"This is the intelligence Yuri Alpha has relayed. Based on the location provided by Ren-sama, we dispatched Cocytus to clear the so-called ruins afterward.
As you predicted, Ren-sama, the 'treasures' at the end were nothing more than mid- to high-tier ordinary items and equipment.
All the spoils from the Thirteen Heroes' Ruins have now been transported back to the Great Tomb of Nazarick. This is the inventory list—please review it, Ainz-sama."
Within the Great Tomb of Nazarick, Albedo—the Overseer of the Guardians—was reporting Yuri's findings to her master.
That's right. After the incident in Carne Village, Momonga had officially taken on a new name:
Ainz Ooal Gown.
The reason for this was simple. From the attackers of the Slane Theocracy, he had learned that there were others capable of using YGGDRASIL magic and items.
Which meant—
He and Ren Kuroda were not unique.
Other players from YGGDRASIL had also arrived in this world.
By adopting the name of the guild Ainz Ooal Gown, he hoped that if any of his former comrades appeared in this world, they would recognize the name… and seek him out.
"Although the items aren't particularly high-level, most of them are consumables like potions—exactly what we currently need," Ainz said, nodding slightly.
"To think that Ren has only been away from Nazarick for such a short time and has already brought back such impressive results… He really is as capable as ever."
"Ren-sama is one of the Forty-One Supreme Beings who stand at the pinnacle of the world—an existence equal to Ainz-sama himself. Achievements of this level are only natural for someone like him."
Hearing Albedo's unwavering affirmation, Ainz suddenly felt an immense pressure settle over him.
After spending some time in this world, he had gradually come to understand the personalities of Nazarick's former NPCs.
Looking back, his initial attempts to test their loyalty now felt completely unnecessary.
From the Guardians at the top to the ordinary maids at the bottom, their devotion to him and Ren had long surpassed mere loyalty.
It had reached full-blown fanaticism.
No matter how extraordinary their accomplishments were, the denizens of Nazarick would simply regard them as natural—because, in their eyes, the Supreme Beings were meant to be that great.
Even the smallest, most casual actions were interpreted as having profound intent—
And this tendency was especially pronounced in Demiurge and Albedo.
Ainz wanted to become a competent leader.
But when your subordinates are too intelligent and too capable… it becomes its own kind of headache.
Sometimes, he even felt like he couldn't keep up with Demiurge's line of thinking—often ending up with the baffled realization of, Wait… I did something that impressive?
"I've made up my mind," Ainz suddenly declared.
"If Ren has already achieved such remarkable results in such a short time as an adventurer, then I'll also begin operating as one in disguise. It should accelerate both our information gathering and our search for companions."
This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision.
He had been planning this for a while.
There were several reasons.
First, as he had said, he wanted to personally search for his former guildmates.
Second, staying in Nazarick all the time was suffocating. With such capable subordinates handling everything flawlessly, he constantly felt like he was doing nothing.
And third—
The life of an adventurer was essentially a real-life RPG experience.
As a former YGGDRASIL player, how could he possibly resist the temptation?
"Forgive me for speaking out of turn," Albedo said, bowing her head slightly, "but I believe it is sufficient for Ren-sama alone to operate in the human world as an adventurer. Ainz-sama should remain in Nazarick to oversee everything.
If both Supreme Beings are absent at the same time, then in the event of an emergency—"
She didn't get to finish.
Ainz raised his skeletal hand, cutting her off.
"There's no need to undervalue yourselves, Albedo. You and the other Guardians are all exceptional beings. I trust you just as deeply as I once trusted my comrades."
"And if Nazarick were ever to face danger, Ren and I could immediately return using the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown. If something arises that you cannot handle, you can always contact us via Message."
"But Ainz-sama—"
"Do you still not understand, Albedo?"
Ainz's voice grew firmer.
"You cannot rely on us forever. I want to see whether, in the absence of your rulers, you—whom we trust the most—can manage the Great Tomb of Nazarick properly."
"In other words… this is not merely my personal desire to go out. It is also a test for all of you."
For a brief moment, Ainz's intelligence seemed to break past its usual limits, producing a perfectly convincing explanation on the spot.
And upon hearing it—
Albedo's eyes immediately filled with tears of emotion.
To think… the Supreme Beings valued them this highly!
——————————
E-Rantel.
A tall man clad in imposing deep-blue full-body armor, with two massive greatswords strapped to his back, stepped into an inn.
At his side was a striking beauty with long black hair tied into a high ponytail and sharp, phoenix-like eyes.
The moment the pair entered, they instantly became the center of attention.
Between the man's overwhelming armor and the elegant woman accompanying him, it was impossible not to notice them.
But then—
The onlookers spotted the plates hanging from their chests.
Copper rank.
The lowest tier of adventurers.
And just like that, admiration turned into scorn.
There was no need to guess.
The man hidden beneath the armor was none other than Ainz—currently operating under the alias Momon.
As for the black-haired, black-eyed beauty with the cold, refined aura—
She was Narberal Gamma, one of the Pleiades battle maids.
"Lately, we've been seeing more and more of these types," someone muttered with a sneer.
"They think that just because they've got fancy gear and a pretty woman by their side, they can become the next 'War Demon.'"
"Tell me about it. Ignorant rookies like this are everywhere these days. They'll probably end up dead in some alley before long."
"…Still, what a waste. That woman with him—she's easily the most beautiful one I've seen among all these so-called 'War Demon' imitators."
As Ainz awkwardly counted out the fee for a single room—five copper coins, the lowest denomination in the Kingdom—the surrounding crowd openly displayed their disdain.
But in this world—
There was never a shortage of background characters eager to provoke someone stronger than themselves.
Ainz had no intention of causing trouble upon his first arrival in human society.
But unfortunately for him…
His imposing armor—and the woman at his side—
were simply too eye-catching.
And envy, as always, had a way of inviting conflict.