The Two Leaders

Aura and Mare being surrounded by a large number of Hamsukes was cute, but it was different from what he had in mind.

A hamster is a type of rat, and should be able to reproduce fast. It’s only right to spay or neuteryour pets… I did think about breeding a certain number of them… Are there any males of the samebreed?

“Huh!? That’s way too early, Ainz-sama. I’m just seventy-odd years old.”

“True, true. You’re still a kid, huh. By the way, who do you like in Nazarick, Aura? What is your type?”

Ainz, who didn’t have any experience with love, would normally feel jealous when he saw couples display their affection in public, but he would be able to offer his blessings if it concerned these NPCs.

“I like Ainz-sama the most.”

“Haha, that makes me glad.”

The pleasantries of Aura the child made Ainz happy. For Ainz, who loved the NPCs like his own children, he would naturally smile when he hear them say they liked him.

“So, who does Ainz-sama like the most? Albedo or Shalltear?”

“Haha. Well, I like Aura a lot.”

“—Eh?”

Ainz patted Aura’s head from behind, ruffling her hair through his fingers.

“—Ehhh!?”

Should I think about Sex Ed for the children? If there is a school for dark elves, sending Aura andMare there will allow them to grow right? What would Bukubukuchagama do if she was here?

Speaking of schools… Campus love comedy… That’s what Peroroncino-san screamed at Slathan-san to make Nazarick Academy together. Where did that data go?

“—Ehhhhhhhhhhh!!”

“What is it Aura, that was loud.”

“Ah! I-I am sorry. Doing that so near the Giant of the East’s territory…”

“It’s fine, no need to apologize. It is a matter for the future anyway—”

“F-future?”

“Yes, that’s right. What is it? You seem worried… Something wrong?”

“No no, it’s nothing. Yes. Eh, so it will happen in the future?”

“Ahh, yes. If there is a nation of dark elves, it will be good to visit it. You should come along then.”

“Huh?... Ah, okay! That kind of future! Right. Yes! Please let me go along with you. Well then—

we are almost there, Ainz-sama.”

An unnatural light could be seen in the night air through the opening in the forest ahead.

“Alright. Well then Aura, sorry, but can you post the monsters you brought along around the perimeter? I need to make some preparations.”

Ainz activated one of his unique skills, summon high tier undead. What appeared was a horseman with an ominous aura who was riding on a pale horse. Ainz repeated the summon several times.

“Alright, four should be enough. Well then, Pale Riders, stand by in the air. Capture anyone who attempts to escape.”

The riders acknowledged wordlessly and rode into the air with a tug of the reigns. Their forms turned immaterial as the riders passed through the branches and flew into the sky.

“Okay, the nets have been set. All that is left is to appraise them.”

“Yes! Ah, don’t we need to test their durability?”

“We don’t need to spend that much time. I am not looking for a fight, just a chat with them.”

Ainz really meant it. He didn’t like battles. He was willing to resort to ruthless means as long as there was something to gain, but personally, he detested cruel behaviour. Ainz wouldn’t intentionally step on ants and a resolution through dialogue would be the best method.

Fenrir reached the opening in the forest. Although it was referred to as an opening, it was just a place with relatively fewer trees.

Just like how trees around a demonic tree would wither, trees wouldn’t grow in some places. There could be plenty of reasons for that, and the reason here was probably because a monster was in residence.

The trees felled by axes were scattered all over. It was a pitiful sight, as though someone had messed the place up in frustration after a hiccup in a major construction project.

“How amusing. Aura, they are probably mimicking your structure. The works of fools are so ugly.

This is what happens when creatures living in caves want to build something.”

“That is so, Ainz-sama. This is their nest.”

There was a crack near the black, burnt ground.

“...Can’t they even decorate a little? Well, forget it, let’s leave knocking for next time.”

Ainz followed Aura as they moved into the cavern near the clearing. Glancing ahead, he could see that the slope at the entrance was slight and the space within was rather small. The ceiling was high, which allowed huge creatures to move freely.