Blueberry led Ainz to an elf tree. Ainz was well aware Aura had been staying here, so he hadn’t really needed a guide. But as this was officially his first visit, he’d been forced to pretend he didn’t know his way around.
There was no sign of the twins waiting outside, so they must have gone inside.
“Thanks for your help.”
Blueberry was looking around, like he was searching for something—and seemed disappointed by the results.
“A pleasure to be of assistance,” he said. “If you need anything else, just say the word. Should I have your things brought here?”
“Th-that won’t be necessary. No need to trouble yourself.”
“You’re sure? Don’t hesitate to ask!”
This man was being strangely pushy.
Everyone had different concepts of personal space. Did dark elves set that boundary closer than most humans?
Thinking about it, living in a place like this—surrounded by monsters—meant you had to work closely together to survive. Maybe it was a side effect of that environment. Still, Ainz had no need for the man at the moment.
“No, I’m fine. Leading me here is more than enough.”
“I see… Then tell Fi—Aura I said hi.”
Why only her? Oh, I see. Ainz figured it out. My blunder. I failed to introduce Mare at all. Aura did say his name, but that was all we did.
But there was little upside to introducing Mare to the grown-ups. Only the children really needed to know him, and Aura would likely take care of that.
“Yes, I will.”
Blueberry turned back several times as he left, and Ainz made sure he was gone before stepping into the elf tree. As expected, the twins were waiting for him.
“Good wor—” Ainz broke off, deciding that was the wrong greeting. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Sir, if we could ask—”
“—Stop. Don’t be too formal. I’m well aware that Aura’s ranger skills ensure her ears will detect any dark elves that come near. Here, we are safe and can speak freely if we choose. But assumed identities are less likely to slip if you maintain them at all times. As long as we are in this village, I am your uncle, Aura. There is no need to be deferential.”
“Unh,” Aura moaned. She glanced briefly at Mare, then at the ground, then up at Ainz through her lashes. “Um, Uncle Ain, what do we do next?”
Mare was nodding. He had the same question on his mind.
“Now we’re cooking— No, if I really was your uncle, I probably wouldn’t talk like that. Let’s just stick to what I was doing earlier. Not bad, Aura. How’s that sound?”
Aura managed a half smile, half embarrassed, half uncertain. Didn’t seem like she’d objected—even if she did, he was still going to act more familiar than he usually did.
“Very well— Er, I mean, okay?” Ainz said, looking them both over. “Like our initial plan, we shall be—hmm, is saying gonna better? We’re gonna be staying in this village for about a week. Can’t say for sure, since not much has been decided yet, but let’s kick back and relax and learn whatever we can.”
“Oh, er, um, Uncle Ain, what sort of information are we looking for?”
“Nice work, Mare. Keep it up!”
He felt like this wasn’t actually all that different from how Mare usually spoke but decided to praise it anyway. Mare looked bashful, and Ainz launched into a further explanation. Mare had asked similar questions on the way here, but he’d bought himself time by saying he’d explain once they’d regrouped with Aura.
This had allowed him to concoct a rationale.
“Everything and anything. All information related to this dark elf village. There may come a time when we need the two of you to pose as normal dark elves. Of course, there might not. But in case it does, if you don’t know how dark elves think, they might suspect something. So considering what the future might bring, I thought a stay in this village might help you gain some experience.”
Ainz thought this was a solid excuse. But the next bit was key.
“And the two of you might have to act like normal dark elf children. Why not try joining in the children’s games? Of course, that’s not an order. If you can think of anything better, go right ahead.”
Given his true objective of finding the twins some friends, these instructions were toeing the line. If he pushed it any further, it would become an order, but if he didn’t push them at all, they might never look at the other kids twice.
He had not expected them to appear so puzzled.
Um, what? I did a bunch of rehearsals and thought I nailed it just now. Did I miss something?
“So…not information on the Theocracy?” Aura asked.
That made Ainz look puzzled. Not that his illusionary face moved.
Why were they bringing up the Theocracy all of a sudden? He didn’t understand.
Back at Nazarick, he’d said they were here for a paid vacation. If memory served, he’d also called it a test to see if Nazarick would still function with three members of the upper echelon out of the picture. But…
I never once mentioned the Theocracy, did I? I know they suggested we ask that charmed elf about them…but why? Oh…the former slaves in Nazarick are a similar race, so that made them worry? Their karma isn’t nearly as low as Albedo’s or Demiurge’s.
He chose to ignore what they’d done in the kingdom when he drew that conclusion.
It’s possible they only felt sympathy for elves and dark elves and cared nothing for humans.
“Uh, sure. If you hear anything about the Theocracy, that’s worth knowing.”
“Okay! Understood, sir— Er, got it…?”
Aura was still struggling with how to interact with her supposed uncle, but Ainz just shot her a grin and opened up his rucksack.
“Good. Now, if we’re staying for a week, we should sort out our things.”
He’d brought a bunch of stuff with him, starting with some dwarven dishes. It was quite a pile, but he hoped some of it would interest the dark elves, the way the gifts had. For that reason, he wasn’t just putting them anywhere—he was attempting to place them where they’d catch the eye.
In other words, this was a showroom.