"This seems to be the point where Momonga says something like he wants to plant Nazarick's banner across the entire world, and then Demiurge and the others start plotting a plan to conquer the world, right?"
"It's also from here that Nazarick gradually begins to reveal its fangs. The emergence of a terrifying power is bound to cause changes in this world to varying degrees. I need to seize the greatest benefits from it, otherwise my trip into this dungeon will have been for nothing."
"If I can't obtain what I want this time, then this run will be a complete failure. The Miami battle already made me see my own weakness clearly—especially that last existence that appeared, so monstrously powerful that just its pressure made my heart feel like it was suffocating. It blatantly showed the terrifying strength of the world I'm in. But... what exactly do I need to obtain?"
"Overlord, in the end, is a world extended from a game. Certain game-like characteristics should still exist here. Lian'er, you can try learning the magic of this world. I'm sure you'll find a path that suits your own style of magical combat." While Chu Lian was lost in her thoughts, Ayase saw her furrowed brows and immediately understood what the girl was thinking, so she offered guidance.
"I understand. Magic may not be my main combat method, but at certain times it can accomplish things that spiritual power can't. And magic has diverse attributes, endless variations, and many skills. Compared to the spiritual power I've mastered so far—which is basically all offensive—it has broader utility. Since I'm already in this world, how can I not learn magic?" After hearing Ayase, Chu Lian's goals for what to do next became much clearer.
However, just as she was about to continue talking with Ayase, a violent tremor rose up from beneath their feet. Seeing the distant flash of magical radiance—and the soil surging like a tidal wave along the walls—she immediately knew Mare was casting.
Activating her ring's ability, Chu Lian instantly appeared not far from Mare, watching him perform the spell. Momonga also descended from above, landing beside Chu Lian and asking, "Deloris, why are you here?"
"I wanted to take a walk like you, Lord Momonga, so I randomly chose a place. I didn't expect you would be here as well." After greeting him with a salute, Chu Lian answered.
"Ah, Lord Momonga and Lady Deloris, why have you come here?" Mare, having just finished casting, noticed them too. Hugging his staff, he hurried over happily.
Then, with some worry, he asked, "Did I do something wrong?"
"No. You did very well, Mare. In order for Nazarick not to be discovered, your work can be said to be the most important of all."
Hearing the praise, Mare answered a little embarrassedly, "Yes."
"So, Mare, I want you to know just how satisfied I am."
"Yes, Lord Momonga." Mare was still a bit dazed, but his anticipation rose.
"Alright. Here." Momonga extended his hand. A flash of magic shimmered, and a ring appeared in his palm.
"The Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown... this is something only the Supreme Beings can possess. How could I dare accept it?" Mare tightened his grip on his staff, looking nervous.
Momonga, however, didn't mind much and soothed him. "Calm down, Mare. Teleportation between the floors of Nazarick has restrictions, but with this ring you can move freely. Come—accept it, and make even more contributions to Nazarick."
Hearing him, Mare did not refuse again. He took the ring Momonga offered and placed it on the ring finger of his left hand. The ring immediately shrank to fit his finger perfectly, settling snugly into place. He said happily, "Thank you, Lord Momonga. From now on, I will definitely work hard and contribute, so I will be worthy of such a reward."
"Then I'll be counting on you, Mare." Momonga's tone lightened noticeably, as though his mood had relaxed as well.
Chu Lian stood to the side watching the whole time. She touched the ring on her own right pinky and quietly complained to herself: Mare, do you even realize what you just did? Don't you know the closer to the heart you wear a ring, the more important the giver is? The left ring finger is basically marriage, you know! So cute boys really do like men, huh? And Momonga, you didn't even remind him? Seriously.
Of course, that was just her own grumbling through the lens of a Huaxia upbringing. In truth, she didn't even know whether this world had that custom or meaning. Still, the scene was simply too funny.
"By the way, Lord Momonga, why are you dressed like that?" Only now did Mare ask why he was wearing that set of armor.
"Uh, that's because..." Mare's question left Momonga unable to answer. He even hesitated as he spoke.
Chu Lian had no intention of explaining either, because she had already seen the beautiful woman behind Momonga, wings spread wide from her waist. She would explain.
"It's very simple, Mare." Albedo's voice rang out. Everyone present turned to look behind them, and it was like a scene painted into existence.
Her graceful figure, bathed in moonlight, was so captivating it looked like a goddess descending to the mortal world—though Chu Lian knew this "goddess" actually had a rather nasty temperament. Still, it did nothing to diminish her beauty at this moment.
"Albedo." Momonga called.
"Greetings, Lord Momonga." After saluting, Albedo walked over and said, "Lord Momonga's current attire is so that his presence will not disturb the servants' work. After all, if they learned that Lord Momonga had arrived, everyone would have to stop what they were doing to offer tribute." Saying that, she turned toward Momonga and asked, "Is that correct, Lord Momonga?"
Albedo's appearance and her explanation gave Momonga the perfect way out. He immediately replied, "As expected of Albedo. To think you could see through my intentions."
Chu Lian resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Was this skeleton shameless because he didn't have any skin to begin with? Still... the system truly was terrifying. Even if it was "just" a game system, once its settings turned into reality, the effect was still that powerful.
These subordinates—serving their master, the owner of the Great Tomb of Nazarick—would always interpret everything he did in the best possible light.
Even a small sentence, a minor gesture, a single cover-up—they would polish it into something perfect.
All of it made Chu Lian sigh. If you wanted to cheat, you really did need a system.
"As guardian overseer, this is only natural. No—regardless of my position, as subordinates we should be able to infer Lord Momonga's thoughts." As she spoke, Albedo closed her eyes, gently lowered her hands, and stood obediently to the side.
After hearing her explanation, Mare reacted. "So that's how it is. Lord truly is a gentle person."
Albedo opened her eyes and happened to notice the ring on Mare's left ring finger. She was slightly startled, but then remembered that Deloris also had one, and she relaxed.
"Uh..." Momonga noticed her gaze as well, and understood that he should probably give her one too—as a reward for her contributions as guardian overseer.
"What is it, Lord Momonga?" Albedo turned to him, asking curiously.
"Nothing. Mare, sorry for disturbing you. You should continue your work." Momonga did not answer directly and instead sent Mare away.
"Yes, Lord Momonga. Lady Deloris, I'll take my leave." Hearing Momonga, Mare immediately excused himself to return to his duties, though he felt a little regretful—this time he hadn't even gotten to speak with Lady Deloris.
"Lord Momonga, should I take my leave as well?" Chu Lian asked from the side.
"No need. Just stay by my side." Momonga didn't let her leave. There was nothing wrong with her knowing this—she would learn sooner or later anyway.
"Right. Give Albedo a ring as well." After Mare left, Momonga said to Albedo.
"Ah... I have not yet made contributions of my own. I am not qualified to receive such a reward." Albedo froze, then refused.
"Albedo, you are the guardian overseer. You manage all of Nazarick's affairs, great and small. With this ring, your work will be more convenient—and you'll also be able to find me at any time." This scene had already diverged from the original, and Chu Lian knew that if this continued, either Momonga would force Albedo to accept it, or Albedo would keep refusing.
If she spoke now, she could nudge the plot back toward where it should be. And more importantly, if Albedo took the ring, Chu Lian's own position would become safer. Who knew when that lewd vampire loli would show up again and seal her spatial abilities? Having Ayase intervene every time wasn't a solution. With Albedo added in, it was another layer of insurance.
Hearing Chu Lian persuade her, Albedo made her decision. She could ignore the earlier reasoning, but the final words—"and you'll be able to find me at any time"—lodged themselves firmly in her heart. With this ring, she wouldn't need to worry about that seven-gilled lamprey sneaking up on Deloris again.
"Yes. It will also make things more convenient for you when you handle matters." Albedo's refusal had left Momonga in an awkward spot, but Chu Lian's words gave him the perfect step down. As expected of his little sister—her heart really was on his side.
Of course, he also hadn't forgotten that before being transported here, he had modified Albedo's settings in the game. It seemed the two of them got along very well.
"Oh? Little Lian'er, you couldn't hold back so soon and you're already making a move on her? Once she has that ring, she'll be able to come and go through most of Nazarick freely. Watch out—don't let her eat you up. Otherwise, your big sister here will get jealous."
Ayase's voice sounded in Chu Lian's mind. The moment Chu Lian heard it, she could picture Ayase speaking with a dangerous smile. Her heart sank bitterly. Seriously, I don't mean that at all. Why would you think in that direction?
And at this moment, having thought it through, Albedo took the ring from Momonga's hand, then placed it on the ring finger of her right hand. She said gratefully, "I am deeply grateful."
"Be loyal to the utmost." Momonga no longer wanted to stay here. After saying that to Albedo, he turned to Demiurge and said, "Demiurge, we'll talk later."
"Yes. In order to be worthy of this great ring bestowed by my lord, I will certainly exhaust every effort." Demiurge lowered himself slightly in response.
"Then everything is done. While I still won't get scolded, I should go back." After saying that, Momonga disappeared from atop the wall, leaving behind only Demiurge, Chu Lian, and Albedo.