In the Sacred Realm
Ainz looked skeptically at Eurasia. Secretly, he activated the Discern Enemy skill—a capability that allowed him to see his opponent's MP and HP values and roughly gauge their level.
Ainz discovered that Eurasia had an enormous MP value—comparable to his own. This was notable, as Ainz possessed a vast amount of MP, being from the world of Yggdrasil, where, after the shutdown, he had been portrayed as a god-like being.
His gaze drifted toward the five Sages. They had varying status values. Of all of them, Raurul had the highest MP and HP.
Ainz compared Raurul's stats with those of Shalltear Bloodfallen—one of the five strongest NPCs in Nazarick. She was the only member who could defend three floors alone, and the only one with whom Ainz was evenly matched in a duel. The other Sages also had high stats, comparable to those of Floor Guardians.
Ainz's thoughts: If I were to assess and categorize them, Eurasia would likely be level 100. Her MP is comparable to mine. She must be a magic caster, specialized in summoning. The other Sages are probably around level 90. I should avoid a direct confrontation—but I cannot lose my role as a ruler. I need to make sure the situation reaches a stalemate so that I appear authentic.
Ainz turned to Eurasia and began to speak.
Ainz: "You summoned me? What is your purpose in daring to call upon me, Ainz Ooal Gown?"
Eurasia grinned mischievously and confidently.
Eurasia: "To answer your question, you must first hear the story I wish to tell. Look to the ceiling!"
Ainz raised his gaze and saw a golden triangle.
Eurasia: "This triangle is the Triforce, created by three goddesses who came from the chaos to Hyrule. This powerful artifact is capable of manifesting the wishes of mortals into reality. It embodies the balance of this world. However, if it falls into the wrong hands, Hyrule—this is the name of our world—will face its ruin. And that is exactly what happened a thousand years ago. A man named Ganondorf seized two parts of the Triforce. With their power, he ravaged Hyrule completely. The Sages and I had to unite to banish him. Ganondorf was sealed, and Hyrule was saved—but the cost was great. Civilization fell into a deep regression."
A silence fell over the room. The atmosphere was heavy. Eurasia seemed as though she needed words of encouragement.
Ainz found himself in a moral dilemma. On the one hand, the fate of this world meant little to him—as long as Nazarick and the Sorcerer King's kingdom remained intact, it did not concern him. On the other hand, he felt sympathy for Eurasia. He understood her pain. But he had to choose his words carefully, so he did not appear heartless—and at the same time, preserve the interests of his realm.
Ainz: "I understand your pain. But bear in mind: I cannot act as a Sage. My kingdom needs its ruler."
Eurasia: "That is understandable. However, if you wish to return, you must find the way yourself. With our remaining power, we have summoned you. To return home, you must find three stones hidden somewhere in Hyrule and bring them to the Citadel of Time."
Ainz: "Hmmmm... Can I trust your words?"
Eurasia grinned as if she were lying directly to Ainz's face. He did not believe her. However, Raurul stood up and confirmed her statement. Not because he wanted to help Ainz or gain his trust, but because he wanted to rid himself of him. Not out of hatred, but because he viewed Ainz as a threat to Hyrule.
Even after Raurul's confirmation, Ainz was not convinced. Eurasia and Raurul noticed this.
Raurul: "Do you not trust our words? We are beings of holy light. We are good. We would never lie."
Ainz gave Raurul a cold stare and asked a counterquestion.
Ainz: "Wherever there is light, there is also shadow. Or have you ever walked under the bright sun without stepping on your own shadow...?"
Raurul was deeply hurt by these words. He ground his teeth. Eurasia, on the other hand, was impressed. There was awe in her gaze—Ainz possessed the wisdom of a true Sage and the power of a god-like being. In her eyes, he was the perfect candidate for the role of Sage. For a brief moment, she even wondered if he might be more suited to the role than Raurul, who, though experienced, was too distrustful and fixated on conventional methods.
Eurasia: "How can I earn your trust?"
Ainz repeated the word skeptically.
Ainz: "Trust...?"
Raurul: "Don't play the fool. You know what I mean."
The tension between Ainz and Raurul was palpable. Ainz pondered how to react. Suddenly, another Sage stood up. All of them—Raurul, Eurasia, and the others—turned to face him.
The Sage wore a robe patterned after a forest. On his chest was a crest in the shape of a leaf. Aside from that, he resembled Raurul almost exactly.
Sage of the Forest: "I am the Sage of the Forest. I have decided to travel to the earthly world with Ainz Ooal Gown. Sage of Light, Sage of Fire, Sage of Shadow, Sage of Water, High Priestess— hereby, I renounce my title as Sage."
"WHAT?!" A loud cry echoed through the room. Everyone, even Ainz, shouted in astonishment. The roar was so deafening that the bull in front of Eurasia woke up in fright.
Eurasia grinned crookedly. It seemed that her plan had backfired. She sighed and looked at the Sage of the Forest. Just the sight of him made her shake her head. She knew he was the kindest and most loving among them—but that he was willing to give up his title for an undead was hard for her to believe.
Raurul: "Sage of the Forest, are you serious? Are you under the influence of the undead?"
Eurasia: "No, Raurul. I sense no trace of mind control. Nothing."
Raurul: "But why...?"
Sage of the Forest: "I understand your doubts. But Hyrule is in danger—and he has been summoned. Therefore, I am convinced: He should be appointed as a Sage and help me save our people."
Sage of Fire: "I admire your hot-headed nature. But you are the physically weakest among us. Are you sure you're up to this?"
The Sage of the Forest nodded determinedly.
Sage of Shadow: "If you go, I will go with you."
Raurul: "What? You too...?"
The Sage of the Forest grinned as the Sage of Shadows joined him.
Sage of Water: "I will stay. I do not want to fight the undead."
Sage of Shadows: "No one asks that of you. Raurul, open the portal to Hyrule. We have waited long enough. It is time to act."
Raurul was overwhelmed—just like Ainz. Both wondered how it had come to this, how the other Sages had now sided with Ainz. They looked at each other—confused but speechless.
Eurasia (loud, authoritative): "Enough!"
All the Sages knelt once again. Eurasia's gaze turned to the Sage of the Forest.
Eurasia: "If that is your wish, you may leave. I strip you of the title of Sage and halve your power. Sage of Shadows, you stay. As the second strongest offensive force, we cannot let you go. And now, to you, Ainz—do you really not wish to become a Sage?"
Ainz was about to respond, but the Sage of the Forest spoke first.
Sage of the Forest: "Ainz Ooal Gown—I beg of you. Help us. Take the title of Sage—even if only for a while."
He knelt before Ainz. The other Sages were appalled. A Sage—kneeling before an undead?
Ainz sighed.
Ainz: "Fine... You don't need to go that far. I will be the next Sage. But don't ask me to do it like this..."
Sage of the Forest: "Truly, I am deeply grateful to you."
Eurasia: "Good. Ainz Ooal Gown—you will receive the Medallion of the Undead. A symbol that you are now officially the Fifth Sage. Sage of the Forest—place your medallion on the ground."
The Sage of the Forest stepped forward and laid his medallion on the ground.

Eurasia rose from her throne and spoke loudly and solemnly:
Eurasia: "Sage of the Undead—you have been called to lead Hyrule and bring the Triforce into balance. As the official Fifth Sage, we will assist you with all our wisdom. Now go. Raurul—open the portal."
Raurul hesitated for a moment, but then relented. With the skill "Golden Door of Heaven," he opened a magnificent golden portal.
The Sage of the Forest stepped through. As Ainz, staff in hand, was about to follow him through the portal, he heard a soft voice—Eurasia's voice.
Eurasia (whispering): "Please... Protect Saria."
Ainz (thinking): "Saria...?"
He turned around—but Eurasia was sitting on her throne, with a mysterious smile on her lips. Ainz turned back to the portal, thinking about her words. It had felt as if she had whispered them directly into his ear.
Ainz (thinking): "I should focus on the journey..."
When Ainz stepped through the portal, he found himself at the edge of a forest. The forest was densely wooded—the treetops nearly blocking out the sunlight. Only occasional beams of light broke through the leaves, and small particles of light floated through the air. A mysterious aura hung over the place.
Ainz thought of Mare. As a ranger, she would likely enjoy such places. He wondered if he might bring her here sometime—for a sort of small vacation. The thought made him smile briefly, but his expression quickly became serious again. The Sage of the Forest was nowhere to be found.
His first thought was that this might be a trap. But he dismissed the idea. After all, he himself was now officially a Sage, and the Sage of the Forest had bowed respectfully to him during their last meeting. This seemed too genuine for a mere performance. There was probably some issue with his teleportation.
Ainz sighed. Alone in a forest—what could go wrong?
Ainz's thoughts: "What should I do now? Wait, or go ahead? Hmm... It would make more sense to wait. I don't know this area, so I should be cautious."
He sat down on a large rock and let his staff float above him, as usual.
Ainz waited—until midnight.
Ainz's thoughts: "He still hasn't returned... this is really annoying..."
Suddenly, a pure white fog enveloped the forest. Ainz watched it with an expressionless face. The fog was so thick that he could barely make out the shadowy trees around him.
"Momonga..."
A soft voice spoke his old name from Yggdrasil. Ainz frowned. Had he imagined that?
"Momonga!" This time the voice was louder and clearer. Ainz jumped to his feet and called out in surprise:
"Who's there? How do you know that name?!"
A strange feeling crept over him. For the first time outside of Nazarick, someone had spoken that name. Ainz gripped his staff again and prepared for a fight.
"Momonga..."
Again. The voice sounded familiar, yet eerie.
"I don't know a Momonga. I am Ainz Ooal Gown!" he called out resolutely.
The voice replied calmly:
"No. You are Momonga. Ainz Ooal Gown is the name of our guild—a name you have misused."
From the fog, a figure began to take shape. It wore silver armor, a red cloak, and was armed with a sword and shield. It looked like... Lord Touch Me.

Ainz's eyes widened. Was this an illusion? A mirage? Or was he just imagining all of this?
Lord Touch Me: "Momonga, I must speak with you. But first, you must go to the Cave of the Light Spirit Ordona. Free the spirit... Momonga."
Before Ainz could respond, the image dissolved back into the mist. Ainz stood motionless, pondering. Was this magic? A natural phenomenon?
But he didn't have time to finish this thought—because suddenly, two men stepped out from the bushes.
To be continued...