Chapter 2 – The Crimson Sovereign's First Decree
The Throne Room had quieted once more, the echoes of reverent voices fading into stillness.
Ainz Ooal Gown sat alone on the throne, fingers tented in his signature thinking pose, trying to maintain his majestic aura.
But behind those glowing crimson eyes…
Okay okay okay... They all bought it. No one questioned the Raizel look. Good. Great.
Now… what do I do next?
His gaze shifted toward the dark sky beyond Nazarick. The time had come to explore the outside world. If this place truly wasn't Yggdrasil anymore, then sitting on the throne forever wasn't an option.
He stood and summoned Sebas, issuing instructions for the Guardians to reconvene in the Guildmaster's Hall. But even as he walked through Nazarick's hallowed halls, his mind drifted somewhere else—toward a problem far more pressing.
I can't go out looking like this and just call myself 'Momonga.' What kind of cool final boss name is that?
'Momonga' sounds like a small rodent. What next, Lord Capybara of Doom?
And 'Ainz Ooal Gown'... that's the guild name. I need something that matches this.
He passed a wall-mounted mirror and paused.
His hair, black as the abyss, flowed like silk. His crimson eyes shimmered with mysterious coolness. His cloak fluttered with invisible wind like it had its own animation budget.
Okay, think. Something regal. Mysterious. Slightly edgy... but not too edgy.
He started muttering to himself.
"Lord of the Blood Cape?"
"Count Majestic Death?"
"Crimson Dracula...?"
Ugh, no. That last one sounds like a third-rate anime villain.
He looked again at the red embroidery on his sleeves and the eerie glow of his eyes.
Then it hit him.
Crimson Sovereign.
He stopped mid-step, nodding to himself.
Yeah. That sounds just pompous enough to work. Like someone who'd be on a poster with a sword pointed at the moon or something.
It had everything: flair, mystery, and a solid chance of intimidating peasants.
Perfect.
Guildmaster's Hall – Moments Later
The Guardians assembled in silence. No one spoke until Ainz addressed them.
"I have decided," he said, tone calm, "that Nazarick cannot remain isolated. I must personally investigate the world outside our domain."
A wave of protests started—Albedo, Shalltear, Demiurge—but he silenced them with a raised hand.
"I will not go alone. Narberal Gamma will accompany me."
He turned his back to them and added, "And when I walk into the world, I will not be seen as merely the ruler of the Great Tomb. I will be more."
A pause.
Time to commit.
He looked over his shoulder slightly.
"From this day forward… to the outside world, I shall be known as the Crimson Sovereign."
The Guardians visibly reacted.
Demiurge adjusted his glasses, impressed. "A title befitting your splendor, Ainz-sama."
Albedo's eyes sparkled. "Sovereign… crimson… it suits your divine aura perfectly!"
Shalltear let out a breathy sigh. "So romantic… Crimson Sovereign-sama…"
Ainz stood proudly, unmoving, face stoic.
Heh. Nailed it.
Nazarick's Surface Gate
The moon hung high. The gate shimmered. Ainz, now fully committed to his overly dramatic aesthetic, stood before it with Narberal at his side.
He glanced back one last time.
Nazarick stood proud behind him. The guardians awaited his return. His cape swished.
Crimson Sovereign. Man, that really does sound cool.
"Narberal," he said, "we depart. From this point forward, outside these halls, you will refer to me by that title."
Narberal bowed. "Yes, Crimson Sover—Sofa—Soverin?"
"…We'll work on it. Just follow my lead."
With that, Ainz stepped into the portal, the Crimson Sovereign entering the world stage.
Ready or not.
*******************
The teleportation light faded.
Ainz and Narberal stood in a clearing on a gentle slope. Before them, smoke curled up from beyond a distant hill, the smell of fire faint in the air.
This isn't Yggdrasil. There's no minimap. No enemy indicators. But that smell—something's burning.
Ainz narrowed his eyes.
"Let's investigate. Don't act unless I tell you to."
"Yes, Ainz-sama," Narberal replied, quiet and alert.
The two moved swiftly, climbing the hill in silence.
When they reached the top, Ainz's eyes widened slightly.
Below them lay a village, already partially ablaze. Homes were on fire. People were running, screaming. Armed men in white and gold armor chased them down—well-equipped, well-trained, and merciless.
…Who are these people? They're not monsters. They're not bandits either. Too organized. But I've never seen their uniforms before. Not in Yggdrasil.
Which means… this isn't part of the game at all. This is something native to this world.
He saw a child fall. A soldier raised his sword.
That was enough.
He stepped forward, voice calm.
"Stop."
Carne Village – Southern Edge
The soldier froze, confused by the sudden voice.
From the flames emerged a tall man, black coat trailing behind him. His crimson eyes glowed in the haze. His expression was serene, detached—like a noble watching something far beneath him.
Long black hair swayed slightly in the smoke-filled air.
The soldier blinked. "Who the hell—?"
Then he flew backward, blasted off his feet by invisible force as Ainz raised a single gloved hand.
More soldiers turned to attack—but Narberal struck first. Lightning arced from her fingertips, clean and precise. Within seconds, only silence remained.
Ainz turned.
The villagers were staring.
Not at the dead soldiers.
At him.
At the man who walked through fire without urgency. Whose clothes never dirtied. Whose face looked like it belonged in a mural.
"…Who is that?"
"He's… so beautiful," one girl whispered.
"Is he an elf? A high noble? He doesn't look real…"
"He's like a prince from a storybook…"
"No, more than that… just looking at him makes my heart race…"
Ainz heard all of it.
Okay. They're mesmerized by the look. That's good. No one's screaming about demons or undead. Just handsome. Handsome I can manage.
He walked to a wounded man and checked the injury.
It was bad. Too much bleeding. He pulled a weak health potion from his inventory.
The man flinched—but Ainz just nodded, uncorked it, and poured it over the wound. It hissed faintly as it sealed.
Gasps erupted again.
But this time, Ainz raised a hand slightly—not for flair, but because his hair had blown across his face again.
Ugh. Need to get a ribbon or something. Can't look intimidating if I'm chewing on my bangs every five seconds.
"Get to safety," he said, voice smooth and level. "We'll handle the rest."
They stared for a beat longer… then nodded, dazed.
Carne Village – Northern Forest
A small squad of elite soldiers emerged from the woods—bearing intricate religious robes beneath armor. One among them stood out: a bald man with cold eyes and a smirk.
Nigun.
He turned toward the ruined village.
"Casualties already? Impressive. I didn't expect resistance."
He raised a hand. "Begin the summoning."
Nearby – A Rider Approaches
A figure on horseback neared the village from the north—a man in dark armor with a heavy blade strapped to his back.
Gazef Stronoff.
He slowed his horse and surveyed the smoke, listening to the distant clash of steel and magic.
I'm too late… but something's off. This attack was fast. Too fast.And someone else beat me here.
He narrowed his eyes as a glint of crimson caught his attention.
*********************
The air above Carne Village shimmered with golden magic.
A ring of light cracked open the sky as five angels descended in formation — glorious, armed, wings wide.
Ainz — no, Rein, as he was currently calling himself — stood still.
Villagers cowered behind fences and carts, but they couldn't look away. Not from him.
"Who is he…?""He's too beautiful to be real…""He's like… a noble from another world…"
Rein's hair fluttered gently in the wind.
Okay, just stay cool. You've got the visuals down. Just need to finish this like in the anime. Quick, efficient, mildly terrifying.
From the opposite side of the square, Nigun Grid Luin emerged, flanked by casters.
He grinned with overconfidence.
"I am Nigun, captain of the Sunlight Scripture. Surrender now, and I may let your corpse remain whole."
Rein sighed internally.
This guy's bald, smug, and giving me 'edgy rival in a discount light novel' energy. Let's get this over with.
Nigun raised his hand. "Heaven's judgment — attack!"
The angels shot forward like golden arrows.
Rein didn't move.
"Negative Burst."
A pulse of darkness exploded outward. Silent. Clean.
All five angels disintegrated on contact.
Nigun froze.
His brain short-circuited.
"…W-What!?"
He's short-circuiting just like in the anime. Beautiful.
Nigun stammered and pulled out a scroll. "Then… I'll summon a true divine servant! Feel the wrath of the heavens — Dominion Authority!"
A beam of light shot upward.
Rein's eyes narrowed.
Wait… wait a second. That's… no way.
The sky cracked open again — and from it descended a giant six-winged angel, bathed in absurd golden glow.
It floated, silent and holy, its presence almost oppressive.
"…I know that summon," Rein muttered.
That's definitely from Yggdrasil. I remember seeing one used during a defense raid. Level 40. Weak defenses. High light damage. Terrible design. It looks like a baby duck cosplaying as a chandelier.
...What is a Yggdrasil angel doing in this world?
Nigun cackled. "Now tremble! This is a power gifted to us by the gods!"
Rein calmly raised a hand.
"Grasp Heart."
The massive angel twitched.
Its glow flickered.
Then it shattered like cheap crystal — wings, halo, and all — erased from existence in under three seconds.
Nigun stared.
Mouth open.
Silent.
Then he dropped the scroll. Fell to his knees.
"…No…"
Rein stepped forward slowly.
"Now," he said coldly, "you'll answer my questions."
Because someone just summoned a Yggdrasil creature — and I am NOT letting that slide.
He gestured to Narberal.
"Restrain him."
She nodded. Lightning crackled around her as she paralyzed Nigun in place.
The man didn't scream. He just shivered.
"W-What… are you…?" he whispered.
Rein turned slightly. Eyes glowing red. Hair flowing like dramatic curtains in a thunderstorm.
"I am Rein. Remember that name as long as you live."
Nigun passed out.
Later — Outside Nazarick (Teleport)
With a simple command, Rein and Narberal teleported to a hidden gate far from the village, dragging the unconscious Nigun behind them.
I'll interrogate him in Nazarick. Quiet. Safe. And I want Albedo and Demiurge to hear this too. If he really knows about Yggdrasil… we've got bigger problems.
Narberal adjusted her grip on Nigun's limp form.
"Shall I prepare him for torture, Rein-sama?"
"No. Not yet," Rein said. "We'll try talking first."
I'm not a monster. Just a very elegant man with overwhelming power, hair problems, and a growing suspicion that this world is not what it seems.