[ Lower Fire Month (9th Month) 3rd Day 17:44 ]
The door to the guest room slowly opened.
Its hinges were regularly oiled and it should have swung open smoothly, but for so reason, the motion of the doors seed unusually sluggish and ponderous, as though the door was fighting a pressure differential between the air on the inside and the outside of the room. It was as though their speed was matching the way Sebas felt..
If the door had truly read his heart, then Sebas would have much rather it had not opened at all. However, it did open, revealing the interior of the guest room to Sebas' eyes.
The room was the sa as always, but unlike how it usually was, there were now four heteromorphic beings waiting inside.
One was a light blue warrior. He emitted a freezing aura and held a platinum halberd, but was otherwise motionless.
One was a demon. There was no telling what sches hid within his mocking features.
Then, there was an angel in the shape of a fetus, held in the arms of the demon.
And finally—
"Please forgive my lateness. I am deeply sorry to keep you waiting."
By sheer force of will, Sebas quashed the trembling in his voice. Then he bowed respectfully to the sole seated being in the room, as though in worship.
Sebas was the butler and the head of the manservants, and he occupied a position close to the top of Nazarick's hierarchy. Only one person could make Sebas bow before him in fear and awe. There could be no other.
That entity was one of the 41 Supre Beings, who commanded fealty that could not be contested.
—Ainz Ooal Gown.
This almighty fighting force was also the ruler of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick. The Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown emanated a black aura from its place within his hand.
Dim red pinpoints of light played lazily within the hollow orbits of his eye sockets. Even from his bowed position, Sebas could sense those lights sizing him up from head to toe.
The movents of the air told him that Ainz had waved expansively, in a leisurely manner.
"...It is fine. Think nothing of it, Sebas. The fault lies with , being that I did not communicate my arrival in a tily manner. But let us dispense with these pleasantries. How can you speak from over there with your head bowed? I bid you enter."
"Yes."
Sebas's head was still lowered as he responded to the solemn voice. He looked up, and then slowly stepped forward — while a trail of frost ran down his spine.
That was because his keen senses told him of carefully concealed hostility and killing intent.
He slowly shifted his gaze. The two Guardians before him did not seem to be paying much attention to Sebas. However, that was from a normal person's point of view.
Sebas was abundantly aware of it.
There was no trace of friendliness in the tense atmosphere. The opposite was true, in fact. Their vigilance was not the reaction one would have to an ally.
Sebas could understand why they felt that way. He felt a weighty pressure upon him and he was afraid that everyone would hear the thunderous beating of his heart.
"I think you should stop there."
Demiurge's relaxed voice rang through the air and halted Sebas in his tracks.
Sebas was so distance away from his master. It did not make speaking difficult, and when one considered the dinsions of the room and the fact that he was eting with a superior, it was quite an appropriate distance. However, under normal circumstances, Ainz would consider Sebas to be too far away and ask him to approach. This ti, Ainz had not said so. This sense of separation crushed Sebas until he could no longer breathe.
At the sa ti, this distance was the ideal range for Cocytus the warrior to launch an attack. That too was another source of strain for him.
Incidentally, Solution had entered the room with Sebas, but she was standing by the door, awaiting orders.
"Then—" Ainz snapped his bony fingers, though how he had done so was not apparent. "A question for you, Sebas. Need I explain why I am here?"
There could only be one reason for that. The current situation made that very clear.
"...No, there is no need for that."
"Then, I have a question which I would like you to answer in your own words, Sebas. While I did not receive a report from you concerning this matter, is it true that you picked up an adorable little pet recently?"
—It was as he thought.
Sebas' back felt like it had been impaled by several icicles. Then, he realized that he had not answered his master's question. He hurriedly replied:
"—Yes!"
"...A little slow on the reply, Sebas. Let ask you again — is it true that you picked up an adorable pet recently and decided to take care of it?"
"Yes! I did take in a pet!"
"Very good. Then, could you explain why you did not report the matter to ?"
"Yes..."
Sebas' shoulders shuddered and he stared at the ground. What could he say to avoid the situation developing in the worst possible way?
Ainz leaned back into his throne as he watched the silent Sebas. The creaking of the chair as he did so sounded exceptionally loud in the confines of the room.
"What's the matter, Sebas? You seem to be sweating heavily. Shall I lend you a handkerchief?"
With a grand flourish, Ainz produced a pure white handkerchief from nowhere. He grasped it between his index and middle fingers and tossed it towards Sebas. The handkerchief unfolded and spread in mid-air, landing gently upon the ground.
"You are permitted to use it."
"Yes! Thank you, my Master!"
Sebas took a step towards Ainz and picked up the handkerchief. Then, he froze.
"...That handkerchief is not stained with your pet's blood. I simply felt that it was unsightly to have you covered in sweat."
"Yes... Please forgive my shaful display, Ainz-sama."
Sebas spread the handkerchief and wiped at the cold sweat which beaded his brow. The handkerchief absorbed such an incredible quantity of moisture that its color changed.
"Then, let us return to the topic, Sebas. When I sent you to the Royal Capital, I believe I ordered you to record any occurrence, great or small, in exacting detail and send it to Nazarick. After all, it is difficult for one person to determine the value of information collected. Frankly speaking, I doubt you omitted a single detail when submitting your reports. Am I correct?"
"Yes. It is as you say."
"Then, Demiurge, allow to address a question to you as confirmation. After all, you have read Sebas' reports as well. Did those reports ntion this adorable little pet?"
"No, Ainz-sama. I read them several tis, but I saw nothing related to that subject."
"Very good. Then, let us use that point as a premise for my next question, Sebas. Why did you not submit a report on that matter? ...I wish to ask why you disregarded an order from . Is the word of Ainz Ooal Gown not enough to bind your actions?"
Those words shook the air in the room.
Sebas hurriedly answered:
"Certainly not! I simply believed that there was no need to trouble you with a report concerning such a small matter, Ainz-sama."
Silence filled the air.
Sebas was bathed in murderous intent from four sources. They ca from Cocytus, Demiurge, the angel which Demiurge held, and Solution. All four of them would imdiately fall on Sebas if their master so ordered.
Sebas did not fear death. It would be his utmost joy to die for Nazarick. Yet, the thought of being executed as a traitor terrified even the stoic Sebas.
That was because there was no greater sha for those created by the 41 Supre Beings than to be counted as a turncoat and subsequently eliminated.
After so ti, and after much sweat had beaded on Sebas' forehead, Ainz spoke.
"...In other words, all this was an exercise of your foolish judgent... Is that correct?"
"Yes. It is as you say, Ainz-sama. Please forgive my foolish mistake!"
"...Hm. I see... I believe I understand now."
As Sebas lowered his head in apology, Ainz's emotionless voice filtered into his ears. The fact that Ainz had not ordered a summary execution slightly eased the tension in the room.
However, Sebas could not relax. Before he could do so, Ainz said sothing that made Sebas' heart lurch within his chest.
"Solution. Fetch Sebas' pet."
"Understood."
The door quietly closed behind Solution as she moved to carry out her orders. Sebas' keen senses inford him that Solution was heading away from the door.
There was an audible gurgle as Sebas gulped.
Ainz, Cocytus, Demiurge and that strange angel were here, for a total of four heteromorphic beings. While Demiurge looked vaguely human, the sa could not be said of the other three.
Since none of them seed to be taking care to hide their forms, did that an they did not care if soone else saw them?
The denizens of Nazarick had only one thod to keep secrets from spreading — by killing everyone who knew them.
If he had known this would happen, he would have let her go earlier.
Sebas ntally shook his head. It was too late to think of that now.
Soon, Sebas sensed two people approaching. They were approaching this room from the distance.
—What should I do?
Sebas' eyes shifted and he focused on the air.
Once she arrived here, Sebas would have to make a choice. And there could only be one answer he could give.
Sebas' gaze moved to Demiurge, who was observing him. Then to Ainz. And then, he looked powerlessly at the ground.
There was knocking, and then the door opened. As expected., there were two won there.
They were Solution and Tsuare.
"I have brought her."
Sebas had his back to Tsuare, but he could hear her gasp from the entrance. Was she shocked to see Demiurge, a demon in the flesh? Was she shaken by seeing Cocytus, the gigantic blue insectoid? Was she frightened by the sight of that fearso fetus-like angel? Was she terrified by Ainz, the avatar of Death itself? Or was it all of the above?
The Guardians' displeasure intensified as Tsuare made her appearance. That was because to so extent, Tsuare was the physical incarnation of Sebas' sins. It would seem she was trembling from the hostility directed at her.
The hostility of the Guardians, who were easily the most powerful beings in this world, could instil a primal terror in the hearts of the weak. It was surprising that Tsuare had not broken down in tears by now.
Sebas did not look back, but he could clearly feel Tsuare's gaze boring into him from behind. Her reservoirs of courage were derived from Sebas himself.
"Demiurge, Cocytus, restrain yourselves. Learn from Victim's good example."
As Ainz's quiet voice echoed through the room, there was a change in the room's mood. No, it would be better to say that the hostility direct at Tsuare had vanished. After reprimanding the two Guardians, Ainz slowly extended his left hand to Tsuare. Then he turned his palm to the ceiling, and beckoned her over.
"Enter, oh pet human that Sebas has picked up — Tsuare."
As though controlled by those words, Tsuare took step after step forward on trembling legs.
"That you did not choose to flee shows courage. Or did Solution tell you sothing? Did she say that Sebas' fate lay within your hands?"
Tsuare was shuddering all over and did not answer. Sebas felt the gaze directed at his back grow stronger. Said gaze made Tsuare's will abundantly clear, more than any number of words could explain.
After entering the room, Tsuare walked up to Sebas' side with no hesitation whatsoever. Cocytus shifted position to stand behind Tsuare, awaiting orders.
Tsuare grabbed the corner of Sebas' coat. Sebas suddenly recalled how she had clung to his clothing in that alley. At the sa ti, he was filled with regret. If he had handled things better, the situation would not have co to this.
Demiurge glared coldly at Tsuare—
"『Kne-"
—And the sound of snapping fingers rang forth.
Demiurge understood the aning behind his master's gesture, and said no more.
"—It is fine. Pay it no heed, Demiurge. As praise for the courage to face without fleeing, I will forgive the rudeness she has shown to myself, the ruler of Nazarick."
"My sincerest apologies."
Ainz nodded magnanimously at Demiurge's apology.
"Ah, yes."
Ainz leaned back into the chair, making it creak.
"Allow to introduce myself. I am Ainz Ooal Gown, the master of Sebas over there."
Indeed.
Ainz Ooal Gown — one of the 41 Supre Beings — was the great entity who controlled every aspect of Sebas' existence, including his life and death.
Being addressed by the master to whom he owed absolute loyalty was his greatest delight. Yet, for so reason, Sebas' joy was less than he had imagined. It rely made his spine tingle. It was not because of Tsuare, because upon being addressed by his master, Sebas had almost forgotten she had existed. There was another reason for that—
As Sebas was pondering this matter, both sides were still conversing.
"Ah... I, I am..."
"It is fine, Tsuare. I know a little about you, and I have no interest in learning more. Stand there and remain silent. Soon you will know why you have been summoned."
"Ah... yes."
"Now then..."
The points of red light in Ainz's eye sockets shifted.
"...Sebas, I have a question for you. I told you not to attract attention with your actions, did I not?"
"Yes."
"And despite my clear instructions to you, you got yourself into trouble because of this aningless little woman — am I wrong?"
"No, you are not."
The word "aningless" made Tsuare shudder, but Sebas only answered the question and made no other response.
"At that ti... did you not think you were ignoring the orders I had given?"
"Yes. My thoughtlessness has displeased you, Ainz-sama. I shall reflect upon my sins, be more careful in the future, and I shall not make the sa mistake ag—"
"—It is fine."
"Huh?"
"I said, it is fine."
Ainz shifted, and the chair creaked once more.
"People are not perfect, and mistakes are to be expected. Sebas. I shall forgive this trifling mistake of yours."
"—Thank you, Ainz-sama."
"However, mistakes must be rectified — by death."
The air in the room suddenly grew tense, and the temperature felt as though it had fallen by several degrees. No, that was not it. Only Sebas felt that way. The others — the denizens of Nazarick — remained serene and still.
Sebas gulped.
What did his master an by "death"? No, that went without saying. The thoughts "As I expected" and "I hope not" weighed heavily on Sebas, but still, he asked:
"...What... do you an..."
"Hm... what I an is that I expect you to eliminate the source of your mistake in order to wipe the slate clean. How can you be the representative of everyone else when you leave the origin of your error untouched? You are the butler of Nazarick, and one who stands at the head of the manservants. If you do not handle the matter appropriately..."
Sebas exhaled. Then he took in another breath.
Even when faced with a mighty foe, Sebas' breathing remained calm and regular. Yet, it was now frantic, like a small animal that had run into a predator.
"Sebas. Are you a loyal hound who obeys the orders of my exalted self — of the 41 Supre Beings? Or are you a man who believes that your will alone is righteous?"
"This—"
"—I do not need your answer. Show your conclusion."
Sebas closed his eyes, and then opened them again.
He hesitated for only a mont. No, it would be better to say that he had spent an entire mont hesitating. This ti he had spent in indecision was enough to earn the palpable ire of Cocytus, Demiurge and Solution, people whose loyalty to the Supre One was beyond reproach.
After that long, interminable mont, Sebas finally made his decision.
-x-X-x-
Sebas was the butler of Nazarick.
He was nothing else beyond that.
His foolish hesitation had brought about these consequences. If he had pleaded with his master earlier, the outco might have been different.
All this was his fault.
-x-X-x-
A hard lustre filled Sebas' eyes. They glead like polished steel. Then, he turned to Tsuare.
The hand clinging to him let go. Its fingers clutched briefly at empty air, wavering for a mont before falling powerlessly.
Tsuare looked at Sebas' face. She had probably guessed his decision by now.
She smiled, and closed her eyes.
That was not a look of despair, or fear. She had accepted what would happen next, had accepted her impending fate with all the grace of a martyr.
Sebas' movents did not waver. His heart had long since descended into the abyss. In his place stood a steely servant who had pledged his utmost fealty to Nazarick. That being the case, there was no reason not to obey the absolute order handed down by his master.
He had cut through his confusion. Only loyalty remained.
Sebas' hand ford into a fist, and then he struck at Tsuare's head, seeking to grant her the rcy of an instant death.
And then—
—Sothing hard intercepted his fist.
"—What are you doing? Why are you interfering with ?"
"—!"
"..."
Sothing had blocked the fist which should have obliterated Tsuare's skull.
Cocytus had reached out a hand from behind Tsuare — whose eyes were still tightly shut — and stopped Sebas' fist.
Was Cocytus a traitor, given that he had blocked a strike which the Supre One had ordered?
And then, the doubts in Sebas' heart were imdiately answered.
"Stand down, Sebas."
Sebas was anxious and doubtful, but he was still halfway through another punch when he heard Ainz's order. The strength he had channelled into his hand dissipated in an instant.
His master had not censured Cocytus, but had instead told Sebas to stop. That indicated that he had also arranged for Cocytus' interdiction of Sebas' strike.
Indeed, all this had had been planned ahead of ti. The fact was that his master wished to verify Sebas' intentions.
Tsuare timidly opened her eyes, and saw that the headman's axe which awaited her was long gone. Now that her life was no longer in danger, her wound-up emotions snapped inside her. Tsuare's body convulsed with shudders as the tears stread from her eyes. She very nearly collapsed from the shaking of her legs, but Sebas did not reach out to support her. No, he could not.
What else could he do, now that things had co to this? What right did he have, given that he had left her to her fate?
Ainz paid no heed to Tsuare's fear and began addressing Cocytus.
"Cocytus. Was that blow intended to take that woman's life?"
"There. Is. No. Doubt. That. It. Would. Have. Been. Instantly. Fatal."
"Then I declare that Sebas' loyalty is no longer in question. Thank you, Sebas."
"I would not dare!"
Sebas bowed, his face stiff.
"—Demiurge, any objections?"
"I have none."
"Cocytus?"
"None."
"...Victim?"
"Derif er'uoy. (I have none.)"
"Very well. Then, let us move on to the next item."
Ainz snapped his fingers and rose to his feet. He swept his hand grandly through the air, causing his cape to flutter.
"Thanks to the efforts of Sebas and the others, I feel we have gathered sufficient information. There is no reason to linger in this place. We shall vacate this property imdiately and return to Nazarick. Sebas, I will leave the disposal of this woman to you. Since I have already verified your loyalty, I will not object to whatever you wish to do — or at least, I would like to say that, but so considerations must be made before releasing her. Allowing her to go free and speak of Nazarick would be troubleso, do you not agree, Demiurge?"
"It is as you say. While there are still unknown enemies at large, we would be best served by not allowing information about ourselves to spread."
"Then, what should we do?"
"...Should we not make sure of things first?."
"Indeed... Sebas, we will decide Tsuare's fate later. I would prefer not to kill her, but I cannot guarantee that. Please keep that in mind."
Sebas was hard-pressed to hide his surprise that Ainz — the highest authority in all Nazarick — could not instantly resolve the matter of Tsuare's disposal.
"Ainz-sama. Are we retreating from this house — from the Royal Capital — because of my mistake?
"...Perhaps. Perhaps not. Like I said just now, I feel we have learned everything we can from this area. There would be no gain in continuing to stay here. This is a safer course of action, according to my calculations. Demiurge, I will bring Victim back. Give him to ."
After taking the fetal angel — Victim — from Demiurge, Ainz cast a spell.
"[Greater Teleportation]."
Ainz flourished his cape in a theatrical fashion as he cast the spell, as though he were an actor. Then he was engulfed by a sphere of blackness which then vanished inward, taking his body with it.
For a mont, Sebas stared dumbly at that overacted exit (which he had never seen before) but then he suddenly ca to his senses.
"That's right, she looks a little tired. I would like to take her back to her room to rest. I trust there will be no problems if I take her there, Demiurge?"
"...Indeed. You have the right of it, Sebas."
A thin, fiendish smile appeared on Demiurge's face, and he gracefully gestured to the door, as though to say, "Please, carry on."
"However, it is possible that Ainz-sama might summon you once more, given the circumstances. I hope you will be ready for that. While I feel that there is no need to worry about that, I do not wish to go on a foxhunt in the Royal Capital."
"Please co with ."
"...Yes," Tsuare replied hoarsely as she followed shakily behind Sebas.
After leaving the room, the hallway echoed with their footsteps. The two of them walked in silence, and soon they reached the door to Tsuare's room. It was nearby, but the journey there seed to have taken a very long ti.
When they reached the door, Sebas finally made up his mind and quietly said:
"I will not apologize."
Sebas sensed Tsuare tremble from where she was following behind him.
"However, the fact that my master ordered to dispose of you was my fault. If I had dealt with the matter in a better way, it would not have co to this."
"...Sebas-sama."
"I am a loyal servant of Ainz-sama — of the 41 Supre Beings. Even if the sa thing happens again, I will respond in the sa way... so I hope you will stay in the human world and find happiness there. I will try to seek Ainz-sama's approval... given that Ainz-sama can modify mories. Let Ainz-sama erase your unpleasant mories and then live well."
"...How about my mories of you, Sebas-sama?"
"...I will ask Ainz-sama to erase your mories of as well. After all, rembering will do you no good."
"And what is good for ?"
Sebas sensed a fierce determination in Tsuare's voice, and turned around.
The woman before Sebas stared defiantly at him, and although her eyes were brimming with tears, they had an unshakeable look in them. Sebas felt his heart waver, and he thought about how to persuade her.
It was true that Nazarick was a wonderful place, and one could say it was a land blessed by the gods. But the only ones who thought that way were Sebas and the other people who had been created by the 41 Supre Beings, as well as the vassals of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick.
Sebas did not think that human beings, who lacked talent and power, could find happiness in that land. Neither did he think that domain would welco low-value lifeforms like humans. Indeed, she would not be able to live there without the protection of his supre master. Therefore, Sebas told her:
"...I want you to find happiness in the human world."
"I have already found happiness. It is by your side, Sebas-sama. So please, take with you."
Sebas felt that Tsuare was quite pitiable as he heard her ironclad statent.
"...You seem to have found happiness in a small thing, but it was rely the living hell before that which numbed your soul."
She had seen the worst the world could offer, so she had taken joy in even a slightly less wretched environnt. That was all. However, Tsuare laughed at his observation.
"...I do not feel that this place is hell. I can eat my fill here and I have a decent job... I grew up in a small village, and life was hard there."
For a mont, Tsuare glanced into the distance. Then she recovered, and looked straight at Sebas.
"Our stomachs cried out in hunger, and no matter how hard we worked the fields, our lord took almost everything and left us with precious little to eat. In addition, we were nothing more than toys to our lord. No matter how much I cried and scread, he kept laughing as he raped . He laughed at . He—"
"—I understand."
Tsuare's smile was twitching as Sebas pulled her over, enfolding her within his embrace before gently putting an arm over her trembling shoulders. Just like before, Sebas could feel Tsuare's tears soak his clothes as she broke down.
What she had seen and lived through was not all of the world. Yet, to Tsuare, that was the sum total of the human experience.
Sebas fell into thought.
What should he do? No matter how he thought about it, there was only one answer. But that answer would anger his master. It might even make him order Tsuare's death.
"You might die."
"If I must die by the hand of Sebas-sama, by the hand of the one who showed kindness when I should have died in that place..."
Tsuare looked up to him. The look on her face helped Sebas make up his mind as well.
"I understand, Tsuare. I will plead with Ainz-sama to let take you to Nazarick."
"Thank you."
"It is too early to thank . If I plead for you, Ainz-sama may order to kill you—"
"—I am already prepared for that."
"Is that... so."
Sebas let the strength fade from the arm on his shoulder, but Tsuare refused to leave. She clung tightly to Sebas' clothes, looking up to him with dewy eyes.
There seed to be a look of expectation in those eyes. That was what Sebas' instincts told him, but he did not know what she was hoping for. Still, he rembered that he had to confirm one thing first.
"Allow to make sure this. You have no attachnt to the human world? Do you not wish to return to your ho?"
Even being taken to Nazarick did not entail being completely separated from human society. That was because he was not taking Tsuare there to be a prisoner. However that possibility could not be entirely ruled out.
"...I... I would like to see my little sister again. But more than that, I don't want to rember all the things in the past..."
"I understand. Then, go to your room. I will go and et Ainz-sama once more."
"Yes—"
Tsuare let go of Sebas' clothes, and then she wrapped her arms around Sebas' neck.
Tsuare paid no attention to the outwardly expressionless, yet inwardly conflicted Sebas, and stood on the tips of her toes.
And then, Tsuare's lips t those of Sebas.
The mont of intimacy was exceedingly brief. Tsuare's lips soon left his.
"It was a little prickly," Tsuare said as she stepped back, touching her lips with the fingers of both hands. "It was the first ti I was so happy to be kissed."
Sebas had nothing to say. However, Tsuare looked intently at Sebas, and then smiled sweetly.
"Then, I shall wait here. Thank you for your concern, Sebas-sama."
"Er, oh... I, I understand. Please wait here for a while."
-x-X-x-
"Is sothing the matter? It would appear your face is red, no?"
That was the first thing Sebas heard when he returned to the room. Upon hearing soone comnt on the redness of his face, Sebas cald his breathing back to a deep and even rhythm. If he allowed his consternation from just now to show on his face, what right would he have to receive his master as his servant? Sebas resisted the impulse to touch his lips, instead putting on the expression of the perfect servant.
"It is nothing, Demiurge-sama."
"There is no need to address in such a formal manner, Sebas. Just as you did in front of Ainz-sama — in front of our master of incomparable worth — you may address by my na alone. How about you, Cocytus?"
"I. Do. Not. Mind."
After hearing from the two Guardians, Sebas indicated that he understood.
About five minutes later, space distorted.
By the ti the distortion had faded, soone stood in its place. Naturally, that person was Ainz. The Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown he had been carrying just now was nowhere to be seen, and neither was Victim.
Sebas, Cocytus, Demiurge and Solution knelt as one and bowed to him.
"Thank you for the warm welco."
Ainz circled behind the desk and took a seat.
"You may rise."
The four of them straightened up at once, all looking at Ainz. He seed to be in a very good mood.
"Let's get down to business. Demiurge, this just goes to show you were worrying too much. I didn't believe for a mont that Sebas had betrayed us. You are all too cautious. Besides, I verified it myself in the Throne Room."
"My deepest apologies. And I am grateful that you would accept my pointless suggestion, which contradicted your own judgent."
"That's fine. I also make mistakes from ti to ti. However, I can relax when I know you are paying attention and checking, Demiurge. Besides, you made that suggestion because you were worried about . I am not so petty as to censure you for that."
Ainz shifted his gaze from Demiurge — who was bowing deeply — and towards another direction.
"Now then, Sebas. It is ti to discuss how to deal with that human girl."
Sebas' body went stiff from nervousness. He forced out a "Yes", and then after inspecting Ainz's countenance, he made up his mind and asked: "How shall we we deal with Tsuare?"
The silence continued, and then Ainz spoke, in what sounded like a suggestion.
"Hm. I recall that letting that girl go would result in news about Nazarick getting out, am I correct?"
Demiurge nodded under Ainz's gaze.
"Indeed, that is so. Ainz-sama, how shall we handle this matter?"
"We shall alter her mories. Then... give her so money, and dump her sowhere."
"Ainz-sama, I feel that killing her outright would be more convenient. There would also be fewer things to worry about."
Solution nodded at Demiurge's suggestion. After seeing their reactions, Ainz sank into contemplation. Since the two of them felt the sa way, he should probably do it... perhaps.
Sebas began to panic.
Once his master made a decision, asking him to change it would not be easy. While Ainz had forgiven Sebas, Demiurge, Cocytus and Solution would surely think very poorly of him now. Carelessly voicing his opposition would definitely incur their ire.
However, he had to make his proposal right now.
Sebas opened his mouth, preparing to speak in opposition to Demiurge's opinion. However, he ended up not doing so, because Ainz spoke first.
"...That's enough, Demiurge. I am not fond of killing when it doesn't benefit . Or rather, once you kill the weak, you cannot use them any longer. You must consider that they might still be of use as long as they still live."
Sebas swallowed a sigh of relief. Tsuare had not yet been condemned to death. That said, it was still a possibility.
"I understand... Then how about having her work at the ranch managed by my subordinates?"
"Oh, I recall you were breeding Chirae. That's right, have you considered mincing them and using them as rations? We need to improve the quality of Nazarick's provisions."
Demiurge's eyes left Ainz, who was muttering about "Chira steaks, then... no, hamburgersmight be better..." and looked into the distance. Then he turned back.
"...Unfortunately, the quality of their at is poor, and they are not up to standard. Using them in glorious Nazarick would be a little..."
Demiurge smiled, indicating that he did not approve.
"Still, we can chop up the dead beasts and feed them to the others. Of course, they will not eat the at if you feed it to them directly, so we have to mince it up first."
"Oh... so they will eat their own kind? Animals are ultimately animals, after all."
"You are correct, Ainz-sama. Still, that is what makes them foolish, cute and suitable as toys. The thing is that they are omnivorous, so they will also eat grains and the like. Therefore, may I trouble you to grant so grain if there is any left over? Given the current situation, our plundered supplies are sowhat insufficient."
"They are the source of parchnt, a critical resource. I do not wish to let them starve either. How about this... Sebas, purchase large quantities of grain before we leave and direct them to Demiurge."
"Understood. Given the quantities required, I wish to rent a small warehouse and store the grains there. How shall we transport the grain to Nazarick?"
"About that... Bring Shalltear over and have her use [Gate] to send it over. Demiurge will take over from there. Will that be alright?"
"Yes. We will handle the transportation from there."
"Very well. Ah, yes. Demiurge, You are arguably the hardest worker in Nazarick, and I am very grateful to you for that."
"Thank you very much for your kind words, Ainz-sama! They serve as imasurable encouragent to your humble servant!"
"...Hm, ah, calm down. Therefore, I had sothing to ask you. Are you not suffering greatly under your many labors? I call you back whenever there are problems, and you must manage the breeding ranch to maintain the supply of parchnt, and then there are the preparations for creating the Demon King... I fear you are displeased with the many weighty tasks you have been given."
Demiurge was all smiles. Sebas had never seen that expression on him before — it was a smile that lacked any malice whatsoever and endeared him to all who looked upon it.
"I am deeply grateful that you would be so concerned for your humble servant. However, please be at ease. All these tasks are aningful and they do not constitute a burden to thus far. If I feel there is the need for it, I shall surely request assistance. At that ti, I shall have to trouble you for succour and aid."
"I see, I see."
Sebas frowned ntally as he heard his master's voice of delight and thought about the truth of the conditions at Demiurge's ranch.
Sebas and Demiurge were both servants of the Supre Beings, and Sebas knew Demiurge's personality well. Soone like Demiurge would never run an ordinary ranch. The sa would apply even if he were raising creatures like Chirae—
A brilliant flash of light raced through Sebas' mind.
This was because he had guessed what sort of creatures Demiurge was raising.
Could he send Tsuare to such a place? Indeed, Demiurge would probably guarantee the safety of her life. However, the sa could not be said of her ntal state.
Just then, there was a lull in the conversation between Ainz and Demiurge. This was the only ti for Sebas to cut in. After deciding on that, Sebas addressed his master:
"—Ainz-sama."
"Hm? What is it, Sebas?"
"If I may—"
He held his breath. This was a gamble — an extrely risky gamble. Yet, it was one he had to make.
"I would like to have Tsuare work for us in the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick."
Silence descended upon the room, and all eyes converged on a single point in the room. Ainz calmly asked Sebas:
"I asked Cocytus the sa question before... but Sebas, what rits are there in doing so?"
"To begin with, Tsuare can cook. In all of Nazarick, only the head chef and the sous-chef can prepare food, excepting Yuri and the others. After considering the future needs of Nazarick, I feel that it would be better if we had more people who could cook. I also feel that it would be very beneficial to test the ability of humans to work in Nazarick. It would set an excellent precedent to show that even inferior lifeforms like humans can render service unto Nazarick. In addition—"
"—I get it. I understand, Sebas."
Ainz raised his hand to interrupt Sebas' non-stop rambling about the many uses of Tsuare.
"I know, Sebas. I am fully aware of what you're trying to say. Indeed, I have thought in the past that we have too few people who are able to cook. It is a problem worth pondering."
"But Ainz-sama, can she really prepare food which is worthy of Nazarick?"
Sebas glared resentfully at Demiurge for a mont. In response, Demiurge rely smiled.
You bastard — Sebas swallowed the curse before he could speak it.
Even if Ainz had forgiven Sebas, Demiurge had not. Therefore, he was striving to be as contrary as possible to Sebas' wishes while they decided the disposition of Tsuare. That must be it.
"He does have a point. What do you think, Sebas?"
"...Tsuare mainly prepares basic dishes. As for whether they are suitable for Nazarick... that is a little difficult to answer."
"Basic dishes. I doubt Nazarick will require stead potatoes or the like."
"I am compelled to point out the shallowness of Demiurge's thinking. Since she can already make basic dishes, that implies she can learn other cooking techniques from the head chef if she but asks. We cannot simply look at the present, but must consider the future."
"Then I would love to have her help prepare food in my ranch. Making minceat is hardly a trivial task."
"I—"
The two of them bickered back and forth. Ainz watched their conversation.
At the sa ti, he looked beyond them. He saw the phantom images of their creators, ghosts of a glorious golden past—
-x-X-x-
"So, where are we going today?"
"The Fire Giants—"
"The Ice Dragons—"
"...Hm. Ulbert-san, I believe we agreed to farm the Fire Giant boss Surtr for his rare drops. Did you forget?"
"I'd like to ask if you forgot, Touch-san. There are people who need to hunt Ice Dragons in order to et their job change prerequisites, aren't there?"
"...Indeed, that is so. But Yamaiko-san needs the drops to get stronger."
"Ah, I'm okay with—"
"Are you referring to the Primordial Fire? Then the Primordial Ice is just as essential, no? That being the case, we should hunt the Dragons—"
"...We can raise drop rates with a cash item. Surtr has a lower drop rate than the Dragons, so don't you think we ought to beat him first?"
"So you're telling to shell out for a cash item, then?"
"...Well, about, about, about that..."
"...How about fighting lewd monsters like Succubi in the Abyss?"
"Shut up, little bro."
"Well, if we're going after demon-types, we ought to fight the Seven Lords of Sin. Granted, we might need to make a lot of preparations."
"...Touch-san, I don't think you should be so selfish. Don't you think we'd be more efficient fighting the Ice Dragons, given the mbers who showed up?"
"You're the selfish one, Ulbert-san. Besides, gas aren't all about efficiency."
"Would the strongest mage and the strongest warrior please stop fighting..."
"They've always been like that. Ever since they recruited ."
"Touch-san must have been a really great guy to chat up a pink penis."
"...Chagama-san, Peroroncino-san, could you please put your weapons down? I'm invoking my Guildmaster's privileges."
"Didn't so other guild beat the Seven Lords of Sin already?"
"Soone took out Pride. There was a post online."
"Apparently you're guaranteed a World-Class Item once you beat all the Seven Sins — after all, they are World-Class Enemies."
"Speaking of World-Class Items, let's use the [Caloric Stone] to make a super-powerful golem."
"Nuubou-san. I feel it would be better to socket it into a weapon instead of making a golem."
"I think a suit of armor would be pretty good too."
"Ah, we do have to think about that. After all, it's an item that allows us to make requests to the devs, so we'd be better served by thinking carefully about it."
"That's right, Momonga-san."
"We already know how to farm [Caloric Stones], but that thod depletes a lot of the tal from the hidden prismatic ore mine."
"Ahhhh, we can't get it unless we have sole control over the mine. What a pain."
"Yeah. As long as it's divided up among other guilds, we can't replace it once it's used up. Why not just take turns using it... how about selling the information to Trinity? That ought to make people greedy and trigger infighting among them, and we can swoop in to pick up the pieces."
"So we sell it to the Alliance and let them kill each other? That's our strategist Punitto Moe-san for you."
"Speaking of the Alliance , they seem to be reaching out to others."
"Eh? Why's that?"
"I heard they obtained so kind of World-Class Item, so they changed their stance towards other guilds."
"Achya — still, it'll be hard for them to form a high-tier coalition like last ti."
"—How about letting Momonga-san decide?"
"Sounds good to . Guildmaster, what do you think we should do?"
"...Eh? Wha? I wasn't paying attention at all... eh? Oh, are you asking now? ...Honestly... We'll go with majority vote as usual. That way nobody will have any complaints."
"Fine with ."
"Sa here."
"Alright, then, the new coin will represent Ulbert-san while the old one represents Touch-san. Good — everyone, take your coins. We're going to listen to the two of them speak now—"
-x-X-x-
"—Are. You. Quite. Done. With. This. Squabbling? You. Stand. Before. Ainz-sama!"
Cocytus' words were like a bucket of cold water dumped onto the ever-escalating quarrel between Sebas and Demiurge.
Both of them turned to look at Ainz, who was staring at them, and their faces blanched in unison. There was no way to tell what expression lurked within the dancing points of light within Ainz's empty eye sockets, but there was no doubt that there was great power in his gaze.
The two of them sensed their master was about to castigate them at any ti, and they both responded simultaneously.
"Forgive your servant's rudeness in your presence, Ainz-sama!"
"Your servant deeply regrets forcing you to witness his foolish behavior!"
The two of them bowed in apology, but neither of them could understand Ainz's reaction.
"—Ahahaha!"
The room suddenly rang with loud and relaxed laughter.
They did not recall Ainz ever laughing with such mirth. Cocytus, Demiurge, Sebas and Solution stared dumbly at this unbelievable sight.
"It's fine. I permit this! I permit you to argue! Yes! That's how it should be, going back and forth without end. Ahahaha."
They had no idea what had moved Ainz's heart, but Sebas quietly sighed in relief, sensing that the situation seed to have changed.
"Ahahah... tch, the override kicked in."
Suddenly their master's mood cald down, as though sothing had snapped inside him. Still, Sebas was sure that he seed to be in good spirits. Ainz then addressed Sebas in a relaxed tone:
"I already know what Sebas wants to say. Unfortunately, it is not a good idea to bring humans into the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick. That said, I wish to see that Tsuare girl. Bring her to ."
"Eh? Ah — yes! Your servant understands!"
Sebas was puzzled by Ainz's strange pronouncent, but he imdiately left the room and fetched Tsuare.
"Ainz-sama, I have brought her here."
"Mm, bring her over—"
Ainz leaned forward from his chair. He stared at Tsuare in a very strange way.
Has sothing about her displeased the Master? Sebas glanced at Tsuare from the corner of his eye, but he had no idea why his master would act like that.
"...Looks similar," he murmured. He had probably not ant to say that out loud.
"...Welco, Tsuare. Let begin by making things clear. I do not warn people twice, because I wish to respect the choices that others make. That applies even if said choice results in disaster for the other party. WIth that out of the way, I wish to ask you sothing. If you lie, the matter will be over. The sa applies if I do not receive the answer I wish to hear."
Sebas could hear Tsuare swallow from where he was standing by the side. He did not fault her for that. She was probably feeling very uneasy about her impending fate after that threatening display.
"Then, my question is: Tell your full na."
Sebas did not understand the aning of that question. Why had he asked it?
He glanced at her again, and saw that Tsuare's eyes were roving all around the room. Her attitude explained everything.
Please answer honestly, Sebas prayed.
The fact that she had not even told Sebas her real na suggested that it might be very problematic. That said, lying to his master would probably be the worst-case scenario for her.
The silence continued, and after a nerve-wracking period of ti had passed, Tsuare finally responded in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzzing:
"Tsu-Tsuare... Tsuareninya."
"And your surna?"
"Tsuareninya Veyron..."
"I see... I see... then, I shall ask you this, Tsuareninya. Your wish is to travel to the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick — that is to say, my domain — and live there, am I correct? ...The Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick is not a world where humans can live. No, I do not an that humans cannot survive there, but that it does not contain mbers of the race known as humanity. Therefore, I do not know if it is a suitable place for you to live... You may also choose to accept the fortune I will give you, and live the rest of your days in a distant human domain."
His terms were so generous that it made people question why Ainz was going this far for her. However, Tsuare did not hesitate and replied imdiately:
"I, I wish to live with... Sebas-sama."
Ainz nodded slowly. The crimson light in his empty eye sockets seed strangely gentle.
"Good. Listen well, my servants!"
Everyone imdiately snapped to attention. Tsuare hurriedly made to imitate them.
"I guarantee the safety of Tsuareninya in the na of Ainz Ooal Gown. I can treat you as a guest of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, but what would you prefer?"
"Thank... thank you, m'lord. But, but, I would prefer to work with Sebas-sama."
"—If that is what you wish. Then, for the ti being, Tsuare shall be a temporary maid who is directly subordinate to Sebas. Sebas, give her appropriate work. At the sa ti, the Pleiades will change from the Six Stars to the Seven Sisters, with the appropriate change in the team's leader. However, we will not move her from that place. Yuri Alpha will take charge instead."
Solution bowed deeply.
"Also, tell everyone in the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick that Tsuareninya is under the protection of Ainz Ooal Gown. At the sa ti, she will be working alongside you."
Everyone except Tsuare and Ainz bowed as one.
"Demiurge, do you have any objections to my decision?"
"None at all. Your word is law in the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick. However, I feel many will not understand why we have welcod a human being to this blessed land of ours. How shall I explain this to them?"
"...When I think about it, Yamaiko-san's sister Akemi-san was a Wood Elf, but we frequently invited her to Nazarick. There is no ban on the entry of humans or humanoids. Otherwise—"
Ainz looked at Solution, who was waiting for orders within the room, and said:
"—We would have to chase out your little sister as well."
"However, it remains to be seen if an immortal can still be considered human."
"Indeed, Solution. Then, Demiurge. Tell them that I have decreed this. If anyone feels otherwise, they are free to look for . I will explain it to them."
"Your servant understands. I have no further questions."
"Then let us confirm our course of action. First, we will imdiately vacate this property. All the sentries stationed here will return to Nazarick. Solution and Sebas will complete their final task in the Royal Capital — which is to purchase grain for Demiurge — and then they will transport it to the storehouse. Once sufficient quantities have been accumulated, we will have Shalltear use [Gate] to transport the grain. Am I correct."
Everyone bowed in silence. Tsuare looked around and hurriedly bowed as well.
"Then, there's Tsuare... How should we handle Tsuare? Will she go back with us? Or should she go back with Sebas?"
"Your servant submits that going back with would save a lot of trouble."
"Is that so, Sebas. I understand. Then, Sebas, Solution, bring the sentry vassals here. I will take them all back with my magic."
"Understood!"
-x-X-x-
After watching the three of them leave, Demiurge asked Ainz:
"May I ask if you are you familiar with that girl?"
Ainz did not answer that question, but slowly rose from his seat. Then he turned to face a blank wall. The way he did so was as though there were soone standing there.
After a short while had passed, Ainz spoke.
"Demiurge, I am a person who believes in returning good unto good and evil unto evil. At the sa ti, I feel that debts owed must be repaid."
Ainz produced a book from thin air. This leather-bound book was bound with string, and it was of rough workmanship.
"The Head Librarian has already translated it, but this is is the original. It was the diary of a girl who burned with anger because her... elder sister was taken away by a nobleman."
Once, in a certain village, there lived a pair of sisters who were very close. Their parents had passed away when they were young and they were poor, but they helped each other through life.
However, the elder sister was taken away by the lord of the land — a man with a terrible reputation — to serve as his concubine. Perhaps the younger sister might have been able to wish her well with tears in her eyes if her elder sister had been able to live well. However, the rumors her little sister heard made her guess that her elder sister would be used as a toy and then disposed of as garbage once her captors tired of her.
When her guess was proven accurate, the furious little sister left her village, because nobody was willing to help her.
Soon, she discovered that she had a talent for magic, and so she steadily built her strength in order to save her elder sister with her abilities. However, she had t her end before eting her aim.
The diary was mainly filled with brief, simple sentences. On the last page, she had written words of praise for a pair of adventurers who had gone to gather herbs with her: Momon and Nabe.
"I learned so things about how the world worked from from this diary. So I am in your debt. Let pay it to your elder sister instead."
Ainz stroked the leather cover, which was discolored from age, and then returned it to his pocket dinsion.
"Ainz-sama, your servant seeks your permission for a matter."
"What is it, Demiurge?"
"I saw the reports which Sebas submitted, and sothing caught my interest. Might I have so of your ti?"
"Is there a problem?"
"Yes. There is a place I wish to investigate. I will attempt to return before you must go back, Ainz-sama, but it may take a while because I have to search for the place in question... having you wait for is terribly disrespectful, but if you could spare a bit of your precious ti..."
As Ainz saw Demiurge's grave face, Ainz decided to speak in a light tone to put him at ease.
"It is fine, Demiurge. You are doing so for the benefit of Nazarick, are you not? Waiting for that purpose is not a hardship. Go, Demiurge."
"Thank you very much!"
-x-X-x-
[ Lower Fire Month (9th Month) 4th Day 15:01 ]
Dawn ca, and with it, Sebas and Solution's busy day began.
They could have left without a word, but they had built their identities as traders and it would be a sha to simply discard it like that, so they decided to put on a show and pretend they were returning to the Empire.
He brought Solution with him — she had only t them once before this, when they had just arrived — and announced their return to their holand to all the traders and to the Guild.
Of course, they could not simply leave after saying they were going back. They had to spend ti on small talk, that being an indispensable part of improving relationships.The fact was that no man was unwilling to speak with Solution, which ant they had to spend more ti on interaction.
In the end, they spent upwards of half an hour at every location they visited, and after they had finished reporting to everyone, it was already very late.
"Well, we spent a lot of ti on this, but we've already arranged for the temporary storehouse and the grain transportation. That should take care of everything and we can return to Nazarick now."
There were hints of delight in Solution's voice. Sebas could tell that this was because she was pleased; both because she would be able to return to the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, and also because she had fulfilled the orders her master had handed down to her. Since intelligence-gathering had primarily been Sebas' job, she had probably not had much chance to experience the sense of accomplishnt which ca from serving her master and producing results.
Solution's job now was to play the role of the mistress in preparation for their return to Nazarick. Surely that would have filled her with great satisfaction. She seed about to hum to herself.
The fact was that her good-spirited conversation with the rchants had led to various negotiations going in their favor. For instance, they had received a huge discount on the rent for the warehouse, on top of the deductions for buying a large quantity of grain.
Being pretty makes you really popular.
That was what Sebas thought as he stopped the coach in the yard of the house and led Solution to the main door.of the house.
He took out the key for the front door and inserted it into the keyhole.
Then he turned it, as he always did, but he did not hear the clicking that should have followed, nor did he feel like he had opened a lock.
Sebas wrinkled his brow in confusion, and then his eyes t Solution's.
—Was the door open?
He pushed, and the door opened slightly.
Tsuare was the only one left in the house. There was no way she would have gone outside on her own.
"There are fresh scratches around the keyhole. Soone probably picked—"
Sebas ramd the door open without waiting for Solution to finish. He did not consider the possibility of there being a trap in place. Even if there was a trap, he would crush it underfoot.
Now that they had finished the work of pulling out from the house, it felt cold and empty. Upon setting foot into the house Sebas imdiately deployed his full suite of detection abilities to pick up the breathing of living creatures — in other words, traces of Tsuare.
However, he could not sense any humans around.
"Tsuare! Tsuare, are you there?!" he shouted loudly as he searched around the house.
Sebas went through every nook and cranny but could not find her. Not only had he not found her, but there were no traces of her either. It was as though she had vanished into thin air.
No, sobody must have broken in. There's no sll of blood, so she was probably abducted. That being the case, the kidnappers' demands will be...
Sebas clenched his fists.
As he thought, he should not have left Tsuare behind while he was saying his farewells. He burned with frustration at his failure.
In fact, he should never have left Tsuare alone in the house. Having clashed with a criminal syndicate, he felt that it was inevitable that danger would co his way sooner or later.
That said, he had still let Tsuare stay ho alone. This was because her ntal traumas had not yet healed and she was still afraid of the outside world and its people. The reason why she had not succumbed to panic during the eting with Sebas' master was because all of them did not look remotely human. Back then, she had not acted like a traumatized person, but an average person who had seen a monster.
Even leaving her on the coach might have caused problems as well. It was those worries which made Sebas decide to leave her in the house.
He had also believed that in the wake of his wrecking of the brothel, the opposition would take so ti to reorganize themselves or plan an attack.
All he could say now was that he had been too naive.
As Sebas paced quickly through the corridors, a voice called out to him amidst his anxiety. The voice ca from the guest lounge.
"Sebas-sama, over here."
"Solution, where is she?"
How could she be there? Sebas had checked the guest lounge just now. Still, he clung to a sliver of faint hope.
He entered the room and saw Solution there, holding a piece of parchnt.
"There seems to be sothing written on—"
"Give it to ."
Sebas did not wait for Solution to reply before practically snatching it from her hands. Then he activated his magic item and read through the contents, whereupon he crushed the paper in anger.
"She was kidnapped. Therefore, I shall go and rescue her."
Solution's reply was calm and emotionless.
"Your servant feels that you should do so as well."
This did not sound like sothing Solution would say, and it made Sebas' eyes go wide.
"However, Ainz-sama ordered us to retreat to the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick. Should we not prioritize that order?"
"If we go back, we must do so with Tsuare."
"Sebas-sama... your servant feels that acting independently here will incur a great risk. Firstly, where will you go to rescue her?"
"The note specified a ti and place in exacting detail. Our opposition seems to be people involved with the brothel that I destroyed."
"I see. However, it would be best to report to Ainz-sama before heading there. After all, had you not destroyed the brothel, things would not have ended up like this, Sebas-sama. Was that not a violation of Ainz-sama's request that we keep a low profile. In addition, acting on your own again would an defying Ainz-sama's will once more, Sebas-sama... and also, have you forgotten what Ainz-sama said back then, Sebas-sama?"
Those words flashed through Sebas' mind like a stroke of lightning. In whose na had Ainz sworn to protect Tsuare?
"Report to Ainz-sama. Tell him that Tsuare has been kidnapped, and ask him for advice on how to proceed."
-x-X-x-
[ Lower Fire Month (9th Month) 4th Day 15:15 ]
"Hm hm hm~"
Albedo happily humd a self-made tune to herself as she pushed a needle through a piece of wool, pulled the thread tight, then pushed the needle back in again, and then tightened it again. After several repetitions of this, she had sewn a piece of black cloth to a ball of white wool. After that, she stuffed the cloth into the white ball to make it even rounder.
She closely inspected the nearly spherical wool doll, and then a gentle smile ford on Albedo's face. Her expression exuded a gentle kindness, like that of a goddess.
"Alright! I've finished Ainz-sama's head!"
She clenched her fist in satisfaction, and then she caressed the woolen skull.
The skull's mouth and eyes were patches of sewn-on cloth and they looked adorable. Ainz would surely be embarrassed if he saw this.
"Alright, now for the body..."
She set the fabric skull down with infinite kindness, then rose from her chair and took up a ball of white wool.
This was Albedo's personal room.
Speaking of personal rooms, Albedo had originally been assigned to the Throne Room as its defender, so she had never had a room to begin with.
However, Ainz had decided that such a state of affairs might be problematic for the Guardian Overseer, and so he had ordered that she be assigned one of the rooms prepared for the 41 Supre Beings.
Much like Ainz's own room, Albedo's quarters were very spacious. Frankly speaking, it was too large for Albedo, who did not have many personal possessions to begin with.
However after living here for about two months, the situation was different.
The first reason was the changing room which Albedo was about to open.
It was filled with Ainzs.
Of course, they were all fake copies of Ainz. There were several dakimakuras of Ainz in various poses, and countless SD plush dolls of Ainz.
This was one of Albedo's secret rooms. Not even the maids who ca in to clean the room were allowed in here. It was an inviolable sanctuary, or in other words, a harem chamber.
"Kuhuhuhuh~"
With that strange sound, Albedo leapt into the air. She flapped the wings at her waist to slow her charge at the dakimakuras. It looked like a slow-motion rugby tackle.
Albedo embraced the dakimakura tightly and then rolled around the floor. There were many different Ainzs on the floor as well, which ensured that her landing was well-cushioned.
She laughed strangely as she buried herself in three different Ainz dakimakuras.
"Kuhuhuhu, this latest dakimakura was made from Ainz-sama's bedsheet... which ans I'm sleeping with Ainz-sama. Kuhuhuhuhu~"
Albedo buried her face into the dakimakura and inhaled deeply.
"There's no scent... huh."
The disappointnt was clearly evident in her tone. It would surely induce guilt in any listeners.
Ainz was undead, so he did not need to sleep or use the bedroom. In addition, his body was skeletal, so he had no scent. He would bathe to rid himself of dirt or dust, but by itself, his body did exude any odours.
"Hmm? Is this... could this be... Ainz-sama's..."
However, a girl in love could even scent the faint odour that Ainz produced... although her nose might have just been playing tricks on her.
"Kuh! Kuhuhuhuhuhuhu!"
She buried her face into the dakimakura and gulped down great lungfuls of air. This behavior was less fitting of the Guardian Overseer than a pervert.
"Ahhhh~ I'm so happy."
As the Guardian Overseer of Nazarick, Albedo had many tasks. She had to handle troop assignations within Nazarick and station sentries to man the early warning periter. She also had to maintain the defensive posture of Nazarick and wait at the Throne Room to verify everyone's status and so on. It was a set of tasks that would make anyone's eyes ache.
Therefore, coming into this room to recharge herself was a critical matter.
"Ah~ I want to see Ainz-sama. I want to see him. Ah~ I want to see him."
She hugged the pillow tightly, as though to vent her anger at Narberal, who was travelling with Ainz. Just then—
『—Albedo.』
Her body quivered in fear.
Albedo broke out in a cold sweat and her face twitched as she looked around, until she was sure that the voice had been generated by magic.
"Ai-Ainz-sama — do you have any orders for ?"
『Just now, Sebas — no, Solution sent a [ssage] to . It seems that Tsuare, the woman which Sebas picked up, has been kidnapped. Therefore, I'd like you to put together a set of reinforcents for Sebas.』
Albedo imdiately recalled who Tsuare was when Ainz ntioned her.
Ainz had set out for E-Rantel in the guise of Momon right after returning to Nazarick, but she had heard the rough details from Demiurge, who had stayed behind.
"Please forgive my foolish questioning of your decision, Ainz-sama. But is there a need to draft a team in order to save an inferior life form like a human being? If she were connected to the mastermind of the Shalltear incident, I could understand..."
『No. This situation has nothing to deal with Shalltear being mind-controlled. This matter seems to be the doing of the criminal organization hiding within the Kingdom.』
"That being the case, there's even..."
『Albedo. I swore on the na of Ainz Ooal Gown to help Tsuareninya. Do you understand?』
His tone had changed completely.
Albedo could feel the searing flas of his anger. Her throat seed to have glued into a solid mass.
『Do you understand? Do you understand?! I used that na to guarantee her my protection! But soone dared kidnap her in spite of that! In other words, they are insulting the na that we all chose! They may not know the facts, but I will not forgive this!』
At this point, it felt as though his hatred had suddenly diminished.
In all likelihood his emotions had reached a certain threshold and had been forcibly suppressed.
『...Forgive . Those damn kidnappers seem to have angered . I beg your pardon, Albedo.』
It was only after she heard her master's calm voice that Albedo's own heart could return to peace and she could finally speak.
While she knew that her insuperable master was not angry at her, even Albedo could not help but feel pressured by it.
"There, there's no need for you to apologize, Ainz-sama."
She bowed deeply, even though he was not before her.
『...Then, I order you to safely rescue Tsuareninya, Albedo.』
"Understood! I shall severely punish the humans who dared anger you at the sa ti that I mount the rescue!"
『Very good. I'll leave that to you. Also, is Demiurge still in Nazarick to handle the grain transportation? Let him take responsibility for this.』
"I could take action directly—"
『No, Albedo. I need you to defend Nazarick. Send Demiurge over. And rember to be careful. Do not allow your true identities to be exposed. In that case, I will turn the matter of the Royal Capital over to you and Demiurge. Carry on.』
"Understood!"
The [ssage] spell terminated and silence returned to the room. Albedo slowly rose and carefully stowed away the dakimakuras.
"...Still, I really don't understand."
There was a hard glint in Albedo's eyes as she muttered to herself. She turned to regard the room once more.
None of the maids were allowed into this room. This was both because Albedo wanted to monopolize the Ainz dolls and also because of a particular corner of the room.
That corner contained the flag emblazoned with the symbol of Ainz Ooal Gown.
It should have been proudly displayed near the entrance, but it had instead been thrown into the corner where it was now gathering dust. There was no trace of respect or admiration for it, only disdain, anger and scorn.
"Ainz Ooal Gown, huh... how aningless."
Albedo thought of the flag that had replaced the flag of Ainz Ooal Gown. It was too large, and so it drooped like a theatre backdrop.
"The Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick belongs to you and you alone. I, Albedo, wish only to serve you. Ahhhh... How I wish I could hear your wondrous na again soday—"
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