Translator: Nigel
Editors/Proofreaders:

Volume 10 Chapter 3 - Epilogue

Demiurge walked happily through the 9th Floor of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick.
迪米乌哥斯心情愉快地走在纳萨力克地下大坟墓的第九阶层。

The sensation of returning after a long time was probably an illusion of some sort. After all, he returned to this place from time to time, and the longest stretch of time he had been away from here was a fortnight at the most. Thus, the reason for his misperception was clearly due to the joy he felt at walking through this place.
这仿佛时隔多日的怀念感应该是种错觉吧。因为不时就会返回，充其量也就是两周左右没有留守于此来着。即便如此也产生了这种错觉的原因，毋庸置疑的是对走在这片土地上一事感到了喜悦。

His mood lifted the closer he got to his objective.
随着目的地越来越近，心情也变得越发愉快。

Demiurge paid no heed to the guards Cocytus had stationed on either side of the doors as he adjusted his tie and inspected his appearance. Naturally, he paid attention to it at all times, but he did not want his master to see a side of him which was less than immaculate.
无视了立在大门左右的科塞特斯安排的卫兵，迪米乌哥斯拉紧领带，检查仪容。当然了，平常也一直有所注意，但绝不能让自己的主人看见哪怕一点的不成体统的样子。

After a very earnest inspection of his personal grooming, Demiurge knocked on the door of the room.
经过了认真过头的仪容检查后，迪米乌哥斯总算敲响了房间的大门。

One of the maids opened the door, poking her head out to see who was calling.
女仆中的一位打开了门，探出头来辨认来访者。

Demiurge wanted to try and spy out a glimpse of his master through the gap, but he could not do anything that embarrassing.
虽然想要从门缝中寻找主人的身姿，但不能做出那么丢人的举动。

“May I know if Ainz-sama is in his room?”
「安兹大人可在屋内？」

“My sincerest apologies, Demiurge-sama. Ainz-sama is not in.”
「非常抱歉，迪米乌哥斯大人。安兹大人现在不在这里」

His mood had just plummeted, but he did not let it show on his face.
虽然迪米乌哥斯的心情急转直下，但他没有表现在脸上。

“Is that so. Then, where has Ainz-sama Gone?”
「是这样么。那么安兹大人是去了哪里？」

“My sincerest apologies, I do not know… However, Albedo-sama might know something about it.”
「非常抱歉。我对这些……。不过若是雅儿贝德大人的话，说不定知道些什么」

She was right.
她说的没错。

“Really now, Then, where is Albedo now?”
「这样啊。雅儿贝德在哪？」

“She is in this room.”
「就在房间里」

Demiurge knew Albedo treated her master’s room as her workroom. Can’t you just use the room you’ve been assigned, he often thought, but after considering her personality, he ended up keeping quiet. The most important thing was his master’s approval. With that, there was nothing else for him to add.
迪米乌哥斯知道雅儿贝德会把自己主人的房间当做工作室。用分配给她的房间不就好了，倒是这么想过，但考虑到她的性格，最后还是什么都没说。最重要的是，主人对此表示了认可，那么自己就不应该妄加评论。

“Is she working? ...Could you help me check if this is a convenient time to visit?”
「正在工作吗？……请替我问问现在方便不方便进去」

“Understood.”
「遵命」

The door before him closed. A moment later, it opened again.
眼前的门关上了。在那之后片刻，门又一次打开了。

Please come in, Demiurge-sama.”
「请进，迪米乌哥斯大人」

Demiurge thanked the maid and then entered. Before his eyes was the Guardian Overseer, seated on a chair in front of his master’s desk.
迪米乌哥斯对女仆表示感谢之后进入了房间，坐在主人的办公桌前的守护者总管的身姿出现在眼前。

Her lowered line of sight moved, and caught hold of Demiurge.
她低下的视线开始移动，捕捉到了迪米乌哥斯。

“It’s been a while, Albedo.”
「好久不见了呢，雅儿贝德」

“Ah, Demiurge. You’ve worked hard abroad. What is it today?”
「哎哎，迪米乌哥斯。外面的工作辛苦了。今天是怎么了？」

“Ah, it concerns the matter in the Holy Kingdom. I was planning to obtain permission for the final stages of the plan. I will need a Doppelganger… where is Ainz-sama?”
「啊。是有关现在进行中的圣王国的事，想来取得进入最终阶段的许可。我需要一只二重幻影。……安兹大人去哪了？」

“He is somewhat far away. I doubt he will be able to return quickly…”
「稍稍有些远的地方。我想是无法很快返回的……」

In other words, he is not in E-Rantel, Demiurge mused. Otherwise she would not describe it in such a strange way.
就是说不在这耶·兰提尔之内吧，迪米乌哥斯这样判断道。不然是不会用这么奇怪的说法的吧。

“That is somewhat of an inconvenience. Then, I shall perform preparation work on the 7th Floor until Ainz-sama returns.”
「那就有些困扰了。那样的话在安兹大人回来之前，我就在第七阶层进行其他工作的准备吧」

“If it is urgent, could you not communicate with [Message]?”
「要是事态紧急的话用<讯息>联络不就好了」

Demiurge frowned, and observed Albedo’s expression.
迪米乌哥斯皱了皱眉，观察起雅儿贝德的表情。

She had her usual smile on, but the perceptive Demiurge detected some other emotion within her.
虽是浮现着一如既往的微笑，观察力敏锐的迪米乌哥斯还是从中读出了一些其他的感情。

If she was just toying with him, it would be fine.
如果只是在戏弄自己的话，那什么问题都没有。

Demiurge attempted to quickly study her, but he could not read that deeply.
迪米乌哥斯迅速的观察了起来，但却没能读的那么深入。

It ached at him, but then again, this was not a contest in the first place.
虽然有些不甘心，但这本来也不是在争什么胜负。

Among all the people of Nazarick, the only two people he could not read were his master and Albedo. He set them aside as rare exceptions for the sake of his inner peace.
而且在纳萨力克里见过面的所有人中，无法以他的洞察力看破的、也就只有自己的主人和雅儿贝德了。为了内心的安宁把他们当做很小一部分的例外也好。

Demiurge shrugged.
迪米乌哥斯耸了耸肩。

“It is not that urgent. If Ainz-sama returns the day after, I shall inform him myself.”
「并不是那么紧急。要是后天能回来的话，就由我亲口向安兹大人进言好了」

“Ainz-sama did not mention how long he would be gone. He might take a very long time.”
「安兹大人并没有说过什么时候会回来。说不定会花费很长的时间呢」

“Then, I shall go to Ainz-sama’s side, Albedo. It is not a matter which requires the use of [Message].”
「到了那时我会前去安兹大人身边的，雅儿贝德。并不是需要使用<讯息>的事情」

“Ara? Why is that? If it is truly important, would it not be more loyal to inform him as soon as possivbe?”
「啊啦？为什么？如果是重要的事情的话，尽早传达给主人不才是忠义么？」

The context of Albedo’s smile had changed. Earlier, it was her usual faked smile, but now it was a wicked, bullying smile. She must have some sort of ill intent in mind.
雅儿贝德的笑容的意味变化了。之前那要是平常的伪装的话，现在的就是欺负别人时的笑法，该判断她怀有恶意么。

It would seem there was something she wanted to say, no matter what.
似乎她无论如何都想让自己把理由亲口说出来。

How tiresome, Demiurge thought as he stated his reasons.
真是令人困扰啊，迪米乌哥斯一边这么想着，一边说出了那个理由。

“I desire to display my achievements to Ainz-sama, so I do not wish to use such methods to contact him. While I can receive his praise through a [Message], in the end, I would still prefer to hear his voice in person. That is all… Is that not the shared dream which all Nazarick has?”
「是因为我想要安兹大人褒扬我取得的成果，所以不想用那样的手段取得联络啊。虽然用<讯息>也能得到赞赏，但果然还是想要直接听到安兹大人本恩赐的声音，仅此而已。……这不是纳萨力克里所有人共同抱有的想法吗？」

“Mm, indeed, Demiurge. It is as you say. Anyone would feel that way.”
「嗯，正是如此，迪米乌哥斯。正如你所说。任谁都是会这么想的吧」

“Then, where has Ainz-sama gone?”
「那么，安兹大人是赴往了何处呢？」

“He has gone to visit the Dwarf Kingdom, about which little is known and which has not made diplomatic contact until now. Thus, we do not know how much time it will take.”
「赴往了至今未有外交，情报不明的矮人国。所以不知道要耗费多少的时间」

“Who accompanies him?”
「随行的是？」

“Shalltear and Aura.”
「夏提雅和亚乌菈」

That should be fine in terms of combat strength. However other aspects were more worrisome.
战斗力方面没有问题。但是，其他方面就有些令人担忧了。

Aura was fine. All she needed to do was not inconvenience Ainz-sama. Yet, the face of the other person appeared in Demiurge’s mind.
亚乌菈也在的话那就没问题吧，能不给安兹大人添麻烦就好了啊。但迪米乌哥斯的脑海中浮现了
另一人的面孔。

“Still, by bringing Shalltear along, does he intend to destroy the Dwarf Kingdom?”
「不过选择了带夏提雅过去，也就是说要毁灭矮人国么？」

Mare would have been a much better choice for verbal negotiations. Thus, that choice was made for other reasons.
若是要进行口上的交谈的话，想来带上马雷应该更合适才对。所以这是根据其他目的而做出的选择吧。

“--What are the other Guardians doing?”
「——其他守护者正在做什么？」

“Cocytus is managing the lake. Mare is building a dungeon outside E-Rantel. Sebas is carrying out his duties in E-Rantel. Although I do not know what Ainz-sama intends, the fact that he did not bring an army along would suggest a peaceful visit, no”
「科塞特斯在进行湖周的管理。马雷在耶·兰提尔郊外建造迷宫。赛巴斯则是在耶·兰提尔执勤。
虽然不清楚安兹大人有着怎样的考量，但没有带上军队的话，应该是打算进行友好的访问吧？」

“...There is insufficient information for that. Why did Ainz-sama want to go to the Dwarf Kingdom?”
「……情报不足呢。安兹大人为何要前往矮人国？」

“Demiurge. We cannot predict Ainz-sama’s thoughts.”
「迪米乌哥斯。安兹大人的考量是我们无法揣测的啊」

It was as Albedo said.
正如雅儿贝德所说。

His master, Ainz Ooal Gown, was the supreme ruler of Nazarick, who concealed countless stratagems within a single move of a chess piece. Demiurge -- who had been created with outstanding talents -- could not even hope to graze the soles of his brilliance with his outstretched hands. Attempting to read his master’s motivations was a mistake.
安兹·乌尔·恭。正是作为纳萨力克最伟大的统治者的主人，会在棋盘上的一招里藏入无数策略的神机妙算的主人。那是即使是带着优秀的才能被创造出来的迪米乌哥斯也无法企及其脚尖的存在。想要读出主人的意图才是错误的做法吧。

That said, sensing his master’s will and preparing for it was a mark of true loyalty.
然而，察觉主人的想法，提前做好准备才是真正的忠义。

If I don’t work hard enough...

As Demiurge rebuilt his conviction once more, Albedo picked up a piece of parchment from the table.
不更努力的话，在迪米乌哥斯重新坚定了自己的决心之时，雅儿贝德从桌上拿起了一张羊皮纸。

“This came from the Empire yesterday. I opened it after receiving Ainz-sama’s permission via [Message]. It contains an offer of vassalage from the Empire. The exact details of the vassalization are to be finalized later.”
「这是昨天，从帝国送来的东西。在安兹大人用<讯息>给出许可之后我将它打开了。概述其内容的话，就是帝国的从属的请愿。有关以怎样的形式变成属国等事宜将于后天会谈，只有这些内容」

Demiurge was shocked. This was much earlier than he had anticipated.
迪米乌哥斯很吃惊。比预定的早了太多了。

“What’s this? According to my predictions, the Empire should only have offered to be vassals after the Kingdom was destroyed…”
「怎么回事？根据我的预想帝国的从属，应该要等到王国灭亡之后……」

“This is the result of Ainz-sama’s visit to the Empire.”
「这是安兹大人赴往帝国的结果哟」

“This is… As expected of Ainz-sama…”
「这是何等……。不愧是安兹大人……」

“Say, Demiurge. Did you really think the Empire would only become a vassal after the Kingdom would?”
「呐，迪米乌哥斯。你真的认为帝国成为属国要等到王国之后吗？」

“Of course. That was how I planned it.”
「当然。在我的计划中是那样打算的」

“Regardless of what methods you used?”
「无论使用什么样的手段？」

“...What are you trying to say?“
「……你想说些什么？」

“Ainz-sama often mentioned your name. It came up in the context of ‘Did you hear from Demiurge? Then it should be all right.’ In other words, there was something about you -- about your plan which he could not accept.”
「安兹大人时常会提起你的名字。意思就是『从迪米乌哥斯那里没有收到什么联络吗？就这个样子没有问题吗？』这么一回事吧。也就是说对你的什么——毫无疑问是对你的计划存在着无法认同的部分吧」

“What are you saying.. Albedo, why didn’t you tell me earlier? If that’s the case--”
「你说什么……雅儿贝德，为什么不早些告诉我。那样的话——」

“If what is the case?”
「那样的话怎么了？」

Demiurge could not speak.
迪米乌哥斯说不出话来。

“...Let me ask you again. Was there no way to make the Empire a vassal before the Kingdom?”
「……我再问你一次。没有能让帝国比王国更早属国化的手段吗？」

“...There was. However, it would require Ainz-sama himself to act. It would be a shameful course of action for a subordinate to advise. In addition, I felt that it would require the execution of several methods -- requiring at least a month -- in order to cause a violent upheaval within a large city. That being the case, I believed that it would have been better to begin by subjugating the Kingdom and then applying pressure on other areas… how long did Ainz-sama take?”
「……有。只是，那是必须得让安兹大人做出行动，这种作为属下的羞愧行为的手段。而且，我觉得要在采取了数个手段之后——最少也得用一个月左右的时间，一座大都市出现暴动后。若是这样，还是从支配王国这一面对其施压的做法才要更好，我是这么判断的……安兹大人用了多少时间？」

“I was in the Kingdom, so I am not sure, but I think it was three days at the most.”
「因为我去了王国不是很清楚，但前后加起来恐怕一共三日吧」

Demiurge’s eyes went wide.
迪米乌哥斯不禁瞪大了眼睛。

That was too fast.
太快了。

How had he demonstrated his subjugating might? How had he broken the will of the Emperor, who sought to ally with other nations?
是怎样展示了使之屈服的力量啊。是怎样击碎了想要与他国组起同盟的皇帝的心啊。

Although Demiurge had prepared a perfect plan that would render the Emperor unable to take action, his master seemed to have crafted a scheme which surpassed even that.
虽然迪米乌哥斯准备了让皇帝无法应对的完美的策略，但自己的主人似乎是准备了在那之上的谋略。

“Three days? How did he do that…”
「三日吗？究竟，是怎么做到的……」

“Incidentally, there were almost no casualties.”
「顺便一提，似乎没有出现死者的样子哦」

His gaping mouth felt like it had been stoppered up. All he felt was an unstoppable flow of admiration and respect for that absolute ruler. He was like Death itself, quietly standing behind the Emperor and then crushing his heart.
张开的嘴就像是被堵住了一般。唯有，对那绝对的统治者的崇敬之情不断涌起。是正如死之本尊一样，静立于其背后，接着将皇帝的心脏握碎了吧。

The trembling he felt since just now spread from the top of his head to his entire body. Savage delight, admiration, fear and respect mixed within him, and this complex blend of emotions made Demiurge shudder without end.
从刚才开始颤抖就自头顶传遍全身。狂喜，羡慕，畏惧，敬意这些感情混合在一起，难以名状的激情让迪米乌哥斯的身体震动不止。

“As, as expected of Ainz-sama. Someone like me could not hope to even approach him. He is truly a peerless and perfect master. Nobody else could have led the Supreme Beings. I cannot help but envy Pandora’s Actor, even if it is just a little.”
「不愧是，不愧是安兹大人。果然像我这样的人是完全无法企及的啊。实在是位太过完美的大人啊。无上至尊的统筹者确实非安兹大人不可啊。虽然只是一点，但真是羡慕潘多拉·亚克特啊」

Albedo went kuku, her smile full of superiority.
雅儿贝德呵呵一笑，那是满溢着不可思议的优越感的笑容。

It must have been the sense of superiority a woman felt when she was ordered to love such a marvelous man.
那是被命令了去爱着如此程度的男人的，作为女人的优越感吧。

“In addition, Ainz-sama has ordered us to decide how to handle the vassalage of the Kingdom.”
「还有，安兹大人下达了让你和我，决定如何处理帝国的从属的指示」

“Ordered us? Why?”
「让我们吗？为什么？」

“Is that not obvious? Much of the developments in this field have been due to the use of your plan, Demiurge. Even so, Ainz-sama said nothing to you and pushed the vassalization of the Empire forward with his own plan. Thus, his heart ached.”
「那不是当然的么。能有这一系列的发展，迪米乌哥斯，很大程度上是因为采用了你的计划。尽管如此，安兹大人还是什么都没对你说就以帝国的属国化为前提推进了计划。所以为此感到了心痛啊」

He could not understand that. Perhaps if he were displeased at his own incompetence, he could understand that. But not this.
不明白那是为何。要是对自己的无能抱有不快感的话还能理解，但似乎不是那样。

“...Why? I do not understand.”
「……为什么？我不懂」

Hah~ Albedo sighed tiredly.
哈，雅儿贝德像是累了一样的发出了叹息

“It is because he trusts you. In other words… how shall I put this. You should be able to understand it with that mind of yours, but this is probably how it is. Not following your plan is equivalent to doubting your abilities. Ainz-sama awaited your communication because he did not want to do that. However, Ainz-sama felt you were too concerned about him. Thus, his independent action was meant to tell you, ‘don’t worry about me’, I believe.”
「因为你被信赖着啊。就是说……怎么说好呢。虽说我觉得以你的头脑是能懂的，大概是这么一回事吧。不按照你的作战行动相当于质疑你的能力。安兹大人不想那样才一直等待着你的联络啊。但安兹大人是觉得你对自己有些顾虑了吧。自己先行动起来，是想要告诉你、不用顾虑我吧，我是这样认为的」

It was an answer he could accept. No, it would be better to say there could be no other answer but that.
能够认同的答案。不，不如说除此之外还有什么可能呢。

“This truly is…”
「这实在是……」

Demiurge lowered his face in shame. At the same time, he was filled with delight after he realised how his master had thought of him.
迪米乌哥斯因过度的羞愧而低下了头。与此同时的，他也被欢喜包围了。在知道了自己的主人是如此的为自己着想以后。

“Demiurge. We must work to repay Ainz-sama’s kindness.”
「迪米乌哥斯。为了回应安兹大人的慈悲，我们不得不行动了呢」

“Of course, Albedo.”
「那是当然，雅儿贝德」

Demiurge was excited.
迪米乌哥斯奋起了。

“In order to fulfil Ainz-sama’s expectations, let us finish a vassalage plan for the Kingdom for him to see before he returns!”
「为了能回应安兹大人的期待，在安兹大人返回之前作出属国计划好让他过目吧！」

“Indeed. Ainz-sama has gone in person, so there must be many schemes in store. He will surely be busy once he returns from the Dwarven Kingdom.”
「是呢。因为是安兹大人亲自前往，在背后必然还有着众多的意图吧。安兹大人从矮人国回来以后肯定是要忙起来了」

Demiurge grinned.
迪米乌哥斯咧开嘴笑了。

“Indeed, Albedo. Indeed.”
「说的真是啊，雅儿贝德」