"That's because~" Chu Lian repeated the line again, making Nabe, who was holding her and momentarily stunned, grow curious. "Lady Deloris, just what is the reason?"
"That's because~" Chu Lian's gaze drifted from Ainz's skeletal face to Nabe's pretty one before she enunciated each word slowly, "I~won't~tell~you~."
After saying that, she mischievously blinked at Ainz and giggled as she burrowed back into Nabe's embrace.
Pfft...
Her playful behavior truly caught Ainz off guard. It also allowed Nabe to see a side of Lady Deloris unlike the dignified presence she usually displayed in Nazarick—a side filled with mischief and cuteness befitting her age.
"Alright, alright. If you don't want to say, Deloris, that's fine. We'll probably find out soon enough anyway." Ainz waved a hand and did not press further. His little sister had always been full of clever, eccentric ideas. In Nazarick she could still restrain herself in front of everyone, but outside, no one could hold her back. In any case, he did not intend to interfere.
"And you just let that annoying woman go like that?"
The "annoying woman" referred to the red-haired female warrior who had demanded the potion. Even though Chu Lian had already thoroughly intimidated her, Nabe still felt it was not enough. In her view, anyone who dared offend the Supreme One's dignity deserved severe punishment.
Ainz, however, considered things more deeply. "That woman is an [Iron Plate] adventurer, a rank higher than mine. As a junior, we should at least give her some face."
Seeing Nabe turn her head while holding Deloris, Ainz suddenly asked, "Let me ask you something. What kind of existence do you think humans are?"
"They're all trash..."
Nabe lifted her head, her eyes filled with disdain. Seeing her like this, Chu Lian found her unbearably cute and could not resist tugging lightly at her hair, ruining that expression instantly.
"Is this one the same?"
Her answer startled Ainz internally. The subordinates around him were all beings who deeply despised humans.
"Nabe, I won't force you to abandon that way of thinking. But try to avoid actions that create unnecessary enemies." Ainz knew he could not change her nature, but he could at least make her promise certain things.
"Yes, Lord Ainz."
Since Ainz had spoken, Nabe could only obey.
"I told you, in this city call me Momon." Ainz was not displeased, but he needed to avoid being recognized as Ainz Ooal Gown.
"Yes, Lord Momon."
This time it was Chu Lian who became dissatisfied. She turned to look at Ainz. "Big brother, since we're outside, don't speak in that commanding tone. Try to communicate as equals. Even if Nabe must show you respect in front of others, you should also show her respect. So, Nabe, just call him Momon."
"That would be unacceptable. Lord Momon is our master. We cannot act as equals." Although Chu Lian's words left Ainz somewhat stunned, Nabe refused outright.
"It's fine. When traveling under the identity of Momon, we can relax a little. We need to act like humans to better blend in with them, understand them, and ultimately find ways to defeat them. So here, you are Nabe, I am Liliana, and big brother is Momon. The three of us are companions of equal standing—but we follow big brother's lead."
As she spoke, Chu Lian had already returned to her usual calm demeanor. The adorable, coquettish, lovable girl from moments ago had vanished completely.
It was as though her earlier behavior had been nothing more than an illusion, making it impossible to tell which version was the real her.
Fox girls were indeed a race naturally suited for acting. And Chu Lian herself already possessed a foundation in performance. She could make falsehood appear real.
"Deloris is right, Nabe. Be more mindful in the future."
Seeing Deloris return to maturity, Ainz finally breathed a sigh of relief. If she had continued like that, he would have been completely at her mercy.
Though having an ultra-cute little sister tease him was a kind of happiness, under their current identities it was not appropriate.
"Yes, Momon... sir..."
Nabe still could not bring herself to say the name properly. After hesitating for a moment, she produced an awkward compromise.
"Momon... sir. Though that sounds a bit silly, let's not dwell on it. I'll now explain our next course of action."
Ainz felt helpless at her wording, but there was little he could do. His subordinates were utterly rigid when it came to their attitude toward him. Changing their mindset would be difficult. The only option was to shift the topic.
Hearing this, Nabe instinctively wanted to kneel in acknowledgment. But how could Chu Lian allow that? She reached out, steadying Nabe by the shoulders, and looked into her confused eyes.
"If you don't want us to be in danger, then please don't be so formal. I know everyone deeply respects big brother, but sometimes that respect must be set aside for more important matters. What we are doing now concerns the very existence of the Great Tomb of Nazarick. So please, put aside your previous attitude, alright?"
"Lady Deloris..."
Her words were serious, sincere, and entirely reasonable. Nabe could not refuse. She straightened and replied, "Understood, Momon, Liliana."
"In the future, don't speak in a subordinate's tone. There's no need to say words like 'yes' or 'understood.'" Chu Lian smiled faintly, correcting her once more.
"Deloris really is suited to comforting people..."
Watching the exchange between the two, Ainz could not help but feel envious of his sister's ability. Now that she had finally persuaded Nabe, he continued.
"First, I need to establish a reputation as a well-known adventurer in this city. The primary goal is to build an intelligence network about this world."
"As adventurers accumulate achievements, they can advance to [Mithril] and [Orichalcum]. If we obtain the highest rank, the [Adamantite] plate, we can accept missions of that level. The intelligence gained from those should be far more valuable."
"As expected..."
Nabe immediately wanted to praise Ainz. But when Chu Lian lightly glanced at her, she stopped herself halfway, stammering before finally saying, "As expected of Momon."
"Ah, it seems Deloris possesses an unusually lethal charm toward women. Even a maid like Nabe, after spending time with her, has begun to comply so readily. Back in the real world, as her big brother, I was never as appealing as my current little sister. Am I a failure?"
Ainz was well aware of Chu Lian's charm. One only had to look at Albedo and Shalltear's constant rivalry to know that.
But he had not expected it to be this powerful—powerful enough to make even Nabe so obedient. It was truly enviable... no, he meant an incredibly formidable ability.
"Mm. Although we've formulated a general course of action, there's one pressing problem..." Ainz spoke with some helplessness. He had not expected to face this issue so soon.
"Big brother means we're out of money, right?" Chu Lian smiled lightly, voicing the concern for him.
"Delori—"
The moment he uttered that name, Chu Lian shot him a look. He immediately corrected himself. "Liliana, have you already prepared for this?"
"Of course. Didn't I exchange some grain for money with the villagers back in Carne Village? It wasn't much, but it's enough that we don't need to worry about daily expenses for a while."
Only then did he recall that, back at the house, she had indeed made such an exchange.
"Liliana, you had already considered this situation?"
The matter that had just made him anxious had clearly been anticipated by her long ago.
"Big brother, I can't predict the future. I can only plan in advance according to what I intend to do. Originally, I planned to come out with Nabe alone, but you insisted on following~ Well, it's fine. We have enough money to last us for a while anyway."
As she spoke, she turned around to look at the bed, her face filled with undisguised disgust.
"I refuse to sleep somewhere other people have slept. And those smelly men are just too filthy."
She said it exactly as she thought it, completely disregarding the feelings of the only man present—Ainz.
"Deloris really does prefer girls, doesn't she? Otherwise, how could she have such a powerful charm aura?"
His jaw nearly dropped. The impact his little sister had on him was far too great.
And before saying something like that, could she at least consider that standing in front of her was her big brother—a man?
She extended her hand. A burst of magical radiance gathered in her palm and instantly reduced the bed to splinters. A flicker of flame ignited at her fingertips. As the wind stirred, the wooden fragments were swept into the fire and burned to ash.
This was a recent magical application she had learned. Judging from the result, it worked quite well.
Only after finishing did she nod in satisfaction. Then she pulled out a luxurious bed from her storage space, placed it about ten centimeters from the wooden wall, and flopped onto it, rolling around happily.
"..."
Ainz stared at the scene speechlessly. It seemed this little sister of his not only disliked men but was also a complete germaphobe. He was certain that if his current body were not a skeleton, she would never be this close to him.
"Nabe, you'll sleep with me later. I bring the warmest bed with me."
After rolling around for a while, Chu Lian sat at the edge of the bed and looked at Nabe, whose expression was complicated.
"Lady Liliana—"
She instinctively began to respond in her usual manner, but upon seeing the girl's smiling face, she stopped midway and corrected herself. "Alright, Liliana."
"That's the best Nabe."
Stretching lazily, Chu Lian lay on the bed, watching the slanting sunlight filtering through the cracks of the wooden window. Her voice turned softer.
"We're practically fighting alone now. Everything should be kept simple. Let's be casual about etiquette and daily life."
"Be casual about daily life..."
Ainz and Nabe both glanced at the lavish bed and thought silently, Yes, very casual indeed.
"Even so, we still need to find work. Not just to understand this world better, but also to raise our adventurer rank. That will benefit our future plans."
Although they no longer needed to worry about money, what had to be done still had to be done. Otherwise, there would be many inconveniences later.
"Understood. Let's rest well. I don't feel like doing anything else today. We'll look for work tomorrow. Good night, big brother~"
After speaking, Chu Lian shifted her gaze to Nabe. The maid, unable to withstand that look, walked over, removed her boots, and climbed onto the bed. Only then did Chu Lian withdraw her gaze, slowly closing her eyes as she murmured softly,
"Sleep..."
Meanwhile, the red-haired female warrior who had fled earlier stood hesitantly at the entrance of a shop, debating whether to go inside.
"I should just go in. I don't want this bottle anymore. I don't ever want to have anything to do with them again—they're too terrifying. But something taken out by a powerhouse like that should be pretty good, right? I'll have it appraised first."
With that thought, she stepped inside...