Simultaneous Travel: Becoming a Legend in the Heavens.

Chapter 562 Ainz: It itches so much, I need to grow a brain!
"Of course I would not object to my husband finding other women, after all, he is the one who controls me and is more noble and powerful than me."

Priscilla, whom we haven't seen in a long time, was adorned with gorgeous jewels, her beauty surpassing even her former glory. Holding a folding fan, she lifted Luke's cheek, teasing the man with a lewd gesture.

"It's only natural that the man I've chosen is excellent, and it's also natural that he's favored by the opposite sex. I won't blame my husband at all, but you are different..."

Priscilla glanced at Aqua and Darkness, ignoring Megumin, and let out a disdainful chuckle:

"Your duty is merely to bring pleasure to my husband. To even think of usurping the throne while I am away is an act of usurpation."

"Hmm~"

Darkness blushed and let out a sob, clutching her chest and taking a step back. "I was the one who started it all, but those wicked women outside are accusing me of deliberately seducing my master's maid?"

Without a doubt, Priscilla's words not only failed to harm Dakness, but were also processed in her mind into a more delicious side dish.

Aqua made a mocking face at Priscilla, "Don't flatter yourself. I, the goddess, am Luke's ultimate target. You guys are just appetizers for practice, appetizers, appetizers!"

She proudly tossed her ample bosom and said in a boastful tone, "What makes humans think they can compare to a goddess? I'm not like some guys who need breast pads. I have a perfect divine body. Do you understand the concept of a water goddess? My water... cough, anyway, I am Luke's perfect partner!"

Priscilla gave Aqua a pitying look: "A perfect body? You should add a prefix—except for the brain."

"Huh? You think I'm not smart enough?"

Aqua stomped her feet in anger, jumped off the sofa, and pointed her claws at Priscilla's nose:
"You red Christmas tree covered in decorations aren't even a member of our team. What makes you think you're a real one? Kazuma is more competitive than you!"

"Hey, hey, hey, that's going too far! At least I'm still here!"

In the midst of the factional strife, Huihui, who was nameless and powerless, weakly voiced her protest, but her voice was drowned out by the tide and automatically ignored by others.

"If we compare them like that, then I'd definitely win this match since I'm a team member and I'm mentally sound. I'm confident my physique won't be inferior to Aqua's."

"Don't even think about it. You masochistic pervert were out of the game from the start. Have you forgotten your identity when you signed the contract with Lu Ke? If you have, go back and look at it carefully again!"

"How pathetic, they've already started fighting amongst themselves. I haven't even used my true strength yet..."

Amidst the commotion, Huihui angrily shook the man who remained seated calmly on the sofa, watching the struggle with interest.

"Lu Ke, are you going to say something? Are you just going to watch them argue? If this continues, they'll probably start fighting sooner or later."

Luke shrugged nonchalantly. "The conflict was inevitable from the moment Priscilla returned in her haughty manner. It was only a matter of time before it escalated into war."

"Then why didn't you stop it?"

"Because I also really enjoy these kinds of scenes that make men's vanity explode."

Luke gave an honest answer, and noticing that the women were about to really fight, he stood up, opened his arms, and hugged them all.

"But you're right, it's not easy to end a real war, so let's use 'war' to quell 'war'."

Huihui blushed, clearly understanding immediately, and stammered out her words with a hint of anticipation.

"Then, I will also..."

"No, you are not allowed to attend the tea party."

Luke rejected Megumin's invitation to team up, and the next second he disappeared from the spot with Priscilla, Aqua, and Darkness.

…………

Faced with Mare's question, Ainz remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was so embarrassed he wanted to scratch his toes, almost to the point of triggering "forced calmness".

"This is just a plan."

After a moment of silence, Ainz spoke softly.

"That's true."

Mare stepped forward, slightly disappointed, and calmly asked, "If Lord Ainz were to lead the Great Tomb of Nazarick to find a proper job and live a good life in this world, that would actually be a very good outcome, but... Lord Ainz must have a deeper meaning or purpose in doing this, right?"

Ainz: "..."

He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that Ma Lei had become much more assertive than before. Not only had he changed into normal boys' clothes, but the look in his eyes was no longer the calm amidst his initial fear; instead, it seemed as if he was scrutinizing something.

If it were the old him, he would have shyly hidden behind Aura, too timid to ask questions.

Aura frowned slightly and tugged at her brother's sleeve. "Mare, don't be so rude to Lord Ainz."

The Supreme Being is the creator who made the Floor Guardians. Even if Ainz wasn't the one who created their bubble teapot, he should still be given the highest respect, right?

"Oh my gosh~ You little rascal, I think Mare was just having a normal conversation with Lord Ainz, Arins~"
Shalltear covered her mouth and chuckled, casually adding fuel to the fire, "He just returned to the Great Tomb of Nazarick, so it's only natural that he has questions. It's too harsh to criticize your brother for that~"

"You guy..."

Aura glared angrily at Shalltear. Her mortal enemy, the True Ancestor of the Vampires, had been acting as if it were none of her business since his recent return.

She would always volunteer to help Lord Ainz with his work, but Shalltear had no intention of doing so at all. She was nowhere to be seen all day, and unless Ainz specifically summoned her back, she would just wander around the streets.

"Alright, Guardians, quiet down."

Ainz slightly raised the scepter symbolizing power, calmly stopping the argument.

“Shalltear is right. Mare has just returned and is not clear about the current situation. It’s normal for him to have questions.”

Marley paused, then bowed slightly: "Thank you for your understanding, Lord Ainz, so your answer is..."

Ainz fell silent again, pondering how to answer Mare.

When trying to get Cocytus a household registration, they forgot to consider the financial deficit, were tricked into signing a shady contract, and ended up as a servant. How can they even bring themselves to say that?

"Before I answer, I'd like to hear your understanding of this matter."

Ainz, on a sudden inspiration, said in a deep, authoritative voice, "The Great Tomb is not in a good state right now. As the guardians of the floors, you should have your own understanding, after experiencing the destruction and reunion of the Great Tomb."

Cocytes: (●.●)
Sorry, but it's just a bug that enjoys the thrill of fighting.

Aura: "Um... I'm very sorry, I don't understand your intention, but! But it must be a very important and brilliant plan!"

Forgive her, she's just a beast tamer who lost her magical beast, a 76-year-old dark elf! Shalltear lifted her skirt and bowed slightly, "I'm very sorry, I haven't been working at that manor since I returned, so I don't know either~"

Okay, okay, so everyone's an idiot, huh!

At this moment, Ainz couldn't help but think of the two most intelligent guardians who hadn't yet rejoined the team.

With Grand Steward Albedo and the seventh-floor guardian, the lava demon Demiurge, perhaps they could manage to fool them a little...

"Perhaps this is just my humble opinion. If I am wrong, please correct me, Lord Ainz."

Just then, the usually silent and reliable old man, the butler Sebastian, broke the silence.

"It's alright, just say it."

Ainz breathed a sigh of relief and nodded as if he were examining the situation.

"Yes, then I will begin."

Sebastian bowed slightly to everyone, "Lord Ainz arranged for Cocytus to attack Ye Rantir, to test the strength of the Great Tomb of Nazarick in this world, to give Cocytus the opportunity to appear in the outside world to help, and at the same time to make a name for the hero 'Momo'."

"Such a perfect plan, yet it was ultimately ruined by Cocytus's battle with others and was not taken into account, to the point that he has to sell himself to Mr. Luke to pay off his debt. This is clearly unreasonable. Therefore, Lord Ainz's true purpose is..."

Sebastian's eyes gleamed: "To become part of Mr. Luke's adventurer team in a reasonable and discreet way, thus binding the Great Tomb of Nazarick with the adventurer team's interests!"

Ainz leaned back slightly, almost imperceptibly, and gasped.

What exactly is meant by "shared interests"?

Mare asked blankly, "I'm sorry, but... Lord Sebastian, what do you mean by 'shared interests'?"

"It's very simple."

Sebastian said calmly, "Lord Ainz owes Mr. Luke a huge sum of money. If Lord Ainz is in danger, this debt will fall apart. So, in order to prevent such a thing from happening, Mr. Luke will do his best to protect and help Lord Ainz."

"On the surface, Mr. Luke doesn't show off, but in reality, he is the one who truly controls the team. Mr. Sato Kazuma is more like a figurehead... well, a mascot or something? In other words, through debt, Lord Ainz has already unknowingly taken control of the team that can defeat or even kill the Guardian Cocytus."

Aura's eyes lit up, and she praised repeatedly, "I see! As expected of Lord Ainz, he thought of everything so thoroughly!"

Cocytus also unleashed a stream of icy air, seemingly astonished that his attack contained so many secrets.

"That being said, why would Lord Ainz do such a thing?" Shalltear asked with a slight smile.

Sebastian glanced at the silent Ainz and continued:
"Increasing combat power is an essential step because...we have discovered the culprit behind the destruction of the Great Tomb, an organization called 'El,' located on a floating island high in the sky."

Ainz's body trembled slightly, and he managed to utter a compliment, "As expected of Sebastian, how did you know about this? I don't think I told you."

Damn! He really only saw the true face of the floating island when he took off alone, and he deliberately didn't tell the other guardians!

Otherwise, if things are set up like this, wouldn't it be terrible if the guardians asked us to attack the floating island? Even if we really have to fight, we should be fully prepared before we take action.

Sebastian remained silent for several seconds without any expression before slowly speaking:
"Didn't Lord Ainz give me and Cocytus some information before, and instruct me to investigate the peaks of this continent? I did investigate thoroughly after that, and although I didn't find them directly, I did see the floating islands when I looked out from the peaks..."

Ainz: ·(_)-
Is this okay?

Upon hearing this, Mare shook his head repeatedly, his words earnest:
“‘El’s’ strength is too great; he even destroyed the Great Tomb of Nazarick once. Lord Ainz, I don’t think continuing to be hostile is the right thing to do.”

Sebastian gave a confident smile:

"That's right. We have to admit that the Great Tomb of Nazarick is far inferior to 'El's' opponent. That's why Lord Ainz dragged Mr. Luke and the others into the battle."

"But even with their combined strength, it still wouldn't be enough!"

Aura looked worried.

"Who told you that only Mr. Luke's adventurer party would be involved? They are just tools to enhance Lord Ainz's credibility."

Sebastian emphasized with a serious expression, "Lord Ainz's plan is countless times more ambitious than you can imagine!"

Ainz: (o)
Who is he? Where is he? What is he doing?
"Through the 'Demon God Extermination War' event, the strongest people on this continent have almost all gathered in Yelantier. As long as we can guide other adventurers to march towards that floating island, we can use all the powerful adventurers as the fighting force of the Great Tomb."

Sebastian delivered a passionate declaration to the stunned crowd:

“Relying solely on the credibility of ‘Black Swordsman’ Momo might not be enough, but it’s okay. We also have ‘Strongest Shield’ Darkness, ‘Explosive Magician’ Megumin, ‘Foolish Priestess’ Aqua, ‘Golden Country’ Luke, and ‘Otherworldly Recital’ Kazuma Sato.”

"Furthermore, their team is on good terms with the steel-class adventurer team 'Blue Rose,' which in turn has intricate connections with 'Crimson Tear.' Lord Ainz's plan has long taken all adventurers into consideration."

After delivering his long speech, Sebastian finally breathed a sigh of relief and bowed slightly to Ainz.

"This is just my humble opinion on your plan. There may be many details that I haven't explained clearly. I wonder if you would like to add anything?"

Ainz: ·(￣□￣;)-
I was a little confused, but deeply moved.

"Hmm...not bad, Sebastian, you have keenly perceived my plan. Although there are still some minor oversights, you can figure them out on your own."

Ainz coughed twice. "Alright, you must all be surprised to hear my plan so suddenly. You need some time to think about it... It's also dangerous to stay together for too long. Let's go back to our posts."

Ainz, who needed time to think, didn't wait for anyone else to react before teleporting away, intending to find a quiet place to ponder things carefully.

Upon hearing about the massive plan that would involve a large number of innocent adventurers, Mare was stunned and stood frozen in place, seemingly pondering how to deal with it. Aura, noticing her brother's unusual mood, looked at him with concern.

"As expected of Lord Ainz, to come up with such a plan, Arins is truly amazing~"

Shalltear smiled and turned around. "Looks like I'll be busy from now on. I'm going to enjoy myself now."

Watching the departing figure of the True Ancestor of Vampires, Sebastian bowed to the Guardians, saying, "Then, I shall take my leave as well."

He left the room, closed the door behind him, and slowly walked out of the hotel, his face expressionless.

After walking until they reached a secluded place, Sebastian suddenly stopped, looked around, and only after confirming that no one was around did he take out a communication magic scroll to use.

Then, he looked back at the stronghold where the meeting had just taken place, let out a sigh full of remorse, and spoke softly to the other end of the communication spell.

"Lady Priscilla, everything is going well on my end."

(End of this chapter)