The other Guardians displayed subtle expressions after hearing Albedo's explanation of Nazarick's 'background,' which was actually conceived by Iri.
They no longer showed the same fervent adoration for Ainz as before, and Ainz understood why… After all, Nazarick was a place he and his companions had created with their own hands.
Now, with Iri having given it the background of an ancient kingdom, one that had even been destroyed once, it was perfectly normal for the Guardians not to understand.
"Heh heh!" Demiurge chuckled after seeing everyone's subtle reactions.
"Do you really think that the plan Ainz-sama envisioned for Nazarick's background is merely this simple?" Demiurge said with considerable pride.
"Eh?" All the Guardians, except for Demiurge and Albedo, were astonished; of course… Ainz himself was also astonished.
"Everyone should think more. Ainz-sama is our master! He is the supreme unifier, so how could he possibly only conceive of a shallow background story? Naturally, there must be another purpose, right?" Demiurge continued.
Then, the other Guardians nodded in agreement with Demiurge's statement: Ainz-sama always has a reason for everything he does!
Uh… Demiurge! What are you trying to do?
Don't speak nonsense! I don't understand! I didn't! Ainz started to panic again.
"Kukuku! Exactly, Ainz-sama wouldn't just come up with such a story for no reason. It's because you always think Ainz-sama's ideas are too simple that he isn't willing to immediately tell you the deeper answer. Ainz-sama truly hopes you can grasp his true intentions sooner, but alas!" Albedo also added a jab.
No, no! Albedo! There is no deeper answer! Besides, I didn't even come up with that story myself! Iri came up with it! Ainz was panicking in various ways.
"This is troublesome, Ainz-sama, should you tell your true intentions to our dull companions? This will also affect future policies," Demiurge said.
Then, all the Guardians' incredibly expectant gazes focused on Ainz.
Ugh!! The pressure is immense!
However! I still have a trump card!
At this moment, Ainz slowly rose from his chair, gave a meaningful look to the expectant Guardians, then turned his back with his hands clasped behind him, and said,
"As expected of Demiurge, and the Guardian Overseer Albedo; you were able to see through all my intentions."
"I wouldn't dare, Ainz-sama's profound foresight is beyond my reach. I have only understood a small part of it," Demiurge replied, flattered.
"No, Demiurge… you are too humble." Ainz continued to flatter Demiurge, as he would rely on him to explain… what great plan he had conceived.
"No, no, it is Ainz-sama who is truly amazing. Ever since creating Fei Fei the Adventurer, and later creating Princess Elizabeth, you have conceived such a profound and far-reaching plan. Compared to you, I am indeed far, far behind!" Demiurge said humbly.
What? Fei Fei? Elizabeth? What do they have to do with this great plan? Ainz was very glad that his face was currently an expressionless skull, otherwise, he definitely wouldn't be able to stop his bewildered expression.
"What exactly is this??" Shalltear's tone was filled with dissatisfaction and jealousy, probably unhappy that only Demiurge and Albedo could understand the great plan Ainz-sama had conceived! Even Aura and Mare looked very unconvinced.
"Ainz-sama, I know this is a trial you have given us, but I, being dull, cannot grasp your true intentions. I humbly request Ainz-sama to enlighten me." Sebas also directly bowed to Ainz, indicating that he also wanted to know.
"I also implore Ainz-sama to grant us your wisdom." Cocytus echoed.
"..." Ainz felt immense pressure now. Facing the Guardians' incredibly expectant gazes, Ainz felt a very strong sense of guilt; he couldn't meet their expectations! So… this was the only way!
"Demiurge, I permit you to explain what you understand to the others!"
"Yes! Ainz-sama!" Demiurge readily agreed, and Ainz breathed a sigh of relief. Now he could finally understand the true nature of this great plan designed by "Ainz-sama."
First, Demiurge explained the true intention behind "Ainz-sama" agreeing to the alliance.
As previously stated, ruling over ruins would diminish the reputation of Ainz Ooal Gown. Therefore, the alliance was within Ainz-sama's expectations. When meeting the Emperor of the Empire, Ainz-sama deliberately displayed his power before the Emperor, specifically by creating a Death Knight in front of him. This alone was enough to awe the Emperor.
The Emperor of the Empire was a smart man; he clearly understood what power Nazarick possessed and would fear that this power's spearhead would be directed at him.
Originally, the Emperor of the Empire had come to apologize this time. However, Ainz-sama did not allow him to apologize and forgave the Empire so easily. Therefore, when Ainz-sama proposed to emerge from underground, the Emperor very naturally proposed the alliance.
Of course… all of this was within "Ainz-sama's" arrangements. The Emperor was merely easily manipulated by Ainz-sama, simply following the script quite naturally.
Next, as for why the Emperor of the Empire proposed the alliance, it was also within "Ainz-sama's" arrangements. A group of the Black Workers who had previously invaded were sent back by Princess Elizabeth.
As a survivor… Princess Elizabeth also infiltrated their ranks and provided false intelligence to the Emperor of the Empire, which was the aforementioned background of Nazarick.
So, when the Emperor of the Empire arrived, he already knew that Nazarick was originally a nation. When meeting with the Emperor of the Empire, Ainz-sama did not mention much about this aspect, yet the Emperor directly spoke of restoring the nation, clearly indicating that he had already been manipulated by Ainz-sama.
As for why they agreed to accept the Empire as an ally and allow them to assist Nazarick in restoring its nation, Ainz-sama had already mentioned the reasons: righteousness and legitimacy.
With its background established, Nazarick's next step was to take over this land and establish a nation. From the perspective of other nations, Nazarick would be a despicable invader. However, with its background and the support of the Empire, Nazarick would have the righteousness to reclaim the land that rightfully belonged to it!
Of course… even with righteousness, to directly make the Kingdom hand over its land, the Kingdom would certainly not agree. A war with the Kingdom would definitely ensue.
At that time… Ainz-sama would display his power before everyone, letting those maggots witness the true strength of the Supreme One, Ainz-sama.
Afterward, those maggots who witnessed Ainz-sama's power would surely fear his strength, and thus, those maggots would band together, hoping to eliminate Ainz-sama in one fell swoop.
As for the role the Empire plays in this, it would certainly be that of a spy. On the surface, they would be accommodating Nazarick, but in reality, they would have ulterior motives.
As for the Emperor of the Empire's small ambitions, it would be nothing more than acting as an intermediary to facilitate the alliance of those maggots, and also trying to use some means to sow discord within Nazarick, providing favorable conditions for the Maggot Alliance to defeat Nazarick. However, there's no need to worry about this; Princess Elizabeth is in the Empire, and everything is within Ainz-sama's plan.
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