"Did you summon , Ainz-sama?"
As always, the wise demon bowed deeply, glasses flashing as he did. Seeing that dependable figure filled Ainz with quiet pride. How fortunate it was that this NPC existed!
On paper, Albedo and Pandora's Actor might have intellects comparable to Demiurge's, but in practice—when it ca to trust—no one could compare to the supre strategist himself.
Every ti he relied on Demiurge's advice, Ainz silently thanked the one who created him: Ulbert Alain Odle, one of the Forty-One Supre Beings who had left Ainz Ooal Gown relatively early.
Thank you, Ulbert-san! He might have been hot-tempered—constantly bickering with Touch -san—but in terms of ability, there was no denying his genius.
"Yes, I have spent a considerable amount of ti pondering this matter," Ainz began, trying his best to sound solemn and commanding. "However, the nature of this issue is such that it would be unwise for to decide alone. I require your counsel, Demiurge."
"How could my paltry insight be of use to the boundless wisdom of Ainz-sama?"
"Of course it will be. Your opinions are always of great help to , Demiurge. As always, I ask that you speak freely and without hesitation."
(And if you could give a neat, perfect answer right away, that'd be even better!)
Outwardly, he spoke with grandeur—but inwardly, Ainz's thoughts were in complete disarray. Still, it wasn't entirely a lie. He had spent ti thinking about the issue. And it was true that it was too important to decide on a whim. The only problem was… he had absolutely no idea what to do.
"I am deeply honored by your words, Ainz-sama," Demiurge replied with a calm, reverent smile. "And yes, I assu this summons concerns that matter, does it not?"
"…Indeed. That is the reason I called you here, Demiurge. So—what are your thoughts?"
"I regret to inform you that I will need more ti, Ainz-sama."
Bowing low enough for his forehead to nearly scrape the floor, the demon spoke in a tone filled with regret.
"Unfortunately, our manpower remains woefully insufficient. Many of those who handled clerical tasks have perished or vanished, and there are no proper replacents. We've brought in additional personnel from Nazarick, of course, but even that is not enough. nial labor such as hauling or sorting materials can be handled by low-ranking demons or undead, but organizing and cataloging the docunts requires beings with intellect. Even with Albedo, Pandora's Actor, and myself working tirelessly day and night, we have yet to process even half of the records."
"There's… that much information?"
"Yes. To make matters worse, the destruction of the hidden forces behind Dragon's Dream resulted in the loss of ledgers, indexes, and core docunts. We are forced to rebuild the records from scratch, verifying every single piece of material again."
"I… I see."
Ainz could feel a cold sweat that he no longer possessed. He hadn't realized the workload was that monstrous. Truth be told, he had been receiving only Albedo's summarized progress reports without investigating the details himself.
But thinking about it now—it made perfect sense. Dragon's Dream was a group whose reputation and influence rivaled that of small nations. Even if their mbers were few, their reach extended across the world. Their influence stretched deep and wide, and their business in magic item trade alone generated wealth surpassing that of many kingdoms.
A history spanning one hundred and fifty years… and all those records had gone up in flas. It was only natural that every docunt had to be recreated manually from the ground up. And, of course, there were no computers in this world—everything had to be done by hand. The thought alone made Ainz's hollow skull spin.
This is… really bad. I feel kind of guilty now.
A heavy sense of guilt pressed around his skull. His subordinates were drowning in paperwork while he was lying in bed or casually going out to "hunt" for stress relief. If Demiurge were to suddenly stand up and call out right now, I'd deserve it.
Even as Suzuki Satoru, he'd never faced labor this inhumane—a full week without rest? He wouldn't last two days before collapsing.
Of course, it wasn't as though he was doing nothing.
Final reviews and approvals still went through him. But compared to his subordinates' efforts, that was like a drop in the ocean. He desperately wanted to help directly, but… he knew he wasn't skilled enough to handle ledgers or detailed clerical work like the others.
I feel bad dumping all this on them, but… I can't afford to look incompetent in front of my subordinates. That was sothing Ainz absolutely could not allow.
"U-Um… have you considered hiring local talent for administrative work?"
"I have, Ainz-sama," Demiurge replied smoothly, "but human capabilities are so pitifully low that involving them would only slow down progress. If there were more individuals of even a fraction of that 'cooperator's' caliber, I might have raised my estimation of humanity a little. Alas, it seems such beings are rare exceptions."
"…I see. Then, what about the deputy? How is he performing?"
"Ah, he is quite an excellent specin for a human."
A wicked smile crept across Demiurge's face, visible even through the gleam of his glasses.
"Not on the sa level as the cooperator, of course, but for a human, he is remarkably capable. He understands the structure of the organization, manages affairs with intelligence and composure, and carries out his duties with admirable efficiency. In my humble opinion, even after Nazarick fully subsus Dragon's Dream, he would be worth keeping as an operational overseer."
"I see… Then do not lay a hand on him, Demiurge. Do not make the sa reckless mistake we did with Monkyspanner."
"Yes, my lord!"
"Good. Then—how are things progressing? No matter how many pending matters remain, the search for the powers behind Dragon's Dream cannot remain idle forever."
Ainz's true thoughts, of course, were far less authoritative. They're working so hard already… maybe I should tell him to ease up a little?
But even as that sentint flickered through his mind, a faint anxiety lingered—born of the unknown guild that had once stood behind Monkyspanner.
If only he knew their guild's na, even that alone would be comforting.
They had eliminated Monkyspanner cleanly enough that their own identity likely remained hidden—but still, in war, information was power.
And Ainz, having studied Punnito Moe's PvP Strategy Compendium back in Yggdrasil, knew that rule better than anyone.
He needed to know more.
Were there others like Monkyspanner?
If so, how many?
And what strength did they still possess?
Monkyspanner's testimony suggested there were no surviving players, but their remnants' power was still uncertain.
Even Ainz Ooal Gown knew that his subordinates alone could easily crush any mid-tier guild—but an upper-tier one might be another story.
"Yes, Ainz-sama. I have already begun preparations regarding that matter. However, since I cannot personally take the field, I've been forced to employ slower—but safer—thods."
"Oh? Preparations, you say? Let's hear them."
"Yes, Ainz-sama. I have made… three arrangents."
"Three…?"
Ainz froze.
Three? He prepared three separate operations?
This demon worked himself to the bone day and night managing Dragon's Dream, and yet he still found ti to design three separate plans?
Back when Suzuki Satoru was an office worker, just writing two pages of a marketing draft would earn him a lecture from his manager.
But Demiurge? He was performing miracles between all-nighters.
The difference in intelligence felt almost divine.
"Impressive… You've been working under such pressure and still managed all that? Excellent. Explain."
"Yes, my lord. First—while reorganizing the archives, I noticed that certain records from the sa era were inexplicably incomplete. It seems they erased specific information. But information, Ainz-sama, is like a forest—if one part is cut down, the clearing stands out. We are tracing those 'missing patches' to locate suspicious regions."
"I see… ingenious."
"Second, we have dispatched adventurers to the major kingdoms to investigate branch families. After Monkyspanner's death, many branch heads and key figures vanished without a trace. They are almost certainly connected to the sa hidden faction. Rather than risk exposing Nazarick's power, we are using local adventurers as proxies to track them."
"…Excellent use of assets. And the third?"
"The Empire, Ainz-sama."
"The Empire?"
"Yes. While its adventurer forces are inferior to the Kingdom's, it harbors a thriving underground network known as the Walkers—unlicensed adventurers who accept any job for coin, regardless of pride or honor. I plan to use them to scout the suspicious regions.
Originally, I intended to use the Empire as sacrifice—a stage for revealing Nazarick's glory to the world.
However, with Dragon's Dream now under our control and its hidden powers still unexposed, I have deed it wiser to withhold our na for now. Thus, the plan's focus has shifted—from demonstration… to infiltration."
"…Ho."
Ainz couldn't help but exhale in admiration.
As expected of Demiurge. Truly the brain of Nazarick.
Every word he spoke resonated with cold precision.
Ainz had been studying recently, even reading old Yggdrasil manuals to sound more intelligent—but Demiurge's thought process remained leagues above his own.
If Ainz had been the one planning this, his idea would have been sothing like, throw out so bait and see what bites.
But Demiurge's thod was ticulous, layered, and adaptive—reworking an entire imperial plan without hesitation. Is this what it ans to be a real tactician?
He briefly thought of Ponshil Moe again—the brilliant strategist of Ainz Ooal Gown—and a strange, wistful feeling settled over him.
"Excellent, Demiurge. Your strategy could stand alongside the plans of Punnito Moe himself."
"Wh—such words! Punnito Moe-sama, among the Supre Beings, was the most brilliant tactician of all! For to be compared to him is far too great an honor! Please, withdraw such excessive praise, Ainz-sama!"
"No, I stand by it. You are worthy of that comparison. As the ruler of Nazarick and coordinator of the Supre Beings, I say this with conviction."
Of course, internally, Ainz knew he had no right to compare either of them—they were both far beyond his own level.
But if words of praise could motivate Demiurge further, then he would gladly offer them.
After all, Nazarick's guardians asked for no wages or rewards; they worked tirelessly, out of loyalty alone.
If a few kind words could sustain their spirits, Ainz would spare none—though he had to be careful not to overuse them, lest they lose their value.
"If my lord insists… I am deeply, deeply honored," Demiurge said, bowing again. "I shall take this blessing as nourishnt for the soul and redouble my efforts in service to you."
"Well, don't overdo it," Ainz replied awkwardly. "Work too hard, and you might lose sight of your surroundings. Take rest when you deem it necessary. That's an order."
"Yes, my lord. But please rest assured—I have already been taking adequate rest."
"…You have?"
Ainz's nonexistent jaw nearly dropped.
He's been taking rest? With that workload? How?!
Was he sohow working as a form of relaxation?
No matter how Ainz tried to interpret it, the statent bordered on insanity.
And yet—sothing felt off.
Ainz couldn't shake the feeling. Demiurge's brilliance was undeniable, his loyalty unwavering, and yet… there was this subtle wrongness.
It wasn't ignorance—he knew sothing was missing.
But what?
It was like searching the house for a hat already sitting on his head.
What had he overlooked?
No matter how hard he thought, the answer wouldn't co.
Unsettled, Ainz buried the feeling deep in the recesses of his mind—and the conversation moved on.
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