Ainz was stumped by Pandora's rhetorical question.
How did he truly view this grown-up daughter of his?
He felt ashamed thinking about it; as a father, he had certainly been quite negligent.
Imagine, he didn't even have a girlfriend, and suddenly, such a grown-up daughter appeared, calling him 'Papa'.
No matter how thick-skinned one was, it would be hard to get used to, right? Although Ellie, in every aspect, was very well-behaved and obedient.
However, if Ellie were like a child her age, innocent and knowing nothing, constantly clinging to her parents and acting spoiled, that would be fine.
The crucial point was that Ellie was too worry-free; ever since she received permission to go out, the child rarely stayed in Nazarick, mostly running around outside.
It felt like a rebellious child who never came home, but the reason she didn't come home was for the development of Nazarick.
In other words... this child was too capable, too outstanding.
It made him, as a father, unsure how to interact with her, so he could only secretly observe his daughter's every move from afar using magic.
Now... he, who had adopted a laissez-faire attitude towards his daughter, upon facing his daughter who had returned grown after encountering some incident, actually needed his NPCs to give him advice; he truly was useless!
"Oh ho ho ho... My opinion, you ask? A good question, Pandora's Actor. My daughter is my daughter, and no matter what form she takes, she is a daughter I am proud of," Ainz said, waving his hand.
However, as he spoke these words, Ainz felt extremely guilty, recalling how when he first saw the grown-up version of Ellie, he had even suspected she was an imposter... Now, saying this, didn't his conscience hurt?
"Exactly! Since Lord Ainz has said so, what more can I, as her older brother, say? Whether in her small and cute form, or her current radiant appearance, she is my adorable little sister!" Pandora below spoke at length, striking various chuunibyou poses.
Seeing Pandora's various chuunibyou poses, Ainz wished he could find a crack in the floor to crawl into; this child was so incredibly embarrassing.
"Cough... Hmm, I understand your thoughts. You may withdraw, Pandora..." Even Ainz, with his skeletal face, let out two slightly awkward dry coughs and waved his hand, not wanting this fellow to embarrass him further.
"Father!" Just then, from the shadows of the main hall's front entrance, a black figure flashed out and uttered this softly.
Uh... why was Ellie here? Ainz's heart skipped a beat as soon as he heard Ellie's voice.
After all, he had gathered so many people here precisely to discuss her matters. If she realized his intentions, wouldn't he, as a father, lose great face?
No... she must have already realized it. Ellie is so smart... Usually, Ellie calls him 'Papa', but now she has changed to 'Father'.
Such a formal address... Could it be? Is she angry??
He watched as Ellie, in the shadows, slightly lifted her skirt, bowed to everyone, and then slowly walked into the main hall.
It was then that Ainz finally got a clear look at his grown-up daughter's new attire.
"As expected of my Albedo's daughter... truly..." Albedo, beside him, gazed at her daughter with starry eyes.
Uh... he remembered that Albedo had personally sewn all of Ellie's clothes from age one to seventeen even before Ellie was born.
This set should be one of them... but looking at Ellie's new outfit, Ainz thought with considerable awkwardness, it just felt a little strange...
After all, the clothes Ellie was currently wearing were the same style as Ainz's usual black magic robes.
Although many parts had been significantly altered, the basic color scheme and style were immediately recognizable as having been modified based on his own magic robe.
As it was made by Albedo, it naturally also incorporated Albedo's elements; the front placket was changed to white and embroidered with the same web-like golden silk embroidery as Albedo's long dress.
Since the front placket was white, to avoid other areas clashing with black, the short skirt part also adopted a white tone; however, the very prominent bright red translucent lace on the elongated back hem was a bit odd.
One could probably guess that Shalltear forcibly added that, right?
And then there was the headscarf. Since Ellie was a girl, it wasn't a simple piece of fabric draped over her head; instead, a small part was fabric, and the large part behind was a black transparent veil.
The headscarf wasn't just draped on either; it was secured in the hair with a crown-like ornament, symbolizing royalty.
Ainz understood... when he wore this magic robe, his good friend Peroroncino had once complained that he looked like a Great Demon who had emerged to destroy the world.
However, when it was on his daughter, it felt like she had become a noble priestess or nun from somewhere... After all, this black and white outfit combined with the headscarf indeed resembled a priestess or nun, completely out of tune with Nazarick's atmosphere.
"I hope I haven't disturbed everyone... Father, please forgive my unauthorized presence without your summons," Ellie, who had slowly walked to the center of the hall, said to Ainz with a smile, looking up.
Gasp... She's definitely angry!
Seeing his daughter Ellie greet him so formally, Ainz's confidence instantly plummeted.
This must be the first time! The first time!
Normally, no matter how formal the occasion, Ellie would always run in and jump onto his lap.
However... now... such formal phrasing, and using honorifics... How terrifying!
"Hmm... I forgive you for everything, my daughter. So, do you have something important to discuss, coming to see me at this time?" Although he was incredibly flustered inside, under the effect of forced composure and his superb acting skills, he calmly waved his hand at his daughter and asked very nonchalantly.
"Yes, Father, I do have something to tell you," Ellie below said, bowing her head respectfully.
This action only made Ainz feel even more guilty.
"Um... my daughter, although the Guardians are all here, this is not a formal occasion. It's fine to relax a bit... just act as you usually do... Hmm... as you usually do," Ainz said. Fortunately, he didn't sweat, otherwise, he might be drenched in sweat right now.
"Oh! Is that so? I'm truly sorry, Father! Seeing so many Guardians of Nazarick present, I mistakenly assumed that you and the Guardians were discussing a major event related to Nazarick's continued existence. I am truly foolish!" Ellie continued to speak with a perfectly serious expression.
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