Demiurge adjusted his glasses and said to the Guardians:
"Based on what I've said, I believe that is the Emperor of the Empire's line of thinking. If he were a bit dumber, he probably wouldn't have considered so many issues, and it wouldn't have been so easy for Ainz-sama to lead him on. The behavior patterns of smart people are actually easier to understand than those of fools. Of course... he might also do some things that are beyond our expectations, but with Elizabeth-dono over in the Empire, I doubt he can do anything too surprising."
The Guardians were all stunned after listening, and it took them a long time to come back to their senses.
"So, after being led on by Ainz-sama, the Emperor of the Empire plans to form an alliance to eliminate us?" Shalltear sneered disdainfully.
"I can't believe the Emperor of the Empire is quite foolish!" Aura spread her hands mockingly.
"Should we just destroy that country directly? Ah... Illy-dono has already gone there. With Illy-dono there, there shouldn't be any problems, right?" Mare followed behind, speaking in a pleasant voice.
"Heh heh! As expected of Ainz-sama. As long as Ainz-sama rules the human cities with benevolent methods, the alliance formed by the Emperor of the Empire will only be an evil one. When they dare to attack, we will have a just cause to retaliate," Albedo added.
"Of course, if it weren't for the Adventurer Fei Fei and Elizabeth-dono created by Ainz-sama beforehand, peacefully ruling human countries would be a pipe dream. Although the Golden Princess could be used as a substitute, Elizabeth-dono also reminded me to pay attention to her. While she is indeed a very interesting human and quite valuable... since Elizabeth-dono reminded me," Demiurge said.
However, the latter half of what Demiurge said had no connection to the current topic.
"None of that is the problem. The key is! That bastard Emperor actually wants to sow discord among us, thinking that we would betray Ainz-sama."
Sebas's face was calm. Although it didn't show on the surface, his tone already contained a hint of anger.
"That's right, Sebas. It seems that Emperor doesn't know what loyalty and righteousness are!" Cocytus was also quite displeased.
"Guh heh heh! Everyone, calm down a bit. Think about what Demiurge just said. Everything is under Ainz-sama's control. They are merely clowns in Ainz-sama's plan. Why not enjoy their performance more?" Albedo said with a smile.
"That is natural. Everything is within Ainz-sama's plan. Speaking of which, I'm ashamed, but it was only after seeing Elizabeth-dono in her formal attire that I had an epiphany and caught a glimpse of a part of Ainz-sama's magnificent plan." Demiurge once again looked at Ainz with a look of adoration.
Eh? What does this have to do with Iri again? Ainz was even more bewildered.
Looking at Demiurge's incomparably adoring gaze, and then at the expectant gazes of the other Guardians, Ainz could only steel himself.
"Pre... Precisely! I didn't expect Demiurge, you could see through my intentions!" Ainz said with a guilty conscience, though his surface remained full of dignity.
"Oh oh! As expected of Ainz-sama!" All the Guardians exclaimed in admiration.
"This is all thanks to Elizabeth-dono. If Elizabeth-dono hadn't enlightened me, I might have almost ruined Ainz-sama's plan." Demiurge bowed to Ainz and replied.
"Hoh?" Ainz turned his head to look at Demiurge, uttering only a questioning sound. Although Ainz really wanted to ask directly, 'How did Iri remind you?! Explain it to me!', Demiurge would likely understand his meaning.
"It's like this: when I saw Elizabeth-dono in her formal attire, Elizabeth-dono saw through my original plan and told me not to transform during the meeting with the Emperor of the Empire. At that moment, I noticed Elizabeth-dono's attire and had an epiphany," Demiurge said.
An epiphany? An epiphany about what? Hurry up and say it! Ainz shouted in his heart.
"The reason Elizabeth-dono reminded me not to transform was to divert the Emperor of the Empire's attention to her. The reason she immediately cast the Ruling Spell on them at the beginning of the meeting was precisely for this," Demiurge continued, full of admiration.
What?! So that's how it was? When Iri cast the Ruling Spell on them right at the start of the meeting, I was startled! Iri isn't the kind of person who is impolite or disregards the overall situation. When she did something so abnormal, I was quite surprised. So it was intentional! Ainz was dumbfounded.
"Uh... then why did Little Yi-chan do that? And letting Little Yi-chan go to that kind of place alone... I just feel uneasy," Shalltear asked.
"Shalltear! Are you questioning Ainz-sama's arrangements?!" Albedo said, slightly annoyed.
"I'm not questioning Ainz-sama! I'm just worried about Little Yi-chan. Aren't you worried?!" Shalltear naturally refused to be outdone and bickered with Albedo.
"I... I'm worried too! But... but that's..." Albedo also softened a bit, looking at Ainz uneasily.
Don't look at me! I don't know what Iri is thinking either! When she said she wanted to go, I was very surprised, okay?! But I didn't dare to directly refuse!
I was just afraid that it might be part of "Ainz-sama's" plan again! Demiurge, hurry up and explain it clearly! Ainz thought so, and could only pin his hopes on Demiurge's explanation.
"You probably didn't notice, did you? What's different about Elizabeth-dono's attire from usual?" Demiurge asked mysteriously.
Regarding this question, the other Guardians all looked at each other, indicating they didn't understand.
"A crown. Elizabeth-dono wore a crown," Cocytus replied.
This indeed surprised Ainz. Indeed, after Cocytus mentioned it, it was true! Iri, who usually dressed formally in Nazarick, had never worn accessories like crowns. This time, she actually wore one.
It was indeed quite strange. Now that he thought about it, her crown seemed to be crooked. Was it intentional? Ainz wondered.
"That's right... Elizabeth-dono wore a crown symbolizing royalty, and she even deliberately wore it crooked. Now look at Ainz-sama. As the supreme ruler of Nazarick, he doesn't have any ornaments that reflect royalty on his person," Demiurge said.
"Oh, right! Ainz-sama doesn't have anything like a crown... Ainz-sama! Please, you must wear one too!" Albedo immediately leaned in and said.
"No need to rush, Albedo. Ainz-sama is doing this on purpose. Besides, as a king, Ainz-sama is still the supreme ruler of Nazarick even without a crown! There is no doubt about that," Demiurge advised.
"Cough... hmm... that's right, Albedo. First, let Demiurge finish. Demiurge, please continue." Ainz replied with some panic. A crown or something like that, forget it!
"Yes! Ainz-sama. The reason Elizabeth-dono did this was to give the Emperor of the Empire a false impression, making him believe that Elizabeth-dono is actually a rather 'willful' and narcissistic person, and quite ambitious. So... as I said before, that Emperor of the Empire is a smart person. After seeing Elizabeth-dono like this, the action he took was to win over and alienate Elizabeth-dono to oppose Ainz-sama," Demiurge continued to explain.
"Heh heh! How could that be? This foolish Emperor actually wants to sow discord in the love between me and Ainz-sama." Albedo snorted with a laugh, and then black Aura emanated from her entire body.
"Let's just destroy the Empire directly. Let my kin go... one day? No... one hour will turn the Empire into ruins." Shalltear was also enraged.
"..." Cocytus said nothing... but the freezing Aura emanating from him grew increasingly dense, clearly indicating his anger as well.
"Everyone, this is in front of Ainz-sama," Sebas reminded them, and the others then reduced their anger.
Uh... so his daughter Iri was that amazing! She even saw through and corrected Demiurge's plan. Is this... is this really his daughter? Ainz thought to himself.
"Don't be so agitated, everyone. This is all part of Ainz-sama's plan. Of course... this is only a small part of Ainz-sama's plan. When he created the Adventurer Fei Fei and Elizabeth-dono, Ainz-sama had already thought of this step, so please rest assured," Demiurge said with adoration.
...
"Achoo..." Who's talking about me again? Iri rubbed her nose.
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