Chapter 26: The Master and the School's Technique
~Overlord World~
~Great Tomb of Nazarick~
"You go first, Demiurge. Your speeches are always so brilliant."
"Oh, you flatter me, Lord Ainz! Thank you for your recognition! I am your servant, and I will do my best with any arrangement you make."
Demiurge bowed deeply, his expression trembling with joy.
"Regarding the Star Gods... my opinion is that we don't need to pay them any attention at all."
"The number of people who can connect with the Star Gods in the light screen is minimal. Currently, only that young girl-like Herta, seems to have a close relationship with the Erudition Star God... Beyond the nebulous might of the Aeons themselves, the rest are utterly beneath our notice."
"Interesting perspective...Do you think the power of the Star Gods will not affect our Great Tomb of Nazarick?"
"Affect? Hmm... These effects are negligible..."
Demiurge hesitated for a moment before continuing,
"The effects of the Remembrance Star God on us are very weak, as is the Destruction Nanook, and they cannot cause any harm to our bodies... In short, it is not difficult to conclude that if we can continue to produce high-level scrolls that isolate mental influence, the Star Gods will have almost no impact on us."
"Hmm, very good... Are there enough materials for the high-level scrolls?"
"The core material is the skin of adult males—but there is plenty of this material. The Holy Kingdom is full of men of the right age, so Lord Ainz need not worry."
Mentioning his area of expertise and interest, Demiurge's tone became unusually light and cheerful.
In Cocytus's impression, Demiurge was usually a good-tempered and quite gentle person, but only towards the creations of the Supreme Beings. Otherwise, his cruelty and cold-bloodedness were terrifying.
"Do not over-slaughter. The Kingdom still needs labor."
"Lord Ainz, please rest assured. We can immediately reskin them using healing magic, so we don't need to kill the captured men. As long as they can be repeatedly used. Of course, this is all thanks to the excellent torture magic casters."
"Hmm, magic is truly wonderful... Very good, continue to take care of this part."
"Next is Cocytus."
Finally, it was his turn.
"This time, I would like to hear your opinion as well."
"Yes... Lord Ainz. But I..." Cocytus lowered his head very low. This posture, where he could only see the ground when meeting his master, was the only way he could think of to express his respect. He did not dare to look up and directly face his master's face, simply because he had felt a fleeting moment of fear when his eyes met the Destruction Nanook's.
As a warrior created by the Supreme Beings, he felt infinitely ashamed of that brief, momentary fear.
Moreover, he did not have Demiurge's agile mind to come up with suitable countermeasures. As for his opinion on the Star Gods... he racked his brains but couldn't think of anything.
Looking at Cocytus's slightly trembling body, Ainz had already vaguely sensed something.
"You have no opinion?"
"...Yes, Lord Ainz. I am truly sorry. My understanding of the Star Gods is too shallow. Please grant me—"
Cocytus's apology was stopped by the sound of a staff hitting the ground. Then, Albedo's cold voice immediately echoed throughout the throne hall.
"Everyone... should execute the orders of the Supreme Beings with gratitude. Cocytus, how dare you disobey Lord Ainz's orders?"
"I—"
Cocytus's explanation was interrupted by Ainz's calm voice. He looked down at him from above, his voice not having much emotional fluctuation.
But the lights flickering in his master's empty eye sockets seemed to have a slightly distinct crimson hue.
"Raise your head, Cocytus. If you have something to say, you can speak boldly."
"I..."
Cocytus swallowed a mouthful of saliva and finally mustered the courage to raise his head.
"Judging from the attitude of the Astral Express crew, they will travel to many worlds. I think there should be more advanced technologies in these worlds. In my humble opinion, if we could see them one day, we should..."
Ainz seemed to have guessed what he wanted to say and said with amusement,
"You mean learn? Cocytus, that word sounds strange coming from you."
"Lord Ainz, I..."
"—Bold!"
Before Cocytus could continue speaking, Albedo rebuked him again.
Albedo's deafening voice had the majesty of the Guardian Overseer. Her black wings trembled slightly with anger, and her face gradually became distorted.
"Are you saying that there is more advanced wisdom in other worlds than that of the Supreme Beings? Or... Cocytus, have you lost the honor and dignity of a Guardian and started flattering those guys in the light screen instead?"
That was a serious accusation.
Cocytus realized his slip of the tongue. Cold sweat froze into ice crystals the moment it emerged from his body.
But this anger was quickly interrupted by the resounding sound of a staff hitting the ground.
"Albedo, be quiet. I am asking Cocytus. Don't be too presumptuous."
"I-I'm very sorry! Please forgive me..."
Albedo lowered her head and retreated into the shadows behind Lord Ainz.
His master's gaze turned and sharply stared at Cocytus.
"More advanced technology? I have also thought about that... Hmm, that point of attention is indeed necessary."
Ainz's voice had a hint of approval.
"Aren't you saying it well? Cocytus."
"If we want to learn, we can't maintain an aloof attitude."
Ainz's flashing red eyes surveyed all the Guardians, and he quickly decided in his heart.
"I'll leave this matter to you, Cocytus... Hmm, and Sebas. You two will be responsible for this together."
(Translator-kun: umm..... wait till you turn in Isekai Quartet and see.. Oppssss.... wrong project.)
—
[ Stelle looked at Himeko with confusion: "Don't those people know how to save themselves?"
Welt shook his head calmly: "Looking at this planet from our current perspective gives the illusion of being omniscient and omnipotent. But when you truly stand on that land, you will realize your own insignificance and helplessness."
Himeko: "I want to entrust this trailblazing journey to you, March 7th, and Dan Heng. The purpose of the journey is also very clear: find the Stellaron that brings disaster to the world and causes space warping, bring it back to the Express, and leave the rest to us."
Suddenly entrusted with such an important mission, Stelle subconsciously touched her head: "I suddenly feel a little sleepy..."
March 7th nudged Stelle gently with her elbow: "Don't give up at the beginning!"
Himeko smiled gently: "Someone has to stay on the Express, otherwise Pom-Pom will be very lonely. Moreover, we were just glanced at by Nanook, and it would be terrible if we were targeted by the Antimatter Legion again."
"You can talk to Dan Heng later about the ecology and observation data of Jarilo-VI. He has probably already started organizing it. It won't hurt to have more information before starting the journey." ]
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