While the Goddess Cult and the Sword Saint were starting their moves, the battle between the Platinum Dragon Lord and Nazarick was still ongoing. It wasn't a battle of swords and blades, but a clash of words. Compared to the aggressive Guardians, Ainz's personality was more conservative. Worried that even if he killed the Platinum Hero here, the other party might spread rumors—and the possibility was not low—Ainz decided to call a temporary truce and negotiate first.
"We were rude earlier, but I'm very interested in what you said. Though you may not believe it, we are also in an adversarial relationship with that evil Goddess Cult. Not long ago, we cooperated with the Sword Saint. Although we didn't catch the Goddess Cult's tail, the evil organization 'Eight Fingers' they used to cover their tracks was wiped out by us."
"Furthermore, a member of the Goddess Cult previously intruded into our territory. While we were dealing with that person, we saw Your Excellency destroy our trap."
Although Ainz said "we were rude," his subsequent words and actions showed no trace of apology. Moreover, his phrasing made it sound like he suspected the Platinum Dragon Lord was the villain colluding with the Goddess Cult.
However, the Platinum Dragon Lord's true identity was that of an experienced Dragon Lord, and he wasn't affected by such words. Hearing Ainz's words, he only said in surprise, "To think even the Sword Saint was deceived by you!"
As expected of the host of an Evil God, they move so fast. They've already started targeting the powerhouses of this world. If he hadn't discovered it in time, he might have seen this group try to deceive him next. And when the time came, even if he told the truth, the Sword Saint and the others might not believe the words of someone whose true identity was a dragon. Things would become very serious then.
"No, we did not deceive..."
"Shut up! Still trying to act in front of me? I already know that you are the vessels of the Evil God. No matter what you say, it's useless. Don't think you can deceive me; I will definitely stop your evil plans!"
The Platinum Dragon Lord finished speaking.
Several Guardians stared at him with eyes full of killing intent.
"Ainz-sama, it's useless to say anything to such a stubborn and foolish person. Why don't you let me kill him? I'll make sure that mouth of his can never utter another disrespectful word toward Ainz-sama!" Albedo was still quite protective of her master; even though Ainz had only been shouted at, she wanted to tear the Platinum Dragon Lord into ten thousand pieces.
"Even if you kill this body of mine now, you cannot stop my determination to speak the truth."
The Platinum Dragon Lord was quite dismissive of Albedo's killing intent. He had already tested the approximate strength of this Player, and they were indeed powerful. However, as long as his Main Body joined forces with the armies of various nations, and with experts like the Sword Saint and Zesshi Zetsumei standing guard, they could eliminate this Player before the Evil God was summoned!
"Body? I see. So you are just an Avatar right now? No wonder you are so fearless." The little person inside Ainz's heart was cursing loudly. No wonder he felt this person's attitude was problematic; it turned out he truly didn't fear death. Moreover, he needed to be wary of this guy's Main Body, since even a mere Avatar was over level ninety.
"That is exactly the case."
The Platinum Dragon Lord looked at them with a smile.
That look of his was somewhat punchable.
The Guardians, who were originally full of killing intent, were momentarily dumbfounded. This guy was actually just an Avatar? That meant even if they killed this Avatar, they couldn't make him shut up. Realizing this, they immediately understood why Ainz hadn't let them strike; it turned out Ainz-sama had already seen through the fact that the opponent was just an Avatar.
As expected of Ainz-sama!
However, facing his subordinates' admiring gazes, Ainz was also at a loss for a moment. He glanced at Demiurge, hoping the strategist would offer some advice. But Demiurge, who had just suffered the blow of a failed mission, admired Ainz even more at this moment and didn't want to show off his minor intellect at a time like this.
Because Ainz-sama surely has a plan in mind!
Having just failed his mission, jumping out now would only make others feel he was a demon who was useless at everything except flattery.
Although he didn't think it was pure flattery but rather speaking the truth, he also knew that his way of thinking was far removed from that of normal people.
So for now, he would obediently watch from the sidelines to see how Ainz-sama would change this intruder's mindset and make him submit.
Ainz remained expressionless—Demiurge, you're useless when it really counts!—He didn't actually care about Demiurge and the others failing their mission. After all, the opponent's abilities were extremely flexible, and the Guardians lacked experience in that area, so failure was understandable. Thus, he didn't realize how much of a blow this incident had been to the three Guardians.
Since Demiurge was of no use...
...then he would just have to bite the bullet and handle this himself.
"Then let me put it this way: Your Excellency wishes to eliminate the Goddess Cult, and our interests are aligned. Although I do not know why Your Excellency repeatedly insists we are in league with them, our stance is the same as yours. If Your Excellency labels us based on groundless speculation, a conflict between us would only result in mutual losses and benefit the Goddess Cult."
"Does Your Excellency truly think that's acceptable? Furthermore, if war breaks out, Your Excellency can surely see that among us are Undead practitioners like myself, as well as summoners and other classes. With our abilities, we can completely bridge the gap in numbers. If the Goddess Cult uses my war to perform a sacrificial ritual, the Evil God you fear might truly descend upon this world. I believe Your Excellency understands the consequences; that is not an existence we can oppose."
"And even if Your Excellency wishes to suspect us, you must first provide points of suspicion or evidence."
Despite saying all that...
...what Ainz actually wanted to know was the basis for the Platinum Dragon Lord's suspicion.
"I know you are a 'Player'."
The Platinum Dragon Lord suddenly gave an answer that shocked Ainz. Seeing the Guardians' stunned expressions, he continued, "Is that evidence enough?"
What was that?
Ainz was filled with uncertainty.
Because he was a 'Player', he was connected to the Evil God? Could it be—that the one who brought him to this world was the Goddess of Dusk—and they really were related to the Goddess Cult, only he himself didn't know it?
And who exactly was this guy?
Without a doubt, he was a native!
But he knew too much!
"What does that have to do with being a 'Player'? Explain yourself! And who exactly are you?!"
"I have nothing more to say to you. Preparations are complete. Thank you for giving me this time; please let the acting end here."
Ainz saw the Holy Flames on the Platinum Dragon Lord's body.
He was instantly alarmed.
"Albedo!"
Boom!
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