Know Your Enemies

"What the hell is this?", Gazef asked.

When he saw the image in the smoke he clenched his teeth.

"Hehehe what a pretty gal you should have agreed when we ordered you to hang out with us", a man's voice said.

The man was actually a knight that Gazef recognized. He worked for a noble that owned a territory on the east of the capital. The noble was a good man or that's what he evaluated when they had met.

What he saw was horrible...he saw the knight... and his friends... raping a woman in front of the noble and his sons.

"Please...no...more", the young woman begged in tears and bruises.

"What did the bitch say? I couldn't hear her", another knight said.

"Hurry up", one of the sons of the nobles yelled, "I want to see another one! I want to see another peasant."

"Calm down my son we have all the women in the territory and all the time in the world", the noble said.

The Guardian of Souls waved his hand and the smoke disappeared. Gazef looked straight at the area where the cloud of smoke was. His calm and resolute expression was nowhere to be seen, it only showed hatred.

"Tell me what did I just see?", Gazef asked while looking down at the floor.

The Guardian looked away and went o row the boat, "that is what is currently what happening in your kingdom. All you saw and I'll show you is the layer underneath the world you think you know."

Gazef wondered what The Guardian meant about all he was about to show but then he got a major headache. He fell on the floor and started screaming in pain.

He could see it...all of it....all the suffering of the kingdom. Women and children getting raped or abused, people being killed, nobles abusing their power. He saw all the violence in the country.

Gazef couldn't take it..."This can't...be real...", he started shedding tears. "It's... impossible...", Gazef covered his face and started crying softly.

"Humans are creatures with hearts, but unlike monsters, they can choose to become heartless", The Guardian said.

"Human use money and influence as strength. Monsters use power to become their strength but unlike humans, they never betray their own kind", Gazef lifted himself a bit to stare at The Guardian.

"What... Does that have to do... With anything?", Gazef asked.

"There is one solution", The Guardian's words caught Gazef's attention. "Humans, if put on the river of time, they flow the same way forever", he said.

"What?", Gazef was confused what did that have to do with this?

"Tell me child, what stops water better than anything", The Guardian asked. Gazef knew the answer but he didn't respond.

The Guardian turned to Gazef, "Humanity needs a Dam one that can stop the water for eternity."

Gazef then knew The Guardian meant, Humanity during peace times turned to create chaos. But what if they had a person with power. Not like the king, he was a good man with noble intentions but he was old. His three children were young and they could fill in the seat but what would happen after.

If only there was an immovable power, someone who would never lose their fire. Someone who could keep the whole world in control and in line.

"You have already met someone like that", Gazef stared at The Guardian. "He will help, but not if the kingdom asks for his aid. He needs to total control there is no other way and you know it", The Guardian said.

"I know him?", Gazef asked.

"He goes by the name...", Gazef swallowed in suspense, "Ainz Ooal Gown."

Gazef froze, Ainz, he was the person who could change the world? "B-but... he's human."

"Who told you that? Did you make that assumption?", The Guardian asked.

[T-that's true... I never confirmed if he was human...i just made that assumption], Gazef thought to himself.

"He, just like me is a deity. A power stronger than the thirteen heroes, stronger than the demon gods themselves. He is the balance between life and death. He is the wip and the carrot", The Guardian said.

"What will it be? Will you save humanity and change it for the better?", he asked Gazef, "Or will follow your oath to your king and watch the world as it burns beneath its own greed?"

Gazef stood there, he needed to choose. Would he follow his oath to the king or would he make the change?

The next day.....

Ainz sighed and placed the pile of papers down on his desk. Ainz was currently in his study along with Filius. No one else was in the room besides him and his son. They had just gone over the progress of the plan they had to conquer the capital.

"Father? Is everything alright", Filius asked.

Ainz waved his hand, "Do not worry Filius. I am fine."

"If that's so, then allow me to proceed with the plan's progress and its endgame", Filius asked.

Ainz nodded, "Proceed."

"Two days ago I made a plan that would help us in conquering Re-Estize while keeping order and winning the people's trust", Filius said. He then placed a map of the kingdom and the outer plains.

"We could always join forces with another kingdom and state that this land was actually ours, but then we would require a symbol", Filius said.

"I see", Ainz liked this idea if he needed a symbol he'd try to recruit Gazef but if that didn't work then he needed another plan.

"But that would make the humans fear us. If we want their loyalty and all their resources we need to win the people over and show them how benevolent you truly are. We can rule the people by fear, but we will obtain their trust if we use hope", Filius stated.

Ainz looked at his son interested in this part, the previous explanation was a little vague but it seems like this one would fill in the blanks.

"Humans are creatures who turn on their own by choice, even the most honored person can succumb to fear and threats. They need a leader who will not be affected by age and betrayal but in order", Filius stated.

"We luanch a coup d'eta", Ainz looked at Filius in surprise.

"We use a person on the inside. We show him how cruel their rulers really are, then convince him that we are the only chance humanity has to prosper. That person will secretly round up a militia and we will support them in the shadows. They will then usurp the throne and capture all the nobles. After that is done they'll convince the citizens that a human can't become their king. A human with incredible power and honest intent will still die from the sands of time. And who is to say that the next will be the same, that is how they'll convince the citizens to trust us", Filius said.

"And you chose him as the man on the inside", Ainz said as he lifted the picture of the man.

"Yes", Filius nodded, "He has already been contacted and the results will soon be shown. He will be our key to winning the hearts and trust of all the humans, Gazef Stronoff."

Ainz placed the picture on the desk, internally he sighed, [I don't like using people like this, but if this does work we literally don't need to do much.]

"Let me ask, how would we handle the other nations? Wouldn't they oppose us conquering their neighbor?", Ainz asked.

"They will, but I have another plan that will change that we just need to wait for the right time", Filius said.

Ainz nodded, "I will wait eagerly."

"Moving on to the next project, I wanted to hows the subjugation of the lizardmen tribes?", Filius asked.

"I have planned to give this mission to Demiurge, but his skills are required elsewhere. I also believe it's ignorant to only rely on one or two people to handle tasks. Hear this lesson Filius, everyone has a purpose everyone has a set of skills they are proficient in. You just need to know when to use them and how." Ainz wanted to show Filius that everyone no matter how strong or weak they were, could all be resourceful in certain times.

Filius held a hand under his chin and nodded understanding this lesson. "I understand father", Filius said, "thank you for your wise words, I will make sure to use them."

Ainz nodded, he didn't know why but he enjoyed being around Filius. Ainz didn't know when it happened but it seemed like he had already accepted that Filius was his real son. And as a Father, he wanted to make sure his son became a strong and intelligent person who could handle any kind of situation calmly.

"Well, is that everything that we have to go over regarding this?", Aimz asked.

"Yes father", Filius affirmed.

"Alright, allow Albedo to enter!", Ainz ordered to the maid who was outside his study.

Since his son was in charge of the conquering of the R-Estize kingdom. He had ordered Filius to make a plan that would need the least amount of deaths possible. He made up an excuse stating that it would be a test to see if Filius was skilled enough as an heir. Of course, Filius believing it, took it upon himself to make the best plan he could. The only thing Ainz needed to do now was making sure that all the important details were kept between the two of them.

Since his son would analyze every possible detail and formulate the best plan, Ainz wouldn't need to do much and just give his own opinions about certain topics. He'd be able to keep his cover as an overlord while also being able to obtain what he wants.

Albedo had entered the room, after she entered the maid closed the door once more.

"Salutations, Lord Ainz, Young Master Filius", Albedo said as she bowed and kneeled.

"Greetings Albedo", Filius nodded.

"Welcome Albedo. I expect you have somethings to inform?", Ainz asked.

Albedo nodded and from her storage space she pulled out a folder with some papers. She held it carefully with both her hands and handed it to Ainz.

Ainz was a little surprised by her actions, but he still accepted the folder.

He placed it on the desk and opened it, after that Filius then went into his own space storage and pulled out that had a few items inside and placed it on the desk beside the folder.

Ainz opened the folder and set it aside, after, he reached into the bag Filius had brought and pulled out a scroll. When he unveiled the scroll, it revealed its contents, it was a map, a crude one to say the least.

"This is the world map we have acquired from E-Rantel", Ainz said while placing small coin-sized waits on the edges.

Filius and Albedo looked dumbfounded by the crude map. "Wait, that's it?", Albedo asked.

"I understand your discontent, it's sketchy and only details human nations around this area", Ainz then went into his space storage and pulled out another scroll.

When he got it, he placed it on the desk and unvailed it while placing the waits on it. It was another map, but unlike the previous one, this map was bigger almost a foot longer in both width and height. And unlike the previous map, the details on this one were way more prominent than the other. Its described any small villages, valleys, monster settlements, river, and many more other details.

This map was made thanks to Filius's brilliant planning. Filius had predicted that maps would be important and asked a servant to map out the areas. He also knew if they could infiltrate the human society and obtain one, but he also had doubts that they wouldn't be detailed enough, it seemed his prediction was true.

"This is the map we have made thanks to sons quick thinking", Ainz said.

"Thank you father", Filius bowed, Ainz nodded and returned to the topic at hand.

"Albedo, please make copies of this and distribute it to the other guardians", Ainz ordered.

"It shall be done", Albedo said.

"Before you do, I'll inform you with the key points", Ainz then pointed at a certain part where a tomb was. "This is the Great Tomb of Nazarick", he then moved his finger to an area where it was covered with trees, "and the large forest to the north is the Great Forest of Tob."

Ainz them remembered that they were making a fake dummy Nazarick in order to misguide any enemies that would try to locate them. Ainz turned to Albedo, "How is the dummy Nazarick progressing?"

"Well, precisely on schedule", Albedo stated.

"Aura has a good grasp on the situation, she has performed well up to the point when she received your gift lord", Albedo said.

"Up to the point? Does that mean something has happened?", Ainz asked.

"Nothing bad my lord, Aura's progress has been even more proficient and she had to perform even better. It's to say that your gift has given her even more motivation and inspiration to work harder", Albedo stated.

"I see. I should have guessed she'd take a liking to that watch", Ainz said while imaging the cute Aura being all cheerful hearing her creator's voice again.

"It's adorable. And to be honest, I can't blame her", Albedo said, "Not only does she get to hear a voice of a Supreme Being, but it just so happens to belong to her birth mother. For a guardian, there could be no greater reward!"

Albedo then blushed a bit, "Other than being your servant, of course. Being here by your side is an honor none of us deserve."

"M-m. Y-yes", Ainz said in a nervous tone.

"We should remain on the main topic", Filius stated, Albedo quickly composed herself and nodded.

"You're right Filius, now", Ainz then pointed at the map and moved North-West of where the tomb was. "West of the mountains is the Re-Estize Kingdom", he then proceeded to point at an image of a city, "here's the capital."

"That is where Sebas is. If I remember correctly, he is collecting data for you, right?", asked Filius.

Ainz nodded, he then turned to Albedo, "Any word of them?"

Albedo nodded, "He is making regular reports. As for Shaltear's assailants, we have officially confirmed that they are from the Slane Theocracy. It also seems like, before Shaltear went into stasis, she managed to injure three of the attackers. Sebas's information confirms that two of them are diseased while another is in critical condition. It seems like the Slane Theocracy only has a few informants, so there isn't much more information", Albedo stated

"Well, we now have confirmation of our enemy, I expect that they will be a lot more cautious from now on. I predict they will try to avoid interacting with us and probably form a stronger defense just in case", Filius stated.

"Why do you believe that?", Albedo asked.

"That's what i would do if I didn't know much about my enemy", Filius stated.

"Filius is right, we know the location of one enemy. But what about the second one?", Ainz asked Albedo.

"That warrior platinum armor, I apologize, but nothing has come up. All the information Sebas could obtain was from rumors and myths so it's not concrete information. As for where he was last, thanks to Aureole's subordinates who tracked him we know that he's somewhere in the north, probably recovering from the battle with Shaltear", Albedo stated.

"Do you know his precise location?", Ainz asked.

Filius and Albedo shook their heads. "Just as he was being tracked he used a form of magic to disappear, it seems that there is also teleportation magic in this world too", Albedo stated.

"I see", Ainz said.

"But if he had teleportation magic then why not use it as soon as he escaped Shaltear. Unless...", Filius then became quiet and started thinking of something.

"Do you have another theory Filius?", Ainz loved knowing that Filius could make incredible connections with very little information, this was one aspect he admired in his son.

"Magic is a big part of this world's normal life, but all living beings are still unaware of its full potential and origins. My new hypothesis is, that teleportation magic is one of the most powerful magic for this world's rankings. And just like Yggdrasil, it required a whole lot of mana, so maybe the Paladin doesn't have a massive mana reserve like Shaltear's or Father's. He also doesn't have an item or skill with the ability of long-distance teleportation", Albedo and Ainz were surprised by his calculated thinking.

"Exceptional my son, your hypothesis is incredible", Ainz praised.

"Thank you father", Filius bowed.

"We will be moving on basis of this information. Please let everyone know that they must be careful not to interact with this person and to contact us immediately if they see him", Ainz ordered Albedo.

Albedo nodded, "I will inform the guardians of this hypothesis and your warning."

Ainz then returned his attention to the map once more and pointed to the Northeast of where the tomb was. "On the other side of these mountains, to the east, is the Baharuth Empire. They attack Re-Estize constantly." He then pointed at a smaller city on the map, its location was a little lower from the tomb's area. "E-Rantel which serves as Momon's home base becomes a military outpost in times of war", Ainz stated before moving his finger to the south.

"And to the south beyond the forest, is the Slane Theocracy. They're the ones who attacked Carne Village", Ainz stated.

"Pitiful humans", Albedo spoke, "If we're lucky, they'll kill themselves for us."

"I agree, these humans are the same race and yet they are at each other's throats due to ideology, religion, greed, and propaganda", Filius sighed, "They need our help to survive or they will end up killing each other for stupid reasons."

"In addition, several species of demi-humans have formed a nation to the north. The Argland Council State", Ainz pointed to the area north of the Re-Estize kingdom. "From what I've been able to gather. They're led by as many as five dragons", Ainz stated.

Albedo was surprised she didn't know if dragons existed in this world but it seems they did, "So they are in this world."

Ainz then pointed to an area Southwest of the Re-Estize kingdom, "The Holy Kingdom lies to the Southeast of Re-Estize, and in the wilderness next to that, demi-humans of all kinds engage in dispute almost daily." Ainz said while pointing to a city with a massive wall that covered its east side. On the east side of the wall was a massive area, it was somewhat covered by forest and rivers as well as some mountains.

"Isn't that where you sent Demiurge, my Lord?", Albedo asked.

Ainz nodded, "Yes. He's conducting experiments in parchment production. With a supply of high-quality parchment, we could make as many scrolls as we would ever need."

Ainz then looked back at the back, "I believe that's it. Which of these nations do you feel we should be wary of?"

"The answer's simple", Filius stated while attracting Ainz and Albedo's attention, "All of these nations are dangerous. We have just discovered that world-level items exist in this world, we know that the Slane Theocracy has some. What is it to expect that any of these other nations also have them? Until we can gather more concrete and reliable information all these nations pose a threat. We should be wary, but also we shouldn't place too much fear in our movements or else progress will come much too slowly."

Albedo nodded, "I agree with the Young Master, all these nations pose some sort of uncertain threat. But we should continue with our normal pace and plan for anything that can occur."

Ainz nodded, he indeed was in a foreign world. But soon the world would fear him instead.