Ainz Ooal Gown: Noble Knight.

Demiurge straightened up, his gaze sweeping over the guardians present before finally settling on Ainz.

"Furthermore, I believe that Lord Ainz's arrangements contain more than one layer of deeper meaning."

Aura's ears twitched slightly, and confusion appeared on her youthful face.

"A deeper meaning?" She tilted her head. "Isn't it to gather clues?"

Demiurge glanced at her, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Superficial, that's just Lord Ainz's most superficial goal."

Ainz sat on the throne, the dark red light in his eye sockets flickering.

"Huh?! Why didn't I know that myself?"

A flash of green, forceful, calming light passed over him.

"Cough cough."

Ainz cleared his throat, making his voice sound calm and confident.

"Indeed. I wonder, Demiurge, how many of my motives have you figured out?"

"Your subordinate is dull-witted," Demiurge lowered his head, "I only saw through three layers of Lord Ainz's purpose."

Ainz nodded slightly, his tone filled with satisfaction and approval.

"Very well, you managed to see through my entire purpose. Well then, Demiurge, explain this to Mare and the others."

"Yes, ma'am."

Demiurge straightened up.

"The first layer, naturally, is the outermost layer, where we gather clues. Although the probability is low, there might be some traces left around that can narrow down the direction of our subsequent investigation."

Ainz nodded slightly.

"continue."

His voice came from the throne, so calm that it betrayed no emotion.

"The second objective is to probe the enemy's reaction through this search."

Aura blinked, her face full of thought.

Demiurge continued:

"If they have truly taken control of Shalltear, they will most likely learn about Nazarick. When we send out a large number of low-ranking Familiars for a thorough search, they will face two choices."

He held up two fingers and gestured in the air.

"First, ignore these relatives and let them search. Second, take the initiative to eliminate these relatives and stop our search."

Demiurge's lips curled up slightly, a smile that held a hint of approval and certainty.

"Whichever option they choose, we will gain valuable intelligence. Choosing the first option gives us a chance to find clues. Choosing the second option will confirm that they have been monitoring our actions all along."

Demiurge's gaze swept over each of the guardians present.

"If the opponent really does eliminate his family members, then we can further analyze his strength and identity. This is a kind of 'bait-and-switch' tactical thinking."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Ainz again, his eyes filled with respect.

"Lord Ainz's decision to send out low-ranking servants and mercenaries, ostensibly for a search, actually concealed a deeper meaning: to test the enemy's reaction. I am dull-witted, and it was only after repeated deliberation that I came to understand this."

The throne room fell silent for a moment.

Ainz sat on the throne, the dark red light in his eye sockets flickering slightly.

Testing the enemy's reaction? Using bait to catch fish?

"I never expected this."

"good."

Ainz nodded slightly.

"You noticed this layer too."

Demiurge lowered his head.

"Lord Ainz, you flatter me. Now, let's discuss the third objective."

This time, his voice was lowered and carried a hint of solemnity.

"This is also the deepest consideration: to make the other side believe that Nazarick's forces are weak."

Aura unconsciously leaned forward, and even Mare, who had been keeping his head down, raised his eyes.

Demiurge looked around to make sure everyone's attention was on him before slowly speaking:

"The enemy may already know the location of Nazarick. So, on the surface, send out a large force to search for Shalltear, but in reality, recall the Floor Guardians. Once the enemy thinks Nazarick is undefended and attacks it, that will be the best opportunity to eliminate them."

His voice was slow, carrying an almost reverent reverence.

"Lord Ainz's wisdom... is unfathomable."

Mare lowered his head, his fingers twisting his staff, but a look of realization appeared on his handsome face.

Aura turned directly to Ainz, her heterochromatic eyes filled with astonishment.

"Lord Ainz, you've actually thought about all this?"

A dark red light flickered in Ainz's eye sockets.

"No."

He thought to himself.

"Not at all. I just didn't feel bad about the deaths of my low-ranking subordinates... and it turns out they interpreted it as having three layers of motives? I didn't think that much..."

But Ainz's voice had an air of complete control.

"Demeurge".

"exist."

"You've already done a great job of seeing these three layers."

Demiurge bowed deeply, his forehead almost touching his knees.

"Your subordinate is unworthy of such praise. I can only look up to Lord Ainz's wisdom."

Ainz nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over each of the Guardians present.

"So, does anyone have any questions?"

No one speaks.

Albedo clasped her hands together in front of her chest, her golden vertical pupils filled with a hazy light. Cocytus lowered his insect-like head in submission. Aura and Mare exchanged a glance, then shook their heads in unison.

"Very good." Ainz stood up from his throne.

"Then proceed as planned. Demiurge, you are in charge of the specific deployment of the search."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Albedo, the defenses of Nazarick cannot be relaxed. Shalltear is in charge of the first three underground levels; I'll leave that to you."

"Yes."

Meeting adjourned.

The guardians bowed in unison and then filed out of the throne room.

The footsteps faded into the distance, and the heavy door slowly closed behind them, emitting a dull echo.

Ainz stood alone before the throne.

He was the only one left in the empty hall.

Ainz slowly sat back on the throne, leaning against the cold chair back, the dark red light in his eye sockets flickering.

"Three-tiered objectives..."

Ainz silently reviewed Demiurge's analysis in his mind.

"Testing the enemy's reaction... feigning weakness... luring the enemy to attack Nazarick... I never even considered any of that."

He raised his hand and looked at his pale, fleshless finger bones.

"Did Demiurge see this as a well-thought-out tactic?"

Ainz lowered his hand and leaned back in his chair.

The red light in his eyes dimmed slightly, as if he were making some kind of silent sigh.

"Whatever. The outcome is good anyway. Let them think I'm shrewd and calculating. At least... they won't discover that the so-called 'Supreme Ruler' is actually just an ordinary person who gets lost."

Nazarick sprang into action, with the Guardians on each level preparing for a potential invasion. But in reality, they were merely outsmarting thin air.