Overlord - Of Sin And Sanctity 19 Treasury

Demiurge: You should know, such a situation will never come about.

Albedo: I never said it would. This is entirely hypothetical…

Demiurge: If so then this is a dangerous game you are playing. I recommend ceasing such thoughts, that will never come about.

Albedo: I take it you will not reply?

Demiurge: That would be correct. Furthermore, I do hope you will not ask this of others.

Albedo: Thank you for your… consideration.

Demiurge: You are mistaken, I am merely considering the reaction of the other guardians when asked this question, and the disappointment it would cause the supreme beings. Let us move on. I believe Operation Gehenna should be executed immediately.

Albedo: ...That may indeed be the best course of action. Are there likely to be any inconveniences?

Momonga: [Message - Floor Guardians] To the treasury. We must prepare.

Demiurge: No, however we have made arrangements. Do not fail at your end.

Albedo: *Hurriedly* I-we need to leave, Ainz-sama is calling m-us!

*Exit Albedo*

Demiurge: 'Should I inform Dabilosi-sama? No. Given his level of wisdom he is certainly prepared, and using this as an opportunity to test us all. As brilliant as always, I cannot seem to find the answer.'

----- Slane Theocracy (Briefly) -----

'I am going to kill somebody. This gate to the Kingdom is already open, and then that dumb, dry f*cking skeleton, decides that he now wants me back at base. What a mess this is.'

(A.N: Me looking back over this novel)

After that little rant, I changed the destination of the portal and walked through to the top of Nazarick. The ring does the rest, teleporting me into a room a hundred metres tall and with a mountain of gold stretching a fair distance towards the roof. I can't help but wonder, just like in the game, what would happen if I could wobble the base around a bit.

Momonga: You're here.

Dabilosi: Yes, and so is Albedo it seems.

Albedo: I-

Albedo was almost immediately interrupted by Demiurge coming through the portal, followed swiftly by Aura, Shalltear, Victim and Mare in that order… Cocytus arrived around 40 seconds later.

Albedo: Cocytus, how could you leave the supreme beings to wait!

Momonga: Enough. We are not here to argue.

Dabilosi: Plus, he didn't take much longer than the rest of us, and he probably has good reason.

Cocytus: Clementine. -

Dabilosi: That's enough of an explanation, In fact, I commend you for being able to arrive this quickly.

Cocytus: I. Am. Unworthy. Dabilosi. Sama.

Dabilosi: I will not correct you. However, I have commended you all the same. But Ainz. Don't tell me we're ALL going there.

His eyes narrow, and he seems deep in thought for a second. But before long he appears to have made a decision. Tilting his head up slightly, he sighed. Questionable considering his lack of voicebox, but that goes for all of his speech.

Momonga: No. However, in case of emergencies, both you and I will bring along one of the Guardians so that we are not alone in knowing how to access the mausoleum.

Dabilosi: In that case ,my choice will be Demiurge. I do not choose Shalltear due to the possibility of her thoughts being clouded by her blood rage, whereas I believe Demiurge will be able make the best choice for Nazarick no matter the situation.

Momonga: I will choose Albedo, as she is the overseer of the guardians and as such should have that right.

Shalltear: 'Ah… That is disappointing.'

Demiurge: 'Ah… That is Interesting.'

Dabilosi: 'Ah… That is a problem.'

Aura: Ah… What are we doing then Ainz-sama?

Momonga: Become acquainted with Pandora's Actor, as he is of the same status as the Floor Guardians. Ah-

As if on cue, a Tabula Smaragdina lookalike appears from around the corner. Upon first glance, it does appear to be an exact replica, however closer inspection would reveal a number of faults. First of all, Tabula stood straight despite his body's shape tending towards sticking his stomach out. Second of all, he always kept his arms in front of his tentacles. Finally, he made a conscious effort to walk perfectly straight. He did this to appear, in his own words, 'dignified', but Pandora failed to do any of these three things, instead sticking his stomach out proudly, moving the tentacles however he pleased and waddling as his body shape would dictate. Since he wasn't moving for very long, I couldn't pick up on any more than that, but I find it slightly insulting as it is. All of the guardians but Demiurge and Mare seemed startled for a second, but quickly regained their composure.

Dabilosi: Are you even TRYING? I know you only saw Smaragdinsan a very limited number of times, but you have not even managed to mimic the most basic traits which he displayed. As the highest level doppelganger in Nazarick and Guardian of the Treasury I find this unacceptable.

Immediately he begins to collapse inwards and begins to remold himself into a form whereby it has no nose and only holes for eyes and a mouth. Slapping one hand to his head and staggering back, if I wasn't already 100% aware of his personality I would be very worried right now.

Pandora: Ohhh no!!! I have made an error of the highest degree! I shall follow whatever command you would give me in order to attain your forgiveness mein herr.

Dabilosi: Well, Momong now going by the name Ainz Ooal Gown, and I plan on accessing the mausoleum area along with the Guardian Overseer and Defensive Combat Leader.

Pandora's actor brings out an ornate box, into which Momonga places his ring - followed swiftly by myself and Demiurge, but not Albedo.

Dabilosi: You're going to die if you don't put your ring in here.

Albedo: *Smiling with closed eyes* I'm sorry Dabilosi-Sama, but I am just wondering whether that could be a threat?

She deposits her ring in the box nevertheless.

Dabilosi: No. It was just a fact. The mausoleum is our innermost sanctum. It would be unwise to enter without precautionary measures… Another one of which is-

I throw a potion to Demiurge and Albedo, while drinking a similar one. They both drink before Albedo frowns.

Albedo: Ainz-sama, are you not also going to drink a potion.

Demiurge: Rainbow Rafflesia Petal , Ground Diamond Tulip , Cerulean Dragon Blood Essence], [Cyclops Eye Drop], [Congealed All-Slime]... along with multiple ingredients I can't name, can be tasted in this potion. Not mentioning the incredible worth of each of these items, with the exception of the last which is used as an unparalleled binding agent, each has incredibly potent detoxification qualities, with the third being specialized in dealing with innate poisons. A potion made with this level of ingredient would be able to combat even mythical poisons. Ainz-sama is immune to poison, so he does not require it unless it has a corrosion effect. With these facts in mind, would I be right in presuming there is Blood of Jormungandr along the path we are to tread?

Dabilosi: Correct. Ainz Ooal Gown is in possession of the legendary Blood of Jormungandr . The blood of the greatest beast in each world was destructively powerful, but only Jormungandr's did not have a corrosion effect. On the other hand, it doesn't matter in most cases since it also requires the most expensive materials for even a short lasting resistance, speaking of which, we should get going.

I just let the skeleton call out the entry phrase because I'm horrible at latin and would butcher the p.r.o.nunciation.

I decided to act seriously upon seeing the {Avatara} of the mausoleum, in consideration of the other guild members. Another thought that crossed my mind was the question of what they would have thought about all of this. But life goes on, and it was unrealistic to expect them all to stay behind. I think of this place as the heart of Nazarick. The undefilable center which cannot, under any circ.u.mstances be touched. Here rest the memory of our comrades, and if anything were to happen to those memories… May the Lord have mercy on whoevever did it, because I sure as h.e.l.l won't.

Albedo: Are these?!

Momonga: Yes. These are made in the image and likeness of 37 of our comrades. The other 5 s.p.a.ces will eventually be molded to fit myself, Dabilosi, and the three who did not leave YGGDRASIL a permanent memory.

Dabilosi: This is the true throne room of Nazarick.

Albedo: Please don't — please do not say that Ainz-sama!

'Hmmm. Not only is she almost crying, she sounds a bit hoa.r.s.e and incredibly desperate. I guess what he said hurt her quite badly. Now that I think about it though, if serving the supreme beings is what they're designed to do, leaving really would remove the reason for existence for many of them… Since I wasn't planning on leaving, I don't think that'll be a problem.'

Albedo: …Ainz-sama. Our merciful, compa.s.sionate master Ainz-sama, the one who stayed with us to the end, the one to whom we owe our ultimate loyalty — please do not say that. It is my sincerest wish that you will be our lord and master for all eternity!

'Ah, this on the other hand… Has a few things wrong with it. Not least of which is the complete lack of mention for me, because I'm pretty sure I stayed behind and put just as much effort into building Nazarick as Ainz. More worryingly, she said 'the ONE to whom we owe our ultimate loyalty'... Which doesn't leave me with even the slightest hint of anxiety in ANY way.'

I frown.

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I frowned quite a lot when I realized I hadn't published anything yesterday. Also we're starting to see things deviate from the original plot more and more.