The members of Ainz Ooal Gown came together again, curious about what was going on. After a short explanation, Momonga began searching the world for things to do and explore.
"I still can't get over how real this world really is."
"I know, the stars last night were so beautiful, it brought a tear to my eye."
"Ahahaha, was it really that special?"
"Have you already forgotten? Our world was a desolate, and polluted hellscape. Seeing the beauty of nature again… It's worth it to have lost my humanity in the process."
"Hmm-"
Little did he know, but he just made a really good point just then. What Blue Planet mentioned wasn't too far off the cuff, his, along with everyone else in the guild, had lost their humanity. And they were all still clinging to it in their own way.
Momonga didn't bother continuing to think about it, as he just managed to get the mirror to work the way he wanted. "I did it, the controls are a bit wonky, but shouldn't be too difficult. Oh- what's this? A festival?"
The mirror showed a bunch of armored men riding atop horses, slicing their way through fleeing, unarmored villagers. It was a gruesome sight, and one that all members of the guild felt in some small way that they too didn't really bat an eye.
"Alright! Let's go, help them."
"I see no reason to aid them right now. Not even our friend is offering to lend a hand right now."
"Because saving a person in trouble is always the right thing to do!"
"Perhaps this is a test for us, to see how we react in a situation like this? She has had 600 years to change her mindset."
"She could also be trying to get us caught up by allowing us to develop ourselves?"
"Fine, we can go. But let's only take a small force with us this time."
"I can handle it, just open up the gate for me and I'll be on my way!" Touch Me said with a renewed vigor.
…
"Mother, Carne village is under attack by some marauders. Should we intervene now?"
"No, not yet, we don't have a valid reason for intervening. No one but us knows the precise location that the dragon is buried and sealed away."
"Even if the people living there die?"
"Don't worry, I won't leave them dead for long. It's a painful process, but I need them to do this for me. Without a really good reason we can't make ourselves public again. Which is my new goal."
"So, we hid away for 200 years, just to see what would happen?"
"Yes, and no. We needed to make them understand the importance behind the work they do. 200 years ago the continent was taking advantage of our kindness, and often not putting any effort into their own productions. I'm kind and caring, but that has its limits."
"Oh, I understand when you put it that way mother. And now, your friends will also have the chance to rise to prominence."
"Indeed, it may seem evil, or uncaring to some… I don't really care, since I'll be making it up to all of them. Carne is going to develop quite a bit."
"Huh? You don't mean?"
"Yes, I'm going to have it serve as a city my friends lord over. And there just so happens to be a goddess they can't possibly ignore anymore. They don't need any faith to believe in them, for they'll all have witnessed it first hand."
…
"AHAHAHA! This is great! It's like spearing fish in a barrel!"
"RUN BITCH RUN!" … "AHAHAHA! TOO SLOW!"
"OH GET THAT MAN TOO!"
"HEY THERE'S A COUPLE GIRLS RUNNING THAT WAY!"
"OH I LIKE THOSE!"
"Come on Nemu, let's go! We have to run!" If we're lucky the forest spirit will save us… PLEASE SOMEONE AT LEAST SAVE MY LITTLE SISTER!!!!
"AHAHA! Time's up girlie!"
"Wait, shouldn't we have some fun with them first? It's rare to get a chance like this."
"You want to have your way with heathens?"
"Hmm, when you put it that way, it probably is better to just kill them. But slowly, I need to hear some kind of screams."
"Fine, fine. I'll slowly kill them."
"Hey what's that?"
"Is that… a demon gate?"
"No, no, no… It has to be something else!"
Out from the wobbly jet-black gate, stepped out a man fully clad in brilliant shining armor. The pressure coming off of this man was like nothing the knights had ever faced before in their lives.
"What kind of men go around hunting women and children?"
"What?"
"The answer is a DEAD MAN!"
A single swing of his shield bearing arm caused a hefty blow in the air strong enough it knocked the men's heads clean off. And the two bodies fell to their backs, creating two distinct fountains of blood.
"Are you alright, mi-lady?"
"Huh? My hero…"
"Mi-lady, you're injured!"
"Oh no, it just hurts a little, I'll be fine."
"Allow me, Cure Wounds."
"HUH! It's all better." Should I ask this knight…
"There-"
"Sir knight! Might I have the name of the man who saved my life?"
"Touch Me!"
"Eh? Alright then-" Enri placed a hand on the shiny armor. "Is this fine?"
"Ahahaha! No, that's my name, Touch Me. The Paladin of Pure Silver!"
"Oh? Forgive me, thank you for saving me and my sister's life, Sir Paladin…"
"No problem at all-"
"Paladin? Are you a Paladin of Forest Spirit?!"
"Nemu, don't be rude to the forest spirit's people."
Assuming a thoughtful pose… "Who is this forest spirit exactly?"
"She's a really pretty lady! Super strong, and the legend said she's the one who blessed our village's founder."
"Oh my, she sounds like a woman of justice!"
"Oh she also wears a dress where her boobies hang out! It's said she feeds all of the hungry so they grow big and strong too!"
"Ahahaha! I know of this woman, of whom you speak. She is a dear friend of mine…"
"Sir Paladin, it may be forward of me, but I implore you to save my village from the marauders!"
"Sure, not a problem. Saving a person in trouble is always the right thing to do!"
It was just then Blue Planet also appeared, in full gear. "Alright, let's go and teach these marauders a lesson."
Vines grew from a nearby tree, and slowly revealed a woman's form. Revealing that it was indeed Night Silver, the Forest Spirit.
"Come children, watch as your saviors retake your home."
"FOREST SPIRIT LADY!" Nemu cried running over, and hugged her. "They killed-"
"I won't allow them to remain this way. A child with no parents, it's a truly regrettable thing."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll see it soon, for now, you must be hungry-" She lifted Nemu up and held her just right. "Go ahead child, grow up big and strong." She added with a smile, gently brushing her hand through her hair.
…