Xin Lailai looked at the Death Knight, a mix of curiosity and fear in his eyes.
"This kind of monster… its Strength and Agility must be well above ten points. Yet in Ainz Ooal Gown's hands, it's merely a weak creature he can create at will."
His body trembled. Although he was extremely familiar with the world of Overlord—having rewatched the anime at least twenty times—the shock of experiencing these events firsthand was still unmatched.
"God, please save me," a soldier nearby whispered with a trembling voice.
"Help!" "No… I don't want to die!"
The slaughterers, once arrogant, had now become lambs to the slaughter. With the Death Knight's eerie speed, they could only become souls claimed by its sword.
"Speaking of which… the original work mentioned a detailed setting about language issues in this world." Xin Lailai thought as he listened to the knights' screams.
In the original story, Ainz Ooal Gown discovered through experiments that everyone in this world would eat something called Translator Konjac and then gain the ability to communicate freely with any species.
Yet the people couldn't say who had given it to them, nor could they remember when they had eaten it. They wouldn't even think it was strange—it was as natural as breathing.
In the end, Ainz Ooal Gown could only explain the phenomenon as a law of this world.
"Should I thank the author for being so meticulous with these details? It directly helps me solve a huge problem." Xin Lailai thought.
Because his talent was too poor, he hadn't gained the ability to understand languages naturally. Without the author's setting, he would have faced many extra troubles.
"First, I'll use the residents' built-in translation ability to relay a message to Ainz Ooal Gown. After meeting him, relying on my terrible English and a few Japanese greetings, I should be able to show that I have a language barrier and simultaneously reinforce the fact that I'm a player who transmigrated here."
Xin Lailai began planning his next course of action, constantly recalling various plot details about Overlord.
"There are quite a few things to pay attention to. First, I must avoid Albedo, who is with him, and try to find a chance to meet Ainz Ooal Gown alone, and then…"
Just as Xin Lailai was thinking hard, the Death Knight's slaughter was nearing its end.
"Death Knight, stop here."
A cold command came from above. All eyes, including Xin Lailai's, turned to two figures standing in mid-air.
Albedo, fully armored in black, waited humbly by the side of the Lord.
The other figure, completely cloaked in black robes, had his face tightly covered by a red mask expressing jealousy. Even so, when Xin Lailai looked at him, he felt immense oppression.
The King of the Undead—Ainz Ooal Gown.
Just his presence seemed to cover the sky, radiating tremendous pressure. The entire square fell silent.
Ainz Ooal Gown slowly landed and began speaking in his cold, measured tone:
"Greetings, everyone. My name is…"
Xin Lailai wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and leaned back.
"High Luck isn't entirely beneficial. My intuition has become a bit too sharp."
He glanced at the people nearby. They all quietly listened to Ainz Ooal Gown. Aside from the few frightened by the Death Knight, others only showed slight unease—not the terror Xin Lailai felt.
To him, the Lord in front of him was a massive abyss, exuding an aura that made one tremble with fear and awe.
"Tsk tsk… talking to this guy, gaining his trust, and joining him—this trial quest is really damn exciting."
Ainz Ooal Gown's speech didn't last long. After calming the villagers of Karn Village, he stopped, waved for Albedo to patrol, and followed the village chief into his home to discuss matters.
"The chance has arrived!"
Seeing Albedo leave, Xin Lailai's eyes lit up. Without the extremely sharp, highly perceptive guardian nearby, he didn't have to worry about being immediately exposed and eliminated before he even got close to Ainz Ooal Gown.
"Brother, wait a moment."
Xin Lailai looked around the crowd, selected a villager who seemed easy to talk to, quietly took out a common gold coin from his Storage Space, and called the person over.
Inside the village chief's house, Ainz Ooal Gown carefully probed for information. Just then, a villager walked in and whispered a sentence in his ear.
Bang! The wooden table supporting Ainz Ooal Gown's arm dented slightly. Without the passive skill Forced Calm, it might have been destroyed completely by an emotionally unstable Ainz Ooal Gown.
"My apologies, everyone. I suddenly remembered an important matter and must excuse myself," Ainz Ooal Gown said, leaving the house somewhat hastily.
"He's coming."
Xin Lailai suppressed his unease and fear. As Ainz Ooal Gown approached and landed in front of him, he spoke the first words he had ever said to someone in this world:
"Konnichiwa!" (Hello!)
A faint tremor passed through Ainz Ooal Gown.
"I'm not Japanese, so that's the only sentence I know," Xin Lailai added, hoping his terrible English would still make sense.
A pale green light shot from Ainz Ooal Gown's palm, instantly filling Xin Lailai's mind with knowledge. A buzzing in his ears followed, and soon he could understand everything perfectly.
"Great… cough… I am very pleased. I originally intended this language knowledge for magical beasts, but I tested it on you, and it worked."
"So… you really are the genuine Master Momonga!" Xin Lailai shouted, feigning excitement like a clueless newcomer.
"Uh, just call me Momonga," Ainz Ooal Gown replied, scratching his head awkwardly.
"Hehe, then I won't be polite. By the way, Momonga, did you also appear here after the server shut down, just like me?" Xin Lailai asked.
Their conversation flowed naturally. Xin Lailai asked about NPCs, his low level, and the fate of guildmates. When he mentioned Touch Me, Ainz Ooal Gown's gaze softened, tinged with regret.
"Touch Me and the others likely didn't transmigrate," Ainz Ooal Gown admitted.
"It's alright… I didn't mean to bring it up," Xin Lailai said, lowering his head.
Ainz Ooal Gown then offered:
"Your level is too low. Surviving in this world is too dangerous. Would you like to join my guild? It'll be easier for me to protect you."
Xin Lailai's heart leapt. The bonus from 50 Luck points had smoothed the process even more than he expected.
"R-Really?! I can join the legendary Ainz Ooal Gown? I thought only Heteromorphic Races were allowed!"
"The situation is special," Ainz Ooal Gown replied. "What is your intention?"
"Of course I'm willing!" Xin Lailai nodded eagerly.
"Very well. I now officially declare that you, my new friend, shall share in the supreme glory of the Great Tomb of Nazarick! Speak your true name."
With solemnity, Xin Lailai imitated the majestic posture of his new master:
"Xin Lailai, master of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. My name is Xin Lailai."
He bowed and saluted, perfectly imitating the ceremonial gravity of the moment.