Overlord Volume 8 - The Two Leaders

Ainz snorted.
“—Hm? Well, isn’t this strange? I, the one with the cowardly name, am
advancing, while the bravely named Guu-sama is backing off. I wonder why that
is the case?”
Someone replied from behind in a deadpan voice:
“That’s because Ainz-sama’s name is the brave one, and that weird Guu name
belongs to a coward! Isn’t that right, snake?”
“Y-yehh! Ainz Ooal Gown-sama ish the greatest!”
After hearing the sweet little girl’s voice and another voice which was on the
verge of tears, Ainz nodded several times.
“I see, I understand now. Short names are the mark of a coward — the name
of Ainz Ooal Gown belongs to a brave and wonderful person, am I correct?”
“—Why you!”
“Shut up, coward.”
Guu’s anger overcame his fear, and he swung his blade at Ainz as though to
hack him in two. Ainz did not parry or dodge; simply swung back with his staff.
Ainz’s blow did not permit Guu to block with his sword or evade.
The staff shattered part of Guu’s body.
“Abbbahhhhhhhhh!”
Guu’s piteous wailing sparked fear in the hearts of his underlings as they
watched the battle.
“Well, that’s a Troll for you; with their regeneration, they can even come back
to life after being reduced to mincemeat. Still, pain does seem to hurt. That was
the weakest attack you made so far. All you were thinking of was protecting
yourself. You feared being hit by me. It was a coward’s swordsmanship.”
Before Ainz was Guu, whose head was half its normal thickness. A normal
creature would have died long ago, but his head was slowly returning to its
normal shape.
Guu’s restored face was twisted into an especially disgusting shape. It was
etched with terror. He was even more afraid than before; it was the reaction of
one who had been broken by fear.
“You… what, what are you? Why couldn’t I do anything to you?”
Ainz tilted his head, and then slowly spread his arms.
“…I am Death. I am he who brings death to you.”
“You… you lot! Kill him!”
“Good grief… I expected nothing less of a coward, to renege on the terms of

our duel… still, it does suit your name. So I will forgive you.”
Ainz seemed very happy as he said this.
Guu’s minions were scared stiff by this mysterious monster, and so they

remained still. That was because despite their stupidity, they could feel the sheer
power of Ainz, and they had certainly witnessed enough of it. They were
probably wrestling with themselves, unable to decide who was more fearsome.
Nobody dared to move; they simply looked back and forth between Ainz and
Guu.

“Hurry!”
But they still did not move. They could not move.
The same applied to Ainz. There was a delicate balance here, one which rooted
everyone in place. If Ainz made a move, this balance would collapse, and they
would all flee for their lives.
It would be troublesome if they escaped — just the thought of hunting down
and killing each and every one of them felt tiresome.
“In that case, let’s do it this way. Playtime is over.”
Ainz activated one of his abilities, which he had not had the chance to use, and
was too powerful for this world.
[Despair Aura V (Instant Death)].
The surging aura billowed out from Ainz.
The Trolls, Ogres and Guu went limp and collapsed like puppets whose strings
had been cut, slumping to the ground.
The fallen monsters did not move. It was clear that although their bodies were
still warm, the flames of their life had been utterly extinguished.
An old man’s voice rang through the silent cave.
“What… what didst… thou do?”
The Naga was curled up into a ball, doing his best to stay away from Ainz. Ainz
turned around and replied:
“I simply used a skill. Trolls can regenerate, but that does not immunize them
to instant death attacks… honestly, you lot are worthless. I was simply thinking
that rather than slaughtering you all outright, I should see what uses you might
have, but since they refused to bend the knee, I decided to kill them all.”
“This one gladly consents to be your subordinate! It is only natural for the
weak to obey the strong! From now on, this one shall commit his entire strength
to thee!”
Ainz calmly looked down upon the prostrated Naga, and then shrugged

weakly.
“…Eh, whatever, it’s fine. Besides, I came here to talk anyway.”
“How… how fearsome. Thou think’st nothing of this one. Thou regard’st this

one, who has long ruled the western forest, as little more than an animal-shaped
pebble by the roadside.”

“No, I am somewhat more interested in you than that. Didn’t you mention
something about the Dark Elves? Tell me everything.”

“But of course… of course I shall. This one shall gladly tell thee everything this
one knows! Although, ah…” Ainz waved to bid the Naga continued, and he said:
“Wilt thou spare this one’s life after this one tells his tale?”

“That I promise you. If you are loyal to me, if you serve me sincerely, I will
reward you appropriately… but first, a question. Where are your minions? Or are
you like Hamsuke… the beast who ruled the southern forest by herself?”

“No, this one has underlings. However, this one came for the sake of
negotiations, so this one did not bring them along. That was because this one’s
minions cannot make themselves invisible, so once negotiations broke down,
they would have no way to flee.”

“I see. Now, for my next question: do you have any Troll minions?”
“Only one.”
“Excellent. In that case, can I have him take the place of the Giant of the East?
No, that’s too… that might be a little troublesome. Very well. In a few days, I will
bring my subordinates to — no, you will go to the structure that she built. Aura,
release him.”
“Is that really alright?”
“It’s fine. He’s already sworn his loyalty to me. If he betrays me, I’ll simply
think of some other way to use him.”
Aura’s slender hands released the Naga’s neck, leaving hand-shaped bruises
on his flesh.
The Naga was still nervous, but he was much more relieved now. Ainz paid
him no heed, but walked up to Guu’s corpse.
“I wonder what sort of data a Troll Zombie contains.”
Ainz could create undead beings from corpses with a skill. While they were
little more than Zombies or Skeletons, he could make stronger Zombies if the
corpse of the base creature was powerful enough. A more famous example of
those would be Dragon Zombies.
Ainz picked up the greatsword which had fallen to the ground. It was far

longer than Ainz was tall, but thanks to the basic principle of magic arms and
armor, it shrank down to a size which best fit Ainz.

If Ainz tried to swing a sword which he could not equip, he would be forcibly
disarmed, but just picking it up did not pose any problems to him.

“Should I strengthen that village’s fighting power? In that case, perhaps this
magic weapon might be the best choice. Besides, there’s no value in bringing it
back to Nazarick.”

“Ainz Ooal Gown-sama!”
Isn’t he done yet? Ainz tiredly turned to look at the Naga.
“This… this one will never betray thee. Only the fools who have never seen
thy icy gaze that regards all before him as mere ants would dare betray thee.”
“I did not think my eyes were as expressive as that… or is this a skill of yours
too? Even Demiurge, that master of scrutiny, could not tell what I was truly
thinking.”
“It hardly qualifies as a skill, but this one can still sense whether someone is
interested in this one.”
Ainz thought, Perhaps that’s a Naga racial ability.
“Really now… very well, I understand. Stop wasting time and gather your
minions. This is my first order.”
“Yes!”

4

Nazarick Time – 21:07
Demiurge’s elegant form appeared within Ainz’s office. First, he bowed deeply
to the seated Ainz, and then nodded in deference to Mare and Cocytus, who were
waiting within. He spared the maid assigned to this room a glance of
acknowledgment.
Ainz answered with a look, and then spoke to Entoma via [Message].
“Alright, Entoma, tell Lupusregina she has permission to set off. Those three
must be protected no matter the cost.”
“「Understood. I will relay your orders to Lupusregina.」”
Demiurge walked to the center of the room, free of worries. His stylish stride
made Ainz envious.
How shall I describe it, every move he makes overflows with confidence. Is it because
his back is very straight?
Demiurge halted crisply, bringing Ainz back to his senses.
“It is good that you’ve come, Demiurge.”
“Yes! I thank you for summoning me before you, Ainz-sama. Have you
finished speaking with Entoma?”
“Everything is fine. She reported back to me, and discussed the matter with
me. She has passed this test.”
“Wonderful. In addition, I thank you for making time for me, Ainz-sama.”
“Pay it no heed, Demiurge. It is only fitting that I should match myself to the
man who has done the most for Nazarick. In addition, you are not late, so do not
worry… now then, tell me what you think.”

Ainz handed the piece of paper he was holding to Demiurge. Demiurge
received it, and Ainz saw him quickly scan it from top to bottom before asking:

“As you can see, this is a menu, but what do you think of it? The meal is for a
human male and female, and possibly a child.”

“…I think that any human being must consume whatever you deign to provide
for them without complaint, Ainz-sama. However, I feel that is not the answer
you seek, therefore — if there is a child, they might not enjoy foie gras. In
addition… hm, lighter dishes might be more ideal.”

“I see. That certainly bears consideration. I thank you.”
“You honor me with your praise… Ainz-sama, do you intend to invite people
to the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick — into the sanctuary of the
Supreme Beings — as your guests?”
“Indeed. I intend to be hospitable.”
Or rather, it was not so much hospitality as entertaining them. This was a
form of coercion backed by wealth, intended to keep them on good terms with
him.
“Is that wise?”
“Does it matter? Is there a problem?”
“No, none at all. After all, whatever you speak is correct, Ainz-sama.”
In the past, when this had all been in the game world, the Great Underground
Tomb of Nazarick had played host to very few people other than the guild
members. At the very most, they had invited the little sister of the guild member
Yamaiko — whose Player name was Akemi-chan — a few times. However, the
guild did not forbid inviting anyone. It was simply that nobody had thought to
do so.
Which is why my friends ought to have no issue with me inviting Nfirea and the
others. Invaders are different from guests.
Ainz then turned to Demiurge — who was pondering something — and the
other two Guardians who had been waiting in the room before he asked:
“Guardians; are you ready to enter the baths?”
“Forgive me; Mare and I were planning to borrow bathing equipment along
the way.”
“I see. Then, Cocytus — oh, you brought yours along. Then we shall meet in
the baths. Increment, if anyone comes, have them wait for me here.”
“Understood.”
After hearing the maid’s reply, Ainz stood up and left his room. After ordering

the vassals who usually trailed him around to remain where they were, he led
the way to the baths, which were also on the Ninth Floor.

Ainz very much wanted to chat with Cocytus as they walked side by side, but
Cocytus was a very serious person and would never do such a thing. This made
Ainz feel a little lonely. Cocytus probably had not read his heart, but he
approached Ainz and asked:

“Ainz-sama. There. Seemed. To. Be. Fewer. Eight. Edge. Assassins. In. The.
Room. Just. Now. Did. You. Send. Them. Somewhere?”

Ainz felt a little disappointed when he discovered that it was work-related,
but he also comforted himself by thinking that this was what Cocytus considered
casual conversation, and so he replied to Cocytus. He very nearly let the
excitement creep into his voice, but in the end he decided that it would be better
to keep it a secret.

“They are at the E-Rantel inn. Narberal is waiting there in case we have an
unexpected visitor. They ought to be observing the situation from afar.”

“Is. It. Not. Dangerous. To. Leave. Narberal. Alone. By. Herself?”
“Quite. If anyone plans to attack, they ought to do so now.”
“I. See. So. She. Is. Live. Bait. Then?”
“Indeed. If the person who brainwashed Shalltear is observing our every
movement, this bait will surely have them drooling. After Momon defeated the
mighty Vampire Shalltear — granted, she was known by a different name —
nobody attempted to approach him. That being the case, if Momon is not
around, leaving the magic caster all by herself…”
“They. Will. Take. The. Bait?”
“I don’t know. But if they do, I will be a master baiter.”
Ainz mimed the action of pulling up a fishing pole.
“Will. We. Mobilize. All. Our. Forces. Then?”
“As if. I won’t do that. First, we’ll feel out our opponent. If they’re as strong
as us, or stronger, then we’ll have to be more humble.”
Cocytus groaned. He understood the reasoning behind that decision, so he
had no choice but to bear with it.
“The. Logical. Part. Of. Me. Knows. It. Is. Only. A. Temporary. Thing. But.
Emotionally, I. Find. It. Hard. To. Keep. My. Cool.”
“Bear with it until we’ve checked them out thoroughly and found our
opposition’s weaknesses. Once that happens, I will have them taste the purest
of pain. I will not forgive them for daring to brainwash Shalltear and forcing me

to put her down.”
Even if they were Players, Ainz did not feel the slightest bit of empathy for

them. The only people Ainz cared for were the NPCs or his old friends. If anyone
aroused his ire, he would subject them to a fate worse than death in order to
show them the foolishness of their ways.

“Repay good unto good and evil unto evil. Is that not to be expected?”
Ainz smiled coldly, as a surge of excitement welled up inside him. If the
opposition really were Players, then he could conduct far better experiments.
The first of them would probably be the one he dared not perform with himself
— that of death.
“An. Eye. For. An. Eye. And. A. Tooth. For. A. Tooth. Then?
“Correct. However, did you know? That phrase was originally meant to warn
against excessive retribution, so I did not use it. That’s because I intend to pay
them back with interest.”
Punitto-san said that, Ainz added in his heart.
“Oh! I. Expected. No. Less. Of. You. Ainz-sama! Not. Only. Are. You. A.
Supremely. Skilled. Warrior. But. Your. Intellect. Is. Beyond. Compare. Truly. I.
Am. In. Awe.”
Ainz did not need to look back to feel the wave of respect pressing down on
him from behind.
“Then. Do. You. Plan. To. Spend. The. Entire. Day. In. Nazarick. Ainz-sama?”
“No, after I bathe with everyone, I’ll take care of some work here before going
over there in the middle of the night, because there’s a lot of things which need
to be settled over there as well. How about yourself?”
“I. Plan. To. Temporarily. Return. To. My. Position. Guarding. Nazarick.
Since. The. Matters. Which. Require. My. Personal. Presence. At. The. Lakeside.
Have. All. Been. Concluded.”
“Once you return, the only ones working outside will be Demiurge, who has
many tasks to complete, Sebas and Solution, who are gathering information in
the Royal Capital, Aura, who is building a base in the forest, and then Narberal
and myself.”
“I. Find. It. Hard. To. Accept. The. Fact. That. A. Supreme. Being. Must.
Personally. Handle. Work. We. Should Have. Taken. On—”
“Haha, forgive me, Cocytus.”
“There. Is. No. Need. Ainz-sama. You. Rule. This. Place. And. So. Your. Every.
Word. Is Law. What. I. Just. Said. Was. Mere. Foolishness. In. Addition—”

The mood in the air seemed to have changed, and Ainz found it odd. Looking
back, he saw Cocytus looking somewhat gloomy — although he could not tell
from his face.

“If. We. Were. All. As. Capable. As. Demiurge, You. Would. Not. Need. To.
Exert. Yourself. In. The. End. It. Boils. Down. To. Our. Lack. Of. Ability—”

“That’s not true. When everyone made you, they sought to create the right
person for the job. That being the case, the most important thing for you is to
finish your assigned tasks. Frankly speaking, it doesn’t matter if you can’t do
anything else. Although, the fact that Demiurge is somewhat more intelligent
and more knowledgeable means he can tackle a wider range of problems.”

Cocytus did not seem to be able to accept that, so Ainz continued:
“In that case, you should focus on slowly learning how to handle more things.
For instance — you are now in charge of the Lizardman village, so you should
have learned a lot from it. Ruling that village will surely aid you in the future. As
long as you slowly proceed, step by step, someday you will come to be on par
with Demiurge.”
“Can. I. Really. Do. That?”
“I feel that you can’t say it’s impossible,” Ainz replied in a roundabout
manner.
“Nobody can surpass Demiurge’s intellect. In order to equal him, you must
walk an arduous road. But I believe your efforts will not be wasted.”
The two of them continued silently along the corridor. Soon, Cocytus quietly
said:
“Thank. You, Ainz-sama.”
“I don’t think I’ve said anything which deserves your thanks. Alright, Cocytus,
we’re almost at the bath. Cheer up before Demiurge and Mare come.”
“Yes!”

●

Spa Resort Nazarick was located on the Ninth Floor of Nazarick. It was a
comfortable place of leisure which boasted nine separate outdoor-themed baths
and 17 indoor-themed baths for both men and women. The most impressive of

them was the Cherenkov Bath.[10] Its warm water radiated an actinic blue light,
allowing bathers to enjoy a decadent atmosphere.

Ainz, who had reached the baths in Cocytus’ company, was utterly shocked
when he saw an unexpected someone.

“Ainz-sama! ~♥”
It was Albedo, who seemed to be ending her sentences with hearts today. No,
it was not just Albedo alone. Shalltear was behind her, along with a tired-looking
Aura.
In contrast, Demiurge and Mare were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps they were
waiting for Ainz and Cocytus in the changing room.
“A-Albedo, what are you doing here?’
“Hm? I simply came to bathe with everyone… you too, Ainz-sama?”
“Ah, erm — yes, I did. What a coincidence, Albedo.”
“What a lovely coincidence indeed! … I hear that it’s best to engage in some
light exercise before bathing in order to work up a sweat. Shall I sweat with you,
Ainz-sama?”
A chill ran down Ainz’s spine.
“Well, table tennis is not a bad thing…”
“Aw, I didn’t mean that. Really, you should take a hint…”
She closed in on Ainz with the technique of a level 100 warrior — something
which Ainz, as a magic caster, could not hope to evade — and reached out a
finger to Ainz’s chest, which was covered only in a robe, in the hopes of tracing
letters on it. However, her finger, as soft and delicate as a minnow, instead
slipped into the space between Ainz’s ribs.
“Ah.”
“Ah.”
Both of them made the same sound in unison.
What a stupid scene. Ainz smiled bitterly, intending to address Albedo, and
then his face froze up.
“I put my finger into Ainz-sama’s precious place…”
Albedo’s face was flushed red, her eyes dewy, and an overwhelming fragrance
rolled out from her body. That scent was very similar to the odor he sometimes
smelled on his bed.
“—Oi, I asked before, but has she always been this weird?”

10. Cherenkov radiation gives underwater nuclear reactors their distinctive blue glow.

Ainz tried his best to speak in a normal tone to Aura, who was trying to hold
back a struggling Shalltear.

“…Forgive me, Ainz-sama, a lot of things happened. Erm, please treat this as
stress that she built up after working hard for Nazarick every day. Yes, please
think of it that way.”

“If… if that’s how it is, then it can’t be helped. Er… umu. Albedo, thank you for
your hard work every day.”

Ainz planned to swiftly retreat, but someone grabbed his robe. No, there was
no need to look; he already knew who it was.

“Albedo, what are you doing? Has something driven you to abandon all
restraint?”

“What you said to me just now… it lit a fire in my heart, and it made my belly
twitch. So, Ainz-sama…”

“Er, no, hang on, wait a minute, calm down, Albedo! Co-Cocytus!”
“Understood!”
A gust of chilling air filled the passage. The sudden temperature change
seemed to have brought Albedo to her senses, and the light of reason returned
to her eyes.
“I. Cannot. Sit. Idly. By. As. Someone. Disrespects. Ainz-sama. Even. If. It. Is.
The. Guardian. Overseer. Herself!”
Cocytus cut between Ainz and Albedo. He had his platinum halberd in hand,
a wordless threat that he would gladly act on if Albedo tried anything funny.
“—I apologize, Ainz-sama. I seem to have forgotten myself.”
“I accept your apology, Albedo.”
After hearing his master’s judgment, Cocytus stepped aside. However, he did
not put away his halberd.
“I understand your duties are weighty, and that there are times where you
wish to cast everything aside and relieve your frustrations. In any case, go take
a bath and let go of your stress. Thank you, Cocytus.”
Saying so, Ainz sought to scurry into the male bath, but the footsteps from
behind him made him halt.
“…Albedo, why are you following me? Perhaps you do not know, so I will tell
you, but this is the men’s bath. You should be going to the ladies’ bath.”
“I was hoping to wash your back, Ainz-sama?”
“…Denied. Besides, I’m not bathing alone. The male Guardians will be with
me. Do you wish to appear naked before them?”

Just as Ainz thought, she might actually say it’s okay because she’s a Succubus,
Albedo promptly replied;

“In that case, there are family baths elsewhere—”
“Family baths are not meant to be used that way!”
“But Ainz-sama, I feel it’s unfair how you’re only spoiling the men.”
“That’s right, that’s right,” Shalltear whined as she covered Aura’s mouth.
However, Aura — who had been forcibly dragged along — had dull, blank eyes
that simply hung open. Behind them was Cocytus, who seemed quite unhappy.
We’re just bathing together, what does she mean by spoiling them… the same thing
happened last time; is something wrong with Albedo? Could it be she’s gone a little mad
ever since then?
“Albedo, permit me to say something. I prefer women to men. I am purely
heterosexual.”
Albedo seemed to want to say something, but Ainz raised his hand to interrupt
her.
“It is certainly possible that such a relationship might take place someday.
However, I have not even figured out our place in this world, and so, as the leader
of this organization, it is inappropriate for me to pursue such a relationship with
you all.”
“Uuuu…” Albedo knit her brows.
“Besides… you are all like the daughters of my friends — I am conflicted about
that.”
“I was wondering what was happening at the entrance. It would seem you are
all inconveniencing Ainz-sama.”
“O…Onee-chan… she… she’s dead.”
“I’m not dead,” a weak girl’s voice replied.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for you two.”
“Forgive our tardiness. However… the Guardian Overseer should probably
learn how to rein her emotions in.”
Demiurge’s typically narrowed eyes were cracked open just a little, allowing
the hostility within to seep through. The air around him turned dangerous,
highlighting how scary a typically gentle man could be. Seemingly affected by
this, Cocytus appeared ready to do battle with Albedo.
The smile remained on Albedo’s face. No, it had grown wider.
“—YOU FOOLS!!!”
Ainz could not hold back his anger and shouted at them.

“I forbid you Guardians to quarrel in front of me! You idiots!”
All the Guardians trembled, and fell to their knees in unison.
“Please forgive us, Ainz-sama!”
“…Alright. Get up, all of you.”
After seeing that everyone had risen, Ainz used a gentle tone, like he was
chiding children, to admonish them.
“Do not squabble over such petty matters. That will only disappoint me. Do
you understand?”
As he heard them simultaneously reply that they understood, Ainz let his
anger vanish.
“Alright, let’s go bathe and clear the air. The men will come with me. Also,
Aura, I order you to keep an eye on the ladies. Keep an eye on the two behind
you and do not let them mess around.”
“Understood!”
Aura’s eyes blazed furiously. She probably felt that this was a chance for a
counterattack. Such was the scorching heat rolling out from her that Albedo and
Shalltear were visibly shaken.
Ainz entered the door hung with the “Men” curtain, and deliberately ignored
the racket coming from behind him.
He shed his clothes in the locker room. If he were normally equipped, he
would have to remove many items and it would be very troublesome, but he had
prepared before coming here, and so he shed his clothes swiftly.
After quickly disrobing, he went on into the baths.
Every time I strip off, I always wonder how exactly I can move…
He was a fleshless skeleton, and the fact that he could actually move was a
mystery to Suzuki Satoru. That said, moving skeletons were a common sight in
this world, so all he could do was take it for granted. Even so, he had his doubts
from time to time.
“I’ll be heading in first.”
“Please… please wait for me!”
A naked Mare scampered up behind him.
He might have been a trap, but looking at him like this, he was most certainly
a boy.
His body was that of a child’s, with virtually no muscle mass. The fact that his
body, which felt so soft, could exert so much force was probably due to some
unknown natural law of this world, much like Ainz’s own.

As he gazed upon Mare’s nude body and pondered that question, Ainz chided
him:

“Don’t run around in here. The floor is wet, and it’s dangerous.”
It was impossible for a Guardian to die from falling and hitting their head.
However, after seeing Mare’s child-like body, he could not help but worry for
him.
“Er, yes. I’m very sorry.”
Do you have to apologize for that? Ainz wondered.
“Forgive the delay, Ainz-sama.”
After that, Cocytus and Demiurge showed up.
Demiurge’s body was sheathed in firm, wiry muscle, and he gave off the
impression of being toned. One could not design the body under one’s clothes
when making a character, so perhaps Ulbert had written his physique into his
backstory.
“Cocytus, you look the same as always.”
“Well, he’s typically naked.”
“Could. You. Please. Not. Phrase. It. In. Such. A. Perverted. Way?”
“Forgive me. Cocytus uses an exoskeleton, so his usual appearance can’t be
helped.”
Exoskeletons were a kind of natural weaponry, much like Shalltear’s nails and
teeth. Such equipment gained in hardness and durability as their users leveled
up, as well as increased data crystal capacity.
Their merits were that they did not need to be changed often, and could be
used for long periods. Even if they were destroyed by weapon-sundering attacks
or skills, they could be restored along with their users’ HP through the use of
curative magic. In addition, they would not be dropped upon death, among many
other advantages.
Conversely, they were inferior to the primary gear most Players of an
equivalent level used, be it in terms of hardness, durability and data crystal
capacity. Even at level 100, almost no natural weapons and armor could match
up to a divine-class item. Perhaps one might be able to do so if one possessed
job classes which strengthened such bodily armaments, but even Ainz did not
know if it was possible.
Natural weapons and armor were not very advantageous for Players, but they
were quite useful for NPCs. This was because one did not need to gather a big
stack of armor and weapons for them — in other words, the Player making the

NPC could save himself the trouble of equipping them.
“Thank you, Ainz-sama.”
Cocytus bowed in thanks, but Ainz had not spoken in his defense. Still—
Could it be that everyone uses that to tease him — to make fun of him — to the point

where he has to thank me for stepping in? Should I try to subtly tell the others to lay
off?

Was it like this for teachers with bullies in their classes? He did not know how
Yamaiko-san had handled this sort of thing in the past. As he pondered the topic,
he spoke to the male bathers:

“Alright let’s go in.”
The group entered the baths, led by Ainz.
There were 12 areas in this large bathing facility.
The first was the standard bath area, then the jungle bath (which was the
largest), the ancient Roman thermae (which were very atmospheric), the
pomelo baths (where pomelos floated in the water), the sulfur baths, the jet
baths, the electric baths (which had a mild electric current to numb the skin),
the cold baths (with charcoal floating in them), the Cherenkov baths which
glowed with a mysterious blue light, as well as the open-air (granted, the outside
scenery was all fake) mixed baths.
There were also the sauna and rock bath areas, and finally the rest room.
“So, which would you like to try? Share your views with me.”
“I. Feel. The. Cold. Baths. Are. The. Best. I. Would. Like. Ainz-sama. To.
Experience. The Virtues. Of. The. Cold. Baths.”
Ainz was resistant to cold damage, and even entering the chilly cold baths was
not a hardship for him. However, something felt wrong about suggesting
someone take a cold bath right after entering the bathing area.
“Cocytus-san… we came to bathe, so…”
After hearing Mare speak, Cocytus seemed to have realized that he had made
a mistake somewhere. Just then, someone proceeded to mount a follow-up
attack.
“We came here to bathe, so perhaps you should have recommended a hot bath
to promote circulation… oh, that’s right, I should ask you a question. Can you
bathe in hot water? You won’t look like a cooked lobster, I trust?”
“It’s. Fine. This. Exoskeleton. Of. Mine. Is. Fire. Resistant. Even. If. You.
Consider. It. A. Naked. Body.” Cocytus said proudly.
“Ah… ah, then I think perhaps we should go for a normal bath…”

“Cold. Baths. Are. The. Best. Taking. A. Cold. Bath. While. Clinging. To. A.
Chunk. Of. Ice. Is. Very. Comfortable.”

“I won’t say only you would like that sort of thing, but I doubt many people
would share your tastes…”

“All… alright, it would be quite boring if we went and bathed on our own, so
let’s take turns using them all. We’ll start with the jungle bath — my friends put
a lot of effort into making it.”

After his subordinates replied, “we’re all looking forward to it” — including a
somewhat dejected Cocytus — Ainz led them to the jungle bath.

There were fake trees and fake grass here, and it was made up to look like a
forest. Even though they knew it was fake, it was realistic enough that everyone
half-expected monsters to emerge from the woods.

“This bath was modeled after the Amazon River of the past. Its creator was
Bellriver-san, with the assistance of Blue Planet-san.”

Ainz turned his back on the impressed Guardians, then he took his basin and
bath stool to the washing area.

Why are all the basins in this spa yellow? When I asked about it in the past, he said
it was tradition… are the water basins in all spas supposed to be yellow?

“Needless to say, you need to clean yourself before getting into the bath.
However, the way in which I bathe is quite messy, so you should probably stay
away from me.”

With that terse message, Ainz dumped the basin full of hot water on himself.
The water went straight through him and splashed onto the ground. Due to the
many gaps in his body, it was very hard for him to rinse his entire body in just
one round of pouring. After repeating this several times, and making sure that
he was wet, he took out a brush.

Ainz loaded the brush with liquid soap and began to scrub himself. Just like
before, the many gaps in his body meant that scrubbing himself was like
scrubbing a colander, and so foam and bubbles sprayed everywhere.

Umu… maybe I should have brought my cute little bathing assistant Miyoshi-kun
with me.

Ainz felt that it would be unsightly to let his subordinate see him all covered
in slime, so he had not brought it out. However, he had not bathed himself in a
while, and it was quite troublesome.

As Ainz frantically scrubbed himself, Mare approached him with a yellow stool
in hand. He was clearly nervous, but he smiled to Ainz, his face flushed from the

heat of the baths.
“A-Ainz-sama! Please… please let me help you wash your back!”
“Hm? Oh, I see. So you want to help me bathe? Although, I have to say that

my body is quite tedious to wash, so you should use this brush. Cleaning it with
a towel is very tiring.”

Ainz turned his back to Mare, and Mare began slowly scrubbing his back with
the brush he had received.

“You’re doing a good job.”
“Thank you very much!”
Honestly speaking, Ainz could not tell if it was a good or a bad job. However,
he had said so to Mare because he was grateful.
Ainz looked at the other two. They seemed to be saying, “Then, I’ll help you
wash your back,” and “Thank. You. Kindly.” Ainz could not keep the smile from
his face — although skeletal faces had no facial expressions.
—The Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick really is the best place around.
Behind him, a boy’s voice said, “I think I washed this place before, right?” and
it only broadened Ainz’s smile.



“Thank you, Mare. Now it is my turn to help you. Don’t be shy.”
Ainz grabbed the boy’s shoulders and turned him around, then applied
bathing foam to Mare’s towel and lathered it up.
He gently scrubbed Mare’s body, taking care not to hurt him. He thought
about the strength he used to wash himself, and tried to use less force than that.
“Does that hurt?”
“No… not at all!”
After helping Mare — who had gone all stiff for some reason — wash his back,
Ainz returned him his towel.
“You can do the front yourself, right?”
“Of… of course!”
Ainz picked up the brush and scrubbed his ribs. Mare was rubbing himself
beside him, so Ainz took care not to spray him with his foam.
“Then, I shall head over first.”
After Demiurge finished rinsing himself off, he headed for the tub, swishing
his tail behind him. He was followed by Cocytus, who probably had as hard a
time bathing himself as Ainz did, but who could effectively use all four of his
arms to save time. Naturally, Mare was next. Ainz finally finished washing up
several minutes after everyone was done.
The tub was quite broad, and a skillfully carved lion statue disgorged hot
water from its mouth into the steaming tub. Ainz walked through the water
vapor and noticed that Cocytus was especially distant from the others. The other
two were enjoying the hot water, at a distance from him.
“Ah~ the hot water feels nice.”
Ainz thought that as a child, Mare would swim around in the tub, but instead
he simply folded his towel and put it on his head, a relaxed look on his face. That
attitude was less fitting of a child than an overworked adult. As Ainz saw it, he
felt surprise, and then he wondered, Is the job of a Guardian of Nazarick really that
tiring?
“Oh yes. I feel the fatigue flowing out of my body.”
Demiurge had removed his glasses. He splashed some hot water into his face
and went “Ah~”, looking just like a middle-aged uncle.
“So. Hot.”
“That… that’s strange, er, didn’t you say you were resistant to this?”
“I. Am. But. I. Do. Not. Usually. Soak. In. Hot. Water. So. I. Am. Not. Used.
To. It.”

“…Still, that’s no reason to use your cold aura. I hope you will keep your
distance; I prefer my hot water somewhat scalding.”

Now he knew why Cocytus was so far away. The water around him was
probably only warm now.

“You. Are. Fire. Resistant. So. It. Is. Fine. For. You. Why. Not. Try. A. Cold.
Bath?”

“That does not interest me. Besides, I have not engaged my resistance; I am
simply enjoying the hot water. Cocytus, do you find this much unbearable?”

“Demiurge. Coming. From. You. Such. Taunts. Are. Shallow. However, You.
Are. On!”

“Stop that. Baths should be enjoyable. If you want to test your endurance,
please do so in the sauna. You don’t need to force yourself to bathe here.”

“Huwahh~”
Mare exhaled hotly, his forehead beaded in sweat.
“Look, you need to enjoy the bath like Mare’s doing. Mare, don’t push yourself
either. If you feel hot, you need to get out.”
“It… it’s fine, Ainz-sama! If anything happens, I can use magic!”
Using magic isn’t quite right either, Ainz thought. However, he did not say
anything, and simply looked at Cocytus.
“…Is it right to use one’s resistances when bathing?”
“I think some people do bathe in that way, Ainz-sama. For instance, as one of
the undead, you will not be dizzy no matter how long you soak. Is that not the
same way?”
“…Indeed.”
He could feel the warmth slowly seep into his body, but it did not feel as good
as it had when he was still human.
An undead body has its merits and flaws…
Just as Ainz was mourning his lost joys—
“Hm?”
—He raised his head clear of the steam rising up from the water, and looked
around.
“Is something the matter?”
“I think someone was calling my name…”
“Could. It. Be. Coming. From. The. Other. Side?”
Cocytus pointed at the wall behind him.
“That’s — ah, I see. The ladies’ bath.”

“I see. No, but… the walls should not be that thin, no?”
“Perhaps the echoes made their voices louder.”
Ainz could not resist the urge to prick up his ears and listen. There was no ill
intent in what he did; he was simply curious about what a group of ladies would
talk about when there were no men around. Therefore, he did not place his ear
to the wall; doing so would damage his dignity as the ruler of the Great
Underground Tomb of Nazarick. He even stepped away from the wall and turned
to face it.
“—Albedo, you’re so bushy down there.”
Ainz frowned as he concentrated and heard the conversation from the other
side.
“—Aura, don’t describe it like that. Ah~ Ainz-sama ought to be behind this
wall. I wonder if there are peepholes or anything.”
Ainz carefully studied the entire wall, because he was worried that someone
might actually have installed some sort of strange mechanism into it. There was
a time when some of the guild members had been obsessed with making strange
devices and gimmicks. The relics of those times might have remained until now.
“—Usually, they’d be the ones peeping, right?”
“—I doubt that’s the case. There’s no need to peep at us; if Ainz-sama
commands it, we will let him look at us. Why peep?”



“—Oh, it’s rare to hear you make sense like that, Shalltear.”
“—What do you mean by ‘rare,’ how rude. By the way, is that a toothbrush?
Could you please not brush… I mean wash your teeth in the bathroom?”
“—I can’t help it. Cleaning them is really tiring, so I have to do it in a big room
like this. Otherwise it’ll be very troublesome.”
Albedo’s voice came from a somewhat higher position, followed by the sound
of loud scrubbing.
“—Hm… that does look quite tiring. Oh well, it can’t be helped, so I’ll let it
slide.”
“—Thank you.”
“—Uwah, don’t shake your head and look at me, it’s really gross. Shalltear, not
brushing?”
“—I brush on my own in my room, so I don’t need to. Still, will we really get
cavities and so on?”
“—Even if we don’t, bad breath when kissing can cool off even an ages-old
love.”
The sound of brushing suddenly stopped, replaced by the sound of plodding
footsteps.
“—Eh? Wait, don’t tell me you’re going to jump in like that? At least do
something about your body…”
First, there was a loud plunk, followed by the sound of water splashing. She
must have jumped forcefully into the tub.
“—Waaah! Koffkoff, koff, if I were a storybook Vampire, I’d have drowned by
now!”
“—You’re not a kid anymore, don’t just jump in!”
“—Fufufu. Ahh~ this feels great. I’ll come here to bathe from now on.”
“—You ought to learn some bathing etiquette… huh?”
“—What happened? That’s weird, is that lion moving?”
“—The ill-mannered are forbidden from the bath! Exterminate!”
A male voice suddenly spoke, which made Ainz and the other men look at each
other.
“Er, ah, that sounded like a man’s voice.”
“I. Have. Not. Heard. It. Before. But. Could. It. Be. The. Area. Guardian. Of.
The. Baths. However. Why. Would. There. Be. A. Man. In. The. Ladies. Bath?”

“No, I’ve heard that voice before… it’s Luci★Fer-san!”
As he heard the voice of that troublesome man, Ainz recalled how several

instances where that man had given him trouble. Honestly speaking, Ainz did
not like him much.

“Is. That. The. Voice. Of. A. Supreme. Being?”
“—It’s so hard! This isn’t an ordinary Iron Golem!”
“—Die, you golem craft bastard!”
There was a loud crash, and then the sound of something hitting the wall at
high speeds. That hit even shook the walls of the men’s bath.
“…Just in case, get your weapons ready and prepare to charge into the ladies’
bath if anything happens,” Ainz ordered the clearly demoralized Guardians.
If friendly fire was not in effect, perhaps it might end in laughter, but given
the present circumstances, someone might actually get killed. Their fighting
power was lowered without their gear, and depending on the circumstances,
they might really need to be rescued.
“…I’d like to be able to bathe in peace next time.”
Ainz stepped out of the tub with a splashing of water and headed for the
changing room. As they heard him speak, the other Guardians nodded in unison.

OVERLORD
Character Profiles











OVERLORD
Character Profiles

THE
FORTY-ONE

SUPREME
BEINGS

COMPILATION





Afterword

I’ve been very busy recently. As a result my tummy and chin have become
plump. This is the author who evolving into Mr. Pig, Kugane Maruyama. To
those who have bought this book or have it on hand, thank you very much!

For the most part, I’ve been busy because of the animation project, work and
other things.

Right now the animation is going smoothly, with such heartwarming
exchanges as “How is Ainz going to smile?” “Do it somehow!” “Please do
something, Mr. Director!”

In addition to the anime, the Overlord manga (drawn by Miyama Fugin-san)
has also begun serialization in Comp Ace. By the time everyone has this book in
their hands, Chapter 2 should have come out. His work makes you feel that “Ainz
is a really cool character!” Please take a look, by all means!

Now then, there’s a reversible cover with an illustration on the inside included
with the limited first edition of this book.

This piece of art is easily the equivalent of any other light novel’s colored
illustrations, the produce of so-bin-sama’s reckless desire to draw something
(the female characters’ bath scene), and it moved Maruyama deeply…

Although I have the feeling that this is a one-off for this volume, I hope that
readers who like this sort of thing will send their wishes to me on postcards.

Then, after this will be the credits.
Many thanks to So-bin-san, who solved many problems even as the work grew
ever greater.
Thanks to the designers at Chord Design Studio, the proofreader Ōsako-sama,
the editor F-ta san, as well as to everyone who helped me make Overlord. In
addition, many thanks to Honey, who spotted a major mistake.
And finally, thank you to all the readers out there. I hope to speak to you again
in the future!

Kugane Maruyama

December 2014



Information

Source Text: Skythewood Translations
Additional Editing: cortz & firedragon1x
Version: 2.3 (061021)