Ainz looked around, observing the Guardians' reactions.
"I know you're unhappy about Higashino Makoto's secrecy."
He spoke, his voice calm.
"But I want you to think about this: if you were in a strange world, facing an unfamiliar person, would you choose to reveal all your cards from the very beginning?"
No one answered.
"He won't. Neither will I."
Ainz continued.
"But as time went by and our understanding deepened, he chose to tell me. This wasn't deception, nor was it betrayal; it was the establishment of trust."
He paused.
"Just like Nazarick. You trust me, and I trust you. Trust isn't built overnight; it takes time, experience, and facing things together."
Albedo looked up at Ainz.
"Lord Ainz."
"Um."
Do you trust him?
Ainz was silent for a moment.
"I trust him not to harm Nazarick."
He said.
As for the rest, it will take time.
Albedo nodded and didn't ask any further questions.
Demiurge leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes half-closed behind his glasses.
"Lord Ainz."
"Explain."
"You just said that you and Higashino are planning to explore that 'once-every-thirty-years giant Tatsumaki's together?"
"Yes."
Ainz nodded.
"At the center of that Tatsumaki, there is very likely a World Item, the Sand Scepter. Moreover, it may lead to another world."
Demiurge's eyes widened slightly.
"Another world?"
"Uncertain."
Ainz shook his head.
"But it's worth a visit."
Demiurge was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Lord Ainz, I understand."
"Understand what?"
"I understand why you want to go in person."
Demiurge stood up, his hands behind his back, his golden eyes flashing with fanatical light.
"You're not after that World Item. Nor are you here to explore some other world."
"Then what am I doing this for?"
Ainz asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"It's for Higashino."
Demiurge's voice was deep and firm.
"You know that Higashino may possess strength comparable to Nazarick. You know he has a large number of mercenaries and powerful guardians. You know that if he wanted to harm Nazarick, he would be an extremely dangerous enemy."
He paused.
But you didn't choose to be his enemy. You chose to be his friend.
"Not becoming friends--"
Ainz wanted to correct him.
You chose to trust him.
Demiurge interrupted him.
"And trust needs to be maintained. Your personal journey to that dangerous place, fighting alongside Higashino, and facing the unknown threat together—that is the best way to maintain trust."
Ainz's skeletal jaw opened slightly, then closed again.
He wanted to say: No, I just want to go for a walk.
He wanted to say: It was Higashino Makoto who dragged me there.
He wanted to say: You're overthinking it again.
But he couldn't bring himself to say it.
Because the light in Demiurge's eyes was so intense, so intense, that he couldn't bear to extinguish it.
"Hmm... I'm glad you understand."
Ainz finally spoke, his tone so calm it seemed as if he had everything under control.
"Lord Ainz's foresight and wisdom are beyond my reach."
Demiurge bowed deeply.
"For the future of Nazarick, and to build a solid relationship with potential allies, you risked your life. Your sense of responsibility is deeply appreciated."
Albedo stood up, her golden vertical pupils filled with reverence.
"Lord Ainz, you are not only the ruler of Nazarick, but also Nazarick diplomat, strategist, and pioneer. You consider not only the present, but also the future."
She paused.
"Your subordinate... Your subordinate feels ashamed of my dissatisfaction with Higashino Makoto just now. You must have seen through everything long ago, which is why you chose to trust him. My shortsightedness almost ruined your grand plan."
Ainz: "..."
Shalltear stood up from the chair, knelt on one knee, and placed her right hand on her chest.
"Lord Ainz, I was wrong."
Her voice was deep and sincere.
"I shouldn't have held a grudge against Higashino Makoto for concealing his strength. You're right, trust takes time. You bought us time with your Wisdom, while I almost ruined it all with my foolishness."
She raised her head, her scarlet eyes flashing with fanaticism.
"Please punish me, Lord Ainz."
Ainz's skeletal jaw opened slightly, then closed again.
"Get up."
He finally said.
No one needs to be punished.
Shalltear stood up, took a step back, and sat down again.
Aura lifted her head from the table, her golden eyes looking at Ainz.
"Lord Ainz."
"Um."
Are you and Higashino Makoto really friends?
Ainz was silent for a moment.
"Perhaps."
He said.
"Perhaps it is becoming."
Aura tilted her head, then smiled.
That's good.
Cocytus stood up, his arms crossed over his chest, his insect-like compound eyes looking at Ainz.
"Lord Ainz."
"Cocytus."
"I only have one question."
"Explain."
"May I accompany you on your adventure with Higashino Makoto?"
Ainz thought for a moment.
"Not needed at the moment."
He said.
"This is a 'private matter' between me and Higashino Makoto. Bringing too many people would only make him feel that I don't trust him."
Cocytus paused for a moment, then nodded.
"Understood."
He sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest again.
Demiurge adjusted his glasses.
"Lord Ainz, I have another suggestion."
"Explain."
"Nazarick needs to be on high alert while you are away. Although Higashino doesn't seem hostile at the moment, we cannot completely rule out the threat from other forces, such as the True Dragon Lords or other unknown players."
Ainz nodded.
What specific plans do you have?
"First, increase the patrol frequency on the first to third floors."
Demiurge held up one finger.
"Secondly, all Guardians venturing out must carry World Item."
He held up his second finger.
"Third, establish formal communication channels with the Black Cross. This is not out of distrust, but out of the need for cooperation."
Ainz thought for a moment.
"The first two points, do as you say. The third point..."
He paused.
"We'll talk about it when Higashino Makoto and I get back from the desert. By the way, Higashino doesn't like anyone attacking humans casually, so you guys should be careful in the future."
"Yes, sir."
Demiurge bowed slightly and sat back down in his chair.
Albedo sat down again, placing her hands on her knees, her golden vertical pupils fixed on Ainz.
"Lord Ainz."
"Um."
When are you leaving?
Three months later.
"Ainz said."
"Before that, I need to do some preparation."
What do you need your subordinates to do?
"Defend Nazarick."
Albedo paused for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Your subordinate obeys."
Her voice was soft, but firm.
Ainz looked around, his gaze sweeping over every face.
Does anyone else have a question?
No one spoke.
"Very good."
Ainz stood up.
Meeting adjourned.
The guardians stood up simultaneously and knelt on one knee.
"Respectfully seeing off Lord Ainz."
Ainz nodded and turned to walk towards the door.
The sound of the door closing echoed in the empty conference room.
The guardians stood there, gazing at the closed door, remaining silent for a long time.
Demiurge.
Albedo was the first to speak.
"Um."
Do you really think Lord Ainz just wants to maintain trust?
Demiurge adjusted his glasses.
"Perhaps more."
"What else?"
Demiurge was silent for a moment.
"Maybe..."
He paused.
"Faced with a powerful opponent, simply being on guard is the worst option. Lord Ainz saw through everything long ago, and must have had more to consider. As expected of Lord Ainz, his Wisdom far surpasses ours."
Albedo nodded in deep agreement.
"To so easily transform a tremendous threat into a force that can be utilized, truly worthy of Lord Ainz."
Inside the conference room, the guardians dispersed.
The footsteps faded into the distance, disappearing at the end of the corridor.
The light from the magic lamp flowed through the air, illuminating the empty conference room as if it were daytime.