his neck swayed left and right from hurriedly running over.

The medal was the symbol of being a subject and a way to protect them, but the medal itself had no magical properties. The fact they wore it around their neck showed that they were Ainz’s “property”. Thus, no one under the command of the Great Tomb of Nazarick’s Supreme Being was to harm the lizardmen. Of course, if there was a good reason for a lizardman to die, that was a different story. Whether they were lucky or not, lizardmen showed respect to the strong and none dared to step out of the line.

“Welcome, Mare-sama. My name is—”

“Shasuryu Shasha, right?”

“That’s right. It’s an honour for you to remember me.”

“Ah, I heard it from C-cocytus-san… Say, do you know where Cocytus-san is at right now?”

Shasuryu appeared to be deep in thought.

“I believe he headed out with his subordinates to subjugate the Toadmen with a sizeable number of lizardmen for area familiarization.”

“Toadmen?”

“They’re demi-humans living in the north eastern side of the lake. They look similar to frogs and aren’t friendly with us. They have the skills to tame large monsters, so they’re a very annoying opponent for us. I heard there was a big war in my father’s time. It seems we suffered a devastating defeat, to a point that one of the tribes had to disband.”

“They sound strong. Fitting for a species living to the north.”

This lake looked as if two lakes were joined together in shape of a gourd. To the south was the smaller lake - where lizardmen lived with roughly half being the swamp and other half being the lake. Since the water level was relatively low, there were not many large monsters. Comparatively, the northern part of the lake was deeper with many gigantic monsters and they tended to be stronger. Of course, from Mare’s point of view, the difference was tiny.

“Aren’t those toadmen actually a species called “Tuveig”?”

They were monsters that lived in the poison swamp that used to surround Nazarick. His sister had  tamed a few of them.

“Well, I wouldn’t know something like that. How about asking him directly when he returns? He should be back soon.”

“Then I’ll do that. This is a different topic, but it looks like you’re building something big here. What’s it for? It doesn’t look like a defense system for the village…”

“Yes, we’re building the fourth fish farm.”

Mare understood after Shasuryu explained the details.

It was good that the lizardmen tribes were united, but there was the issue of their food supply. Even though there were many who died in the war, there was limited amount of food they could hunt from this area alone. The solution was to go back all the way to where the old villages used to be and hunt there, but the new overseer of the Lizardmen, Cocytus, did not allow this.

Unlike when moving in large groups, like an entire tribe, when travelling in small numbers, there were chances of being attacked by monsters. Cocytus was worried that the already small number of lizardmen would be reduced even further. So Cocytus tackled the issue of food head-on for the prosperity of the lizardmen.

First, he brought over food from Nazarick — with Ainz’s permission — and distributed it to the lizardmen. Next, he searched for a way to gather food semi-permanently. What naturally caught his attention was Zaryusu’s fish farm. After a discussion with Demiurge, Cocytus went ahead with creating an even more effective fish farm.

The construction of fish farms were being carried out at extreme speed, and there were currently three gigantic fish farms, with this one, the fourth, on the way.

“But you can’t start farming them while they’re hatchlings, right?”

“Yes. Our - no - my younger brother’s knowledge only relates to raising the fish that were somewhat grown already. But Demiurge-sama taught us the basics, so we’re also preparing the fish farm for the hatchlings as well. I predict that within few years, we’ll have doubled the food supply just from the fish farm.”

“I-is that so. In a few years, we won’t need to bring in any fish from Nazarick. And of course, you’ll always be able to get them during an emergency.”

“We are all grateful to Ainz-sama from the bottom of our hearts. It was because he gave us so many fish… Speaking of which, the fish we received had no organs. How did they live? Are they creatures that don’t need food, like some monsters? No, considering they don’t have any bones as well…”

“It’s food made by the Supreme Beings like Ainz-sama.”

What Cocytus brought over was food made with item called “Dagda’s Cauldron”.

“Is that true! He could create enough fish for all of us to eat!”

Shasuryu shook his head.

“When Zaryusu and others staying over at the great castle came back for a bit, they told stories of a dream-like world. They told of the various worlds in the Great Tomb of Nazarick, like a true realm of a god. Does Ainz-sama possess the power of a god?”

“Of course?”

Mare wondered why this lizardman was asking an obvious question. A surprised expression appeared on his face.

After all, Ainz Ooal Gown was the greatest of the gods and was his creator.

“Is that so. This is all thanks to Ainz-sama. Thank you.”

“Alright. I’ll convey your thanks to him.”

Side 2 (2/2)

Translators: Skythewood, Rockgollem, Nigel

Editing: Namorax, TaintedDreams, Ferro, NoirX, SifaV6, M

Part 3

Nazarick Time 10:30

“You’re making too much noise. Quiet down.”

Ainz motioned with his left hand, and held that pose.

He took a step back and returned to his original stance.

“You’re making too much noise. Quiet down.”

Once again, he motioned with his left hand and froze mid-pose. He checked the reflection of himself in the mirror and slightly adjusted the position of his left hand.