Route 17

-XXX-

"Are you joking? You are willing to betray and abandon a sister in trouble!?"

"I'm not your sister…"

"No, no, no. I think what Lady Albedo means is a metaphorica…"

The two sounded in unison.

"Be quiet, Pandora!"

"Wunderbar*. Your voices in synchronicity sound like the bells of…"

Ignoring Pandora's Actor on the sidelines, the two girls continued their negotiation.

"How about I throw in a vibrating Ainz-sama handheld back massager** to the offer?"

"I want it! I want it. I want it…"

For someone who hated complex problem solving, Lupusregina thought hard about Albedo's offer. Normally, Lupusregina would have immediately agreed, but an uneasy feeling was nudging at her heartstrings.

"I want it… but as tempting, as your offer seems… my answer remains the same."

"Lupus! Regina! Beta! Why will you not just accept the offer? Does the amount not suffice?"

"Just look at the state we are in! Besides… I don't think it is possible anymore…"

"Anymore?"

Pandora is too strong, Ainz-sama will find out, we are at a disadvantage, were all answers that Albedo would scoff at.

Both of them exchanged glances.

Silence could be heard.

Time seemed to be frozen, as Albedo waited for Lupusregina's final answer.

Lupusregina breathed in deeply, followed by a long exhale. She finally decided to speak the heavy words on her chest.

"I've been wondering for a while now… Where did Pandora go?"

"Huh?"

Albedo's eyes widened to realisation.

"Ah! When the hell did he disappear!?"

Lupusregina put on an innocent expression to Albedo's question.

"Mmm... Sometime between when the reader's reading voice said, "an uneasy feeling was nudging at her heartstrings" and now... I guess."

"Stop messing around with the wall*** and help me find him!"

The two fell into disarray and carelessly took a few steps.

Beep…

Albedo froze.

"Don't tell me… this is…"

The traps within the mini-dungeons had certain sound effects when activated. This sound, in particular, signaled the start of a landmine timer.

On first impressions, the sounds seem harmless and counterproductive, as it warns raiders of trap types and their location. Nonetheless, having a distinguishable sound every single time, for every single trap, eventually becomes a nightmare. Associating one sound to one kind of trap also makes it very dangerous because the combinations can be suddenly switched around.

In addition, the onset of multiple irritating noises at once within chaotic parties make it all the more likely for even the best to slip up.

Punitto Moe excelled in these kinds of psychological battles...

… not that it matters for Albedo who can face tank everything. However, in contrast to Albedo, the same could not be said for Lupusregina.

Beep, beep…

Lupusregina knew she had no chance in leaving the blast radius and did not bother ducking for cover.

"Albedo! No!"

Beep, beep, beep!

"… a landmine! Eek!"

As Albedo finished her sentence, both of them were consumed by the hungry flames…

… was a future that the two had given themselves up for.

Just before the explosion, a shadowy cloaked figure grabbed them and jumped into a small nearby pit. The figure cradled them like a couple of porcelain dolls, shielding them from the sharp debris and fragments that are fiercely bulleting through the air.

The cloaked figure finally stood up when the dust settled, unveiling the skeleton underneath.

Lupusregina was soundly asleep from exhaustion.

Albedo, on the other hand, persevered and recovered from her blurry vision.

"Ai… Ainz-sama?"

"Ladies… such beaten up and pale complexion does not suit you. Have a nice sleep. I'll get you out of here by the time you wake up. [Dreamland Wonders]."

"That line was kind of lame. Well… I might be dreaming already."

Ainz's jaw dropped.

"Huh!?"

Proceed to:

(Route 18)

-XXX-

*Wunderbar

**( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

*** Fourth wall

Chapter intended to happen in the same timeline as route 21