Prelude to Taking Action

"You did very well, Albedo!"

Seeing Albedo's uneasy face, Ryan fell silent for a moment before smiling and praising her.

"You must remember: the prohibition I gave you was only meant to stop you from slaughtering other intelligent races at will based on your tempers and preferences. But when it comes to enemies who dare attack you, harbor killing intent, or entertain filthy thoughts, show no restraint. Just kill them!"

His voice was icy.

Albedo sighed in relief upon hearing this, and the Pleiades Battle Maids, whose faces had been tense all along, relaxed and smiled as well.

The prohibition Ryan had imposed was merely to ensure that his future forces would not do anything that violated his values. He was not trying to be some holier-than-thou good guy, so naturally, he would not blame them over something like this.

Still, was this the power of fate? Clearly, he had barely interfered with the affairs of World No. 2, yet the world was still progressing in the direction of the original story.

Perhaps he should find an opportunity to test this...

Ryan's eyes flickered. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Albedo, I have a task for you."

"Please give your orders!" Albedo answered cheerfully.

"I'm leaving the development of Nazarick's world to you. At the same time, remember to search for any World-Class Items left behind in that world."

"I guarantee the mission will be completed."

"Be careful. If I remember correctly, that world still has powerful individuals capable of threatening people at your level. One careless mistake, and you might end up capsizing in a ditch. Also, no matter how that world's upper class views Nazarick, its common people must see Nazarick as righteous. Can you do that?"

If Ryan had been the one handling these conditions, he definitely would not have been able to pull it off. But Albedo should have no problem with it. After all, according to her settings, Albedo's domestic affairs attribute was at MAX level.

"As long as this is your will, I will spare no effort to accomplish it!"

"Don't take risks. Your lives are the most important thing." Seeing Albedo about to object, Ryan sternly added, "That is an order!"

"Yes! I understand."

At those words, Albedo's eyes softened so much they seemed ready to overflow, and the others beside her wore much the same expression.

Feeling uncomfortable under their gazes, Ryan hurriedly coughed and pulled out a large pile of books from his private space—Selected Works of Mao, Marxism, and similar materials—before handing them to Albedo.

"You can draw on the ideas in these. They should be helpful to you. In short, Nazarick's image in the outside world must be one of justice, the kind people can trust. Understood?"

Ryan's deliberately stern expression did not frighten Albedo. After carefully putting away the books Ryan had given her, she said gently, "Please rest assured. I will study the knowledge you have bestowed upon me diligently and see that your will is fully carried out."

His will fully carried out?

Why did that sound so unsettling...

I only wanted you to borrow some of the ideas in there. You're not going to cause some kind of disaster, are you...

Looking at Albedo's gentle gaze, as though it wanted to envelop him entirely, Ryan shook his head inwardly.

Albedo's abilities were highly trustworthy. Since she had accepted this assignment, it likely would not be long before she delivered a perfect answer.

Suppressing the faint sense of foreboding rising in his heart, Ryan looked at the group, now short one person, and asked, "Where's Cocytus? Why don't I see him?"

"Um... Mr. Cocytus is helping me guard the Sixth Floor. I just... I really wanted to see Lord Ryan's world, so..."

Mare's hands kept twisting together behind his back, and he looked utterly timid.

Ryan smiled when he saw this. Walking over, he patted Mare's little head and tempted him, "Does Mare want to visit my world? Then finish reading the books soon. When you do, I'll take you and your sister to the biggest amusement park. How about it?"

"Really... really?"

Mare's mismatched eyes were filled with excitement and anticipation.

"Of course. I promised you, didn't I?"

Ryan gave him an affirmative look.

"Please don't leave me behind, Master!" Shalltear, who had been eavesdropping all along, could no longer hold herself back. She ran over, hugged Ryan's leg, and looked up at him pleadingly.

"We'll talk once you pass your assessment!" Ryan's face darkened as he grabbed Shalltear by the back of her collar and pulled her up.

"Isn't it just eighty points? I'll definitely reach it!"

Black-red flames of magical power blazed in Shalltear's eyes. How could a mere exam stop her from going on a date with the Supreme Being? She definitely, absolutely would meet the requirement!

"Shalltear's really gotten motivated!" Aura could not help remarking as she watched Shalltear run to the pile of books and start flipping through them seriously.

"Hmph, I'll pass the test before you, you little runt!" Shalltear turned back and shot her a vicious glare.

"Is that so? But this idiot needs a passing score twenty points higher than mine!" Aura wore a smug expression.

"You!"

Shalltear gritted her teeth.

The two soon began bickering. Just then, Sebas, who had remained silent the whole time, seemed to listen intently for a while before walking to Ryan with a grave expression.

"Lord Ryan, the Shadow Demons have sent word. Some of those under surveillance are already discussing taking action against you."

The instant his words fell, the cheerful atmosphere turned oppressive.

"Sebas! What is the meaning of this? Since you knew in advance that enemies were plotting against a Supreme Being, why did you not eliminate them first?" Albedo demanded coldly.

"Enough, Albedo! I arranged this deliberately. I have other plans."

"But—" Albedo's expression shifted as she tried to continue, but Ryan spoke first. "Don't worry. Demiurge and Pandora's Actor are there as well. If anything dangerous truly needs to be done, Pandora's Actor will do it. Though I think dealing with those people does not require such caution at all."

Even as Ryan explained, he could not help complaining. When Demiurge had learned that Ryan intended to use himself as bait, Demiurge had worn the exact same expression. In the end, Ryan had brought Pandora's Actor, who guarded the Treasury in Nazarick, out with him. Only after saying that Pandora's Actor would serve as the bait did he manage to convince Demiurge.

They were just a bunch of trash. Their strongest weapons were rocket launchers and sniper rifles. Trying to kill a level-one-hundred archmage covered from head to toe in divine artifacts with that? They were dreaming.

Still, it was the goodwill of his subordinates, even if it was a little troublesome...

"Pandora's Actor? The one Lord Momonga created? I knew of him through the management records, but I've never seen him..."

Hearing the resolve in Ryan's words, Albedo no longer objected and merely murmured curiously.

"His race is a High-level Doppelganger. He can transform into me or any of the other guild members, and even imitate eighty or ninety percent of their abilities. You could say he's a jack-of-all-trades."

Ryan gave Albedo a casual explanation, but inwardly, he was considering the news he had just received.

Those people were moving faster than he had expected. It had only been a short while since the shareholders' meeting, and they were already plotting to take his life.

It seemed they could not wait to swallow him—and the Haulers Group—in one bite!