Overlord (book 1)

verge of it. I seriously want to run away. Stil , I have to earn money to make ends meet, so I’m

working for my dear life while being whipped like a slave.”

“Wow…”

The Overlord—Momonga tilted his head back and made an irritated gesture.

“Real y, it’s unbearable.”

Meromero’s gloomy voice, laden with an incredible sense of reality, flew towards Momonga as if

to inflict a follow-up strike.

His complaint in regards to work in the real world accelerated further.

Stories about impudent subordinates, plans that were completely altered overnight, criticism

from his superior for failing to meet his quota, days pulling all-nighters due to shitloads of work, abnormal weight increase from his ruined biorhythm, the growing number of drugs with each

passing day.

Eventually, the conversation turned one-sided as Meromero’s gripe burst out like a broken dam.

There are a lot of people who avoid talking about reality in the virtual world. The feeling of not

wanting to drag the real world into the virtual world was understandable.

However, the two people here did not think that way.

The guild — a team formed, organized and operated by an assembly of players — that they

belonged to, Ainz Ooal Gown, had two rules for joining.

First, you have to be a member of society. Secondly, you had to be of a heteromorphic race.

Due to the nature of the guild, there were many cases where complaints about work in real life

became the topic, and this was accepted by the guild members. It could be said the

conversation these two were having was an everyday scene in Ainz Ooal Gown.

After a good amount of time had passed, the words of grievance from Meromero’s mouth came

to a halt.

“… I’m sorry for my endless complaining. I don’t get much chance to vent on the other side.”

Meromero wiggled what appeared to be its head as if to bow. In response to this, Momonga

quickly replied.

“It’s okay, Meromero-sama. I was the one who asked you to come, even though you were

exhausted.

Compared to earlier, a faint laughter with a bit more vigor was heard from Meromero.

“Thank you very much, Momonga-sama. I’m glad that I logged in and got to meet up.”

“I'm glad to hear you say that."

“… But I'm afraid it’s about time for me to …”

Meromero’s tentacle moved in the air as if it was touching something. He was operating his

console.

“Ah, you’re right. It’s gotten very late.”

“I’m sorry, Momonga-sama.”

Momonga sighed softly to conceal the emotions that had risen inside him.

“I see. That’s a shame. … Honestly, fun times fly by so fast.”

“I real y want to be with you until the end, but I’m exhausted.”

“You must be worn out. Please, do log out and get some rest.”

“I’m real y sorry. … Momon- no, Guildmaster, what wil you do?”

“I’m planning to stay online until I’m disconnected when the service ends. There’s stil time…

who knows, another person might show up.”

“Is that so. … Frankly, I didn’t expect this place to stil exist.”

At this sort of moment, it was truly a good thing that there was no ability to show facial

expressions. Because if there was, one would have seen his grimace in a single glance.

Momonga closed his mouth shut to suppress the sudden surge of emotions, since they would

be revealed in his voice.

He had desperately maintained the guild because they had created it together, so it was only

natural for him to be overwhelmed with indescribable sentiments when such words were spoken

by one of his comrades. But those sentiments were dispelled by what Meromero said next.

“As the guildmaster, you have kept this place going so that we could return any time. Thank

you.”

“…We all created this place together. It’s the duty of the guildmaster to maintain and supervise it

so that anyone can come back whenever!”

“It was thanks to your presence that we were able to enjoy this game to the fullest. … Next time

we meet, it would sure be nice if it was in Yggdrasil II.”

“I’ve yet to hear a rumour about a sequel… but I real y hope that happens.”

“Let’s meet again when that time comes! Wel then, I’m feeling real y real y sleepy now, so I’l

log out … I’m glad I got to meet you before the end. Have a good game.”

“…”

For a moment, Momonga was left speechless; however, he gave his final words right away.

“I also had a good time thanks to you. Have a good game.”

A smiling emoticon appeared above Meromero’s head with a glint. Since there was no ability to

change facial expression in Yggdrasil, players utilized emoticons to express their emotions.

Momonga operated his console and selected the same emoticon.

Then, Meromero’s final words were heard.

“Let’s meet again in a different place.”

— The last one of the three guild members who showed up today vanished.

Erasing all trace of the visitor, the silence returned to the guildhall. A silence devoid of memories and emotions.

Looking at the chair that Meromero was sitting in just a few seconds ago, Momonga spat out the

words he was going to say at the end.

“While I understand that you’re tired, since today’s the last day for the game and you’re already

here, can’t you stay until the very end—?”