In a luxurious, deeply solemn room on the ninth floor, Ainz and Yuto sat facing each other.
A delicate porcelain cup of steaming black tea rested on the table in front of Yuto.
The room was otherwise completely empty.
Ainz had issued a strict command for everyone in the tomb to stay away from this parlor.
In Nazarick, his word was divine law, meaning no one would dare take even half a step close to the door.
Yuto picked up the teacup and took a gentle sip.
The flavor was unbelievably exquisite, rich and perfectly brewed.
"Ainz... I never expected your place to be quite like this," Yuto sighed, gently setting the cup back down on its saucer.
He truly hadn't seen this coming.
The depressed, coupon-clipping salaryman who used to slump at his restaurant counter had somehow transformed into the terrifying ruler of a vast underground empire.
Although Ainz had briefly mentioned his situation to Yuto before, hearing about it over a bowl of udon was entirely different from seeing this overwhelming opulence with his own eyes.
"Nazarick completely retains the exact layout and design from the original game. It's a perfectly crafted war fortress," Ainz replied, a distinct hint of nostalgic pride bleeding into his hollow voice.
He leaned heavily back against the plush velvet sofa, dropping all his regal posture.
Right now, he looked exactly like the exhausted, listless gamer Yuto had always known.
When facing the loyal, terrifying Guardians of Nazarick, Ainz had to work agonizingly hard to play the role of a flawless, omnipotent Overlord.
It was a crushing mental burden!
Only here, in front of Yuto, could he finally let his guard down and reveal his true self.
Although his physical transformation into an undead skeleton had forcibly suppressed his strong emotions and made him largely indifferent to life and death, at his core, Ainz was still just a lonely guy who missed his friends.
"If Saitama knew you lived in a palace like this, he'd probably be even more disheartened," Yuto chuckled softly, remembering the bald hero's tragic realization back at the restaurant.
"No, he wouldn't," Ainz tilted his heavy skull upward, staring at the ornate ceiling.
It was a bizarre, somewhat unsettling gesture for a glowing skeleton, but Yuto just let out a light laugh, used to his friend's antics.
"I plan to explain everything to Saitama tonight. After that, we'll still be allies! If possible, I'd also love to invite him to visit me here someday."
"Could you show me around the place first?" Yuto asked.
Those simple words made Ainz sit bolt upright.
The twin red orbs in his eye sockets flared brilliantly, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Of course! Kamisaka, you will surely be amazed by the Great Tomb of Nazarick!" Ainz declared, immediately jumping to his feet.
He was visibly more thrilled about giving the tour than Yuto was about asking for it.
It was painfully clear just how stifled Ainz had been.
Although he was surrounded by fiercely loyal Guardians, their suffocating reverence made every interaction feel isolating and unreal.
Now, he finally had an equal—a real genuine friend—sitting right in front of him.
He was overjoyed!
...
The Great Tomb of Nazarick was an impenetrable fortress, and each level served a highly specific purpose.
The ninth floor, however, was designed exclusively as a royal suite for rest and entertainment.
In the days of YGGDRASIL, this was where the forty-one Supreme Beings would gather to relax.
While Ainz and Yuto were catching up in the parlor, the elite Guardians of Nazarick were holding an emergency meeting just down the hall.
Albedo, the succubus Overseer in her pure white dress, had hastily summoned the core leadership.
Gathered around her were the Floor Guardians: the Gothic vampire, Shalltear Bloodfallen, the towering icy warrior, Cocytus, the dark elf twins, Aura and Mare and the cunning sharply dressed demon, Demiurge.
Standing dutifully beside them was Sebas Tian, the gentlemanly Head Butler.
"So, Albedo... what is the exact reason you have called us all here?" Demiurge asked calmly.
He gently pushed up his glasses, the light reflecting off the lenses giving him a thoroughly sinister scheming appearance.
"Sebas. Briefly explain to them what occurred earlier," Albedo ordered, her golden eyes narrowing.
As the Overseer of the Guardians, The supreme being had granted her the absolute authority to command the others.
"Understood. Then allow me to explain..." Sebas stepped forward, clasping his hands behind his back as he recounted the impossible events that had just unfolded.
As he spoke, the room plunged into a shock.
"Ainz-sama actually has a human friend... and he frequently dines at this human's restaurant? What in the world..."
Even the brilliant Demiurge was stunned, his mind racing to comprehend the sheer scale of this revelation.
"Wh-What... is going on here...?" Mare, the timid dark elf boy, gripped his magical staff, his voice trembling with anxious fear.
"If this man is Ainz-sama's friend, then we, as his loyal subordinates, should not harbor a single shred of doubt!" Cocytus declared, exhaling a plume of freezing white mist from his mandibles.
"Indeed. I share the exact same sentiment," Sebas said smoothly, his posture impeccable.
"I believe we must immediately focus on preparing to entertain Ainz-sama's guest. We absolutely cannot allow Ainz-sama to lose dignity in front of his dear friend."
As a butler, providing flawless hospitality was his highest calling.
"Ah~ Ainz-sama's friend... I must admit, I am quite curious..." Shalltear purred, a deeply intrigued, dangerous smile spreading across her pale face.
"Everyone, let us not overthink this for now," Albedo commanded, cutting through the chatter.
"Since this person is Ainz-sama's friend, he is to be treated as an honored friend of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. We will ensure he is shown the utmost hospitality. We must not tarnish the glorious reputation of Nazarick or Ainz-sama!"
The Guardians immediately bowed their heads, perfectly united in their devotion.
...
Not long after they reached their consensus, the heavy parlor doors creaked open.
Ainz and Yuto emerged into the grand hallway.
"Ainz-sama."
Moving in perfect, terrifying synchronization, Albedo and the gathered Guardians immediately dropped to one knee, bowing deeply to their master.
Yuto raised an eyebrow, quietly marveling at the sheer intensity of the sight.
'If Ainz hadn't begged me to take this seriously, I would have definitely teased him for this!'
"Umu. Albedo, I will now take Kamisaka on a personal tour of Nazarick. There is no need for any of you to accompany us," Ainz declared.
His voice had instantly deepened, taking on an incredibly solemn, echoing resonance.
His posture shifted, his magic robes billowing as his entire skeletal frame radiated the absolute terrifying majesty of an undead overlord!
Yuto bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself from smiling, feeling somewhat emotional for his friend.
'Honestly... Ainz is actually a fantastic actor.'