The sun dipped low as Arsh and Ainz strolled through the golden-lit street outside the college gates. Ainz broke the calm with curiosity lacing his voice.
"So… what exactly are you planning, Arsh?"
Arsh's eyes gleamed, a half-smile curling his lips. "Just a little game," he said, stretching lazily. "Two powerful clubs, both useful for gathering power and information. So, I simply gave each of them what they wanted—without really giving anything at all."
"Huh?"
Arsh smirked. "I let the 'Stars' club photographer get some shots of me—just stood there in good lighting and let the camera do its job. and my appearance made the star club girls crazy, Now they can do anything to add me in the Star Club and For the student council? I let OSAI write a 'passionate essay' and had it left neatly on the president's bench."
"You… planned all this?" Ainz blinked, stunned. "That's insane. And brilliant."
"Both," Arsh said, casually flicking dust off his shoulder. "Now all I have to do is give them my conditions. If they agree, my plan succeeds without me having to lift a finger in public."
Ainz frowned. "What kind of conditions are we talking about?"
Arsh turned, hands behind his back, and listed them like he was reading a grocery list.
For the Student Council:
"Never give me credit unless I specifically allow it. Let Eran take the spotlight for everything I do.""I want complete freedom—no daily office visits, no mandatory meetings. Send tasks to my room or via email.""I won't be president next term. But I'll personally find and groom someone who's worthy. If I fail, then I'll take responsibility and lead."
For the Stars Club:
"I work alone—no group projects, no collaboration.""I won't show my face on any public platform. That's non-negotiable.""I reserve the right to say no to anything with a reason. No guilt trips allowed."
Ainz stared at him like he was hearing terms of a royal treaty. "There's no way they'll agree to that."
"They will," Arsh said with the confidence of someone who'd already won. "Not because I asked nicely. But because they're under pressure."
He raised a finger and began counting off.
"The council has no successor. Eran is desperate to secure someone before the year ends. He can't afford to lose a candidate like me."
"True," Ainz muttered.
"And the Stars club? Their members are crazy about me. If I refuse, there'll be resignations, backlash… their reputation would take a hit."
"And if that's not enough," Arsh added, eyes narrowing with a hint of mischief, "I'll apply the final pressure: time. I'll wait until the last moment to respond. When the clock's ticking, they'll take any deal I offer."
Ainz stared, mouth slightly open. "You're scary when you think like that."
Arsh chuckled. "I'm just efficient."
They kept walking in silence for a while before Arsh added more seriously, "But with more influence comes more responsibility. I won't have time to hunt demons like before. You and Noar will need to cover that front."
Ainz nodded, understanding the weight behind the words.
Later at the Safe House Training Room
The hum of OSAI drones filled the air as Ainz threw himself into combat drills. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he launched a spinning kick at an Illusion-type demon projection. OSAI's voice echoed, "Target locked. Fire on impact."
A burst of simulated plasma followed Ainz's strike, disintegrating the demon in a flash. He panted, chest heaving, then collapsed onto the ground, breathless.
A soft sound behind him made him jolt. "Who—?"
He turned to see Arsh sitting cross-legged at the edge of the room, handing him a bottle of water.
"Wha—How long have you been here?" Ainz asked, startled.
"Two minutes," Arsh said nonchalantly.
"You're terrifying."
They sat in silence for a moment, catching their breath. Ainz finally broke it.
"Can I ask you something? I know you don't like being praised, but…"
Arsh tilted his head. "Go on."
"Do you ever feel like… you don't have a reason to fight?"
Arsh sighed. The weight of memories filled his eyes.
"I was five," he said quietly. "When the demons destroyed our village."
Ainz straightened.
"I saw my parents sacrifice their lives. I ran because they made sacrifice to save me. I trained for three years straight. I Killed my first demon at eight. When I killed that demon I thought it would make me feel better. But It didn't."
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
"I cried after killing that demon. Three years of pain came out in one night. But even after more battles, more blood… I never felt satisfied. Just hollow. I started asking myself why I was still alive."
Ainz listened, stunned.
"Then, one day, I found a wounded lion cub. I took care of it. And when it looked at me with pure, grateful eyes… I felt something again."
A soft smile played on Arsh's lips.
"But the real change came when I met my sister. Rose. The bravest person I've ever known. She carries the heaviest burden The Burden to save the world by taking his own life, but she still smiles. That smile saved me."
He turned to Ainz.
"His Smile made me realise that , Revenge isn't a purpose. It's a poison. You bear it too long, and it becomes your identity. Rose gave me hope. She reminded me that I could live for more."
Arsh stood, gently clapping Ainz's shoulder. "The answer to why we fight… it's not in books or in others. It's in you. Ask yourself: what do you really want? and I am pretty sure, the answer will not the Revenge."
Ainz stayed silent for a moment, then whispered, "I think… I know now."
He stood, clenching his fists with a renewed fire in his eyes. "I want to protect you. Serve you. That's my purpose."
"I know you'll get stronger," Arsh said, walking away. "You already are."
Meanwhile, Southeast Sector – Rooftop
Noar stood over the crumpled body of a defeated Rank 3 demon. Blood stained his fists as he made a call.
"Sora."
A sarcastic voice picked up. "Wow, you can use a phone? Miracles do happen."
"Shut it. I need advice," Noar growled. "I'm falling behind. Nearly died twice. Arsh had to save me both times. I'm… I'm tired of being weak. I feels like useless, So please."
Sora's voice softened just a bit. "You serious?"
"Dead serious."
"Alright," she said. "You know where our strength comes from, right?"
"Our sins," Noar replied.
"Exactly. But here's the trick—our emotions tied to those sins. You're an anger demon. Use that. Fuel your rage. But control it. By Training it. That's your true power."
Noar's eyes sharpened. "Rage…"
"It's not easy," Sora said. "But if you master it, even the Dark Night's elites won't stand a chance."
"You're smart," Noar muttered.
"I'm second rank for a reason," she smirked. "Anyway, gotta go. Arsh assigned me to protect Queen Rose."
Call ended. Noar looked down at a swarm of demons on the street below.
"Alright… let's see how angry I can really get."
That Night — Demon Commander's Base
Greed stood in front of a towering mass of lesser demons. His voice echoed across the underground war hall.
"We prepare for war. My experiments on the Demon Beasts can will succeed in a month then we can attack on Arsh and crush him and then, there is no one who can stop us, until then let him play with our army. "
Cheers erupted from the ranks—500+ low-rank demons, 200+ 4th-tier, 50+ 3rd-tier, and 10 savage demon beasts.
Greed's face twisted with bitterness.
"The other commanders mocked us. Said we're weak. Even Bribe—he called us rats."
He clenched his fists.
"But we'll show them. My experiments are ready. We'll crush Arsh. Then, we'll be hailed not as rats—but as the claws of the Demon Lord."
Dark energy pulsed from the walls as preparations for the most brutal assault yet began to unfold…
At the same time, At the Royal Castle of Arsh's Country
Rose woke up from a nightmare, and walk to the balcony to feel some fresh air
He looked at the sky and said " Everything is Depends on you now, Arsh".