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!”

Part 4

Nazarick Time: 21:07

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.”

“Isn’t. It. Dangerous. For. Narberal. To. Be. Alone?”

“It is, right now is a good chance for someone to attack.”

“I. See. She. Is. The. Bait. Right. Now?”

“That’s right. If the enemy that brainwashed Shalltear is watching us, they will definitely think this is a rare chance. They might not want to get near Momon who defeated the powerful vampire Shalltear— although the name I gave them is different. What if Momon isn’t around and only one magic caster is left behind…”

“Will. They. Take. The. Bait?”

“No idea, but if they do bite, I will be a master baiter.”

Ainz made the movement of pulling on a fishing rod with one hand.

“Will. We. Send. Everyone. Out. When. The. Time. Comes?”

“No, we won’t do that. We will scope out the true identity of the opponent first. If they are as powerful as us, or better than us, then acting recklessly would be unwise.”

It made sense logically, but was hard to accept emotionally. Cocytus muttered:

“I. Understand. That. This. Is. Necessary. But. I. Find. It. Hard. To. Accept. This. On. An. Emotional. Level.”

“We need to investigate slowly and endure until the moment we discover the weakness of the enemy. When everything is ready, we will tear them to pieces. The sin of brainwashing Shalltear and forcing me to kill her is very heavy.”

Even if the other party was a player, Ainz didn’t feel for them at all. The only ones Ainz was concerned for were his past companions and the NPCs here. If anyone came to find trouble, he would teach them the terrible pain they would need to suffer for their foolishness.