Chapter 41: Nazarick and the Otherworld (3)
"Archeeeee!!"
"Please… the snot is a bit much."
"Sorry."
Arche grimaced, but beneath it she was genuinely relieved that Neia was safe.
At the same time, she was painfully reminded—she was still weak.
She was an adamantite-ranked adventurer, yes… someone people called a strong one.
But the world was full of unknown monsters.
And even if she ignored dragons or strange non-human races—
—even among humans, there were plenty stronger than her.
Two of them were standing right in front of her right now.
She didn't even feel "certain defeat" when facing Remedios.
But the woman beside Kaiser—Rifa—gave her an unmistakable sense of absolute loss.
"Arche… I'm sorry you just arrived in the Holy Kingdom, but… I have to leave soon."
"Yes. Where to?"
"I planned to take you with me, but… honestly, it's too dangerous. Is it okay if I leave you here in the kingdom?"
"…Can you not take me with you?"
"Hmm. Simulation results: you die in 8 out of 10 scenarios."
"…I'll stay here quietly."
It wasn't that she was a burden.
Kaiser had simply seen too much.
Nazarick, the world Kaiser had glimpsed, was intelligent, organized, unlikely to go berserk.
But the otherworld was not.
And the country Kaiser intended to visit next… depending on the situation, could become extremely dangerous.
He didn't want to go either.
But to gather information, he sometimes had to move personally.
Kaiser had already deduced the truth behind Shalltear's incident—but he needed certainty.
And for that, he had to go to the Theocracy.
Few people had memorized his face, but there was no guarantee there weren't sketches or descriptions.
If someone picked a fight, he might end up battling the Theocracy itself.
He couldn't drag Arche into that.
He couldn't destroy the Theocracy either—humanity needed it.
Most importantly, Arche might not be beside him when battle broke out.
If something happened far away and teleportation interference occurred, she would die instantly.
Especially against monsters carrying the "blood of players"—the so-called God-kin.
"…Still, we'll train again on the way to the kingdom."
"That makes me happy… and unhappy at the same time…"
"Training? Are you maybe Arche's master or something?"
"Yeah. I'm not a magic caster, though."
Kaiser approached Neia with a relaxed smile.
Neia thought that smile resembled the one Arche had shown earlier.
Maybe Arche had been copying Kaiser without realizing?
If so… should she consider that Arche respected him?
But Arche—who almost never smiled—had smiled naturally the moment she saw Kaiser, even when she was battered and exhausted.
To Neia, that meant Arche's feelings toward Kaiser must be something… deeper.
"…So you're leaving."
"I'll come back. You know—if I'm bored."
"'If you're bored,' you say…"
Neia felt a pang of loneliness, but she knew this was inevitable.
Arche had come from the distant Empire for training.
Leaving again to continue that training wasn't strange.
The Holy Kingdom wasn't a planned destination—it just happened to be near a good training site.
They said their farewells.
As Neia and Arche spoke, Kaiser turned to face Rifa.
Their eyes met.
Countless thoughts passed between them—curiosity, shock, calculation.
Kaiser hadn't expected her to be here.
Nor had he expected her to step in to save Arche.
And from Kaiser's perspective—
she did not emanate evil.
She did not have that unique "sinister aura" of Ainz, Albedo, or Shalltear.
Her karma wasn't negative.
Which meant she might have truly acted out of kindness.
Kaiser considered this and then smiled at her.
"Thank you for saving Arche."
"No… even if I hadn't, you would have handled it effortlessly."
"Being able to do something doesn't make another person's value disappear."
Considering their original relationship, it wasn't wise to approach lightly.
But Kaiser still thanked her sincerely.
He glanced at Arche.
Her growth rate was insane.
She wore the Ring of Growth, but even without that, her training regimen was brutal—something modern people would call torture.
In Kaiser's era, when villages and kingdoms barely functioned as systems, every day had been a death match.
It might sound like an old man's rambling, but—
If a modern human fought someone from the old world,.no weapon or magic item would matter.
The ancient warrior would win.
The difference in life experience was too vast.
Kaiser recalled the past.
'Someone like you… someone good…will still one day kill under a "command" without reason or meaning.
That is… a little sad.'
He remembered.
There had once been an NPC—an incredibly good person.
A true friend.
But under a supreme-being's command, that friend betrayed him and erased an entire village from the map.
He had trusted too easily.
That was his mistake.
An NPC, no matter how kind or gentle or empathetic,
could never escape its role.
Even with a positive karma score…even if they valued life…even if they helped others by nature—their morality ended where their creator's orders began.
The commands of a creator—of a player—were absolute.
From them came all meaning.
A child who treats a parent's words as unquestionable truth…that was how NPCs treated their creators.
Even as time passed, the child remained a child.
And the parent remained the parent.
That was the problem.
....
[Can you hear me?]
[I… I have a report…]
Kaiser looked at Rifa and gave her a relaxed smile.
Rifa, flustered, did her best to hide her expression.
She had only received a very brief report:
—Kaiser defeated Shalltear.
If that was true… then Rifa herself would never stand a chance.
[I have no intention of being hostile toward Nazarick.
I don't know why you're here, but—]
[De– Demiurge-sama ordered me to gather information about you, Ka… Kaiser-sama.]
[Why the Holy Kingdom of all places…? Ah. Because my so-called "legend" started somewhere near here, yes? Unfortunately, I have no place I'd call a hometown. I've wandered ever since the moment I first gained awareness. You seem like a good person, so I'll trust that…But just in case—don't do anything that draws attention. If that ribbon on your neck gets torn…that'll become a very big problem.]
[I seem to have caused unnecessary concern.]
[No. I'm simply worried for your sake. Here in the Holy Kingdom… the undead are treated as absolute evil.
Even if you worry about others… even if you're a good person.]
It was the truth.
Undead were unwelcome almost everywhere.
If she were simply heteromorphic—demon, vampire, or something similar—she could disguise herself as human.
Things would be far easier.
But she had descended as an Overlord.
Too late to change now.
She would either hide under illusion magic or reveal her nature from the start.
If she pretended to be a "new god," fanatics would gather instantly.
....
"Arche, we're leaving tomorrow."
"Yes, Sir Kaiser. Rifa—um, I'm sorry, but could you maybe—"
"I can introduce you!"
Rifa looked at Neia.
Her eyes were sharp, but her heart was good—
someone who cared about her friend.
And, most importantly, she was Arche's friend.
Considering Kaiser's… unpredictable nature,
building ties with Arche's acquaintances was beneficial.
Demiurge had ordered her not just to observe Kaiser—but also to scout for potential talents.
A squire like Neia…would have plenty of information about paladins, the kingdom, and more.
"Then I will rely on Miss Neia.…Ah, something just came to mind. May I excuse myself here?"
"Yes! Then tomorrow I'll visit Arche's lodging in your place."
"Thank you for everything today, Miss Rifa. If we meet again, I will repay this debt."
Rifa walked away quickly.
Once outside, she exhaled deeply.
Had she ever been this nervous in her life?
She immediately took out a communication item.
This wasn't for Demiurge.
This was important enough to report directly to Ainz.
She activated the item—
And the one standing there was not "Rifa," but Yuri Alpha, the Pleiades' sub-leader.
The moment Yuri used the item, Ainz's voice echoed in her mind.
....
[Hm? Yuri? I heard you were assigned to the Holy Kingdom. Always working hard, aren't you.]
[Your gracious words honor me, Ainz-sama!]
[Normally you'd contact Demiurge. If you're calling me directly… this must be urgent. Did you learn something rare about Kaiser? A trace of a player? A powerful threat to Nazarick?]
Yuri answered clearly:
[I encountered Kaiser.]
[…I see. That is— Huh? W–WHAT?! Ahem. So… the real Kaiser? You actually met him?]
[Yes. And… it seems he has a disciple. He appeared to care deeply about her.]
[A disciple…? Hm. Is she strong as well? Someone equal to Kaiser?]
Yuri recalled Arche.
Her kindness was strong.
Her will—pure and noble.
But combat-wise… she was weak.
Weaker than Yuri herself.
One Pleiades maid alone could handle her.
[Her strength is low for now, but she is still training.
And since Kaiser himself chose her as his disciple,
she likely holds great potential.]
[A girl, you say…? Then is there perhaps… romantic interest involved?]
[The girl seemed to hold some feelings. Kaiser… I cannot say. Reading the emotions of such a legend is beyond my ability.]
[True… Kaiser has lived for centuries. Understanding such a being is difficult. Are they staying in the Holy Kingdom?]
[No. They are heading to the Kingdom. But Kaiser will leave his disciple behind and go somewhere alone first.]
Ainz hummed in thought.
He wanted more information, but trying to take it from Kaiser would be suicidal.
Even Yuri hesitated.
Following Kaiser was impossible—too risky.
Shalltear's defeat was proof enough.
Ainz knew Kaiser's strength better than anyone.
He had seen it with his own eyes.
[Yuri Alpha. Continue gathering information in the Holy Kingdom. Build connections, collect data.
If Kaiser comes to the Kingdom, I will meet him personally.]
Ainz spoke as "Momon," alongside Nabe.
They were already famous enough that news of them had reached the Holy Kingdom.
Perhaps he intended to establish a relationship through Arche.
Kaiser cared about her greatly—so nurturing ties with her was a smart move.
[…Just in case, Yuri. Tell me—what do you think of humans? Albedo and Nabe seem to consider them inferior beings.]
[There are ten personalities among ten people. Some humans are pathetic and foolish. Others are admirable and noble. Kaiser's disciple…I humbly believe she is one of the admirable ones.]
Yuri hoped that by saying this, Ainz would be less inclined to choose "kill the disciple" in any future scenario.
If ordered, she would obey.
But orders and emotions were different matters.
[I see! So even when you met Kaiser, you maintained that attitude! Good. That's very good.]
Ainz sounded… strangely delighted.
[Ahem. In any case—focus on your mission.
Do not worry about Kaiser for now.]
[As you command.]
Click.
The communication ended.
Yuri stared blankly at the sky.
"Gather information," he said…
But she had no idea where to begin.
She was not skilled in such work.
Still—Neia's connection might be an opportunity.
"I'll have to rely on Miss Neia for guidance…Ah—my conscience hurts already."
Trying to get close to a kind girl like Neia with ulterior motives—even for Nazarick—pricked at Yuri's heart.
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