The news that the Crimson Demon Clan had joined Makoto's command spread like a stone dropped into the continent's lake.
The ripples started from Belzerg, passed through Re-Estize, crossed the Baharuth Empire, and extended all the way to the Slane Theocracy.
The continent's strongest magic clan now had an owner!
Before this, there had been countries that tried to win over the Crimson Demon Clan.
The result was either they were driven crazy by these people's bizarre ideas or they couldn't even get through the gate.
Fortunately, although the Crimson Demon Clan wasn't quite right in the head, they wouldn't do anything heinous. Most countries just let them be.
But this time was different.
The Crimson Demon Clan had actively joined Makoto's camp. Countless people were speculating what kind of irresistible conditions Makoto had offered.
E-Rantel, Adventurer's Guild.
Ainz, whose team had recently been promoted to Mithril rank, sat at a corner table, deep in thought.
Narberal stood behind him, her gaze vigilantly sweeping over everyone in the hall.
He had just received news that the Crimson Demon Clan had joined Makoto's camp.
He had long heard of the Crimson Demon Clan's reputation. He had originally planned to go and see them after reaching Adamantite Rank.
He never expected that before he could even set out, they had already become someone else's subordinates.
This character named Nishikawa Makoto, in his impression, was not a figure from the game.
But this person was rapidly rising at a speed he found hard to imagine.
Ainz was originally someone who liked to overthink and fight against thin air. Now that a truly troublesome figure had appeared, of course he couldn't be happy.
After pondering for a long time, Ainz suddenly stood up. "Nabe, let's go back."
Great Tomb of Nazarick, Throne Room.
Ainz, who had just returned using teleportation magic, sat on that exaggerated throne. His gaze swept over the guardians standing in a row below.
Albedo stood at the front, Demiurge followed closely behind, followed by Cocytus, Shalltear, Aura, Mare... all present.
"The Crimson Demon Clan has joined that Nishikawa Makoto's command." Ainz's voice echoed in the Throne Room.
The guardians exchanged glances. Then Demiurge, who had not yet received his ring, stepped forward. "Ainz-sama, the current progress is too slow."
"I believe that Nazarick should formally take the main stage of this world."
Ainz pondered briefly, his brain running at full speed, thinking about what Demiurge meant...
But before he could react, Demiurge had already continued.
"As Ainz-sama thinks, I believe that a nation called Nazarick should be established."
Ainz was completely dumbfounded, 'I didn't think that.'
His silence was captured by Demiurge. A look of apology appeared on that scheming face. Demiurge had a sudden inspiration, as if realizing something. He lowered his head, his voice even more respectful.
"I apologize. This subordinate overstepped. So Ainz-sama has an even better idea."
Ainz's mind grew even more chaotic, 'When did I have a better idea?'
But he couldn't show it. After a dry cough, he waved his hand. "Oh, you misunderstand, Demiurge. My idea is the same as yours. I was just a bit surprised that we happened to think alike."
Demiurge's eyes immediately lit up. "This subordinate is flattered. I never imagined that my wisdom could barely touch even one ten-thousandth of Ainz-sama's."
Ainz let out a long sigh of relief inwardly.
'Having a subordinate who filled in the blanks was really nice.'
The following discussion progressed very quickly.
Everyone unanimously agreed that seizing a country was the most convenient and fastest method.
After all, Makoto had already demonstrated it... he had taken Belzerg and Melromarc and become regent.
Nazarick could completely replicate this model.
Albedo proposed choosing between the Re-Estize Kingdom and the Baharuth Empire.
The Great Tomb of Nazarick was geographically located right between these two countries, making either choice convenient.
Ainz hesitated for a while, ultimately choosing the Re-Estize Kingdom.
"As expected of Ainz-sama."
Demiurge flattered again. "Right now, the border city of E-Rantel in Re-Estize has gathered a large number of adventurers. They can be used as guinea pigs."
Ainz's expressionless skull face was currently having an extremely difficult time keeping a straight face.
'No, I just chose randomly.'
But he didn't dare to explain. He could only put on a pretense of profundity and let out an 'Mm'.
Next was the second question... how to fight.
Ainz, at least for now, still had a bit of moral baggage.
To take action against another country, he needed a legitimate reason.
Albedo suggested, "How about using those greedy adventurers of Re-Estize to make them walk into Nazarick themselves?"
Even Ainz, whose intelligence was inferior to his subordinates', immediately understood Albedo's meaning.
But he still hesitated.
Before transmigrating, he had always regarded Nazarick, the guild from the game, as his home.
After transmigrating, this mindset had become even more pathological.
He didn't like outsiders entering his home, nor did he like strangers walking around on his turf.
But his remaining moral baggage was also at play.
He needed a legitimate reason to satisfy his now-few remaining human moral standards.
In the end, Ainz agreed.
A few days later, a piece of news caused an uproar in E-Rantel.
Adventurers had discovered a huge underground tomb to the southeast, and had excavated a large amount of treasure on the tomb's periphery.
The news spread quickly, so quickly that it didn't seem natural.
From E-Rantel to the royal capital, in less than three days, the entire adventurer circle of the Re-Estize Kingdom was discussing the same thing.
Then, a high-ranking noble of the kingdom issued an order... hire a large number of adventurers to go to the tomb and find the treasures inside.
The compensation was staggering.
…
A few more days passed.
At the city gate of E-Rantel, a large number of adventurers had gathered.
Colorful team flags fluttered in the morning breeze.
It was noisy, like a fair.
The four-man Swords of Darkness team stood at the edge of the crowd, watching the formation assembling.
Lukrut stood on tiptoe, looking toward the depths of the crowd. Suddenly, his eyes widened.
"That's... the Heavy Masher!"
He pointed at a team led by a dwarf, all male.
"And the Foresight! Tenmu! Good lord, why have so many famous teams come?"
Ninya stood beside him, looking in the direction of his finger. "Many of these teams don't operate in E-Rantel. They probably heard about this quest and were attracted here."
Peter nodded. "After all, the compensation is very generous."
"The Avengers are here!"
Someone shouted. The crowd automatically made way.
Heiji walked at the front, the Holy Sword hanging at his waist. Akai Shuichi followed behind him, the Holy Spear shimmering with a dull luster on his back.
Kaito, Saguru, James, Jodie, and Andre followed behind.
Hekkeran, the captain of the Foresight, watched Jodie's retreating back and narrowed his eyes. "That woman is pretty good-looking."
Roberdyck, the team's healer, rolled his eyes speechlessly and lowered his voice. "Watch yourself. Don't let her hear you. They're at least an Orichalcum-rank team. We can't afford to offend them."
Hekkeran curled his lip and said no more.
The crowd stirred again.
This time, the commotion was even greater. Almost everyone turned their heads simultaneously to look toward the city gate.
Two figures walked out of the city gate.
In front was a giant man in black armor, with two great swords crossed on his back.
Following behind was a cold, beautiful woman in a black cape, with black hair in a ponytail, delicate features, and an aura that kept strangers at a distance.
Adamantite Rank, Momon and Nabe.
The noisy crowd fell silent for a moment, then whispering surged like a tide.
The Re-Estize Kingdom's third Adamantite-rank adventurer team, and the only Adamantite-rank team with only two members.
A middle-aged man in fine clothes walked out from behind Momon and stood before everyone, clearing his throat.
He was the employer's representative, responsible for the external liaison for this quest.
"Adventurers, Mr. Momon and Ms. Nabe will not participate in exploring the tomb. They will be responsible for guarding the outside. If something happens, you can send a signal to the two of them for assistance."
Several adventurer teams exchanged glances. Some breathed sighs of relief, some frowned.
Having an Adamantite-rank safety net meant at least they didn't have to worry about any force majeure inside.
But the problem was, some people didn't want Momon to go in, mainly because they were afraid he would steal the treasure.
Many teams present had the same plan: find the treasure and keep it for themselves.
If an Adamantite-rank adventurer found out, wouldn't they have to obediently turn it over?
Momon stepped forward. His gaze, hidden beneath his helmet, swept over the faces of every team.
"I have one question for you."
Momon's tone was calm. "Why do you want to go to the tomb?"
Everyone looked at each other. The dwarf leader of the Heavy Masher was the first to step forward.
"Do I even need to say it? For the money, of course. The employer's compensation is very high."
Momon's voice remained unchanged. "So, for you, the compensation is high enough to risk your lives?"
"Exactly."
Hekkeran took over the conversation.
His team, at the end of the day, had formed for the money.
The one in their team who needed money most was Arche.
Hekkeran glanced behind him. A young female mage with short blonde hair in a blue magic robe lowered her head. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around her staff.
She came from a noble family, but the emperor of the Baharuth Empire had revoked her family's title.
Her parents still lived extravagantly. The debts they owed grew like a snowball, bigger and bigger.
She had no choice but to take on quests desperately to repay her parents' debts.
Heiji also spoke. "It would be even better if we could find some powerful weapons."
Although he hadn't yet learned that Kazuha was by Makoto's side, there was no guarantee that in the future, his own childhood sweetheart might also reincarnate into this world and then be taken by Makoto.
Every time he thought of this possibility, he felt a vague sense of heaviness coming from above his head.
To prevent Shuichi's tragedy from repeating itself, he had to enhance his strength.
"I see."
At this moment, Momon's tone inexplicably carried a note of relief. "Sorry for asking such a foolish question. Please forgive me."
He stepped back and said no more.
In his view, these people had already given him the answer he wanted.
'Since you are walking into my home for money, then I don't need to be polite with you either.'
To be honest, if Makoto were here, he would definitely be speechless.
'Dude, what are you whining about?'
'Isn't it you who lured them in with entrapment?'
'If it weren't for the money, who would want to go into a tomb?'
Kaito stood at the back of The Avengers team. His palms were sweaty.
He had read the original Overlord light novel.
Of course, he knew the truth behind this quest.
This was the bait Ainz had scattered to give himself a legitimate reason.
Once those adventurers walked in, ten or nine times out of ten... no, one hundred percent... they would die without a burial site.
He had tried to persuade Heiji, Saguru, and the others.
But no one listened to him.
Kaito had also thought about just quitting The Avengers outright.
But he couldn't find a suitable reason at the moment.
Everyone in this team had come from the same world, supporting each other along the way to get to where they were today.
If he suddenly wanted to leave, it would definitely make these FBI agents suspicious.
Not to mention that Saguru was convinced he was Kaito Kid and had been monitoring his actions all along.
Even worse, if he behaved too strangely, he might get noticed by Ainz's side.
Then things would be even worse.
'What to do, what to do, what to do, what to do?'
Kuroba Kaito's brain was running at full speed.
He remembered the fates of the adventurers who had entered Nazarick in the original work.
He didn't want to end up like that.
The crowd began to move. Adventurers carried their weapons and headed in small groups toward the southeast where Nazarick was located.
Kaito scratched his hedgehog head. There was no help for it. He could only think as he walked.