Days after the summoning ritual, Ainz sat upon his throne once more, surrounded by his most trusted guardians. The room was filled with a tense air of anticipation. Everyone knew that the world was about to change, though none understood the full scope of Ainz's plan, except perhaps Demiurge, whose calculating smile never seemed to fade.
The kingdom of Nazarick was peaceful for now, but beyond its borders, the dark tides were stirring. Word had begun to spread of a new, fearsome figure wreaking havoc across the lands—a man with mysterious powers, rumored to be able to absorb souls from the dead, growing stronger with every battle. As Ainz had planned, this individual was causing chaos, gathering power and enemies in equal measure.
But Ainz's attention was already shifting to larger matters. As he gazed out over the grand hall of Nazarick, his mind churned with thoughts of the future. The next phase of his plan was fast approaching—he needed to strengthen his hold over the world, not just through manipulation and power, but through fear and loyalty.
Sitting on his dark, imposing throne, Ainz leaned forward slightly, his glowing red eyes focusing on Demiurge, who had just finished giving his report. "The summoning was successful, and the system is in place," Demiurge said, his voice filled with admiration for his master's brilliance. "The individual is already gaining strength at a rapid pace, my lord. Soon, the world will know of this new threat, and chaos will follow."
Ainz nodded, pleased with the progress. "And the other kingdoms? How are they reacting?"
Albedo, standing beside Demiurge, stepped forward. Her deep devotion to Ainz was evident in the way she spoke, her voice soft yet firm. "The kingdoms are in disarray. Rumors of this new power have spread, and the rulers are panicking. They will seek alliances, but none will trust each other in the face of such an unknown threat. Fear is your greatest weapon, my lord."
Ainz's skeletal face remained unreadable, but inside, he felt a deep satisfaction. Everything was moving according to plan. The world would be too distracted by the threat of this new enemy to realize that Ainz was quietly consolidating power behind the scenes. Soon, his ascension to Demon King would be complete.
As he contemplated his next move, a thought crossed his mind—a realization that struck him with both excitement and unease.
To truly cement his status as the Demon King, he would need more than just souls. He would need to ensure the loyalty of his followers and the absolute submission of those he conquered. The kingdoms that had sworn loyalty to him out of fear would need to be handled carefully. Some were genuine in their devotion, but others, he knew, would seek to betray him at the first opportunity.
"Demiurge," Ainz said, breaking the silence. "We must ensure that our allies remain loyal. Those who have sworn fealty out of fear may not be so trustworthy in the long run. I want you to... deal with anyone who poses a potential threat."
Demiurge's smile widened. "It will be done, my lord. I will ensure that any who dare to oppose you, even in thought, are... eliminated."
Ainz nodded. "Good. And keep an eye on our summoning experiment. If he grows too powerful, we may need to intervene. He is useful, but I will not allow anyone to surpass me in strength."
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The Summoned One's Descent into Chaos
Elsewhere, far from the opulent halls of Nazarick, the man Ainz had summoned was wreaking havoc across the land. He moved from village to village, absorbing the souls of the fallen with every battle. His power grew rapidly, just as Ainz had designed. The system bestowed upon him was a gift in his eyes, a tool that made him feel invincible. Each soul he claimed fueled his strength, and with it, his ambition.
But unbeknownst to him, the very souls he absorbed were feeding Ainz as well, his power steadily growing as the system did its work in secret.
The man was consumed by a hunger for more—more strength, more souls. He believed that the system was granting him unlimited potential, that he would one day become the most powerful being in the world. He couldn't have known that he was nothing more than a pawn in Ainz's game.
As he stood over the bodies of his latest victims, he smiled, feeling the rush of energy surge through him. "I will become unstoppable," he muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with madness.
But in the back of his mind, a nagging thought lingered—why did the system feel so... distant? It was as though the power he gained wasn't fully his own. But the thrill of his growing strength quickly drowned out any doubts, and he continued his rampage, unknowingly playing right into Ainz's hands.
---
Ainz's Contemplation
Back in Nazarick, Ainz stood in the vast courtyard outside the Great Tomb, surrounded by the lush greenery that had been brought to life by his magic. He watched as the newly summoned Great Tomb now stood tall and imposing, a monument to his past and future. His kingdom, now fully under his control, had become a haven for his loyal subjects, who roamed the grounds, going about their tasks with a sense of purpose and reverence.
As Ainz observed the land around him, he thought about the challenges that lay ahead. His next goal was to fully integrate the Great Tomb of Nazarick into the political structure of this world. It wasn't enough to be feared—he needed to be respected, to command loyalty not just through fear, but through admiration and devotion.
But he also needed to prepare for his eventual rise to Demon King status. The summoned individual was a useful tool, but Ainz knew that more would be needed. The system was in place, but it would take time for enough souls to be collected to fuel his ascension. In the meantime, he would need to consolidate his power, eliminate potential threats, and continue to expand his influence.
As he stood there, the winds gently stirring his robes, Ainz's mind wandered to thoughts of Milim, Rimuru, and the other powerful beings of this world. He had already established a relationship with Milim, and she had even given him a name. But there were other powerful forces at play, forces that he would need to either ally with or destroy.
Ainz's eyes glowed with ambition as he turned to Albedo, who stood nearby, ever watchful. "We need to keep an eye on Milim and her movements," Ainz said. "She's powerful, but also unpredictable. We cannot afford to underestimate her."
Albedo nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "Of course, my lord. I will ensure that we monitor her closely. No threat will be allowed to harm you."
As Ainz contemplated the future, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. His plans were unfolding perfectly, and soon, the entire world would kneel before him as he ascended to his rightful place as Demon King.