"Trial?" asked Cardinal Lagier, unsure of what he had just heard.

"Trial?!" cried the muscle-bound warrior. "What right have you to-"

"Cedran…" said the Captain, in a quiet, deadly tone. "Back down. Let the Cardinal speak." Myriad Barriers nodded in understanding. The Cardinal of Death quickly stepped in.

"I wish to offer my apologies for my subordinate here. I am glad that you have chosen the word 'trial,' as I myself was a lawyer before this. In order to conduct such a matter fairly, and so we have full knowledge of the issues that lie between us, I humbly request additional clarification, Lord Gown. The second matter we concede completely, but we hope that you do not regard our interest in your unusual nation as hostility. We wanted to ensure that your nation's development would not negatively affect us, and up to this point, it has not. It is only natural for nations to assure their own security and comfort by collecting information about its neighbors. Surely our actions are logical to you.

Now, the first grievance. What 'locales' did forces of the Theocracy attack? Which forces? When? On the third matter, we are surprised by your choice of words, Lord Gown. We were unaware that undead had the ability to reproduce, but you have shown yourself to be quite different from the undead we previously knew. Is there a corpse or a likeness that we could examine, to establish responsibility? Our goal, Lord Gown, is to ensure that this matter can be resolved peacefully and with minimal bloodshed. On that note, I wish to thank you for your civility, Lord Gown, in approaching us personally to ensure peace, disregarding that we are in a state of war."

"Mayor Bareare?" said Ainz. Enri stepped forward, unsure of what to say.

"[Amplify]. It's a spell to let you speak louder. Speak naturally. Remember your parents."

"My name is Enri Bareare. I am mayor of Carne Village, one of the villages on the Re-Estize/Baharuth border, which the soldiers of the Slane Theocracy, disguised as Knights of the Empire, attacked five years ago. Many innocent civilians were murdered. Two knights chased me and my sister into the forest, where we were saved by Ainz Ooal Gown-sama. If not for him, I would not be alive today. The goal of the Theocracy forces was to lure the Re-Estize Kingdom's Royal Champion, Gazef Stronoff, into a trap and kill him."

"And frame the Baharuth Empire in the process," said Emperor Jircniv. They did almost exactly what I would have done if I wanted to kill off the Royal Champion. I would have sent soldiers to burn the villages and once Stronoff emerged, have Fluder and a company of his best spellcasters perform an ambush.

Ainz spoke up as well. "I went to the trouble of saving that village, and in doing so befriended Gazef Stronoff. The agents of the Sunlight Scripture who tried to kill him later threatened to burn Carne Village to the ground, which I had gone to the trouble of saving. I retaliated in an efficient way. I used a spell to rescue Stronoff, before being attacked by two summoned Archangel Flames. They were ineffective against me, and I crushed them with my hands. The remaining twenty or thirty Flames that were summoned then swarmed me, but a single 7th tier [Negative Burst] eliminated them. The members of the Scripture began bombarding me with ineffective lower-tier spells." The Cardinal's eyes widened at this. 7th tier magic… He's even stronger than the Imperial archmage!

"The leader of the Scripture, Nigun Grid Luin, then used his summoned Principality of Observation to attack me with its weapon. An 8th tier [Hellfire] spell destroyed it."

The Theocracy envoy fell silent with shock at the mention of 8th tier magic.

"Then Luin summoned the Dominion Authority from his Sealing Crystal. The angel used the 7th tier spell [Divine Smite] on me, injuring me slightly. I responded with the 9th tier spell [Black Hole], which destroyed the Dominion Authority."

"9th tier…?" murmured Cardinal Lagier to himself in awe. He wiped some sweat off his forehead. "I… I see, Lord Gown. Some time to examine our archives would allow us to establish proper liability. If I recall, Captain Luin had gone rogue. He was quite a zealot man, as you may have seen. I am unsure if it is just to hold us accountable for the actions of one who had cut all ties with us and even stolen a holy artifact. We would never propagate violence against human settlements as you have described."

"I see. A plausible story. And now, Cardinal, the truth?" asked Ainz, matter-of-factly.

"The truth? Th-that is the truth, Lord Gown."

"The late Captain Luin never agreed with your narrative, from his capture until his death. He told us that the Cardinals specifically assigned him to go to the southern regions of the Kingdom, burning villages and terrorizing peasants, all under the guise of Imperial soldiers, and that he was given the sealing crystal as an insurance policy against unexpected foes, or should Gazef Stronoff prove too dangerous for the usual methods. I apologize for the fate of whoever was scrying in that area. I had prepared a spell to block divination magic and counter it. The 9th tier spell [Explosion] was an effective counter. I suggest if you wish your nation to benefit from my mercy, you curtail your attempts to deceive me."

"Perhaps your interrogation methods caused him to reveal his resentment towards us? We are unaware of your exact interrogation methods, so it is merely conjecture."

"We used the 4th tier [Dominate] spell, and then moved on to physical punishments."

"I… I see..."

"And what explanation do you have now, Cardinal Lagier?"

"The Sunlight Scripture is not under my jurisdiction, so I fully cannot answer for their objectives and actions. They answer to my colleague."

"So you are trying to deflect the issue with technicalities. We have not even begun to discuss the third and greater issue between my nation and yours. You are making a rather poor showing for yourself, Cardinal. Your dishonesty is laid bare. I will hold you personally responsible for the matter of Carne Village, along with the Cardinal responsible for the Sunlight Scripture. So tell me, Cardinal, have I exhausted your supply of lies yet? When will you be honest with me?" The Cardinal trembled as he stood. He could take no more of this.

"Enough! You have no right! No right to mock our Gods' power to exalt yourself! No right to put our great nation on trial like a common criminal! No right to insult our people with your insinuations and suspicions! Mercy you offer? Ha! The only thing you offer is the diminishment of man, to rob him of his destiny, to lower him to the level of the beasts and monsters you have surrounded yourself with! I for one will not submit! I reject your platitudes of supposed equality. I reject the blatant insult you call mercy! And I reject your place as the self-appointed judge, jury, and executioner of humankind! This 'trial' is a farce of the lowest order, and I will take no further part in it! The Theocracy owes no justification to the likes of you! This matter is concluded! Captain, we're leaving!" Cardinal Lagier stormed off, and the Black Scripture members followed him, rather surprised by the Cardinal's outburst.

"Ainz-sama. This is unforgivable," Albedo began, quietly, furiously. "That one should receive the greatest torments-"

"All in good time, Albedo." Ainz got up from the Throne, which then vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. "We have nothing more to do here." He turned to those present, some of whom were still shocked by the Cardinal's diatribe. "We will go to E-Rantel. Follow me. [Gate]." The swirling dimensional door opened. Ainz dismissed the other spells he had cast, the radiance of his robes dimming to their normal pristine white, and the dark aura surrounding him dissolving. The human and demi-human subjects of the Sorcerer Kingdom felt their hearts lighten as this happened. Ainz passed through the portal, and the rest of his entourage followed. The great rise of stone remained behind. The clouds began to roll before the sun again, as the area soon felt the gentle pit pat of rainfall.

{Ainz's office, the VIP Villa, E-Rantel, several hours later…}

Ainz sat down in the great chair in his office. Albedo stood slightly off to his side. He decided that now would be a good time to address Albedo's behavior.

"Albedo. I should have brought this up earlier, but I was rather displeased with your conduct when we visited the Theocracy." Albedo's eyes went wide like saucers, and she instantly dropped to her knees.

"Ainz-sama! Please, exact proper punishment upon me, I deserve nothing less for failing you."

"Relax, Albedo. I am not going to punish you. I am simply going to remind you that you must treat our subjects with some degree of respect, even If you have to act. I know it can be difficult for you. You told me earlier that 'lies are a poor foundation of leadership.' I agree. So tell me, what kind of liar would I be if I promised peace and prosperity on one hand, and yet my servants threaten to slay any who dare to approach me?"

Albedo relaxed herself in understanding. "I see now, Ainz-sama… Please, forgive me for my error. It will not be repeated."

"Send a private apology to Ms. Baraja. I don't want her to get the wrong idea."

"Your mercy is infinite, Ainz-sama. It shall be done."

"Excuse my interruption, Ainz-sama."

Foire, the maid on duty, had just spoken up.

"Demiurge-sama requests an audience with you, Ainz-sama."

"Of course. Show him in."

Foire employed little of the formality that Sixth had, which was fine. Ainz waved off Albedo, who was about to scold the maid for this. The well-dressed archfiend walked in, having returned to his more humanoid form. He knelt before the desk.

"Ainz-sama, I wish to personally thank You for indulging my curiosity, and to praise the ingenuity of Your deception towards the humans."

"It was no problem, Demiurge. You needn't stand on ceremony. Your experiment exceeded all expectations."

"Ainz-sama?" asked Albedo.

"Ah, Albedo, I forgot to tell you. Demiurge had been asking me about the side effects of psychological spells like [Control Emotions] combined with my Despair Aura, to be used in certain diplomatic situations. It seems to have worked quite wonderfully on the Cardinal, as his sudden outburst demonstrated."

"He was influenced by both You and Demiurge, Ainz-sama? You made the human lose his temper?" said Albedo, joyfully incredulous.

"Yes," said Demiurge, sounding quite proud of himself. "That scholarly-looking human turned quite impassioned. I believe [Control Emotions] and your Despair Aura I caused a temporary lapse of mental inhibitions, similar to some symptoms of alcoholic intoxication. This sort of incident only makes our cause seem stronger to our subjects, and further weakens the public image of the Theocracy. That, I venture, was why You invited all the leaders of Your vassal states. Now they will return home, only having seen an angry religious zealot first lie to You, then have a fit of rage against You. Quite the unfavorable impression they now have. Sasuga, Ainz-sama." Ainz waved him off. It felt weird saying 'Thank you' to praise like that.

"Ainz-sama!" said Albedo, the fire of burning desire in her yellow eyes, her face red with adoration. "You wrap Your foes around Your finger so easily! Ainz-sama… every deed You have done, every scheme You have concocted, every victory You have won, have shown us unworthy ones only fleeting glimpses of the infinite reaches of Your unending genius!" She could take no more, collapsing to her knees. "We reach out like small children, clumsily, collecting the small shining droplets that You give us from the endless bounty of Your mind, and we treasure them, like the most precious gems, utterly unaware of the true extent of Your exalted existence! To serve Ainz-sama! Words cannot describe the honor of even being the lowest of Your slaves."

Ainz felt his emotional inhibitor start up, suppressing the awkwardness he felt at the unexpected worship he really had no excuse to not expect. Should I stop her before she gets carried away and starts getting handsy? he thought to himself. He rose from his chair, extending a regal, ring-bedecked hand to Albedo. Gingerly, she put her delicate gloved hand in his larger hand, letting him pull her to her feet. She was likely going to drop again from the sheer giddiness of joining hands with the love of her life. Ainz didn't need to see her trembling limbs or feel her rapid pulse or the unstoppable quivering of her bright smile to figure that out. All he needed was to see her eyes. Judging from them alone, he could see that she was in heaven, or more specifically, the kind of heaven she experienced when he touched her in any way. I really need to do something about that damn line in her settings… 'Also, she is deeply in love with Momonga.' Also I might have just sealed my fate. Dammit, I should have brought the Eight-legged Assassins here. Endless bounty of my mind… ha. More like an endless bounty of stupid.

"Is this… is this where we'll start, Ainz-sama?" whispered Albedo bashfully. Ainz looked at Demiurge for help.

"I understand completely, Ainz-sama. I can step out the duration. The creation of an heir is a very important-"

"No, Demiurge, it's fine, I'm-"

"Oh, Ainz-sama, You grant me an unrivalled honor! To think You deem me worthy enough to see firsthand the beginning of a new dynasty of Supreme Beings! Your new dynasty! Let me get my note book! I have a special section set aside for the rites of reproduction of the Supreme Beings! It's completely empty!"

Fuck, that's not what I meant! Shit!

"N-no, Demiurge. You've put this into perspective. Making an heir is not our priority right now. We have a war to win. Which reminds me, I have to check in with Sebas. Albedo, please remain here for a while. I am putting E-Rantel into your capable hands. Remember what I said about how to treat our vassals. [Greater Teleportation]." In the blink of an eye, Ainz had gone.

"Awwww…" said Albedo, pouting. "We were so close…"

"I didn't expect Ainz-sama to express an interest in propagation yet, but that may change once we deal with the Theocracy. I will formally mention the matter to Him then."

"I don't understand, Demiurge. I cannot question the will of the Supreme Beings, but one thing is stuck in my mind, Demiurge. Why doesn't He seem to want me? I know Nazarick is important to Him, and He said over and over again that He loves us."

"No offense, Albedo, but the possibility exists He finds you lacking in some capacity. Perhaps self-control? Although there was only one incident where you attempted to force yourself upon Him, and even that was several years ago, so that's unlikely."

"I only ask because, well, let's keep this between the two of us, Ainz-sama told me that my feelings for Him were something that He caused within me."

"Really?" said Demiurge, amazed. "Do you remember when He did this?"

"How could I not? It was the very day He called us into the 6th Floor Arena. An hour before that, He entered the Throne Room, carrying the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, and was followed by Sebas and the Pleiades. He sat on the Throne of Kings, the only seat truly worthy enough to hold Him. It must have been then, since as I gazed upon His supreme majesty and His magnificence, I realized in an instant that… that I love Him. He ordered us to bow down to Him, and we did. From the corner of my eye, I could feel Him."

"Feel Him?"

"He was… sad, Demiurge. Some part of His heart was gone. Perhaps most of it was."

"What are you talking about, Albedo?"

"I saw Him lift His hand, counting the banners of the other Supreme Beings. I couldn't hear Him speak, but I realized that He missed His comrades. He was… no… He is hurting, Demiurge." For once, the archfiend had no answer, save silent contemplation.

"This matter of Ainz's emotions is rather unclear to me. I may ask Ainz-sama Himself about this. He may be able to furnish me with extra details that you could not have noticed, so I can have a complete picture of the situation. But, I was unsure whether to support you or Shalltear in marriage to Ainz, the reason being that both of you love Him, and so I figured that your Creators had made you that way. But now it seems, unless Ainz-sama altered Shalltear as well, that He intends to make you His Queen, and for you to be the mother of His heir. Based on that conclusion, Ainz-sama had this planned all along. Sasuga, Ainz-sama."

"I didn't finish. When He told me, He sounded… apologetic? Like He felt… guilty for doing so. It was odd to hear Him speak like that, as if He would owe answers to someone, which is impossible for a Supreme Being. Ainz-sama is His own master, the greatest Supreme Being, and that is the truth we follow and worship."

"This is merely conjecture, but I wonder… perhaps this has something to do with the our departure from YGGDRASIL? Perhaps before creating the plan to move us here, He had concerns for His safety in YGGDRASIL, and to ensure the continuation of Ainz Ooal Gown, He altered your heart, making you love him as a possible insurance policy? He might have done so since you were the only Floor Guardian who did not perish during the Invasion."

"Are you suggesting that Ainz-sama can feel fear, Demiurge?"

"Not at all, Albedo-sama. I am simply making a conjecture given the power difference between the inhabitants of YGGDRASIL and this New World. In YGGDRASIL, there were beings, other Players, who could defeat us."

"Defeat only comes about through weakness. There is no excuse. Are you defending your failure?"

"No, Albedo-sama. I am still as ashamed of it as all the others. But what I am trying to get at here is that the inhabitants of YGGDRASIL were significantly stronger than the inhabitants here. That is why we in turn were made so strong, to meet strength with strength. While there exist those in this world who can defeat the one or even two of Pleiades, we have only encountered one or two persons and organizations capable of threatening us, due to high levels or the possession of World Items. Do you see my logic here? Nazarick withstood an assault of 1500 Players at the peak of its strength, with all 41 Supreme Beings present. Later, Ainz-sama, managing the guild headquarters alone, without the backing of His fellow Supreme Beings, in a place where such the massive assault could potentially be repeated, took a long-term defensive precaution in setting you aside as His mate." In that brief explanation, Albedo had gone from eyeing the archfiend with slight suspicion to glee at his suggestion.

"I never thought of it like that! And He holds back until He deems me ready to mate!" Albedo's gears were turning. "YES! YESSS! I feel like my eyes have been opened! Hahaaaaa!" laughed Albedo. She turned, likely imagining a rather smug Shalltear, overstuffed bra included, in a vacant corner of the room. "Take that, you flat bloodsucker! Listen well, you bitch! Being Ainz's first wife is my destiny, unlike yours! As Victim lives to die, I live to love Ainz-sama! He chose me long ago!"

{The Inner Sanctum of the Basilica of the Six, Kami Miyako, that same time…}

"And you what, Cardinal Lagier?!"

"Your Holiness, I regret that I lost my temper."

"I don't recall you having much of a temper, Cardinal."

"I didn't think I did either, Cardinal Lauransan."

"Well, you came back alive, so I would consider that a good thing," said the Pontifex.

"Cardinal Lagier, do you mind if I perform a small experiment?"

"Uh… as you wish, Cardinal Partouche."

"[Detect Enchantment]." The Cardinal of Air chuckled to himself softly.

"Cardinal?"

"I suspected as much. You, my dear Maximillian, are the victim of mind control magic, 2nd tier."

"Mind control magic? You mean that I was influenced by the Sorcerer King in some way?"

"Exactly that." Cardinal Partouche laughed in resignation.

"But I heard no incantation, no spell!"

"The perfect crime. So simple, so effective. He must have used the [Silent Magic] alteration, as described in the writings of Surshana that we translated. He never intended to actually negotiate with us. He used mind control magic to destroy our reputation in the eyes of his minions. He had all his slaves and vassals gathered before him, and they all saw your outburst, likely unaware of the undead's meddling. All they saw was you explode in fury after repeated accusations that you were unable to defend. Now if you were one of them, Cardinal, what conclusion would you draw?"

Cardinal Lagier bowed his head in understanding, adjusting his glasses. "That the Theocracy was guilty of what the Sorcerer King accused them of."

"Exactly! Frighteningly wicked! He used this entire ploy to ensure none of his human and demi-human minions have second thoughts about killing us!"

"It seems we have no choice but to carry on with the war, and fight to the bloody end."

"We may need to mobilize Certain Death."

"I, Cardinal of Wind, Ginedine-"

"We haven't time for votes and ceremony, Cardinal Guelfi. We're agreed, then, that we equip Certain Death with the holy panoply of Life and the Second Legacy?"

"Yes," said the Cardinals in unison.

"The matter's settled then." The doors of the Sanctum swung open. Some servants entered, starting to collect the last few shards of glass from the shattered windows. A well-dressed military officer marched in, removing his helmet in reverence.

"Ah, Grand Marshall, good!"

"Cardinals. Your Holiness."

"Anything to report regarding the army?"

"Response was incredible. Had to send people away. Insufficient facilities. 300,000 conscripts active. Another 50,000 expected to be entering training."

"350,000… incredible."

"The last Kingdom army was 400,000, and the Sorcerer Kingdom slaughtered them in an hour."

"Our army doesn't consist of impoverished half-starved peasants forced to take up the sword by decadent nobles. The hosts of the Theocracy take up the sword to defend their homes, their future, their faith, and in the end, that faith is what will pull them through to victory," noted Cardinal Santini.

"Faith and good strategy," said Cardinal Lauransan.

"One of the holy proverbs of the Six comes to mind, 'A good defense is the best offense,'" said Cardinal Santini. "I think we should take the fight directly to the Sorcerer Kingdom."

"E-Rantel is designed to defend against a long siege. We cannot afford to get bogged down in a siege. What if we attacked the Empire rapidly?"

"That'd require us to cross the Katze Plains. Too dangerous."

Cardinal Partouche brightened up with an idea.

"The Draconic Kingdom."

"Our military assistance deal with them ended two years ago. Even then it'd be obvious we were building up for an attack on the Empire."

"That's why we act stealthily. No notification, no warning. We move our armies through the Draconic Kingdom, and across the border with the Empire. Of course, we would need to secure the Draconic Kingdom to avoid intelligence leaks."

Cardinal Lauransan looked surprised. "You want to attack the Draconic Kingdom?"

"Not attack. Merely a temporary, peaceful occupation, and only placing troops in our own outposts there. Our troops would withdraw immediately after the war is finished."

The Grand Marshall nodded. "Sounds feasible. Your Holiness?"

The Pontifex bowed his head. "Do what you think is best, Grand Marshall. We entrust this matter to you. May the Six bless your every step." With a bow, the Grand Marshall marched out of the Sanctum, leaving the Cardinals in silence.

"I wonder," said Cardinal Dracrowa after a while, his hand on his chin.

"Yvon, you haven't said anything lately."

"Maximillian, you said that the Sorcerer King mentioned a trial. I think there might be

truth in that word, 'Trial.' Not a trial of our nation, but a trial of all humanity itself."

"Are you implying that the Sorcerer King is…"

"A messenger of the Six. A reminder to us that complacency and infighting will be the

doom of humanity. A reminder to remember our faith and to place our trust in the Gods."

"If the Sorcerer King was of the Six, why would he surround himself with demons and

demi-humans? The very monsters that the Six fought to destroy?"

"A good point, Cardinal Guelfi, but consider this: perhaps the Six are using the undead to

show the fate of humans who surrender to his will or fight amongst each other. The Empire has entered the final stages of moral decay, having freed their non-human slaves. The decadent Kingdom is evidence of the latter fate.

In the Sorcerer Kingdom, humans are reduced to the same level as the demi-human. In fifty or a hundred years, the two kinds will inevitably begin to intermingle, creating a mongrel race. The Six foretold that humanity would inherit the earth, so the existence of this mongrel race is unacceptable and must be prevented. I believe that this Sorcerer King to be the final test of humanity."