Thoughts Stir

"I can use Memory Manipulation too. Come find me anytime if you need help."

Pandora rose to her feet and smoothed her skirt.

"I'll return and report in first."

"Wait."

Gokusai Kaibi called out to her.

"Thanks. This was supposed to be my job..."

"This isn't your responsibility. What Lord Amon told me was, 'Go check on the progress of the intelligence gathering. If it's taking too long, Pandora, take over after one month. I can't bear to have little Kaibi staying in that bloody basement all the time.'"

Pandora smiled softly, returning to her usual calm and unruffled demeanor.

"So, I'll come relieve you in a month. You've worked hard during this time."

She waved, then vanished beyond the prison gates.

Gokusai Kaibi withdrew her gaze, her eyes blankly fixed in the direction Pandora had left.

That message she had passed on filled her with immense joy, as well as a heavy sense of responsibility.

Then she raised her head and looked at the Platinum Dragon Lord, who remained bound in chains, before resuming her work.

"Memory Manipulation."

The dragon's gaze remained fixed on the ceiling.

Yet deep within those dim eyes, something seemed to be quietly changing—

Despair?

Anger?

Anticipation?

Meanwhile, Higashino Makoto, who could no longer keep grinding levels like some secluded mountain sword god, was starting to feel restless.

Novas Aetir was certainly wonderful, and the Guardians were cute and delectable too.

Mountains of treasure, endless delicacies, beautiful girls who were gentle, adorable, and would never betray him...

Aside from the lack of internet, every desire from his previous life had become reality. It was an impeccable, perfect life.

But as a transmigrator, if he did not go out and pursue cute anime girls, what difference was there between him and a salted fish?

Well, those in Nazarick did not count.

Compared to those monster girls who were absolutely loyal to Ainz, the human girls suited Higashino Makoto's tastes better.

The Holy Queen, the Dragon Queen, Lakyus... they were not gems that stayed in one place waiting to be picked up, but flowers with a very short blooming period.

Even if he did not need to pluck them and play with them in his hands, merely looking at them could brighten his mood.

Especially after confirming his invincible strength in his battle with the Platinum Dragon Lord, his urge to go out and have some fun grew ever stronger.

"Perfect. It's about time the name Higashino Makoto was sung among humanity as well."

Higashino Makoto took out the Heart of the Doppelganger and put it on his finger. His appearance changed once more, from white hair and golden eyes to black hair and black eyes.

"Rita, the name Amon Nikola is officially being shelved for now. From now on, my name is Higashino Makoto."

He changed into a set of silver armor and flourished an ornate spear in his hand. The figure in the mirror looked exceptionally dashing.

In Higashino Makoto's opinion, among melee classes, spears and blades were the coolest types of weapons.

Unfortunately, his class did not support the use of swords, so he could only choose a spear as his weapon.

Higashino Makoto nodded in satisfaction.

"Rita, please inform the other Guardians. Especially when I'm using this appearance, try not to get my name wrong in the future."

Rita Rossweisse, a character from the game Honkai Impact 3rd.

A beautiful young woman with short ash-gold hair that covered her left eye, wine-red pupils, and a beauty mark beneath the corner of her right eye.

She wore a black silk maid uniform adorned with rose accessories, a decorative garter around her right thigh, and a sheep-horn rose headband.

Her figure was full and well-proportioned, with graceful lines and a flawless body that would make the vast majority of girls in the world jealous.

Rita lightly lifted her skirt and curtsied, showing no doubt whatsoever as to why Amon Nikola had suddenly decided to change his name to Higashino Makoto.

"Yes, Lord A... no, Lord Higashino."

She had accepted it so easily that the explanation Higashino Makoto had prepared got stuck in his throat.

Seeing this, Rita narrowed her eyes slightly, her lips curling into an alluring smile. She bent forward enticingly, revealing a strip of pale scar.

The girl wore the expression of a little devil.

"Of course, if Lord Higashino is willing to tell me why you changed your name, it will be easier for me to explain it to the other Guardians."

Looking at the maid's slightly mischievous smile, Higashino Makoto decided that he would have to punish her properly tonight.

Higashino Makoto gave a light cough and offered his explanation.

The name Amon Nikola was, in the world of YGGDRASIL, fairly well-known—at least among the players who had held on until the very end.

Hearing that name would inevitably bring to mind vast quantities of equipment materials, as well as world-class items.

It was to avoid attracting attention and unnecessary trouble.

According to his memories, Ainz had indeed been among the last batch of transmigrators, but he had ultimately caused some changes himself, making the reliability of the original information questionable as well.

Of course, it was best not to tell the Guardians this reason.

For one thing, the relationship between games and reality would not be easy to explain.

For another, he did not want them to feel saddened by something like the fact that they could not even protect the name of a Supreme Being.

"Beings like me—players—almost all have two names. Higashino Makoto was originally one of my names. I just suddenly felt like using it lately."

Rita nodded slightly, indicating that she accepted the explanation.

"Understood, Lord Higashino. I will inform the other Guardians about this matter."

Higashino Makoto stretched, rolled his neck, and sat back down in his seat.

"Right. For a while, I plan to move about in the human world using the identity I had when I previously came into contact with Ainz. As for you..."

Higashino Makoto paused, considering whether he should bring Rita along.

There had not been anyone like her by his side when he had interacted with Ainz before. How should he explain her identity?

Besides, he was mainly going out to chase women and have some fun. Would it really be appropriate to bring her along?

After thinking for a moment, he ultimately decided to let her accompany him.

After all, according to the rules he had made before, she could only stay by his side for one month every two years or so. Would she not feel terribly disappointed if he did not let her come?

As long as he said the word, they would not stop him from building a harem anyway.

As for her identity—

"Rita, your name will remain unchanged. Your public identity will be that of the illegitimate daughter of some minor noble from the Baharuth Empire who was purged by the Bloody Emperor. I rescued you, and you became my maid."

"If anyone asks about your previous identity, just brush them off by saying that you do not wish to speak of the past or something similar."

Higashino Makoto stroked his chin and continued pondering for a moment before speaking again.

Rita's class build mainly consisted of Contract Mage (Cursed Sword), with Rogue as a secondary class.

"As for your class, do not make any major changes. Just use the Rogue class you already have, and do not use Contract Mage skills. But remember to suppress your strength. Try not to use power beyond level thirty."

"Do you understand?"

Rita clasped her hands over her lower abdomen and bowed slightly.

"Of course, Lord Higashino."