Where is Lord Ains?
He's out at the moment.
That's a problem.
I came to get permission for some plans I had against the Theocracy.
I'll continue a different project on the 7th floor until he returns.
If it's urgent, you can send him your concerns through Message.
A truly faithful servant would quickly notify their master of important matters.
It isn't an urgent matter.
And...
And, what?
...I just want to report to Lord Ains directly and receive some praise for my efforts.
So where is Lord Ains now?
The Dwarven Kingdom.
Dwarves?
Why did he personally go to such a remote place?
We cannot fathom the thoughts of a supreme being such as him.
He is an ingenious strategist that has countless plans embedded in
every move he makes on the chessboard.
Even so, a truly faithful servant should be able to
understand their master's plans and be prepared accordingly.
Demiurge, Lord Ains would mention your name occasionally.
I think he may be unsatisfied with some aspects of the plan
you proposed for world domination.
What do you mean, Albedo?!
There's one thing I'd like to confirm first.
Was there a method to make the Empire a vassal state before the Kingdom?
There was, but Lord Ains would need to personally take action.
It's embarrassing for a servant to ask their master to do such a thing
and it would have taken at least a month...
Look at this.
Th-This!
The Empire has officially requested to become a vassal state of the Sorcerer Kingdom.
Wh-Why...?!
I was visiting the Kingdom, so I'm not sure of the details.
This was the result of Lord Ains visiting the Empire on his own.
It was a three-day visit.
Lord Ains has ordered the two of us
to decide what to do with the Empire's request.
Me, too? Why would he ask such an incompetent person as myself?
Because he trusts you.
Lord Ains probably thought that you were being too reserved with your actions.
He moved on his own as a message telling you not to hold yourself back.
At least, that's what I believe.
How can he be so...
Then, the reason Lord Ains went to the Dwarven Kingdom...
Yes.
He must have an immeasurably deep plot in mind, and multiple reasons for doing so.
Do you plan to go to the Dwarven Kingdom yourself, Lord Ains?
Yes.
Then I will prepare our military forces immediately.
No, I want to try creating a friendly relationship with them first.
I want the dwarven rune technology.
I want their high-quality weapons and valuable minerals as well.
So first, I'll try to establish a diplomatic relationship.
Yes.
Aura will be my main bodyguard,
while Shalltear and her family will be our support.
I stopped by this village because
I heard that there was a Lizard Man who knew about the Dwarven Kingdom.
That man is already before you. Zenberu.
Yes.
Zenberu, can you lead us to the Dwarven Kingdom?
Your Majesty, do you really plan to have friendly relationships with them?
Zenberu! How dare you question the words of Lord Ains?!
It's fine, Cocytus.
Forget Zenberu's words today, no matter what he says.
Yes.
Zenberu, I truly mean what I say.
However, there may be conflict depending on how aggressively they respond.
I hope you understand that such things can't be helped?
Of course.
It's just that I was helped by the dwarves before.
I don't want to return kindness with malice, that's all.
Yes, I understand.
Will you take us to them, then?
Sure thing!
Cocytus!
I want to know as much as I can about the dwarves before I meet them.
I'd like to know about their daily life and what kind of gifts they might like.
Lord Ains.
Hm?
Please sit and rest on something if you plan to have a lengthy conversation.
Yes.
What is the meaning of this?
I have heard that you sat on Shalltear like this in the past.
Well, that was a way to punish her.
Well, one of the Lizard Men I control was very rude to you!
I told you to forget about it.
But...
Fine, forget it!
Th-This is...
How does it feel, Lord Ains?
It's quite comfortable.
Which seat do you like better? Shalltear or myself?
Wh-Why do you want to know something like that?
I wanted to train myself well for the one who will ride me in the future!
Huh?
Takemikazuchi-san!
Looks like everything on the list is here.
We are fully prepared!
We haven't even left yet. Aren't you a little too excited?
I can't let my guard down for even a moment...
I have to make up for my previous mistake.
This is my chance to let everyone know
that Shalltear Bloodfallen is useful!
It's finally here!
It's been a long time. A really long time!
I've only been given really simple jobs, like managing teleportation gates!
Demiurge and Albedo probably think of me as an incompetent child...
I'm sure Lord Ains does, as well!
Aura, I'd like you to come with me to the Dwarven Kingdom as my bodyguard.
Understood!
I will also take Shalltear along with us.
Shalltear? Are you planning on annihilating the Dwarven Kingdom?
No.
It's true that I chose her partially because of her strength,
but my true goal lies elsewhere.
Huh?
Shalltear was created as the most powerful floor guardian of Nazarick.
But being labeled as the strongest can be detrimental to one's growth.
I want her to experience more things and continue to grow.
She might make some mistakes,
but the people around her can support her through it all.
Lord Ains would never think that way.
He told me he wanted you to come so you could
gain more experience and broaden your horizons.
Is that true?
Totally! Since you're lucky enough to be out here with Lord Ains,
shouldn't you learn everything you can from him?
Learn?
I see. But what should I do?
Shalltear.
You're not getting it...
They really remind me of Bukubuku Chagama-san and Peroroncino-san.
They always bickered, but they were actually really close...
Your Majesty, the preparations are complete.
Yes.
I'm not gonna snatch your kid or anything.
Well, they are rare. If she had a lot of them, I'd totally want one.
Lord Ains, I'm good to go!
Me, as well!
Right! Then, it's time to depart!
Amazing! We got this far in just one day.
Let's stop here for the night.
Huh?
This should be a good area.
Create Fortress!
We'll sleep here for the night.
Rest in your assigned rooms.
Rune technology and an unknown land, huh?
Some places in this world have knowledge from Yggdrasil.
It may have been a player who taught the dwarves rune technology.
It's a little dangerous to enter a place like this,
but I want to create a friendly relationship.
Coming personally shows my sincerity.
And...
Demiurge and Albedo will take care of the problem with the Empire while I'm gone!
Jeez, what was Jircniv thinking
when he suddenly said he wanted to become a vassal state?
Wait, did Demiurge do something behind the scenes?
Well, I'm sure things'll be fine if I leave everything to those two.
Which of the two rooms next to Lord Ains do you want to use?
You should choose first.
You're currently my superior and it doesn't matter which room I have.
Well, that's true. What are you writing?
I'm taking notes.
I wish to remember all the things Lord Ains has said.
Whoa, impressive! Let me see!
I've recorded everything that Lord Ains has said and done.
Uh, you know, it's good that you're keeping a detailed record on the Supreme One, but...
That shouldn't become your main objective, right?
Isn't using that knowledge to get through things on your own the most important thing?
Are the notes you're writing really helping you?
I think so?
That's fine, then.
You should go back, read over your notes,
think about what Lord Ains was thinking at the time,
and think about how you'd incorporate that way of thinking into your own life.
Is that so?
Exactly so!
Jeez.
I don't know why,
but it feels like I've gained a dumb little sister...
Lady Bukubuku Chagama,
please bless Shalltear, who was created by your younger brother Lord Peroroncino!
We're here!
Your Majesty, this is the entrance.
I don't see any of the guards, though.
Hanzo.
Present.
Go in and find out what's going on.
Yes!
Lord Ains, there are no living creatures in the city.
However, we've confirmed the sounds of someone mining deep within the tunnels.
Hello! What're you doing?
Invisibility?
A-Are you a dark elf? Why're you in a place like this?
Huh?
We were looking for the Dwarven Kingdom, but there was nobody here.
I was looking for people.
I-I see.
The people of Feo Raidho moved to a different city three years ago.
I see. So, uh, can you show yourself already?
Sure thing.
Looks like you can still see me, anyways.
Then, let me start over.
Hello, I'm Aura Bella Fiora from the Sorcerer Kingdom Ains Ooal Gown.
Sorcerer Kingdom?
Sorry, don't really know where that is...
Oops, I'm being rude.
I'm Gondo Firebeard from the Dwarven Kingdom.
Nice to meetcha.
Nice to meet you, too.
So, where did all the people here go?
They all moved to a city called Feo Jera. It's about six days north from here.
Aren't you still a kid?
Did you come here by yourself?
It'd be rude to barge in with a big group,
so the others are waiting near the entrance.
Then, I'll send you back to your friends.
I have to tell 'em that sending a kid into a place full of monsters
isn't something an adult should do.
A wise man.
Gondo, please allow me to introduce...
A m-monster!
R-Run!
Calm down, Gondo.
So an undead is...
No, sorry about that.
So, Your Majesty is ruling over a kingdom of humans?
That's right.
I've come in hopes of creating a friendly relationship with the Dwarf Kingdom.
I want to foster a relationship with your kingdom due to my interest in rune technology.
Runes?
What do you want to know?
Your runes caught my interest because they look a little different from the ones I know.
You also know about runes, Your Majesty?!
Yes, if I remember correctly...
Hoh! That's, Lagu, one of the mid-tier runes.
Do you know others?
I'm interested in magical weapons carved with runes.
Do you still make them?
I heard that rune weapons stopped appearing in the Empire,
er, the kingdom of humans, about a hundred years ago.
Of course they did.
There aren't many runesmiths left who can carve them.
It's a long story. Let's talk while we walk.
I come from a famous rune smithing family.
I see...
In the past, all the dwarven magic items were made with runes.
But two hundred years ago, a magic caster found a way to enchant items with magic.
It takes a lot less time to enchant
something with a similar effect than it does to carve magic runes.
Because of that, a lot of dwarves started thinking that it would be better to
become magic casters than runesmiths.
So the traditional craft began to die out...
But runecrafting has some good points, too! Mainly, it's cheap!
That's wonderful to hear.
It takes a lot of expensive ingredients to create a high-quality magic item.
Right?
If we revive runecrafting and create something that only runes could make,
the result would be invaluable!
I see.
That's why you continue calling yourself a runesmith.
But...
I don't have what it takes in runecrafting.
I didn't inherit the talent of my highly skilled father.
Even so, I still believe in the enormous potential of runecrafting!
Everyone's given up and spends their days completely sloshed,
but I believe in the skills of our ancestors!
We've currently hit a lot of hurdles, but our goal isn't impossible!
Most importantly, I want to continue passing down this craft to my children.
I won't let my father's great name fade away into history!
His great name, huh?
I understand how you feel...
Then allow me... No, allow the Sorcerer Kingdom to support you.
Huh?!
We'll need money and runesmiths.
I'll gather all the runesmiths from the Dwarven Kingdom to work with you.
What?!
That's the minimum you'll need to realize your research.
But I will need to be compensated for my efforts.
Gondo, are you prepared to sell your soul to me?
If my soul alone is enough to satisfy you,
I don't mind giving myself to you completely.
What's all this?!
Lord Ains, I apologize for reporting immediately after your return.
What happened?
We've sighted roughly a hundred demi-human intruders.
We have a few Hanzo monitoring them.
Yes. Excellent job, Shalltear.
Your decision to monitor them is excellent.
Could those creatures be Quagoa?
Quagoa?
They're the reason we abandoned this city.
It might be because Quagoa eat metals from an early age,
but the fur all over their body is tougher than metal armor.
The rarer the metal that they eat, the stronger they are.
Ones with colored fur, like blue or red, are particularly strong.
I see.
Shalltear, I want you to capture all the Quagoa.
Can you do it?
If you order it, it shall be done.
This is an order.
Do you know why I want you to capture all of them?
You want to gain information about them while preventing our information from being leaked.
That's right.
Go, Shalltear. Bring me back good news!
Yes!
I'll definitely redeem myself today!
Now, what should I do?
That building seems to be connected to a tunnel...
Hanzo.
Yes!
I don't want them to escape through the tunnels.
Can we stop them?
Yes.
Then let's move.
An enemy attack?!
No, it's not the dwarves!
Calm down! There aren't many of them!
Get in position!
That one seems to be the leader.
Mass Hold Species!
Mass Hold Species! Mass Hold Species!
Tighten the enclosure!
Wh-What's going on?
No damage taken. So I can...
Mass Hold Species!
Are these the last of the Quagoa?
Yes.
Wonderful, Shalltear.
Yes! Thank you very much, Lord Ains!
Then, this is your next order.
Gather information from these creatures.
Understood.
Hmph! We won't talk! For the sake of the honor of our tribe!
Then, let's do this.
Charm Species.
So, what did you want to ask?
We're friends, after all.
But are those guys okay?
Especially that undead over there?
Is he one of your servants?
I'll kill...
That's right.
She is my master.
I see. You're amazing, my friend!
Th-Thank you...
So, why did you come to this city?
We are warriors serving the great Clan Lord Riyuro!
We were planning to destroy the dwarven city to the north...
What did you say?!
We're a special separate troop.
We're supposed to kill any dwarves that try to escape in this direction.
Hey, dwarf!
That fortress you have protecting the bridge is finished!
We've found a route that will bypass the Great Chasm.
The main force should be slaughtering the dwarves any moment now!