"Should I follow Momonga after this, or walk a separate path on my own? Ayase, do you have any good suggestions?" Chu Lian sat on the sofa. In her line of sight was Narberal, busy with her tasks, but her attention was focused within her own mind.
"What do you think? Actually, either choice works. But when the situation is unclear, following what you are familiar with is safer. On the other hand, choosing an unfamiliar path may bring plenty of danger, but it could also lead to unexpected gains." Ayase simply laid out the outcomes of each option without interfering with Chu Lian's own decision.
"I think it's better to follow the plot. First, the main quests I need to complete are all on Momonga's route. And if I go off on my own, not only might I encounter unimaginable situations, but completing the missions would also become much more difficult."
"After all, we don't know the specific cities or nations in this world, nor where the people we need to find actually are. If I just charge out recklessly, the chances of crashing headfirst into trouble are much higher."
"Also, this is my first dungeon. The real situation is completely unknown. There's no need to take unnecessary risks doing things that might not even yield any benefits. At least right now, we aren't invincible. One careless move and we could provoke an opponent we can't possibly match—that would be terrible."
Although Ayase felt a bit regretful about Chu Lian's somewhat conservative choice, she could understand it. Being cautious was never wrong. Those dangerous ventures could wait until she had firmly established herself.
"Then follow Momonga. Anyway, once he leaves, he'll take Nabe with him. Using the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox's innate talent, you can perfectly disguise yourself as a human, so there's no need to worry about others discovering you're from another race."
"Then it's settled. Follow the plot, and when necessary, take the initiative to resolve things that can be changed and eliminate unnecessary trouble." Chu Lian was already thinking about which parts of the story she could alter. She wondered if changing things might grant extra rewards.
"Ayase, if I change the plot—like saving someone who was supposed to die, or altering an event that was meant to happen—can I obtain rewards outside of the quests?"
"Yes. It depends on how much you change and how difficult it is. The system will determine the level of reward based on the extent of your impact."
"But don't expect too much. Generally speaking, unless you resolve the root cause of something deeply interconnected, the rewards won't be particularly high. Most of the best rewards are concentrated in the system-issued quests."
"I understand. I'm not trying to farm rewards anyway. I just want to change certain things and make this world a little better."
"Lian'er, I've noticed you're becoming more and more compassionate. The system's moral baseline adheres to righteous standards, but it does not demand excessive kindness or mercy. Do what you can when you can, but don't force yourself to do what you cannot. That isn't something you must accomplish."
"I never intended to force myself. Some regrets—if they can be remedied, then I'll remedy them. Especially cute girls. They absolutely must not die or suffer anything bad." Chu Lian had her own limits, of course she wouldn't go overboard. But for certain people, she could still resolve their regrets to the greatest extent she was capable of.
"Actually, even if they die it's not necessarily a problem. While they might not be resurrected in their original physical bodies, their spiritual forms could still exist and be converted into another race. Like your second contractor, Hare Menjou, who became a spirit race. Or in the future, if you go to the Type-Moon world and obtain Heroic Spirits, you could turn people into Heroic Spirits. At worst, you could protect their souls and study the notes Tírnas gave you—learn the necromancy and alchemy inside and create a new body for them."
"I know that's possible, but that's too far in the future. Resurrection and race conversion are two different things, but if the results are similar, why are they restricted by rules?" Chu Lian couldn't understand it, and Ayase had no real answer either, so she changed the topic.
"I suggest going to the outer perimeter to take a look. Mare is currently using magic to conceal the Great Tomb of Nazarick. Soon it will reach the part where Momonga talks with them. Although participating in this scene doesn't really matter, weren't you planning to offer some suggestions?" Ayase sipped red wine while reclining on the sofa, her beautiful figure faintly visible beneath a crimson evening gown. The sight instantly reminded Chu Lian of what had happened three days ago.
"Little Lian'er, you're staring at me so intently. Are you savoring the aftertaste? Three days ago, I held back, you know. If you want, this time I can let you experience what a real woman feels like."
"Cough cough, I'm not thinking about that." Turning her head slightly away from Ayase's teasing smile, Chu Lian said, "I still don't know what reason I could use to say anything. Thinking about it, maybe I should just forget it and let them handle things themselves. I'll just wait here until he goes to Carne Village and then follow along."
"That's fair. The reasoning really isn't easy to explain. Even though your status in Nazarick is second only to his now, it's better to keep a low profile at the beginning." Ayase no longer interfered much with Chu Lian's decisions unless they were extremely important matters.
This was part of her process of slowly becoming independent, no longer relying on protection for everything. Ayase felt nothing but happiness watching her grow, so why would she intentionally interfere?
Nor was she worried that Chu Lian's choices might lead to bad outcomes. Growth inevitably came with things one had to bear.
"Deloris, I've come to play with you." Just as the two were chatting, someone knocked on the door, followed by a delicate voice from outside.
Hearing that voice, Chu Lian trembled all over. Panic appeared on her face as she prepared to activate her ring's ability and escape.
Unfortunately, she was too late. A small figure suddenly appeared behind her, wrapping two arms around her neck and whispering softly into her ear, "Doloris, where are you rushing off to?"
Her aura was completely locked by the vampire loli behind her. Chu Lian found herself unable to activate the ring's ability. Even Teleport failed. It felt as though her spatial powers had been completely sealed, and she inwardly groaned. Wasn't this ring supposed to allow free movement throughout the Great Tomb of Nazarick? Why can't I use it? This doesn't match the settings at all...
"Hehe. Before, you could escape using the Supreme Ring granted by Lord Momonga. But now that I'm prepared, how could I possibly let you run again? This time you'll obediently become mine." Shalltear's voice sounded sweet and tender. As she spoke, she couldn't help but open her mouth and gently nibble Chu Lian's earlobe with a soft whimper.
"Lady Shalltear, please don't do this. This is too strange." Chu Lian felt like crying. What is even happening? Instead of focusing on Momonga, why are you targeting me?
"No no no. I saw that gorilla's attitude toward you very clearly. I can't let her have things so easy. Does she think being the guardian overseer means she gets first pick? Right here and now, I'll claim your first time and see how she reacts." Shalltear spoke whatever came to mind, leaving Chu Lian both mortified and internally reminding herself never to get too close before subduing her.
"You seven... la...mprey! Don't go too far!" Fortunately, Albedo arrived at that moment to find Chu Lian. As soon as she entered the unclosed room and saw the scene, she exploded with anger.
"Oh? Isn't this the gorilla? What's wrong? Want to steal my prey? Too bad—she's mine now." Shalltear showed no fear of Albedo. Seeing her approach, she didn't release her grip, instead smiling smugly.
"You! Insufferable!" Already furious, how could Albedo possibly endure such provocation? She instantly appeared beside Shalltear and reached out to grab Chu Lian.
"She's mine now." Shalltear had been watching her closely. Reacting instantly, she pulled Chu Lian into her arms and retreated several steps.
You two can fight all you want, but don't ignore my existence—this is dangerous, okay? Though limp in Shalltear's embrace, Chu Lian still complained internally.
"Ayase, what do I do now? I don't know what method Shalltear used to sever my connection with the ring. I can't leave her arms at all. Not just the ring—even Teleport doesn't work. It seems like some kind of spatial sealing item." With no other choice, Chu Lian could only seek Ayase's help. She really didn't want to get dragged into this conflict.
"Fine, I'll help you this time. But I suggest you go to Momonga's side. With him there, neither Shalltear nor Albedo will continue pestering you." Ayase had seen this situation many times over the past few days. This was the first time Chu Lian had failed to escape, so she decided to intervene.
"Thank you so much." Not long after she spoke, Chu Lian felt her sealed spatial abilities return. After glancing around briefly, she seized the moment while Shalltear was distracted arguing with Albedo. Activating the ring's ability from within Shalltear's arms, she vanished instantly from the room, leaving behind two furious women staring at the empty space.
"Hmph. She got lucky this time. Next time I catch her, I'll take her right on the spot." Shalltear licked her pink lips and said sweetly.
"Next time you won't have that chance. Doloris belongs to me. You can cling to Lord if you like, but not to her." Albedo regained her composure, her golden slit pupils watching Shalltear dangerously.
"Oh? Just because you say she's yours makes it true? I'll make her mine anyway." Shalltear ignored the threat, laughing lightly before opening a portal and leaving.
"Shalltear..." Clenching her fists tightly, Albedo stared at the direction where Shalltear had vanished and spoke softly.
Narberal, who had remained silent since Shalltear's arrival, now stepped forward and began slowly tidying the scattered items.
Over the past three days she had seen plenty of incidents between the guardians. At first she had tried to mediate, but now she had learned to remain silent.
After all, they wouldn't listen to her anyway, and since Deloris wasn't truly in danger, she no longer interfered.
Of course, if it were Momonga instead, she probably wouldn't be so calm.
"Nabe, next time you know where Doloris is, tell me first," Albedo said, concealing her emotions.
"Yes, Lady Albedo," Narberal replied, continuing to clean up the scattered items.
"Doloris should have gone to Lord by now. Lord is probably on the First Floor. I'll go take a look as well." Thinking this, Albedo walked out and immediately shot into the sky, flying toward the First Floor.
Meanwhile, Chu Lian appeared at the edge of the First Floor, gazing at the two figures floating in the sky, strange thoughts arising in her heart.