Ainz's POV

Huh. Doesn't all the equipment present here seem like too weak. Their power barely manages to reach that of legacy-class items.

Ainz was currently in the "best" weapon shop in the castle-town with Myne.

"I am the Shield Hero, Momon. Lets hope for good business relations."

"Mr. Momon was it… Well then, here's to hoping you become a regular of sorts around here. Though right now you don't seem to be in requirement of new equipment."

Well, he is right. My armor and swords are already better than all the equipment present here. I probably won't be coming here too much. Still I think I will come here once maybe to compare these items to those of YGGDRASIL. By the way, this owner of this shop seems a amicable guy.

"We should get going."

After that, they went to the fields of grass outside the town and encountered a Orange Balloon.

Ainz ripped it in two just with his magic-caster strength.

Weak...I thought I would have to at least use my swords

As he held the remnants of the monster his Shield or more accurately, the jewel in his shield began making a beeping sound. He had kind of vision or more probably hunch and he moved it near the jewel on the shield. The remains got enveloped in a faint light and got absorbed into his shield.

' Orange Balloon acquired '

The words flashed before Ainz and he suddenly had the urge to check his 'Shield Hero' stats. He quickly resisted his urge to do so as he obviously didn't want to reveal any of his stats and skills.

But that wasn't the only reason as since he had arrived here he had seen little words above the heads of others that revealed their levels to him. A handy ability it may be, but still there was a chance that others too, especially the other heroes had it. As they had beleived his earlier bluff that he was a beginner adventurer, he had thought that this ability showed only his Shield hero levels. This idea was further strengthened by the fact that he was unable to see the levels of the Hanzos and the Eight-Edge Assassins that were hiding in his shadows.

The other reason he didn't view his stats immediately was that he knew no other way to see them than to go through his YGGDRASIL stats first.

After meeting a few other monsters of the same species.

I knew it. I definitely had a hunch about this. Its like the New World all over. Although I should be happy, but still at least be of some challenge. Well, she did say that they were the weakest.

Ainz reminisced over his old days spent in YGGDRASIL with his so precious friends and the a rush of facing a difficult opponent. He was thankful nonetheless that there was nothing up till now that could be a threat to Nazarick.

I have to be careful about those heroes. If they prove to have the room to become a problem for Nazarick, they would have to be eliminated. But let's let them be for now. They could prove to be useful during the waves. Who knows what kind of monsters come during those "Waves of Destruction" that could possibly be a threat a threat to the entire world.

If the monsters attacking are weak yet rely on numbers, then there won't be much problem. I have the perfect spell for that. The worst case scenerio would be the monsters' power is comparable to the Floor guardians or more than that and they attack in numbers.

"It seems this is how the legendary weapons work." Myne asked him.

"Yes, it seems to power up, certain items are absorbed. By the way do these remnants of the balloon monster worth anything."

"Mhmm, maybe a piece of bronze. That would be a hundredth of a piece of silver."

"I see"

Well that's to be expected. I couldn't much of these monsters that were killed so easily.

They continued killing monsters till the sun set and it was almost night.

"We would like two rooms"

She looks she is happy.

"Very well then, if you will"

The innkeeper showed them to their rooms.

As Ainz entered his room, he cast a variety of anti-divination spells. He then removed his armor, saved his money in his pocket dimension and fell on his bed. He remembered all the things happened. He could not have got tired physically but his mental health deteriorated completed. He lay on his bed for ten minutes unmoving.

He then moved his left hand towards his skull and cast "Message" without moving from his position. It was Demiurge.

"Demiurge"

"Ainz-sama, I am most glad that you are safe."

"What is the situation over there."

"Yes! Nazarick is completely safe and has remained unattacked. Our scouts have spread throughout the forest. They had not left said forest as for to maintain caution."

"Very good. For now, tell Albedo to turn off the environment settings of the floors and give her authority in my name to turn them on in case of emergency."

"Yes!"

"Now that's out of the way, I guess I should explain everything to you everything that happened. I would like to come overe there and consult Albedo too but the Hanzos are still trying to figure out the location of Nazarick."

After that Ainz explained to him in detail not leaving even a speck of information behind including the fact that the Shield Hero was not the liking of the people. He had done so to of course get some help and insights on what to do.

"Further details we shall discuss later at Nazarick itself. For now, what do you think?"

"Although you most probably already have some idea regarding the matter in mind, allow me to try to aid you in any way , the fact they dare summon you without consent and then dare talk to you in such a disrespectful way is the biggest sin. They shall be gravely punished for such acts. Death would be too merciful for them."

As Demiurge continued talking, in Ainz's mind he was trying to remember why he had even tried to question the NPCs' loyalty at some point. Then Demiurge said something that caught his interest.

"Although that human's behavior seems suspicious."

"Suspicious? Elaborate on that."

"Yes, as I am sure you have already noticed that the girl is very clingy towards you even though the Shield Hero is disliked. And also, she had chosen the time of dinner to feed you information. It could indicate that she intends to tempt you into taking some alcohol-based component as humans usually do at such times. From this and the initial disliking of the shield hero, we could surmise that this could possibly have been a ploy against you. But that could not succeed because of your superior intellect and insights."

Hah, What?! Is that really how it is? I had thought for sure that she was being genuinely kind. But if Demiurge says so, it might be true. ALSO, how is this a result of his intellect. These NPCs should really stop taking me in such high least take credit for your own work.

"Leave the flattery. As i had said multiple times, even I could make mistakes. I had not considered this possibility. The credit goes to you. You shall be awarded for the same later."

"Surely you jest, Ainz-sama. A being like me could only hope to reach someone as great and majestic as you."

Did he not hear what I just said!?

"Well that aside, what do think shall be done?"

"All I could suggest right now is going along with it just as yourself. It would make the things clear and reveal more information."

"I see. Good work Demiurge. Do not forget to give Albedo the message. And I expect you to explain everything to all the guardians including Albedo and Pandora's Actor."

"Yes"

As Ainz cut off the message it was already time decided for dinner. Although he couldn't eat he still needed information. As he headed downstairs for so, he saw that Myne was waiting for him at the foot of the stairs. She greeted him with a smile and they sat down to have dinner.

"What do you want to have?", Myne asked

"Aah, I am not hungry, so I would pass."

Now that Demiurge has mentioned it and he looked carefully, she does seem to be overly kind while her smile looks kind of fake.

"So the fields we hunted in today were right here? And ahead of the fields is the forest?"

"Yes, that is correct."

Ainz was pointing towards a location on a map they had bought earlier. According to the map and Myne, the castle stood in the center surrounded by fields. There were roads that the lead to the woods, mountains, a river and a remote village. Also there was village on the other side of the forest called Lafan that had a dungeon.

After talking for some more time, as he was to leave for his room, what Demiurge had said had come true. She offered him wine multiple times but he declined. She did seem a little disappointed.

As he reached his room, he was thinking if what Demiurge said was true. He normally wouldn't doubt him, but this time there wasn't enough information available.

He instructed the hanzos he had earlier sent for information gathering to report to him through the mind connection. The hanzos reached at the told destination, his room within 5 minutes. The room was, of course, set up with many protection barriers from divination. The hanzos report made him mad to say the least.

First of all, the hanzo sent for procuring the location of Nazarick had reported the it had met up with the scouts of Nazarick inn the forest. Through that the location of Nazarick had been confirmed to him.

After that he cast fly and went through the window to Nazarick. He had done so, so that the information could be directly shared with everyone. He reached shortly in a well-hidden part of the forest while the hanzos and assassins followed him.

Nazarick's entrance came into view and he moved a bit closer before using the Ring of AOG. He had discarded his armor as soon as he had started for Nazarick. He had also informed Albedo to gather a meeting of all the guardians urgently without wasting a moment. She had been worried, even after Demiurge's report but more so she was angry at the lowly humans who had done many unforgivable deeds.

As he reached the room, he saw the kneeling guardians, went to his throne, gave them the cue to stand up, addressed their worries and pressed on the current matter. He urged the Hanzos to continue their report.

The remaining hanzos sent for searching for any information they could possibly get and searching for possibly strong enemies, made their report. According to them, the area from the castle to the forest was full of weak monsters that couldn't pose a threat whatsoever. The same could be said for humans in the town including the soldiers.

Next they had reported that the Shield Hero is quite discriminated against. As an evidence was the obvious basing of their religion on the three heroes except the Shield Hero. The reason for this was simple.

Demi-humans are heavily discriminated against and are often used as slaves. The same could be said for beastmen although they are not in high numbers in the town. For some reasons currently unknown, they think that the Shield Hero doesn't discriminate between races and considers humans and demi-humans in the same regard. There were most probably many other reasons too.

It looked as if the Church played a major role in all of this.

Ainz was not happy about the condition of demi-humans and beastmen. He would kill them or use them without a second thought if it was beneficial or necessary for Nazarick. But the same could be said for humans. He didn't support discrimination of any sorts. He just had his priorities straight.

But that was not the most shocking news of all. According of their report, one hanzo had went straight into the castle just behind the robed man he met earlier. As he searched the castle, he saw the human he was partying up with, Myne talking to a similar robed man. They spoke of something related to a devil. As he was tailed, he turned out to be the church's associate.

It also turned out that the girl's real name was Malty S. Melromarc and she was the daughter of the king.

That just confirms Demiuge's suggestion. That is..

Ainz was feeling angry. Very angry. Not at the fact that he was quite possibly being plotted against. But the feeling of getting betrayed. He was just barely holding the feeling of straight up killing her. No, killing here would have been too small of a punishment. Then, yet again his emotional suppression calmed his emotions like lake water on a sunny day.

As he looked over at the guardians, then at Albedo at his side, they all were trying to keep their furious expressions under control too. Most probably, Demiurge had informed them of this possiblity before. The Pleades and Sebas along with Pandora's actor were present too. Still there was one exception.

"What is it, Demiurge? Did you figure something out" Demiurge was standing there with a half-smile on his face.

'If I may have the permission to, may I ask a question?"

"Go ahead" What will he ask? Will it be about a plan? Arrgh, anything but that.

"Yes, Ainz-sama, were you planning on going back to that inn?"

That inn? I didn't think about that. Do I have to go back? But this is Demiurge! Think about it, what could possibly be the correct answer. Damn you Ulbert-san! Making his super-intelligent of a Arch-devil.

"Yes"

As he said that Demiurge got a worried face but that was immediately replaced by a wicked grin.

Here it comes again.

Demiurge went on one knee and spoke with ever-rising admiration along with a bit of nervouness mixed in it."

"Ainz-sama, that is, your intelligence is truly unfathomable. I can only guess what your plan could be but if I I am right, we couldn't possibly let you do that. At least allow Pandora's Actor to proceed in your stead. Those humans don't deserve to even possibly sully the great you with their petty accusations."

He lowered his head saying so. Albedo and Pandora's Actor too did the same in realization. The others followed suit in a bit of confusion. Although it seemed as they had learnt something too through Demiurge's words.

"Hoh! Did you figure it out?", Ainz sounded his words.

Its just as I thought this would go. Now, they all must be thinking that I have some kind of mastermind plan. For now, lets see what they are thinking.

"Good work, Demiurge. As expected of you, you completely figured it out."

"Surely you jest! I may have figured out a part of it but I am sure I am still far from figuring out the complete extents of your plan. As one would expect from the one who gathered all the Supreme Beings. Your existence is truly formidable."

"Umu. Now, explain the future plans of Nazarick, so that the others present here could easily understand."

"Yes", he said turning towards the other guardians.

"I trust nobody is stupid enough to not know that Ainz-sama's prime objective in the previous world was. That is to say, world domination."

Everyone nodded their heads in understanding as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. However, the one concerned, who must have made the decision was different.

World Domination! What the hell was that? When did that happen? Why did it happen?

Ainz tried to remember every single moment he might have said something like that but no avail. Granted, world domination wasn't a bad idea. But, it wasn't easy either.

He felt Demiurge's gaze on him.

"World domination. I see... so you still remembered, from, that time."

"Of course. I, Demiurge, have committed every word spoken by you to memory, Ainz-sama. This includes that time too. I couldn't possibly forget."

"Is that so, I did bring it up then... did I not?"

"Indeed"

"From that time, then?"

"Indeed"

"That time too?"

"Indeed"

What Time?!

"I see, indeed, this pleases me greatly, Demiurge"

"Thank you very much, Ainz-sama."

"Then... That's good. Continue the explanation."

"Yes. As we all know, these humans had dared interrupt Ainz-sama plan that was already proceeding smoothly. But since coming to this world Ainz-sama had already surmised the betrayal and had already devised a plan that perfectly uses this to our advantage. Also, his plan as I have surmised makes use of his new power and position as the so called 'Shield Hero' after most possibly being branded as a criminal in this world.

According to their prophecies, when the world is faced against the waves, the four legendary weapons along with the cardinal heroes save this world. According to the currently available information, we can predict that the humans in this world are a little stronger than those present in the previous one. Having said this, they still pose no threat to Nazarick. As for those heroes, they might be helpful against the waves. And if they start to become strong enough to pose a threat, they can be disposed off at any time.

Ainz-sama's plans are already in motion. I have predicted this by the actions done so by him. He had not left any summon in his inn room where he is staying as Momon. Also he had earlier said that he planned on returning back there..."

Demiurge explained the plan for almost half an hour, where everyone involved in the plan was thoroughly given their respective roles. Ainz was constantly admiring the superior intellect of Demiurge although he couldn't share these thoughts with anyone as his claims would be consistently denied.

Ainz had earlier decided that he himself would do his role but everyone had begged him to let it be done by Pandora's Actor. He was a bit uneasy at first but ultimately agreed. He was worried that he could end up doing something rather "out-of-context".

After all was talked about, He stood up from his throne and exited the room with 'Greater Teleportation'. He had gone to conduct some experiments.

He first went to the treasury to withdraw some equipment for the mentioned experiments. He then teleported to the colosseum on the sixth floor. There he checked his stats and did some tests.

Ainz was quite pleased with the results.

The Morning In The Throne Room

Pandora's Actor as Momon-'The Shield Hero' was being escorted by six soldiers to the throne room of this damned kingdom.

This kingdom that had dared to even sully his great master, his creator and the greatest of the supreme beings. Little did they know their little scheme had been destroyed before even starting, such was his great master. They all were nothing more than scrape-goats for his great plan. His plan for taking the world for himself.

On one side he was feeling intense respect and admiration for his creator while suppressing the urge to boast his indomitability to the others in Nazarick. How awesome was he- The Supreme Overlord of Nazarick and the depths of his intellect. Also, when he had transformed into Ainz-sama, he had felt his new power with the 'Shield Hero' stats. Although he wasn't able able to remove the shield, he had felt that this could be the best addition in the arsenal of his master.

While on the other side he felt the greatest of anger he had ever felt.

These humans had dared to disrespect his master after summoning him without his permission. His master's ploy had involved sparing a few of those humans but if he had to say, he had the longing to torture them and give them the worst death possible.

He had went to the inn room where his master was staying at dawn. After some time, as his master had predicted, a few soldiers came to arrest him of some charge. He had imbued fear into them by activating the 'Despair Aura I'.

As he was walking towards the room, he felt 6 eight-edge assassins in close proximity. The plan was going as planned.

While many others had received completely detailed descriptions of their jobs, he had got rather vague plans foe the first step. All he was told was ,"Act on your convenience as you see fit taking the talks earlier into consideration." He was delighted over this as this was a sign of trust from his master.

Nnnnnn Ainz-sama... I shall not fail your trust and live up to standards...

As Momon entered the room, he quickly scanned the surroundings making an estimate of the people present.

" ! Might I ask what is happening?"

That deplorable human hid behind the Spear Hero.

According to Ainz-sama, his name is Motoyasu Kitamura. I guess he is just as Ainz-sama described. And those must be Ren Amaki and itsuki Kawasumi.

The talks progressed and he got to learn the stupidity and ignorance of everyone present.

"Liar! If that was true, would Myne be crying like that."

Now is the moment.

"Hahahahahahaha", Pandora's Actor started laughing. To those present, this would've sounded of one who is a devil at heart. That was what he wanted. Then he looked over at Myne although his eyelids weren't visible. As he did that, he stopped, while making a disappointed sigh.

"Your highness, it seems that I am being accused of false charges. So I think justice should be properly given."

"Silence, Scoundrel. Any act of sexual aggression committed against the people of my kingdom would be punished immediately by death. It doesn't matter if you are a hero or a barbarian. I had an inkling the first time I saw you. I don't know where you lived or come from but we don't do things that way here."

"It was clear that you were different from us, but still I didn't think you would stoop this low, you wretch."

Well, that was expected.

Pandora's Actor gave the assassins who had already taken their positions the cue his command, they released some of their killing intent towards everyone present as the spear and swords were pointed at him.

"Stop!" He said in such a way that was clearly made for everyone present to listen.

"This crime of yours could not be forgiven. Your punishment will not stop. As you are the only line of defense against the waves you would not be given death but you will still be branded as a criminal..", the king shouted without thinking as predicted.

Pandora's Actor released 'Despair Aura I' speaking in a voice devoid of emotion.

"Let me ask you one last time, Are You Not Going To Listen To My Claims, even though I am the victim here."

Upon hearing such voice mixed in with the ominous aura, the king along with everyone faltered. Even the so-called "heroes" took a step back. It was visible they were scared.

No one currently present in the room is immune to its effects. So if 'Despair Aura V' is released their chances of survival are slim to none. This confirms that the heroes at their current level have no chances of posing a threat to anyone in Nazarick. Also according to Ainz-sama, if the power at different levels is same for all the heroes, then the likelihood of them growing stronger than a level-100 guardian is very low.

The king seemingly gathered all the courage left in him and spoke in a half-baked confident voice.

"I have nothing to listen to the Devil of the Shield."

Bingo, his words confirm the speculation that the church is possibly controlling or leading the thoughts of both this king and his daughter.

It was now time to end this.

"I see . That's too bad. But remember one thing. Be careful who you call a devil based on you instincts. Who knows, they might actually be one."

Whoosh. In one fell horizontal sweep from one of the great-swords, the heads of the 6 soldiers surrounding him was separated from their heads. Nobody in the room was able to conceive what had happened until their heads fell on the ground with a thud.

All the remaining guards came back to senses and readied their weapons. The same could be said for the Heroes.

Pandora's Actor used the blunt side of the swords to knock out the heroes with the sword and the had targeted the back their heads Resistance was futile and they went down without a problem. At that moment, the spear was launched at him. He avoided the attack and knocked the guy with the spear too.

Without wasting a moment the guards were met with an attack. One of them tried of receive the attack with his bastard-sword but the sword cracked in half because of the force. The person was divided in two from the chest to waist.

The king stood up trying to fight Momon. He moved at speed far faster than the others. But as he did so, Momon suddenly appeared in front of him and hit him four times qith his bare hands. Those four attacks were targeted at his shoulders and knees and had a lot of force behind them. The attacks completely shattered them rendering him immovable. Then one other attack aimed for his chest and he was sent flying back on his throne. He couldn't move and was forced to watch the carnage unfold.

He had already cast an anti-sound barrier so that nobody's screams would leak out of the room.

Just like that out of more than 60 people in the throne-room including the ministers, personal guards and the soldiers were reduced rapidly until a measly 5 remained. None of the ministers or the guards remained. The room was filled with blood and the insides of people scattered around the floor. On the contrary, there wasn't even a scratch on the black armor of the culprit.

And there was Momon sitting on a pile of corpses extremely still just like posing for a photograph. One of the sword was hanging on his back, while the other one was vertically standing with Momon's hand on it in a theatrical way. Nobody in the room dared move. He had stopped releasing the 'Despair aura'. The heroes were still unconscious.

Myne was lumping with eyes like dead fish and the ground around her wet. She had peed herself.

The king's condition wasn't any better either. He had fallen unconscious once but was woken up forcefully by Momon to hear the screams of those around him. It was clear that he had already resigned himself to death.

It looked like they had broke inside and probably wouldn't forget this. It would haunt them for the entirety of their lives. They were forced to listen to the screams of everyone. Their screams of agony as they writhed in pain, their pleading screams asking for mercy, their screams of frustration as they cursed the devil of the shield and lastly the ones most potent of them all. Their screams as they cursed the king and his daughter for provoking said devil, placing the blame of their deaths on them.

Pandora's Actor as Momon, stood up in almost slow-motion. He then spoke words in a firm manner. But the words said were the face of the harsh truth that had to be faced no matter what.

"As the world teeters on the edge of destruction, 4 legendary weapons are summoned along with the cardinal heroes. The heroes fend off the waves that rain down destruction to protect said world. And I was summoned as the Shield Hero as the last line of defense. But as soon as I arrive, what happens?"

Momon snapped his fingers and said in a sarcastic voice of sorts.

"I am provided with unjust treatment even though nothing wrong was done. And then my supposed comrade betrays me and accuses me of false charges."

Both of them stayed quiet just looking at him.

Everything proceeded just as planned. Now as for the last part.

Momon walked towards the king. Everyone could just follow him with their eyes. The king's expression grew even more grim as he was approached. Momon stored his second sword on his back and lifted up the chin of the king with his index finger so that they could see eye to eye. Although that is said, the king only saw glowing dots of the red light through the narrow slit in the helmet where the eyes were supposed to be.

"Y-You! You de-devil of the shield! I won't let you destroy my family again."

"You not only disrespected me but also the place I come from. My home. Do you know what that means. Be thankful that you are alive."

With that he left the side of the crying king and walked towards the exit. Before exiting, he turned one last time to face everyone alive in the room and declared.

"I will fight the waves to protect what is important to me. You better take the heroes to rest before they wake up or they too would lose their wills to fight."

With that Pandora's Actor left the room along with 4 assassins.

Nnnnnnn, Ainz-sama, my benovolent creator! The work has been done! I hope it pleases you... Pandora's Actor thought while mentally saluting.