Although Ainz knew what awaited him, he had to say it was still as creepy as always.
Especially the change in her atmosphere between attacking you like a madman, to taking the baby in her arms with gentleness and placing it into the cradle.
"Oh Lord Ainz, little sister, since when have you been here?"
Hearing himself being addressed by Nigredo, the older sister of Albedo and the incarnation of Tabula's love for horror, Ainz couldn't help but sigh to himself.
Albedo on the other side was furious, although she also knew that this was the way her Soster was designed, she couldn't stop herself from shouting at her.
"How dare you attack...?!"
Though before she could finish her words Ainz raised his hand to stop her.
"It's fine Albedo." He said, 'After all this is the way she was made to be...'
He then turned to Nigredo who was tilting her head at them, as if she didn't understand her sister's problem.
"Nigredo, I am here because I need your Help."
"Of course Lord Momonga how may I be of use to you?" Nigredo asked.
"Ah right... you were one of the few who weren't present in the Throneroom at that time. I go now by a different Name, Ainz Ooal Gown, you may call me Ainz, Nigredo."
There was a glint in Nigredo's beautiful eyes, "As you wish, Lord Ainz. Then how can I help you Lord Ainz?"
Ainz nodded and came to the point without much talk around it, "I need to find the location of one of the Guardians, Shalltear Bloodfallen."
Nigredo nodded and began to cast a few spells, which Ainz easily identified as necessary preparations for divination-type spells so that they couldn't be used against yourself.
It didn't take long for Nigredo to cast the true divination magic, among the denizens of Nazarick, she was the best in this type of magic, which made her a very essential part among the forces of Nazarick in the new world.
"Found her." it didn't take much time for Nigredo to find her at all it seemed.
"Then please project it onto the crystal," Ainz asked as he pointed at a Crystal ball placed in the center of the room on a Stand made of crystal-like ice.
Nigredo nodded and did as she was asked, projecting the picture she saw in her mind onto it.
In the Crystal, a forest appeared, in this forest there was a field where the trees were uprooted and destroyed, and in its center stood Shalltear Bloodfallen completely still with her head hung low.
Looking at this Ainz got a headache immediately, 'Is it a trap? Is she truly controlled and just left behind? Or did they already get what they wanted? Is it an ambush they plan?'
Just as a million questions flooded his mind, a message came in.
For a moment Ainz wanted to reset the message, 'No I shouldn't, I did so last night when I was contacted the first time to be informed about this situation. I can't make the same mistake again!'
"Yes, Naberal? What is it that you contact me for?" Ainz took the message and asked directly.
"Lord Ainz, the people of the Adventurers Guild came here looking for you," Naberal explained shortly.
"Did they say why they came looking for me?" This all seemed to coincidental for Ainz, so he needed to make sure.
"Yes, something about a vampire..."
Ainz's headache grew bigger, he looked at the Crystl ball in front of him and had a premonition that the vampire the guild wanted to talk about would be the one he was looking at.
"Naberal, I will come to E-Rantel. Tell them I will meet with them in the Guild."
"Yes, Lord Ainz."
He then disconnected the call and turned to Albedo.
"Albedo, I will go to E-Rantel, it seems Shalltear was spotted before and the Guild probably wants to send a team there for subjugation. I will contact you later."
With those words finished, Ainz disappeared from Nigredo's room, leaving the two sisters to their own devices.
.
.
.
Dōji was waiting in the Throneroom alone at the moment, having sent Kiyomi back to the 9th Floor, so that she would send Ahiro and Kiyomi down to him, while he was waiting for the other Guardians to come back.
He also called Cocytus down, so that they may be able to immediately react to the orders Ainz would be giving when the time came.
"But I still think Lord Ainz will decide to face her himself..." Although he had the idea of simply going out himself to kill Shaltear with his own hands, he couldn't do so.
It wasn't because of his Loyalty to the orders given by Lord Ainz, but more because he felt that Ainz needed to get through this fight himself, to better establish himself in the eyes of the other Guardians.
For him, it was clear that he would never betray Nazarick, and he would listen to Lord Ainz's order as his first priority. He made him after all, there was no reason to be ungrateful towards the being or person who gave him a second life, and his genuine loyalty was born through a mixture of the instilled one from the system and the genuine gratefulness for his new life, made it clear to him that he couldn't betray Nazarick.
The only thing he truly found difficult was to watch over his own subordinates from the 9th Floor, each had their own peculiarities like Kiyomi who was just too easily attached to the humans.
'Even if I was once a human myself... it has been so long since then, I barely remember my life before... and even what I remember from the story is far away, as if a thick fog was covering it...'
He struggled a lot internally with himself about whether to do what he thought was right, like spreading the name of Ainz Ooal Gown earlier, but in the end followed his Lord's commands.
Even when he knew that Lord Ainz wasn't a true Supreme Being, in his mind he understood that it was only a question of time until he became such.
Because even when the man inside Ainz didn't realize his charisma, he had it. How else could people follow him so willingly?
Although some of the success of Ainz can be described to be because of Ainz and Albedo, if the leader doesn't use his subordinates to their full potential isn't this even more the kind of maroon no one wants to follow?
And the intelligence of the two is beyond most mortal beings in and of itself, so using them in such a way is just the right thing.
Just as he continued to ponder over what to do and what was to come, the doors of Lemegeton opened and two people entered into the Throneroom.
Those two were his fiances, the people who were closest to the Throneroom, as they were on the 9th Floor before.
"Hello dear!"
"Greetings, my Love."
The two greeted him, starting with Shiro's alluring voice, followed by Yoru's innocent Voice.
"Hey, did Kiyomi explain what's going on?"
Yoru shook her head, "We were already informed by my elder Sister before she came. We were just old before to be on standby so that she could call for us at any time."
"Yeah, I didn't think dear old be back so fast and that he would be the one to call for us," Shiro added.
Nodding at the two, Dōji walked over and patted both of their heads while asking, "Is everything else fine on the 9th Floor?"
"Of course, there is no problem, I have kept everything in order. Your earlier orders were also completed and I submitted the report to Lord Ainz personally about the anomalies." Yoru gave a report, while a slight blush appeared on her face that showed an innocent smile.
"Everything in the Dream forest is as usual and since my work is completed in the covering of Nazarick, I have also returned there. But... you are missing there..." Shiro also gave her report but added another part with a suggestive look and seductive smile on her face.
Dōji shook his head, "Thanks for your hard work, I will probably stay for a while in the Tomb after we have cleared the problem concerning Shalltear."
"Lord Ainz just went with Albedo to visit Nigredo and let her help him in finding Shalltear. It shouldn't be long before we get more details on what is going on."
The two nodded with bright smiles on their faces.
"Then you need to come and visit the dream forest for a while when this trouble is resolved."
"No, you should come and visit the Temple after this problem concerning ahalltear is solved. After all, Purgatory's Bane is also waiting for your return..."
"Tsk..." Shiro clicked her tongue in annoyance but didn't try to fight with Yoru about this point, because she knew that the Dragon was rather down these days, as it felt like its Master didn't need it.
"Ah right, I just remembered, but the next time I go out, I will probably take one of your servants with me."
The two were stunned for a moment and asked simultaneously with confused looks on their beautiful faces.
"What happened with Kiyomi?!"
The two knew from the information given by their Creators that Dōji preferred Kiyomi to serve him directly. So why was he now telling them that he wanted to take someone else out?!
"Ah... actually... it's very simple, Kiyomi was simply made to like Humans, in a similar way as Sebas does..."
"So she made trouble on your journey for a human?" Shiro's eyes narrowed in a dangerous way.
Yoru on the other side closed her eyes and asked, "Is it because of the supposed Traitor?"
Dōji scratched the back of his head as he answered with a tired voice, "No I'm just worried that she will do something dumb because she feels she can help some humans."
He paused for a moment before continuing while shaking his head, "It isn't that she did something, but rather that I don't want her to get into trouble because of it."
Yoru nodded her head, while Shiro calmed down before agreeing, "Yeah it would be bad if she caused any trouble for you and Lord Ainz because she wants to help some insignificant lifeform like a human."
The three continued their talk until the door of Lemegeton opened again and an icy wind came into the Throneroom coming from the insect fighter Cocytus who entered it.
"You. have. called. for. me. Dōji?" he asked in his usual tone of voice.
Dōji looked over and greeted, "Yes Cocytus, Greetings. I have been tasked to call the other Guardians back to Nazarick and I thought it would be best to gather all of us together so that if we are tasked to fight against Shalltear, we can set out immediately."
Cocytus exhaled a breath of cold air before he answered, "I. still. can't. believe. Shalltear. would. betray. Lord. Ainz."
Doji nodded and added, "Lord Ainz thinks that she is being mind-controlled through external influences. Till now it is only a speculation in accordance to the way her name is displayed in the list of all Creations, but it seems very likely..."
He paused for a moment, "Lord Ainz went with Albedo to meet Nigredo and ask for help to find her."
"I. see. though. as. an. Undead. should. be. immune. to. all. mind. control. abilities. and. spells. if. it. is. Lord. Ainz's. speculation. it. is. very. likely. to. be true." Cocytus as always had total belief in the abilities of his Lord and Master.
"Greetings Lord Cocytus." Yoru and Shiro greeted Cocytus respectfully at this time.
"Hello. Yoru. and. Shiro. How. are. you. doing? Also. there. is. no. need. to. add. Lord. among. ourselves."
"Thank you Cocytus, then I will do so. I am very well, though I feel a bit lonely without Dōji on the 9th Floor." Yoru answered with her typical innocent voice and gave Cocytus the same innocent smile as always.
"I won't deny this gesture either, thank you Cocytus. I have pretty much the same problem as Yoru..." Shiro gave Doji a sideways glance as she answered.
Dōji just shook his head before changing the topic, "Anyway, we still have to take time to have our little spar. But it has to wait until we have the time for it. Right now we need to focus on more important matters."
"It. is. as. you. said. Dōji. Though. I. desire. a. spar. with. you. very. much. the. work. for. Lord. Ainz. should. always. be. our. top. priority." Cocytus answered just as Dōji expected him to.
Before they could fall into a more detailed conversation, the gates opened once more, revealing two Dark Elves who made their way inside.
"Hey Dōji! What's going on? Why did Lord Ainz call us back in such a hurry?" Aura immediately asked upon seeing Dōji, she seemed to have some kind of premonition as her face showed a bit of anxiety.
"You will have to wait for Sebas and Demiurge to return as well, the two shouldn't take too much time to reach here. But I don't want to repeat myself a hundred times..." Dōji waved off Aura's question, which annoyed the little girl.
But just when she wanted to go ahead and ask again, her brother held her back.
"Eh ehm S... sister, you should wait for now... I'm sure Dōji has his own reasons for waiting... for the others."
Heaving a heavy sigh, Aura accepted her brother's words, as her brother rather seldom voiced his concerns, making moments in which he did much more important.
"Tsk..." She clicked her tongue and then greeted the rest of the people, "Yo Cocytus! Hey, Shiro and Yoru are here as well? Something really serious must have happened when you two were here as well..."
"Hello, Mare and Aura. Aura, how was your last visit to Purgatory's Bane?" Yoru asked with her hand covering the giggle forming in her mouth.
Aura immediately turned red and gazed away, "I don't know what you are talking about... I'm just giving him food..."
"Hehehe, isn't it because he doesn't want to let you ride on him?" Shiro through the truth in Aura's face, who turned even redder.
Mare who didn't know about it looked at his sister with disbelief, "Big Sister! You can't go and try to take the mount of the other Guardians!"
Even though Mare was a coward on regular days, when it came to things that concerned the Supreme Beings, he was one of the diehards among the Guardians.
"I... I didn't, I just want to take a little ride..." Trying to explain herself, Aura realized that it didn't matter what she said and turned her face downward.
"Hahaha! You don't have to worry Mare, Aura can't take him even if she is a tamer master, because it was a direct gift from Lord Touch-me and as long as I don't allow him as his owner to carry anyone, then no one besides me will be allowed to ride on him." Dōji laughed loudly and said that Aura couldn't take him away even if she wanted to.
The orders of the Supreme Beings would always come first and so no matter which Guardian would come, Bane would only allow Dōji to ride and command him.
The only one besides Dōji, who could probably give Bane an Order would be Ainz, as he was one of the Supreme Beings.
But Ainz would never allow such a thing as Bane to be taken away by Aura, as it was the last thing he did before leaving the game to give the Dragon to Dōji.
Their Coceraation grew a bit more cheerful with the addition of Aura, but they were soon interrupted when the door opened again, and two people who didn't have a really good relationship with each other entered together.
"I see everyone is already gathered here besides Lord Ainz and Albedo..." Demiurge walked in with the same grace as he always did, but different from normal, there was a serious expression on his face.
Sebas didn't say much but just walked over and bowed in a slight greeting.
"Good now that you all are here. Some of you already know what happened, but for those who don't, I will tell it again." Dōji began to explain, addressing everyone with a now serious face.
"Yesterday night, we lost contact with Shalltear Bloodfallen. Albedo noticed a change in her status displayed in the list of all Creations, her name which should have been white, turned black. She took this as a signal that Shalltear Bloodfallen betrayed the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick and Lord Ainz."
Dōji let the words sink in for those who hadn't heard them before.
Aura's eyes were wide in disbelief, she was the one who was hit the most because of such an accident, as her creator and Shalltear's Creator were siblings and they also had a similar relationship.
But before Aura could ask, Dōji continued, "She proceeded to call Lord Ainz and me back to the Tomb and put Shalltear's subordinates under arrest for the time being. But Lord Ainz already confirmed that the meaning of the blackening of her name is not that she has betrayed Nazarick, but rather that an external influence has taken control of her through an so far unknown ability."
The gazes of the Guardians hardened at this because this meant two things, one was that there was someone outside in this world who could take control over an Undead, who should be immune to mind control abilities, like Shalltear.
Secondly, because this meant that one of the Guardians had failed their master, the last Supreme Being, Lord Ainz.
"Tsk..." Aura clicked her tongue in pure annoyance.
She wasn't the only one, each of the Guardians was currently emanating an Aura of utter hatred towards whoever the person may be who has done such a thing to Shalltear.
"Lord Ainz and Albedo went to visit Nigredo on the 5th Floor, they should return soon..."
Just as he said this, another person came walking through the door, "I see, you have already informed the other Guardians. Good, Lord Ainz has determined the position of Shalltear Bloodfallen through Nigredo's assistance."
The one entering was of course Albedo, who just returned from the 5th Floor.
"Albedo, where is Lord Ainz?" Demiugrge was actually the first to speak up.
Albedo shook her head and explained, "He went to E-Rantel, it seems that Shalltear has caught the attention of the humans before being mind-controlled, which is why Lord Ainz went there to meet with the people from the Adventurers Guild and held them back from going to her..."
"Why is it important if those humans know about her?" Aura tilted her head.
Doji on the other side shook his head as he said, "As far as I understand, Lord Ainz planned to rise in the adventurers guild to higher ranks so he may get access to more important information..."
"Yes, but we probably can't understand the full plan of Lord Ainz at all. But if he can utilize this, then he may be able to rise even faster through the ranks. He can take the elimination of Shalltear as the achievement of his Adventurer persona." Demiurge further delved into the matter, showing his deep understanding and intellect even in such a precarious situation.
Albedo nodded as well, "That may be the case, we will need to deal with Shalltear either way, and we can at least gain something from this."
"That may be the case, but I feel like we should all be more cautious in our future actions. We now know for certain that Lord Ainz's caution wasn't unfounded. There are definitely things beyond our knowledge in this world, so we should prepare ourselves more in the future to avoid more mistakes from happening." Dōji cautioned the whole bunch, though he knew it wasn't likely that there would be true opponents, who could oppose him, but he still thought that it was better to be cautious.
The Guardians nodded together at Dōji's words it was very reasonable.
"For now we need to wait until we hear more news from Lord Ainz, but this doesn't mean we can't do anything while waiting."
Dōji began to speak so that the attention of the Guardians would fall on him, he then continued.
"I have thought about it before, but there aren't many possibilities for Shaltear being mind-controlled." He paused deliberately and then continued, "The most likely answer in my opinion is the use of a World Item. After all, we have already confirmed through the sunlight scripture that there were players in this world before we came."
Demiurge nodded in agreement, "Yes, it is as you say. The possibility for this is also the highest, while the other option would be for a so-called "Talent" to exist which could control undead beings."
Demiurge of course easily deduced the other possibility.
"Yes, I thought the same." Doji nodded to Demiurge's words.
"Ah, this is all too much for my brain!" Aura complained on the side, she was already annoyed by Shalltear's situation but now having a debate about all these things simply made her feel her brain wasn't enough to keep up.
"What are "Talents"? And why a World Item?"
"Very simple, because Undead has immunity against mind control, which can only be overwritten by an Item of the World class." Demiurge explained patiently, "And 'Talents' are abilities which beings in this world are born with, like a talent for beast taming, could make it easier for the owner of the talent to become a Beast Tamer and also enhance his beast tamer skills."
Aura had a face of understanding, "Okay that makes sense. Still in the end we need to wait for Lord Ainz to come back before we can do anything..."