Chapter 217: Future Markets 『 Part Six 』
「 The Team Leader's mech extended its arms, exposing a dense, honeycomb-like array of launch ports. In a split second, it unleashed a torrential downpour of micro-missiles, blanketing the area ahead. However, as the dust and smoke settled, Stelle emerged from the heart of the explosion without a scratch, the Lance of Preservation burning bright in her grasp.
This scene terrified the Team Leader out of his wits. He stumbled back several steps in disbelief. "Urgh… J-Just what are you people?! To think you can't even be suppressed by the Corporation's mechs…"
March 7th gloated triumphantly, "The Doomsday Beast, the Stellaron, Phantylia—what kind of tough enemy haven't we seen? You think you can stop us with just those cheap tricks?"
The Team Leader knew he had run into a genuine hard target. Just as he was panicking, unsure of how to proceed, a message from Topaz pinged on his device. It stated that if their asset evaluation disrupted the daily order of the local residents, sixty percent of their year-end bonus would be deducted as a penalty.
"Sixty percent?! I-I'm finished!"
His voice trembling, the Team Leader frantically hailed his squad in the Great Mine: "All staff, listen to my command—evacuate the Great Mine immediately! Retreat! Leave no trace that the project team was ever here!"
With that, the group scrambled away in a cloud of dust.
The crisis in the Great Mine was resolved, leaving Seele completely bewildered. Just then, Bronya sent a message to the two Trailblazers, requesting their presence at Qlipoth Fort. The situation had shifted again, and she needed their counsel.
.....
Meanwhile, in Rivet Town. Gepard, leading a detachment of Silvermane Guards and Automaton constructs, barred the path of Topaz and Svarog.
"By order of the Supreme Guardian—please halt your advance, Miss Topaz."
Topaz sighed with regret. She hadn't intended for things to escalate to physical conflict, but if they insisted on a heavy-handed approach…
She smiled with the confidence of one holding all the cards. A purple holographic screen projected from her right side. With a few light taps of her fingertips, every Automaton flanking Gepard abruptly swiveled its weapons. Instead of facing the intruder, they encircled Gepard and his men.
"…No wonder people always say that in this day and age, the debtor is the one calling the shots, hmm?" 」
「 .....」
〜OVERLORD World〜
(Did she utilize the "Source Code" to seize control of all present mechs in an instant?)
(If placed on this continent, those mechs could easily raze a small town. Their combat power likely exceeds that of a Soul Eater… As expected, the power of technology is terrifying. It is a pity that this continent possesses no deep understanding of such science.)
Ainz watched Topaz's understated actions. Seizing control of the machines was as simple for her as drinking water.
The mere thought that the Interastral Peace Corporation's Strategic Investment Department might one day arrive on this continent, bringing with them legions of such monsters, made Ainz's nonexistent stomach churn with dread.
"Demiurge, can you comprehend what Topaz just did?"
Ainz posed the question to the demon standing respectfully at his side. Although he did not expect Demiurge to provide a perfect answer, he still wished to hear his subordinate's perspective.
"Hmm… Ainz-sama, in this subordinate's humble opinion, she likely activated that item known as the 'Source Code' to cast a spell akin to Mind Control, correct?"
"Magic, is it…"
Though he hadn't held high hopes, hearing Demiurge's answer still left Ainz feeling a twinge of regret.
Seeming to sense his master's dissatisfaction, a rare look of panic crossed Demiurge's face. He immediately dropped to one knee.
"Ainz-sama, please forgive my dullness…"
"No… You need not apologize, Demiurge."
The Floor Guardians of the Great Tomb were powerful, and many mastered high-tier magic, but expecting them to grasp the concept of "technology" was simply asking too much.
Even he—who wielded devastating Super-Tier Magic and spells capable of instantly reaping the lives of all beings within a certain range—felt helpless against technology. After all, facing painless, lifeless machinery was far more troublesome than dealing with the undead monsters he summoned.
If he could purchase a few units from the Interastral Peace Corporation, he could likely conquer this entire continent without ever setting foot outside the Tomb.
"Demiurge."
Ainz changed the subject.
"If the Interastral Peace Corporation were to one day expand their frontiers to this world and were willing to trade with the Great Tomb of Nazarick… what sort of items do you believe we should offer?"
"Oh! As expected of Ainz-sama, to have already considered such distant possibilities!"
Demiurge expressed his heartfelt admiration. He hesitated for a moment before offering an answer he was quite satisfied with:
"Ainz-sama, we could sell them scrolls inscribed with low-tier healing magic."
"Low-tier scrolls? Would the people of the Corporation even look twice at such things?"
"Certainly!"
Demiurge's tone became unusually cheerful.
"This subordinate has observed that not everyone can walk the Path of The 『 Abundance 』. We can falsely claim that purchasing the scroll allows one to embark upon that Path, becoming a Pathstrider with healing abilities."
"Most importantly, every scroll is crafted from the hide of a beast. They are quite aesthetically pleasing. Even if one does not learn the magic inscribed within, they serve excellently as collectibles."
Speaking of his cruel hobby, Demiurge's tone became visibly excited.
"…Beast? Is that not simply skin stripped from humans?"
"Precisely! Ainz-sama."
"Uh…"
…Selling that kind of thing to the Corporation? Are we sure the IPC won't just deploy a Star Destroyer to obliterate the planet along with us?!
—
「 Stelle and March 7th arrived at Qlipoth Fort, where they met a weary Bronya, visibly weakened from a lack of rest.
Bronya had urgently summoned them because Topaz had sent over a contract and a handwritten letter. The contract was inextricably linked to the future of every citizen of Belobog, while the letter recounted Topaz's own story.
She was born on an unremarkable planet on the edge of the galaxy. Resources were scarce, forcing the populace to sell their labor en masse, engaging in heavy chemical and industrial work.
Over time, her homeworld's natural environment deteriorated. The streets were choked with sewage and smog; people could only gasp for breath in despair, waiting for the end to approach.
But soon, the Corporation arrived at her homeworld, bringing a brand-new environmental terraforming plan. In exchange, the Corporation required every resident of the planet to sign a contract, becoming employees of the Interastral Peace Corporation.
After the contracts were signed, the Corporation's transformation was immediate. In just five years, the entire planet was revitalized. It was then that Topaz came of age and joined the Corporation's "Strategic Investment Department." Witnessing the changes in her hometown, she resolved to bring that same transformation to the backward, barren worlds of the galaxy.
"Miss Bronya, 'freedom' is indeed a precious treasure for humanity; but when faced with the multiple-choice questions of reality, there are always things that are assigned a higher value than it—such as 'survival'." 」
「 .....」
( Translator-kun: So the Overlord here, especially the Guardians, isn't even aware of their panel(Stats) as advanced technology? Is it just a magic to them? )