Chapter 3: Demiurge

Now, Ellie's whole body was trembling, but of course, not because of fear. Right now, she simply had no time to be afraid.

After all, the one standing before her was the king of brain supplements, Demiurge. Even an idiom like "thought assimilation" was created because of Demiurge.

"Ahhhhh!!"

By the way, at this moment, Ellie was tightly bound by various strange halos, kneeling on the ground, with two fully alert Death Knights standing behind her.

Ellie herself was still a white skeletal frame. Earlier, at least she had armor to wear, but after being caught by Sister Yuri Alph, the armor was stripped away.

Weapon? She had thrown it away the moment she tried to run.

Though, for a small skeleton, whether wearing armor or not made little difference, Ellie was still a girl after all. Even though she was now a skeleton, she still had a tiny bit of shame—just a tiny bit.

"Yuri Alph Alpha? May I ask, what is the meaning of this?" The Demiurge before her looked at the scene with curiosity and inquired of Sister Yuri Alph.

"Lord Demiurge, during Lord Ainz's skeletal army formation, an anomaly was discovered, so I have come to report it," Sister Yuri Alph glanced at Ellie before continuing with a bow.

Uh… wasn't Sister Yuri Alph a Dullahan?

If she lowered her head like that, wouldn't her head fall off? Ellie thought to herself.

----

"Hmm… so this is the anomaly you mentioned?" Demiurge's gaze fell on Ellie.

Ah! She was being scrutinized by Demiurge! What a sharp gaze…

"Yes, Lord Demiurge. This skeletal warrior created by Lord Ainz suddenly left the formation without permission and attempted to escape. So, I captured it and brought it back," Sister Yuri explained.

She almost smashed my head… Ellie complained internally. After all, she couldn't speak and could only grumble in her heart.

"Escape? Yuri Alpha, please describe the situation in detail." A flicker of surprise crossed Demiurge's face.

This did not escape Ellie's eyes. It was only natural that Demiurge would be surprised. After all, the skeletal warriors created by Ainz had no thoughts of their own.

If Ainz ordered them to die, they would unquestionably go to their deaths. For one to suddenly break away, of course, it would be shocking!

Sorry about that, Demiurge.

Sister Yuri then recounted everything in detail—how she noticed Ellie's unusual behavior and how she captured her.

She even explained why she hadn't immediately crushed Ellie's skull. It was because Ellie's reaction seemed like that of an intelligent, sentient being. Fearing that Ellie might be a spy, Sister Yuri had spared her life.

"Hmm, I understand the situation. You did well, Yuri Alpha. You may leave now." Demiurge gave his instructions after hearing Sister Yuri's report.

Hmm? If Sister Yuri leaves, won't that mean I get to talk with Demiurge alone? Ellie felt a bit excited.

Sister Yuri bowed to Demiurge and then turned to leave, leaving only Demiurge and the two Death Knights guarding Ellie.

Tch… you two are still here?

Facing Demiurge, a level-100 being, what could a mere level-20 skeleton like her do?

"Now then… who are you?" Demiurge adjusted his glasses, his tone turning serious.

I am Ellie, from Xilin City, [unreadable] County. Currently attending Longmen High School. My parents are alive, and I have a younger brother. I also have a pet poodle named Clem…

Upon hearing Demiurge's question, Ellie involuntarily thought of these things. It was as if some kind of compelling force was making her recall everything about herself and forcing her to speak it aloud.

Unfortunately… Ellie's current skeletal body couldn't speak.

This… this was Demiurge's "Word of Command," wasn't it?

When Ellie finally recovered from the effects of Demiurge's Word of Command, she realized—he had indeed tried to compel her speech!

But unfortunately for him, she simply couldn't talk!

"Hmm… no effect?" Demiurge became wary upon seeing that his Word of Command had failed.

It worked! It totally worked! I almost recalled my entire family tree!

Ellie shook her head in response.

Perhaps her shaking motion caught Demiurge's attention.

"Hmm… interesting. Can you understand my words?" Demiurge asked.

Ellie nodded. Of course, she could understand! She just couldn't speak!

At that moment, Demiurge snapped his fingers, and the glowing restraints binding Ellie disappeared instantly.

Since she had been kneeling, when the restraints disappeared, Ellie naturally relaxed and collapsed onto the ground—sitting in a classic "duck sitting" posture typical of girls.

Seeing such a feminine sitting posture, Demiurge became even more intrigued by Ellie's skeletal form. Though he didn't show it outwardly.

Demiurge knew very well that the undead army created by Lord Ainz had no thoughts of their own.

Yet this one… was clearly different from the two Death Knights standing behind her. Unlike those puppet-like undead, this skeleton felt more like a sentient "being."

At first, Demiurge had been cautious. However, the magical energy radiating from Ellie was identical to Ainz's, so he had removed her restraints.

Could it be… that this was another trial set by Lord Ainz?

Though he had never heard of Ainz creating an intelligent skeletal warrior, Ainz was, after all, unfathomable! Anything was possible! Demiurge pondered deeply.

"Then… were you created by Lord Ainz?" Demiurge asked directly.

Ellie thought about it. Her current body should have been created by Ainz, right? So, she nodded.

"Can you speak?" Demiurge continued.

Ellie shook her head. No, she couldn't. It was inconvenient, really. She didn't even have a tongue… how could she talk? Ellie felt a little regretful about her inability to speak.

"Interesting…" A glint flashed in Demiurge's eyes. It was now evident—this skeletal warrior truly had intelligence and self-awareness.

Perhaps… she could be useful for his experiment.

Wait a second!!

So that's how it is!!

As expected of Lord Ainz! Everything I do is already within his grasp!

Demiurge was astonished. He had never imagined that his highly confidential experiment—one he had planned to report to Ainz only after making some progress—had already been foreseen!

Not only had Lord Ainz been aware of it, but he had even arranged for such a skeletal warrior to be given to him! And in such a manner!

As expected of Lord Ainz!

Ellie was utterly confused. Wasn't Demiurge supposed to interrogate her? Why wasn't he saying anything anymore?

At that moment, Demiurge was internally worshipping Ainz with all his heart… something Ellie was entirely unaware of.

Since this was a gift from Lord Ainz, he must personally go and express his gratitude!

With an excited expression, Demiurge immediately turned and left, leaving a dumbfounded Ellie sitting there in confusion.