Chapter 83: Demi's Ring
The Throne Room.
Ainz Ooal Gown sat on the throne, the dark red light in his eye sockets sweeping over the Guardians assembled below.
All present.
Ainz had laid out his plan: full deployment to subjugate the lizardmen.
Demiurge adjusted his glasses, stepped forward, and a smile rose on that sharp, calculating face.
"Subarashii. Ainz-sama's plan is truly magnificent."
A flash of green light passed through Ainz. Forced calm. This time it was his private pleasure being pressed down, not anxiety.
My plan really is good. Even Demiurge approves.
Ainz maintained his dignified bearing and gave a slight nod.
The gazes of the assembled Guardians all turned toward Demiurge.
Demiurge raised his hand and adjusted his tie, the habitual preparation of a scholar about to deliver a lengthy exposition.
"This is Ainz-sama's carefully designed bait."
Aura leaned forward slightly, raising her hand, that boyish face written over with earnestness.
"So Ainz-sama intends to attack the lizardmen to draw the dragon into attacking us?"
Ainz looked at Aura. A wave of warmth moved through him.
Aura is sharp. She can already see the intention beneath the surface.
He was about to nod in affirmation...
"Foolish."
Demiurge's voice was not loud. It cut off Ainz's movement like a blade, clean and final.
Ainz's jaw dropped open.
Ah.
A flash of green light again. Forced calm. Pressed down the swelling confusion, along with what might have been a faint and very particular kind of hurt.
Ainz raised his hand.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat, letting a note of reproach settle into his voice. "Yamete, Demiurge."
"Aura is still young. What she needs is guidance, not criticism."
Demiurge's expression shifted to immediate remorse.
"You are right. I was simply so moved by Ainz-sama's magnificent plan being misunderstood that I lost my composure. Please forgive me, Ainz-sama."
"In that case, your punishment is to explain it to Aura in the plainest possible terms. Make certain she understands."
"As you command, Ainz-sama."
Demiurge straightened and turned to face Aura.
"Ainz-sama does intend to set a bait." His voice returned to the composed tone of a lecturer. "But the true bait is not at the lizardmen's location."
Cocytus leaned forward slightly. Cold air seeped from his mouth and spread as white mist in the light.
"Demiurge. What is your meaning?"
Demiurge adjusted his glasses.
"After the enemy controlled Shalltear, all these days have passed without them making any further move."
He paused, his gaze moving across the other Guardians present.
"This proves that through Shalltear, they gathered considerably more intelligence than I originally estimated. They have a substantial understanding of the Great Tomb's strength."
Albedo's teeth came together. A sharp light moved through her golden vertical pupils, and undisguised hatred surfaced on that striking face.
"Hmph. Shalltear deserves to die, daring to let Ainz-sama's intelligence be leaked."
Demiurge didn't respond to that. He tilted his head slightly.
"Therefore," he continued, "without deploying sufficient bait, this cunning dragon will almost certainly refuse to show itself."
A tremor of excitement entered Demiurge's voice. The light behind his glasses brightened.
"Low-level familiars failed to give the enemy reason to believe the Great Tomb was undermanned. But this time, all Guardians deploy. The enemy will have no reason not to act."
Aura blinked. The confusion on her face faded gradually, replaced by a look of dawning understanding. Her ears stood up straighter.
"I understand now. Ainz-sama is using Nazarick itself as the bait."
Ainz's jaw dropped open again.
No. This is the crystallization of everything my companions and I built together.
He thought it plainly.
I never thought of using Nazarick as bait.
But Ainz couldn't refute it.
Demiurge had already articulated his "deeper intention." If he denied it now, not only would Demiurge be disappointed, every Guardian present would be confused.
And his authority would cease to exist.
Ainz had no choice but to hold the posture appropriate to the throne, as though everything were entirely under control.
Demiurge continued.
"The brilliance of Ainz-sama's approach lies in this: this attack on the lizardmen has not only the Great Tomb itself as one layer of bait, but also Sebas, in the distant capital, serving as a second layer."
"Sebas has not been attacked in all these days. Most likely because the enemy has seen through this: the moment Sebas comes under attack, we would move to support him immediately."
Demiurge raised one finger and tapped it lightly in the air.
"But this time is different. With all Guardians deploying against the lizardmen, the enemy will conclude that we have misjudged the lizardmen's strength, that vast numbers of our forces are now tied down and unable to attend to anything in the capital."
The corners of his mouth rose slightly.
"But in truth, whether the concern is the Great Tomb of Nazarick or Sebas's position, we can abandon the lizardmen campaign at any moment and return to provide support in full force."
Demiurge turned, faced Ainz, and bowed deeply.
"Surely Ainz-sama has long since prepared the means for rapid return."
The Throne Room went quiet.
Ainz sat on the throne. His jaw had never quite managed to close; it hung slightly open, like a statue captured at a single frozen instant.
Green light kept flashing through him. Forced calm, again and again.
Ainz's thoughts were running at full speed, working frantically to determine what "means" Demiurge was referring to.
No, wait. If it's that...
His gaze fell to the ring on his finger. The Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown.
A ring that allowed the wearer to teleport freely to most locations within the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
Ainz let his jaw slowly close. He raised his chin slightly, working to project an attitude of someone who had everything in hand.
"Of course."
His voice was steady and certain, carrying through the empty Throne Room.
Ainz raised his hand. The Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown caught the light of the magic lamps and gave off a cold gleam.
He removed it slowly, with the gravity of someone performing a ceremony.
"For this operation, I grant special permission for the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown to leave Nazarick."
He held the ring in his open palm and let his gaze move across the Guardians below.
"For the purpose of rapid return to Nazarick."
Ainz distributed rings to each of the Guardians who did not yet have one.
Demiurge was the last to receive his.
He held the small ring in both hands and raised it to eye level, his gaze settling on its face.
The magic lamp light fell across the ring and reflected a cold silver gleam, illuminating those gemstone eyes of his.
The corners of his mouth rose, degree by degree. The kind of smile that comes from genuine, unguarded pleasure.
The joy in his eyes made no attempt to conceal itself.
Ainz sat on the throne and watched Demiurge's expression.
...Somehow I get the feeling that Demiurge's actual goal, the entire time, was this ring.
The thought moved through Ainz's mind and was gone.
He pressed it down quickly.
I'm definitely overthinking it.
Demiurge slipped the ring carefully onto his finger, then raised his head and bowed deeply toward Ainz once more.
"Ainz-sama. This subordinate will not fail your expectations."
Ainz gave a slight nod.
"Good. I'm counting on you."