Several days later, inside Ainz's room, Chu Lian stood at his side as they listened together to Albedo's report.
"According to Aura's investigation outside, no other YGGDRASIL players have been discovered so far. The search range has now extended into the great forest near Nazarick."
"Additionally, based on the confession of the man named Nigun whom Lady Deloris captured a few days ago, he is the commander of one of the Six Scriptures of the Slane Theocracy—the Sunlight Scripture. His mission was to eliminate the Kingdom's Warrior Captain, Gazef, and then frame the Baharuth Empire, thereby straining relations between the two nations and provoking war."
"As for their ultimate objective, according to him, it is to seize an opportunity for the Slane Theocracy to unify humanity from within. Beyond that, he does not know."
"However, this group has proven somewhat useful. They have provided much of the information we urgently need—about the structure of this world, the relationships among the three nations, and the approximate identities of its strongest individuals."
"We have also learned that the strongest Scripture unit of the Slane Theocracy is the Black Scripture. It is said to contain quite a few individuals with hero-level strength."
"Oh, and hero-level individuals are similar to Gazef. To be more specific, they are roughly above level 35. For us, they pose no real threat, so Supreme One, you need not worry about them harming you."
"Unless, of course, the uncontrollable situations Lady Deloris mentioned occur—such as the enemy possessing divine artifacts or even World Items. Only then would they pose a threat to us. Otherwise, there is no need for concern."
After listening to Albedo, Ainz fell silent for a moment before speaking.
"So that is all he knew. It should not be highly confidential information, but it is enough to give us a basic understanding of this world. Heh... hero-level, level 35. Interesting. Very interesting."
"Elder Brother, I categorized those levels based on their strength. Since you are a player, this kind of classification should make things clearer for you." At that moment, Chu Lian leaned close and whispered into his ear, causing him to suddenly understand.
"I was wondering how Albedo knew about levels and such. Heh. Very good. Very good."
"Let us set aside the rest for now. Albedo, if possible, send people to investigate what kind of entity this so-called Slane Theocracy truly is. I have a feeling we may find a breakthrough through them." Seeing Ainz deep in thought, Chu Lian stepped closer to Albedo and spoke softly.
"Lady Deloris, the current situation remains unclear. Reckless probing could easily expose our existence. I suggest we first cultivate human informants and have them gather intelligence for us. This Slane Theocracy may hold secrets that surprise us. They could well be our greatest obstacle in conquering this world." Albedo was equally suspicious of the so-called Slane Theocracy. It was simply that the current circumstances did not allow them to act hastily. Otherwise, she would already have dispatched forces to thoroughly investigate.
"Be cautious in all matters. I suspect they may possess World Items. When going out, be careful not to provoke them without first understanding their background." Chu Lian feared that, while she was unable to intervene, something like the original incident—Shalltear being controlled by a World Item—might occur. So she offered a precaution in advance.
"I understand. At their level, they will take such matters into consideration. As long as the two of you remain in Nazarick, it will never fall." Taking advantage of Ainz's inattention, Albedo secretly planted a quick kiss on Chu Lian's cheek. After receiving a reproachful glare, she withdrew.
"The Slane Theocracy advocates the extermination of goblins, ogres, lizardmen, and other non-human races, while praising the unity of mankind, correct? If I were to make contact with them now, it would be rather dangerous, wouldn't it?" Ainz was not unaware of what the two of them were doing. Under the current circumstances, he could only pretend not to notice and voice his question.
"With the situation still unclear, yes," Albedo replied, maintaining her stance. With insufficient intelligence, every action had to be handled with extreme caution.
"Then let us slowly uncover their background. Remember—do not expose yourselves. Safety comes first." Ainz made the same decision as Chu Lian. If her words alone were not persuasive enough, once Ainz spoke, all would obey and carry it out.
"Understood. I will make the arrangements shortly." Albedo nodded, then raised another matter. "The remaining issue concerns the village Lord Ainz and Lady Deloris saved. How should we handle it going forward? What stance should we adopt?"
"Carne Village is currently our only foothold and the first village with which we have successfully established friendly relations. We should avoid doing anything that might damage that relationship." Ainz's intention was clear—to begin with Carne Village and gradually extend his influence outward. Albedo understood and responded, "Very well. That concludes today's report."
"You have worked hard." Ainz understood the efforts of his subordinates and always made a point to commend them.
"This is what Albedo ought to do—not only for the Supreme One, but also for Lady Deloris." After speaking, she cast a deep glance at Chu Lian.
"Albedo, your feelings toward Deloris are the result of my forced alteration. In truth, you only need to treat her as you treat me." Seeing this, Ainz felt a sense of crisis. Afraid that Albedo might steal away his precious little sister, he cleared his throat as a reminder.
"And what is wrong with that, Lord Ainz? The most important thing is that I truly like Lady Deloris. And she does not find it troublesome, correct?" Turning her head toward Chu Lian, the longing in her eyes was almost overwhelming.
Faced with that gaze, Chu Lian truly had no way to refuse. She could only nod. "I do not find it troublesome. I only hope big brother will refrain from making such decisions in the future. Deloris is one of Nazarick's pillars. If she has become like this, you bear the greatest responsibility."
Her words struck both of them like lightning. Yet unlike the tingling thrill that ran through Albedo, Ainz felt as though his world had gone dark.
Originally, he had altered Albedo so that Deloris would have someone to accompany her in his absence. Instead, he had directly pushed the two of them together.
This sort of relationship between women... was it called yuri?
He did not object to it. But if the price was losing the admiration of his most beloved little sister, that would be disastrous.
Yet what could he say? This was the consequence of his own actions.
He looked at the two of them, his jaw nearly dropping. "But I changed Tabula Smaragdina's settings. That's basically wasting the hard work of the one who created you. Isn't that terrible?"
"Lord Tabula Smaragdina would surely forgive Lord Ainz with the feeling of sending his daughter off to marriage," Albedo said without concern. She truly adored Chu Lian, this little fox girl. If not for the setting and the people around them, she would have already pulled Chu Lian into her arms and showered her with affection.
"I-Is that so?" He looked at the calm and silent Chu Lian, then at the excited Albedo, and inwardly roared, If Tabula forgives me like a father marrying off his daughter, then who is going to sympathize with my feelings of marrying off my little sister?! I only have one precious little sister!
However, no matter how much he regretted his previous alteration, it was already reality. The fact that Albedo had become devoted to Deloris could no longer be changed. It was not that he lacked the ability. Rather, the function itself was gone.
At that moment, a knock came from outside the room. Shalltear's petite figure entered, her long dress trailing behind her. Holding the hem of her skirt, she bowed to Ainz and Chu Lian.
"Lord Ainz, Lady Deloris, I hope you are both well."
Shalltear's arrival broke the awkward atmosphere. Ainz looked at her and asked, "It's you, Shalltear. What brings you to my room?"
"Of course, I came to admire Lord Ainz's beautiful form and Lady Deloris's beauty." Though her words praised both of them, her gaze remained fixed solely on Chu Lian, causing her heart to tighten. That perverted vampire loli has set her sights on me again. This is bad.
Her intensely aggressive gaze did not go unnoticed. Not only Chu Lian, but Ainz and Albedo beside her also sensed it. Before Ainz could speak, Albedo gently said, "Then you have already satisfied your purpose. You may leave now, Shalltear. I am currently discussing important matters with Lord Ainz and Lady Deloris."
"You old hag are really annoying," Shalltear sneered, tilting her head with eyes closed before opening them again, her crimson gaze filled with arrogance. "Is it because you've passed your expiration date and become desperate?"
"And is there anything of yours that's actually edible? You look like a lavish food display, but in reality?" Albedo raised a finger and pointed toward Shalltear's chest, mimicking her movements as she closed and reopened her eyes.
That remark instantly ignited Shalltear's anger. A layer of red, flame-like energy enveloped her body. "I'll kill you, you bitch."
"Who are you calling past their expiration date, you idiot?!" Albedo refused to back down. Purple energy surged around her in response.
The two stood less than ten meters apart across the table, confronting each other like drawn blades. Chu Lian could only feel speechless at the sight. She spoke softly, "Lord Ainz, Deloris will take her leave now."
It was best to leave quickly. Otherwise, if their battle shifted toward her, things would become troublesome.
In truth, Ainz also wanted to leave. Unfortunately, as the Supreme One of Nazarick, he could not simply walk away over such matters. He could only nod, allowing Chu Lian to depart.
Chu Lian nodded. "Big brother, Ainz..." Gracefully lifting her skirt in a curtsey, she waited until neither woman paid attention before decisively activating her ring's ability and escaping back to her own room. Whatever happened here afterward was no longer her concern.
"You two, stop this nonsense." Seeing that Chu Lian had left and that the two were still confronting each other, Ainz realized he could not let it continue and spoke sternly.
Since Ainz had spoken, neither dared continue. The energies surrounding them vanished instantly as they returned to their usual states.
"Yes, Lord Ainz."
"Shalltear, what exactly did you come here for?" Ainz was still troubled by this question.
"Yes. This subordinate has received orders to depart soon and rendezvous with Sebas Tian. I may not be able to return to Nazarick for some time, so I came specifically to pay my respects." Shalltear's cheeks carried a faint blush as she spoke, as though shy.
"I see. Deloris just analyzed the situation and mentioned something important. When encountering strange groups, do not act rashly before understanding them. She suspects they may be forces of the Slane Theocracy, possibly possessing World Items." Ainz's words made Shalltear pause before nodding.
"If it is Lady Deloris's warning, then this subordinate will certainly take care..."
"And also, take care of yourself..." Unexpectedly, it was Albedo who said this. Shalltear clicked her tongue before replying, "Tch. That must be something Lady Deloris told you to say. Don't worry. I'll be careful."
"This world is not so simple. World Items likely truly exist. Regardless of how much power they can wield, they are not something we can ignore lightly. So be cautious in all things." Ainz gave Shalltear special warning because among all his subordinates, she was the most worrying.
Her personality was too impulsive, and as a true progenitor vampire, she could easily enter a berserk state. Once in that state, her intelligence would drop to nearly beast-like levels. She might fail to distinguish friend from foe and become vulnerable to manipulation.
"Lord Ainz cares so much for this subordinate. Shalltear will certainly be careful." If Chu Lian's words alone were not enough to make her cautious, then Ainz's words—who in her eyes was nearly godlike—were absolutely persuasive.
"I hope this deployment proceeds smoothly. Otherwise, we will need to adjust our strategies again." Ainz lightly tapped the table with his finger bones. After thinking for a moment, he took out a scroll from his inventory and handed it to Shalltear. "Take this scroll. If you encounter danger, it will automatically alert me. At that time, I will be able to come rescue you."
"Yes, Lord Ainz." Shalltear accepted the scroll happily, clearly delighted by his concern. Before leaving, she cast a provocative glance toward Albedo.
After making arrangements, Shalltear took her leave, leaving only Ainz and Albedo behind.
"I have a feeling this journey will not go smoothly. After hearing Deloris's analysis, I realized that perhaps I never seriously considered what kind of world this truly is. I hope nothing goes wrong." Sitting in his chair, Ainz stared ahead and spoke quietly.
Albedo replied, "Lady Deloris considers more possibilities than any of us. Perhaps even if danger appears, her foresight will allow it to be avoided..."
Meanwhile, Shalltear, who had just left, unexpectedly encountered someone—the person who should have already returned to her room.
Instead of leaving as usual, Chu Lian stepped forward and handed her an item.
"Shalltear, take this. If your mental state becomes abnormal—if you enter a berserk state—I will detect it and teleport to your side within three minutes. You must take good care of yourself..."
Shalltear stared blankly at the gentle girl before her, not knowing how to respond...