Nyx's room was simply furnished, with a closet for her clothes, a desk where she worked, and a table in the middle.
At this moment, 7 skeletons of different colors and outfits sat around this same table.
They were having a meeting. Something that Nyx had called for, intending for them to discuss the problems of Nazarick while taking each other's opinions into consideration.
While something like this might slow the decision process in most situations, it wasn't a problem here.
The 7 of them operated in great harmony, never coming to odds with one another.
Eris: Shalltear has been capturing quite a few prisoners in the last few days. I think we will soon reach a thousand humans total, so are the accommodations ready? If they continue to stay on the second floor, I think most of them will die in a few days.
Thalia: I can provide for that, but I need to know where they'll be staying before that. Does anyone want to claim them?
Nethys: Are there any capable warriors among them? I would like the ones who know some martial arts.
Eris: Hum… I think about 50 of them would barely qualify, but one among them seems exceptional. A blue-haired man named Brain Unglauss. He seems to be around the level of strength of Gazef Stronoff, but he is younger and seems to have a talent that complements martial arts.
Nethys: Good. Send them to me after you finish extracting information.
Hela: Is Demiurge helping with the interrogations?
Nethys: Neuronist says that he appears from time to time, grabbing some of the prisoners to run experiments.
Mystra: I know about it. He's been helping me run some tests for how spells work in this world.
Hela: Ha! So that's where he went. That cunning bastard constantly slips out of the floor to have some fun, leaving all the work for me.
Eris: Sister, you shouldn't talk about him like this. At least he is doing something for Nazarick. Shalltear, on the other hand… Sigh…
Nyx: Let's focus a bit. Mystra, have you learned anything meaningful from those experiments?
Mystra: Yes. There's a loophole in healing magic that will allow us to have an infinite amount of meat. Normally, when someone is healed after a dismemberment, the lost limb will vanish as soon as the person regrows it with healing, but Demiurge learned that if we sufficiently alter the missing limb before applying healing magic, it will no longer vanish after the spell, so by repeating the process we can quickly stock a great amount of meat. We'll need a place to store it, though.
Thalia: Leave it to me. I'll make enough storage on the 5th floor to stock at least 5 years' worth of rations. Is that a problem, Nethys?
Nethys: It's fine, but make sure to create a few towers to store the bodies for Ainz-sama.
Thalia: No problem. Oh yeah, didn't Kyouhukou ask for some meat for his familiars? I remember Ainz-sama talking about it in passing.
Artemis: Aura-sama captured a few trolls while exploring the forest, and she sent- or rather, made Mare-sama send one of them to Kyouhukou, where the troll's regeneration proved to be a very useful ability.
Eris: Yes. Every time he sees me, he asks me to tell Aura he's grateful.
Artemis: Fufufu. I'll be sure to relay the message, although Aura-sama doesn't seem very fond of him, or rather, his residence.
Nyx: Despite her power, in the end she is still a child, and it's completely normal for her to be scared of that place, since the Supreme Beings designed it with this in mind. Although it's a bit unfair for poor Kyouhuko. Speaking of which, how's Cocytus?
Nethys: He relayed Ainz-sama's message to the lizardmen and toadmen. The battles should begin in a week's time, although there's a good chance the tribes might unite under this threat, and if so, the odds of him succeeding will drop sharply.
Nyx: But that's within Ainz-sama's expectations, so the only concern is Cocytus' reaction to losing. Given his strict personality and straightforward way of thinking, he might not take a loss well.
Nethys: I don't think that will be a problem. Despite his power, Cocytus doesn't have an ego problem, and in my opinion he would take a loss very well. The problem is that he is too dumb to understand that Ainz-sama is trying to train him, and is likely to think that he disgraced our master by losing.
Eris: Ha, as if Ainz-sama would care about that. The others still didn't understand that Ainz-sama cares more about us than himself.
Everyone around the table nodded in agreement.
As his creations, the seven of them understood him way better than the other NPCs, even their older brother, so they could easily see the amount of care he gave to everyone in the tomb.
Nyx: Well, since we're all on the same page, let's all give our reports in order. Starting with Eris.
Eris: As I said before, Shalltear has captured plenty of new prisoners. The older ones have been subjected to a few sessions, and I think it will only be a few days before I can start reprogramming their personalities. Does anyone need anything specific?
Mystra: Please take a few divine casters and mess with their beliefs. For some, make them lose faith in their god, and for another group, make them change their faith to worship Ainz-sama. I want to test how divine power works in this world.
Eris: Consider it done, sister. Anything else?
Artemis: Please make some of them be in love with each other before sending them to me. I'm running some reproduction experiments using some ideas given by Ainz-sama.
Hela: Oh? That seems interesting. Tell me more.
Artemis: Ainz-sama showed me a technique called IVF. If done correctly, it should allow for the fertilization process to be done in a lab. After the fertilization is completed, it should be possible to implant it in any woman, who'll then get pregnant and have a child. In such a way, it's possible to have many children from the same parents by using surrogate mothers. For this, Ainz-sama allowed me to use Tabula Smaradigna-sama's laboratory, but I need some willing test subjects so things go more smoothly.
Eris: That's so interesting, sister! I'll send them to you pretty soon. If no one else has any needs, you can start, Nethys.
Nethys: After following my training plan for the last few days, the prisoners showed, on average, an improvement of 8% in their physical capabilities.
The weaker knights showed the best improvement, with some clearly showing signs of a level up.
The magic casters of the Sunlight Scripture, on the other hand, showed lower improvement, and a level up might still take a few days.
Given their higher level, this might indicate that the higher the level, the harder it is to level up, or that their potential as warriors is lower than the others'.
To answer that, I'll need to run more tests.
My report is done.
Artemis: As said before, Aura-sama is exploring the forest, and while doing that she discovered that 3 creatures rule it. A troll, a Naga, and a mysterious beast that she couldn't identify. The trolls she captured were ones that attacked her while she was resting.
From them she learned about the factions in the forest, and then went to survey their territories.
Nethys: Are they strong?
Artemis: Maybe for this world, but Aura-sama said that she thinks the leaders are at most level 35, and in her words, that was her being generous.
Despite that, they seem somewhat aware of Nazarick's location because of the disturbances our presence created in the environment.
The troll and the Naga are in the process of forming an alliance to march upon us.
We are waiting for Ainz-sama's decision to determine how we should proceed.
Nyx: Good. I'll send some Death Assassins to keep tabs on these tribes, instructing them to kill anyone who proves capable of exposing Nazarick's location. Anything else?
Artemis: Aura-sama also found a giant tree, about 100 meters tall, that possesses some intelligence in the forest.
From her assessment, its power is around level 85. Ainz-sama identified it as a monster from Yggdrasil and activated Gargantua-sama, making it uproot the tree before transporting it to the 4th floor, where it stays.
After some tests, we found that the tree's bark is harder than Adamantite, so we've been working on a method to harvest it without killing the tree.
Thalia: After we finish this meeting, I'll go with you to take the tree's measurements and develop new restraints and harvesting tools before sending them to the Chief Blacksmith to forge.
Artemis: That would be wonderful, sister.
Continuing my report. Mare-sama confirmed that druidic magic can quicken crop growth and replenish soil nutrients, but since we don't have many druids available, doing so without pause might be too difficult.
Thalia: Why don't you use skeletons to farm, and only use druidic magic for the soil? I'm using a few elder liches Ainz-sama gave me to summon skeletons, and they have been very helpful in my projects.
Artemis: Hum… that might work, but to do so on a large scale, I still need Ainz-sama to decide where the farming lands should stay. I'll talk with Ainz-sama later. You can speak now, Hela.
Hela: Following Ainz-sama's order, I sent a few shadow demons to the capital of the Kingdom to investigate Marquis Blumrush to see if it's possible to locate Ninya's sister and mother.
Nyx: And what did you find?
Hela: Not much pertaining to their location. After comparing the information Ninya gave with the documents, it seems to me that the Marquis first sold the mother, and a year later, the sister, to an organization called 8 Fingers.
From my findings, this is a big criminal organization with many bases, so finding them should require a field agent. The shadow demons are simply too limited for that.
Nyx: Hum… the agent needs to be someone who can pass for a human, is powerful enough to guarantee their safety, and is level-headed enough to interact with humans without killing them. I can think of only two people who fit these criteria, but since Aureole Omega can't leave Nazarick for now, it has to be Sebas.
Eris: Given his nature, a rescue mission should suit him well, but he is also prone to acting on his own when it comes to helping others, so it's important to give him clear guidelines on what he should and shouldn't do before sending him. Also send someone to keep an eye on him, either Narberal Gamma or Solution Epsilon, although I favor the latter, since Narberal has a hard time restraining her mouth.
Nyx: I agree, but since this mission was entrusted to you, you should decide the details, Hela. Do you have anything else to report?
Hela: In his study, Marquis Blumrush kept blackmail material on many other nobles. If they are to be trusted, the situation of the Re-Estize Kingdom is even worse than we imagined. If you allow me, I can push the Kingdom into a civil war in less than a month.
Nyx: Rejected. You know Ainz-sama doesn't want unnecessary destruction. Go and revise your plan before our next meeting.
Hela: Fine. I only made this one for fun anyway. Besides that, as we expected, the Royal Faction will be sending Blue Rose to investigate Carne Village, while the Noble Faction will send the third son of a Baron, someone named Philip.
Nethys: Are they looking down on Ainz-sama? To send someone like that as their representative, do they even want Ainz-sama to consider talking with them?
Hela: I can't say that's not the case, but to me it seems more likely that they are sending someone who can be easily discarded if things go wrong.
Eris: They probably consider that even someone who is barely a noble is still of a higher status than a perceived commoner like Ainz-sama.
Nethys: A bunch of idiots, that's what they are.
Hela: To that I agree. Meanwhile, I expect the Baharuth Empire to use a similar approach, probably sending disposable pawns, likely groups of workers, or a fallen noble.
Nyx: Did you get any information about other countries?
Hela: Just a few snippets.
The Roble Holy Kingdom is a nation focused on Paladins and Priests that is constantly at war with the demi-human tribes that live on the Abellion Hills. The only reason the country can function is the great wall that runs through its entire territory, separating the humans from the demi-humans.
There's also the Dragon Kingdom, a crumbling human nation that is constantly asking for help to fend off the neighboring Beastman country.
Nyx: I see. And what are your plans for conquering them?
Hela: The Dragon Kingdom should be the easiest to conquer. By saving the country, we can easily justify taking it as a vassal under the guise of protection. For this, keeping the Beastmen country as it is should be enough.
As for the Holy Kingdom… I think we should first unite the demi-human tribes and use them to manufacture a situation that would require someone like Ainz-sama to intervene.
By doing so, we can undermine its authority while elevating Ainz-sama's status among the common people. Then, by repeating this process a few times, it shouldn't be difficult to orchestrate a revolution from the ground up by secretly supporting the rebels.
At the right moment, Ainz-sama can appear and openly support the people, easily becoming their leader.
Nyx: Do you have anyone in mind for this mission?
Hela: Not yet, but considering that Ainz-sama will later intervene, it can't be anyone who can be traced to him.
Nethys: Ainz-sama also says we shouldn't expose too much of Nazarick's power, so we should send someone who is just strong enough to unite the tribes and pressure the Holy Kingdom, and who would fit with the demi-humans.
Mystra: Undead are out of consideration, since Ainz-sama can control them; and, with the exception of the Head Chef, none of the creations of the Supreme Beings are demi-humans, so we need to use a vassal.
Artemis: What about one of the Dragon-kins on the 6th floor? They are level 55, which should be enough for what it needs to do, and they can be seen as a higher species of Lizardmen, so it shouldn't look out of place among demi-humans. We have more than a hundred of them, so it won't be a problem even if it dies on the mission.
Nyx: I think it's acceptable. We can use it, and then make it submit to Ainz-sama publicly. After that, ruling the tribes through it might be the best option.
Eris: We can also make an acceptable backstory for the Dragon-kin, maybe saying that it's the child of a dragon and a lizardman. People of this world consider dragons to be the strongest creatures around, so by doing this we can justify why it's so strong, in case any players come to find this situation suspicious.
Hela: Then my part is over. What about you, Thalia?
Thalia: Me? Nothing much. Thanks to Ainz-sama's continued supply of craftsmen and liches, all my projects are on schedule. Once I'm finished with Carne Village, it should be capable of becoming a town or even a city down the line without a problem.
The training tower on the 5th floor should be done by next week, and so will the requested food storage.
The fake Nazarick should take a little more time, since replicating even a sliver of Nazarick's majesty takes more effort. What about you, Mystra?
Mystra: I'm working with Titus to reverse-engineer the technique used by the people in this world to make scrolls.
Besides that, I had no luck with teaching magic to the prisoners so far, which I fear has to do with their low aptitude.
Eris: I'll try to filter some promising humans among the new batch. Maybe a few of them will satisfy your needs.
Mystra: Thanks, but I'll keep my expectations low.
From Ainz-sama's findings, we can confirm that most of this world's spells are copies of spells from Yggdrasil, but the people of this world have shown they can develop new spells, as shown by the magic scrolls Ainz-sama gave us.
Once I have enough magic casters from this world, I will run some experiments on crafting new spells that can benefit Nazarick.
Nyx: Anything else? Mystra? Everyone?
Seeing her sisters shake their heads, Nyx smiled.
Nyx: What I have to report has nothing to do with the operations of Nazarick, but something more personal…
Feeling everyone's gaze, Nyx trembled with excitement.
Nyx: Ainz-sama has accepted me as his lover.
Silence fell upon the table.
But it only lasted a few seconds.
Thalia: What?
Eris/Artemis: Congratulations, sister!
Hela: How did you do that?
The reactions varied, but she could see that everyone was stunned.
Nyx: After one of his nights with Albedo, I went to report to him, and he took the initiative to explain some things to me.
Shalltear should soon earn her spot at his side.
Eris: That's true. She made a vow with Ainz-sama, so if she succeeds in her mission while holding back her urges, Ainz-sama will take her in.
Nyx: Exactly. But he told me about his difficulties with relationships, saying he didn't know much about them, but he was willing to try if I wanted to.
Hela: Damn, I'm jealous.
Thalia: Me too.
Eris: I mean, who isn't? But I should still congratulate you for that, sister.
Nyx: Thank you, Eris, but I don't think any of you need to be jealous.
From the way Ainz-sama spoke, I think he is willing to take all of us, as long as that is what we want.
Eris: Seriously? Then the next time I see him, I'll ask for a spot.
Artemis: Uh, how embarrassing. I wonder how I can bring it up.
Eris: Wahahaha, don't worry, sister; when it comes to these things, no one can beat me.
Knock!
Upon hearing the sound, they all went silent.
Nyx: You can come in.
The door opened, and Demiurge walked in.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your meeting, ladies, but Ainz-sama is requesting Mystra's presence."