—Shoooong.
As I ascended, steadily increasing my speed in a single upward surge, the once-gentle breeze suddenly howled like a storm. My jet-black mantle whipped violently with the wind's direction.
Behind me, Demiurge hurried to follow, but I paid him no heed. My focus was only on the climb—ever higher, endlessly vertical.
After rising several hundred meters, I halted. My attention was drawn solely to the night sky.
The moon and stars poured down their bluish-white radiance, pushing back the darkness over the land. The endless grasslands shimmered as the wind brushed across them, as though the entire world itself was glowing. In the heavens, countless stars twinkled, and among them, a massive planet gleamed—so vast it resembled another moon.
I exhaled a breath of awe, gazing at the countless jewel-like stars that adorned the firmament.
"Magnificent."
This was the world of Overlord.
Japan, by contrast, had been choked with environmental corruption—air pollution, water pollution, filth everywhere. But here, in this otherworld, the night sky swept away all memories of that tainted land.
This was a sky Japan had long since lost.
This otherworld's heavens were a vision reality could never provide. A quiet melancholy stirred faintly within me.
As I continued to gaze upon the endless brilliance of the stars, a fluttering sound reached my ears—wings in motion.
It was Demiurge, who had assumed a different form.
Great black, leathery wings spread from his back as though damp with moisture, and his once-human face warped into something amphibian, grotesque—half-demonic.
"Sparkling… yes. Like a casket overflowing with jewels."
"Truly magnificent, beyond compare. Perhaps this world's beauty exists solely to adorn You, Kaiselin-sama. It is as though the countless stars themselves are welcoming Your arrival."
Demiurge spoke such shamelessly flattering words without hesitation. I remained silent.
In such a beautiful world… what shall I do?
"You think so, Demiurge? That these stars exist only to adorn my body… Perhaps so. Which means, Demiurge—"
"Yes, Lord Kaiselin."
"I find myself wanting them. Your words have stirred within me the desire to claim these gems for my own."
I extended my hand toward the far horizon, fingers outstretched as though to seize the heavens. A greedy impulse surged in my chest—an insatiable craving.
"Yes… I wish to monopolize them. To transform the Great Tomb of Nazarick into an eternal, immutable legend of this world. And these jewels shall exist only to embellish Nazarick—and me."
Demiurge pondered briefly, then replied.
"A most captivating desire. If You will but grant Your permission, I shall mobilize the entirety of Nazarick's forces. We shall claim every gem of this casket for Your glory. And to present them to You, Lord Kaiselin—ah, there could be no greater joy for this Demiurge."
At those words, a quiet smile crept across my lips. Demiurge, too, smiled, entranced by the vision.
"Floor Guardian of the Seventh Layer, Demiurge. Can you offer all the stars of this world to me?"
"Of course, my Lord! If such devotion serves You, the Supreme One, then there is no higher bliss for this Demiurge!"
"Good. Such courage pleases me. Yes, I find it most agreeable. Now then… to claim these jewels, what path shall I take…"
My gaze fell upon the brightest cyan-white light in the sky, my mind racing. And then—like a lantern flare across my thoughts—it struck me.
"World domination."
"Yes… world domination shall suffice. I will conquer this entire realm and place all creation beneath Nazarick's heel."
Momonga had once walked a similar path in the original tale.
But I shall proceed differently.
I will follow the pattern, but unlike him, I shall seize every female I desire—and destroy those who do not please me.
A grotesque grin spread across my face as ecstasy coursed through me. Yet as I looked back toward Nazarick, the land itself began to shift.
The earth for over a hundred meters heaved like waves of the sea. Small mounds surged upward everywhere, gathering into one another, merging and swelling until they rose as high as a hill—rolling toward Nazarick.
The massive tide of soil crashed against Nazarick's walls, scattering outward like a wave breaking into foam.
"〈Earth Surge〉… expanded by skill, augmented further by class abilities."
Only Mare could wield such a grandiose spell within Nazarick.
Smiling faintly, I descended toward the source, Demiurge close behind.
Mare stood below, clutching his staff nervously, hands pressed together in anxiety as he looked up.
"W-Welcome back, L-Lord Kaiselin!" His voice cracked under the weight of tension.
"No need to be so stiff, Mare. Treat me more comfortably. You are still young."
"I… I cannot. You are the Supreme One…"
"Is that so? Then act as you wish."
I looked around. The earth had been piled with immaculate precision.
"Mare. Splendid. To accomplish this much is impressive indeed."
"Th-Thank you, my Lord!"
Lowering his head, Mare trembled. I considered what reward might be fitting.
"Very well… accept this."
In my hand gleamed a ring. Mare froze, trembling violently.
"T-This is…! Only the Supreme Beings may possess such an item! I cannot accept this!"
Smirking, I seized his wrist and slid the ring upon his finger.
"The Great Tomb of Nazarick forbids teleportation. Without this, moving about would prove inconvenient. None can foresee what crises may arise. Take it as both a gift and a command. Use it well, and grow stronger—for Nazarick, and for me."
"I will brook no refusal. If it troubles you, then I order it: accept it."
"Y-Yes, my Lord…! B-But… will all Guardians be granted such gifts?"
"In time. But you are the first. Because I value what you have achieved. Your deeds are what give this ring its worth. Accept it."
Mare trembled, but a shy smile spread across his face as he looked upon the glittering ring.
"Th-Thank you, Lord Kaiselin! I… I swear to be worthy of this treasure! I shall strive with all my heart!"
"I look forward to it, Mare."
"Yes!"
His face lit up with youthful determination.
As our exchange ended, the sound of approaching heels echoed behind me.
"Lord Kaiselin, so here You were."
The voice of a woman, searching desperately for me. I turned.
Demiurge stood nearby as well, but in that moment my eyes beheld only the breathtaking figure of a jet-black goddess.
"Albedo. How fares your body? You carry a child. Is it wise to wander so freely?"
"I am well, my Lord. It fills me with joy beyond words that You would worry for me. Yet I am Your humble servant. To serve at Your side is my duty. I only beg that You forgive my forwardness."
Hands folded, she bowed deeply. My gaze dropped to her abdomen.
Yes… within, my bloodline stirred.
I nodded.
"Very well. But reckless behavior is forbidden. When do you plan to deliver the child?"
"If You desire it, my Lord, I can do so here and now. But for the child's sake, perhaps a proper place should be—"
"No. Do so when you wish."
"Yes, my Lord."
As we spoke, I turned back toward Mare—but a sudden chill crawled down my spine.
…Was it a trick of the eye?
For an instant, Albedo's eyes bulged unnaturally, darting like a chameleon's, focusing upon the ring on Mare's hand. Yet the moment passed—her face remained as beautiful as ever.
Tonight, I thought idly, I shall not let her sleep.
Albedo smiled, as though nothing had happened.
"Is there something upon my face, my Lord?"
"No. I was about to give you this."
I produced another ring from my subspace, identical to Mare's, and handed it to her.
"As Overseer of the Guardians, you too require such an item."
"My gratitude, my Lord."
Her tone was composed, but I could see the truth. The corners of her lips twitched as she fought to keep her expression calm. Her wings trembled, struggling not to flap in delight. Her hand shook faintly as she opened her clenched fist to accept the gift.
A very different response from when we shared intimacy.
"I will expect your loyalty to continue. As for you, Demiurge… your time shall come."
"I understand, Lord Kaiselin. I shall strive to be worthy of that sacred ring."
"Good. Then my business here is done. I shall return to the Ninth Floor."
Albedo, Demiurge, and Mare bowed deeply. I used the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown and teleported to my Royal Suite.
***
Seated before a great mirror, I gazed at its surface. Roughly a meter across, it did not reflect my image. Instead, it displayed a vast meadow, as though it were not a mirror at all but a scrying glass—like a television tuned to another world.
"Troublesome to locate…"
I wished to find my true destination quickly: Carne Village.
Scenes scrolled past in the mirror's surface. One after another, until I froze the image with a gesture.
Leaning back, lips curling upward, I spoke softly.
"There it is. Carne Village."
Beside me, Sebas tilted his head at the vision.
"Lord Kaiselin… soldiers are butchering the villagers?"
Armored men, clad in full plate, swung their swords at poorly dressed peasants. Each strike left blood splattering across the earth.
Slaughter.
The privilege of the strong.
Each swing of the knights' blades felled another villager. The helpless folk had no means of resistance—they were cut down mercilessly.
Sebas turned to me, awaiting my decision.
"What shall you do, my Lord?"
"We go to save them."
"Raise Nazarick's defenses to maximum alert. I shall go ahead. Inform Albedo and Luminous to arm themselves fully. But forbid Albedo from carrying True Nothingness: Ginnungagap, and likewise forbid Luminous from bringing Death Scythe of Asmodeus. Go."
As I spoke, the mirror revealed a young girl striking down a knight with her fist, then fleeing with a smaller girl in tow. I immediately summoned the Staff of DeviLangel from my inventory. But before I could act, the girl was slashed across the back.
I opened my mouth and uttered the spell.
〈Gate〉.
Infinite range. Zero failure. A flawless teleportation spell.
The world around me dimmed to black—then shifted.
And as the scene changed, I murmured softly:
"Enri Emmot. Shall I make this girl my broodmare…?"
The thought drifted idly through my mind.