Volume 4 The Lizardmen Heroes
Prologue
"Welcome back, Ainz-sama."
Returning to his own room after half a month, Albedos next words drained all the strength from his body.
"Would you like to have something to eat? Would you like to have a bath? Or would you like to have me?"
For a moment, Ainz thought he could see multiple heart shapes fluttering behind Albedos body
"...What are you doing"
"Im playing newlyweds, Ainz-sama. I heard that there is no better way of welcoming back a husband who went out on a work trip with the family pet. How was it?"
He finally understood why no one welcomed him back at the surface this time. This man who had never dated before, let alone married, was just about to calmly reply "I don't know", but immediately swallowed those words. His pride as a man did not allow him to show weakness. Besides, how was one supposed to answer a question like How was it??
Although he had no self-confidence... why not reply with a knowing attitude for a guaranteed flawless response.
"It was very charming, Albedo."
"Thats wonderful!"" Albedos smile showed how delighted she was.
Being assaulted by Albedos bewitching smile, Ainz sat down slowly and prepared to deal with business.
He felt like there was a snake slowly crawling up his back.
It was probably due to the animalistic desire flashing in Albedo's golden eyes that he felt that way. If he were to jokingly answer "I want you", she would immediately use it as a pretext to descend like a carnivorous beast on him. Somehow, the words "reverse rape" appeared in his mind.
His sexual appetite was effectively non-existent, but the small remaining amount still made itself known at the smell emitted by Albedo. His desire to know what would happen next was spurred on by curiosity and the thought that no harm would be done.
Stop it, you idiot.
It wasnt because of strong self-control that he ignored Albedos feelings, it was more like resignedly telling himself that it would be impossible for a human skeleton.
Before coming to this world, he had jokingly changed Albedo's settings to "be madly in love" with him. Because of that, he felt as if he was taking advantage of her feelings that way and thus he was unable to take even a single step forward to accept her feelings
But I cant do anything about the thing I have lost A purely platonic relationship would not progress smoothly Thats why I am afraid of taking the next step.
These were the thoughts of Ainz, who had never gotten into a relationship with a member of the opposite sex before.
Besides, from a certain point of view, the NPCs his comrades had created were like children. To tarnish that kind of important things would make him feel very awkward.
Im so stupid. This isnt what I should be thinking of.
"Ah!"
Because Albedo suddenly let out her voice, the light in Ainz eye sockets became brighter.
"Wha-What is it!? Albedo! What happened?"
"Forgive me. A newlywed wife definitely has to be wearing the Final battle attire (naked apron) to receive the husband."
Finishing her words, Albedos red face looked down at her skirt, saying:
With your permission, Ill change immediately.
While stealing glances at him, she added with a bashful, yet still discernable voice: ...in front of Ainz-sama."
"....Ah, yes.... um, seriously. haa~~~, Albedo stop joking around, and let us begin the organisational meeting and exchange information."
"Yes, as you command."
Ainz forced himself to place the regretful for reasons unknown Albedos inexplicable effort at the back of his mind and slumped into his chair. He then tossed three leather bags onto the table. Toward Albedo, whod already changed from a newlywed bride back to an outstanding secretary, he said:
First of all, take this currency obtained in Re-Lantier and use it for various experiments.
The three bags all had different sizes, with the largest one bulging enough to be able to stand. Inside of them were the gold, silver and copper coins Ainz had earned as an adventurer.
"As you command, this money will be used for Nazaricks defense systems, as well as experiments on the summoning systems for minions."
"See to it. Furthermore, confirm at once whether or not these can be used for the manufacturing
of magic scrolls and other items."
The gold obtained in the game YGGDRASIL wasn't just used to buy items, it was also used for many other things: to cover the administration fees for a Guilds base-defense systems and the costs for automatically summoning servants of level 30 or higher, as a medium to launch certain spells, to pay the manufacturing costs of items and even as a price for the revival of dead NPCs.
It had already been confirmed there were no problems using YGGDRASIL's gold coins in this world. However, they still needed to find out if this world's currency could also be used to cover their expenses, especially if it was possible to use silver and copper coins since gold coins were the only currency in YGGDRASIL.
It wouldnt be the slightest exaggeration to say that these experiments could affect Nazaricks fate. If the currency obtained in this world could be used in the same way as in YGGDRASIL, then future operation policies would be affected, notably regarding the importance attributed to coins.