"Is this the army of the New World?"
"They don't seem particularly strong."
"Perhaps they're merely the weakest troops in this world's kingdom. I mustn't let my guard down."
"But they're a little too close to the Great Tomb of Nazarick."
Suzuki Satoru-or rather, the Overlord who should now be called Ainz-was observing the movements of the Re-Estize Kingdom's army.
Since arriving in this world with his guild, he had felt little pride or satisfaction. Fear and unease had weighed on him far more.
For now, the NPCs were fairly obedient, but if he showed weakness, he might not be able to command their obedience.
Ainz intended to explore the New World, but certain changes to the course of events had left the Bone King undecided about whether to meet these troops.
In particular, the Re-Estize Kingdom's army had stationed itself in Carne Village and begun spreading outward.
This had prompted Ainz to urgently reinforce and conceal the Great Tomb of Nazarick's outer defenses while avoiding conflict with the army.
"Lord Ainz, I could capture a few soldiers and interrogate them."
"These people dare encroach upon your domain. They deserve punishment."
After arriving in this world with his guild, Ainz had suddenly found himself with a host of loyal subordinates.
One of them was Albedo, the overseer of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
The sight of these vile, lowly insects daring to approach the mighty Great Tomb of Nazarick had filled her with fury.
Ainz was considerably calmer:
"Albedo, there's no need for that."
"They aren't here to invade the Great Tomb of Nazarick. They seem more interested in dealing with the magical beasts in the forest."
"We can observe them, then step in to rescue them when they encounter danger, gaining information in return."
"We know too little about the New World to act rashly."
As an excellent player, Ainz had always been cautious.
The most obvious possibility was this: if he had been transported here because he had not logged out when the servers shut down, could the same have happened to others?
Besides, he still did not know how powerful the inhabitants of the New World were. Drastic measures would be unwise.
"Yes, Lord Ainz!"
Albedo obeyed Ainz's orders absolutely, and her intelligence rivaled that of Demiurge, the Great Tomb of Nazarick's strategist.
She promptly offered a suggestion:
"Since you intend to rescue the human army after it encounters danger, Lord Ainz, should we order Aura to act?"
Aura was a guardian of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, as well as a beast tamer.
Judging by the army's battles against goblins and its efforts to clear out nearby monsters, the magical beasts of the great forest were almost certainly no match for Aura.
Aura was a one-woman army, and she could also greatly enhance the fighting strength of monsters.
If these human troops made smooth progress, wouldn't Lord Ainz's plan fail?
That was absolutely unacceptable.
Manufacturing danger before stepping in to rescue them would ensure that nothing went wrong.
That's a good idea.
Ainz had no moral qualms about it. He was merely worried that sending Aura out might put her in danger.
"Let's observe the army's fighting strength first."
"Yes, Lord Ainz!"
The Re-Estize Kingdom's army soon made progress. On the second day of its stay in Carne Village, Gazef and Brain led elite troops toward the Wise King of the Forest's lair.
Ainz made preparations as well.
"The Wise King of the Forest must be an extremely powerful magical beast."
"These human warriors might not be able to handle it."
"Albedo, be ready to provide support at any moment."
"Yes, Lord Ainz."
Then...
Ainz stood frozen, even covering his face.
A giant hamster emerged from its cave and roared:
"Fools! Since you have entered my territory, I presume you have prepared yourselves."
"If you lack sufficient strength, I shall beat you soundly!"
Both Gazef and Brain wore solemn expressions.
A powerful body, astonishing speed, and magical abilities-it truly was a formidable magical beast.
"Wise King of the Forest, we have come to challenge you and expand humanity's territory."
Rather than attack immediately, Gazef issued his challenge with the customary courtesy of a warrior:
"If we are defeated, we will naturally abandon any designs on your territory."
"If we are fortunate enough to win, we ask that you relinquish the forest."
Gazef observed proper etiquette, and the magical beast calling itself the Wise King of the Forest did not seize the opportunity to ambush him. Instead, it declared boldly:
"Very well. I accept your challenge."
Then-
"I surrender! I surrender!"
"I have lost and am willing to surrender! Please spare my life!"
The Wise King of the Forest was no weakling, but it faced two seasoned opponents from the Hero Realm.
The challenge they had spoken of was not Gazef challenging the Wise King of the Forest.
It was the entire army of the Re-Estize Kingdom taking on a single Wise King of the Forest.
Come on, then. All of us against just you.
Clad in heavy armor, Gazef stood firm before the giant hamster.
[Focus Battle Aura], [Instant Reflex], [Ability Enhancement], [Ability Super-Enhancement], [Fortress], [Invulnerable Fortress].
At the very first moment of their clash, Gazef turned himself into a battle tank. Rather than use his usual [Six-Light Slash], he activated six enhancement martial arts at once, holding his ground before the hamster to create an opening for Brain.
By the time the hamster realized what Gazef was doing, it was too late.
The two battle tanks collided, and neither gave ground.
Despite his level-35 fighting strength, Gazef was considerably weaker in raw power due to the difference in their races. Even so, he held the Wise King of the Forest fast.
Boom!
Dust billowed through the forest as the Wise King of the Forest tried to strike Gazef with its tail.
But Brain moved first. Taking advantage of the opening Gazef had created by blocking the hamster, he clicked his tongue and immediately unleashed his sword technique, [Tiger-Drop Flute].
Clang!
A perfect arc cut through the air toward the Wise King of the Forest.
Where Gazef's swordsmanship was heavy and powerful, Brain's was incomparably swift and fierce.
His blade slashed a vicious wound across the Wise King of the Forest's body, leaving it bleeding profusely.
Yet Brain was dissatisfied.
Gazef had created an opening for him, but he had failed to kill it in one strike.
Gazef commanded respect throughout the Re-Estize Kingdom for more than just his strength.
He took on the dirty, exhausting work himself, leaving his teammates easy opportunities to attack and claim credit.
The army's magic casters quickly gathered to surround and attack the beast, while several adventurers who had accompanied Gazef eagerly joined in.
Magic and martial arts flew together, all striking the Wise King of the Forest.
It wanted to flee, but could not.
If this continued, it would certainly die.
The Wise King of the Forest therefore chose to surrender without hesitation. If its surrender was rejected, it would resort to its final method and fight for its life.
An idea suddenly occurred to Gazef:
"Wise King of the Forest, would you swear allegiance to the Re-Estize Kingdom and His Majesty the King?"
"If you are willing to swear your loyalty, we will not only spare and heal you, but also provide you with suitable food."
The Wise King of the Forest was unquestionably a powerhouse in the Hero Realm.
In a one-on-one fight, Gazef could not confidently claim victory without using the Re-Estize Kingdom Treasures.
Given the Wise King of the Forest's powerful body and vitality, both sides would very likely suffer grievous injuries.
If the king he served could obtain such a mount, it would surely help him further suppress the opposition within the kingdom.
Moreover, killing the Wise King of the Forest would allow the Eastern Giant and Western Demon Serpent to invade this territory, hindering human expansion.
Naturally, the Wise King of the Forest did not want to die. Besides, this man truly possessed the strength to defeat it.
It prostrated itself and said:
"I am willing to submit to a powerful being such as yourself."
"I shall guard this forest for you."
As the Wise King of the Forest submitted, the soldiers and adventurers alike burst into cheers.
"Long live the Warrior Captain! Long live His Majesty the King!"
"The Re-Estize Kingdom can now subdue such a powerful magical beast! Someday, we will surely defeat the Empire!"
Brain's expression was complicated. He suddenly felt that he understood something.
He understood why Gazef had grown faster than him, even though they had both trained in the Special Training Ground.
The training ground even had a dedicated aptitude test. According to its results, Gazef was in the Hero Realm, while Brain was an Outlier rarely seen among humans.
In terms of talent, Brain was superior.
And yet, what had come of it?
The person in charge of the training ground had once said:
"An aptitude test is only one part of the picture. Whether you reach your limit depends on your own efforts and opportunities."
He needed to share in the dirty, exhausting work as well. Only then could he understand the heights Gazef had reached.
Brain sank into thought.
Meanwhile, Ainz gazed at the battlefield, thoughtful as well:
"Albedo, have Aura prepare."
"The Wise King of the Forest's disappearance gives other monsters a good reason to come and seize its territory."
"Have the monsters move out and put pressure on the Re-Estize Kingdom's army."
"Be careful. Match the strength of these human troops, and don't cause excessive casualties."
"Just put enough pressure on them."
It was not that Ainz was softhearted. He simply saw something of his former self.
Despite being their leader, the Warrior Captain fought on the front lines and took the most difficult tasks upon himself.
There was no need to inflict casualties on someone like that.
Ainz merely wanted to appear as a friendly magic caster.
"Yes, Lord Ainz."
But while Ainz watched the Warrior Captain, Laplace's Demon was watching Ainz.
Before you continue