Antikythera moved across the streets of Re-Estize's capital in complete silence. The shopping district is full of people even by this time thanks to its close proximity to the red-light district, but that only meant that other streets are empty enough that a humanoid automaton is able to move through Re-Estize without worrying about attracting attention.

  Organics are very paranoid due to their inherent weakness of having pain receptors. Renner had asked him whether or not he could feel pain minutes after they had met, and Antikythera felt curious as to why. Did the princess think she could inflict pain on him? Or maybe that was her way of controlling people... No, she does it through faking herself and putting on an outward persona that fits the taste of the humans around her.

  Was she considering his strength through whether or not he had pain receptors? If so, it was in line with the information Demiurge had given him when it comes to the girl's way of thinking—she likes it when her victims begin to panic and act suspicious. A sadist, Demiurge said with a smile, much like himself.

  The Archfiend finding a friend in someone with whom he has simirities is quite fascinating, but it also adds points in favor of Renner. If Demiurge likes her, then she would fit well as a servant of Nazarick. Even though Renner was not created by the Supreme Beings, she coincidentally has a personality that would be no different from any other Nazarick denizen, and to Antikythera, that matters quite a lot. It is good to have a local who sees eye to eye.

  And speaking of locals, there is a group of people here who have the same moral compass as him but would not let themselves be subjugated easily like Renner. Demiurge originally pnned to hurt them so badly that they would fall in line, but Antikythera had another pn: why not let them run amok and encourage their actions?

  The reason why is fairly simple—criminals like to act like they are in control, and with such a rge group holding the underworld of Re-Estize in a tight grip, it is only obvious that they would become his main dealers in terms of weapons. When Jaldabaoth—Demiurge's pnned persona—debuts, it would only worsen their sense of self-preservation, and if Antikythera shows that he can fight the "demon lord" evenly, then the Eight Fingers would crawl to him for aid.

  He would not need to discuss compensation with the leaders of the criminal organization because he would hold all the cards, and they will thank him for any aid he can provide. He can slowly exterminate anyone whom he believes to be a threat and repce them with doppelg?ngers who will agree to everything he says.

  It shouldn't take long before he has an authentic criminal organization under his command—no need for forced servitude. The underworld would be his while Demiurge commands fear on the surface, and Lord Ainz's persona would be there to act as the wall that will stop the two of them from running amok. The people will see Momon as a hero, and they would praise him without equal.

  'That is a good pn, Antikythera,' Demiurge chuckled once the Automaton finished telling the Archfiend his own pns for his persona. 'Us acting as obstacles whom Momon will protect the people of Re-Estize against is exactly the reason why I am making Jaldabaoth.'

  'Then we are in agreement?' Antikythera asked.

  'Yes, I will start a change of pns. We will enact this and ensure that Lord Ainz's persona is viewed in the most positive light by everyone!' Demiurge said with enthusiasm.

  Antikythera cut the [Message] off and basked in the silence that followed after the spell wore off. For him to be able to pull off such a stunt, he would need to first talk to the leaders of Eight Fingers, and with how thorough the Hanzos have been in uncovering the organization's hideouts, he didn't need to search for long. A brisk walk was all it took for him to stand in front of a nondescript inn. Underneath the pin building y a gambling den, whorehouse, and sometimes even a home for some of Eight Fingers' leaders. None of them seemed to be here as of right now, however.

  Which meant that he needed to go to one of the leaders directly and tell her that she would need to gather everyone in a single spot so that Antikythera could talk to them. Easy enough.

  The Automaton opened a [Gate] and walked through it. The area he found himself in was a rge plot of nd surrounded by a lush forest. This pce is close to the capital. This descriptor is quite generous because, in truth, this pce is several kilometers away from that pce. It is close in the sense that the capital borders it, and not only that, several noble houses of various ranks just so happen to be "close" to this area.

  At the heart of this estate is a giant mansion that looked more like a castle than what a noble would call home. The vines that have overgrown on its walls serve to make it look ancient and mysterious, the perfect pce for any discreet party some spoiled brat may want to participate in.

  Antikythera had a leisurely stroll as he took in the sights around him. The open space was just big enough that a young noble with no css would see the vastness of it and the mansion in the distance and think of this pce as vish. It was well thought out even by Antikythera's standards—whoever the architect of this pce was, they were good.

  Unfortunately, he could not appreciate the sights for long because he was soon upon the entrance of the mansion. Two guards stood by the giant double doors at the front. Both looked sleepy, one was even leaning against the shaft of his spear.

  Antikythera felt distaste at the sight of it, and though he told himself he wouldn't use a spell against the humans here for fear of causing unwanted attention and aggression to the owner, clearly these two deserved a more gruesome end than their fellow guards.

  Hot phosphorus began to spark on Antikythera's palm. The sound attracted the attention of the two guards, and they spent their reaction awakening from their drowsiness more than becoming vigint and acting on a fight-or-flight response. Antikythera swept his hand, and the two guards were no more than bck ashes—the door and the walls went along with them.

  Antikythera entered the now open entrance. What's left of the wooden doors broke when his head did not stop moving upon making contact with their brittle forms.

  Guards soon began to swarm him, and Antikythera didn't bother with them. He swiftly took them out—he was physically superior in every way, and a human stood no chance at punching iron, let alone tempered adamantine.

  Antikythera gathered the deceased into a rge pile by the entrance. It was when he finished cleaning up that a woman came from the second floor to see what was going on in the mansion's atrium.

  Her eyes widened when the moonlight illuminated Antikythera's pile, and the Automaton felt when her breath caught in her throat. Her heart rate picked up, and she froze, her grip on the stair's guard so tight that her already pale knuckles turned ghastly white.

  "Do anything foolish, and your life will end." Antikythera's eyes glowed brighter after his procmation. He stepped into the moonlit floor and looked into the eyes of Eight Fingers' head of drugs. He was tall enough that he could grab her from where she was on the stairs with room to spare.

  "W-Who are you?" The woman, Hilma Cygnaeus, stammered. "I didn't do anything to attract Red Drop's attention, and—and I've clearly brought you whores—"

  "I am not the leader of that damned adventurer team," Antikythera shook his head. "Do you think there is flesh underneath this thing?" He knocked on his chassis. "This is a hollow shell with no organic compound residing within."

  Hilma's eyes widened. "What are you?"

  "The better question is, Hilma, what can I do for you?" Antikythera corrected with one finger raised. He shook it—his voice modutor made ticking sounds like that of a clock with each pendulum-like swing of his finger. "I can make you the head of Eight Fingers, and all you need to do is follow my commands. This is not a suggestion or an offer. You have no choice in the matter."

  Hilma gulped and nodded. "I get it."

  "Good. Let us start discussing what you need to do."