Date: 28-08-801 IC
In a dimly lit hallway, Piña, Hamilton, Sugawara, Itami, Tuka, Rory, Lelei, Annika, John, and several US agents gathered, their expressions a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Suddenly, Ferid entered the space, his presence commanding attention.
"Are you all ready to go?" he asked, his tone brisk.
"Yes," they replied in unison.
"Gate!" he commanded, and a swirling black circle materialized before them.
"What is that?" Lelei inquired, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Step into it," Ferid urged.
"Will we be harmed?" Itami asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.
"No. The probability of accidents is 0%," Ferid assured them.
Despite their nerves, one by one, they stepped through the portal, emerging in front of a colossal palace that left them in awe.
"Follow me," Ferid instructed, leading them forward.
"What is that?" Lelei exclaimed, pointing at a towering statue that loomed over them, standing at an impressive 300 meters. The statue, devoid of a face, donned armor reminiscent of ancient soldiers.
"It was erected in honor of our martyrs," Ferid said proudly.
"Martyred soldiers?" Piña echoed, her voice trembling.
"Yes. Many of our soldiers and officers lost their lives during Ainz-sama's conquest campaign. This statue commemorates their sacrifice."
"So it has no face?" Tuka questioned, her eyes wide.
"Indeed," Ferid confirmed.
"To create such a grand statue in honor of the fallen!" Piña exclaimed, her admiration evident. "If you respect your soldiers, they will respect you in return, won't they?"
"Exactly!" Ferid replied.
"How many lives were lost in this campaign?" Annika asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Ainz-sama's campaign lasted four hundred years, resulting in over 200 million deaths," Ferid stated solemnly.
"Huh! That's more than the combined deaths from World War I and World War II in our world," John remarked, astonished.
"Indeed," Ferid acknowledged. "Now, let's proceed."
As they approached the entrance, two massive golems stood guard, their eyes glowing ominously. The doors swung open, revealing a vast interior.
After navigating through the grand hallway lined with elite royal guards, they arrived at an enormous chamber. The room was adorned with 46 windows and 21 magnificent chandeliers, all crafted from pristine white marble. At the center, Ainz sat upon a throne, exuding an air of authority.
Behind him stood four automatons, elegantly designed in black suits. These were no ordinary constructs; they were fashioned from prismatic orc materials, combining the best of science and magic. Capable of utilizing various forms of magic and boasting impressive physical strength, these automatons were known as the Supreme Guardians.
Ainz had ensured that the Great Tomb of Nazarick was fortified beyond measure. Over the centuries, its defenses had evolved to the point where even the combined might of the Lords of the Seven Deadly Sins would struggle to breach its walls.
To Ainz's left stood Albedo, while Ragnarok and Ingrid, Ainz's daughter, maintained a respectful distance. On his right were Touch Me, Demiurge, and Cocytus, alongside several ministers.
About 20 meters away, the Governors of 98 states, their secretaries, and high-ranking officials of the Sorcerous Empire gathered, along with various magic casters and knights.
"Welcome, guests from Earth and the Special Region," Ainz announced.
"Yes, my lord," Ferid replied, bowing slightly.
John stepped forward, lowering his head. "It is an honor to meet you, Sorcerous Emperor Ainz Ooal Gown. I am John Marks, a US diplomat."
"Greetings, Lord Ainz. I am Annika Violet, also a US diplomat," she added.
Others followed suit, introducing themselves with a mix of reverence and trepidation.
Rory and Granham exchanged glances, bewildered. They had heard tales of Ainz's immense power, yet he radiated no threatening aura.
Rory took a step forward, her voice playful yet challenging. "We've heard many stories about you. It seems they were exaggerated. Your servants seem stronger than you! You appear weak!"
Albedo's expression darkened, her voice laced with fury. "You dare call my master weak, you insect? How dare you!"
Rory paled, fear washing over her as she realized the gravity of her words.
"Dad, I want her as my toy. I'll enjoy torturing her," Ingrid said with a malicious grin.
"But Sis, she's immortal. You can't kill her, no matter how hard you try ," Ragnarok pointed out, his smile wicked. "However, I have a suggestion. We could immerse her in sulfuric, nitric, or hydrochloric acid. She'll regret being immortal."
The room fell silent, the atmosphere thick with tension.
"Calm down. She's our guest," Ainz intervened, his voice soothing. "I wear a Divine Class ring that conceals my aura from everyone."
Ainz removed the ring, and the room's pressure surged. Those with lower rankings stumbled, overwhelmed by the sheer force emanating from Ainz.
Rory and Granham's eyes widened in awe, their minds reeling from the revelation.
"Impossible! I've never seen an aura like this before! It's as if the gods themselves pale in comparison!" Rory whispered, stunned.
Ainz replaced the ring, and the room's tension dissipated.
"I'm so strong that I hide my aura. I opened my ring for mere seconds, and you saw what happened."
Many still struggled to regain their composure.
"Magic casters, use Lion's Hearts," Ainz instructed.
The room slowly returned to a sense of normalcy.
"Now, tell me, what brings you here?" Ainz asked, his gaze piercing.
Granham took a step forward, her voice trembling. "My name is Granham. I've come to invite you to our world on behalf of the gods of Falmart."
Rory, however, interrupted her, her words tumbling out in a rush. "Please accept me as your wife! I can be your concubine if you want!"
In an instant, Albedo's 3F crushed Rory's head, sending blood splattering across the floor. Rory's body began to bleed profusely, her head crushed beyond recognition.
"I apologize for losing my temper," Albedo said, her smile saccharine.
"No problem! She's immortal. She'll recover in a moment," Granham stammered, her eyes wide with fear.
"Continue your speech," Ainz urged, his tone detached.
Granham pulled out a statue, its surface radiating divine energy. "Our gods sent this as a gift to you."
An automaton swiftly approached Granham, taking the statue from her and presenting it to Ainz. He stored it away, his expression unreadable.
"I'll consider it."
John stepped forward, his voice measured. "We wish to establish friendly and commercial relations with you."
Ainz turned to his advisors, seeking their counsel. "What do you think about it?"
"We don't mind," a minister replied, "but how do we facilitate monetary transactions? Their currency is useless in our world."
"And what do they have to offer?" a Governor asked, his tone skeptical. "There's no magic in their world."
Sugawara protested, "We may not have magic, but we have many fascinating things in our world."
"Only time will tell what's interesting in your world," Ainz said, his tone enigmatic.
A minister proposed, "We could trade through exchange. If they have no objections."
"... No, we don't mind," John replied, his voice hesitant.
"Anything else?" Ainz inquired, his gaze sweeping the room.
"No, Your Majesty," a Governor's secretary ventured, "We are in your presence, Ainz-sama."
"Please forgive me, Ainz-sama," the Governor added, his voice laced with deference.
"No problem," Ainz replied, his tone benevolent.
"... I have a suggestion," a minister said. "We could allow them to send a research team to our world."
"It's not the Special Region where you can conduct research freely. It's my empire. I won't permit it. However, you may travel our world, but only in authorized areas, and only select individuals will be granted permission."
"Um... okay," John replied, his voice hesitant.
"You may establish an embassy in our world. We also wish to establish an embassy in your world."
"We have no objections," John said, his tone measured.
"All right. Now, Princess Piña, tell me why you came here?" Ainz asked, his gaze piercing.
Piña's eyes darted about the room, her face pale. She dropped to her knees, her hands clasped together in a desperate plea.
"I'm truly sorry about our Empire! To attack you... My father is a stupid, arrogant man! He orders an attack whenever he finds a new land. Please don't destroy the entire empire! Have mercy on us! Please forgive my family!"
"Excuse me, Princess," Ainz said, his tone detached, "but I've already made up my mind. I, Ainz Ooal Gown, never spare those who harm me and my people. I've already declared the death penalty for several individuals, including your father, who were responsible for this attack."
"Did you declare the emperor's death penalty!?" Itami exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock.
Ainz's gaze swept the room, his expression unyielding. "Furthermore, I claim all lands under the Saderan Empire. I've already issued the order. I hereby declare the Saderan Empire extinct. From today, all territories of the Saderan Empire are mine. Also, Piña Co Lada, I received reports that you were not behind the attack on us. So I declare you innocent. However, I'm removing your title of princess, as the Saderan Empire no longer exists. But as a former princess of the empire, I'll provide you with a house to live in, some land, and monthly expenses. I hope you don't mind."
Piña's eyes turned vacant, her face expressionless. She began to laugh maniacally, her voice echoing through the chamber.
"Princess, what's wrong?" Hamilton asked, concern etched on his face.
"Hmm, take her to the infirmary. Send her to the Special Region when she recovers," Ainz instructed, his tone detached.
Sorcerers approached Piña, and Hamilton hurried away with them, his face worried.
"Hmm. Then I'll conclude our discussion here."
Ainz's eyes gleamed with an otherworldly intensity.
"All hail the Sorcerous Emperor!"
The room erupted in a chorus of "All hail the Sorcerous Emperor!" as the gathered officials and others paid homage to Ainz's power.