Send in the cringe!

 Emperor Jircniv was not just a fellow sovereign but also a trusted ally, and Ainz preferred to believe that their bond was a friendly one.

 Their nations had been allied ever since the occasion where workers from the Baharuth Empire trespassed into the Great Tomb of Nazarick. Typically, the audacity of intruders to set foot on the guild's stronghold, of which Ainz and his comrades had constructed, out of mere shallow greed, would not justify amicable ties. However, given that it was his will – or rather, the plans of his infinitely more skilled subordinates – that aimed for such event, Ainz found no reason to blame the emperor for it.

 During their proper first meeting, as the emperor apologized for the intrusion, it was Jircniv who assisted Ainz in establishing his kingdom by having the empire recognize them as a sovereign nation, merely requesting to be allies in return. Now, Ainz – once again due to the cleverness of his subordinates – realized that the emperor had originally intended to deceive him. However, following Ainz's display of might in the Katze Plains, he understood that Jircniv had given up on such ambitions and focused on maintaining a cooperative partnership between their realms as the most sensible course of action.

 Now, however, matters had become a bit more complicated ever since Jircniv filed for the vassalization of his Empire of Baharuth. Ainz could not understand what prompted such drastic change in their mutual dynamic, particularly after his unexpected but cordial visit to the capital of the nation.

 Regardless, after observing Jircniv enough remotely to get a proper sense of how to act as a powerful ruler, Ainz had grown to admire the bloody emperor. He was everything Ainz was not: noble, intelligent… charming even. A true monarch who encompassed the delicate balance of iron fisted will and lenient compassion needed to reign. Thus, Ainz sought to deepen their relationship beyond that of subject and superior. He tried his best to maintain the ties between their countries equitable and prosperous; utilizing undead labor for agricultural tasks, bolstering their military, and introducing more accessible healing magic for the benefit of their citizens.

 And of course, Ainz showed his goodwill in their personal interactions as well. He consistently praised Jircniv and acknowledged his efforts, engaging in lengthy discussions while soliciting his opinions on various topics to convey his appreciation for the emperor’s insights. Additionally, he gifted him a ring of passive healing to help with the stomach aches he had mentioned, showcasing he was attentive and cared for his wellbeing.

 Yet Ainz could not help but feel that, especially after the fall of the Re-Estize Kingdom, the emperor still stayed on edge whenever they met in person.

 Suzuki Satoru tried to understand what could be the issue by seeing things from Jircniv’s perspective. If one’s partner in business became his boss, he could understand becoming apprehensive when interacting with said associate. All it took was one misstep to shatter the bond once had between them. But Ainz was trying his hardest to maintain their amicable relationship.

 In times like this, Ainz thought to himself, when my wits are lacking, there is only one thing I can do: Reach out for help from someone smarter. Preferably Demiurge.

 So that’s precisely what he was doing, calling in a conference with Nazarick’s premier strategist, the fiendish intellectual Guardian of the 7th Floor.

“What may I thank the honor of being called to serve, Lord Ainz?” The arch-devil reverently directed himself to the undead overlord.

Currently bowed, Ainz motioned for Demiurge to rise. He was still sharp as ever, slick dark hair combed back, glasses spotless yet ever reflective. His orange suit was intricately well-kept, as if he had just put it on.

They currently found themselves in the pristine conference room of the 9th Floor of the Great Tomb of Nazarick where most administrative tasks Ainz possessed were done.

“Demiurge, I’m glad you could make some time from your prolonged efforts to attend to a trivial matter of mine.” Ainz put it calmly.

 At that, Demiurge adjusted his glasses. “No work is grander than to assist the Supreme One.”

 Ainz mentally sighed at the high pedestal the NPCs put him and his orders on. For starters, this truly was a purely personal trivial matter, so if Demiurge was conducting more pressing research, or planning more schemes to aid the Sorcerer Kingdom, he wished he prioritized that. But this should not take too long, so this meeting would not affect much on Demiurge’s busy schedule.

“I simply require your perspective on a personal endeavor of mine regarding Emperor Jircniv of the Baharuth Empire.”

“As you wish my Lord. Has his usefulness already passed?”

 That Ainz had to clear up. “Ah, no. Far from it in fact. I just wished to know on how to gain Jircniv’s favor.”

 Demiurge slightly tilted his head. “I don’t believe I understand, Lord Ainz.”

 How could he put this in a smart way?

“I feel as if relations with the emperor have become stagnant, so I’d like to strengthen our bond for a future prosperous relationship.”

“We’ve already supplied the empire with our industry and management. As far as I view it, he is more than indebted to you and your benevolence.” Demiurge argued.

“Well, this is only in the grand relationships between our countries.” Ainz tried to elaborate. “I’d like to personally show my goodwill to Jircniv.”

 Demiurge brought a hand to his chin and pondered for a few seconds.

“I understand.”

 That got Ainz to worry. Whenever Demiurge ‘understood’ something from Ainz, things could escalate quickly if he did not intervene.

“Please keep in mind that I do not want anything elaborate. Perhaps a simple token of my gratitude for his service would suffice.”

“Efficient as ever, my Lord.” The arch-devil spoke with a smirk. “If I may ask, what do you exactly want to grant to the emperor?”

 It was now Ainz’s turn to be pensive. He needed a gift that would ease Jircniv’s worry, something akin to a manager presenting a small trinket to an employee, signaling that they could relax.

“Something to alleviate tensions, I suppose…” Ainz thought out loud. “For him to lower his guard.”

“Lower his guard…” Demiurge repeated, eyes glinting as if pieces to an unseen puzzle had snaped into place. “I take it he has reacted defensively to the destruction of Re-Estize…”

 Only Demiurge could perfectly understand a situation from just a few sentences.

 “…Then, if I might suggest, why not give the emperor a personal bodyguard?”

 “Oh?” Ainz’s red dots turned sharp in his otherwise hollow eye sockets.

“If your wish is for him to gradually lose his edge, then perhaps a simple servant could prove efficient.” Demiurge elucidated, his devilish grin widening. “While he may be averse to the idea at first, I believe he could progressively learn to become more reliant on them and, as proxy, the Sorcerer Kingdom as a whole.”

 Ainz stroked his boney chin as he continued to hear the devil’s intuition.

“Think of it as a positive exposure therapy. If we can have him associate safekeeping and solace in this convoy, I’m sure he could be condition to lower his defenses.”

“A most astute idea, as expected from my master strategist.” Ainz praised.

“I am sure I merely suggested what you already had concluded, my liege.” The Floor Guardian gave a bow.

 A bodyguard. That seemed like the perfect token of gratitude. Not only would he be personally ensuring Jircniv’s safety, alleviating his worries, but if they could eventually become confidants, then Ainz could show how welcoming Nazarick could be… Under the right circumstances that is.

 Besides, if they can become close, I can ask whoever we choose to be protecting Jircniv about his interests and wants! Perfect for surprising him with even better, more thought-out gifts. Ainz fist pumped in his mind.

 However, there was the issue as to who to choose for this task.

“Very well, I shall think of a suitable candidate for the role of bodyguard myself. For now, have it arranged for a meeting with Jircniv at an opportune time.”

“As you wish, my Lord.” Once more, Demiurge gave reverence.

“You are dismissed.”

 As the arch-devil left the chamber, Ainz allowed himself to dive into his thoughts, trying to piece what or who would make for a good companion for the emperor.

 The thought of weak or mindless pop-mobs that regularly spawned on the first few floors of the Great Tomb were out of question for him. Sure, they were inexpensive and expendable, but what kind of friend would offer someone the leftover stuff they had lying around? That was utterly lame.

 He could bestow a higher tier undead or similar summons, perhaps one created by him specifically, which would be significantly stronger. However, only those undead summoned from corpses would endure permanently; the others would vanish after a set duration. Ainz was reluctant to continually replace Jircniv's bodyguard at frequent intervals, wasting mana in the process. But the only corpses he had available for creating permanent undead servants the moment were those of criminals, which would likely taint the gift symbolically.

 There were then other various races that could fulfil the role of bodyguards that could be summoned in other ways. From demons and angels to other miscellaneous monster heteromorphs and demi-humans, Ainz had the means to bring forth any number of summons for the job.

 Yet it still felt too impersonal.

 It felt akin to handing someone a generic gift card; Ainz believed it wouldn’t truly convey his goodwill.

 Ainz really wanted to show Jircniv they could be associates – equals in a way. He respected the emperor as a fellow sovereign – as a peer. Not the same manner he viewed his dear guildmate comrades, but the same way he once viewed Gazef Stronoff. Another honorable individual making their way through life best they could.

 And so, the choice for Jircniv’s bodyguard became clear: An NPC.

 There, however, came some glaring problems.

 Ainz was acutely aware that the majority of the inhabitants of the Great Tomb were not particularly fond of humans – to say the least. Outside of that, most NPCs already had highly important tasks assigned to them that would conflict with needing to be at the emperor’s side.

 Even NPCs that were neutral or sympathized with humans had already key roles in Nazarick or the Sorcerer Kingdom as a whole. Yuri and Pestonia – two NPCs favorable to inhabitants of the New World – for example already were working in the orphanage at E-Rantel to guard and supervise the children present, ensuring their loyalty to the Sorcerer Kingdom.

 So, the choice of which NPC to employ became narrower, but also trickier to pick. It had to be an individual who was either benevolent or at the very least neutral towards humans, someone who held no significant position in Nazarick or the Sorcerer Kingdom, and naturally, could feasibly serve as a bodyguard…

 Ainz sighed as he drummed his skeletal fingers on the desk. This would be challenging, but he was willing to endure it to demonstrate his good intentions to a friend.