Note: This story is a work of fiction. It has many content of adult nature. If you do not want to read such content, please close your browser window or press the convenient back button.
This story uses the same setting as my other story "Momon, Big Black Changeling". Essentially, Ainz Ooal Gown is the same type of creature as in that story, although this and that story happen in different worlds.
At dawn they discovered their leader had not yet returned to their rooms. In a small display of panic, they took Evileye and a hung-over Gagaran and prepared for a search of the city.
But they found her easily enough, sitting at the porch of the adventurer's guild hall. She was watching the small farewell committee that had gathered to watch Eclipse Nebula depart.
"...The hell? 'm gonna back to sleep," Gagaran groused, flopping to the ground. Within a few seconds, she was already snoring.
"...I need to square things with the innkeeper back there. Because it looks like Lakyus won't," Evileye said.
"What are they doing?" one of the twins asked, as they watched the proceedings.
"It would seem that Lizzie has made arrangements to move to the countryside," Lakyus explained. "It is understandable; what with everything that has happened to them here. Eclipse Nebula is helping them with the move." She hesitated. "And, of course, they shall be escorting Lizzie and Nfrea halfway to their destination, whereupon they'll part ways."
The twins looked at each other when a forlorn sigh escaped their leader's lips, as her eyes gazed with something like longing at the figure in the distance. Amelia, the busty beauty in resplendent armor, stood talking to some representatives of the guild.
Nearby, the hero, Momon, was unusually devoted in the task of transferring crates of equipment and supplies from the alchemist's shop towards the wagon. It was unusual in that adventurers of that caliber tended to look down on such menial work. And a tall, imposing man in black, forbidding armor was an even worse disconnect. Yet to the twins, for everything they'd heard and seen of the dark knight, thought it not unusual at all. It did not seem out of character for the polite, reserved man to offer his aid in such a way.
Still, it raised eyebrows-and not just the twins'-to see Momon lug several dozen crates upon his shoulders without seemingly looking tired. As they watched, the man carried one of the alchemist's thick, elaborate equipment, made of solid stone, up on his shoulder. For sure such a thing would have required a wheeled pallet and several men, or aid from a mage well-versed in Earth, like their own Evileye; or to take it further, the inherent strength of a particularly large ogre.
If there had been a man who wielded such strength, then surely he would have been known long before? It was hard to imagine such power contained in a person, especially ones who looked so young.
The man had many mysteries, that was sure.
"Lord A-I mean, Lord Momon, we are ready."
A few hours after Blue Rose awoke, there was now a sizable crowd that had gathered around the departure area. Lizzie's wagons were now loaded and ready, with the tarps sealed and tied down by magic. Nfrea had been placed in the lead wagon, where Lizzie would be.
Momon had spent the time after packing to converse with the representatives from the guild, something he had loathed to do. He tried to pass off the responsibility to Albedo as much as possible, something in which the Overseer seemed to thrive. He readjusted his assessment of Albedo's skill in fitting into human society accordingly, and silently praised her efforts from deep in his heart.
Now Nabe had come, having retrieved a still ailing Ninya from her room. Ainz honestly had little idea on how to deal with the diminutive woman, or her apparent needs, and trusted that Nabe had a good reason for taking her. Now there was one more person they had to take to Carne Village-and by extension, another outsider he had placed under Ainz Ooal Gown's aegis.
It was also yet another potential liability.
"Ah, welcome, Ninya," Ainz said, inclining his head to the mage. Nabe seemed to have started coaching her, as she did not react with an embarrassed, stuttering air, but with a firm, crisp nod that she performed in exact timing with Nabe. Frankly, he was a little taken aback. Still, she still looked pale and absent-minded, as if her thoughts were elsewhere. "...I am pleased to see you are looking fine. Good, good. Take your place inside the wagon, for we shall be leaving shortly."
"Yes." Ninya went and did as she was told. When his gaze went back towards Nabe, she curtsied, and he could sense she was waiting on him.
"... Do you have anything else to do?"
"None, my lord."
"Then get on the wagon. We'll be leaving soon."
"Very well."
For now, it seemed he would have to indulge Nabe in her actions. He only hoped the maid didn't overdo it, and remember her own duties to Ainz Ooal Gown.
He went towards the nearby building, where Albedo had gone a short while back. He found her in the middle of an attentive crowd, entertaining them with her charms.
It was clear that most of the people talking to her were actually more enamored of her other assets, which was shown in obvious display to everyone because of her choice of armor. Honestly, to have such a risque-looking equipment, what was Tabula-san thinking? This was the guildmate who looked down on such "frivolities", in his own words, and was on the list of "members never going to farm for a skeevy outfit for an NPC". Maybe the man had been ashamed to admit his hidden fetishes-though seeing it now, Ainz could not see it as anything worse than, say, Bukubukuchagama's clothing preferences.
The armor made Albedo look sexier than her usual. And Ainz felt just a little bit superior for being able to witness; even more, to touch it. It was like a once in a lifetime experience.
"Has everything been settled?" Ainz ventured, drawing everyone's attention.
"Oh! Begging your pardons, Sir Momon. We dare not delay you any further," said a man whose name he'd forgotten. There had been a sea of faces and an endless reel of names, but he reasoned on not coming back to talk to them again. "As ever, you and Lady Amelia will always be welcome in E-Rantel."
"We thank you," Albedo said in a sonorous voice, and dipped her head in farewell. "I hope you shall all remain safe, until next we meet."
There had been a feeble attempt to keep them within E-Rantel, ostensibly to attend some parties where nobility would be involved. But Ainz had his own Kingdom to see to. When he'd made his refusal very clear, Albedo followed his lead.
"Oh, how glorious!" someone exclaimed. "We shall eagerly await your return, never fear my lady!"
"Our house, shall always be open to you, Lady Amelia. And of course to the rest of Eclipse Nebula."
As Albedo made to leave, Ainz remained standing stiffly, like a statue.
"My lord...?"
"Farewell to you," Ainz said abruptly, addressing the crowd. "May you prosper." And then, like a robot, he turned on his heels and strode swiftly out of the room.
"Did I do something wrong, my love?" Amelia asked, trailing after him in the corridor. "Should I have slaughtered those-"
Ainz turned and grabbed Albedo by the shoulders, slammed her gently against the wall, and then cast a small illusion around themselves.
"L-Lord Ainz?" she squeaked, eyes wide and uncomprehending.
Ignoring her plea, he kissed the Overseer fiercely, mashing his mouth against hers. After a moment's hesitation, she sighed and melted into his insistent embrace. The illusion around them would hide them from view from any others. Especially those fuckers who would dare presume to-
"You're mine," he whispered, breaking the kiss for but a second. A trail of spit connected his mouth to Albedo's tongue, as her eyes glistened, and her mouth made an "O" shape and drooled. "Mine." He didn't give her time to reply as he captured her twitching tongue, and began to plunder her hot, slimy mouth.
He lost focus on his surroundings as Ainz poured his all into claiming the woman. Pleased, whiny moans rumbled in Albedo's throat. He pressed his body onto her's, even removing his breastplate so he could press her luscious, warm curves against his body. He lost himself in perusing her depths, and when Albedo responded eagerly, plastering her own tongue earnestly against his, as their organs began to seek and slather as much of themselves on the other's mouth, Ainz couldn't help but groan from the sheer pleasure, the heady feeling of truly owning this woman. No longer just an NPC, but someone he could own, could command. Could love.
He hadn't realized he'd been humping her subconsciously with his hips, until he broke the kiss to begin kissing all over her face. Nonetheless he continued, though he ignored Albedo's attempts to remove his armor down there. Now was not yet the time.
"Lord Ainz, Lord Ainz..." Albedo whined, tilting her head back so he could completely bestow her white, perfect skin with his spit. His mouth went all over her cheeks, down and up her chin, then to the lobes of her ear where he pecked and licked, making her shudder; until he descended down her perfectly crafted neck. He bit gently on her throat, like a beast claiming a bitch for his own, before he went down and nibbled at her exposed collarbone, letting the mingling of his saliva and her fresh sweat drip down onto the armor.
He honestly longed for the chance to truly claim this woman as his own. For having tasted the fruit, he could no longer quite forget its rich taste.
And now he desired to taste everything-every last one.
After what seemed like an eternity, they exited out of the building. Ainz made a show of looking cool and unruffled, while Albedo's face still looked sweaty and flushed. He caught her licking her lips and looking at him with wet, fiery eyes. For a moment, Albedo's heated look almost made him want to drag her aside again to have another taste of her luscious lips.
Then, he caught sight of a group of people coming their way. It was the other adamantite adventurer team, Blue Rose. He stood to wait for them, and Albedo did the same.
"We greet you, Sir Momon, Lady Amelia. Will you be leaving soon?" their leader, the one named Lakyus, said.
"Yes, indeed," Albedo answered for them both. "My lord is a busy man, and we have affairs to attend to." Which was true, strangely enough.
"Then as the leader of Blue Rose, and fellow adventurers besides, I wish you well on your journeys. I do not know if you pray to the same gods, but I shall pray for them to watch over you still."
"It has been an honor to meet you," said Ainz, bowing as he would to a worker from another department pulled in for the same project. "On behalf of Eclipse Nebula, thank you."
"Hey big guy! Next time we meet, I hope we can have that rematch ya promised!" the one named Gagaran said. He vaguely recalled making some sort of promise to that mannish-looking warrior, so he nodded vaguely, though said nothing else.
"I do hope our paths cross some day yet," Lakyus said earnestly. Her eyes went to Amelia. "Especially-"
"My pardons, Lord Momon, but could you spare me a few seconds' time?"
Ainz took in the situation at a glance. He recalled Albedo's wish to have the Lakyus woman bent to their will. Yet another one of the NPC's whims, though in this case he could definitely see the merits. It would be interesting to seduce a so-called high-ranking human like that.
"Mmm... Very well," Momon said, and with a final bow to Blue Rose, went back to the wagons. He could sense Albedo and Lakyus move in the other direction, possibly away from the latter's team-mates. Feeling very curious despite himself, Ainz's ears transformed into a kobold's, bat-like and extremely sensitive, which he used in an attempt to eavesdrop on the ensuing conversation.
"...had thought you'd gotten afraid of me, Lakyus. After all, you did leave so abruptly..."
"N-not afraid. Please don't misunderstand. I was..! I was... just surprised. I had to find time to-time to collect my thoughts, and, and, and-"
Albedo giggled. "Don't mind. I was only joking. I know you're not the type."
"Oh? And what type is that, pray tell?"
"Not the type that would swoon and fall on her knees for just anyone." There was a pause. A long silence followed, and Ainz tilted his head, wondering if somehow his shapeshift had worn off, or if they'd actually stopped talking.
They were still walking away, side by side.
"I see. And just what kind of person do you think would be able to do that?"
"Hmmm... if I had to take a guess, it would be someone completely out of this world. A kind you've never met before in your life."
"... I've met many extraordinary people. Even a dragon."
"You must've led a very exciting life. I would have loved to hear all about it."
"Yes it is. Unfortunate. I mean."
Another long pause.
"Would you like to set a date then?"
"Heeh? Huh? Haaah? A date? Prepost-I mean, my pardons, that would be too much, even to contemplate, even if I were in any way considering-there are plenty of factors-I would have to-"
"Lakyus m'dear, why are you panicking? I only wanted to see if you'd like to set a date for when next we meet. Perhaps I can convince my lord to have our paths cross on a certain time. So we can do this and that-"
"This and that?"
"-And many others besides, as we please. What do you think?"
"I-of course I-I would definitely, truly like that, my l-I mean, my lad-I mean, Lady Albedo. Truly a wonderful proposal! Ah! Not that it is a proposal per se, begging your pardon, it's just that I mean-"
"Hush, my dear," said Albedo, and Ainz could spy his Overseer reach out to calm the other woman by patting her on the shoulder. "You're a little too worked up. Relax your tense muscles, like so... and I can assure you that you'll have a better day of it..."
"Ah-thank you..."
"Perhaps in a week's time we shall return here," Albedo confided, in a near whisper. "I shall anxiously await you." She'd leaned in close to Lakyus' ear, though from afar Ainz could swear Albedo was leaving a fast one on the poor girl's neck.
Having said her piece, Albedo let her go, before returning to him. The other members of Blue Rose rushed to cluster around their leader.
Ainz ended up hearing some of their banter, though he understood but half of it.
"Hey, hey, what the heck was that about?"
"Leader's face is red!"
"Bwahaha! This is rich, leader! What was it? Proposal? Proposition? Propagation? Any of the above?"
"... Gagaran, please be silent."
"I can't believe I was made to witness embarrassment like this. Now I'm embarrassed for the first time since joining this group. I wish I could go home-that granny, I swear..."
"So? How did you respond..."
Ainz returned his ears to normal, having found little need to listen to whatever they were yammering about. In any case, he would be sending some other subordinates back here to keep a close eye on Blue Rose.
Albedo returned with a stately air around her, acting as if nothing were amiss. But she did have a mischievous look in her eye, and seemed like she were satisfied of something, though he wasn't exactly sure.
"Are we to depart now, my lord?" Albedo asked.
"... The sun's high," he said aloud. "We must away, before... evening." He emphasized the word, which made Albedo's face light up.
And so, Lizzie the Alchemist left E-Rantel for good, and was accompanied in her move by the newly minted adamantites, the Eclipse Nebula.
They traveled on the long road, back to Carne. For any of the three members of "Eclipse Nebula", such an arduous task would have been unnecessary. However, they had to appear as they were to deceive Lizzie, and by extension Nfrea and Ninya. They did make good progress, as the authorities at E-Rantel had given them good horses enchanted to endure long, brisk travel. The countryside whizzed by like he were on a car at a downtown area.
Contrary to what the humans believed, they would not split up halfway down the road. They would take Lizzie directly to Carne, where Ainz would issue new orders to the representative, the maid Lupusregina Beta. Thinking about that NPC brought a flush to his cheeks, as he was no longer quite the aloof master. He struggled to keep the perverted, unwholesome thoughts out of his mind, and so addressed Albedo with a question.
"Why do you not charm that girl outright?" Ainz asked. "Do you not have a skill for that?"
Albedo made a "fu-fu" sound. "While that would be convenient, Lord Ainz, is there not something to the thrill of the chase? That feel of stalking one's prey, never more than a step behind, all the way through to cornering it and finally claiming it as your own in one glorious conclusion..! Ahhhh, is that not a wonderful feeling?" Then her eyes widened, and she cleared her throat. "Ah, but that is just my opinion, my lord. If you order me to overpower that girl's will, I shall certainly do so..."
Ainz sighed to himself. It wasn't the first time he'd heard words like that. There had been many in Ainz Ooal Gown who'd expressed much the same sentiments. Girls in real life, rare items within the game, and even the gacha prizes. When Ainz had complained about having to roll stupendous amounts just to get nothing, a certain guildmate had given him the same "thrill of the hunt" spiel as Albedo now had, though he would never understand it.
And so he moved on to the next topic. "...Mmm, leaving that aside for now... I am curious about your armor, Albedo."
"Oh this?" A small smile came to her. She touched the front of her armor. "This is something Tabula Smaragdina-sama gave me. Do you like it, my lord?"
"It's... very nice." He swallowed. He was having mixed thoughts when it came to thinking about having sex with someone who was wearing what might be someone else's fashion sense. Admittedly, Ainz had his own preferences. "No, I was just curious about its abilities." Since they weren't in the game world anymore, he had to use an appraise spell to figure out an item's properties. He didn't want to use it freely.
"I do not know what Tabula-sama wished for me when he gave me this," Albedo said, looking down at her body. "But I do have some idea of the combat capabilities. Unlike my black armor, which was important in giving me a fearsome appearance, or my usual Overseer regalia, which would have given me maximum defensive capabilities, this suit was supposed to grant me some sort of 'aura'. It is supposed to be able to grant my allies superior fighting capabilities."
"An aura?" Ainz thought on it. Auras were generally restricted to certain classes. A player was expected to be a team player when it came to choosing an aura as a skill. But he had heard of items that bestowed auras. "I see. What else can you tell me?"
Albedo frowned, as she thought on the answer. "I think the armor has got some form of strong regenerative power."
"Health?"
"Yes."
"Something with [Regeneration], is it? It is very fitting for you."
"Thank you very much! You are indeed wise, my lord."
"Was there anything else?"
"I am not sure if it is true, but I did overhear Tabula-sama say that this armor would allow me to unleash 'a powerful form'. I do not know what it is, nor of how I can do that, my lord."
"Ah." From the sounds of it, it looked to be a gimmick "ultimate" spell. He recalled seeing an enemy transform into a fierce draconic hybrid, which had been a pain to defeat. Upon later research, Punitto Moe-san had discovered it was a trait of the armor and not a class skill.
"Have I answered to your satisfaction, my lord?"
Ainz shrugged. "For now."
"Then, would you be able to answer my question now? Such as..." Her smile widened into a half moon-like shape. "Our official... consummation?"
"Carne Village again, huh?" Ainz heard Ninya say. He felt pity for the poor girl, who was now returning to the last place where she had worked with her team. But Ainz could not spare that pity for her publicly; therefore he kept silent.
Since their more recent departure, the village had been undergoing a renovation: the summoned goblins had been working on erecting a tall, stone wall to surround the village. It had now been completed, though Ainz could see that it was barely enough to defend against an attack like before.
Ainz sent Nabe ahead to liaison with Lupusregina, in order to keep up the pretense of keeping his Momon and Ainz persona separate. Though Nfrea had deduced his identity, there was no reason for Lizzie to figure that out.
And so-
"The village shall certainly welcome anyone," said the village elder. He looked a bit nervous, but that might have been because Lupus had hurriedly told him what to do. "We do not discriminate, as you can see. And an alchemist would certainly be useful to us."
"Hoh. You're certainly a mystery, Sir Momon," the old alchemist remarked. "And here I was wondering why you led us here."
He grunted. "I managed to win a few favors. Here and there."
"We are very grateful to Momon, as well as to Ainz Ooal Gown," the elder parroted.
The new arrangement was that the goblins would be ordered to secure some space beyond the village, and expand the walls accordingly. Before it could be fortified, forces from Nazarick would watch over the alchemist's new home, under the leadership of Lupus.
Since Lizzie was here to repay her "eternal debt" to the Momon persona, Ainz had therefore constructed a second, insulating layer between himself and the alchemist. Any alchemical breakthrough they'd discovered would be sent to Lupusregina Beta immediately, who would forward it to Momon. To Lizzie, the maid was just a link between himself and the mysterious, unseen Ainz, and it would remain that way for the foreseeable future.
"Enfi!" someone cried. It was Enri Emmot. She rushed forward and threw her arms around the feeble-bodied boy. "By the gods, what has happened?"
"Caught up in some mad necromancer's scheme," Lizzie said, spitting. "Still, it warms my heart to see someone care. And such a pretty young thing, too. You are...?"
As the humans began to converse among themselves, Eclipse Nebula went aside with Lupusregina, to a secluded location.
"I am honored to be of service-su~, Lord Ainz," Lupus said, bowing deeply. "But I do not understand why this was needed?"
"It is not your place to question, Lupusregina," Albedo answered for him, thankfully enough.
"Of course, of course, I understand perfectly, su~" Lupus said.
Ainz turned pointedly to the Overseer. "Albedo."
"Ah, yes." She bowed deeply. "I shall be going on ahead then, my husband."
"...Uh-huh." A Gate was opened, and Albedo returned to Nazarick. He almost wanted to follow her then and there, but there were some things to take care of still.
"Nabe," he said, turning to the other maid. "Are you sure you wish to do this?"
The expressionless maid nodded. "Yes."
"Do what? Do what? What is Narberal to do, Lord Ainz? Can Lupusregina do it too?" the wolf-like maid asked.
"Narberal has taken an interest in a human." At that, Lupus' nose crinkled, and she stared incredulously at her fellow maid. "A mage, to be exact. Her name is Ninya; she was with us. Include her in the list of people to watch out for, Lupusregina Beta, if only for your sister's sake."
"Yes!" Lupus said, saluting. "Though... I don't get it, why a human being..?"
"I will not question you further about it, Narbal Gamma," he said. It pleased him to see an NPC acting so independently like this. It gave him hope for the future, a future where he could be unburdened from the pressure of having to closely lead this pack of dangerous beings. He could just be a leader aloof, who trusted his subordinates to hold their own.
Then he raised a finger. "However, do not take your task lightly. It is still unclear to me what you intend with the girl, but since you were so insistent on bringing her along, then I shall of course be monitoring her progress. If there is an unfavorable result, or if problems arise from her presence..."
"Yes," Nabe said, bowing. "I shall terminate the bug immediately. I understand, my lord."
"Hmph." He cupped her chin, and raised her head. She blinked, surprised. "Do not assume I am angry," he said gently. "I am pleased, in fact, Narberal. I hope the others can follow your example."
"M-my lord..." Somehow her cheeks had gotten flushed, like she were embarrassed. He grinned at her reaction, pleased to see the normally stoic NPC acting so flustered. Then, recalling the reckless act he did with Albedo back at the city, he leaned in close, his helmet unequipped, and kissed Nabe full on the lips.
He heard someone squawk, though he paid that no mind. He leaned into the kiss eagerly, his tongue darting out to caress the insides of Nabe's mouth. He sucked in her hot, moaning breaths, as he explored her thoroughly. He threw his arm around her body, which had a different from Albedo's. Where Albedo was soft and cushy, Nabe was slim and delicate against his size, like a doll, and relaxed into his body like she were surrendering all of it. And where Albedo was fierce and passionate with her side of the kiss, Nabe's was as a moist, pleasurable vacuum, eagerly accepting all he could give her, and more. He ended up chewing on her tongue, nibbling its softness like a piece of delectable meat, as a squeaking sound came from deep in her throat.
"Pahaahh... Lord Ainz..." When he broke the kiss, he was pleased to see her face looking like it would melt, like butter under heat. It felt so gratifying to reduce a woman into a squirming puddle, and in Nabe's case it was literal. He felt pride and a sense of superior domination as he looked down at her.
"... I look forward to your results," he said, before putting his helmet back. Without looking at Lupus, he turned around and called for a Gate. "Carry on, then. I shall expect your prompt reports."
The master's left, but all that was in the thunderstruck Lupusregina's mind was the absolutely surprising, ludicrous, unbelievable sight that she'd just witnessed. She had been so blindsided by it that it almost felt like a surprise attack, and it had knocked the crap out of her mind, leaving it an empty mess while she watched her Master devour Narberal's face with angry, wet smacks.
"What the hell just happened?" In her surprised state, she could not even muster the pretense. It was as disconcerting as her Creator suddenly showing up to give her a hand. There had never been an indication, none at all, that the scene she'd just witnessed was possible. And yet-
-And yet, Narberal Gamma was still standing there, where Ainz-sama had left her, her face almost like a melting wax figure's. The doppelganger maid was well and truly out of it, and she couldn't even muster the need to keep her disguise.
"Oi! Narb-chan! Wake the fuck up! Answer me!" She shook her sister's shoulder. This went on and on, Nabe's head lolling left and right, until Lupus was pushed backwards by the other.
"What? It's annoying." Narberal's placed her hand against her face, and when she pulled it away, it was just as normal-well, except for the decidedly uncharacteristic blush on her face.
"What the hell was that?" Lupus repeated. "That k-kiss? With-with-with Ainz-sama?" Her shout was so loud it might have been heard throughout the whole of Carne.
"Shut up," Nabe said, looking away. "It is none of your business."
"Ohhhh, don't give me that, Narb-chan! You got to spill it! Spill it! This is huge news!"
"It's really not," Nabe insisted, trying her best to escape. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've a duty to attend to." Despite her admonishment, Lupus kept following her.
"Big! Huge! Stupendous! Gigantic! Wait 'till the others hear this!"
Demiurge was waiting for him at the fifth floor. "Lord Ainz," said the smartly-dressed devil, bowing deeply.
"Demiurge, it is good to see you. Has Albedo informed you...?"
"Of course, of course. Everything has been ready as you requested." The devil smirked, and pushed his glasses up his nose. He beamed widely, and seemed very much pleased, like he'd done something extraordinary. "And I must be the first to say this-congratulations, my lord. It means much to all of us that you've decided this... more than you now."
Ainz grunted, feeling awkward and not at all ready to discuss matters like these with a man. And with Demiurge, most of all, who already unnerved him from the very start. Then again, that was to be expected from the creation of the notorious Ulbert-san.
As if sensing his discomfort, Demiurge cleared his throat. "But there is a certain concern that has been raisedd, my lord. What do you intend to do with..." He glanced at the entrance of the building near them. "... That creature? I have been informed that you have some plans for it."
"Indeed," Ainz said, though he was still racking his mind about it. "In the first place, I shall need to see the interrogation's progress. Albedo told me that she managed to extract some men from her end of the job. I wish to know the particulars."
"After you, my lord," Demiurge said, bowing and gesturing for him to pass. "I have not yet received the reports from Neuronist Painkiller, but this is a good a chance as any to hear it directly."
From the look of the dark and dreary dungeon, it was natural to assume it would smell as bad as it appeared. But Ainz was able to circumvent that, by transforming part of his body into undead-one of the few transformations he had that would never be able to smell something. Thus, Ainz strode through the menacing-looking halls of the dungeon until the destination.
Demiurge knocked on the door. "Neuronist. It is I, Demiurge. Lord Ainz is here."
There was a screeching sound from within. Ainz had no way to tell what had made that noise, but he didn't want to know. He was already unnerved enough by Demiurge, and he steeled himself to face the NPC Neuronist.
The door opened. A grotesque figure slithered out from the room. It cast its eye on Demiurge, before sliding its gaze over to him. The figure was vaguely humanoid in shape, but with pallid, corpse-like flesh, and a face mutated vaguely into the shape of an octopus. Pale, webbed hands, tipped with sharp, needle-like claws, pressed into its chest, which had to bumps to indicate this odd creature was female.
"I greet you, my lords. Especially you, Lord Ainz. You have no idea how honored I am to greet you in my domain."
"Nice work," Ainz said, a little automatically, as if he were greeting a co-worker. "Have you extracted information from the men captured by Albedo?"
"Those little birds expired too quickly. Too quickly," Neuronist shook her jelly-like head, which wobbled from the motion. "Feeble flesh, and with minds as empty as their wits. They had nothing of consequence, my lord, that I can assure you. The... lady... Albedo might even know more about their work, more than I. I can only conclude that they were but mindless lackeys."
"I see. That is unfortunate."
"I apologize on their behalf..."
"Hmph." It was Demiurge who spoke then. "Are you absolutely sure you'd exhausted them to the absolute best of your ability, Neuronist?"
"...What do you imply?"
"Oh, nothing," Demiurge said, shrugging. "Merely voicing an observation."
"Really now, I would be a fool not to see what you imply. And right in front of-!" Neuronist quivered, and her body made an even greater impression of a wobbling piece of jelly. "I can assure you, my lord, that I perform my work with utmost efficiency and accuracy! There is no one else in this hallowed place, except the Forty-One, more well-endowed with the skills to extract-"
"I believe you," Ainz said, holding out his hand. "Rest assured."
"M-my lord is indeed wise-"
"What of the special prisoner?" Ainz pressed. He looked around him. "Has she died as well?"
"Ahhh, that one, yes. Yes, that one is most resilient. A remarkable specimen of human."
"Really?" Demiurge said, brows raised. "I'd like to see that myself."
"She is in the room next door, my lord," Neuronist said. "This way, please."
The blonde fighter whom he'd captured in E-Rantel hung by her arms from the ceiling, and was surrounded by various implements. Neuronist's methods seemed to involve some fleshy, organic bits, which surrounded the blonde's body like a cocoon made from the entrails of a giant fish. She had been completely stripped, exposing her tanned, slender body, scarred in places, now filled with cuts and bruises, and dripping with blood and sweat.
"...You."
It seemed she was awake.
Demiurge snorted, unamused. "How impudent. [Apologize-"
"No need for that," Ainz said again, waving his hand. Demiurge bowed silently, as Ainz approached the captured human. "What sort of information have you gotten?" he asked.
"She gives her name as Clementine, my lord. Supposed to have worked for something called a 'Black' Scripture, whatever that is. She has threatened me and my subordinates with painful body harm many times, and has even dared to blaspheme your glorious name."
"Shameful," Demiurge spat.
Neuronist purred, the sound like a rotten raspberry. "I had thought to cut out this one's tongue for its impudence, many times, and yet I knew your orders were to keep her unharmed."
"You did well," he rumbled, appraising the human, this Clementine, like she were a piece of meat. She was interesting, and not because of her body, as Albedo had accused him. She had shown him a side of combat that would be important, as they went forward, in this world.
And then... well, there were many other uses for her.
"You shall be very useful to me," Ainz said, looking down at Clementine. Her eyes were still full of defiant fire. Even in her humiliation, Neuronist had not broken her. And that was interesting.
Then she raised her head and hacked up a spit, which landed right on his helmet.
"YOU!" Demiurge's roar was like a gunshot in the small room. "YOU DARE SPIT ON THE MASTER?"
"I will burn off your throat, human!" Neuronist shouted.
"Enough!" Ainz said, unequipping his helmet. Oh yes, she did have fire. He revealed his face to Clementine yet again. And once again, it was a different face.
"...Fuck you."
"I would not want to," Ainz said. His head had transformed into an aquatic creature vaguely similar to Neuronist. "But as I told you before, if you are to spit, do it right." He shot a black jet that splashed and spread all over the woman's face, coating it in gooey, tar-like ink. Clementine cried out, as the substance began to seep into her skin.
This particular transformation spat ink that could warp an enemy's mind, so that it would be captured and eaten easily. It would not kill Clementine, but he wanted to see if he could help in breaking her in.
He addressed Neuronist. "As you were. My previous orders stand. The ink will dissolve in an hour, but please contact me if it does not. I need her alive, after all." Then he whirled on his feet. "Come, Demiurge. I have a few more stops to make." He left at a brisk pace, his mind filled with a dozen thoughts.
Now, he had an appointment to keep.
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