Chapter 1, Part 2

Aura, Albedo, and Shalltear stood on the balcony of the Gigantic Tree, which served as the twins’ home in Nazarick. Before them was the vast expanse that was the sixth floor. From this vantage point they could see a large area covered by the forest, a small lake was located around the middle and on the horizon, the walls of the Amphitheatrum could be made out. Both Albedo and Shalltear were smiling as they took in the surroundings.

“This is quite a view, thanks for bringing us here,” Albedo said.

“It looks even grander than when I am flying,” Shalltear added.

“I thought you might enjoy the novelty,” Aura said.

She was used to the scenery, but for the other two, looking from up high at the ground below would be a new experience. While the two guests tried to find the Green Hole — a small village where various species which were brought inside Nazarick resided. A female elf holding a tray a tray came out from the dark elves’ residence. She quickly arranged three cups on the table, as well as a teapot, a sugar bowl and a plate of crispy cookies. Afterward, she bowed to Aura and left silently. Attracted by the smell of freshly brewed tea, the other two guardians turned away from the balcony and took their seats around the table.

“You had the elves learn how to brew tea?” Albedo asked.

“Since they insist on serving us, they might as well learn how to do it properly,” Aura shrugged. “Plus, it’s easier to have them brew it than to go to the kitchen on the ninth floor to get it.”

“Yes, only a few of Nazarick’s residents can serve tea. Hmm, maybe I should get myself a servant? Ah, if only Ainz-sama could eat, then I could serve him delicious dishes like a good wife,~” Albedo’s voice turned into soft mumble towards the end.

“Pfft,” Shalltear snorted, “aren’t you getting ahead of yourself? Ainz-sama hasn’t made a decision yet, and when he does, I am sure it will be me,” she smirked at the Guardian Overseer.

“Ah? As if someone like you would ever be chosen as the first wife by Ainz-sama,” Albedo grinned at the vampire.

“And what is that supposed to mean?” Shalltear asked.

“Men are attracted to volume,” Albedo said with a tone of a parent explaining something obvious to a child. She also emphasized her impressive bosoms by placing an arm underneath her breasts and pushing them upwards.

“Eh? Really?” Aura asked while looking at her own chest.

“How is that supposed to be an issue for me?” Shalltear asked while sticking her chest out.

“You might present quite a front, but the reality…” Albedo began saying with a smirk.

“Hey, hey, let’s stop before things get out of hand. Besides, Ainz-sama is no mere mortal man, so he might like different things,” Aura tried to intervene.

“That’s right! Besides, how do you know this, Albedo?” Shalltear asked.

“Isn’t it obvious? That’s why the Supreme Beings created most of the females that way,” Albedo replied with a smile.

“Ahem,” Aura cleared her throat while glaring at the succubus.

“Well, you are just young, you will grow in the future. Unlike a certain someone,” Albedo added, unable to pass up a dig at her rival.

“Anyway, why not enjoy this delicious tea while we chat? Since we both spend a lot of time outside, while Shalltear stays inside Nazarick, we could share anything new we’ve heard,” Aura suggested, before Shalltear could retort.

“Oh, you probably don’t know this, but Blue Rose, the adamantite adventurers’ group from the Re-Estize Kingdom, recently visited E-Rantel,” Albedo said while making a face as if she had tasted something foul.

“Oh, the ones that fought Entoma back then? Why did they come?” Aura asked, happy that the conversation moved in a new direction.

“Apparently the Theocracy has asked them to join the other fools that will attack us, and they wanted to speak to Momon, before making a decision. However, the main issue is that, according to Narberal, one of them, Evileye, has apparently fallen for Momon. Poor Ainz-sama had to spend several days putting up with her advances,” Albedo’s voice ended on a high note and the cookie she held crumbled as she clenched her fist.

“What? She dares to throw her worthless self at Ainz-sama? Such insolence!” Shalltear couldn’t help but release her killing intent. “But, you said her group was thinking of joining the attack. Do you know what they decided?”

“According to Renner, they have decided to join,” Albedo replied with a delighted smile.

“Ah, then we just need to wait for the attack, then she will learn what happens to lowly humans who dare to make advances on Ainz-sama,” Shalltear said as she calmed down.

“You two. Do you only think about Ainz-sama?” Aura shook her head.

The other two exchanged a glance, but remained silent, choosing to sip their tea instead.

“Then, what news do you have for us, Aura?” Shalltear asked after a short silence.

“Hmm, well, during his visit to the Slane Theocracy, Mare has made a friend,” Aura began with a mischievous smile.

Afterward, Aura told about Mare’s experience in the Slane Theocracy as well as recounted meeting Zesshi herself.

“I knew Mare was trying to get close to Zesshi to manipulate her, but I didn’t realize it turned into a genuine friendship. I guess the reports didn’t reflect that,” Albedo mused.

“Hey, why are you so gloomy?” Aura asked after she saw Shalltear’s expression.

“It’s just, both of you are out there, serving Ainz-sama, but all I do is cast [Gate],” Shalltear said dejectedly.

“Your [Gate] is a very important part of Nazarick’s logistics,” Albedo said.

“Even so, I can’t help but feel less useful to Ainz-sama. Albedo is the Guardian Overseer, even acting as the leader of the Sorcerer Kingdom while Ainz-sama is playing dead. And Aura is now in charge of ruling over the elves. And me? I know I screwed up and got mind controlled. But, Ainz-sama was kind enough to take me along when he went to the Dwarf Kingdom, to allow me to learn from my mistakes. Yet, I haven’t been given any extra responsibilities since,” Shalltear complained.

“Um, I am not sure if an administrative position would be a good fit for you,” Albedo said.

“Trust me, ruling over the elves is more annoying than anything, it’s like they need me to make every decision for them,” Aura quickly added after she saw how Shalltear glared at Albedo.

“Still, you both get the pleasure of serving Ainz-sama,” Shalltear groaned.

“Then you should look to your strengths, to see if there is something you can do to help Nazarick,” Aura tried to console her.

“Hmm, yesterday Ainz-sama gave us the new directive to look for ways to make Nazarick more powerful. Perhaps there is something you can do on that end?” Albedo said.

“Uh, like what?” Shalltear asked.

“Well, you could, um…” Aura began mumbling before an idea hit her, she snapped her fingers as she confidently continued, “those vampires you can create. Remember how Cocytus said that the people of this world can gain levels without killing for experience? Ainz-sama had also conducted several unsuccessful tests with the residents of Nazarick to see if they could gain levels or learn martial arts. But what if you turn a native into a vampire? Will they retain the ability to advance through practice alone? Will they be able to retain the Martial Arts they already knew? What about learning new ones?”

“Aura is right, this could help Ainz-sama better understand the mechanics of this world. And, since the vampires are absolutely loyal to you, they could be used to boost our power, assuming the experiments are successful,” Albedo agreed.

“And best of all, the only one who can do this for Ainz-sama is you,” Aura added cheerfully.

“Ye-yes! This is great! This way I can contribute to Ainz-sama’s goals. Thank you, Aura,” Shalltear said while looking at Aura with gratitude filled eyes.

“I just didn’t want you to feel all depressed,” Aura smiled. “Shorty,” she added in a soft voice which could be barely heard.

“Whaaat?! What was that? Did you just call me Shorty?!” Shalltear glared at the dark elf.

“Stop it, you two. If you quarrel, we are going to be late,” Albedo said.

“What do you mean? Shalltear asked puzzled.

“Ainz-sama and the male guardians should be taking a bath soon. And this time I have made the appropriate preparations for it,” Albedo replied with a grin. “Let’s go. Trust me Shalltear, you wouldn’t want to miss this.”

In the bath on the ninth floor of Nazarick

Ainz, Mare, Cocytus, and Demiurge were enjoying the open-air bath. Surrounded by greenery, the sound of the water flowing down from the mouth of a stone lion’s head, which protruded from a wall, made for a very relaxing atmosphere.

“This is great,” Ainz said, as he sat submerged into the warm water with his back against the wall of the bath.

It’s not quite as amazing as a slime bath, but what is, he mused lazily.

Nearby, Demiurge and Cocytus were discussing battle formations. Cocytus had recently subjugated the demi-humans of the Abelion Hills and wanted to get some feedback from Demiurge regarding the way he had arranged the Lizardmen and Frogmen under his command. On the opposite side from the two guardians, Mare sat half-awake, leaning against the wall. Or at least that’s what Suzuki thought. However, he noticed that every now and then Mare would glance at him, before looking away.

“Is something the matter Mare?” Ainz finally decided to ask him.

“Aah, n-no,” Mare replied in a panicky voice.

“You can always talk to me if there is something that’s worrying you, you know that,” Ainz decided to reassure the dark elf.

“Y-yes, Ainz-sama is most kind,” Mare nodded.

He continued to remain silent for a while, but then seemingly made up his mind and addressed Ainz.

“Ainz-sama, at the meeting yesterday, you mentioned that the Slane Theocracy will attack Nazarick,” Mare began. After he saw Ainz nod affirmatively, he continued: “Do you know if their strongest fighter, Zesshi Zetsumei, will be amongst the attackers?”

“The half-elf you met during your stay there? We won’t know for certain until the Theocracy gathers their forces, but according to the Hanzos, the Cardinals had decided to send her along,” Ainz said after recalling the details of the reports he had received.

“Um, Ainz-sama, may I…” Mare mumbled while wringing his hands.

“What is it Mare?” Ainz asked.

“Can you… um, I would like to ask for her life to be spared,” Mare heaved a sigh after saying it.

“Mare, are you really asking Ainz-sama to spare someone who dares to attack our home? The home that Ainz-sama and the other forty Supreme Beings had built?” Demiurge reproached.

“Don’t. Be. Like. That. Demiurge. I. Am. Sure. There. Is. A. Reason. For. Mare’s. Request. Why. Do. You. Care. For. This. Zesshi?” Cocytus asked.

“I h-have spent some time with her, during my stay at the Slane Theocracy’s capital. And she reminds me of us,” Mare replied.

“Meaning?” Ainz asked curiously.

“She is mostly isolated from the outside world. Having spent most of her life doing her job, guarding the treasures of the Six Great Gods. Just like we have, prior to coming to this world. And like us, during that time, she is ignorant of the world at large,” Mare began to gain confidence as he continued to speak. “But, unlike us, she was not lucky enough to serve a Supreme being like Ainz-sama and the other great Supreme Beings, who created us. No, she had the terrible misfortune of having to serve ignorant and arrogant humans and was taught to worship the so-called Six Great Gods. What’s so great about them? They all died within a single century,” Mare shook his head dismissively.

“Ainz-sama is wise and kind. Zesshi is a product of her unfortunate birth, even if she attacks the Great Tomb of Nazarick she is only doing so out of ignorance. Surely, there is no need to kill someone like her,” Mare finished and looked hopefully at Ainz.

“Is that all?” Ainz asked.

That’s quite some growth from Mare. The him from back when we just came to this world would have never asked me to spare someone who dared to attack Nazarick. Ainz mused as he looked at the young dark elf.

“Also w-we… we are friends,” Mare said sheepishly.

“Oh, friends?” Ainz asked excitedly.

“Umm, she’s a battle-maniac and is too energetic for my taste, and sometimes she can be annoying… but, I don’t want to see her hurt,” Mare said while blushing slightly, while Cocytus made a sound with his mandibles seemingly in agreement with Mare’s sentiment.

How could I miss something so monumental? Mare made a friend! The first one amongst all of the guardians to do so. I really need to spend more time with these children, Ainz thought, excited and slightly ashamed.

“In that case, I hereby declare that should Zesshi attack Nazarick, we will capture her with as little harm as possible. I will decide her fate at a later point,” Ainz declared.

“Thank you, Ainz-sama,” Mare said with a happy smile.

“Now, then, why don’t you tell me more about your interaction with her?” Ainz asked while beckoning the young boy to move closer to him.

Mare began recounting the time he had spent with Zesshi. How she tried to attack him at first, and how he tried to get close to her to manipulate her, but then the two ended up developing a genuine friendship.

Half-way during Mare’s tale, there was a noise from behind the wall, where the female area of the bath was located.

“Oh, the girls must have come to enjoy this bath as well,” Ainz said.

“Then, will the Lion Golem cause a scene again?” Mare asked worryingly.

“No, I disabled it yesterday. Please continue with your story,” Ainz replied.

Mare nodded and went back to his story. However, they were soon interrupted by the sound of Albedo moaning something incoherent.

“I want to see too, move aside!” Shalltear cried out.

“Hm. What’s. Going. On. There?” Cocytus said as he stood up and began to move toward the wall separating the male and female areas of the bath.

“Ah, what’s this? Cocytus is blocking my view! I can’t see anyone else,” Shalltear groaned dejectedly from the other side.

Cocytus got up next to the wall and proceeded to inspect it. After examining it carefully he found a circular patch that slightly stood out from the rest of the wall.

“Hm. That’s. A. One-way. Glass. They. Were. Peeking. At. Ainz-sama.” Cocytus said, his mandibles buzzing in a threatening manner. “I’ll. Deal. With. It.”

He used all of his hands to scoop up some water, then placed one hand over the peeping hole, splashing the water against it. He then froze the water in his palm. He repeated this process several times until the one-way glass was covered by several inches of ice. Satisfied with his work he returned to his spot in the bath.

“Let me see. Ah, what’s this? I can’t see anything? Cocytus must’ve blocked it,” Albedo’s angry voice filled the air. “It’s your fault, Shalltear. You just couldn’t keep quiet.”

“Me? You are the one that moaned at the sight of Ainz-sama’s body, I didn’t even see him because of you,” Shalltear retorted.

“Can we just leave now? Ah, Ainz-sama is so going to scold me,” Aura said in a depressed voice.

“I am sorry about their behavior, I should talk to them,” Demiurge stood up.

However, before he could leave, Ainz waved his hand dismissively.

“It’s fine, Demiurge. This is actually my fault,” Ainz said.

“How could that be?” Demiurge asked surprised.

“The Lion Golem would never allow them to make a peeping hole, which means they created it after I disabled the Golem. But, they only learned that it was disabled because I announced my intention to do so during yesterday’s meeting,” Ainz explained.

Demiurge and the other guardians nodded in understanding, while the sounds of Aura dragging the other two away from the bath could still be heard. The four males continued to enjoy their bath, while Mare finished up his story.

A simple, off-hand comment I made led to such an event, Ainz thought about the peeping incident. I wonder, do all of my decisions carry such deep, unimaginable consequences? How scary!

 

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