A/N: I meant to release this chapter on Christmas as a gift to you all, but it, unfortunately, wasn't ready in time :( so forgive me on that. But anyway, only three weeks since the last update, so I'll consider it a win regardless XD.
I hope you all had a merry Christmas full of laughter, love, joy, (and material acquisition) as I myself enjoyed... and for those of you who didn't celebrate, well... I hope you've been doing well in life, in whatever position you find yourself in right now! A new year will soon be upon us - a new decade, in fact - and I hope you'll all be able to start off on the right foot as the best person you can be, and I wish for nothing but absolute happiness and success in all your endeavours :)
Before 2020 begins, take some time to reflect: on all your successes - and failures - of not just 2019, but every year of your life, that have thus far shaped you into the wonderful human being you are today: and with those in mind, set goals for yourself in the coming year. And no, I don't mean New Year's resolutions you will inevitably neglect by the end of January. I mean meaningful goals, one that you truly desire in your heart and must strive - or have been striving - for. Maybe it's something that you had set out to attain in 2019, or 2018, or many many years ago, but haven't quite gotten around to accomplishing. Well, 2020 is your year: to get that job, that promotion, that scholarship. To get into your dream school, make new friends, strengthen bonds, and ask out that girl or guy that maybe you've been too shy or insecure to approach - until now!
Whatever you set out to do, I know you can do it.
Enjoy the chapter and happy New Year.
Chapter 15:
"In the Name of Love, I Swear"
POV Ainz
.
.
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"Welcome back, Ainz-sama!" four prostrating individuals shout in distinctly relieved tones.
"Umu. Everyone," I begin in a weighty tone from atop my throne. With a practiced wave of my hand, I motion to the silver paladin in the center of the room, who begins to shift uncomfortably from foot to foot under the weight of all the guardians' scrutinizing gazes.
As soon as we had returned from Carne village through the use of another gate, all the guardians who had not accompanied me were already gathered here, waiting for my return. And while I was extremely tempted to brush them off and go straight to an indiscrete environment, alone with Lenora to learn more about her, I was able to quell such an unbecoming urge. It would've been too disrespectful towards the guardians, and perhaps even a bit suspect.
If Albedo's earlier question was of any indication, I should assume that the other NPC's must harbor similar skepticism towards Lenora and worry about the potential 'threat' she poses to the sanctity of Nazarick's day-to-day life. Particularly, I expect there to be friction between her, Albedo, and Shalltear, given those two's… er… competitive natures. I'll have to think of a way to quickly integrate Lenora into Nazarick and dispel the guardians' concerns. Maybe I should organize another day off for the female guardians like I did before and allow them to bond? Or would that be too forceful? yes, I believe that would be asking too much. Though it would be nice if it could happen. One step at a time, I suppose. Now, first things first:
"Guardians, this is Lenora: someone who, like us, was transported to this world from Yggdrasil. She will be staying here in Nazarick from now on. Although some of you have met her already, I would like you all to properly introduce yourselves" I declare with a nod.
The guardians, who had been kneeling, all rise to their feet in perfect synchronicity and turn to face Lenora.
Shalltear is the first to step forward, blatantly sizing Lenora up from head to toe with a scornful expression she puts no effort into concealing.
"Right, well… my name is Shalltear Bloodfallen. I am the guardian overseer of the first four floors of the Underground Tomb of Nazarick. Pleased to meet you" she spits out with a bitterness disguised as apathy.
I clench my eyes shut, cringing internally. Ahhh that wasn't a very good icebreaker at all Shalltear! Would it kill you to try even just a little?
"L-likewise…" Lenora replies politely nonetheless - and with her helmet now removed, I can see her shoot a distinctly nervous look my way. I offer a quick shrug and shake my head apologetically.
Fssssssh!
"Yes. We. Have. Already. Met. But. I. Am. Cocytus. Guardian. Of. The. Fifth. Floor. Of. The. Underground. Tomb. Of. Nazarick. Nice. To. Meet. You... I. Look. Forward. To. The. Next. Time. We. Cross. Blades" He adds, nodding his head with sincere conviction.
My heart skips a beat of relief as Lenora's expression softens and she forms a weak smile.
"Yes, nice to meet you Cocytus. I would be happy to duel you properly sometime".
"Wonderful!" the frosty warrior roars happily. It seems the tension Shalltear's coldness created has - ironically - been dispelled by the icy guardian.
Next, Mare and Aura step forward together. While Aura puffs her chest out and flashes a broad smile, Mare timidly clasps his hands together, standing slightly behind his sister.
"Yo! I'm Aura Belle Fiora, and this-" she pauses, stepping to the side and forcing Mare into the spotlight, "is my brother Mare! We're the guardians of the sixth floor. While I specialize in taming and collecting magical beasts, Mare is a druid! Nice to meet ya!" She declares proudly.
I nod my head in approval. Nice going, Aura! Telling her a bit about your hobbies, a perfect way to break the ice and start developing some familiarity.
After a few moments of silent mouth contortions, Mare finally finds his voice: "A-ah! H-hello, nice to meet you…" he squeaks in a fluster, before looking over his shoulder to me with a sheepish expression that seems to ask 'did I do well?'. I offer a quick nod of approval, a motion he reciprocates before shuffling closer to Aura.
I sigh hopefully. It seems neither the twins or Cocytus will have any trouble getting along with Lenora. Maybe I was just being paranoid after all?
...
Sebas and Demiurge both introduce themselves normally and without a hitch - with Demiurge coming across as perhaps a bit apprehensive and untrusting, but that was to be expected - and about the best I could've hoped for. At least he didn't launch into an interrogational tirade, which I was fully anticipating and bracing myself to interrupt. It seems I can rest easy for now.
Ah, but… then there's still Albedo I suppose. but she's used to being diplomatic and cordial, so I doubt there's anything to worry about.
Thinking the potential for any drama to be nonexistent now, I sigh relievedly and lean back in my throne.
All eyes in the room turn to the guardian overseer expectantly, standing composed and dignified in the center of the row of guardians with a sweet smile on her face.
"Welcome to Nazarick, Lenora… my name is Albedo, second-in-command of Nazarick and overseer of all other guardians" She declares pleasantly.
Phew! She introduced herself as tactfully as I expected and we got through introductions without any issues! Good to see we're starting off on the right foot! Maybe a day off for bonding between the female guardians and Lenora isn't as farfetched as I had previously thought? Ah, no, I can't dwell on that any longer. Rushing things could prove more harmful than good.
I look to Lenora who nods back at me with a similarly relieved expression. Just as I begin to get up from my throne and dismiss the guardians-
"AND…" Albedo suddenly exclaims in a high-pitched tone, apparently not done with her introduction.
And?! There should be no 'and'!
The succubus brings her hands up to her face, cupping her disconcertingly flushed cheeks.
W-wait a minute! I've seen that look too many times!
"A-albedo, wait-" I begin desperately.
Too late.
"And… I'm also Aiiiiinza-sama's head wife!" She squeals happily, her entire face turning bright pink as she wiggles her wings from side to side.
"A-a-ainz-sama's… wife?!" the purple-eyed paladin cries incredulously, snapping her head to me for immediate clarification with a blush of her own.
I just had to jinx everything, didn't I?!
"W-wait, it's not like that-!" I start defensively, leaping up from my throne.
"Now hold on!" another shrill voice suddenly screeches in protest, cutting me off:
"That hasn't been decided yet!" Shalltear exclaims lividly.
Albedo stops quivering euphorically and turns to face the victorian-style dressed vampire.
"Hohhhh?" The overseer hums condescendingly, her lips curling into a belittling grin:
"It was though, remember? We agreed that I would be head wife, but on the condition that we would both bear an equal amount of children" she asserts confidently.
But this is the first I've heard of this arrangement!
"E-e-ehhhh?! C-children" Lenora gasps, looking wildly between the two confrontational guardians.
Why do these misunderstandings always occur at the most inopportune times!?
"L-lenora, let me explain..!" I try to speak, though my constrained voice falls on deaf ears amongst all the commotion. Sigh, what's the use at this point. I slump defeatedly back into my throne.
Just then, I notice Aura pinch the bridge of her nose tiredly:
"Hahhhh…" the tomboy sighs loudly in exasperation, her shoulders slumping dramatically: "would you two cut it out, we've been through this like a bajillion ti- eep!" her complaint is quickly stifled though, as Mare, noticing the murderous gazes being directed towards his sister, slaps a hand over Aura's mouth.
"Ehhh, what was that, chibisuke?" Shalltear hisses dreadfully.
Aura scratches the back of her head sheepishly as Mare slowly retracts his hand:
"N-nothing! I mean, if it hasn't been settled, then, by all means, take all the time you need to discuss it some more! It is super important after all! Ehehe!" the beast-tamer suggests with a nervous chuckle, taking a not-so-subtle step towards the throne room's exit. Her brother follows suit.
Albedo and Shalltear redirect their gazes to each other.
I turn back to the incredulous paladin, but my opportunity to clear things up escapes me once again as Sebas approaches her and places a comforting hand on her shoulder:
"Have no fear, lady Lenora, this is a common occurrence… it usually resolves itself without too much trouble" I hear him whisper reassuringly.
"Is that so..?" She trails off uncertainly. To this, Sebas merely strokes his chin and gives a slight head tilt, which is basically his equivalence of a shrug.
And with that, all attention has turned to the 'common occurrence'. The sad part is, to label it as that isn't even a lie… but Sebas is also right in that they usually calm down on their own before things escalate too much - sooner or later, like always, they'll realize how inappropriate it is to act like this in front of me. Demiurge is shaking his head disapprovingly while the elf twins continue to edge closer and closer to the exit... and Cocytus, well, he's in the midst of frolicking about the room with my future children sitting upon his shoulders. I turn back to the main dispute in bored resignation.
"Hahhhhh? I never agreed to that! If you want to be head wife, then I should be given the honour of having more of Ainz-sama's children, it's only fair!" Shalltear shrieks adamantly, crossing her arms in a pout.
"I think not! I carry twenty, and you carry twenty!" The succubus asserts indignantly.
A familiar jolt of pain stirs my lower region. Oh God, I think I'm going to pass out again...
"Twenty. And. Twenty?!" I suddenly hear Cocytus cry out from afar, as he begins stumbling back and forth like a drunkard, apparently struggling to balance forty imaginary children on his shoulders.
"And what if Ainz-sama wants more than that, or an odd number of kids that can't be divided equally?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it!" Albedo retorts angrily.
"M-more. Than. That?!" Coctyus' faint, bewildered voice echos out from the other side of the throne room: I look up just in time to see him teeter back several feet before unceremoniously collapsing to the ground.
Hmm, so his limit is forty... I GUESS I'LL KEEP THAT IN MIND AND NOT HAVE ANY MORE THAN THAT, I shout out sarcastically in my head.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, huh... and by that, I'm sure you mean that you'll find a way to have more children than me without my knowledge, hahhhhh?!" Shalltear hisses accusingly.
"How in the world would you expect me to keep entire pregnancies secret from you?! It's not like there's magic out there to speed up the process!" Albedo replies
"I don't know how!" SHalltear exclaims, throwing her hands in the air: "but I'm sure you'll find a way, you conniving harpy!"
Everyone else in the room can only watch in mutual tiredness and discomfort.
M-maybe I should intervene after all-!
"H-harpy?! You know, I'd be surprised if an undead lamprey like you could even carry a child. You're so rotten and bitchy that no amount of effort or magic could make THAT womb hospitable!"
"Ehhhhhhh?! I-I can too!" The vampire wails defensively, her cheeks turning scarlet from the overseer's vicious jab.
"And even if by some chance you could, you sure as hell wouldn't even be able to nourish the child, given that your breasts are 99% padding!"
"EEEEEEEE don't say another word or I'll rip your throat out, you overweight whore!"
Now it's Albedo's turn to recoil as she wraps her arms self-consciously around her waist:
"O-overweight?! Y-you're just jealous because Ainz-sama prefers busty women!"
My jaw drops. This argument has devolved even further than usual!
"Er, Albedo, Shalltear, I think maybe-" I begin weakly while sneaking a glance at Lenora, who's watching the scene unfold with a disconcertingly stoic expression.
"Pffft, you wish!" Shalltear cries in a voice overflowing with the confidence she had regained after finally striking a nerve: "Ainz-sama is not so foolish as to confuse 'fat' for curvacious: but he is certainly wise enough to recognize beauty in slimness. Right, Ainz-sama?"
-!
At the mention of my name, I nearly fall out of my throne. What the FUCK am I supposed to say to that?!
Everyone's eyes have fallen on me - except for Cocytus', who seems to be taking another shot - and faring remarkably better than before -at balancing all my kids on his shoulders. Oh, and the dark elf twins who have long since snuck out.
I look to Lenora entreatingly and meet her gaze.
Please help, I'm drowning!
But rather than throw me a life ring, she instead turns her gaze away to watch me through the corner of her eyes without a trace of surprise, worry, or confusion as I flail about in the water: there exists only a glazed yet blatantly disgusted look on her face:
'Pervert' is what her eyes, violet pools of scornful judgement, convey accusingly.
The female guardians are none the wiser to my suffering.
" 'Slimness' you say?! Please! Ainz-sama is not so foolish as to confuse 'slim' for 'immature'! If he wanted to be with you, he could easily find the same experience in making love to an anvil!" The succubus glowers with a sneer, using the vampire's own words against her.
"Urk! Why you-!"
I slump back in my throne dejectedly as the escalating bickering between succubus and vampire becoming little more than white noise in my ears.
This… was not how things were supposed to go…
Just then, I feel a cold presence next to me as a shadow looms overhead.
"Hmm? What is it, Cocytus?" I ask.
"F-forgive. Me. Ainz-sama. But. Earlier. I. Dropped. Your. Children…" he trails off lamentably.
...
"Hahhh…" I sigh tiredly, finally closing the door to my chamber in peace.
I turn to face the only other occupant in the room and offer a feeble smile.
"Sorry about that…" I mutter, nervously scratching the back of my head.
"It's fine, it was kinda fun I guess. You got a real nice guild base here, way better than the one I used to use..." she explains, gazing admiringly around my bedroom while sitting on the corner of my bed.
I slowly approach her and take a seat next to her on the other side of the bed.
"Thanks I guess… I'm surprised you went along with everything so well, I was worried you might, you know…" I trail off uncertainly.
" 'ruin everything', you mean?" She replies humorously.
"Er, well… yeah, I guess…" I stammer, fidgeting with my fingers.
"Aha, don't worry… I played Yggdrasil as well, I know how to roleplay. I wasn't about to ruin your love triangle or dreams of having 40 children, surprising though that was to learn…" she trails off accusingly.
I turn to face her:
"N-now hold on, it's not like that at-!" I begin to exclaim - but stop myself as I notice her insincere and playful smirk.
"Don't worry, I know it's not" she explains knowingly.
"Y-you do? how..?" I ask incredulously, relief flooding through me. This saves a LOT of uncomfortable explaining on my part.
"I dunno… I guess I could just tell from the moment I saw you, that you aren't the type of guy to be into that sort of… thing" she offers with a shrug, averting her gaze to the floor.
"Is that so..?"
"It is… well, and there was also the fact that you looked like you were having an existential crisis and wanted to die back there… but yeah, mostly intuition" She says with a smirk.
For the briefest of moments, her gaze flutters over me and we make eye contact before her eyes find heir way back to the floor as though magnetically drawn.
"Ahaha…" I chuckle nervously.
A long and awkward silence engulfs the room as we both turn our gazes to anything but the other person.
I have so many questions for her swirling in my head… but for some reason, I can't bring my mouth to move or my throat to loosen. It's like I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything, that the person next to me is ACTUALLY a player - like some part of me is worried that if I engage with it, I may break the illusion and find myself alone again.
Suddenly, Lenora giggles bubblingly and flops backward on my bed, sprawling herself out on my bedsheet.
"..?" I shoot her an inquisitive look.
"Ainz… you know it's funny, I've been dying to find another player since I got to this New World a week ago, and now that I'm here, and you're here, I just can't bring myself to talk! It's as if I'm worried that I-"
"-might dispel the illusion, right?" I conclude for her.
"Y-yeah… you too huh? Ahaha…" She sighs wistfully.
Another awkward silence. Come on Suzuki, say something!
"Say… how long have you been here, Ainz?" Lenora suddenly ventures, beating me to the punch again: "it seems like, just from how at ease you seem with being the ruler of this Tomb and the relationships you have with the NPC's and the outside world, you've been here quite a bit longer than me..."
"Hmm… to be honest, I've lost track of time. When you're undead, time sort of loses its meaning…" I trail off pensively.
How long has it been? five, six months?
Suddenly, Lenora bolts up to an upright position and squints her eyes at me. I swallow a hitched breath under her sudden scrutiny.
"That long, huh..? I can't even imagine..." She replies to my silence with a sympathetic shake of her head: " but what do you mean by 'undead'?" She repeats confusedly.
Hmm?
Oh, right... I'm a human right now and-
My eyes widen in realization as I unconsciously bring a hand up to my own face.
I'm not a skeleton anymore.
I'm me.
Suzuki Satoru.
And next to me… is another player. Here, with me.
In the flesh.
Finally, after so long. My head throbs melancholically.
"You must have been lonely, being the only player for all this time... right?" Lenora suddenly guesses - though, from the solemn, matter-of-factness of her tone, it's more of a declaration. And at the same time, her words feel like a hot poker being pressed into my chest - inflicting a sort of existential pain that can only come from having your entire being summarized in one sentence by a complete stranger.
"I… was…" I trail off, feeling the warm sting of tears in the corners of my eyes.
I guess for a while, I actually wasn't: but after rekindling my humanity and not having the emotion suppressor to desensitize me to my nostalgic cravings, I quickly realized just how lonely I was, deep down, all this time.
These last three days have been crushing.
But, finally, I'm not alone.
I turn to face the fiery-haired angel, and my heart skips a beat as I notice that she, too, has tears welling in her eyes.
"Look at us, two of the most powerful beings in this world, on the brink of tears like big babies for the second time today…" She jokes in a quivering voice, wiping at her eyes with unsteady hands.
Finally, the lump in my throat melts away and I hesitantly part my lips:
"Hey, I know you're probably sick of introducing yourself by now, but…I'm Suzuki. Suzuki Satoru" I whisper, extending a hand towards the woman sitting next to me.
My lips tickle nostalgically, blissfully, at the utterance of my name and I shiver regretfully.
How long has it been since I've even said that name aloud, much less introduced myself with it?
The angel's eyes widen for a moment as she regards my hand. Then, a second later, she slowly slips her hand into mine and squeezes my hand tightly. A surge of warmth courses through my entire body from the point of contact and I close my eyes.
Finally... after so long.
I squeeze back.
I open my eyes to find the sweetest of smiles beaming back at me:
"Suzuki…" she reiterates thoughtfully, as though playing with the word in her head.
Just hearing her say it though, is enough to send me to cloud nine. How long has it BEEN since someone addressed me like that? Just Suzuki. Not Ainz. Not Momonga. No -sama at the end.
It's so… refreshing.
"Suzuki Satoru… it's great to meet you! My name is Jade. Jade Willows"
And then, with a clunky motion due to our uncontrollable trembling, we raise our clasped hands up and back down, completing the handshake.
Our hands come apart slowly, leaving my palm to tingle yearningly. I quickly clench it shut, to retain that warmth - if for only a moment longer.
More silence, as we both regard our now empty hands.
"Ehehe…" Jade suddenly giggles: "There's just so much I want to talk with you about, Suzuki… I don't even know where to start! It's making me giddy just thinking about it!"
As though a part of me had been waiting for her initiation, my mouth flies open and begins to move at a speed that my brain can barely even keep up with;
"Jade, where did you live on Earth? How old are you in real life? How long did you play Yggdrasil for? When did you start? Do you have any siblings? Favorite color? Favorite movie? What did you do for work?" I blurt out at lightning speed while leaning in closer towards her with each question. All the words flew out in less than five seconds, and had it not been for my brain spinning out of control while lagging too far behind the motion of my mouth, I would've asked even more.
"Uhhhhhh…" Jade stammers, slowly leaning away from me.
Blink blink.
-!
My brain finally calms down enough for me to realize what I did, and notice how close I've gotten to her - our noses are almost touching. I quickly back up and sheepishly turn away, feeling my cheeks begin to grow warm.
"Er… sorry, I don't know what came over me…" I stammer embarrassedly.
Ahhh what are you doing Suzuki?! This is your only chance at connecting with another player and you're already blowing it! She probably thinks you're super weird and creepy now!
"Pfft…" I hear a stifled exhale, and slowly turn my head back to see Jade with a hand clasped over her mouth in an ostensibly futile attempt to stifle a laugh: but the pressure in her puffed out cheeks proves too much to contain, and raucous laughter fills the room as the paladin clutches at her gut and falls back on my bed again.
All I can do is sit in silent embarrassment and astonishment as the other player recovers from her spontaneous outburst.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity she sits back up and wipes the laughter-induced tears from her cheeks.
"Sorry, sorry! I wasn't laughing at you, I just… your eagerness was too adorable, I couldn't help myself!"
"Isn't that the same as laughing at me?" I point out, allowing my shoulders to slump dejectedly.
"Well I suppose it is, but… in a good way! Because I feel the same way!" She beams happily.
Swshhh!
Suddenly, I hear the sound of the bedsheet fabric shifting.
"Say, Suzuki…" Jade whispers quietly, repositioning herself on all fours so as to lean in towards me.
"W-what is it?" I stutter as her breath tickles my ear, emphasizing our close proximity again.
"You wouldn't happen to have a bathhouse somewhere around here, would you?" She asks eagerly.
I tilt my head to the side. What an odd thing to ask out of the blue… but I suppose thinking that is a bit hypocritical given what just happened…
"Er, yes, we have a large one right here on the ninth floor in fact-"
"Really?! Wahhhh thank God, that's great!" She squeals ecstatically, quickly jumping to her feet.
"Um, a-are you interested in taking a b- whoah!" I exclaim, caught off guard as she suddenly grabs hold of my hand and yanks me to my feet.
"Damn straight I am! Ahaha, it's been so long since I've had a proper bath. Come on Suzuki, let's go together!"
"T-together?!" I sputter embarrassedly, yanking my hand away from hers in surprise.
"Yeah! It'll be fun! We can hang out, relax, and talk the night away until we pass out from heatstroke!" She jokes with a wide grin, undeterred by my diffidence.
"T-that's a little…" I trail of bashfully, looking to the corner of the room. As enticing as that scenario sounds, I can't just bathe with a girl I just met!
"Hm? What's wrong Suzuki? Not a fan of baths? Maybe you're more of a shower kind of guy?" She asks confusedly.
I feel my face twitch indignantly at her blasphemous accusation. But how can she not understand?!
"N-no, it's not that, but, w-well, you know… y-you're a girl, and I'm a guy so…"
"So…?" She reiterates with a blank stare, apparently still not grasping the blatant issue. She seems to be a jokester, is she just teasing me again? Or do I really have to say it?
"It's a little… inappropriate, wouldn't you say..?" I ask in what's meant to be a rhetorical tone as my cheeks flush with heat.
"Oh! So that's what you mean! Ehehe…" She exclaims, slamming a fist vertically into her open palm as though I had just explained the answer to a confounding riddle: "why is that a problem though? There's no need to be self-conscious, these are just our avatars after all. it's not like it's really us!"
My heart skips a beat and I feel a cold bead of sweat form atop my brow.
"R-right… just our avatars…" I repeat, forcing myself to smile while focusing every ounce of effort in order to prevent my face from twitching.
"Great! Now let's goooooo!" Lenora shouts, wrenching me out the door at top speed. Could it be that she actually knows where to go?
As I trail behind the troublesomely agile angel, my arm feels like it's on the brink of dislocating from its socket at any second, and strands of red hair whip my face mercilessly. Finally, after racing through the hall and across the entire throne room, we come to a screeching halt where the hallway diverges, causing me to nearly crash into her. Her fluttering hair finally settles back around her shoulders and out of my mouth.
"W-what's wrong?" I pant out, rubbing the shoulder of my now dully throbbing arm.
Lenora slowly turns around to face me, anxiously twirling a lock of crimson hair around an index finger with a guilty grin.
"I er… just realized I have no idea where I'm going" She confesses.
Blink blink.
This girl is…
I smile.
"Hehehe…" she chuckles nervously upon noticing my smile - perhaps because she construes it to be one of disbelief or mockery, or maybe because it was just a reaction she wasn't expecting.
But it was a reaction born from something much more genuine and stronger than that.
"Well, I can hardly fault you for getting carried away" I reason, extending my Ring-of-Ainz-Ooal-Gown adorned hand towards her: "take my hand, I'll teleport us there" I explain.
"Ah, how convenient! Why didn't you say that in the first place?" She exclaims, gripping my hand firmly.
"Well, you hardly gave me a chance," I say with a laugh.
"O-oh yeah… ehehe… my bad!" She apologizes insincerely.
"Well, let's go already then. I's been a while since I myself have taken-" I stop mid-sentence as a flash of realization strikes me. I guess… I actually just took a bath less than three days ago, when Albedo had joined me.
Jeez, that means I've only really been a human for a couple of days, and yet so much has transpired that it feels much longer than that…
"Suzuki? Are you okay?" Lenora asks quietly, giving my hand a squeeze.
My eyes widen and I shake my head, snapping back from my thoughts.
I look to our intertwined fingers and a warm feeling courses through my chest.
Whether it's because of her angelic appearance, her dulcet voice, the fact that she's a player, or some mixture of all three aspects, but Lenora has a comforting, almost maternal presence. One that can finally allay the loneliness in my heart.
I shake my head again.
"Activate!" I cry out, and the power of the ring whisks us away.
POV Albedo
.
.
.
"That issss all I could remember, Albedo-sssssan. The converssssation wasssss rather difficult for me to follow, assss a result of my lack of undersssstanding" The shadow demon, which I had instructed to eavesdrop on Ainz-sama's conversation with Lenora, admits in a regretful whisper after concluding its report.
"Unbelievable..." I mutter to myself angrily, grinding my teeth with more and more force as I replay in my head what was just recounted to me.
"You swear that everything you told me was the truth?"
"Yesss, Albedo-ssssan".
"So then... H-he's actually taking a bath with her?!" I shriek angrily.
Krack~!
My fist finds its way to the nearest surface at max speed, spewing chunks of stone into the air. The shadow demon shudders restlessly in its spot.
"Hah...hah...hah…" I pant out heavily and stare intently at the wall, in which my fist is embedded, imagining it to be the paladin's face.
"Y-yessss that isss c-correct…" the shadow demon confirms reluctantly, scuttling a few steps away from me and towards my chamber's exit.
And what of this talk of another place named 'Earth'? Was it a place in Yggdrasil? I recall no such area in any database. But more importantly...
"And what are these… these PET NAMES you say you heard?!" I seethe, turning my head slowly to face the demon, who visibly shrinks under my contemptuous glare.
"I m-may have been misssstaken but… Lenora, who Ainz-sssssama ssssstarted referring to assssss 'Jade', addressssssed Ainz-sssssama as Sssssuzuki. Forgive me, there wasssss another part to both of their namesssss but I could not commit them to memory" the shadow demon adds at the end after a short pause - perhaps deliberating whether or not it was worth the risk to say.
I clutch at my temple with a trembling hand
"Why…" I mutter in a low tone.
"...L-lady Albedo..?" The shadow demon ventures in a voice cracking with fear.
"Why… why why why why WHY?!" I scream to the ceiling.
Fwoom!
A bright purple aura explodes out from me, blurring my vision, cracking the stone around my feet and dimming the entire room in my fury. The trembling shadow demon immediately begins to retreat into the floor.
But it's not quick enough.
I lunge forward, grabbing it by the throat and tearing it out of the floor.
"Ack-!" It croaks, its pitch black form writhing futilely in my grip.
I squeeze its throat with all my might, holding it in the air with a single arm.
Schwing!
Without a moment's hesitation, I call my axe to hand and swing it viciously towards my squirming victim.
Whoosh!
My glowing blade passes cleanly through the partially intangible body, cleaving it in two and scattering wisps of black smoke in all directions with an accompanying gush of bubbling black fluid that splatters across the floor.
The shadow demon's upper torso lay limp in my grasp, and a moment later, it sublimates out of existence in a cloud of smoke, leaving my shaking hand to squeeze at nothing but thin air.
"Hah...hah...hah…"
I drop to my knees and stare absentmindedly at the wall opposite to me, jaw clenched and eyes trembling in their sockets.
Killing the shadow demon did nothing to quell my rage. My confusion. My pain.
Why? Why would Ainz-sama become so familiar with this bitch so quickly? How could he divulge a name - one of his names - to her, that he had never told to ANY of us guardians. Not even me! How can he suddenly be more open about himself with HER than ME?!
Why would he so easily BATHE WITH HER, a complete stranger! He couldn't put himself in a more vulnerable position! Something so reckless… this isn't like the supreme one at all! She… she must be manipulating him! She must have charmed in some way, taking advantage of his human form!
Why else would he give HER the privilege I have been denied so many times?! I would raze this entire world single-handedly if it meant being given the opportunity to bathe with Ainz-sama!
This distasteful vixen, who has already seemingly wormed her way into Ainz-sama's heart... does he really already love her more than we guardians, who have knelt before him with all the love and respect our hearts could muster for so many years?
Does he really... love her more than me?
At that horrible realization, a heart-wrenching pain ignites every cell in my body, causing me to keel over as searing hot tears stream down my face.
I wrap a hand tightly around my ring finger decorated with the ring of Ainz Ooal Gown - a token of Ainz-sama's love and trust.
No... there's no way! There's no way! I won't accept this!
As I expected, this scum's very existence is a threat to Nazarick - and Ainz-sama!
"It's not fair, It's not fair, It's not fair, IT'S NOT FAIR!" I wail, slamming my fist into the floor with every word.
"Ainz-sama Ainz-sama AIIIIINZ-SAAAMAAAA!"
I punch, thrash, slice, slam, and ultimately ravage my surroundings, allowing all of my hate-infused mana to surge out of me until I collapse from exhaustion, unable to lift another finger.
The room is a disaster, marred with craters, cracks, and chunks of debris. My bed has been cleaved in two whilst the pillow's corpses lay, brutally eviscerated, with their feathery innards strewn around the room. The carpet's been reduced to scraps, and my dresser lay as a jagged pile of splintered wood.
The only thing that remains in perfect condition, purposefully unsubjected to my rage, is the proud flag of Ainz Ooal Gown - or should I say, Momonga-sama's crest - hanging on the eastern wall. I could never tarnish such a treasure.
My heart weeps for the damage I've inflicted upon the Great Tomb of Nazarick, this room that was so graciously provided to me by the supreme ones: but even that sensation pales in comparison to the burning rage inside of my soul.
Using my axe for support, I slowly rise to my feet and stumble towards the doorway.
That bitch.
"Kill… I'll kill her for sure" I mutter quietly, my voice dripping with malice.
Though I'm sure Ainz-sama would disapprove, it's something that I, as guardian overseer of Nazarick, and Ainz-sama's head wife, sees as an absolute necessity.
This woman is dangerous.
Even if Ainz-sama fails to realize it, I do: she reeks of dishonesty and deception.
Though Ainz-sama may come to hate, despise, and condemn me for it, I must expunge her from this world. I am prepared to accept his wrath with open arms, for the sake of his own safety.
I will NOT stand for this. I won't let her have him. Never. It's my duty to save Ainz-sama from his own blindness.
I loathe to admit it, but I cannot defeat her alone. I will need the assistance of all the other guardians.
But I am certain that, once I explain the situation, they will all understand. There is no room for hesitation or questions when Ainz-sama's well-being is concerned.
After all, it is a guardian's duty to protect the supreme one from any and all danger - even if that danger is himself - no matter what. And with all the guardians gathered together, for the sake of protecting our lord...
I clench my fist tightly.
...We shall not know defeat.