“That’s quite an enticing proposal… If you don’t mind me asking one question, though, would this exploration of unknown lands be for the purpose of helping the Nation of Darkness invade?”
“That’s a difficult question to answer. There’s no way I can claim that it would never turn out that way. We might even find that the people in the unknown lands are planning to invade us and end up attacking preemptively. For the subhumans in the wasteland, it might be that we invade in the name of demonstrating our power to those ogres, orcs, and so on. If you found violent monsters sharpening their claws nearby, wouldn’t you want to get the jump on them?”
“Yes, I see what you mean. But…”
“…Hmm.”
“What is it, Your Majesty?”
“No, sorry to break the flow of the conversation. You were going to say something more, weren’t you? Go ahead and continue.”
“…Understood. What I was worried about was the possibility of annexing peaceful people by force.”
“For example, what race are you thinking? Elves?”
“Well, perhaps.”
“That has to do with national policy, so I can’t just lump them all together. If it would benefit the Nation of Darkness to invade and rule them, then I would do that, but if there are no merits, I wouldn’t. Isn’t that only a matter of course when it comes to a country? I will say, though, that if it’s simply an invasion, I have an army plenty large enough. I don’t expect adventurers to collect intelligence on enemy countries or test out invasion routes. I just want them to seek the unknown and make lots of discoveries. That I can promise. By the way,” he began again and asked Ainzach a question. “You guys consider attractive races separate from the rest, huh? Why didn’t you object to the annexation of peaceful peoples when I mentioned invading ogres and orcs?”
“B-because they’re subhumans…”
“Ha-ha-ha-ha. I see; I see. So that’s how you think. I understand now, yes. So what’s your answer?”
Ainzach seemed like he wanted to say something, but he shook his head right away. He must have had a change of heart. “Do you need an immediate answer on this, Your Majesty?”
“I’d like a reply, but I imagine there’s a lot of groundwork to be laid down, consultations to be made. I’m sure it will take a little time. But first, I want to hear what you think, Ainzach.” Ainz sat up sharply and fixed his eyes on Ainzach, the distance between them negligible. “I don’t like that you’re all merely exterminators. It’s so sad—and you call yourselves adventurers. Ainzach, what do you think? Won’t you adventure for the Nation of Darkness—for me? I really wish for you all…” Ainz paused momentarily. He put energy into his gaze and his tone. “…I wish for you all to be adventurers.”
Tension filled the room. Ainz held his breath—not that he needed to breathe any air to begin with—and observed Ainzach, waiting for a response as if he was observing an opponent who had just collapsed from a special attack.
“…I think it’s a very enticing proposal.”
The light in Ainz’s eyes seemed to dim. Usually in cases like this, the next comment would be the reason why it wouldn’t work out.
“But I need to gather opinions from a lot of different people about whether we can accept it or not. Certainly, if you really want to utilize adventurers in that fashion, it sounds like a dream. And it would make sense for the guild to be structured under the country’s umbrella. If you’re asking for the opinion of one former adventurer…I’d like to cooperate.”
Huh? So this went well, then?
“I see…”
Ainz leaned back on the sofa.
The joy of his presentation going well slowly overcame him. It was like the feeling of leaving a client’s office and calling one’s company from a café to report in, wanting to shout, We did it! He never thought he would be able to use his experience as an adventurer in this way. No, it was probably because he had that experience that he had even come up with this idea.
He remembered there was one other thing he had to bring up—about the Nation of Darkness’s future.
“Oh, there’s one other thing.” Ainz held up a bony finger. “Earlier when you mentioned protecting the people, you agreed that it meant humanoids, right? Regarding the fact that adventurers existed to protect the people.”
“Yes, that is what I said, Your Majesty.”
“And when I was talking about invasions, you said you didn’t care about subhumans, right?”
Ainzach nodded as if to say, What about it?
“The Nation of Darkness accepts all races as citizens. Not only humanoids but subhumans and grotesques as well. If you say that the purpose of adventurers is to protect the people, I’m going to have you protect subhumans and grotesques as well.”
Ainzach’s eyes widened. “What are you saying?!”
“…What’s wrong? I don’t understand what you’re all riled up about. My country doesn’t distinguish between humanoids, subhumans, and grotesques. As long as I rule over them, they are all people.”
“Th-that’s i-insanity. It can’t be done, Your Majesty!”
“You don’t think so? I heard there’s a country north of the kingdom called the Council State or something like that. Isn’t it true that all sorts of races coexist there?”
“I have heard that about that country, but… No! You’re telling us to coexist with races that consider us food?!”
“Aha! Yes, that’s right. I won’t permit free citizens of the Nation of Darkness to eat one another. I’ll enact a law against it. Does that make it better? I won’t stop anyone eating people from other countries, although I don’t mean to go poking my nose into my citizens’ diets… Well, wait, it’s probably not good for your mental health to see members of your own race being sold as meat at market… I guess there’s some room to think this over more.”
According to Lupusregina, the villagers in Carne were coexisting with goblins and ogres, so it probably wasn’t impossible for the city dwellers, although he understood that it would be more difficult to manage with more people involved.
“Wh-what in the world are you thinking?”
“Don’t act like you’re so confused. Or rather, why don’t you cooperate with your fellow living beings? As an undead, I can’t comprehend it. To me, there’s no difference between humans and goblins. Everyone is equal under my rule. Of course, above you all are me and the people working directly beneath me.”
Ainzach’s face went through a flurry of expressions and eventually composed itself once again.
“So goblins will be beneath you—as citizens of your country?”
“Were you not listening to everything I just said? I told you ogres and orcs would be included, didn’t I?”
“O-of course I was listening. I thought you meant as slaves…”
“That’s just the sort of thing I would expect someone from the race that enslaved elves to say. I’ll repeat it: All citizens beneath me will be equal.”
Ainz felt, as he looked at Ainzach, who seemed to be breathing raggedly, that the man wasn’t grasping his intentions.
To speak in extreme terms, all citizens would be slaves of the inhabitants of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, but Ainz didn’t phrase it that way. It wasn’t necessary. If they didn’t notice, he didn’t care.
“There are already a number of goblins under my protection. A group of them will probably come to E-Rantel soon. You should try talking with them. I have no doubt your conception of what a goblin is will be shattered. And lizardmen apparently don’t eat meat very often at all. They eat fish. Dryads and trents are fond of clean water and sunlight. They only attack humans out of self-defense.”
“You rule over all those races already?”
“Of course. I’ve already had a number of subhumans and grotesques as citizens in the past. Oh, but we’re getting off topic. Ainzach, I can assume your stance on the Adventurers Guild being absorbed as an organization of the Nation of Darkness is one of approval?”
&
nbsp; “…If you’re not lying, Your Majesty, then I’m fine with it.”
“You sure are a worrywart. I’m not lying. I’m going to have adventurers pursue the unknown.” If possible, he wanted them to go in composite teams of various races. “I’ll leave the explanation to the adventurers up to you. Anyone who doesn’t like the idea of being an adventurer in the Nation of Darkness as a constituent member of the country is free to leave.”
“You’re sure?”
“Forcing them to work won’t turn out well for either of us. Still, I think making big changes to the way things work would be a pain, so let’s maintain the current system to some extent. For the time being, the main change will be a review committee from the Nation of Darkness to preside over the guild master.”
It was also important to provide added value so the adventurers would want to belong to the Nation of Darkness’s guild. “As for national support, first I’ll establish a training center. Having adventurers getting killed by unknown monsters in uncharted lands would be a major loss. I want training to be more thorough—at a training center that incorporates actual battles against monsters. Maybe building a dungeon and having them clear it would be a good idea. It would help get them accustomed to team combat as well.”
He could have the auto-spawning undead from Nazarick work on that. And then once it was done, they could be the monsters in it.
“That’s a wonderful idea. But it sounds like quite the construction project.”
Ainz would use undead who didn’t require a salary, so he would probably be able to build it cheaply. But he didn’t have to admit that. It was important to make people indebted to him when he could.
“I’m sure it will require an unprecedented initial investment, but it’s within the realm of necessary costs. Adventurers are important assets to the Nation of Darkness.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“It’s nothing. So what do you think? Adventurers should find this an attractive offer, right?”
“Certainly…it’s quite enticing for lower-ranking adventurers… But what if they switch to the kingdom or empire once they’re trained up?”
“I won’t allow it. It’s going to be an organ of the state! That would be treason.”
“I see… I’ll need to explain that properly.”
“What would attract medium- and high-ranking adventurers?”
“That would probably be the amount of compensation.”
“Well, you can’t eat on dreams alone.”
“There’s that but also the fact that you can’t face powerful monsters without collecting powerful weapons, armor, and items. Those items are expensive.”
“Ah, so it’s about gear.” Mass-producing items would make them cheaper, but there weren’t very many high-ranking adventurers. That meant the items would be custom-order equipment, which would raise the price again. The other issue was probably a lack of creators who could produce such items. Perhaps it would be a good idea to solve that problem, too. “I also want to let as many adventurers as possible know about my proposal—the ones in the kingdom and empire, as well. Do you have any ideas how to do that?”
“The Adventurers Guild you’re creating will be far better than the ones in the kingdom and empire. If you spread information everywhere, the other countries’ guilds will take measures to stop you from poaching their members. Adventurers are like a trump card in some ways. I don’t think there would be very many rulers happy to see an exodus of talent from their country.”
“You’re right. What do you think we should do?”
“It’s difficult to provide an immediate answer. Could I have some time to think?”
“Indeed. I need to think about what to do going forward as well.”
He had the feeling he was biting off a bit more than he could chew with this major plan. He would probably need to take a step back and think, talk things over with some people.
Ainz stood. “All right…” He was about to say, If you’ll excuse me, then, but that wasn’t what a king would say. “That’s it. Farewell.”
Ainzach stood and bowed. “Understood, Your Majesty.”
Without looking back, Ainz left the room through the door that Fith opened.
He wanted to sigh in spite of himself, but he was still in the other party’s building. It was too soon.
Followed by his cherubim, Ainz left the Adventurers Guild. Then, after walking a little while, he finally emitted a small sigh.
Ahhh, I’m beat.
Ainz Ooal Gown wasn’t saying he was tired, but Satoru Suzuki inside him was clamoring for a break to rest his overheated brain.
I’ll take a break before talking to Albedo about the idea to fold the Adventurers Guild into our organization. I have to think of some pros so she won’t be able to pass on the idea… I guess I have a lot to do.
Ainz walked on in silence. He prayed that something good would come to mind while walking and refrained from using travel magic.
Ainzach opened the door leading to his office, and a new guest entered.
The extremely lean, nervous-looking man with a delicate frame was Ainzach’s old friend, the head of the Wizards Guild, Theo Rakheshir.
“What a surprise, Pluton. I never imagined the King of Darkness would show up while we were talking. Do you think he caught on to something?”
“I don’t know.”
Ainzach had been in a meeting with Rakheshir since early in the morning, as was their habit.
Since the city had been captured by the King of Darkness, they met only in the morning—because they knew many undead disliked the sun. Of course, given the undead patrolling the city, that measure was useful only for easing their minds.
Their meetings were generally for sharing information, but they hadn’t touched upon the future plans of the guilds. Mainly because while the Nation of Darkness was being established, those who could leave for the kingdom or empire had already left. The Wizards Guild had sent most of their magic items away, and only a few members remained in the city. It was essentially as if the city’s Wizards Guild had disbanded.
But in terms of intelligence analysis, there were many important matters that required attending.
Adventurers had weak national ties but would be accepted in the Nation of Darkness? Would he send people after fugitive adventurers? If they made it over the border, would there be international demands to turn them in? What about wizards?
How could they reach out to Momon, who had put himself in harm’s way to protect the people? And how should the Adventurers Guild treat Momon?
The shrines had kept silent, and the King of Darkness had drawn a line, but would that status quo continue? Would a resistance rise up in the future?
These were all difficult problems the pair had trouble answering even after wringing all their knowledge out. If some sort of incident happened and they weren’t prepared, they would be in trouble. The biggest problem was the shrines.
Would the shrines allow themselves to be ruled by a king who was one of their intolerable enemies, an undead? Their current silence made the question even more unnerving.
There were also the shrines from neighboring countries. If they weren’t careful, it was possible that the shrines from other countries would independently declare a holy war on them, forcing the shrines within the city to make a move as well.
The reason no one from the shrines was present at these meetings was because their position was uncertain. Ainzach and Rakheshir were wary about inviting them only to end up embroiled in some conspiracy.
That said, they didn’t think the shrines could beat the Nation of Darkness. What they were worried about was a massacre. If Momon became a sword for the King of Darkness and started slaughtering them, what would they do? And in case something like that truly came to pass, who would provide medical treatment for the citizens of this country?
That was what they had been getting headaches about when the King of Darkness showed up.
“But he did no
tice you were here.” The fact that the king had looked at the door and laughed to himself proved it. “It’s possible that he got word of our secret meetings somehow.”
“What? Then…”
“Probably. I bet he meant for you to hear all that, too.”
It didn’t take much to hear what was going on in this room from the next, so he knew that Rakheshir must have been listening in on their conversation.
“It’s not just in your head?”
“No, it can’t be. At the very least, His Majesty knew someone was there. He might have thought it was someone from the shrines.”
At the time, it was such a surprise, Ainzach had been shocked and confused, but thinking over it now, it was only embarrassing. He had snuck around hiding his friend and earned himself a king’s snickering for his narrow-mindedness.
He should have called Rakheshir in; they could have had a frank conversation among all three of them.
Not that he felt his conversation with the King of Darkness had been a heart-to-heart. But the king had spoken to a citizen with all the dignity of a ruler. Meanwhile, how had he acted?
Amid Ainzach’s brow furrowing, Rakheshir addressed him coldly. “So what are you planning on doing? No, you don’t even have to say it; I already know. You’re calling him ‘His Majesty’ now.”
“Don’t you think I did it because someone could be listening in?”
“If they are, then you gave away the fact that we noticed.”
“You wouldn’t consider the possibility that I was under some kind of Charm spell?”
“I wouldn’t say there’s zero chance of it, but no, it couldn’t be that. Charm spells have a time limit. I’m sure even the King of Darkness can’t keep one going indefinitely.”
“You never know. Maybe the King of Darkness can.”
“Please stop. You might be right, and that’s disturbing. He can use the godly eighth tier of spells, after all.”
The two of them smiled, and then Ainzach’s expression grew serious once more. “I think we can cooperate with him.”
The Ruler of Conspiracy Page 9
