Ainz sat in the heart of his throne room, surrounded by the dark, eternal elegance of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. His eyes, hollow and glowing with their ever-present red light, were locked on the device that rested in his skeletal hands. The Skill Replication Device—a creation born of his ambition to gain even greater power and ensure the supremacy of Nazarick—was now complete. But even as the artifact pulsed softly with arcane energy, a sense of caution gnawed at the back of his mind.
"I've accomplished the impossible," Ainz mused, admiring the sleek design of the device, which seemed almost alive with the swirling energy of the Nameless Book of Spells. "But I cannot afford to be careless. Power such as this must be controlled, limited. One misstep, one misuse, and it could bring everything I've built crumbling down."
He knew the danger of unchecked power. Despite his confidence in his own abilities, Ainz had always been a strategist, cautious in every move he made. It was that cautious nature that had allowed him to rise to the position he now held, ruling over a kingdom of unparalleled strength. Even now, with a device capable of copying the skills of others in his grasp, Ainz's mind raced through the potential consequences.
"What if it falls into the wrong hands? What if one of my enemies gets hold of it? Even my own guardians—loyal though they may be—must not be given unlimited access."
His thoughts drifted back to the times when his caution had saved him from potential disaster—when he had dealt with unpredictable forces in this new world. He had always placed barriers of protection, layers upon layers of defense. And this time would be no different.
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Placing the Device in His Dimension
Standing from his throne, Ainz raised his hand and chanted softly under his breath, summoning a dark portal. The air around him shimmered as the gateway to his personal dimension opened before him. This was a pocket realm that only Ainz could access—his private sanctuary, where he kept his most valuable treasures and secrets. It was here that he would store the Skill Replication Device, far away from any prying eyes.
The swirling vortex of energy hummed as Ainz stepped through the portal, entering the dimension. Inside, the space was vast and unearthly, filled with floating platforms, endless stars, and the cold, silent expanse of the void. Ainz floated effortlessly to one of the central platforms, where a single pedestal stood—empty and waiting.
He carefully placed the Skill Replication Device on the pedestal, his eyes narrowing as he cast a series of complex spells. Layers of protective wards, dimensional locks, and anti-detection barriers surrounded the device, sealing it within a fortress of magic that no one could breach without his express permission.
Ainz tapped the pedestal lightly, marking it with a rune that only he could activate. "No one will touch this device," he murmured to himself. "Not without my direct consent."
His mind, ever cautious, continued to race. Even with the original device locked away, Ainz knew that it would be a waste not to distribute its power. However, a direct replica of the original was far too dangerous to be given freely. Instead, he had another plan.
"I'll create weaker versions of the device—copies that can mimic the original's function, but only in a limited capacity. They will serve my guardians well, but they will never be able to rival the original's potential."
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The Weaker Versions: Caution Meets Power
Back in the heart of Nazarick, Ainz began the intricate process of crafting the weaker versions of the device. Using his world-class item, the Nameless Book of Spells, once more, he created replicas that could copy skills but only in a reduced manner. While the original device could store and transfer any skill without limitation, these weaker versions were designed to have strict boundaries. Any skill copied by these weaker devices would be automatically learned by Ainz himself. He would always remain the central hub of power, gaining access to every ability his servants collected.
In addition, the weaker versions lacked the full versatility of the original. They could only copy skills from beings significantly weaker than Ainz or the guardians—ensuring that no dangerous ability could be accidentally transferred to his subordinates. Furthermore, the mental strength requirement was still intact; if the target had a mental fortitude stronger than Ainz, the device would simply fail.
Once the weaker versions were ready, Ainz stood back and marveled at his work. In total, he had created enough devices to arm his most loyal floor guardians and a select few of his elite servants. This would empower them, giving Nazarick even greater reach and flexibility in its conquest. Yet Ainz knew that despite their added power, none of them would ever match his own.
"Power is best held tightly in one's own grasp," Ainz thought. "I will allow them to grow stronger, but I must always remain the strongest."
He summoned his guardians to the throne room once again, the aura of his magical presence drawing them in like moths to a flame. Each of them entered, bowing deeply before their master, their faces filled with anticipation and reverence.
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The Distribution of the Devices
"My loyal guardians," Ainz began, his voice echoing throughout the chamber. "Today, I present you with a gift—a tool that will allow you to grow even stronger in my service."
He gestured, and the weaker versions of the Skill Replication Device floated before each guardian. They gazed at the devices with awe, fully aware of the immense power they held.
Albedo stepped forward, her face filled with admiration and devotion. "Lord Ainz, you are truly generous to bless us with such incredible tools. With these, we will be able to better serve Nazarick and crush any enemies that dare stand in our way."
Demiurge, ever calculating, adjusted his glasses and smiled. "As expected of you, Lord Ainz. Your wisdom knows no bounds. These devices will undoubtedly secure our dominance."
Ainz nodded, though inwardly he felt a touch of awkwardness at their praise. He had grown used to his guardians seeing him as an infallible genius, though much of the time he simply followed his instincts and hoped for the best. Still, he accepted their words with grace. After all, he had indeed created something remarkable.
"These devices," Ainz continued, "will allow you to copy the skills of weaker opponents. However, you must use them wisely. They are not without their limitations, and I will be alerted the moment any skill is copied. This is not a tool for recklessness. We must be strategic."
Shalltear grinned wickedly, clearly eager to put the device to use. "I can't wait to test it on our enemies, Lord Ainz. I will gather their skills for you with pleasure."
Ainz inclined his head slightly. "Good. But remember, our enemies may be cunning. Do not underestimate them. Even with these devices, caution is our greatest weapon."
Cocytus, his deep voice rumbling through the room, stepped forward. "As you command, Lord Ainz. We will wield these tools with the utmost care and loyalty."
---
A Moment of Reflection
After distributing the devices, Ainz dismissed the guardians. As they left to carry out their duties, Ainz remained seated on his throne, deep in thought. The devices were in place, and his guardians were more powerful than ever. Yet, his cautious nature would not allow him to relax. There were still many unknowns in this world, and though Nazarick was unmatched in strength, Ainz knew that overconfidence was a dangerous trap.
He reflected on his journey thus far—how he had come to this new world, the battles he had fought, the alliances he had made. Each step had been carefully calculated, each move measured with the utmost precision. And now, with the Skill Replication Device at his disposal, his power had grown exponentially. But the road ahead was still long, and the enemies he had yet to face were sure to be formidable.
Ainz clenched his bony fist, determination filling him. "I will continue to grow, continue to evolve. Nazarick will not be stopped."
But even as he made that vow, his mind returned to the caution that had guided him all along. He would not rush into anything. Every move, every action would be carefully planned, and no one—no matter how powerful—would catch him off guard.
And so, Ainz remained vigilant, his eyes ever watchful for the challenges that awaited him in this strange new world.