In the aftermath of Carne Village's rescue, Ainz Ooal Gown turned his attention to the larger picture.
While his primary goal was to establish Nazarick's supremacy, it was clear that understanding this new world and its inhabitants was key. To that end, he devised a plan to present himself as an adventurer—a means to gather information and expand Nazarick's influence without overtly exposing his true identity.
In the throne room, Demiurge and Albedo stood before Ainz, discussing the finer details of his upcoming expedition.
"Ainz-sama, disguising yourself as an adventurer is an ingenious strategy," Demiurge said, his tone filled with admiration. "By blending into their ranks, you can assess their strengths, weaknesses, and intentions without revealing your hand."
Albedo, standing beside him, frowned slightly. "While I trust in your wisdom, Ainz-sama, I cannot help but worry about the potential dangers. The world is still largely unknown to us."
Ainz raised a skeletal hand to calm her. "Your concerns are valid, Albedo, but the risks are necessary. Nazarick's ultimate goal requires us to act cautiously yet boldly. Besides, I won't be entirely alone. Narberal Gamma will accompany me."
Albedo hesitated but eventually bowed. "As you command, Ainz-sama. I will ensure Nazarick remains prepared for any contingency."
Demiurge stepped forward. "What of Valtherion, my lord? Shall we inform him of this plan?"
Ainz's expression remained unreadable. "No. Valtherion operates on his own accord, and his actions often align with our interests without direct instruction. Let him continue as he sees fit. For now, his unpredictability works to our advantage."
---
Unbeknownst to Ainz, Valtherion was already aware of his plan. From the depths of Nazarick, he observed Ainz's preparations through omniversal perception. Valtherion had no intention of interfering directly, but the prospect of Ainz interacting with the wider world intrigued him.
"An interesting gamble, Ainz," he murmured to himself. "Let's see how far your facade as an adventurer will take you."
Rather than involve himself openly, Valtherion decided to act as a silent guardian, monitoring events from the shadows. If Ainz encountered a situation beyond his control, Valtherion would step in—but only if absolutely necessary.
---
The Adventurer's Guild
Disguised as the adventurer Momon, Ainz arrived at the local Adventurer's Guild alongside Narberal Gamma, now appearing as his loyal companion Nabe. Their arrival caused a stir among the other adventurers, who were immediately struck by Momon's imposing presence and the stoic beauty of Nabe.
Ainz approached the counter and presented himself to the guild's receptionist. "I am Momon, an adventurer seeking work. This is my companion, Nabe."
The receptionist, momentarily taken aback by Momon's imposing black armor and commanding aura, quickly composed herself. "Welcome, Momon-san. We are always in need of capable adventurers. Are you registered with the guild?"
"Not yet," Ainz replied. "This is our first visit."
The receptionist nodded and began the registration process, explaining the guild's structure and the ranking system. Ainz listened attentively, his mind already analyzing how best to utilize this new role to gather intelligence.
---
Elsewhere, Clementine, a former member of the Black Scripture, moved through the streets with a sinister grin. Her latest mission, aligned with Khajit of Zuranon, involved the collection of life force to power an undead army. The Slane Theocracy's defector relished the chaos she would soon unleash, her cruel nature evident in the glint of her eyes.
As she scouted the area, her gaze briefly flickered toward the Adventurer's Guild. Something about the new arrivals intrigued her.
"Momon, was it?" she whispered to herself. "He might be worth keeping an eye on."
Unaware of Clementine's attention, Ainz continued his mission, oblivious to the threads of fate beginning to intertwine.
---
From a distance, Valtherion observed the subtle interactions unfolding within the city. His omniversal perception allowed him to follow not only Ainz and Narberal but also Clementine's movements.
"Clementine," he muttered, recognizing her instantly. "A rogue element from the Theocracy. Her ambitions align too neatly with the kind of chaos Nazarick seeks to avoid."
While he had no intention of intervening directly, Valtherion marked her as a potential threat. His presence remained undetectable, even to Clementine's sharp instincts.
---
The Journey to E-Rantel
Under the guise of adventurers, Ainz and Narberal accepted their first mission: escorting a merchant caravan to E-Rantel. The mission itself was unremarkable, but Ainz saw it as an opportunity to gather intelligence on the region.
Along the way, the group encountered a pack of monsters. Ainz, eager to showcase his abilities as Momon, dispatched them with ease, earning the admiration of the merchants and the wary respect of the other adventurers in their convoy.
Narberal, however, struggled to conceal her disdain for the "insects" around her. Her barely concealed contempt drew suspicion from the other adventurers, but Ainz defused the situation with carefully chosen words and a commanding presence.
From the shadows, Valtherion watched with mild amusement. "Ainz, you may play the role of an adventurer well, but your companion still has much to learn about subtlety."
---
As the caravan neared E-Rantel, whispers of undead activity began to surface among the locals. Clementine and Khajit's plans were already in motion, their actions drawing closer to Ainz's path.
Valtherion, ever the unseen observer, pondered his next move. For now, he chose to remain in the background, letting Ainz and Nazarick handle the situation. However, he remained prepared to step in if the balance tipped too far.
"Chaos approaches," he mused. "But whether it consumes the world or strengthens Nazarick will depend entirely on how the pieces fall."
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End of Chapter 12