.”

“Basically?”

“It feared the potion maker...It was the viewpoint of the Mayor you know.”

The eyes of everyone then stared at Momon. Just earlier, when they first met Momon, it was something that they would have laughed at. However this was different. The man in front of everyone, was probably holding something that they could not even imagine.

While everyone was silent, the small sound of a chair moving was heard.

It was the sound of Lizzie standing up.

“Sorry. I am a bit tired. I would like to rest but...”

The one they were looking at, was a wrinkled old lady. Not a trace of her earlier rigor could be seen.

Panasolei had several soothing words, and that he would like her presence to be here, but they never came out.

“...Hmm. Lizzie-dono, thank you for telling us about your information.”

“I am sorry, Mayor. And everyone.”

Lizzie lastly faced Momon.

“Momon-dono, please forgive me for earlier.”

Lizzie deeply bowed her head. It was not something one would do to someone their grandchildren’s age. It was an apology towards someone completely above themselves. Momon watched it with cold eyes, generously shook his head, and expressed his acknowledgement.

A younger person was conducting himself as a high ranking person to an elder. From an ignorant third person perspective, this was a terrible action, but from the eyes of the four people who saw the earlier scene, it was nothing but something natural.

“So, an immediate payment. This will include the apology for my earlier outburst, so one bottle is fine. Could you sell it to me?”

Lizzie deeply bowed her head. If one had to describe it, it would be a posture of deepest respect. Her sincerity was present. However, if one thought about the earlier occurrence, Momon would probably reject. However, Momon pleasantly accepted.

“Go ahead.”

“Oh! Thank you!”

Her eyes sparkled, and she was probably going to investigate the potion. Her vigour appeared. Lizzie fished a small bag out of her pocket. Opening it, the contents spilled onto the table.

Several sparkling objects fell out. They were four gems.

“Avenchulin worth 55 gold coins, Fire Ageet worth 17 gold coins, Blue Quartz worth 25 gold coins, and Jilcon worth 48 gold coins you know. Take it.”

Momon said nothing, took Lizzie’s bag and gems, and put it in his pocket.

“Then excuse me.”

Lizzie left the room. As if the sound of the door closing was a signal, Panasolei started the conversation again.

“Hmm. Momon-dono, originally we would end this after we asked a few questions, but please attend this talk. Want we want to ask is about the vampire that appeared near E-Rantel. Pluton, give him the paper with the description of the vampire.”

“No, it’s fine. I do not mind explaining it.”

After Pluton described the vampire, Momon lightly nodded his head several times.

“Do you know about it?”

At Panasolei’s question filled with expectation, Momon’s reply was very simple.

“Yes.”

The room quietened in an instant. Everyone, currently, could not believe what they were hearing.

It was natural. Who would think that the information that the city’s Adventurer’s Guild and Magician’s Guild did not know, would be in the hands of the lowest ranked adventurer. No, it was the opposite, everyone understood. That it was not strange for the one called Momon to know.

“Do you did know.”

Theo’s reply was normal. And due to Momon’s light nod, the room was filled with sighs.

“Hmm...Can you tell us?”

“...”

Momon kept quiet.

The silence indicated to Panasolei that he wanted something of equal worth—-Something obvious. And so he smiled.

“Of course, I will pay. And depending on the accuracy of this information, I promise even further rewards.”

Momon opened his mouth when the conversation turned to money.

“—-A vampire named Camila. From what I heard she is one of three disciples of Landfall.”

“What!”

The surprise leaked from the four people. It was one of the points raised when Momon was not here. It was the voice of surprise that a person appeared who could confirm such a deadly truth.

“What are you.”

Pluton spoke.”

“You are not a nobody. Yes, I cannot think of you as anything but amazing. I shall admit that. No one here in this room can deny it. However, why is such a person a novice adventurer. Why are you not a prominent one?”

“Do you want to ask that?”

Those who received Momon’s gaze—-Everyone in the room nodded. It was natural. There was no way someone who did not want to know existed.

“...I am from a village Camila destroyed. And so I tracked her down for revenge.”

“What...”

“Then do you know how strong it is?!”

“Of course. When I was a child it could use Third Tier magic. It might be at Fourth right now.”

“Hmm...”

A vampire that could use Third Tier magic. What was he chasing after it. While no one said it, they all had the same question.

It was natural. Before Momon came to the meeting, to defeat Camila, they came to a conclusion that several A+ Class adventure parties would be needed. And he could do it alone. Something that even the strongest warrior in the Kingdom could not do.

“I will ask directly. We predict Camila is strong. But do you have any methods to defeat her?”

At Panasolei’s question, Momon laughed softly. It was the smile of understanding that it was a needless question to ask. And actually, they predicted Momon’s answer.

“—-Of course. If there is none I would not have chased her.”

“—-Oh!”

A voice of excitement unconsciously left everyone’s mouth. A despairing situation where a extremely strong vampire appeared near E-Rantel was broken apart by the appearance of the one in front of them. And it was not their intention.

Asking them not to be happy was impossible.

“Oh God. This is the path that you have given us.”

It was to the extent that Gignal was praying to his god. However Theo maintained his calm and ask Momon to sate his curiosity.

“...But how are you going to do it? Using a potion? Or a magic item?”

“I cannot tell you. It might leak out somewhere.”

Theo was disappointed when Momon firmly stated it, but if one thought about it, it was correct. Vampires had enchanting magic eyes as a special trait. Using a person that heard about the method, and then if they talked, the chance of Momon losing would increase.

“Then we shall immediately inform Momon-dono about any information regarding Camila.”

“I have no problems with that.”

In response to Panasolei’s suggestion, Pluton replied for everyone. There was a way to solve this dangerous problem. When Panasolei was controlled by his feeling of safety, he recalled something else he wanted to ask.

“Then about Ainz Ooal Gown...”

“He is my master.”

“What!”

It was too quick. Momon replied to Panasolei’s question without trying to say anything else.

“Gown-dono—-”

“—-It should be Ainz-sama.”

While is expression was smiling, there was pressure in there. Pansolei felt the strong loyalty Momon felt towards the one named Ainz, and adjusted his words with a strained expression.

“Exactly how much power does Ainz-sama have?”

“I do not know.”

Momon stated and shrugged. He then released a bombshell.

“Probably an expert at the Sixth Tier.”

Everyone took a breath. Then they started shouting.

“What is that! Since you used ‘Probably’, are you saying possibly even higher!”

“Hah! To know nothing about such a person. Are you saying that he is hiding somewhere! Maybe the 13 Heroes...No, impossible!!”

“Oh my god!” (Written in English)

“Matching the Empire’s Court Magician, amazing.”

A feeling of dissonance between Panasolei who could not fully grasp how amazing it was to use Sixth Tier magic, and the ones with experience as adventurers and felt the ranks of magic strongly, Pluton Theo and Gignal. The three of them were staring at Panasolei. Panasolei felt panicked by the stares.

“W, what is it, looking at me like that.”

“No, I was just thinking about how envious I am.”

“It is so, I am envious of Mayor-dono.”

“Theo, Gignal-dono. To humans who cannot use magic it is just a story. It can’t be helped.”

“Well, that is true.”

“Completely.”

The three of them sighed in unison.

A loneliness like he was being isolated attacked Panasolei. While it was true that he did not have the common sense of adventurers, but was this not too cruel. It was to the extent of feeling worthless.

“But Ainz—-sama is amazing. And so is his disciple Momon-dono.”

“Well, I can use up to the Third Tier. But the reason Camila ran was probably due to fearing my master, Ainz-sama.”

“I see....Then we normally don’t do this but, shall we hurry and begin the rank up test?”

“Is it fine?”

Momon recalled what Ishpen said, and asked Pluton.

“An exception” Pluton laughed. “If we fight Camila in the future, there might be a need to go to the front lines. We must raise your rank.”

“Then why don’t we raise his rank to B immediately? Since he can use the Third Tier.”

“We cannot do that, Gignal-dono. Basically, the Adventurer’s Guild have their own rules in each country, but there are common ones. The test being necessary is one of those rules. If we fake it, I cannot say that it will not come to bite Momon-dono in the future.”

“So the Adventurer’s Guild and Magician’s Guild are both bound by rules huh.”

“It can’t be helped, Theo. Rules are such things. But—-From what I heard and investigated you did a job as a porter, so I thought you would be a warrior, but a spellcaster is...”

“Ah, that. If I may, it was due to this magic item working.”

Momon removed his gauntlets, and slowly placed it on the tabletop.

“These gauntlets are Iluan Graybell. This is one of my treasures that Ainz-sama has gifted me.”

“Hmm...It is boorish, but has no damage...Exactly what sort of magic does it have?”

“Ah, it simply increases the user’s strength by a large amount.”

“Hoh. Can I investigate it?”

“Ah, please.”

“Then I will be borrowing it.”

With curiosity flashing in his eyes, Theo picked up the gauntlets and activated magic.

“<Appraisal Magic Item>

Theo’s eyes widened, and he stiffened. His body shivered like it was in the cold. His lips were trying to get out words but, they shook.

Relating his quick change to Lizzie’s earlier, Pluton and Gignal looked at each other, and while sitting, moved their chairs slightly.

In the midst of it, swallowing his saliva, Theo finally spoke.

“......This is......The highest magic item......Artifact level.”

While Pluton and Gignal took the same pose as Theo, they stared at the gauntlet. Theo, like he was touching something precious, picked it up gently and returned it to Momon.

“Ainz-sama is...a very generous person...”

Momon replied to that with a smile.

■

While looking at the door that Momon left through, the ones in the room slackened and weakly sat down in their chairs.

One’s spirit weakened when they conversed with their superiors.

While Panasolei and the rest were supposed to have the pressuring values of connections, rights and money within this town, it was shown clearly that the adventurer novice called Momon had hidden valuable items behind him. It was to the extent that if they could not defeat the Vampire called Camila, they could not protect the town without Momon.

And the one called Momon, was bottomless. The person himself said that he could use the Third Tier of magic, but was this true. It would not be surprising even if he could you the Fourth Tier. In addition, the terrifying figure behind them.

The magic caster Ainz Ooal Gown.

The ability to make a potion beyond the capabilities of the current alchemy and herbal knowledge. The strength that could make an anomalous vampire to run away in fear. A wealth that allowed him to give away an item with an overwhelming magic.

It was certainly someone worthy of holding the loyalty of Momon.

Panasolei hugged his head.

He felt that his balance was toppled by several powers today.

Gignal who woke up his body, spoke words like he was living in a dream.

“...That was an Artifact that humans cannot make, huh. It was my first.”

Artifacts were the names of top class magic items. It was impossible to create them via human hands, and could not be made except by existences like gods, high rank dragons, demons and angels. Their magic power was huge, and unbreaking. According to one legend, they were items that could even bring one back from the dead.

It was the class of items that the 13 Heroes used several of, and there were many adventurers that made it their dreams to find.

It was rare to the point that Gignal, an A Class adventurer, had never seen until just earlier. Depending on the person, it’s value in coins changed. But it was at least 100 000 gold coins.

“...However, I thought that it would be more grand.”

“But that was amazing. As a warrior, it was well made with no damage. If it was important, most adventurers would have filled it with gashes from horns and claws. And so it was probably made with extremely damage resistant materials. While plain, it is a good item.”

“This was my second time.”

“The one I saw was the treasure of the Kingdom, the Kingdom sword, and it was exquisite.”

“Oh, Mayor-dono. The treasures of the Kingdom, I want to see them once. Well, it’s probably impossible.”

“You can see it at the award ceremony, but audiences are a bit, well they won’t come, sadly.”

Panasolei stretched his body. Everyone else who saw that did the same, and took listening figures.

“Then, what do you think?”

“The current information is too little but...Thinking about it, there is no discrepancy or contradiction.”

“Do you think the information was very good?”

“Meaning?”

“It was information we wanted. The identity of the vampire, and Ainz Ooal Gown, and the potion Momon had...”

“Are you saying we were played well?”

Panasolei kept quiet and considered. It was like he did not understand his own thoughts.

“No...It is just my worry. It is as Theo said, there are no discrepancies or contradictions. It would be fine to think of it as truth.”

While saying it was fine, Panasolei’s expression did not clear. Pluton raised a suggestion as if to support him.

“But, shall we begin acting within the shadows.”

“...I see....Could you do it, Pluton. I will give you the necessary funds later.”

“Understood, Mayor-dono.”

Receiving Pluton’s gaze, Theo understood and nodded.”

“And I want to ask...Is it possible for information from this room to leak?”

While Panasolei said it, he decided that his words were impossible. There was no trace of the meetings that happened here ever leaked.

As to why, this simple looking room, was covered in lead plates, and only one entrance. Anyone who tried to enter would be extremely obvious. There was no place to hide. If invisibility was used, it was impossible to hide their presence and existence in this small room.

“Firstly, it is impossible.”

The owner of the room, Pluton, stated with pride. However, Theo, who continued, made a depressed face.

“Completely...But if the one called Ainz can used the Sixth Tier, I cannot say that with complete confidence. Honestly, the Sixth Tier is in the territory of one’s imagination. There might be magic to peer into this room...”

Theo then shook his head. The realm of one’s imagination. If they suspect it, they had to suspect anything.

It was so, Panasolei understood. If they suspected anything, they had to think about if there were several intruders that entered the room. However, entering the room without letting anyone know was impossible, and if they could where would they hide in this small room.

Panasolei looked at the room. Below the table and the ceiling were impossible. If they could, unless they could blend into the shadows, it was impossible.

While recalling that it was said that the assassination group Ijaniya could do it, Panasolei shook his head. It was ridiculous, without a trace of logic.

If there were thinking about it, they had to think about the existences that came up in legend like Shadow Dragons and Night Stalkers.

Panasolei sighed, and clear his mind of those thoughts. What he had to think about was not legends and fairytales.

“Now, Pluton. On top of turning this into turning this into information that will not make a ruckus, report it to the Adventure Guilds of the nearby cities.”

“Understood. What about information regarding Ainz-dono and Momon-dono?”

“Hmm. If we do it badly, I feel that this information will have dangerous information, and cannot feel good about it. Hide it to the best extent.”

“Then, I shall do so. I will send it using <Scroll of Report>.”

“The Magician’s Guild will send it.”

“Please Theo. And I will report to the King about Camila. If I leave now...About 15 days?”

Gignal made a strange face as if Pluton and Theo were strange.

It was 280 kilometres to the capital. Using horses, one day was about 42 kilometers. Using simple calculations they would arrive in 7. The number Panasolei said was twice that. Was it not too long.

“Why is it just that?”

Gignal unconsciously asked. Even though they are bringing important information, why are they not hurrying. In contrast, Pluton and Theo who knew the reason had painful smiles. This would turn into a conversation about the sensitive parts of the Kingdom. Actually, Panasolei was also smiling painfully.

“There are lots of reasons, Gignal-dono.”

To Gignal who could not understand, Panasolei kept his painful smile and continued.

“I think you know but, there are rules and privileges in the Adventurer’s Guild. To avoid being absorbed like in the Slane Theocracy.”

“The issue about Camila should not be subject to the same things right.”

“The upper echelons of the Kingdom is currently separated into a power struggle. If it is found out that the King’s faction is helping the Adventurer’s Guild...It will be extremely bad. If done improperly, the Guild will be split into two.”

“But something...”

“...Gignal-dono. This is dangerous. Even though the Kingdom is already separated, the Adventurer’s Guild does not want to give it another reason.”

Continuing for Panasolei, Pluton’s words were kind, but had the intention of rejection. Gignal probably felt his will, and changed his attack.

“Then what if I negotiate with God, and I hire adventurers with fast horses.”

“I the Mayor to use adventurers to contact the king? Basically I have no better subordinates. Can such a Mayor be trusted?”

“Then if a monster appears on the way.”

“Then the nobles in the nearby cities will take responsibility? Or will Princess Lanner make more roads? If it is found out that there is no remains of a monster attack, I will be finished as a Mayor. And it will fall to the King who had the responsibility of picking such a Mayor.”

“That is...”

A false accusation. Gignal then understood the depth of the separation within the Kingdom.

“If there is a dangerous monster like Camila, in the end she cannot evade facing humans. If there were no Empire to send troops to face us, we would fall apart faster, and divide.”

Those words left a heavy silence in the room.

“...Do you understand why I said it?”

“I got it. I should not run by myself right?”

”It is so. You may not understand, but I believe you do. Now, shall we end this meeting.”

“That’s true...”

Looking at Pluton, Theo and Gignal, who refused to understand, Panasolei ended the meeting.

■

“Ku, hahahahahahaha.”

Ainz laughed.

It was a laughed that The Absolute would use to mock and pity weaklings.

“Basically, there is no strong person that I should be cautious of in the surrounding countries. Now, now, now, what should I do. What would be best.”

Ainz laughed shallowly, and felt the necessity of the success of the earlier plan. The weight he was carrying instantly lightened, and he felt relieved.

But, it did not completely disappear.

For example what if a similar Yggdrasil Player existed, and so it was important to make connections to quickly find such a person. Then what should be done to fulfill that.

Currently, he was using Demiurge as a decoy Demon King. After that, since Yggdrasil Players are definitely stronger than this world’s strongest existence, he should use the fact that they stand out as part of his plans.

Standing up from his chair, Ainz began walking within the large room.

He began talking to space where no one was. Of course, there was no one there using Invisibility. He was simply talking to himself.

“Opening a fighting tournament would be interesting, but impossible in the current situation. Then what about opening a dungeon to attract adventurers? Opening a section of Nazarick...Interesting but it is dissatisfying. But, it seems to be effective. To attract Yggdrasil Players who want to return to their original world, should I spread this rumour...”

Speaking so, Ainz shook his head left and right.

“No no, there is no need to be flustered. I can wait for the motions in the Kingdom and Empire. The situation might change then. And there is a chance that the Yggdrasil Players blended well into this world.”

There were benefits in doing so. It was the plan to strengthen Nazarick that was being implemented. There might not be a need to increase their battle potential, there was a need to get existences that had good heads, and were suitable for negotiations.

“The annoying things are left. Oi—-”

Ainz spoke to the waiting maids behind him.

“Call Aura and Shalltear. Tell them that I have a lot of information about the plan to tell me.”

“—-Understood.”

While watching the the two maids leave the room, Ainz leaked a mocking smile that he could not hide. There was a need to look at races other than humans. And so he should pray that Cocytus’ experiment goes well.

“Fuu. This has become easy.”

While slightly rotating his shoulders, he looked at the door. While thinking about what he should do next—-.