{An unknown location, several days before…}

“We must abrogate the E-Rantel Accords, Councilors. We have already been deceived, as the Black Scripture agent has informed us, and our own scrying has revealed. The true power of the Sorcerer Kingdom, Albedo, is not dead as we had hoped. We have spent the last two years believing that lie. Secondly, it stands to reason that the Sorcerer King will seize the three World Items possessed by the Theocracy. This represents an unacceptable shift in the balance of power.”

“Councilor Aganeia, violence and subterfuge can’t be the only way to resolve this issue. I wonder if we can use the peace we have now to improve relations with the Sorcerer Kingdom, while maintaining our independence.”

“No, Councilor Myronsilk. I cannot support any alliance of this nature. The Sorcerer Kingdom is an existential threat to the world. And this Albedo is the most dangerous player of all. I have confirmed her extreme effectiveness in battle, even one that she was supposed to lose.”

“Please, Councilor Aganeia. If we attack now, the Sorcerer King will surely turn on us, and destroy everything we have accomplished in the last two centuries. Some would suspect that you are letting a personal vendetta against the Sorcerer Kingdom cloud your judgment.”

“Believe me, Councilors. My judgment has never been clearer, nor my thoughts so rational. We must prevent the Sorcerer Kingdom from becoming more powerful.”

{The Treasury of Kami Miyako, the day of the battle…}

A [Gate] opened inside the Treasury vault.

Pandora’s Actor then turned back, adjusting his black peak cap.

“Albedo-sama. The coast is clear.”

“Well then, Pandora’s Actor.” Albedo, wearing her signature white dress, emerged from the [Gate].

“If it pleases you, Albedo-sama, I would like a chance to examine the other items present in the treasury as we go along. While they may not be of use to us, per se, I still delight in magic items great or small, as Father intended. Excuse me, I meant Momonga-sama.”

“Do not fret about calling Momonga-sama as He is to you. You may examine the items as you wish, but do not tarry for too long. If I am discovered to be here by anyone, especially Momonga-sama, it could spell disaster for our future goals. Our priority is the World Items. Also, I think assuming Momonga-sama’s appearance would be the best insurance of our safety. I expect secret interference from others.”

“Fear not, my lady, regarding your absence. I conducted a secret audition among the various doppelgangers of Nazarick, and I have carefully chosen the best one to play the role of Albedo. Shall we, then?” Pandora shifted into Ainz’s form, and bowed grandiosely, gesturing for Albedo to proceed. Albedo made no change to her facial expression, but she kept her eyes and her thoughts on Pandora’s Actor.

Ah, the creation of my darling Momonga-sama! The doppelganger often confuses me, but that is only because the overarching objectives of Momonga-sama regarding his creation still elude me. Perhaps… Perhaps his eccentricity and overacting result from an intentional gap in his heart that Momonga-sama left unfilled… the gap which only mother’s love and attention can fill. That only I can fill… I can be a mother, a wife, a queen! I look the part, I can play the part wonderfully, I can do it all! Yes! This only confirms that I am to be Momonga-sama’s chosen Queen, not that washboard-flat joke of an eel! How could she be a good stepmother to Pandora? Her idea of “caring” for him would be locking him in with her disgusting harem for weeks on end! Perish the thought! I’ll take good care of you, Pandora-kun!

The two of them, Albedo first, went deeper into the great vault, a veritable warehouse filled with shelves upon shelves of items, great and small. Albedo paid no heed to the wonders within the vault. Pandora would linger behind often, examining objects that caught his interest. He took out a Monocle of Understanding, using it to translate the plaques and labels that were near some of the various items. The doppelganger talked quietly to himself as he went through the varied artifacts.

“The organization here is adequate, if unrefined... If they had a magical item expert, wie Ich, they wouldn’t need the signs and labels! Such a system serves the enemy if there is a security breach…

Hmm… An Iss-jotnar waraxe… Legacy-class weapon.

Helm of Deflection… Middle-class...

Wand of Delayed Fireball… High-class...

Megingjörð… Legacy-class belt…

Oh? What have we here? Coffins! Strange… open-faced too… Ah, I see!

Black Scripture Emergency Resurrection Candidate 01: Custodio, R. Tsk-tsk-tsk, a poor investment of a preservation spell, let alone a resurrection spell…

Coffin 2 is unlabeled and empty…

Black Scripture Emergency Resurrection Candidate 03: Custodio, K. Nothing here…

Black Scripture Emergency Resurrection Candidate 04: Bessarez, C. Nothing here either... Lord Wrath didn’t leave much to find, from what I heard…

Safarlisia… Legacy-class swor-“

“Pandora’s Actor,” chided Albedo, sweetly, stopping and turning to face him. “We have little time to spare.”

“My apologies, milady!” The doppelganger moved quickly to catch up to Albedo.

They passed by various coffers, filled with gold and precious gems, and armorstands containing panoplies of legend and the helms of gods. The two of them stopped before the inner doors of the treasury.

“Here. I believe the World Items to be here. They are foolish to not set traps and puzzles in our way.”

“Indeed, Albedo-sama. Perhaps their main security was the half-elf descendant of the YGGDRASIL players. [Discern Enchant].”

“Perhaps…”

“That’s it? A 6th tier elemental ward! [Greater Dispel]. That should do it. We could have teleported inside, meine Herrin.”

Albedo ignored his remark, and pushed the great doors open. Within was a triangular chamber. An armor stand stood on the opposite corner of the room. A marble pedestal topped by a jewel-encrusted brazier, burning with a white fire, was to the left. On the right, a beautiful marble statue reached upwards, a ring on its finger. However, Albedo and Pandora’s Actor stopped suddenly, their attention to the sudden appearance in the center of the room.

There, hovering over the ground, was a suit of elaborate draconic armor, coated in platinum. Twin blue flames burned in the eyeslits of its plumed helm. Four weapons, a greatsword, a spear, a warhammer, and a katana orbited around it.

Albedo instantly drew 3F, her Legendary-class bardiche.

The armor took one look at the two of them and disappeared.

Albedo scoffed. “As I expected of the fool. Retreat has only postponed the inevitable end. He will be dealt with in due course. Let us do what we have come to do. I will take the Ouroboros, and when the time is right, I will set Momonga-sama free."