Dragon Tribulation of All Realms

Chapter 125: Traditional Arts of the Great Tomb

Ainz paused silently. Just then, he had sensed an inexplicable unease. The life essence of the level 100 player was alerting him, telling him that something had gone terribly wrong.

The feeling came quickly.

The feeling emerged as quickly as it dissipated.

For a moment, it even considered abandoning its current plan and fleeing back to the deepest recesses of the tomb. It cast a barrier, recalled its subordinates, and decided to calm down for ten years, no matter what happened outside.

It even subconsciously took half a step back.

"Mr. Feifei...?"

The uneasy feeling came to an abrupt end.

Beside Ainz Ooal Gown, Narberal, known as Meiji but actually a member of the Great Tomb Maids, looked at it with a hint of confusion. It had come here precisely at Ainz's request. From the very beginning, it was Ainz himself who had taken a liking to the title of World Champion, leading his men to the Holy Kingdom of Robel, a place where exploration was not supposed to begin at this time.

The city was called Kalinsha, and it had a regent named Daxter—a player who was likely a player from Yugurtrasil, just like himself. Unfortunately, his subordinates hadn't been able to accurately track him down, leading him to arrive prematurely and gain nothing.

"No, nothing's wrong." It calmed down and waved its hand. The heavy black armor combined with basic illusions allowed its undead identity to be properly concealed. At this point in time, its armor, which could be called overly gorgeous, was actually not very eye-catching here.

The legendary lich's perception swept through the surrounding streets.

——They are just some small fry...

Though it might seem rude, such a thought did cross Ainz's mind. In the few days since arriving here, it had first cautiously scouted, then boldly ventured forth, and recently, even directly, casting detection spells randomly on the streets. But no matter what it did, it ultimately found no one.

Ordinary people in this city are generally no more than level three.

The soldiers in this city are generally no more than level six.

The average level of those neatly dressed, solemnly behaved paladins was below level 10. While it was certainly much stronger than places like E-Rantel, mice and hamsters were no match for dragons.

They're all not worth looking at, and it's hard to even notice them without careful observation...

——Was I a little too nervous just now?
Thus, his self-conviction was established. His previous uneasy premonition was immediately cast aside. Since the Great Tomb's arrival, aside from Shalltear being affected and controlled for unknown reasons, Ainz had never encountered an opponent in this land who could pose even the slightest threat to him. A general understanding gradually emerged within his mind.

Maybe I am already very strong.

Perhaps the Great Tomb has already become a powerful overlord far superior to the second largest force in this land.

Perhaps he didn't need to be so cautious at all and could just brazenly display his power to the world. And if he could become famous as quickly as possible, then his companions who might have moved here together but couldn't gather immediately would also rush to his side quickly.

Isn't it for this reason that Momonga changed his name to Ainz Ooal Gown?
One of the most important reasons for taking the risk of participating in this competition is not the consideration that other companions, or online friends, or even acquaintances with whom I have interacted before, are likely to be recruiting friends through similar means as I am?

——No problem.

——Everything I did was right.

——And even if I don't find any other companions this time, as long as I successfully become the world champion and defeat the regent in public, then taking over this Holy Kingdom will surely be much easier.

The Guardians had already brought it detailed intelligence. There were witnesses, physical evidence, and the results of prophecy. It knew clearly that the man named Dust had become regent simply because he had defeated several demihuman kings and demonstrated his power. And this path to kingship was almost identical to the world conquest plan designed for it by its own Guardians.

——Those few mumblings to myself back then really caused a lot of trouble for everyone.

Memories from the recent past flooded back to him. He had never imagined that a simple remark of his, "The world is a treasure," would cause the entire Great Tomb to toil and scurry about. However, since everything had developed into this state, all he could do was accept it.

——You have to be an adult that the Guardians... your friends' children can trust and rely on. If they do so much, but don't even have a word of encouragement or praise, then wouldn't I, as an elder, be a failure?
think.

Compared to the Re-Estize Kingdom, the Holy Kingdom of Lobel was indeed more suitable for outsiders like him to enter. If that man named Dust, with a combat power of only around level 40, could be hailed as king by the locals, then wouldn't Feifei, whose unarmed combat power would reach level 70 after using the "Perfect Warrior" magic, be able to do even better?
A sense of pride suddenly emerged in my heart.

Because it felt that its own arbitrary decision would be more effective than Demiurge's plan—it knew, of course, that Demiurge was a wiser decision-maker than itself. But, thinking carefully, since Demiurge was indeed more strategic than itself, then... didn't that mean it also agreed with its approach?

—Yes! That's right. Demiurge didn't raise any objections, which means that what I'm doing is completely feasible and correct! He just didn't bring it up right away because of some other reason... That's right, the Holy Kingdom is too far from the Great Tomb, so he didn't take the initiative to ask me to come here!
It turned out to be the case.

Ainz finally understood everything.

There's no doubt that the current Great Tomb Guardians, at least on the surface, do consider themselves their leaders. Therefore, they actively exclude their own power when formulating plans. Just like my initial attempt to reach E-Rantel, I was forced to act arbitrarily due to my own lack of authority. It was precisely for this reason that the Guardians were unable to propose this most superior plan!
—Demiurge, you're such a fool! He even brought up such a brilliant plan to me… And Albedo, well, it must be because I changed her settings without her permission, so even as the steward, she won't say anything. But… hehe, I've grown a lot, too.

Joy and satisfaction surged through Ainz's heart, completely convinced of the correctness of his decision. His initial anxieties were completely cast aside. With a gesture, he instructed the maid beside him to deploy a concealing barrier. He then impatiently activated his player's messaging ability and connected.

"Hmm, is that Demiurge?" The signal was immediately connected.

"Yes, Ainz-sama. What may I do for you?"

The sound hitched, and Ainz suddenly realized that he had made a useless move.

—Wait, wait! Why am I communicating with Demiurge... Gah! I was just being too complacent, and subconsciously wanted to show off to him... Let me verify it!
——It's over... It's over! If I really ask this, won't it seem a bit frivolous...

——What should I do?
"Lord Ainz?" - It held the Lord of Hell for a full ten seconds.

——Gu!

Green light floats.

Thanks to the heavy, sturdy armor, no one noticed the magical fluctuations that triggered the forced calm effect. Ainz finally calmed down and quickly found a suitable reason.

"How's the plan going?"

"Yes, I have successfully visited the Corrupted King's Court and instigated the Green Dragon King and his horde to take action. The first group of lower dragons has already set out, and under my guidance, they are heading towards conquering the demihumans in the Aborion Hills. Green Dragon King Vicvitas is also gathering strength. I have slightly influenced his decision-making, and he and his army should launch an attack just when the tournament winner is decided."

—Original, so there's a trick to this? It'll just happen that I'm defeating the regent and attracting a powerful foreign enemy. This way, I won't incur hostility from the locals due to the constant change of kings!

"You've done well, Demiurge, but I must warn you of one thing. If your plans involve me next time, feel free to speak directly. The interests of the Great Tomb are paramount."

There was a sudden gasp from the other end of the line, and then something seemed to fall.

"This subordinate... this subordinate deserves death! I made a decision for you without your permission... This subordinate comes to apologize to you right now!"

—What are you doing again? I was just giving him a heads up...

Ainz blinked his nonexistent eyes, but the words to make amends had already come out unconsciously.

"That's enough. Do you think I'm a fool who can't tolerate the talent of my subordinates? Demiurge, if I've done anything wrong, please point it out. I'll pardon you."

"Ah—" Demiurge, on the other end of the line, sounded as if he'd been hit by a truck. His voice became weak and humble, like a stray dog ​​that had been kicked by the roadside.

"I... I would never dare act on my own. Ainz-sama's decision was not the slightest bit wrong. It was my own ignorance that prevented me from grasping your deeper meaning. I beg for your forgiveness..."

—Uh… Does this mean I didn't do anything wrong? That should be the case. Should I check a little more…

Ainz hesitated for a second. He didn't know if it was his imagination, but he had a feeling that Demiurge was in a rather bad state. Perhaps it was because he had suddenly called him while he was working... Yes, he had always hated it when his superiors suddenly came over to tell him what to do... This time, it was indeed his fault!

"Yes." It nodded. "Rest well, Demiurge. I won't contact you at this time next time."

It disrupted communications.

It didn't know if it was an illusion, but it felt like a wailing sound came from the other end the moment the call was disconnected.

It's probably an illusion.

As expected, within the hidden mountains outside the Poisonous King's Court, the deeply shocked Lord of Hell knelt on the ground. Scattered before him were numerous scrolls of intelligence related to the world's many secrets, which he had gathered while controlling Vicvitas.

Scattered, then burned.

The highest-ranking demon, kneeling on the ground, remained motionless.

After a long time, a wail of pain and sorrow came out of his throat.

"How foolish...me."

"How dare you question that sir's wisdom and try to find faults or fill in gaps? How arrogant must I be to think that Ainz-sama would deliberately overlook such a matter as he has in the past..."

The few odd details it had spied were forgotten. The covert communications, the private conversations, the unusual troop movements, the hidden tentacles appearing in the distance—all of this was undoubtedly part of the Supreme Being's plan. And as the executor, all he had to do was obey.

There is no need to do anything clever.

(End of this chapter)