Ainz could already tell what was about to happen the moment those to met. He had known them both long enough to know their feeling for each other were, less than ideal. The main reason for that being the disparity between there lives back on earth. He knew that if he left them to their own devices, thing would spiral out of control fast. So he had to be the one to break the ice.
"Ahh... Ulbert-san, as you can see Touch-san has also come to the new world. He arrived only a few days ago. Same as you."
"Oh so you came here to Ulbert-San, it is good to see you again."
"You too." while the tone of voice was not exactly rude as they didn't outright hate each other, it was very monotone. If one were to describe it, it would be similar to the tone one would take getting a present that they had no use for.
The room took a awkward air, as nobody knew what to say next to disperse it. The best thing Ainz could think of was to end things there, but he also wanted to talk with his companions, but even he knew it wouldn't go the way he wanted.
"Well, anyways Touch-san, I was just about to leave Ulbert-san to talk with Demiurge, as I did with you and Sebas. Lets head to the throne room for now and discuss some ways to find out if its possible to go back."
"yeah that sounds good. Nice seeing you again Ulbert-san."
As they turned to leave, Ulbert's voice had stopped both of them in their tracks before they had a chance to move.
"What do you mean, go back?"
"Well, I still have my family back on earth, so I really can't stay in Nazarick forever, so I'm going to be working with Momonga-san to find a way to return."
Demiurge, who had been listening all this while, was shocked to hear the supreme ones may not be staying with them as their lord had. Ainz had noticed this after seeing Demiurge's reaction, and though to himself I need to inform all of the guardians at one point that Touch-san won't be staying forever. It would be better for them to know sooner rather than later.
However, what was said next completely threw him out of his thoughts.
"You really are a selfish bastard." Unlike his previous tone, this one practically dripped with venom.
"What was that?"
"You know not everyone was as well off as you Touch, for people like Momonga-san and I, leaving Nazarick would be making life terrible for both of us, yet you choose to step in and choose this path because of you and your damn family." While Demiurge was somewhat happy to hear that his creator was not planning on leaving, he was certainly the only one in the room that felt that way.
"Listen here you son of a bitch, if you think you can just talk that way and get away with it you are dead wrong. Say that again. I dare you." While most people would have backed off at this point after realizing they went to far, Ulbert was not most people. In fact, it seemed like he hadn't said enough.
"Well lets see, for starters..."
"Hold on!" Ainz, who realized the storm that was about to be unleashed, stepped in before things could get any worse.
"Ulbert-san, I know how you feel, but nobody said we have to go with Touch-san. He simply has other matters that are important to him. While we may not have that, it is important to take his view into account.
After a few long seconds had past, Ulbert simply sighed to himself and gave a defeated look. "You're right Momonga-san, I went to far. But Touch-san should have been more careful with his words."
Sensing that He was about to criticize him for his attempt to throw the blame his way, Ainz quickly gave a gesture that seemed to say, "Just let it go."
After another long period of silence, Touch-Me simply sighed. "Come on Momonga-san, lets go for now and let him get back to his business."
And with that, the two left the room before anything else could happen to worsen the already tense atmosphere, leaving both of the demons alone to continue with there conversation.
As they were walking, Touch-Me couldn't help but rant about what had just happened, or rather, it would be weird if he didn't bring it up at all. "I can never stand that guy sometimes! He always escalates things to such a degree without knowing the facts yet. It's infuriating!"
"I do understand where your coming from Touch-san, but you have to remember you and him come from very different worlds. Granted that's no excuse for what he said, but people like him just have bad experiences with people in general."
While Ainz wasn't exactly poor, he still was under the thumb of those higher than him, so he knew what people could be like at times. But he still had YGGDRASIL, and was able to forget about most of that once he logged in. Ulbert however was even lower than he was in the social latter. While most already knew the state the world was in, Ulbert was one of those who couldn't lose himself in other hobbies because he had so many bad experiences, and thus would bring is rage wherever he went. Not to say he was never happy, but he rarely would become truly absorbed in a game.
"I know Momonga-san, but its still just ridiculous. I try to cut him some slack, yet and he always goes to far. Its like he looks for weakness and preys on it or something."
While that line reminded him somewhat of Demiurge's personality, he felt like the conversations was bashing Ulbert to much for his taste.
"Well we should probably stop talking about this. We'll probably be here for a long time, so we shouldn't be at each others throats."
"As always, your right Momonga-san. Though after that, I'm not in the mood to start thinking of ways that we could get out of here."
"Yeah, we may want to post-pone that..."
Ainz was beginning to realize that even if they had tried to think of a way, they had no information on how they arrived in the first place. While they probably would have gone to areas that may be of note, nothing they had encountered had shown to much YGGDRASIL influence, at least, none that were obvious.
There were still places in the world he had yet to visit/conquer. The answers he may be looking for could be found their, but he would need to find a reason to go. Demiurge probably already though of they ways they could do so, but he would need o wait to get his opinion.
As he begin to think of what they could do to pass the time, a idea suddenly raced forth.
"Touch-san, you had saved a girl named Neia earlier didn't you?"
"I did in fact, how did you know?"
"When I went to visit the country, she had told me you rescued here from a group of traitors. She is the leader of that religion I had mentioned earlier."
"Ahh.."
It would seem Touch-Me had remembered something in that moment, but what he was thinking went unknown to Ainz.
"Well if we want to pass the time, I feel like I should reward her for bringing me that information. Nothing could be more valuable than seeing you all again, and that started because of her."
Ainz's generosity was genuine. He had come to somewhat care about that girl, as she seemed to becoming rather closely linked with Nazarick as of late, considering her friendship with CZ. He may make her a area guardian in the future if the need arises. And since she had given him the thing he truly wanted, it was not unreasonable to reward her.
Besides I did kind-of up and leave her in the dust that day. Of course it was for a good reason, but thinking back I should probably clear the air of any misunderstandings. Now that he was thinking about it, the way he had left probably worried a lot of people in the area due to his excitement.
"Well since we have nothing else planned, it is something to do. Plus I did kind of leave her high and dry, since I was unsure of what to do earlier. I would like to explain that."
"then it's decided. Though we should probably head their in private this time."
With their course set, Ainz opened a gate to the holy kingdom one more, and as he always does, strode through with the dignity of a Monarch.
.
.
.
For the past few days, Neia was finding it hard to focus on her work. After the sudden departure from hid majesty, she had become worried she may have offended him somehow. While she desperately hoped that was not the case, it still made her sick with worry. Combined with her responsibilities as head of the states religion, she was in a truly precarious state.
Why did this have to happen? My tummy hurts from just thinking about it. What if he ask me to atone with my life?
While she would have no problem dying for his honor, she didn't want that to happen from her being the one doing the dishonoring. This was the source of most of her stress.
"While I don't think his such a kind man would do that, I should probably prepare myself just in case."
While she didn't know when he may return to the holy kingdom, she had been holding onto the staff he had dropped for safekeeping for his return. While it didn't look very extravagant, knowing it had been in the possession of the sorcerer king must mean it was extremely powerful. She was feeling a similar amount of stress to when she had first received the bow from him. Having to care for such a valuable item was a third source of stress for her, and all of this factors had lead her into getting a stress induced ulcer.
"Still, I hope he comes to visit us soon so a can have him take this back"
As if waiting for that moment, a sparkling multicolored abyss was created before her eyes. It seemed to go on forever, yet remaining paper thin. While she was initially worried, she would have to assume that this was a product of his majesties power, since he was the only being who came to mind who could possess such might.
Her suspicions were soon proven true, as the skeletal magic caster soon emerged from beyond the veil, cloaked in his robes that seemed to be as dark as the night sky. While this is what see had expected, see was not prepared from another entity to appear behind him. Its was a knight, with armor so shiny that she almost needed to squint just looking at him. The contrast between light and dark was quite strange, though thinking back, the same thing was present with Albedo, but her dark wings took away some of the shock.
Immediately, she took a knee to the monarch, as showing him respect in times like these was paramount. "your majesty, it is truly a honor to see you again."
"You as well miss Baraja, I do apologize that our meeting was cut short the other day, something crucial came up and I couldn't spare any time for chit-chat."
With this, Neia breathed a sigh of relief. It would seem his distress had not come from her actions. But if not her words, what could have caused this peerless being to act in such a way?
As if reading her mind, he began to explain just that.
"You see touch-Me was actually one of my friends that I had mentioned a while back to you. I had to rush off to find him because I never thought I'd see him again. So I must thank you for your assistance in that miss Baraja."
Every time he showed her his kindness, it always brought her to the brink of tears to witness such a merciful Sovereign. "There is no need to thank me Ainz-sama, as that was just a coincidence. Regardless, I am happy that you were able to find someone close to you."
"Even if you did not know the facts, you still were a contributing cause to my finding him, and for that I wish to reward you. Right Touch-Me?"
"Of course, its only right to reward loyalty."
Once she had heard that voice, she immediately recognized it as the same one from earlier, and the drastic change in appearance from just putting on armor had shocked her quite immensely. But the part of her mind that was not focusing on that was still quite shocked to say the least. His majesty was being too generous, she couldn't possibly accept any more of his largess.
"P-please your majesty, I truly do not need anything from you. I was merely reporting back information to you. Please do not take it to heart!"
"Even so, that still shows your loyalty to me no? And I'll have you know that a lack of desire is often times more troubling than greed to me. Now please follow me."
before she even had time to object, he had already walked back through the portal he emerged from, making his decision final. It would be rude at this point to not follow him, but she couldn't help but feel stressed out.
I hope I don't cause trouble for his majesty...
And with that, she walked through the thin film of magic, and into a land completely unknown to her.