“I hear and obey. Because there are many concerns, I would be grateful for any assistance and advice from others.”
“Of course, this matter will necessarily require various information, rations and manpower. Regarding these aspects, the responsibility will be left with Nazarick.”
“I am extremely grateful. I, Cocytus, swear that I shall deliver good results and will not squander Ainz-sama’s benevolence.”
Cocytus shouted out these words from his heart.
“Good. Then all of the Guardians are henceforth ordered to head out to attack. One side shall act as bait, and the other side shall be responsible for demonstrating our true strength, to show these lizardmen that our true strength is not merely that small amount. Of course, if Cocytus you think this will detrimentally affect their control in the aftermath, I can rescind my order.”
Cocytus thought carefully then replied:
“There should be no problems.”
“Is that so. Then, all of the Guardians, immediately prepare to depart.”
All of the Guardians at the scene voiced out their affirmation and understanding in unison.
“Albedo, I also wish to head out. Help with preparing the soldiers.”
“As you command. After giving it some thought, there are also some enemies who have a preference for spying. Is it that we can conveniently allow them to miscalculate our true objective?”
“That is precisely it. However, do not forget that we also have an objective of making a demonstration.”
“Then, we can send out Nazarick’s Veteran Guards to act as the main force, so that the composition of the army appears even more powerful.”
Cocytus internally agreed with Albedo’s response.
There was a kind of undead guard known as Veteran Guard.
Nazarick Veteran Guards only existed amongst the guards of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. It could be said that Veteran Guards were high class undead. They possessed items with various magic effects, and were equipped with magic armour and shield, and furthermore were skilled in fighting special abilities. They were quite excellent undead guards.
“There are no problems with that. How many do you require?”
“Three thousand.”
“That’s a little on the small side. With this kind of numbers, it will be difficult to reach an earth shattering effect. … We want to obtain an overwhelming victory this time, causing those who look down on Nazarick to feel true terror. If the number is less than the previous instance, then there is no meaning in it. I hope that I can double the numbers. What other units can we use?”
“Then, we can also mobilize Nazarick’s Elder Guard and Nazarick’s Master Guards, what do you think? With this, the number will reach six thousand.”
No wonder she was the Overseer of the Guardians. Albedo’s response was as fluid as water. To this, Ainz gave a concise answer.
“Very well! Then, have there been any problems in activating Gargantua?”
“None, Ainz-sama. We have already gotten Gargantua operational.”
“Then, Shalltear, you shall use ‘Transfer’ to send all of the forces over.”
“But if it is only myself, then my magic power is insufficient.”
“Allow Pestunia to assist. Have her transfer magic power to you. If it is still not enough, find Lupusregina to assist.”
“Understood.”
“Following that, have Nigredo and Pandora’s Actor’s alarm network transferred to our side here. Although this will allow Sebas’ alarm network to slightly weaken… we are only able to physically strengthen our monitoring. Very well! Then, everyone move out! Tomorrow we will give the lizardmen a taste of the Great Tomb of Nazarick’s true strength.”
Part 2
“Thank you, Demiurge.”
After the master had left the Throne Hall, the first thing that Cocytus did was to give his thanks to Demiurge. To Cocytus who was bowing deeply, Demiurge gave one of his regular slight smiles.
“No, it was nothing.”
“That won’t do. If it were not for you, the lizardmen would definitely have been exterminated.”
“... Cocytus, I would say that you should not take Ainz-sama’s words at face level. I believe that Ainz-sama originally expected things to turn out this way.”
Demiurge raised a finger during this explanation, after which there was a surprised voice. The one who gave out that voice sounded like himself, yet also sounded like it came from all of the surrounding Guardians.
“That also means to say that I reckon that Ainz-sama predicted that you would say those words earlier, thus he sent you to be the commander for the invasion of the lizardmen settlement. I also believe this because when you opposed the extermination of the lizardmen settlement, Ainz-sama appeared to be extremely delighted, and when you were unable to suggest an alternative, he looked quite disappointed in comparison.”
“Then what you mean to say is that Ainz-sama felt disappointment because things did not go according to his plan?”
“That is precisely it. It also means that all of the dialogue that happened in this place was quite possibly within Ainz-sama’s predictions.”
“No wonder he is Ainz-sama! Apparently he has perfectly calculated this far ahead!”
“B-But then….a-about tha-that…”
“... If you have something to say then be quick about it.”
Elder sister Aura severely directed her stuttering younger brother Mare to speak quickly.
“Y-yes, about that, I always felt that something was off. At the start, why were those weak undead assigned. Th-that… c-can’t say for certain, maybe Ainz-sama set this expedition up to fail from the very beginning…”
“Instead of thinking of defeat as a given, maybe our master took into account that Cocytus will scout the Lizardmen out and report back the viability of the task?”
Cocytus thought back to that conversation he had with Demiurge and felt ashamed, because he had screwed everything up.
“If he was not familiar with Cocytus’ personality, it would not have been possible to carry out this plan. As expected of Ainz-sama…”
“In the battle with Shalltear it was already possible to figure out Ainz-sama’s fighting ability, but it was not expected that he was also a strategist of the highest class. It truly is remarkable to the highest degree. Although Ainz-sama said what he said, I still feel that it is sufficient to act accordingly to Ainz-sama’s orders…”