Starting from Ainz Ooal Gown, simultaneously traveling through time

Chapter 186 [The Map of Mountains and Rivers]

To be fair, Momonga was indeed furious, so furious that even his passive skill, which forced him to calm down, was triggered, and he was emitting a ghastly green light.

But he hasn't lost his mind yet.

After all, the reputation of the guild [Ainz Ooal Gown] in the game has never been good.

The Alien Guild is full of villains; how good can its reputation be? Being verbally abused by other players is commonplace.

He had heard far worse things than this; the insults the white-robed human had just hurled were actually mild in the context of the game.

In the past, if he encountered someone who was so confrontational, he would either directly turn on his microphone and curse them back until they became withdrawn.

Alternatively, you can bring a team to PK, level up the opponent, strip them of their equipment, and then repeatedly kill them at their respawn point until they avoid the name "Ainz Ooal Gown".

But this isn't a game anymore. The teammates around me have changed from gamers who are used to verbal battles to the group of guardians in front of me with red eyes.

If he were alone, he could tolerate it; let him curse, it wouldn't hurt him. He could get revenge later once he understood the situation.

But now, he had to consider the feelings of these guardians. They were so eager to devour the white-robed man outside that if he suppressed it any longer, something bad might happen.

But he couldn't let them rush out like that. The hundred dragons outside were still there, and although the group of white-robed men looked weak, who knew what trump cards they had up their sleeves?

He needed to increase their chances of winning, at least to ensure they could come back alive. He hadn't tested the resurrection mechanism of this world yet; if they really died, they'd have nowhere to turn for help.

Ainz Ooal Gown looked down at the ten rings on his fingers, and turned one of them, the [Ainz Ooal Gown Ring].

With a flash of light, he vanished from the throne room.

He went to the treasure hall.

That's where the Ainz Ooal Gown guild keeps its most powerful magical artifacts; it's the guild's ultimate sanctuary.

Those world-class artifacts lie dormant there.

A moment later, he returned to the throne room.

The guardians were waiting, watching as Lord Ainz suddenly disappeared and reappeared, holding a large scroll in his hand, bound by a golden ribbon, its surface shimmering with a dim light.

As for Ju, he didn't want to suppress it anymore. He had been insulted to this extent, and if he continued to endure it, he might as well give up being the chairman.

Shalltear was the first to blurt out, "Lord Ainz, that's—?"

Demiurge pushed up his glasses, a slight smile appearing on his lips: "This must be the strongest trump card left by the Supreme Beings for Lord Ainz Ooal Gown, a world-class item."

Momonga nodded; this time, Demiurge had finally guessed correctly.

"This is the [Map of Mountains and Rivers]." Momonga unfurled the scroll, a faint light flowing across the ancient paper. "One of the eleven world-class items held by the guild. Upon use, it will drag all targets and their areas without world protection, including the user, into a barrier, creating an isolation effect."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Simply put, it's about trapping your opponent in another dimension. There are hundreds of different types of dimensions, such as lava zones, frozen zones, lightning-struck zones, and misty worlds—take your pick."

He closed the scroll and glanced at the guardians in front of him.

Shalltear, Aura, Mare, Cocytus, Demiurge, Sebastian, Albedo.

He could have used it himself; his understanding of this item far surpasses that of the current Guardians.

But Demiurge had already made it clear beforehand—"Lord Ainz won't intervene; we'll handle it."

If he intervenes now, it would seem as if he lacks confidence in the Guardians.

Perfect timing! He also wanted to see just how much combat power these guardians could unleash after gaining true intelligence.

He looked at Demiurge. "Demiurge, take this, and make good use of it."

Demiurge's eyes lit up. He took the scroll with both hands, his fingers trembling slightly. His usually confident expression showed a rare moment of unease.

"Your subordinate will certainly not fail Lord Flying Squirrel's trust." His voice was three degrees lower than usual, and it was as solemn as if he were making an oath.

Shalltear protested. "Why give it to him?" she glared at Ainz, her eyes filled with defiance. "Lord Ainz, I want it too!"

"Because you're not very bright," Yaura said casually from the side.

Shalltear's face flushed red instantly: "What did you say?!"

"I'd say your breasts are fake, and your brain is fake too." Yauramen said without changing his expression. "Lord Ainz entrusted you with such an important item, and you probably lost it in the very first round."

"you--!"

"That's enough," Momonga said. The two of them shut up simultaneously.

The flying squirrel looked at them and said calmly, "I have my reasons."

The flying squirrel has its own considerations.

First, the user must be intelligent.

A fool holding a world-class item is no different from holding a fire poker. Among the Guardians, there are three who have "intelligence" written into their underlying logic: Demiurge, Albedo, and the oddball he created himself in the Treasure Hall.

He didn't plan to call that oddball over; he'd just let him guard the treasure hall.

Therefore, the choice is between Demiurge and Albedo.

Secondly, if you already have a world-class item, don't get a second one. Having multiple items is a waste of the [World Guardian] effect.

Albedo already has the [Hell Abyss] from the Emerald Record for her.

Therefore, only Demiurge remains.

Albedo's eyelashes trembled. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed it back. Of course, she knew this principle, but—she glanced at the scroll in Demiurge's hand, and then at Ainz Ooal Gown.

She wasn't after the power of the world-class item; she envied it. It was a gift from Ainz Ooal Gown himself, and if she could get something from Ainz Ooal Gown, she would be willing to hand over the [Hell Abyss] in her possession.

Unfortunately, it can't be replaced.

Momonga retracted its last finger. "So, it's only Demiurge."

Shalltear wanted to say something, but Aura glared at her and shut her up. Shalltear puffed out her cheeks and went off to sulk.

The flying squirrel was about to say something.

He was going to share his experience in dealing with blocked doors during the gaming era. He had been blocked at his door and blocked other people's doors in those years, so he had some experience and several mature solutions.

"Lord Momonga," Demiurge suddenly spoke.

The flying squirrel looked at him.

"Please don't need to give me any hints." Demiurge's voice was calm, but his eyes burned with fury. "Lord Ainz's wisdom is more than enough to crush these ants before us, but this time..."

He gripped the scroll tightly. "Please let us use our own strength to capture that madman who insulted Nazarick. Save your wisdom for when it is needed more."

Shalltear raised her head, Aura and Mare exchanged a glance, and Cocytus loosened his grip on the hilt of his sword.

"Lord Momonga," Shalltear's voice was no longer urgent, "please just watch from the sidelines."

Yaura nodded: "We won't let you down."

Mare added quietly but firmly, "Absolutely not."

Cocytus did not speak, but bowed his head deeply, a gesture of a warrior's promise to his lord.

The flying squirrel opened its mouth, as if to say, "Actually, I'm not that smart; I just have experience."

But when he looked into those eyes, there was no doubt, no hesitation, only burning loyalty and fighting spirit.

He swallowed back the words that were about to come out.

Looking at these NPCs who were once just data, and now as guardians imbued with life, he suddenly remembered many years ago when he and his companions created this guild. Back then, they were just like that, their eyes burning with passion, believing that there was no battle they couldn't win.

"Okay," he said, his voice soft but steady. "I'm here, watching over you."

The guardians turned around.

The doors to the throne room slowly opened.

Flying Squirrel sat on the throne of the kings, with a telescopic mirror floating in front of him. In the mirror, the group of white figures were still floating in mid-air.

He tapped the armrest lightly with his fingers.

Go ahead, let me see how high you can fly.