Ainz stood on the outskirts of Rimuru's city, gazing out into the horizon as the aftereffects of Milim's naming began to settle within him. Something had changed, something deep and profound. The rush of power that surged through him was unlike anything he had ever felt. He was already powerful beyond measure, but now… this felt different. His very being resonated with an energy so immense that it felt like his very existence had expanded.
He raised his hand, channeling a fraction of his newfound strength. The air around him shimmered, crackling with the weight of magic so dense that even reality itself seemed to bend in its presence. His thoughts raced as he realized what had happened—Milim's act of naming him had granted him far more than just a title. His powers, his dimensional space, everything had expanded.
The Great Tomb of Nazarick… He could feel it now, as though it were an extension of his own soul. The once distant feeling of his home and his loyal floor guardians was now ever-present, almost tangible. He realized that he could summon all of Nazarick's power here, to this world. His entire tomb, every floor guardian, every minion—they were all within his reach now. His connection to them had strengthened, his power over them absolute.
With a calm but sinister chuckle, Ainz stretched his hand towards the sky. A dark portal swirled open in the air, vast and ominous, crackling with energy. One by one, the figures of his most loyal floor guardians emerged from the portal, each kneeling before him.
Albedo, his trusted overseer of the guardians, appeared first, her wings fluttering as she knelt before her master. "My lord Ainz, it is an honor to be summoned by you. We are at your command."
Following her came Demiurge, his devilish smile as sharp as ever, his eyes gleaming with ambition and loyalty. "It seems, my lord, you have grown even stronger. Truly, you are unmatched."
Then came Cocytus, Aura, Mare, and Shalltear, each taking their place before him, their loyalty etched into every movement. Their collective presence made the air feel even heavier, the sheer power radiating from them overwhelming.
Ainz surveyed his guardians, pride swelling within him. This was his true strength. This was the might of Nazarick, a power that no one could hope to challenge. With his tomb fully accessible, he now had the means to expand his influence in this world, just as he had planned.
On the other side of the field, Rimuru observed the scene with growing awe. While he knew Ainz was strong, this display was something else entirely. It wasn't just the power Ainz wielded—it was the unity and strength of the guardians that stood before him. Rimuru couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for Ainz, but there was also a hint of worry. He knew that this power was not to be underestimated.
However, it was Milim who seemed the most affected by what was happening. She stood there, her usual carefree attitude gone, replaced by a strange unease. Her body felt heavy, as if the act of naming Ainz had drained her more than she anticipated. She had named others before, but this time, something was different. She didn't expect to feel weak afterward, especially not after naming someone as powerful as Ainz. But there was no denying the truth—naming him had taken more out of her than she thought possible.
"W-What's happening?" Milim mumbled under her breath, her hands trembling slightly. "Why do I feel… tired?"
Rimuru noticed Milim's sudden shift in demeanor. "Milim, are you okay? You're looking a bit off."
Milim shook her head, confused. "I don't get it. Naming shouldn't have done this to me. I'm the strongest, right? This is weird…" She frowned, her eyes flicking back to Ainz, who stood silently as his power continued to grow. She wasn't used to feeling weak—ever. And the fact that Ainz had drawn so much power from her, without even trying, made her uneasy.
Ainz, aware of Milim's sudden weakness but not entirely sure of its cause, was careful with his words. "Milim, it seems that the act of naming me may have taken more out of you than you realized. Perhaps your Stardust energy, combined with my existence, created an unforeseen reaction."
Milim furrowed her brow. "But I'm supposed to have infinite energy… right?"
Ainz tilted his head slightly. "Indeed, but it's possible that even infinite energy can experience a momentary imbalance, especially when dealing with beings of great power. I believe you'll recover quickly."
Though Milim's pride was bruised, she nodded slowly. "Yeah… that makes sense, I guess. But you're really strong now, Ainz. Stronger than I thought."
Ainz couldn't help but let a small, knowing smile cross his skeletal face. "It is thanks to you, Milim. Your power has granted me strength beyond measure. I will ensure that it is put to good use."
Milim, despite her confusion, grinned. "Well, that's good then! I like strong allies!" But the doubt lingered in her eyes. There was something about Ainz now that unsettled her—a depth of power that even she hadn't anticipated.
Meanwhile, Demiurge, standing near Ainz, observed Milim carefully. His sharp mind had already deduced what had happened. The naming ritual had amplified Ainz's abilities beyond what even he could have predicted. But it wasn't just that—there was something else at play. Milim, with all her power, had been shaken. This was a delicate situation, but Demiurge knew his master would handle it with the same tact and precision that had brought Nazarick to its current glory.
"My lord," Demiurge spoke softly, "it seems your connection to Nazarick has deepened. You can now summon the full strength of the Great Tomb, including all of us. Truly, this world will bow before your might."
Ainz nodded, his eyes glowing with the potential that now surged within him. "Indeed, Demiurge. We are stronger than ever before. And with this strength, we will expand Nazarick's influence. But for now, we must tread carefully. Milim is powerful, and her presence is valuable. We cannot afford to act rashly."
Demiurge bowed slightly. "Of course, my lord. Your wisdom is, as always, unmatched."
---
As the day wore on, Ainz and his guardians returned to the city, the newfound power settling within him. He could feel the expansion of his dimensional space, his ability to summon more of his undead minions, and even the strength of his spells had increased. He was now twice as strong as before, and his ambition burned brighter than ever.
Milim, still feeling a bit weakened, stayed by Rimuru's side, though her usual enthusiasm had dimmed somewhat. The experience of naming Ainz had left her with more questions than answers. But for now, she was content to let things unfold, her carefree nature slowly returning.
As night fell, Ainz stood atop one of the city's towers, gazing at the stars above. His thoughts wandered back to Nazarick, to the countless undead under his command, and to the endless potential that lay before him. He had always been cautious, always calculating his next move. But now, with this new power, he felt more confident than ever.
He could summon his entire tomb. He could bring all his servants to this world. And with Milim unknowingly playing right into his hands, the path forward was clear.
The future was his to shape, and no one—not even beings as powerful as Milim or Rimuru—could stop him.