Chapter 4
World Champion
-The Tomb of Nazarick's Entrance-
Ainz couldn't believe it, Shalltear Bloodfallen has betrayed Nazarick. How could his be? Numerous thoughts and ideas passed his mind as he tried to find a clue as to why Shalltear betrayed them.
Maybe he wasn't cut out for this? Outside YGGDRASIL and this world, he wasn't Momonga or Ainz Ooal Gown. No. He was Suzaki Satoru, a simple salesman who spent a third of his salary on a game. As such he never worked up high like Madara.
Maybe Madara is a better pick than me. That thought plagued his mind. Madara Uchiha, in the game he was also known as Madara Uchiha, he was CEO of the Uchida enterprises, the top producer in weapon and civilian technology in Tokyo.
In YGGDRASIL he once won the world championship and got a scythe, jumped into a group of around 365 players and slew 23 before retreating, was one of the top spenders in the Japanese servers, and on top of that had an intellect that was almost twice as Ainz's.
Yet, in YGGDRASIL he was the black sheep of a group of grey sheep. He almost never part took in guild monster huntings, guild raids, or anything guild related unless it included strong players or monsters. Maybe that was the reason he wasn't installed as the guild master.
He was getting off track, he needed to resolve this issue as quick as possible.
Arriving on the graveyard that protected Nazarick with the low-level undead, he was greeted with Albedo, the Pleiades, and a messenger with the Black Army's symbol engraved on his shoulders.
"Albedo," he greeted once the messenger and Albedo seemed to be finished talking.
"Lord Ainz," the beautiful succubus greeted in response.
"What is the situation?" Ainz asked as he started to walk towards the entrance.
Albedo seemed to be distress. "As I stated in the {Message}, the floor guardian of the first, second, and third floors, Shalltear Bloodfallen, has betrayed us." There was the briefest pause. "Before we start, shall we continue this in a different location?"
"Very well, we shall go to the Throne Room."
Albedo turned to the bespectacled Pleiades whose firearms were covered by heavy looking gauntlets. "Yuri, return Lord Ainz's ring to him."
The maid, Yuri Alpha, present a tray with her hands to Ainz. On it, his Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown was enshrined in a purple cloth.
The reason he did not have it on his person right now was due to security reasons, the ability to travel between Nazarick's floors with ease made it the perfect weapon against the Nazarick. If he wasn't careful, it could be stolen by a thief, the enticing red jewel embedded on the ring did not help it's case a bit.
"Very well, let us go."
It was decided by the guild since the formation of the Throne Room that it was forbidden to directly teleport into the room. Thus they teleported to the nearest room, the Lemegeton.
Both Ainz and Albedo activated their rings and teleported to the previously said room.
Almost instantly, Ainz opened the heavy door and proceeded to head to the Throne of the Kings. He took notice of the man covered in red plates, Madara.
The Uchiha was the first to speak, "Welcome back, Ainz." The way he emphasized Ainz left a little distaste in the said person's mouth.
"Madara-san," Ainz welcomed in response. "So you have heard of Shalltear's betrayal?"
"Yes, I, after all, was the first one to be told of the situation," Madara replied. "However, betrayal is a bit shaky."
Huh? Ainz's metaphorical face morphed into confusion. "Please elaborate."
"She didn't betray us on her own will, rather she was mind controlled by a World Item."
Mind control, World Item, huh. Vampires were undead and undead had absolute resistance to mind control. Though that didn't apply to World Items. Although Ainz didn't want to admit it, he almost completely ignored that possibility.
"A-Are you sure?"
"A hundred percent. Despite me myself not seeing it, my subordinates, especially my personal guards, would never lie to me," Madara stated coolly. Except to save their hide. He thought anger swelling inside.
Well, it's the same for me. Ainz thought, thinking about the guardians and how they were loyal to him, also Madara although the Uchiha separated himself from them so it was almost impossible to see.
"This undoubtedly changes things," Ainz stated with frustration swelling inside his soul. "Does your subordinate know who has the world item?"
Madara put a hand on his chin. "He said that they seem like an elite group of people. There were signs of religion, so I would say either adventurers, mercenaries, or the most powerful neighboring human country, the Slane Theocracy."
"The Slane Theocracy," Ainz tested. "We truly need to be more cautious now. Albedo," he motioned to the beautiful demon, "are Sebas and Solution compromised?"
Albedo in response shook her head. "I was just in contact with them an hour ago, Ainz-sama."
Ainz put a bony hand to his chin. "Was it... coincidence?" It was ludicrous, the possibility of an elite force from the Slane Theocracy who just happened to run into the strongest floor guardian in Nazarick was almost zero. Almost.
Madara conjured a map from his item box and used minor magic to levitate it. "From what I've heard, my subordinate and Shalltear were in the mountains, around here." He pointed to a spot near E-Rantel. "Coincidentally the location is near the border of the Slane Theocracy."
Ainz nodded in acknowledgment at this sentiment. "It could be they were on a mission?"
"Highly likely, either it was something to do with Shalltear or something else is debatable until we captured one of them," Madara replied.
"So it might not be a coincidence... Albedo recalls every force of Nazarick for inspection."
"It will be done, Ainz-sama."
Albedo left the room shortly after, leaving the last members of Ainz Ooal Gown in an awkward silence. "I shall take care of Shalltear," Madara declared.
"Are you sure?"
Madara scoffed. "Have you not have faith in my abilities?" he questioned.
Ainz scratched his skull sheepishly. "It's not that... but wouldn't it be easier for me and the others to attack in waves?"
"You're a hypocrite aren't you?" Madara mumbled under his breath. "You would rather fight by yourself without any Nazarick back up. Despite me not being involved in the guild much, I still know who you are."
"Uh. You figured me out," Ainz mumbled. The overlord sighed and looked at the banners of their comrades. "I would rather not have the children of our friends fight one another."
Madara scoffed. "Tch. You guys always seemed like a family."
"Well you were part of the family," Ainz returned, his metaphorical lips smiled. "Although you were the loner of the family."
Madara face cracked into a smirk. "I was always in the corner."
"Brooding, I might add," Ainz added with a light-hearted tone.
Madara's smirk fell and a frown marred his devilishly handsome face. "I once tried to conquer the world," he said, reminiscing. "That's enough of that, I'll be back in a little while. Two hours at most."
The Uchiha walked to the entrance. "I would request your assistance as the backup, but my pride as a warrior outweighs that."
"Pride of a warrior, huh," Ainz mused as the clanking of Madara's armor became distant. "Cocytus, Touch Me, and Tamemikazuchi always talked about that."
A voice rang out, "Or rather a ninja's rare pride."
Eh? Ninja?
Madara pinched the bridge of his nose. Why did I even create this idiot?
"-the sage of the Senju! The founder of the village of the leaves! Hashirama Senju at your service!" The said man introduced himself.
Maybe I shouldn't have told him to reintroduce himself. He mentally thought.
"Hn." Madara sighed in frustration. "You are to prevent entry to any outsiders when I begin my battle."
Hashirama nodded with a serious look. At least he and the real Hashirama were serious when it came to battle. Madara thought with a bit of relief.
"It will be an honor, Madara-sama!" Hashirama replied seriously and appropriately.
"Good, I shall commence this battle!"
In the lounge room of Nazarick, the floor guardians, Albedo, and Ainz sat around a holographic screen, with Ainz getting a full view as he sat squarely in front.
Demiurge was distress at the current arrangements. "May this lowly servant speak his opinion, Lord Ainz?" the floor guardian demon asked.
"Speak, Demiurge."
Demiurge bowed his head in appreciation before asking, "Why is Lord Madara without backup?" To them, the NPCs who didn't know who Madara's true nature, couldn't fathom as to why one of their masters is charging recklessly by themselves.
The answer was simple. "It is Madara's nature, he seeks good battle and loves the taste of victory. As to why he doesn't have a backup is simple, a warrior's pride," Ainz replied.
"I'm sorry for this humble servant's ignorance, but may you please elaborate, Ainz-sama?"
Ainz stroked his chin in thought. To be honest, he didn't really know what a warrior's pride is. All he knew it was something like a code of honor of some sorts. Maybe that what it was?
Cocytus saved his hide on this one. "A WARRIOR'S PRIDE IS A WARRIOR'S PRIDE IN ONESELF AND THEIR SKILLS. IF A WARRIOR WAS TO FIGHT UNFAIRLY, SAY POISON, IF THEY WERE TO BE A TRUE WARRIOR, THIS UNDERHANDED TACTIC IS A BLOW TO SAID PRIDE."
"So in other words, a warrior's pride is the pride of a fair fight?" Demiurge inquired.
"YES."
Ainz inwardly sighed in relief at the conclusion of Demiurge's question.
"So, Madara-sama, in a nutshell, is a battle maniac?" Albedo asked politely.
"To put it bluntly, yes," Ainz replied, getting slightly annoyed as he tried to focus on the screen. "Now let's watch, we might learn a one or two things from this fight."
"Yes, Ainz-sama."
"As you wish, Lord Ainz."
"YES, YOUR LORD."
"Y-Yes, Ainz-sama."
"Yes, my beloved."
The last voice made Ainz cringe.
"Momonga and the others are probably watching," Madara mumbled. "I'll limit the use of ninja techniques."
Well, he could just use Susanoo and get it over with. He could also just summon dozens of meteors. He could just use the rinnegan and rip her soul out. Those were quick solutions, a not very enjoyable he admitted.
That's why he discarded his gunbai and favored the iconic scythe. "I am the wielder of my soul," the Uchiha chanted. "That's should be sufficient for now."
Madara drew the {Scythe of Ragnarok.} The symbol of his power in YGGDRASIL, a world champion item.
In YGGDRASIL doppelgängers usually can't use items of God-tier and Legendary-tier if they were morphed, which he heavily favored than the egg-shaped head of the normal form. That said, the class of {World Champion} allowed one to equip the gear of {World Champion} ignoring race limitations. He was arguably the strongest doppelgänger in all of YGGDRASIL before he won the World Championship, combine that with this he was arguably the strongest player in all of YGGDRASIL.
"Let us begin!" Madara roared as he charged the true vampire.
When the battle was about to begin, Naberial knocked on the door.
"Enter!"
The door opened to reveal Naberial covered in her cloak and, presumably, wearing her adventurer's outfit. She bowed in respect and apologized for her intrusion.
"I'm deeply sorry for the intrusion but I have a message for you, Ainz-sama." She again bowed in apology.
Ainz internally hit his head on an imaginary wall. He totally forgot Nabe and left her on the streets without orders. He must've set a very bad example/impression on her. He wouldn't blame her if she was angry with him.
"Uh. Very well, speak." Well, he needed at least to try to keep up with appearances.
Naberial spoke with dignity, "The city of E-Rantel is requesting your, Momon's, help in a vampire extermination."
Ainz's eyes flickered with amusement. "Oh? This could've have come at a better time, Albedo, make sure to record the battle using this," Ainz handed Albedo a crystal. "Channel your mana in it, it's in order to record. You could place it on the table if you want."
"Yes, Ainz-sama," Albedo said seriously, a testament to her loyalty.
"I'll leave Nazarick in your capable hands, all guardians must follow every order of Albedo's!" Ainz declared. The "ruler of death" walked used the {Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown} to teleport to the first floor.
Madara began the battle with an overhead strike aimed at the buxom vampire's helmeted head. It was deflected by the lance that she carried.
He withdrew and stood a few feet away. "Shalltear Bloodfallen," he said calmly.
Shalltear blinked before giving the Uchiha a small grin. "Madara-sama," she replied evenly. "May I inquire why you are attacking me?"
There was no way to remove a World Item's effects, you could possibly use another World Item to counter it but it was a waste, especially on an NPC with only one God-tier item. That is why he decided the best course of action was combat.
Admittedly it was for his own entertainment as well.
"I'll be absolutely blunt with you, I'm going to kill you," Madara replied coolly.
Shalltear looked hurt at the reply. "What yo-" she was cut off as Madara rushed her with a quick swipe of his scythe. She blocked it and retreated backward.
Madara did not let her rest as he rushed her again with an overhead strike.
Shalltear knew the difference between their weapons and stats. Madara outclassed her in both. As such, she chose the best course of action.
Dodge. Evade. Try to retaliate. Retreat.
The only advantage she had over her superior was her speed, but even that was only in a small margin. "You could've killed me, Madara-sama," she spoke in fake hurt.
"Well, that's the intention," Madara replied calmly as he slowly approached her. "I should finish this."
"Destruction is in my blood."
The Scythe of Ragnarok glowed dimly as more power was drawn to it.
There were five stages to the Scythe of Ragnarok, each stage multiplied the previous stage's power by a dozen times. Currently, it was in the second stage, 144 times the original stats. The original stats were similar to a scythe of a high-tier class. So it was currently a God-tier weapon.
Shalltear grimaced from the chant.
"Come, I'll show you the reason why I'm a World Champion!" Madara declared as he charged Shalltear. His agility was now even with her.
Shalltear knew this was a losing fight. Ainz was a preferable opponent as her class was a perfect match for him. Madara, on the other hand, was the opposite. There was a reason he was arguably the strongest player in YGGDRASIL and the strongest player in Ainz Ooal Gown.
What infuriated her was that he was barely trying. She knew he could've just spammed the upgraded version of the spell {Reality Slash} and cut her in ribbons. He wasn't using any "skills" or abilities, rather he was just using the Scythe of Ragnarok.
Truly he is the strongest of all. Shalltear thought in reverence.
Madara slashed her in half when she was caught off guard, but using a skill, she returned to normal. Maybe she should just abandon the fight and retreat? She backed away a few feet away.
"Oh? A skill of yours?"
Some relief spread throughout her body, he was ignorant of her abilities. She didn't reply as she took up a more offensive stance.
"{Life Essence}" she chanted. I barely scratched his health. She thought grimly.
He didn't even look winded! This isn't remotely fair! Her strategy was to slowly whittle his HP, but that was slowly getting crushed as well.
It seems I have to make it ranged.
She took flight.
"Oh? Trying to make this ranged?" Madara asked from below. "Looks like I'll bring down a beautiful angel."
Shalltear's cheeks turned rosy red, a stark contrast to her pale skin.
Despite not being a dedicated caster, she did have the battle-mage class.
"{Purifying Lance!}" she called two spears of light appeared before her and shot towards Madara in a flash of light.
Said man calmly took the hit, a passive face was replaced with a mad grin. Two spears of light were lodged on both of his shoulders.
Shalltear looked at Madara in disbelief before it was replaced by a smirk. "My my. Are the {Purifying Lances} too fast for you, Madara-sama?"
In response, laughter reached her ears. Making her eyes furrowed in confusion.
"So this is pain!" Madara laughed. "It's truly a foreign feeling! This body had never felt pain before! Never drew blood! Never fatigued!" More confusion turned into fear for Shalltear.
"Very well. Let me test one last thing." Shalltear readied her lance in anticipation of an attack.
Madara formed a ram seal. It's been too long since I used this. Two wood clones flanked his sides. Immediately both clones did a different hand seal.
Chakra enveloped his being. "Let this be a testament to my power," he declared. "Shattered Heaven!"
Nothing happened.
Was it a buff? Shalltear stood her ground and floated above. This is kind've disrespectful. She admitted as she looked down to face Madara.
A large shadow blocked the sunlight for more than a measly mile. It was as if it suddenly turned midnight, certainly one could easily come to conclusion when you consider there was a spell for that.
Looking up, Shalltear's eyes widened in disbelief as a literal meteor descended from above, splitting clouds that used to obscure it from view. Is this really... everything?
Well, she'll just teleport at a safe distance. That notion was cut off as Madara smirked as if mocking her and telling her to try to escape. She did it anyways.
"{Greater Teleportation!}" Shalltear disappeared in a flash. She appeared in the safe zone/outside the blast zone.
Someone but a hand on her shoulder.
Spinning on her heel, she jumped back and readied her lance. Her defiant demeanor was broken as her face fell and a gasp of disbelief left her.
The one who touched her; the one who gave life to her; the one she could safely and rightly call father stood in front of her. Bird-like eyes ran up and down over her body. Feathers ruffled when he moved. It was her creator, Peroroncino.
Peroroncino spoke softly, "You haven't grown a bit, Shalltear."
"P-Peroroncino-sama?" Shalltear questioned. Then, like lightning striking the Earth, she came senses. "How dare you!" she roared as she charged the Peroroncino-look-a-like.
The bird man took it. There was no resistance from him.
The Peroroncino-look-a-like turned into wood and wood sprouted from it and enveloped Shalltear's lance. "W-What?!" A golem?!
"Stay still," a voice boomed from behind. Shalltear looked to see Madara walking calmly to her. A resounding boom was heard as the meteor met the ground from behind.
Shalltear's eyes widened when wood sprouted from the ground and took hold of her. "{Greater Teleportation!}"
She appeared amidst the debris of the meteor. A 1-mile radius of the impact was covered in dust and rocks. So this is the power of Supreme Being. I need to hide and regain some mana.
The occupants of the lounge room sat in dead silence as the scene before they were blocked by dust and rubble. "Rubedo, please raise the view," Albedo requested calmly. The view was raised and they saw the effect of the meteor.
Demiurge inspected the carnage. "I did not think Lord Madara would have a powerful spell such as this in his arsenal," he said with genuine interest.
"I DID NOT THINK LORD MADARA HAD A POWERFUL WEAPON SUCH AS THAT," Cocytus commented, referring to the Scythe of Ragnarok.
"I did not think that Madara-sama was this powerful," Aura said solemnly. "This is a testimony to his title of the strongest in Nazarick."
Albedo, Mare, Demiurge, and Cocytus nodded in acknowledgment.
Madara sighed, this was taking forever. "Guess I'll get serious."
"Known to gods, unknown to man."
The Scythe of Ragnarok glowed more brightly than before. It was on the rank of a Guild Weapon now.
"As I slay, {Death of the Gods, Ragnarok!}"
A pillar of pure destruction and energy enveloped him. It was on a higher level than the rest of the World Champion items in YGGDRASIL.
Using his speed, Madara appeared before Shalltear, shocking the cute vampire.
"Scream! {Thor!}"
A thunderbolt struck Shalltear, piercing her Legendary-tier armor and causing an explosion a quarter the size of a tailed beast bomb. Shalltear screamed in agony as she was fried inside out.
"Gah!" she screamed.
When the light settled Shalltear stood panting, about to die but her condition changed when her body returned to its original state.
"That skill of yours is getting annoying," Madara mumbled.
"Reduce all creation to ash. {Odin!}" he called. A fire erupted from the sky, splitting heaven as the white fire burned away the very atmosphere with its presence. It burned Shalltear's organs, melted her armor and her skin.
Again, Shalltear used her skill of hers to survive. "W-What is th-his?" she asked as she continued to pant rapidly.
By all rights, she should've burnt and died a crispy death. The lightning of Thor's death and the white flames of Odin's agony were spells that could instant kill a level hundred player in one shot, a powerful spell even among super-tier spells. World Champions were just official cheats after all.
The ability didn't come without a price as it took away twenty-five percent of his health per shot. He couldn't spam it anyways as it had a twenty-four hour cool down.
Madara's eyes spun as it formed the Sharingan. "I shall end this!"
Shalltear readied her lance. Why am I fighting Madara-sama? She took the first move and lunged at the Uchiha.
There were two things about the Sharingan that made it so feared in the Ninja World. One was being that the wielder could copy, predict, and see through illusions. Two was that it could use illusions more proficiently.
"Mirage Tree Binding!"
Despite being called an illusion, it was actually an interference in the victim's chakra/mana pathways/source. As such, it bypassed Shalltear's mental resistance.
"Kya!" she yelped as the tree took hold of her.
Madara raised an eyebrow at that very girlish scream but didn't comment. Instead, he chose an overhead strike which he appeared to have favored.
"{Mist Form!}" Shalltear gritted out, she turned into mist (went to another plane of existence or something) in order to an evade the attack.
Tch. Troublesome. "{World Break.}" Madara brought down his scythe as a powerful force meant to cut Shalltear in half.
As if expecting the attack, Shalltear flew out of harm's way and tried to retreat. "{Regenerate!}" Shalltear called her wounds/scratches/bruises healed. "{Vermillion Nova!}"
A fire surrounded Madara and shot upwards.
"Stall him! {Summon Household!}" With the ability activated, bats and wolves appeared from her shadow. They followed their master's vague command and attacked Madara.
"{Einherjar!}" Shalltear activated her trump card and motioned it to attack Madara. A white version of her separated and attacked.
That was not the real Madara though.
Before Shalltear could turn heel and run for her life, a sharp edge threatened to decapitate her. "H-How."
"Illusions and clones," Madara replied off-handedly. "Goodbye, Shalltear Bloodfallen."
"Not yet! {Time Accelerator!} {Mist Form!}" she quickly cast as she moved out of the way of the scythe. Well tried.
"{World Break!}" The world split into two for her.
"All hail..." she muttered but she couldn't find the words in her mind as such she died without completing it.
Momon stood a little way from the clearing and observed. He just got here a little while ago and it was undoubtedly a battlefield. I just hope that they will buy it. He referred to his employers in E-Rantel.
He watched passively as Madara calmly sheathed his scythe. This is someone who claimed the title of World Champion. Though... Touch Me-san and Madara-san never showed this much magic destruction.
Shalltear.
It pained his heart as Shalltear's lifeless body disappeared in a show of mana. Momon clenched his fist in anger but the emotion suppressor kicked in.
Madara looked at his direction and nodded. Momon replied by nodding back. It was done.
"Damn it."
Ainz walked into the Throne Room with Pandora's Actor, Madara was already there smirking upon the Throne of Kings. The floor guardians and some of the Pleiades stood on his sides in an orderly fashion.
"I'll get off," Madara spoke suddenly.
"There's no need!" Ainz replied hurriedly. "It's the throne of the guild, anyone could sit on it!"
Madara raised an eyebrow at his antics before sighing. "I don't approve of your actions, if you won't sit on this chair then you are not the guild leader, you are incompetent."
Ainz flinched from those words. Am I worthy? He looked at the floor guardian's faces. I am worthy.
Madara grinned when he saw Ainz walk over to him. "A ruler must always rule over his subjects, or else the subjects will rule over him." Ainz took that phrase to heart.
"Now let's see Shalltear's resurrection." Madara got off the throne and allowed Ainz to sit on it. "Don't always be humble. Some might see that as weakness."
Albedo shook in rage but didn't comment. The rest of the guardians passively watched. Ainz nodded in acceptance.
"I know."
"Good."
Ainz sighed and just stood. He pulled up the NPC menu and clicked on Shalltear's greyed out the name. "I will stand." In response, Madara looked away and directed his gaze to the gold coins that was laid out before them.
"Let's begin. Shalltear, resurrect!"
The millions of pure gold coins started to bubble up and melt. A sea of moving waves of gold started to condense before them. The gold seemed to mold in the shape of a person.
Once the resurrection ritual was finished, Shalltear Bloodfallen was laid before them sleeping. She was also bare naked.
Madara tore his eyes from the scene to give the vampire privacy.
"Albedo!"
The succubus nodded and looked at the panel before her. She smiled and said, "Please be at ease. It seems the mind control is gone."
Ainz nodded in appreciation. "Good." The skeleton directed his gaze at Shalltear and took notice of her bare form.
Madara took out a white blanket and tossed it over her, he then turned his gaze to Shalltear once again. Ainz nodded and walked over to Shalltear.
"Shalltear."
Shalltear's eyes opened, her blood red eyes trying to figure out where she was. Her gaze finally rested on Ainz's skeletal face. "Ainz-sama."
Ainz grabbed hold of her gently and "hugged" her. "Thank goodness. I'm sorry. Everything was my mistake."
"Oh, no. I do not know what is going on, but... it's impossible for Ainz-sama to make a mistake! So this is-"
Madara swiftly interrupted her as she wrapped her frail arms around Ainz. "I believe punishment is in order."
Ainz pushed Shalltear off gently. "Bu- It was my mistake so S-"
"You are too humble. I understand your love for them but punishment is needed in order for them to not make the mistake again." Madara's burned red. "I will be the one to punish her if you will not."
Silence reigned over the Throne Room until Shalltear spoke up. "I do not know what's happening but if you want, please punish me!"
Albedo spoke up as well. "I will be blunt, you were mind controlled by the enemy. Lord Madara decided the best course of action was to kill you and revive you afterward."
"I was m-mind controlled?"
Madara walked up to Shalltear. "Yes, so I decided to do it," Madara smirked. "You were a good opponent."
It wasn't even close. Ainz, the guardians, and the Pleiades thought in unison.
Shalltear was oblivious and her pale cheeks turned rosy red with embarrassment. "I-I'm happy that I was able to entertain you."
Madara grimaced at her choice of words. You're underage.
"Tell me what you remembered last," Ainz ordered calmly.
"I remember getting orders from you, Ainz-sama. I then joined Sebas in the carriage to a large town..."
Luckily we have a vague idea who the perpetrator is. Ainz thought thoughtfully.
Madara joined in and asked, "Do you feel weird in any way?"
Shalltear started to touch herself and shook her head. Until her eyes widened and she shouted, "It's gone!"
Madara raised an eyebrow. "What's gone?"
"M-My chest!"
The whole room went into a minor uproar.
Ainz sighed and sat down while watching the commotion.
"They are so like them." The skeleton turned his head to see Madara grimace. "I hope that they don't become like them," and for the first time ever, Ainz saw Madara smile. "Though that wouldn't be so bad."
That's the end of this chapter.