"Perhaps you should go first, Demiurge. Your insights are always remarkable."
"Ohhh! You flatter me too much, Ainz-sama! Thank you for your recognition! As your humble servant, I shall strive to fulfill any arrangement you decree." Demiurge bowed deeply, his expression trembling with joy.
"Regarding the Aeons... my opinion is that we need not pay them any mind."
"Only a negligible few in the Celestial Screen can form connections with the Aeons. At present, the only one seems to be that lady resembling a young girl—Herta—who appears closely linked to the Aeon of Erudition... Aside from Stelle, whose strength remains ambiguous, the others are insignificant."
"I see... So you believe the power of the Aeons won't affect the Great Tomb of Nazarick?"
"Affect? Hmm... any such influence would be minimal..." Demiurge hesitated briefly before continuing.
"The effects of the Aeon of Remembrance on us are exceedingly weak, and the same applies to Nanook the Destruction. Moreover, they cannot inflict physical harm upon us... In short, it's not difficult to conclude that as long as we continue producing high-tier scrolls to shield against mental interference, the Aeons pose almost no threat to us."
"Mm, excellent... Are the materials required for those high-tier scrolls still sufficient?"
"The core material is the skin of adult males—but such resources are plentiful. The Holy Kingdom is teeming with suitable candidates, so Ainz-sama need not worry." When speaking of his expertise and interests, Demiurge's tone became unusually light and cheerful.
In Cocytus's memory, Demiurge was usually a good-natured and rather gentle person—but only toward the creations of the Supreme Beings. Beyond that, his cruelty and cold-bloodedness were bone-chilling.
"Do not overindulge in slaughter. The kingdom still requires labor."
"Rest assured, Ainz-sama. With healing magic, we can immediately reharvest the skin, so there's no need to kill the captured men. They can be reused indefinitely. Of course, this is all thanks to the excellent torture mages."
"Mm, magic truly is magnificent... Very well, I shall leave this matter in your hands."
"Next is Cocytus."
Finally, it was his turn.
"This time, I'd like to hear your thoughts as well."
"Yes... Ainz-sama. However, I..." Cocytus lowered his head so deeply that he could only see the ground—the only posture he could think of to show reverence when in his master's presence. He lacked the courage to raise his head and meet his master's gaze, for when his eyes had briefly met Nanook the Destruction's, a fleeting sense of fear had surged within him.
As a warrior created by the Supreme Beings, he felt immense shame over that momentary, transient fear.
Moreover, he did not possess Demiurge's sharp intellect to devise suitable countermeasures. As for his views on the Aeons... no matter how hard he racked his brain, he could not formulate anything.
Seeing Cocytus's slight trembling, Ainz had already sensed something.
"You have no opinion?"
"...Yes, Ainz-sama. I sincerely apologize. My understanding of the Aeons is far too shallow. Please grant me—"
Cocytus's apology was cut off by the sharp sound of a staff striking the floor, followed immediately by Albedo's icy voice reverberating through the Throne Room.
"Every one of us... carries out the commands of the Supreme Beings with utmost gratitude. Cocytus, how dare you defy Ainz-sama's order?"
"I—"
Cocytus's defense was interrupted by Ainz's calm voice. His master looked down upon him, his tone devoid of much emotion.
Yet the flickering light in his hollow eye sockets seemed to take on a slightly more vivid crimson hue.
"Raise your head, Cocytus. If you have something to say, speak boldly."
"I..." Cocytus swallowed a mouthful of venom before finally mustering his courage to lift his head. "Judging from the Astral Express crew's attitude, they traverse many worlds. I believe these worlds must harbor more advanced technologies. In this subordinate's humble opinion, if we could one day witness them, then perhaps..."
Ainz seemed to have guessed his thoughts and, finding it amusing, remarked, "Are you suggesting we learn from them? Cocytus, that word sounds unfamiliar coming from you."
"Ainz-sama, I—"
"—How audacious!"
Before Cocytus could continue, Albedo once again rebuked him.
Her deafening voice carried the authority of the Guardian Overseer, her fury causing her black wings to tremble slightly as her expression twisted into something monstrous.
"Are you implying that other worlds possess wisdom surpassing that of the Supreme Beings? Or perhaps... Cocytus, have you forsaken the honor and dignity of a Guardian, instead choosing to flatter those figures in the Celestial Screen?"
This was no light accusation.
Cocytus realized his blunder—the sweat that seeped from his body instantly froze into tiny beads of ice.
Yet this wrath, too, was swiftly silenced by the sharp clack of a staff against the floor.
"Albedo, quiet. It is I who am questioning Cocytus. Do not overstep."
"M-my deepest apologies! Please forgive me..." Albedo bowed her head and retreated into the shadows behind Ainz.
His master's gaze returned, piercing straight at Cocytus.
"More advanced technologies, you say? I have considered this as well... Indeed, it is a point worth noting." Ainz's voice carried a note of approval. "You phrased it quite well, Cocytus."
"If one seeks to learn, maintaining a condescending attitude will not do."
Ainz's flickering crimson eyes swept across all the Guardians before he swiftly reached a decision.
"I shall entrust this matter to you, Cocytus... and Sebas as well. The two of you will handle this together."
——
[Stelle looked at Himeko in confusion: "Don't those people know how to save themselves?"]
[Welt shook his head calmly: "From our current vantage point, observing this planet from afar creates the illusion of omniscience. But once you set foot on that land, you'll realize just how small and helpless you truly are."]
[Himeko: "For this trailblazing journey, I want to entrust it to you, March 7th, and Dan Heng. The objective is clear—locate the [Stellaron] that brought calamity to this world and caused spatial distortions, then bring it back to the Express. We'll handle the rest."]
[Suddenly entrusted with such an important mission, Stelle instinctively rubbed her head: "I suddenly feel a bit sleepy..."]
[March, standing beside her, nudged her lightly with an elbow: "Don't back out before we even start!"]
[Himeko smiled gently: "Someone has to stay behind on the Express, or Pom-Pom will get lonely. Besides, we just caught Nanook's gaze—if the Antimatter Legion targets us again, it'll be troublesome."]
["You can discuss with Dan Heng later. He's probably already compiling ecological data and observations about Jarilo-VI. Before setting out, it never hurts to gather more intel."]