Chapter 129: Demi Takes the Fall
Ainz maintained the composed expression befitting a Supreme Being, but the wounded feeling rising from somewhere deep in his soul was nearly strong enough to overwhelm forced calm.
"Actually," Ainz attempted one last act of damage control, "the original uniform and gesture were quite well conceived. I simply had limited time when I was copying it and drew rather carelessly..."
"Even so." Albedo answered with complete certainty. "With the benefit of Ainz-sama's incomparable artistic skill applied to it, and it still looks this ugly — that can only mean the original is even more appalling to behold. Ainz-sama is far too kind. There's no need to keep defending whoever wrote this."
A sharp light flashed through Albedo's eyes.
"This subordinate suggests a thorough investigation into who submitted this proposal. Wasting Ainz-sama's time in this manner."
Ainz felt himself quietly crumbling on the inside.
He really should have known better than to trust the aesthetic judgment of another world.
Albedo, seeing no response from Ainz, spoke again from his side.
"Ainz-sama, this subordinate still believes it is necessary to identify who submitted that proposal."
"Anyone capable of producing drawings that ugly must have developed quite a distorted sense of aesthetics. Leaving such a person in Nazarick could potentially influence other members..."
Ainz had the distinct sensation that his skull was growing faintly warm.
No. Absolutely impossible. He could not, under any circumstances, let Albedo find out that proposal was his.
"Albedo."
Ainz raised a hand and cut her off.
A note of quiet finality entered his voice.
"The principle of anonymous submissions exists precisely so that every member can speak freely. If we investigate whoever submitted a proposal simply because the content was displeasing, no one will ever be willing to offer their opinions again. As Nazarick's ruler, I must guarantee that."
Ainz paused, tilting his head to look at the empty air above him — projecting depth while buying himself a moment to think.
"Moreover, I have already discarded the original version of that proposal. Let us consider the matter closed."
The resolute energy in Albedo faded considerably. She gave a respectful nod.
"As you command, Ainz-sama. This subordinate was not thinking clearly."
Ainz exhaled inside himself.
That was close.
He quietly congratulated himself on having reacted fast enough — invoking the greater principle of his role as ruler to press down Albedo's dissatisfaction. Because if the investigation had actually proceeded and she'd found out the proposal was his... his standing as the Supreme Being would have been thoroughly and irrecoverably destroyed.
At that moment, a knock came at the office door.
Ainz turned and looked toward it.
A homunculus maid, Fiss, entered and addressed him.
"Ainz-sama, Lord Demiurge requests an audience."
The dark red light in Ainz's eye sockets brightened slightly.
Perfect timing!
A quiet cheer rose somewhere inside him. This gave him a legitimate reason to redirect Albedo's attention entirely. If that previous topic had continued any further, Ainz genuinely feared he would have given himself away.
"Send him in." Ainz's voice sounded perfectly calm — he concealed his inner delight with commendable success.
"As you command."
Fiss gave a slight bow, turned and left, the door closing softly behind her.
A moment later, the door opened again.
Demiurge walked in.
His pace was unhurried, the precisely tailored suit immaculate, tie fastened with care, the round lenses of his glasses catching the lamplight in a gleam that could only be called intelligent.
That cunning face wore an elegant smile.
Ainz was just preparing to ask Demiurge's purpose when, all at once, his jawbone dropped wide open.
Because Demiurge had walked to the front of the desk, stopped —
And raised his right hand, five fingers pressed together, arm lifted in front of him, spine perfectly straight.
A textbook German military salute.
The exact posture Ainz had drawn in his proposal. Identical.
The red light in Ainz's eye sockets pulsed wildly.
His jawbone dropped to its maximum, nearly reaching his collarbone.
Demiurge!
A silent scream from somewhere inside him.
Why are you doing that right now!
The green light of forced calm flashed through him. But even after the green light passed, Ainz's jawbone remained open, unable to close.
Albedo stood at Ainz's side, gaze falling on Demiurge.
Her expression underwent a clear change.
Those golden slit-pupils narrowed slightly. Her brow drew into a displeased arc. Her lips pressed into a line. Her entire face was written over with unconcealed disdain.
She was looking at Demiurge with the expression that says what on earth are you doing.
Then, a moment later, understanding dawned on her.
So that's it. Albedo thought quietly. That low-grade proposal was written by Demiurge.
No wonder Ainz-sama kept defending the person.
Ainz-sama is truly too kind — willing to accommodate even Demiurge's kind of low-grade creativity.
Demiurge held his salute, but his sharp instincts had already caught the subtle shift in the atmosphere.
He tilted his head slightly, gaze moving from Ainz's jawbone-dropped skeletal face to Albedo's face written over with unconcealed disdain.
Strange.
Demiurge thought quietly.
The atmosphere seems somewhat off.
He was just preparing to ask Ainz-sama what had happened — whether his salute wasn't standard enough, or his suit not sufficiently presentable —
"Demiurge."
Ainz's voice came first, somewhat faster than usual, afraid of what Demiurge might ask if given the chance.
Demiurge was briefly startled, then lowered his saluting hand.
"Here, Ainz-sama." He inclined slightly, bearing respectful.
Ainz exhaled inside himself.
That was close.
If Demiurge had spoken first, there was no telling what he might have asked.
"You came to find me." Ainz's voice recovered the steadiness befitting a Supreme Being, though his jawbone had still not fully closed. "What is it?"
Demiurge straightened and pushed up his glasses.
"Yes, Ainz-sama." He set the atmosphere aside — reporting to Ainz-sama was considerably more important. "It concerns a request from Narberal."
Ainz was somewhat puzzled.
"Narberal?"
"Indeed." Demiurge considered his phrasing briefly. "She hopes that, in the course of the royal capital mission, she might also deal with some... cockroaches."
The word came out with unconcealed contempt.
Cockroaches? Girls being afraid of cockroaches is normal enough.
Ainz reflected that, while Narberal was certainly a battle maid, being afraid of cockroaches was probably unrelated to fighting ability.