The afternoon sun in the Divine Capital streamed through the windows on the second floor of the hotel, casting warm dappled patterns on the wooden floor.
Higashino Makoto leaned back in an old armchair, holding a copy of "Six Hundred Years of History of the Slane Theocracy" that he had bought from the Shinto Bookstore, reading it very slowly.
It's not that the content is obscure, but that he's thinking.
Kurumi sat on the windowsill, her black twin tails cascading down her shoulders, her right eye half-closed, toying with a silver coin in her hand.
That was a replica of the badge of the Slane Theocracy's VIPs; she asked the hotel owner to help her find a blacksmith to make it.
"Keep it as a souvenir," that's what she said.
The black cat "Zafkiel" was curled up on her lap, its tail occasionally swaying, its golden eyes half-open and half-closed.
Ainz sat in the shadows in the corner, without a helmet, his skull face appearing particularly deep in the shadows.
His scarlet eyes stared out the window, seemingly looking at something.
Of course, with magical protection, there's no need to worry about being discovered.
Narberal stood behind him, her hand on the hilt of her sword, her gaze warily sweeping across every corner of the room.
Even when there were only the four of them in the room, her habits never changed.
"Higashino."
Ainz suddenly spoke, his deep voice breaking the silence of the room.
"Um?"
"What did you discover from those books you bought?"
Higashino Makoto closed the book, placed it on his lap, and gazed at the ceiling with his golden eyes.
He didn't answer immediately, but instead processed the information he had just read in his mind.
"The Slane Theocracy was established by the Six Great Gods."
He finally said.
"Six hundred years ago, six players traveled to this world, where humans were still being used as food by demi-humans and alien species. They taught magic, established nations, drove out the alien races, and enabled humanity to gain a foothold in the northwest corner of this continent."
Ainz's red eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't reply; he simply listened quietly.
Of the Six Great Gods, one is immortal, and the other five are human.
Higashino Makoto continued, tapping lightly on the book cover with his fingers.
"Earth God, Water God, Fire God, Wind God, Light God, God of Death. The Light God is called Ara Araf, and the God of Death is called Surshana —the immortal one. Legend has it that Surshana was defeated and died in the struggle against the Eight Greed Kings, and the other five gods also died of old age due to their limited lifespans."
"In other words, the Slane Theocracy no longer has any players."
"Right."
Higashino Makoto nodded.
"But the Six Great Gods left behind a large number of YGGDRASIL items, including the 'Downfall of Castle and Country' item I snatched earlier. There are other items as well, guarded by a certain secret weapon."
"Based on our estimation, that secret weapon should be around level 80."
Ainz remained silent.
Level 80 was nothing to him.
Any guardian could solo Nazarick.
But for humanity in this world, it is an insurmountable mountain.
"The Slane Theocracy has a population of over fifteen million, and its land area is twice that of the Re-Estize Kingdom."
Higashino Makoto continued.
"It's a theocratic state, with the Pontifex Maximus and six other Cardinal jointly governing. There's a very interesting law—the higher the rank, the lower the salary."
"... Why?"
"I don't know, maybe it's to prevent the upper echelons from being corrupted by money."
Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.
"But ultimately, people who have climbed to that position no longer need to measure their worth in terms of money."
Ainz was silent for a moment, seemingly processing the information. Then he asked.
"Who made that law?"
"Who knows, maybe it's Six Great Gods."
"... They've thought of everything quite thoroughly."
Higashino Makoto shrugged.
The room was quiet for a while.
Kurumi jumped down from the windowsill, lifted her skirt, walked to the table, and poured a cup of tea for both Higashino Makoto and Ainz.
Narberal didn't take it; she never drank anything that someone else had handled.
"The Slane Theocracy also has a system."
Higashino Makoto picked up his teacup, took a sip, put the cup down, and continued speaking.
"Those with innate superpowers will be registered and managed. All those who awaken innate superpowers must report to the temple and undergo an 'evaluation.'"
"What are we assessing?"
"Assess whether their capabilities are dangerous. If they are, they might be 'protected,' or perhaps 'recruited'—in any case, the Slane Theocracy won't allow uncontrollable forces to operate outside the system."
"Moreover, excellent superpowers combined with proper training are indeed quite efficient."
Ainz tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, a habit he had when he was thinking.
"What's on your mind?"
Higashino Makoto asked.
Ainz did not answer immediately. He gazed out the window, his crimson eyes reflecting the distant temple spires.
"I'm wondering, why did the Six Great Gods establish such a country?"
He finally spoke, his voice low and calm.
"A theocracy, human supremacy, exclusion of other races, control of those with innate superpowers..."
Higashino Makoto looked at Ainz for two seconds, then chuckled softly.
"That's only part of it. Most likely, it was added by humans after the gods died, in order to maintain the survival of their nations. Humans often do this; something or an action might be used very normally, but once you're in a high position, it's easy for people to over-interpret it."
How things develop afterward may be beyond his control.
Higashino Makoto pointed at Ainz, a smile playing on his lips.
"Just like you, Ainz, don't you feel that Nazarick's trajectory is quickly slipping out of your control?"
Ainz turned his head, his scarlet eyes meeting the black ones.
Nabe glared at Higashino Makoto, and if Ainz hadn't stopped her, she probably would have already attacked in anger.
Let's not talk about that now.
Higashino Makoto nodded, a complex emotion flashing in his dark eyes.
He stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.
The afternoon sun streamed in, falling on his face and making his dark eyes shine exceptionally bright.
In the distance, the streets of the Divine Capital were bustling with people, the cries of vendors, the laughter of children, and the rumble of horse-drawn carriages all mingling together.
Farther away, in that unseen forest, Elf Kingdom and humans are fighting, and two kingdoms are being pushed toward destruction by a mad king.
"Ainz, I want to go see the Elf Kingdom."
Ainz's red eyes flickered slightly.
"Why?"
"Because the war between the Slane Theocracy and the Elf Kingdom has been going on for over a hundred years."
Higashino Makoto turned around, leaned against the window frame, and crossed his arms.
"Over a hundred years. How many people died on both sides? From the Slane Theocracy, from the Elf Kingdom, and the civilians caught up in the war. There were no winners in this war, only losers. And the madman who started the war is still sitting on the Elf King's throne."