Promise

Ainz was currently in the treasury, he wasn't the only one in the room, his son Filius, the leader of the guardian's Albedo, and one of the leaders of the Pleiades were with him. In front of Ainz was a pitch-black wall, the wall could have been an average wall, but its color stood out from any of the others making it suspicious. Though the guild didn't have to worry, the only way to get to the treasury was through The Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown and then you would need to get through to more stops. This pitch-black wall was one of them.

Ainz then spoke to the wall the opening phrase, "Glory to Ainz Ooal Gown." On the wall then appeared white letters those were words and letters of Yggdrasil. Ainz didn't know them but when he played the game they would always be a translation for them in the language of the player.

"Let's see", Ainz tried remembering what the sentence was, finally he remembered, "By this means, you will acquire the glory of the whole world and so you will drive away all shadows and blindness." [At least, I believe that's correct], he thought to himself.

The text from the wall then faded into the darkness, the suddenly the darkness of the wall disappeared and the rest of the path could be seen.

Everyone made sure to follow Ainz as he walked through the hall. Ainz then spoke to them to pass time, "We are headed to the mausoleum. It's not far."

Albedo, Filius, and Yuri were a bit confused, Albedo was the first to ask the question they had, "Mausoleum? I didn't know there was one."

"Hm", Ainz then remembered that there was only one NPC that knew about this place. And that anyone else who wanted to come would have to have knowledge about the stops. "I guess it has been off-limits."

He then wanted to let everyone know that they weren't the only ones in the treasury, "Are any of you aware of Pandora's Actor?"

"Of course. I know of his existence. But we've never actually met", Albedo said.

"If I recall, Pandora's Actor. His power and intelligence rivals Albedos doesn't it father?", Filius stated, he had been interested in meeting him. They were basically like brothers, they were created by the same being, but Filius was more connected to his father.

"Yes, he is as strong and smart and me", Albedo said, "Created by the masters to be the one true Guardian of the treasury. If I'm not mistaken you designed him yourself, my lord." Inside Albedo's head, she was screaming because she was jealous that she wasn't created by her love, unlike Pandora's actor.

Ainz nodded, "Yes. That's right."

"He is also responsible for keeping our finances in check", Albedo added.

Ainz nodded again, "Yes."

Ainz finally reached the end of the hall and stopped, beside him, on his right both Albedo and Yuri stood and on his right stood his son Filius.

When the ladies looked in front of them they were shocked, there were some sofas as well as a table, but that wasn't what shocked the women. What shocked them was the figure sitting down on the sofa. It was none other than Albedo's creator

Tabula Smaragdina.

Tabula looked like a form of monstrous squid, she was white all over and had a bird-shaped head, but her body seemed to be a combination of a fat human and an octopus.

Tabula then stood up and looked at everyone.

Albedo was in shock, she had finally seen her master after so long, she took a step forward to see better, "Lord Tabula, is that really you?"

After there was no reaction Albedo stared seriously, "Wait a second. It's an imposter!", she yelled.

Yuri then placed herself in front of her master, Ainz, waiting if that creature would attack him she would defend him.

Albedo then bent down a bit in some sort of battle stance, "Who are you? And why are you disguised as my creator?", she ordered. "You may have copied his appearance and aura perfectly, but I was able to see past your facade", Albedo waited a bit so the imposter could speak but all he did was tilt his head. Albedo was even more angered, "Kill this thing", she ordered Yuri.

"Are you sure?", Yuri asked.

But before anyone could move Ainz decided to speak up, "Pandora's Actor! Change your form."

Suddenly, the Tabula imposter's body started changing color and turned itself into some kind of goo, then the goo started moving around until it finally formed a new figure.

Albedo was shocked by the sudden transformation, "What?"

Filius was also shocked, if this being was able to transform into somebody and copy everything of them to the exact spec then he would be the best spy. If he needed just add a few mind-reading artifacts and he could be perfect for infiltration operations. Or if there was ever a time when his father would be in danger he could use Pandora's Actor as a substitute and escape, later they would bring him back using the money from the treasury.

Pandora's actor was a doppelganger like Naberal Gamma, but unlike her, he was made for infiltration and strategy. He was a very smart individual, he was just as capable as Albedo in intelligence, he had a bald head and instead of a normal face, he had three holes two for the eyes and one for the mouth. His outfit consisted of a German commander's outfit, the only things exposed were his face and his hands.

Ainz looked at his son, for some reason he could recognize when he would start formulating new plans. This always occurred when he would introduce Filius to new NPC's or new items that he hadn't seen, but it usually occurred to the latter.

Pandora's Actor then walked away from the sofas and stood in front of everyone, "Hello, darlings. It's nice to have company." He then stood up straight and saluted, "My creator, Lord Momonga!", he said in a joyful tone.

Ainz was losing his cool, he had a specific reason for this happening, "Um. You look like you're doing well."

Pandora's Actor who was still in a saluting position spoke, "Yes! I couldn't be better, my good sir." Since Pandora's Actor was part doppelganger his face had no specific muscles so they didn't move when he spoke nor did they blink so it made him look like an expressionless doll.

Pandora's Actor then bowed, "It has been a while, To what do I owe this honor?", he said in a voice of anticipation. It seemed that he was excited if he was to enter battle then he would jump at the call, but even if his master needed anything from him he would still follow.

Ainz then stepped back a bit, "Pandora's Actor I want to introduce you to someone, this is Filius Divi, my son."

Pandora's Actor then rose up to look at the figure behind his creator, "Incredible, for my creator and master to have bestowed his servants a new heir to the Great Tomb of Nazarick."

When Filius stood in front of Pandora's Actor, Filius was about two feet taller than Pandora's Actor but that didn't mean he would look down on an NPC of Nazarick. Filius then inspected him a bit, "So you are a doppelganger, it will be fun to spar sometime with my father's creation, how about it?", he asked as he stuck his hand out for a handshake.

"I will be counting the days for our spar, I'll make sure not to disappoint", Pandora's Actor said as he accepted the handshake.

This encounter wasn't just a meeting but it was a form of stating boundaries of some sort, they both understood that even if they were created by the same master or creator, they had distinct roles. Filius would be the heir of the Tomb, while Pandora's Actor would still be a protector of the throne and nobility. Even though it didn't seem fair, it was an agreement that the two could make easily with just a glance.

Filius then walked back to his father's side and stood still. Ainz nodded at their little encounter and then spoke to Pandora's Actor, "Pandora's Actor I have also come for another reason. I'm in need of some world items."

"Oh! World items!", Pandora's Actor then jolted back and then swung his hand in the air like a bad anime trope, "Changing the world with immense power."

Filius didn't know what to think, that calm and collected attitude from Pandora's Actor before was gone, Filius didn't know why but this was entertaining.

Pandora's Actor then balled his hand into a fist and brought it down to his face, "Showing the greatness of the mighty Supreme Beings!" Then he turned around exposing his back to everyone while at the same time grabbing his hat and holding it, "These scared treasures have been asleep for ages beneath Nazarick. Have the time finally come to wake them up?"

Filius was having a hard time holding his composure, he wanted so bad to laugh and keep having him entertain them. Yuri who was on the sidelines didn't enjoy the free attitude that Pandora's Actor had, he was in the presence of Lord Ainz and the young master Filius, he should be more respectful and graceful as to not annoy them. She then turned to her master, Lord Ainz, he seemed fine in her eyes, but when she turned to see Filius he seemed to be struggling. Yuri then walked to her master's son, "Young lord, is something the matter."

Filius calmed himself down and stood straight, "Cough, I'm fine thank you Yuri Alpha."

"Please, young lord, if anything is wrong let me know", she added.

Ainz noticed their little interaction and was sweating bullets, even his son thought that this was lame he thought, then a green aura appeared around Ainz and he calmed himself down, "Yes. You are correct." Ainz then walked up to Pandora's Actor hoping he could do something about the little over-expressed movements and speech. "I need Billion Blades, Hygieia's Chalice, Avarice and Selfless, and Depiction of Nature and Society", he said.

"Outstanding! Great choices, Lord Momonga", Pandora said as he turned around to look at his creator.

Ainz then remembered that he hadn't told him yet, "Another thing. Address me as Ainz now on. I'm known as Ainz Ooal Gown."

Pandora then dramatically gasped, "What a great name. If fits the wonderful man who created me." He then extended his hand outwards, "Lord Ainz."

Filius was laughing inside, he didn't know why but he felt way too happy. Up to this point, he had always been busy with work and studying, as well as training and practicing that he hadn't entertained himself, but now that wasn't a problem. This creature, this NPC would easily entertain him, Filius then looked at the two women's faces, since it was also their first time meeting him he wanted to see how they reacted.

When he looked he had barely any strength to hold it in, both women were looking at the NPC with eyes of (Really?) on their faces.

Ainz turned back to also see their faces and he was sweating bullets. [Oh no! I wonder how hardcore they're judging me because of this doofus!], Ainz screamed internally.

"Are you okay, my liege?", asked Pandora's Actor.

Ainz, groaned while face palming, he decided to ignore it and move on, "Let's continue." Everyone nodded, and they started following their lord.

"Be careful now, Lord Ainz, Young Lord", Pandora's Actor said, then came the mistake, "And you, too, lovely ladies."

Both women stopped in unison and turned around looking at him in anger, Albedo was about to speak when someone cut her off.

"Pandora's Actor, be warned, these women aren't someone you should flirt with, Albedo is my father's woman, she is Albedo the primary candidate for being the head wife and queen of Nazarick. Yuri Alpha is my woman, she just like Albedo, she is also a candidate of being my head wife and the future queen of Nazarick", Filius said as he took a step forwards, "tread carefully on your words."

Pandora's Actor gasped, "Forgive my rudeness Young Lord, I was just praising the women, I mean the future queens of Nazarick about their beauty, I meant no disrespect to you", even though he still had that exaggerated high pitch and gestures, Pandora's Actor was sweating bullets, he almost fucked up.

Albedo and Yuri were both happy and composed, Albedo was more happy than composed, her young Master had just confirmed a small doubt in her heart. She felt that the Young Lord would only say that about her if it was true, so basically it was confirming that Ainz did want her as a woman.

Yuri on the other hand was more composed but still a bit happy, though she kept it well hidden. She was happy that her Young Lord would be so interested in her, she was just a servant to the great tomb, she never thought she'd find a lover, especially the Young Lord of the house. Even though she was now the woman of the young lord, she was still a servant to her master Lord Ainz Ooal Gown, she would celebrate and be happy later in her private quarters.

Before Pandora's Actor could mess anything up, he decided to pull him away for a chat.

Filius then turned to the two women of the group, "Also please refrain from treating him harshly, remember, he has been here ever since we were transferred into this new world. So he doesn't know anything about the new world or our new objectives."

"Yes, I apologies for any harsh feelings or thoughts may have had Young Lord", Albedo said with a bow.

"I also apologize", Yuri said as she also bowed.

After they were done talking, Ainz came back to the group, "Sorry to keep you waiting. Now, Albedo."

"Yes, Lord?", Albedo asked wondering what her master wanted.

"You need to give Yuri the ring of Ainz Ooal Gown that you're currently wearing", Ainz said.

Albedo gasped, she then looked at her ring and tucked it into her chest fearing that he was telling her to remove it forever. She then sighed and reluctantly gave it to Yuri, with a hopeful heart that it would just be temporary.

After that, Filius also did the same wondering what was going on.

After entering the next path Ainz decided to explain the reason for removing the rings, "Nobody is able to teleport to the treasury without possession of the guild ring. However, you can't enter this specific room with it on. Or the golems will sense intruders... and attack."

Albedo and Filius were shocked when they reached the center of the path, there they saw an opening in the wall. But unlike the ones made from damage, they were neatly designed so that a statue could fit in.

"These golems look familiar", Albedo said, "Are they based off the likenesses of the Supreme Beings, my lord?"

"How perceptive of you", Ainz said as he looked at one of the statues, "Indeed, I had them made to honor the memory of my old comrades. They're starting to look shabby though."

"No, they are not", Albedo said trying to appease her lord.

There were many golems, Filius and Albedo weren't just stunned they were also saddened since this was a mausoleum that meant that these statues, of the great supreme being, were images of them before death.

"Lord Ainz?", Ainz turned to look at Albedo, "You called this place a mausoleum. So then... Does that mean the other Supreme Beings are dead?"

"To my knowledge, they are still alive", Ainz then stared at the roof longing for him not to be the only one in this world.

Filius turned to look at Albedo and noticed her expression she seemed sad, he then turned to look at his father and for some reason he felt pain. He saw loneliness and sadness, it was something new to him, he didn't know why but he too felt worried.

After a minute of staring off into space, Ainz turned to look at his son and Albedo and noticed the gloomy mood.

"Um, what wrong?", he asked them.

Filius turned to the side avoiding his father's gaze while Albedo shook her head, "Oh sorry, it's nothing", she said, but Ainz could see a hint of worry and sadness.

He then decided to and change the atmosphere, he turned around and pointed at an empty area on the wall, "Albedo, Filius. Do you have that spot over there? That's where I'll put a statue of myself one of those days."

Filius quickly turned around, "Father!?", he yelled in worry.

Albedo gasped, she then fell on her knees gaining Ainz attention, "Please don't talk like that. I can't bear to hear it! It tears my heart! "

Ainz was stunned by the sudden change in attitude, he noticed that they were both shaking in fear.

"Father, she's right, please don't ever say things like that", Filius said with a shaky voice.

Albedo was on her knee whimpering, the thought of her master deciding to leave, seemed so unbearable, that she didn't want to even think about it. She looked up at Ainz with tears in her eyes, "My dear Lord Ainz. You were the only one with enough kindness not to leave all of us alone here." Suddenly she prostrated herself on the floor, "Master! Please say that you'll stay in Nazarick and be our leader until the end of time. We need you. I beg of you!", she said crying. "Don't go...Don't go....", she said sobbing.

Filius was on his knee, with his head down, "Please father, I've been given life just recently. Thanks to you I have everything, but I can't stand the thought of you leaving me. I know, as heir of the great tomb of Nazarick I should put my duties before my feelings, but I can't, I'm not ready... I am not ready to say goodbye. Your my only family left, please promise that you'll never leave us." Filius begged as he also prostrated him.

Ainz looked at them and felt so messed up, up until this point he had only seen them as NPC, characters from a video game. But what he forgot to notice was that that rule was long gone when they teleported here. He was their master, the only supreme being that stayed until the very end, in their eyes he was their reason to live and work to please. To them, he was their hope for a better tomorrow.

He then walked up to them and kneed down, he then placed his hand on both of them.

Both Filius and Albedo stopped crying and looked up at their master.

"Filius, Albedo", he said, he turned to Albedo and wiped her tears, "Forgive me."

"Promise me something", yelled Albedo, "Say that you won't abandon us. We'd never survive on our own. Not without your wisdom!"

The red dots of fire in Ainz's eyes disappeared, "I can't promise that."

"Father!?", Filius was shocked, by his father's words.

"Why not?", Albedo asked, "Have I done something to offend you? Tell me what I've done and I'll fix it! There's nothing I wouldn't do to make things right in your eyes, my lord. If I am the problem, I swear I will repent and end my life here!"

"Stop it!", Ainz shouted, startling both Albedo and Filius.

He then placed both his hands on her shoulder, "Listen closely. The only way to combat world item-level brainwashing is to fight fire with fire. We have no choice but to utilize world-level items ourselves."

"So you're positive? There's no doubt that a world item was used on her?", Albedo asked.

"I'm sure", Ainz stated, "And I have a plan. We will be able ti save Shalltear." Albedo looked at him in surprise, both she and Filius were wondering what this plan was, "The answer is down here, it's one of the 20 worlds items of unrivaled destruction. They are currently in my possession. However, the power of a 20 is so large, it would be expended after one use." Though he had a loop around that problem, he would use a gacha item with a specific ability. Ainz continued to speak, "I'm not aware of what other world items the enemy holds, or the effects of the brainwashing world item holds. So I'm hesitant to cast such a mighty spell right away. In the end, we may not need for such extreme measures."

Ainz then scoffed, "What's wrong with me? Could I be more pathetic?"

Albedo quickly stepped in to lift her master's mood, "No. Please don't say that about yourself. The Supreme Ones worked hard to collect all these world items, and we shouldn't let them go to waste. They are more valuable than all the Guardian's lives put together."

Ainz decided to finally tell them the reason or the possibility of why he couldn't promise then he would stay with them forever. "Albedo, Filius. There is a reason I won't promise you that I'll come back to Nazarick. I'm going to fight Shalltear by myself."

Both Filius and Albedo gasped from shock, Ainz spoke up once more, "I won't promise. Because I'm not sure I'll survive the battle."

Filius knew how strong Shalltear was, in terms of power was the second most powerful creature in all of Nazarick, the first was Albedos sister, Rubedo. So if that meant that the only way to take down a Supreme weapon would be fighting it with another weapon of the same power, "Father!?"

"Please rethink this!", Albedo begged, "It's true that Shalltear has to be dealt with. It's too dangerous to leave her as she is." Then tears started to show on her eyes, "But for me-- Don't go. You have an entire army under your command. She doesn't stand a chance against the forces of Nazarick!"

Ainz sighed, "You don't understand Albedo. I have to. Let me explain. There are three reasons why." Ainz then stood up and looked down at them, "First, I need to prove to myself that I'm competent as a leader Worthy of my title. It was foolish of me not to consider the threat of World Items more seriously even though I was warned about them. I completely ignored the idea of preparing my subordinates for such an event to happen. not a sign of a good leader, is it?"

Both Albedo and Filius were silent, it was true that they knew about these facts and failed to prepare the other about it, so it was their failure, but it was more of the leader's fault, yet they couldn't say that to their master.

"The second reason is that I'm still worried about the side effects of the world item, we have yet to know all the abilities it has, who know if when we started our campaign there would suddenly appear an army", Ainz said, "If they do, I rather rick my life than let you all be harmed."

"The final reason is that I may have to exterminate Shalltear", Ainz said.

"In that case, let me come with you", Albedo said, "I'll be the one to kill her instead."

"You honestly think you could beat her?", Ainz asked.

Albedo went silent, she then looked at Filius, he seemed saddened, the reason for it was his lineage. He was the only son of the Great Ruler of Nazarick, putting his life at risk was not allowed. If his father died or disappeared, he would have to be next in line to rule, so he needed to stay, no exceptions. Filius was torn by the thought of not being able to help and just watch.

"She's a strong foe", Ainz said, "I'm sorry but it has to be me. Out of everyone who resides in Nazarick, I'm the only one that can overpower her."

Albedo looked down at her incompetence, "That's true. But you will have a greater chance of victory if you were armed with the world's items. That's why we are here right?"

"Shalltear unlike all of the NPC's was built to a living army, one that could even defeat a group of Supreme Beings, she is the one who has the advantage", Ainz said, "She also has holy magic which is the weakness to any undead."

Albedo didn't know what to say anymore, she was stuck in a hole, "That's true..."

"Though that's nothing you should be worried about", Ainz said getting both Filius and Albedo's attention. Ainz stood up tall once more and held his staff in place, he seemed even mightier than ever, "It's about time you learn why I am called the Supreme Overlord. You'll see that I was given that name for a reason."

Both Filius and Albedo gasped, all the worries they seemed to have, disappeared in an instant. Filius was astonished, this was his father, the Supreme Being of life and death, in all his glory. [I have done nothing to even reach a spec of his level. He is the true king, my father.]

"I will not fall for brute power alone", Ainz said, "Remember, Peroroncino and I used to be very close friends." Ainz then looked at the statue of his friend, "The outcome of this battle has already been decided. I will win."

Both Filius and Albedo finally had the will to stand up, "We understand now. But please, promise me that you will return. And we will no longer try to stop you."

"If that's what the both of you need. Then I promise you, I will come back alive. But first, I have to defeat Shalltear", Ainz said to the both of them.

Soon the fight will come, they must prepare.