Word count: 2470 words
---------------------------
*E-Rantel – Near the Obsidian Chains Branch*
The streets of E-Rantel bustled with activity, merchants hawking their wares, adventurers clanking about in their armor, and the occasional noble's carriage rolling past.
Yet, amidst the noise, two figures stood out and many eyes fell on them followed by whispers.
Ainz Ooal Gown, disguised as the adamantite-ranked adventurer Momon, loomed in his signature black armor, his crimson gaze scanning the newly constructed Obsidian Chains branch before him. Beside him, Narberal Gamma in human guise stood with her usual cold elegance, her piercing eyes flickering with disdain for the rabble around them.
'This is troublesome…' Ainz's thoughts churned as he stared at the building.
'Shalltear is still under the effects of that World Item. Every second I waste here is another second she remains compromised. But… Obsidian Chains.'
The name alone carried weight now. In two months, they had upended Re-Estize's power structure, allied with the Baharuth Empire, and displayed power that even Ainz couldn't ignore. That display at the Angelia Mountains, clearing all monsters from that region was not something even a level 100 player could dismiss.
'If they possess abilities on that scale, they could be potential allies… or threats. And if they're connected to other Players…' His skeletal fingers clenched beneath his gauntlets.
'No. I can't afford to ignore this. If I refuse their invitation now, it might close doors permanently. And if they are Players, I need to know.'
Nabe's voice cut through his thoughts, sharp and impatient.
"Momon-san, are we truly going to entertain this request? These Obsidian Chains upstarts are hardly worth your time."
Ainz chuckled internally. 'Ah, Nabe. Ever the loyal subordinate, but so dismissive of outsiders.'
"Nabe," he replied, his voice deep and measured, "Obsidian Chains is no mere upstart. Their influence stretches across two nations now, and their power is… considerable."
Nabe's lips curled slightly, her disdain evident. "Even so, you have far more pressing matters. Shalltear is—"
"Enough," Ainz interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. "I haven't forgotten. But intelligence gathering is just as crucial. If Obsidian Chains has knowledge, or worse, connections to what happened to Shalltear, we must investigate."
Nabe lowered her head. "Please forgive my ignorance, my lord."
Ainz exhaled, a habit he maintained despite lacking lungs. 'She's right, of course. Every moment I spend here is a delay in rescuing Shalltear. But if Obsidian Chains is tied to this… if they're the ones who brainwashed her…'
His grip on his greatsword tightened. 'Then I'll crush them. Touching the creation of my friends is unforgivable.'
But for now...
"Let's go, Nabe," he said, stepping forward. "Let's see what this 'headmaster' wants."
Nabe bowed slightly, her voice icy. "As you wish."
Together, they strode toward the entrance, the weight of the future hanging heavy in the air.
As the two of them approached the entrance of the newly established Obsidian Chains branch, Ainz looked up at the structure.
It was larger than expected. Sharp design. Efficient, if not somewhat militaristic. Its aesthetic felt… purposeful. 'So this is what their reach looks like…'
Two armored guards stood outside the door. They wore armor equally dark and elegant as Momon, they stepped forward respectfully.
"Welcome, Lord Momon and Lady Nabe," one said. "The Headmaster is expecting you."
Ainz nodded slowly, his crimson eyes glowing just a little brighter. 'Let's see what kind of man you are… Meliodas.'
And with that, the doors opened, and they stepped inside as they were guided in front of double doors.
The towering double doors stood before them like ancient gates to some forgotten temple. Ornate carvings of chains coiled around blades and thrones were etched deep into the black ironwood, and the moment Ainz and Nabe reached them, they swung open on their own, as if responding to an invisible command.
Ainz cast a glance at the guards who simply bowed and gestured forward.
"Please go ahead, the Headmaster is expecting you," one of them said, stepping aside.
'Automatic doors. Impressive.' Ainz thought, though he remained expressionless. And… intimidating. They certainly know how to create a presence.
He entered without hesitation, Narberal Gamma trailing precisely two steps behind him, her posture crisp, eyes vigilant.
The hall they stepped into was vast, clean, and silent. In the center stood a long, polished obsidian table made for negotiations. Its design was sharp, the kind of table not meant for diplomacy, but for power plays.
At the far end, seated with a relaxed air of complete control, was a young man with split back hair, defined features, and a small, amused smile resting on his lips.
Meliodas.
And behind him stood five individuals… No, not just individuals, they were figures straight out of memory.
Ainz's steps faltered. Just slightly.
His gaze passed over them one by one and if he had possessed pupils or facial muscles, they would have widened in unfiltered shock.
'Wait… no… no way.'
'That's… that's Makima… From Chainsaw man.'
'And that man… Yoriichi Tsugikuni from Demon Slayer.'
'Impossible. That's impossible.'
'They were fictional characters. In my world, they were anime characters!'
As for the other ones, he did not recognize them, but he could only assume that they were other anime characters as well.
In the years Ainz lived, there were way more anime available, yet animes like JJK, Demon Slayer, or One Punch Man were considered classics at that time, and any anime fan must've watched these, so it was obvious he would recognize them.
A cold wave shot through his mind like a spear of ice. His undead nature instinctively tried to produce a surge of panic, but...
[Emotional Suppression – Activated]
Ainz's body relaxed. The instant tremble vanished. His posture remained regal. And he started thinking more logically. 'I see, it must be that. They are NPCs he created based on those anime characters. But how many more does he have at his disposal?'
But the people in the room noticed.
Tatsumaki blinked, tilting her head slightly. Makima's red eyes narrowed with intrigue. Mahito's lips curled into a faint, delighted grin as if he'd just sniffed out a fun new toy. Even Shoko Leiri, whose gaze was typically uninterested, flicked her cigarette once and gave him a long, analytical stare.
'They noticed...' Ainz realized grimly. 'Even with my skill suppressing emotion, they noticed something. Their perception isn't normal. That means they must be high-level NPCs'
His gaze shifted to Meliodas, who remained seated, elbow on the table, chin resting lightly on his fist.
That smug, almost lazy smile hadn't moved an inch.
'He's not just some random Headmaster. This man… he's a player. He has to be. Only a player could pull something like this off. To have knowledge of these characters and recreate them. Only someone like me could do that.'
The tension in the air grew palpable. Nabe tensed beside him, already sensing something was off, though unaware of the exact implications.
'I must proceed with extreme caution. If he's like me, then underestimating him would be a grave error. But still, I have an enormous advantage over him. He still doesn't know that I'm a player myself. For him, I am simply an adventurer from the new world.'
Ainz slowly walked to the near end of the negotiation table and sat down with absolute composure, folding his black-gauntleted hands in front of him. His red eyes met Meliodas's golden ones across the distance.
"…Headmaster Meliodas, I presume," Ainz said, voice as steady and imposing as ever.
Meliodas frowned a little bit, but it was more of a playful one.
"Is this how you greet the king, Momon… or should I say, Ainz Ooal Gown?"
A direct blow.
But it didn't end there.
"And before all that… Suzuki Satoru." Meliodas continued
The silence that followed was deafening.
This man dropped a bomb after bomb, taking Ainz off guard each time.
'What.' For a fraction of a second, his mind blanked.
'How—?'
'Not only did he know about my Momon fake persona and my identity as Ainz Ooal Gown, but he was aware of my name. My real name. The name I hadn't heard since before I was trapped in this world.'
His instincts screamed, 'threat, threat, THREAT!' and his magic flared, he no longer wore the armor, it vanished like magic, and now he was in his real form to be able to fight at his 100%, ready to unleash annihilation at the slightest wrong movement.
Ainz's grip tightened on his golden staff that appeared out of nowhere. "Explain." He ordered.
"Relax," Meliodas said, waving a hand. "If I wanted to fight, I wouldn't have invited you here. I'd have gone straight to Nazarick."
Another jolt of alarm shot through Ainz. 'He knows about Nazarick too?!'
"As for why I called you here," Meliodas continued, "it's simple. Negotiations. I've got no interest in picking a fight with you, not when we could be useful to each other."
Ainz's mind raced. 'This man knows too much. Far too much. Is he a Player? Did we meet in YGGDRASIL?'
That was when Narberal stepped forward, her voice laced with pure venom.
"You! How dare you speak to Lord Ainz in such a tone." Her eyes flared as she stood firm beside her master, now that his identity was exposed there was no need to hold back. "You will refer to him with the respect he deserves. My loyalty cannot permit me to tolerate this insolence!"
Meliodas turned his head slightly, still seated, casting a glance toward her, yet his smile never faded. "You're loyal. I respect that. But in this room, it's best you listen and not bark and let supreme beings such as ourselves speak."
Ainz slowly raised his hand, barely whispering but with chilling authority. "Nabe. Enough. Do not interfere in this conversation further. He is definitely one."
Narberal immediately stiffened. "…Understood, Lord Ainz." Her expression cooled instantly, but her eyes remained sharp and vigilant. She stepped back, though tension still radiated from her posture. For her, if this man was truly a supreme being, then he was on equal grounds as her master and he could address him equally too. And since her master confirmed it, there was no denying it anymore.
'He used "Suzuki Satoru"… He knows too much.' Ainz thought.
"You speak with too much knowledge. Not only of me… but of Nazarick itself." Ainz asked carefully. "Have we met before? In the game? Or perhaps… in the real world?"
Meliodas sighed, almost disappointed. "Nope. Never crossed paths before now."
Ainz's nonexistent stomach twisted. 'Then how?'
"As you can see, I have my subordinates here with me to guarantee my safety. I'm nothing but a normal human after all, with no magic whatsoever. Yet, Makima here made contracts for all of us in order to resurrect us the moment we die." Meliodas took a short pause to breathe then continued.
"So I suggest you don't try anything funny, because, it doesn't matter how many times we have to do it but, we will keep dying and coming back until we get you. and keep in mind that this is not everyone here, I have many more subjects at my disposal."
Ainz scoffed at what he said and counter-argued. "You might fool someone else, but you won't fool me. What you said is not possible in the YGGDRASIL system. You might've created NPC that look like those anime characters, but there is no way for you to recreate their real abilities 100% accurately. And even If it is true and she can resurrect you, your NPCs will still lose exp and level each time they resurrect. All I have to do is to keep killing them until they lose all their levels."
Meliodas looked down, his hair covering his face making his expression invisible. "NPCs...? Exp...? Levels...?" Then slowly he lifted his head up. "hehe- hehaha-hehahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" He placed his hand on his mouth to stop himself from laughing any longer.
"Is anything I said funny?" Ainz asked.
"What you said was hilarious, not just funny! That's where you're completely wrong!"
"Don't get the wrong idea, Ainz Ooal Gown. I don't make fake NPCs. That's beneath me. I don't copy characters!"
He stood up, slow and deliberate as he spread his arms to the side.
"I summon them. The real ones. From their worlds."
A breathless silence. Even Narberal who was clueless as to what was going on subtly curled her fingers.
'He what?' Ainz once again was shocked.
"These aren't dolls in cosplay," Meliodas said with amused pride. "They're real. Tatsumaki. Mahito. Yoriichi. Shoko. Makima and many more. I brought them here. I command them. They serve me as their supreme being. Just like your Guardians serve you."
He gestured toward Mahito, who smiled like a cat with a dead bird, his fingers twitching with cursed energy. Ainz who was the ultimate magician and necromance immediately picked up on the alien form of power Mahito used.
"I gave them reason. I gave them purpose. And in return… they offer me loyalty, their body, their soul, and their life."
Ainz tried to reject this but, what he saw just now was undeniable proof.
'If this is true… If he really summoned actual characters from those worlds… then he's not just a threat, he's a phenomenon.' Looking at his dangerous gaze, and that smile on his face, Ainz couldn't help but compromise. 'He knew all of this, this is why he invited me as Momon, he wanted me at my weakest, away from Nazarick...' Ainz's mind was a whirlwind of thought, plans, and schemes.
'I could leave this place immediately using greater teleportation, but that would be fruitless. He clearly is not planning on making enemies of us, and I also must understand this power. I must find its origin.'
"So, what have you decided Ainz Ooal Gown? Want to negotiate terms that might bring us to great heights?" Melidoas proposed, sitting back in his chair.
Amid all this, Ainz could not deny it.
For the first time in this world…
He had met someone who truly felt like an equal.
"Wouldn't hurt to hear you out." Ainz finally sat in his chair.
TO BE CONTINUED --->