The Great Tomb of Nazarick, Level 9.
Ainz sat on his throne, his skeletal fingers tapping lightly on the armrests, producing a soft clicking sound.
He had been repeating this action for a full ten minutes.
He hesitated.
As the Overlord, as the ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, and as the last of the forty-one banners still flying—he should not have hesitated.
But at this moment, he was indeed hesitant.
"Lord Ainz."
Albedo's voice came from below the throne, gentle and respectful.
"You've been sitting here for quite a while. Is something on your mind?"
Ainz's red eyes flickered slightly.
Albedo.
"Exist."
What do you think of... Higashino Makoto as a person?
Albedo was silent for a moment.
"I don't like him very much."
Her answer was concise and direct.
"But his subordinates admit that he harbors no ill will toward Nazarick. At least not for now."
Why do you think so?
"Because the power he has currently revealed is insufficient to threaten Nazarick. Although I believe he is hiding something, it shouldn't be too far off."
Albedo's voice was calm, but a sharp glint flashed in her golden vertical pupils.
"He told Lord Ainz about the True Dragon Lords, about the Council of Council State, and about World Item. He didn't hide the fact that he possessed World Item, and even proactively told him about the abilities of 'Fugin and Wuni.' During his time in Nazarick, he didn't try to pry into any secrets he shouldn't have."
She paused.
"If he were truly an enemy, he wouldn't do that."
Ainz remained silent.
Albedo is right.
Higashino Makoto's behavior certainly doesn't resemble that of an enemy.
But he wasn't like a friend either.
He was more like an observer.
One who stands at a distance, watching the pieces move on the chessboard, occasionally reaching out to move them.
He has been away from Nazarick for a month.
Ainz spoke slowly.
"During this time, he went to the Holy Kingdom and, as a 'Holy Knight,' helped that country repel the demi-human army. Then he left the Holy Kingdom. Where did he go?"
"According to intelligence, he may have already entered the territory of the Slane Theocracy."
Demiurge's voice came through the communication crystal.
He wasn't in the Throne Room, but in his office processing intelligence.
"Moreover, just recently, the Black Scripture of the Slane Theocracy was attacked by an unknown force while carrying out a mission on the northern border. All members were seriously injured, a special artifact was stolen, and the demonic tree they were trying to control was also destroyed."
Ainz's red pupils suddenly contracted.
"Unidentified attack?"
"Yes, Lord Ainz. The Slane Theocracy has blocked the news, but our informants within the Slane Theocracy have still managed to gather some information. The attacker was a silver-haired, golden-eyed man who called himself 'The Player.' He single-handedly defeated the entire Black Scripture and stole 'Downfall of Castle and Country.'"
Demiurge's voice carried a rare hint of solemnity.
"Silver hair and golden eyes..."
Ainz repeated it in a low voice.
He remembered Higashino Makoto's appearance in Nazarick —black hair and black eyes.
However, Higashino Makoto once mentioned that he possesses tools to change his appearance.
"Lord Ainz believes that person is Higashino Makoto?"
Albedo asked.
"Uncertain."
Ainz shook his head.
"But that's possible. If it really is him, then the number of World Item he possesses is probably far greater than we imagine."
"Should I send my subordinates to the Slane Theocracy to investigate?"
"No."
Ainz stood up and stepped down from the throne.
I'll go myself.
Albedo's eyes widened slightly.
"Lord Ainz-- "
"Higashino Makoto is my guest and an old friend of Peroroncino. If he's in any trouble, or what he's doing... it's up to me, his friend, to inquire about it personally."
Ainz's voice was calm, but his tone carried an undeniable firmness.
"Moreover, I need to talk to him. About those True Dragon Lords, about those transmigrators, about... the truth of this world."
Meanwhile, in a small town on the border of the Slane Theocracy.
Higashino Makoto sat in a corner of a tavern, a glass of warm mead in front of him.
He didn't drink it, but just stared at the Kohaku liquid in the glass, his gaze somewhat lost in thought.
Tokisaki Kurumi sat opposite him, her black twin tails falling to her shoulders, her right eye half-closed, and a half-smile playing on her lips.
The black cat "Zafkiel" sat on the table, its tail swaying gently, its golden eyes fixed on the glass of mead.
"My lord, what are you thinking about?"
Kurumi asked.
"Thinking of Ainz."
Higashino Makoto's answer was concise and direct.
Kurumi tilted her head.
"The Overlord?"
"Um."
"What is he thinking? He doesn't even know we're here."
"He knows."
Higashino Makoto raised his head, a deep light flashing in his golden eyes.
"Or rather, he'll find out soon enough. The commotion on the Slane Theocracy's side is too great. The Black Scripture was completely destroyed, 'The Downfall of Castle and Country' was stolen, and the Catastrophe Dragon Lord was killed—these things can't be completely kept secret. Nazarick is monitoring the Catastrophe Dragon Lord, and they also have spies within the Slane Theocracy. Ainz will definitely find out."
"Then what?"
"Then, he'll probably come looking for me."
Higashino Makoto picked up the mead and took a small sip.
"Because of his wariness of 'players,' and also because of his obsession with 'friends.' He needs to confirm whether I am an enemy, and he also needs to confirm just how great the threat in this world really is."
Kurumi blinked.
"The adult knows him very well."
"I don't really know him."
Higashino Makoto put down his wine glass and leaned back in his chair.
Higashino Makoto's understanding of Ainz comes from the anime, and he developed a stereotype of him early on.
Therefore, he wasn't actually sure if he had been misled by preconceived information.
"In my understanding alone, he is a person who is caught up in responsibilities and expectations, and gradually loses himself."
His tone was calm, but something flickered slightly in his golden eyes.
Sympathy and pity?
Perhaps.
Having learned what a cesspool the previous world was, he found himself somewhat understanding of the other person.
"How does the adult plan to deal with this?"
"Wait for him to come."
Higashino Makoto said.
"Then, talk to him."
Three days later.
Higashino Makoto didn't have to wait long.
Ainz's contact came sooner than he had expected.
It was late at night, Higashino Makoto was lying on his hotel bed with his eyes closed, when he suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"Higashino."
It's Ainz's voice.
It wasn't through a communication crystal, nor through magical transmission, but rather a more direct voice, like someone whispering in your ear.
"Message" magic.
"Ainz."
Higashino Makoto opened his eyes, but did not get up; he simply responded calmly.
"You finally remembered to look for me?"
"I need to talk to you."
Ainz's voice was deep and serious, without his usual hesitation and probing.
"Where are you now?"
"The Slane Theocracy, a small town on the border. I'll send you the exact location directly."
"Good."
After a brief silence, Ainz spoke again.
"Higashino, did you do the thing on the northern border of the Slane Theocracy?"
"You guess."
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.
You did it.
Ainz's tone was confident.
"Why?"
"Because that World Item shouldn't remain in the Slane Theocracy. Because if that demonic tree doesn't die, it will become a menace sooner or later. Because—"
Higashino Makoto paused.
"Because I need to confirm some things."
"What is it?"
"About this world, about the True Dragon Lords, about... what exactly are we 'players'?"
Higashino Makoto actually found it a bit strange; when watching anime, Ainz's time travel seemed perfectly normal to him.
After all, they're time travelers; how many people would actually delve into the underlying principles?
But after I traveled through time, my desire to find out the truth about this matter grew stronger and stronger.
Ainz remained silent.
I will come to see you tomorrow.
He finally said.
"When the time comes, tell me everything you know."
"No problem."
Higashino Makoto readily agreed, as kind words are free. He concealed some information, Ainz was unaware of.
"However, Ainz."
"What?"
"Did you come alone, or with your guardians?"
Ainz fell silent again.
"One person."
He finally said.
"Under the identity of 'Momon'."
Higashino Makoto smiled.
"Alright. I'll buy you a drink."
I don't drink alcohol.
"Then let's have tea."
"... You know perfectly well I can't drink anything. But never mind..."
"Haha, you're right."