Preparing to Go Out

On the ninth floor of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, at the bar.

"A Nazarick, please."

The one in charge of the bar was Nazarick's assistant head chef, Pichi, a fungi-type creature.

Well... basically a mushroom person?

Its head seemed to have a large, elastic purple-red droplet stuck to it, making its expression difficult to read.

It had shoulders and hands, but its body was short and thin, with no waist.

In order not to expose himself too early, Higashino Makoto often went to the cafeteria and bar for something to eat.

He could already be considered a regular here.

The bar was not exclusively for Higashino Makoto, and there were already two other customers present.

"Yo, Demiurge, Shalltear. You two are here too."

Higashino Makoto greeted them openly.

Demiurge turned his head. His eyes behind the lenses carried their usual smile as he gave a slight bow.

"Lord Higashino, you have worked hard today as well. Would you like to go soak in the hot springs and relax later?"

"Ah, I don't mind that. But saying I've worked hard... aren't you mocking me for loafing around?"

Higashino Makoto accepted a cocktail with no fewer than ten clearly distinct layers of color from the assistant head chef, took a small sip, and replied.

After observing him for some time, they had indeed found no hostility from Higashino Makoto. On the contrary, Ainz-sama's mood had improved quite a bit because of his arrival.

Especially when they discussed the game YGGDRASIL, none of the Guardians could even join the conversation, while Higashino Makoto could chat pleasantly with Ainz-sama.

At least until evidence was found that he was an enemy, Demiurge did not mind maintaining friendly relations with him.

It was absolutely not because he had secured an Ainz Ooal Gown Ring for him!

Absolutely not!

Demiurge rubbed the ring on his finger, feeling especially delighted. His tail swayed constantly, like that of a little cat or dog.

Shalltear, meanwhile, gently swirled the goblet in her hand. Ripples spread through the dark red liquid within as she spoke in a slightly teasing tone.

"My, how rare. Instead of staying in your room and growing mold, you actually came out for a drink?"

Higashino Makoto spent most of each day in his guest room. Shalltear had been unable to find a suitable chance to ask him about Peroroncino, which disappointed her somewhat.

Because of that, her attitude toward Higashino Makoto was not particularly good.

However, since he was very likely Peroroncino's friend, she would not treat him too badly either. At the very least, she could suppress part of her foul temper.

Higashino Makoto chuckled softly and replied.

"My, if I had nothing better to do than wander around everywhere and ask the Guardians all sorts of questions, you would feel uneasy instead, wouldn't you?"

Demiurge merely smiled without speaking, while Shalltear turned her head aside and drank in silence, ignoring Higashino Makoto.

Higashino Makoto tugged at the corner of his mouth in boredom. After finishing the drink in his hand, he spoke.

"By the way, where is Ainz? I just obtained some interesting information, and I'll need to head out in a couple of days. As a guest, it would be better to tell him in person before I leave."

Hearing this, Demiurge became interested.

Higashino Makoto had remained on the ninth floor of Nazarick the entire time. Where had he obtained this information?

Ainz-sama had mentioned that he possessed an information-gathering World Item, but Nazarick knew nothing about its exact function or appearance.

Perhaps he could probe him a little.

"Oh—who would have thought that Lord Higashino could obtain information from outside without ever leaving the house? What an incredible ability!"

That was far too obvious.

He had already told Ainz about possessing a World Item, so Ainz would surely have informed the Guardians.

Putting on such a surprised expression now was clearly an attempt to gather information from him.

But Higashino Makoto did not mind.

After all, probing into someone else's information was an extremely impolite act, whether in YGGDRASIL or in this world.

Perhaps that was why Ainz had not deliberately asked him about the item's specific effects.

Although he could have simply ignored this little probe, Higashino Makoto thought about it and decided to directly tell him part of the information regarding "Huginn and Muninn."

After all, Nazarick possessed the World Item "Throne of Kings," so "Huginn and Muninn" could not investigate any information within it in the first place.

Keeping it hidden would only make people unnecessarily suspicious.

Besides, the item itself was actually with his true body in Novas Aetir, so he was not worried about it being stolen.

With that in mind, Higashino Makoto put on an extremely satisfied, arrogant expression.

"Of course. The World Item I possess, 'Huginn and Muninn,' can transform into ravens with information-gathering abilities comparable to those of level-one-hundred players specialized in intelligence, and it can directly send the information they obtain back to me."

"It's an exceptionally useful item!"

Having said that, Higashino Makoto continued in a carefree manner, looking entirely guileless.

"Unfortunately, you people of Nazarick probably have some special defensive item. After all, I have no way of gathering any information from inside."

"If I get the chance, I should ask Ainz about it."

Oh? He had revealed such valuable information so easily?

He had even admitted that he had tried to investigate Nazarick.

Was he truly at ease with Nazarick, or was he trying to mislead us with false information?

Moreover, his strength was also questionable.

A player possessing a world-class item was practically only one tier below the Supreme Beings, yet his level was merely around sixty.

Though he had offered an explanation, it still did not seem very reasonable!

I truly wished to fight him properly, weapons against weapons.

That Cocytus had actually stopped at the very last moment, wasting an excellent opportunity.

If I had been the one to take the field, then even at the risk of being punished by Lord Ainz, I would at least have severely injured him. We certainly could have obtained far more information that way.

But the opportunity had already passed. Attacking him again now would seem far too deliberate.

We would have to continue observing him and wait for another chance.

"Lord Higashino is truly forthright. To think you would even be willing to share information regarding such a precious world-class item with me. I am deeply humbled."

Higashino Makoto waved it off indifferently, looking quite pleased with himself.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. The information about this item may be important, but compared to the friendship between Nazarick and me, it's nothing!"

That was assuming he knew what Demiurge was thinking.

If Higashino Makoto knew that the other party was still looking for a chance to beat him up for information, he would definitely regret it immensely.

I got you that ring for nothing!

Hopefully, Demiurge's "farm" would not be established afterward. Otherwise...

Although Higashino Makoto was no saint himself, there were still some excessively twisted things he could not accept.

It was not as though there were no choices besides humans. Why insist on treating humans like livestock?

He would have to bring it up with Ainz later.

And if Ainz refused to listen...

"An unknown player, disgusted by the 'farm,' killed Demiurge and all his subordinates."

That would be perfectly reasonable, wouldn't it?