[Control Amnesia] might well be able to clear things up.
After praying that Ainzach or Fluder knew something about this, Ainz permitted the Lizardman to leave.
2
Two hours after meeting the Lizardman, Ainz sighed quietly within his room.
That was because he had just finished communicating with Fluder and Ainzach via [Message].
Why do I have to teleport over there in person to prove my identity? Especially Fluder. I thought he’d be used to it by now, but I guess I was wrong.
When he used [Message], neither of them believed that he was Ainz, so he had no choice but to [Teleport] to where they were and speak to them in person.
The way in which they apologized for the inconvenience in the same way and asked Ainz to only use [Message] in times of emergency made him feel like they had planned it out beforehand.
Ainzach aside, you’d think Fluder wouldn’t want to waste time on other matters, considering the book which I gave him.
Of course, Ainz was wise enough to remain silent.
Speaking of which, while he had heard of the tragedies caused by the use of [Message] in the past, it was hard for him to understand why they could not put their faith in the spell until now. That said, it probably was not something they could accept so easily. In addition, it would be quite damaging if they, as his collaborators, were deceived in such a way. In that case, all he could do was suck it up and accept that the MP cost of teleportation magic as a necessary expense.
His dejection was also related to the results of his conversations with the two of them. The use of teleportation would have been worthwhile if it had yielded good information. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
Ainzach knew that there was a Dwarven Kingdom in the Azellisia Mountain Range, but he was not sure of its location. The Kingdom had not attempted to forge any national-level ties with the Dwarves either. Even if they had, those would probably be limited to small deals within the mining city of Re-Brumelashul[2]. Ties like these would be closely linked to the city’s profits, in any case, and so it would be hard to try and cut in on them.
Fluder felt the same way too.
Although he had heard of Dwarven culture and their government, the fact was that he knew next to nothing about them. There was something about how a powerful Dragon had caused great damage to a Dwarven city, but he had no clue about the name of the city, or the name and abilities of the Dragon.
It would seem Fluder had not investigated the matter because it did not interest him. However, they could probably begin researching it through Imperial channels after this. At least, that was what Fluder suggested, but Ainz shot that suggestion down. It would take too much time, and having an exposed traitor like himself perform said research might lead to trouble.
In the end, the only person he could count on was Zenberu the Lizardman.
It’s about time I sent a [Message] to those two and told them about the Dwarves.
“I’ll contact Shalltear first. Hm… the right person for the job?”
That was high praise and cruel criticism at the same time.
Ainz closed his eyes — though he had no eyeballs — and thought about the matter for a few minutes. Then, he opened his eyes and cast the [Message] spell.
“—Shalltear Bloodfallen.”
『Is, is that you, Ainz-sama? Where do you need a [Gate] opened at this time?』
Shalltear was the strongest of the Floor Guardians, and the only one to administer multiple floors. The fact that the first thing she asked was where to open a [Gate] was terribly sad. At the same time, Ainz felt a little guilty about assigning that task to her.
“No. This time, I shall entrust a weighty duty to you.”
『A, a weighty duty?』
“Umu. You shall accompany me on my travels, and ensure my safety.”
The silence lasted several seconds.
Don’t tell me she didn’t hear that. What’s going on? Just as Ainz began to wonder if something was wrong, Shalltear’s voice — off-key, probably from over-excitement — rang through his head.
『Your servant shall fulfil this task, even if she must grind herself to dust in the process!!!』
“U-umu. Then I shall explain in greater detail. Come to my quarters in E-Rantel.”
If he did not specify that, it was quite likely that she would teleport to Ainz’s room in Nazarick. However, that had only happened once. He had sent a [Message] to Narberal telling her to come to his room, and after waiting and waiting for ages she had not arrived. It was only after he sent another [Message] to her that he discovered she had been waiting at his room in Nazarick.
Ainz reflected on it, and realized that the fault lay with the order which he had given. Thus, he resolved never to make that mistake again.
『Understood! Your servant shall come immediately!!!』
“Also, give Mare your task of maintaining surveillance on the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick. Inform him of whatever he needs to know when you hand your duties over to him. Considering the time needed for that… Come over when you’ve settled your affairs over there. I don’t have any appointments which will take me away from my chambers, so I will wait until you arrive.”
『Yes!! I, Shalltear Bloodfallen, shall carry out your orders faithfully and without delay!!』
“The handing and taking over of duties is very important. Don’t rush and make a mess of it just because I’m waiting, got that? I shall order Mare to proceed to your room, the Adipocere Chamber.”
『Understood!! Then I shall commit the tasks which I will be handing over onto paper!!』
“Also, I trust I don’t need to say this, but you are to give your ring to Mare.”
『Of course!! I understand that it will only be in his safekeeping for a while!!』
It was very dangerous to bring that ring outside of Nazarick. On the other hand, as long as it and the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown were not taken, there would be enough time for all the Guardians to gather. Therefore, the rings were hidden within the piles of gold within the Treasury, apart from the one which Ainz wore and the ones issued to certain people within Nazarick.
The reason why Ainz wore the ring despite knowing the danger was because it would be impossible to enter Nazarick if nobody wore it and the enemy had blockaded the entrance to Nazarick.
“Very well. Begin your preparations, then.”
『Yes!! Then, is there anything I should bring to your room, Ainz-sama?』
“A reasonable question, but there is nothing you need to bring. I will explain my plan to you when the time comes, and then I will give you time to ready yourself.”
『Understood!!』
Shalltear’s passionate response vanished as the spell terminated.
Then, he sent Mare a [Message]. There was little difference in the contents of their conversation, save that he told him to take Shalltear’s place as the protector of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick.
After hearing Mare’s still, small yet clear voice, Ainz ended the [Message].
Finally, Ainz sent Aura a [Message].
“Aura, it’s me.”
『Yes, Ainz-sama! What do you need me to do?』
“Umu. I would like you to accompany me to the Dwarven Kingdom.”
『Understood!』
“First, I hope you will meet me in my chambers at E-Rantel while we wait for Shalltear”
『Shalltear?!』
The ensuing cry of disbelief made Ainz grateful that he did not need eardrums to hear.