The streets of E-Rantel bustled with the rhythm of routine. Merchants called out to passersby, offering spices, trinkets, and potions. Somewhere, a bard strummed a tune about a hero who'd slain a wyvern with a spoon.
Ainz, still cloaked as Rein, entered the Adventurer's Guild alongside Narberal. His Mithril plate was secured at his chest—not flashy, but unmistakable. As they stepped into the hall, a few conversations faltered.
Some eyes turned. Others narrowed.
The mood shifted just slightly.
Ainz pretended not to notice, but Suzuki Satoru's voice in the back of his mind sighed.
I knew this would happen. Too fast, too clean. Of course someone's going to think it's unfair.
He moved toward the quest board as if nothing had changed.
Narberal leaned closer. "Should I… silence them?"
"No," Ainz said immediately. "They're just staring. That's allowed."
"…Unwise of them."
Please stop thinking like that.
He scanned the quests. One stood out:
Investigation: Northern Mine CollapseMiners reported tremors, glowing beasts, and disappearing workers.Status: Urgent.Reward: 80 gold.Rank: Mithril and above.
"Let's take this one," Ainz said.
Just as he turned to hand the quest slip to the receptionist, a voice stopped him.
"Hey."
Ainz turned.
Three adventurers stood nearby—two men and a woman, all dressed in standard gear. Their Silver plates gleamed, slightly scuffed from actual use.
The speaker was broad-shouldered, with a faint scar across his nose and an axe strapped to his back. He looked Ainz up and down, then sneered.
"Mithril, huh? That's quick. Real quick. Funny how some of us grind for years, and then someone just... skips ahead."
Ainz remained calm. "Do you have a problem?"
"I've got questions," the man said. "Like how a guy no one's heard of jumps from Copper to Mithril in two jobs. You kill a dragon we didn't hear about? Or is the Guild playing favorites?"
People were watching now.
Narberal's eyes darkened. "If you wish to die, say so plainly."
Ainz held up a hand to stop her. Then looked back at the man.
"My actions were evaluated. The Guildmaster made the decision."
"Oh, right—Guildmaster Ainzach." The man smirked. "Did you save his cat too?"
That earned a few chuckles.
Ainz took a step forward. Quietly. Measured.
"You think your effort entitles you to rank? It's not about time. It's about results."
The man's face twitched.
"You think I haven't bled for my rank?" he snapped. "You think I haven't watched teammates die? I earned this!"
"I never said you didn't," Ainz said calmly. "But if your first response to someone else's success is bitterness… maybe that's why you're still Silver."
The laughter stopped.
The man flushed.
"Watch your mouth."
Ainz stepped forward—closer, his voice dropping.
"Or what?"
The room held its breath.
The adventurer held Ainz's gaze a second longer—then turned away, scoffing.
"Tch. Whatever. Come on."
His teammates followed, quiet.
Narberal still looked annoyed. "You should have let me—"
"No," Ainz said. "Public perception matters. Crushing someone's skull isn't the only form of power."
"…As you say, my Lord."
Later, deep beneath the mines, the real danger revealed itself.
A narrow shaft had opened into an unnatural cavern—walls glittering with warped, iridescent crystal and patches of pulsing fungus. A magical vein had ruptured beneath the mine, corrupting the area.
Creatures emerged from the gloom—misshapen things of molten ore and corrupted mana. Their forms pulsed, unstable. Cursed elementals.
Narberal raised a hand, magic already gathering at her fingertips. "Shall I purge them?"
"No need," Ainz said.
He calmly reached into his robe and produced a small, silver amulet engraved with holy sigils.
"Let's test something low-tier."
He activated the charm—[Purification Seal].
A pale silver light radiated outward in a soft pulse.
The nearest creature froze. When the light touched it, its unstable form convulsed—and then crumbled. Its core, saturated with magic corruption, cracked and dissolved into white ash.
The other creatures hissed as the wave passed over them—two more dissolved instantly.
Narberal blinked. "That was a… charm?"
"Low-tier. Class-1 sacred cleansing," Ainz replied. "Weak, but clean. Just enough."
He used it two more times, purging the remaining infestation without casting a single spell.
Efficient. Quiet. Minimal exposure.
Perfect.
When they returned with samples and the report, Guildmaster Ainzach personally met them in the lobby.
"You handled this quickly," he said. "No drama. No casualties. And… I heard about the incident this morning."
Ainz gave a short nod.
"I wouldn't worry," Ainzach continued. "Adventurers always talk big—especially when someone rises faster than they can explain."
Ainz said nothing.
Ainzach smiled faintly. "Keep working like that. Let your results do the talking."
That evening, as Ainz and Narberal walked through E-Rantel's quieter side streets, the tension had faded.
People still glanced at them.
But there was less suspicion—and more wariness.
Jealousy fades when proof appears, Ainz thought. Results speak louder than rumors.
He paused at a bakery stall. "One loaf of honey bread."
Narberal tilted her head. "You don't eat."
"I know. It's for appearances."
"…Would you like me to pretend to eat too?"
"…Please don't."
***************
The next day, Rein and Narberal returned to the Guild Hall as requested. Guildmaster Ainzach had called for a meeting — unusual, considering the success of their last quest.
As they stepped inside, the air felt heavier than before.
Three adventurer teams stood off to the side, clearly waiting. One of them wore coordinated gear in the colors of House Furt: an aristocratic family known for sponsoring adventuring parties in exchange for political favor.
At the center stood a smug-looking man with slicked-back blond hair and a badge that identified him as a Gold-ranked adventurer. The moment he saw Rein, he smiled.
Too brightly.
Trouble.
In the Guildmaster's office, Ainzach stood behind his desk, hands clasped tightly in front of him.
"There's been a… development," he began carefully. "One of the noble-backed groups has accused you of theft. Specifically, that you looted a rare enchanted gemstone from the northern mine and failed to report it."
Ainz didn't respond immediately.
Narberal's brows twitched. "An absurd lie."
Ainzach sighed. "I agree. But Lord Furt's son personally vouched for the claim. Which means I'm forced to hold a formal inquiry — and all ranked adventurers are invited to attend."
Ainz crossed his arms. "You already examined the submitted loot."
"I did. And I'm certain there's no wrongdoing. But this… isn't about justice. It's about seeing how you respond."
Ah. So they're probing for weakness. Jealous adventurers and bored nobles—always a fun combination.
"Fine," Ainz said. "Let them speak."
The inquiry was held in the guild's open hall, with chairs hastily arranged around the center. Curious adventurers filled the perimeter.
At the center stood Rein and Narberal on one side, and the accusers on the other: Gold-rank adventurer Grake of the House Furt expedition team, backed by two armored warriors and a cleric.
Grake spoke first.
"I mean no offense," he began, his tone oozing false courtesy, "but the rapid rise of this… individual has raised concerns. We believe Rein here found and concealed a high-value arcane gem tied to the mine's curse."
A few adventurers murmured.
Grake continued. "Failure to report such an item is grounds for disciplinary action. We request that his equipment and bag be searched. Publicly."
Ainz didn't flinch. "You are aware that unwarranted searches are a violation of Guild statute?"
"That's why we're asking," Grake said, with a wide, false smile. "Unless, of course, there's something to hide?"
Ainzach remained silent, watching.
Narberal was already preparing a spell in case this turned ugly.
Ainz stepped forward.
"You claim I stole a cursed gem."
"Yes."
"And where is this gem now?"
Grake blinked. "Well, obviously, you have it."
Ainz reached into his robe and calmly withdrew a small, sealed pouch. He held it out.
Inside was a small shard of purged crystal — already nullified by the [Purification Charm] he'd used yesterday.
"This is the only sample recovered. It was tainted, barely worth anything, and I submitted it to Guildmaster Ainzach. As per protocol."
He turned to the Guildmaster.
"Would you confirm that?"
Ainzach stood. "It's true. I have the records and the sealed sample. No item is missing. This accusation is unsupported."
A tense silence fell over the hall.
Grake's eye twitched. "T-Then… perhaps it was disposed of after the report—"
"You're grasping," Ainz said flatly. "You had no evidence. You wanted an excuse to embarrass me."
Grake's face contorted. "How dare you—!"
"Dare what?" Ainz's voice sharpened. "Call out cowardice hiding behind noble colors? Your team wasn't even qualified for the quest. You're upset that I finished it first."
Gasps echoed around the room. A few adventurers even chuckled.
Grake stepped forward, hand on his sword.
Narberal raised a finger. "[Lightning—]"
"Don't," Ainz said calmly. "You're not worth it."
Grake froze. So did his men.
Ainz stepped forward.
"You wanted to see how I'd respond under pressure? Fine. Here it is."
He turned toward the room.
"I'm Rein. I don't need to lie, cheat, or steal. I take the quests others ignore, finish them cleanly, and walk out without a scratch. If that makes you uncomfortable—raise your standards."
Silence.
Even the other Silver and Gold-ranked adventurers said nothing.
Ainz turned to Ainzach. "Are we done here?"
"…Yes," the Guildmaster said quietly. "Inquiry dismissed."
That evening, as they left the Guild, Narberal still looked irritated.
"Shall I follow and erase the noble's team?"
"No."
"They insulted you."
"Many people will," Ainz replied. "But a crushed enemy only teaches fear. A humiliated one… teaches others not to try."
Narberal nodded. "Tactical humiliation. Understood."
"…That's not quite what I meant."
They turned a corner. The moon hung high above E-Rantel.
Ainz held his hands behind his back.
Let them watch. Let them whisper.
He smiled faintly beneath the mask.
They'll learn in time.
Just then, a shimmer in the air signaled the activation of a [Message] spell.
Ainz halted.
"This is Ainz."
The voice that came through was Sebas—uncharacteristically tense.
"Apologies, Lord Ainz. But we have an urgent situation."
Ainz's eyes narrowed. "Go on."
"Shalltear Bloodfallen… has gone rogue."
A pause.
"She was last seen in the Katze Plains, but now attacks all who approach. She is unresponsive to all forms of [Message] communication. Aura attempted to scout her position—she confirmed Shalltear is alone, active… and hostile."
Narberal straightened sharply.
Ainz didn't move.
His undead heart did not beat faster. But within, a chill deeper than fear began to form.
"…I'm returning now."
"Yes, Lord Ainz."
The spell ended.
Without hesitation, Ainz turned into a nearby alley and whispered, "[Gate]."
The swirling portal opened. He stepped through with no further words, and vanished into its glow.