He smiled softly.
Ah, without realizing it, I had begun to resemble a ruler, if only a little.
Though I was probably still far from "excellent."
"Aureole Omega, you will keep Shalltear under constant surveillance and set up the teleportation gate. It must be ready for use at any time."
"Yes."
"Pandora's Actor, take my place in adventurer activities during the day today. Return here after seven o'clock to proceed with the next step."
"Yes~~, understood."
Ainz paused. "Aren't you going to ask me what the purpose of this operation is?"
"There is no need." Aureole Omega said, "Sometimes, one need not ask about a ruler's intentions. Lady Aya taught me that. I believe this is one of those times."
Ainz paused for a moment, then laughed for about ten seconds.
"I will definitely find you, Aya."
When Ainz made this resolution, what he had decided was not to wait for Aya to arrive, nor to search for her later.
Tonight. This was the best opportunity!
Chapter 323 Artoria's Resolve
The viewpoint returned to a small town in the southern Re-Estize Kingdom.
"Nazarick... have you remembered things about them?" Aya asked softly.
Artoria leaned back in her chair and nodded. "Yes. Once I remember a little, a huge amount of memories comes flooding back."
She held her head. The excessive surge of memories had begun giving Artoria a headache as well.
Ever since Aya had replaced the nature of all of Artoria's magical power, memories from the previous worldline had continuously surfaced. Those fragments grew clearer and more complete with time, to the point that Artoria had begun to wonder whether she was still herself.
The relationship between memories and personality was indeed a profoundly complicated philosophical question. Fortunately, Artoria had no leisure to ponder "Who am I?" right now.