If it were possible to obtain the master’s mercy, his own desire would be realised. However, Cocytus could not think of any other benefit.
This was because all along he had considered himself as a weapon, and would only rely on the master to command the troops, and also because he himself had never considered this before, which was why he had no further means to convince the master. He had not considered what should be done to allow for the group as a whole to reap the most benefits beforehand.
Furthermore, what the master requested was a benefit in relation to the Great Tomb of Nazarick. Cocytus did not wish to exterminate the lizardmen because they had dazzling and outstanding individuals; he was attracted to those who protected a group because he was a warrior himself. However, these thoughts were his personal feelings, and not a decision based to serve the wider group.
Cocytus was frantic.
If he allowed his silently watching master to become agitated or displeased, then this miraculous suggestion would become meaningless, and all that would result would be the command to exterminate all of the lizardmen from before.
He desperately racked his brain, but still could not come up with an answer.
“What is it, Cocytus, can you not come up with one? Then shall the final decision be extermination?”
The question had been repeated.
Cocytus’ mind was completely blank, his teeth felt heavy, and only his thoughts were ceaselessly darting around and coming up with nothing.
A deep voice resounded throughout the gravely silent Throne Hall.
“… Is that so… what a shame.”
Just as these ‘what a shame’ words were about to suffocate Cocytus into silence, a calm voice lent out a helping hand.
“Ainz-sama, please allow me to insert a few words from the sidelines.”
“… What is it, Demiurge? Do you have something to add?”
“Yes. About Ainz-sama’s earlier decision, if it is convenient, would you be willing to listen to my humble opinion?”
“... Then speak it out for us to hear.”
“Yes! Ainz-sama, you fully understand the importance of experimentation, therefore, would you consider having a few lizardmen to be taken here for experimentation?”
“Oh, this is an excellent suggestion.”
Cocytus felt that as the master leaned forward from the throne, those two red eyes almost seemed to rest on himself for a brief second.
“Yes. First, no matter how Nazarick turns out to be in the future, we will eventually come across a day where we require a completely different composition of strength, or will require control over different species. This subordinate believes that at that moment, having done a competent amount of controlled experimentation and not having done a sufficient amount of control experimentation will be the determining factor.”
Demiurge stood even more rigidly upright and looked directly at the master seated upon the throne before giving his conclusion.
“I believe that we should control the lizardmen tribe, and commence a controlled experiment that doesn't base on fear.”
The sound of a staff striking the floor resounded throughout the surroundings.
“... An excellent suggestion, Demiurge.”
“A thousand thanks.”
“Then, about the lizardmen group, I shall go with Demiurge’s suggestion and change the extermination order into that of leadership. Does anyone have any objections to the decision? If there are any, raise your hand.”
Those glimmering deep red eyes gazed over each of the Guardians.
“... Looks like there are no objections. Then it shall be decided.”
All of the persons lowered their heads, demonstrating that they understood.
“However, Demiurge, your suggestion is remarkable, impressive even.”
Demiurge lightly smiled.
“I do not dare to assume so, Ainz-sama. You should have already been aware of this long ago, and merely waited for Cocytus to suggest it, right?”
The master did not reply, and only revealed a wry smile. However, the master’s attitude already exposed everything.
Cocytus felt his whole body immediately relax.
He was clearly in charge of commanding the glorious Nazarick army, yet he had produced a defeat. When he voiced a different opinion to the master’s decision, he had not prepared an alternative solution. How should this be described? It would probably be—
Incompetent. I am so incompetent.
“... No, that was not the case, Demiurge. You place me in too high regard. I merely wished that you are able to express your own thoughts, regardless of what kind of thoughts they are.”
The master’s gaze once again shifted and paused at Cocytus for the longest time. Understanding the meaning behind his master’s words, although Cocytus felt shame, he also felt powerless to lower his head.
“The first task is to understand the real meaning behind orders. After paying close attention to understanding the orders, you then carry out the most appropriate course of action. Guardians, after listening carefully, you must not blindly follow orders and take action. Before action, you must give some thought to what should be done for the best interests of Nazarick. If you think that there is a mistake in the contents of your orders, or if you can come up with an even better method, your duty is to come before me, or the one who made the suggestion, to report— So then, Cocytus, going back to the earlier topic, I mentioned that you will be punished, right?”
“Yes. You wanted me to exterminate the lizardmen as a group.”
“Indeed. However, right now you are not to exterminate them, but to control. As such, I have to alter your punishment. The lizardmen group shall be your responsibility to control, and they are to develop a deep loyalty within their hearts towards Nazarick. You are forbidden from using fear to induce control, and the lizardmen are to become a controlled unit not created out of fear.”
Cocytus had never shouldered such a heavy responsibility before— No, amongst all of the Guardians, perhaps only Demiurge had such a kind of experience.
This difficult mission is self-imposed. This thought briefly flashed across Cocytus’ mind, but how could he voice out such cowardly words. These words could not be said regardless if it was to the tolerant Supreme Being to whom he had pledged his undying loyalty, or to his colleague who lent a helping hand.