"I apologise for my ignorance Hyortr. But what do you mean by Lord Ainz not wanting an Invasion?" Demiurge asked, taken aback by Hyortr's statement.
By Demiurge's speculation, he assumed that Ainz wanted them, the guardians, to conquer the world for him. Does he not?
He glanced at the back of Hyortr, suddenly feeling as if this person possessed a wisdom he far underestimated.
"It is not that he doesn't want to. It is simply the question of by which principle he wants us to embody that goal. Lord Ainz has already understood that going back to Yggdrasil is impossible and he sees the new world as a learning ground for both him and us." Hyortr said as he turned to Demiurge.
"A learning ground?" Another completely new concept. Demiurge was feeling inadequate with his intellectual capacity not being able to comprehend Hyortr's intention. And it... somehow excited him.
For him, guessing, calculating and predicting every move, action and words of anyone was as easy as breathing for him. Even Albedo, was not exempted from his intelligence except for a few occasions.
Yes, there was only one or perhaps 41 other whom he couldn't even fathom their ways. Now, he had found another, a fellow guardian infact, whose visions he found to be broader and more intricate then even him.
"Lord Ainz wants us to grow, to learn and become more useful for him. He sees us as children of his dear Friends, and in turn, of his own. Just like a father has expectations for his child to learn and become greater than before, Lord Ainz wants us to improve."
Hyortr explained.
"But, aren't we perfect as we are? After all we were created by the Supreme Beings themselves." Demiurge countered, finding a flaw in Hyortr's explanation.
"That was in Yggdrasil, here even though they are not here they would have wanted us to improve too. In Yggdrasil, we were perfect yes, but here we might be lacking certain aspects, knowledge and wisdom that wasn't needed in Yggdrasil." Hyortr spoke.
"Knowledge is never complete, it is only eternally learned and the Abyss, it's origin."
Hyortr recited one of his quotes he used when he was just an NPC.
"Indeed" momentarily silent Demiurge nodded "Oooh! I see! Even if a day has passed, Lord Ainz has thought so much! I must re-evaluate my plans, it seems I am far behind his visions." Demiurge muttered to himself as an Epiphany struck him.
"I thank you Hyortr for expanding my perception, truly you are the only Guardian closest to the Supreme Beings. Your intelligence and Wisdom is second only to them." Demiurge praised. He was well aware of Hyortr's lore, a very old being who came into existence along with his Creator after the Abyss was born.
"It was nothing. But I take it that you will want to hear more?" Hyortr asked.
"I am ashamed to admit my lack of his plans. So please, Hyortr." Demiurge requested as he gave a small nod.
"Then, as I said, Lord Ainz is not interested in directly conquering the world. I believe, he is more interested in the political and social side of World Domination. Conquering by force would indeed be easily achievable but he is also aware that doing so might leave the new subjects with resentment and fear rather than admiration and worship for his greatness." Hyortr explained.
"He wants the subjects to accept Him and Nazarick as their own. For now, if we announce our presence, they will see us as alien beings, not related to their world."
"I see, in short, Lord Ainz wants to passively take over the world while we expend lesser resources and use more of our intellect." Demiurge surmised.
"It could be taken as such, yes. But I think he will use force where necessary."
"Then, do you have any suggestions? As to how we may assist him?" Demiurge asked.
The plans he had made so far didn't take all these into account so he wondered if Hyortr might have come up with some.
"Infact I do, I want to weave a history that connects our world with their's, but for this I will need to do some more research and investigations into their culture and religions." Hyortr partially lied.
He already knew the New World's history but realistically, Nazarick was transferred here only yesterday so too much knowledge of a seemingly unknown world might not help, well after Nigun was handed to him, he could claim some of these knowledge to be extracted form Nigun.
"I see, that would work. I was also considering a plan. To make up an Alter Ego, Jaldabaoth that would threaten the world while Ainz Ooal Gown comes to its rescue." Demiurge explained.
A classic Hero vs Demon Lord trope, but here both were from the same side, rather the Demon Lord was a subordinate of the Hero and the hero himself is a monstrous being more powerful than the Demon Lord.
'I won't be surprised if there was any work similar to it.' Hyortr mused.
'But this might be fun.'
"Say Demiurge, would you mind me taking a role in it?"
"What role do you suggest?" Demiurge asked, intrigued as to what Hyortr wanted.
---------
A week later.
While Hyortr was idling, well he was playing with an Abyss mage. If playing meant tossing it all around the chamber with Vines.
Surprisingly, if enough damage wasn't dealt to its Passive Shield then it simply regenerates.
Suddenly a Message interrupted his 'fun'.
[Hyortr? Come to the Throne Room Immediately. Further explanation will be given there.] Albedo's voice interpreted through the message spell. Her tone showing urgency and an underlying rage.
"I guess Shalltear 'defected' huh." Hyortr guessed as he didn't remember any significant thing happening in this timeline.
He instantly reached the Teleportation Zone through the Vein Teleportation as he disappeared from the Floor.
---
Walking into the Throne room he saw everyone save for Shalltear present. The air was rather tense as Albedo hid her anger infront of Ainz while he himself seemed to be confused and vigilant.
"Now that everyone has gathered except for Shalltear. Albedo, explain to me why you said She defected. Keep in mind if what you spoke was found to be a ruse then you will be punished seriously." Ainz spoke, a rare seriousness in his tone.
"It wouldn't be necessary My Lord. Look here, I was checking on the status of Nazarick when I saw the Nazarick's tab when we lost contact with her. Her name was highlighted in red, that was the reason I called you." Albedo explained.
'While Deceased Members names will be struck off and greyed, traitors will be redlisted. Shalltear's name is simply highlighted with a light red. What does it mean?' Ainz thought to himself.
"I see, have you found her location?"
"Unfortunately no, I lost track of that traitor a few days ago." Albedo gritted her teeth as she already branded Shalltear as a traitor, to Nazarick, to The Supreme Beings and to her Beloved.
"Hmn.."
'Negredo Might be useful for it. When I find her location, I will take Albedo and Hyortr along to survey the situation.' With preliminary plans made, he immediately began implementing it.
"Demiurge, raise the defence of Nazarick. Albedo, come with me. The rest of you assist Demiurge and secure your own floors." Ainz spoke as he teleported along with Albedo. Leaving the rest to prepare.
★★★★★