Surrender.
What other option was there other than to surrender?
He was against a truly powerful opponent, with none of the things that made him so tough to fight in YGGDRASIL. His items, armor, weapons, he left them all with Momonga. To think, that a player regarded as one of the best fighters in YGGDRASIL, would be surrendering without even putting up a fight, though when faced with these unbeatable odds, he was left with no choice.
In the corner of his eye, he could see the other eyeball corpse converging on this location. He was caught. The best solution at this point would be to peacefully surrender and try to negotiate, for however meaningless it may be. He had attacked as a random third party on a group of unknown assailants. If he was attacked with this reasoning, he would have nothing to say.
But Touch-Me would do it again if given the chance. He could not just sit idly by as a defenseless girl was attacked by a group of thugs. If he turned a blind eye to that, than how could he call himself a ally to justice? Therefore, he made his resolve, and as he saw a tear in space time that was immediately recognized a a [Gate], he simply lowered his head and waited for the opposition to make there judgment.
"TOUCH-SAN!"
This thoroughly unexpected shout had completely baffled him and thrown him into a state of confusion. As he looked up to see who had yelled his name, his was completely shocked to see an familiar looking skeleton heading for him.
"Momonga-sa...!?" his shout was interrupted by being thrown into a full force hug from his old friend, which while surprising, was not unpleasant, if not a bit rigid due to being made of bones. He returned the hug, happy to see that this army of the dead was heralded by a friend of yore. However, he did not know if his appearance made his current situation more confusing or less.
Just what had happened to him?
"I thought I'd never see you again Touch-san! You don't know how happy I am to have you here! I had begun to lose hope that any of you had come with me, but you're really here!"
"Woah, Momonga-san, please slow down for a moment! What do you mean by transported? And why is your voice so deep?" The things that his friend were saying seemed to make sense and not at the same time. While he could understand he was transported at the very least, the details of the situation still eluded him.
Yet here there was a trusted ally, who seemed to possess all the answers he wanted to hear, as his friends words implied he had been in this world for a very long time. Surely he would understand what had happened to him.
"Ah yes, my apologies, Touch-san, I'm just so thrilled that you're here. I'll explain everything once we are back in Nazarick. There is a lot to cover. Though admittedly I don't understand much of the situation myself."
Though slightly disappointing at his lack of information, there was an even bigger question in his words that left him completely at a loss.
"Momonga-san, what do you mean by 'back in Nazarick'?"
"Oh right, you see the thing is..."
"Ainz-sama, Nazarick has engaged in maximum security mode. All of the preparations are set. And Touch-Me-sama, it is truly a honor to see you once again." said Yuri alpha, bowing as she exited the portal.
"That's what I mean."
.
.
.
"And so that's what happened. At least as much as I know."
when Both Momonga and Touch-Me entered the portal, they headed for their old meeting place, Momonga began to explain to him the sequence of events that had transpired.
Touch-Me had such a mixture of emotions going through him, that he honestly didn't no what he was feeling. While his speech had clarified somethings, it left more questions that answers. For starters, he now knew that the world they were in was not YGGDRASIL, like he first assumed, but a completely new world, completely separate from the game. Though, that left the question, how could a world created before the game YGGDRASIL was even a thing, have YGGDRASIL concepts and creatures living within it. Unless this was a coincidence on a universal scale, it truly made no sense.
The second was how Nazarick was here and completely real. While he was shocked to learn that all of there work throughout the years had come to life, he was also filled with pride, walking through the halls they had meticulously crafted with there efforts. Though this was not the time for such things, he could admire there work later.
Finally was the matter of the NPCs. Momonga-san had said that when he had arrived in the new world, all of the NPCs gained wills of there own, and saw them as there creators who were deemed as gods that they would do anything for.
"Honestly it all sounds so absurd that I can barely wrap my head around it. But since its in front of me I have to accept it. It feels weird." Touch-Me had said his honest thoughts on the matter which prompted a laugh from Momonga.
"Ah, now you know how I felt Touch-san, it is nice to finally be able to have someone here again that I can relate to. Its so stifling when no one would no what your talking about. So to be able to speak without any care once more, it's simply bliss. Still, that was then and this is now." He stated with a implied smile.
"Another thing Momonga-san, the way you've been talking seems different than your usual speech, whats up with that?" He asked. Ever since they had begun talking, Touch-Me could sense something off about his Speech patterns. Even after years of being apart, it was obvious that something had changed. He used to be much more causal, and barely used formality at all. Yet now, his mannerisms were very regal and somewhat refined.
"Well since everyone saw me as a all knowing god from day one, a had to change my speech to sound like a ruler, I guess I've done it so often its just part of my normal speech patterns. Touch-san, it has truly been a experience like no other. Even my job back on earth wasn't this tiring, I've had no one to confide in, no one to talk to on a eye-to-eye level, since everyone seems to think that I'm a unmatched king of kings, ahhhh... it really is troublesome."
His torrent of criticism flowed out, like a dam that had been on the brink of collapse, only to finally burst open, reminding him of his own rants he had with his wife. "Well if your seen as an absolute ruler, than why not order them to talk like you're equals?"
"I can't do that for multiple reasons. One of them is that the NPCs desire a master servant relationship, so as there master, it is my duty to repay there loyalty by pretending to be the master that they think I am. No matter how tiring it is on me. The second is that it is fundamentally impossible for them to have that attitude with me. Hell even asking Narberal to refer to me with -san caused her to develop a verbal tick whenever she attempts it, because she struggles to say it every time."
"... You always were kind Momonga-san. I mean, your sacrificing your own happiness just so the NPC's can be happy. Honestly that is extremely admirable." Touch-Me's words had come from the heart. Having one give up there own life for the sake of others was something that he honestly felt it would be difficult to due, at least given the same situation.
"Please don't say that Touch-san, I am only kind to all of those within the great tomb. Due to my undead body, I feel nothing towards others outside of Nazarick. While there are those that gain my favor, due to spending time with them, I don't see humans as anything other than ants. I've killed thousands ever since I've been transported, and Nazarick itself has killed countless. We've toppled nations in order to conquer the world, crushing the dreams and ambitions of others in the process, and I honestly couldn't care. I haven't yet deteriorated to the point of killing for fun, and I dislike the deaths of the innocent and children, Nazarick remains my top priority."
Touch-me was honestly shocked to hear about what the great tomb had done. While he could understand where he was coming from, as his insect body gave him a very similar mind set, he still did care for others well being.
"I am sorry for not being able to manage Nazarick well. Its just... how am I, a simple 9-5 office drone, supposed to effectively manage a country? Nazarick simply began to run ahead of me before I could catch up. Yet despite what we've done, I am trying to steer its direction for the better, by creating a utopia. This world is diverse, in the same way YGGDRASIL was, but it also suffers from the same problem of humans So I wanted to recreate what Ainz Ooal Gown had, by managing every race in a paradise of a city."
Touch-Me was quiet for a while as he processed what he had just heard. He had mixed feelings, and felt various emotions through it all. Of course, even though acting out justice was his motto, at the end of the day, reality is hardly able to accommodate his wishes. He was no fool, and he was not here to witness what had happened, so he could withhold his judgment for the moment.
Yet even when he attempted to imagine the worst case scenario, of his friend slaughtering with no rhyme or reason, he couldn't bring himself to get mad. His morals told him it was wrong, but at most, the imagery brought the words annoying to his mind. Like a student watching the local bully burning insects. It was in poor taste, but why does it matter? After all, they were simply–
"–Lower... life forms..."
The words flowed out quietly, almost inaudible. Yet as he tasted there meaning, it was obvious that his mental faculties had changed drastically. Even thinking back to when he first arrived, had he not killed a group of people without so much as a ounce of guilt. Sure they were criminals, but he really didn't have much proof other then the testimony of a young girl. Yet that was all it took for him to end their lives.
That being the case, it would be hypocritical of him to rebuke Momonga for his actions, given his own.
"I guess I can't really blame you Momonga-san. Even if I were to try and reprimand you for all these things, I don't know how everything played out. So I can't really judge you fo it. My own mind has been affected as well, so its not like I don't get where your coming from. Besides, looking at it pragmatically, nations attack others to gain territory all the time, so wars are hardly something blame can even be assigned to. Not to mention, with just how many evil NPCs that we created, I honestly can't see things going any other way."
"Haha, I suppose that's true. But its because of those NPC's that I can effectively play the role of ruler. Honestly I want to thank Ulbert from the bottom of my heart for making Demiurge so smart. I cant tell you how many times if had Demiurge explain my "true thoughts" the the rest of the guardians, which gives me the air of a genius. Though I don't know how he comes to these conclusions..." he grumbled.
While Touch-Me was curious at what he meant by that, he still hadn't asked the most important question. "By the way... have you found anyway to go back to our original world? Surely that must have been a priority?"
The lights in his friends eyes flared for a moment, before dimming back to there usual luminosity. Though he did not know the significance of the action, he could tell the question caught him off guard.
"I'm afraid not. I don't even know how we got here, much less how to leave. But if I'm honest Touch-san, I haven't even tried. I don't want to go back. I had no family, no real friends other than you guys, and a terrible job in a terrible world. For all my complaining, it ultimately is better than working for the mega corporations. Though its a different matter if you want to go back, as I understand that you have a family, and don't want to leave them behind. If that is what you wish than I can have the guardians begin to search for one."
"...Sorry for that Momonga-san, I didn't think of it from your perspective. I can see why this may be a better life, so sorry for making it seem like you had to have found a way. But thank you. While I to am enamored with this place, I have to much to lose back there. So while the offer is tempting, I think I would like to go back."
"I figured as much. Still, you should stay here and indulge the NPCs, at least for a little bit. They feel like the reason all of you left was because they weren't good enough, and so strive to do the best they can so I will never leave. Seeing you come back probably made them elated. Honestly I see them all as our children. They've taken on personality traits shared by their creators, and after everything we've been through, its hard to see them as anything else."
Hearing these words felt quite surreal. While it was true that the ones who created them were definitely them, that was just a mechanic of the game, so would that really qualify them as their children. Though when he though about just how much care went into the backstories and appearance of the NPCs, he could begin to see it. After thinking about these ramifications, he began to feel a bit guilty that he didn't much much effort into Sebas.
"Honestly when you get the chance, you should talk with Sebas. He has inherited you unflinching justice ideals, and even saved a slave from a brothel. Who knows, maybe they'll enter a relationship down the line... ah it is nice to talk about such meaningless topics again with you. I've missed this feeling, being able to speak to one another as a equal, without fear of judgment."
"I guess I'll have to, seeing as he is my own creation after all, though it feels weird to have someone who looks twice as old as me be my child."
"You're the one who was so uncreative when making him. Did you really design him after your own looks though? he looks basically perfect."
"Well you know how games are, they tend to beautify things."
"Ah, that is true."
A silence descended over the two after there talk. This was not an awkward silence however. It was simply two friends enjoying the moment that they were having together after so long, and a calming atmosphere filled the room, that would surely make anyone within drop their guard.
"So... seeing as I may end up being here for the long haul, do you have any gear I can use? I know I told you to sell all of my old stuff but..."
"Ahh, well you see, I couldn't bring myself to do that, in case you came back. All of it is still down in the treasury. We can go and get it now if you like."
"Then that makes things a lot simpler. If that's the case, then lets go.."
.
.
.
Ainz at this moment was extremely happy that he had not sold the armor and weapons like he had been offered. Granted, people would probably be clamoring to get the gear worn by the former [World Champion]. Yet when he posed the question to himself, "What is more important, gold, or memories?" He choose the latter without any hesitation.
Ahh. Truly it is bliss to talk with my old friend again. If he was able to come here, the maybe there's a chance the others will as well! I truly hope so, since Touch-san won't stay forever. I need to cherish these moments. If I don't, then I'll just eventually forget all of these wonderful moments me and the guild had. I already have trouble recollecting the finer details...
A profound sense of loss began to fill Ainz, but he soon shook it of, as the presence of his former friend filled him with happiness that could overcome his sadness. As he went to activate his ring to head to the treasury, he soon remembered what, or rather who, was down there.
Uwah... not that guy, he's the last person I want Touch-san to see... please be out adventuring at this time, please...