Hey Guys! Crescent Rider here and I am back with another chapter. I know it's been a few months since I updated, but I'm back!
But before you begin, there are some things that I would like to discuss with you all...
First off, the fight ahead. Since it'll consist of Ainz and Nadia working together to defeat Shalltear, I've decided. NO Servants will be involved.
I know some if not most, will object to my idea. And yes, I'm aware that this supposes to be a crossover between Fate Stay Night and Overlord. But regardless of what you all say, my decision will stand.
Second, In the first phase of the battle. Nadia will act as Ainz's support as he'll be dealing most of the damage against Shalltear. As for the second and third phases, I'll try to surprise you with that one.
And the last one on the list is something off-topic. In April, one of my stories 'The Day She Became the Malevolent Demon Lord' will be finished with its first season and the results of the 3rd Poll will close.
For Wattpad Users, go to the 'Prelude' Chapter of 'The Day She Became The Malevolent Demon Lord' and take a vote on which story shall I work on. For Fanfiction Users, Go to my Profile and vote there instead.
That is all I have to say and enjoy the chapter!
Adventurer's Guild
(Name Change! Ainz and Hope will be referred in their adventurer)
Upon arrival, Momon and Nadja were greeted by six men sitting in the room.
Three of those men were mithril class adventurers, Moknach, Bellote, and Igvarge, The Guildmaster of the Adventurer's Guild, Pluton Ainzach, The Guildmaster of the Magician's Guild, Theo Rakheshir, and the Mayor of E-Rantel, Panasolei Gruze Day Rettenmaier. (Normally I'd give descriptions, but I've decided not)
"Ah, it's good of you two to finally come. Please have a seat," Pluton said,
Momon and Nadja nodded and sat down, however, Theo Rakheshir was staring at the latter with interest while Panasolei was fascinated by the lower half of her face and figure.
Their stares didn't go unnoticed as Huginn stared back at them...
"I would like to thank you all for gathering on such short notice," Pluton said, "Now that we're all gathered here today, I would like to discuss a distressing matter at hand,"
"Before that," Igvarge interrupted and glares directly at Momon and Nadja, "I'd like to point out that I've never heard of the Names Momon and Nadja before. Though they have become mithril class, what feats did these two achieve?"
"The two were credited with taming the Wise King of the Forest, as well as settling the graveyard incident last night," Pluton explained,
"You don't mean the incident concerning the appearance of vast quantities of the undead?" Moknak exclaimed in surprise,
"Buhiii~ you're quite well informed," Panasolei remarked, "I instructed that the matter not be made in public due to receiving some troubling news. Where did you hear that from?"
Nadja glances at the mayor and then pays no attention to him afterward.
"Forgive me, Mayor. I merely overheard this, so it's difficult for me to tell you where exactly the news came from," Moknok apologized, "In addition, I do not know much of the details,"
The Mayor dismisses this as he claimed that many people may have heard or known about the undead running wild. Then Moknok stated that it was fine since the guild concluded that Momon and Nadja's contributions is the reason why they became mithril adventurers.
"Just one incident? Just by handling one matter? No adventurer who's gone through rank placement examinations would be happy with that, am I wrong?" Igvarge remarked though he was showing some aggression over the matter,
"Hmph. Frankly speaking, I have to say that I'm not happy about Momon-dono's mithril rank either, Guildmaster." Rakheshir interjected, though his snarky-like expression said otherwise,
"I'm glad you see it my way, Guildmaster-san," Igvarge said with a smirk on his face, though it soon turned into a confused one as Rakheshir chuckled,
"Is that so?" Rakheshir remarked, "I feel that our views are opposed,"
"What do you mean by-" Igvarge was about to say, but Rakheshir continued, "Really, that's enough out of you, Igvarge. There are people in the Guild who feel Momon and Nadja were worthy of an orichalcum plate,"
This caused Igvarge by surprise, then Rakheshir continued to point out that they had broke through thousands of undead with Nabe and the Wise King of the Forest which brings the total to four. As well as defeating the ones behind the unholy ritual.
Igvarge points out that people with Stealth training could pull off such a feat. Though Rakheshir sighed exaggeratedly before pointing out the discovery of a set of bones found by the altar. Specifically, the bones of a [Skeletal Dragon].
Igvarge tries to point out that mithril adventurers can defeat such a creature. But Rakheshir adds a particular topic that turns Igvagre's remark into a question when two [Skeletal Dragons] are brought up.
This surprised Igvarge and the other two adventurers present. What follows was Rakheshir specifying the facts regarding the graveyard incident as well as questioning Igvarge if he and his team could accomplish a similar feat as Momon and Nadja.
All the while, Nadja made a small smirk while they weren't paying any attention to her.
*Hope: I like this guy. He's quite rational with his assessment of the incident*
*Ainz: Of course, you'd say that*
As soon as Rakheshir finished pointing out the facts, he turns to bow at the two, "Please allow me to thank you on behalf of the city, You. If not for your swift response, many more lives might have been lost. And while I can only speak for myself in this matter, you have but to come to me with any request you have and I will do my best to fulfill it,"
"You praise us too highly, Guildmaster," Momon modestly said, "We were simply fulfilling Bareare's request, and we solved that problem along the way,"
Rakheshir chuckled, though the two knew that there was some sign of respect in his laughter.
"It seems you are truly worthy of an orichalcum... No, an adamantine rank," Rakheshir remarked, "To think someone could take such a mighty accomplishment and pass it off which such humility, as though it were nothing of note,"
"We aren't one to boast, Guildmaster," Nadja said, "What matters is that we get the job done before the worse comes to pass,"
Rakheshir chuckled some more, but in a heartfelt tone at Nadja's words, "As expected. Though if you wouldn't mind me asking, I heard that one of your companions can use 3rd Tier Magic and you possess that of 4th Tier Magic,"
Nadja widely smirked at this, brings up her hand, and conjures a magic circle that signifies 4th Tier Magic, "Indeed I do, though my experiences exceed rather far from average. No boast, of course,"
"Indeed, Nadja-san," Rakheshir addressed, "And if you wouldn't mind, I hope to learn whatever knowledge you may share with my Guild. Of course, I will provide a fair reward for your contribution,"
"Quite tempting, Guildmaster. I will think about it in the future," Nadja said, and Rakheshir bows his head to her,
After this conversation, Igvarge's face and ears were turning red by this conversation, then he stands from his chair, "We could do the same thing if we got everyone together!"
Nadja's mood shifted by this, pulled out a stiletto underneath her cloak, and struck it against the table before Igvarge could continue. Everyone, excluding Momon, was caught off guard by this action.
"My apologies for startling you all, I just couldn't stand the rambling of this man after he told of the reports regarding the Graveyard Incident," Nadja stated, "If you want more proof, this weapon I have in my possession was used by one of the masterminds. One who killed several adventurers ranging from copper to mithril,"
They were baffled especially when Nadja pulls the stiletto off of the table, twirls it around, and sheathes it underneath her cloak once more, "Even though I managed to beat them, the attacks were quite troublesome to deal with. Especially when their methods is to maim and disable people,"
Before Igvarge could continue, the mayor interrupts with a Buhiii~ ranging forth, "Let's leave the matter at that. We didn't gather everyone here to fight now, did we?"
With that, Igvarge sat down and looked deflated. Yet, he still glares at Momon and Nadja while the two guild masters shook their heads helplessly.
"I understand that you all value strength, but that is not the topic we are here to address, so why don't we settle the matter quickly?" Panasolei said,
There was a brief conversation between Panasolei and Ainzach, then the main topic in question was about to begin. However, Igvarge interrupted again, "Before that, shouldn't we show some basic courtesy and remove our helmets?"
Nadja lets out an irritated sigh, while Momon complies by removing his helmet and showing his false face before them once more. It wasn't particularly attractive to look at...
Nadja then decided to play along with this request and unveils her hood before them. Revealing quite an alluring face that earned Panasolei's attention.
"Since I come from another country. I wore my helmet to avoid drawing trouble," Momon explained with his false lips moving in complete sync with his voice, "Please forgive my manners,"
"As for me, I conceal my face to not attract unwanted attention," Nadja stated as he pulls up her hood once more,
"Cheh, so you're both foreigners," Igvarge remarked,
"Be quiet, Igvarge," Ainzach ordered, "Adventurers protect all humanity from monsters, and as such, borders do not exist for them. As a fellow adventurer, I am ashamed of your griping about the unspoken rules which govern our guild,"
With that, Igvarge noticed that everyone else felt the same way. Thus, he reluctantly fell silent.
"...Well, it's because of this sort of thing that people have loaded opinions of foreigners," Momon said as he puts his helmet back on,
With that statement, the rest smiled rather bitterly toward the two. Igvarge's expression had turned from pale to almost white.
"Then, I hope we won't get sidetracked any further. Let's get right to it," Momon stated,
"Well, it's because someone was late that we haven't heard about anything until now," Igvarge rebuked,
"That was a mistake on my part. Please forgive me," Momon apologized as he bowed his head,
As for Nadja, she was fighting the urge not to growl in her original voice as she didn't want to attract unwanted attention. But her eyes show signs of anger in them.
Though someone else was angrier than herself...
"Are you quite done yet?" Ainzach questioned as he frowned at Igvarge, "One more interruption and I will have you sent out of this meeting,"
Ainzach's anger was understandable since Igvarge's interruptions were delaying the meeting from progressing any further. This was something that Nadja respects, especially when she was acutely aware of how her father does things in the real world.
But reminding herself of her father's work brings a sense of nostalgia regarding the world she once lived in.
With Igvarge silenced, the meeting continues with Ainzach summarizing the report regarding the Vampire that attacked a group of iron plate adventurers on the outskirts of E-Rantel. Five were killed by the Vampire.
Ainzach then brought up the description based on the last survivor of the ground. Due to her being petrified by the encounter, she was unable to provide a proper description, but what stood out the most was the silver hair and a large mouth.
This proves in the players' minds that this was Shalltear...
The conversation continues and seemed irrelevant to the players as everyone else discusses the capability of the Vampire and their suspicion that it's related to a Vampire known as 'Landfall' from Saga of the Thirteen Heroes.
They've deducted that the Vampire's strength is equal to Platinum Adventurers due to it possessing 3rd Tier Magic. But for the players, Shalltear's strength is greater than that of even adamantine adventurers.
After clarifying the Vampire's strength, Rakheshir proposed that they ask for Gazef Stronoff's aid. Ainzach shot that down as a group of adventurers can bring Gazef down due to the group's method of attacks and defense. Something that Nadja acknowledges from Ainzach's foresight.
Ainzach then stated that the solution to handle such a threat would be to hire orichalcum and adamantine-ranked adventurers. But before that solution comes, he recommended that the strongest adventurers in E-Rantel form a defensive line to ensure the safety of E-Rantel.
A logical decision given that the ranked adventurers they require aren't present in E-Rantel, but in other nations, and the undead requires no rest, food, or water to act. The chance of it attacking E-Rantel is something they can't afford to happen.
After that, they soon brought up the graveyard incident again and questioned if the Vampire is related to an undead-controlling society called Zuranon. The mere thought of the group was enough to make Nadja feel irritated. She aims to find and dissolve this group permanently.
What follows now is an argument between guild masters and the mayor on whether they should focus on E-Rantel's defenses or a reconnaissance mission to learn more about the Vampire.
*Hope: What now?*
*Ainz: If we let these people discover Shalltear's identity, it'll be hard to plan out our next move. And that gives me an idea*
Momon soon gets the attention of the room, "To begin with, you're mistaken. That Vampire has nothing to do with Zuranon,"
"Why is that, Momon-kun?" Ainzach questioned, "Do you two know something about this?"
"We know the name of that Vampire," Momon said, "And we've been hunting that creature for a long time,"
This surprised everyone in the room Nadja understood his intentions and plays along by stating, "What he says is true, the Vampire you all speak of is something we've been hunting for quite some time now. It appears fate has presented a chance for both of us,"
"How long have you been hunting this Vampire?" Panasolei inquired,
"Way before we became adventurers," Nadja explained, then digs her hand underneath her cloak. A couple of seconds later, she pulls out what appears to be an old scroll and unfurls it before them, "And this scroll is filled with ancient text, one that explains some of the vampire's origins,"
The adventurers, Guildmasters, and the mayor stared at it while Momon converses with Nadja via message.
*Ainz: Where did that scroll come from? I don't recall you owning such an item,*
*Hope: An Old Parchment, Fast and Coordinated Spiders, and a bit of Magic to make it look old. As for the Ancient text, let's just say that part was a quick job after you mentioned Shalltear isn't related to the cult.*
*Ainz: And since when did you learn how to write these 'Ancient' Runes?*
*Hope: I read Norse Mythology Books from Nazarick.*
It was a bold but clever move, one that he would use to advantage as soon as he heard Rakheshir's complain, "These Ancient Runes, I... Can't understand them,"
"That's because Nadja is the only one to understand these runes," Momon stated, "She has not only mastered 4th Tier Magic but studied the ways and language of several lost civilizations,"
*Hope: Several? That's quite a stretch, don't you think?*
Igvarge spoke at this as he lean against his chair and cross his arms together, "I don't buy it, this scroll must be a fake or something,"
"Not exactly," Rakheshir said after he used [Appraisal Magic Item] and [Detect Enchant], "My current abilities cannot determine the age or origins. This scroll may contain a piece of a forgotten civilization,"
"One that is irrelevant to the topic at hand," Momon stated as he took the scroll, rolled it, and pocketed it, "What is relevant is that we share our history with this vampire. And from our perspective, it is an extremely powerful Vampire. It is the reason why we became adventurers. To collect information about them,"
"Them? Momon-kun, did you just say 'them?'" Ainzach questioned,
"Yes, I did. There are two of these Vampires, and one of them, the silver-haired female, is known as..." Momon pauses as he tries to think of a vampire name,
But Nadja beats him to it as she spoke for him, "Quintella,"
Momon glances at her, while the rest turns to Nadja.
"Quintella?" Ainzach repeated,
"Yes, that is its name," Nadja said,
"So this Quintella you mentioned," Panasolei elaborated, "Since we know that female vampire's name... It's about time you told us your true identities, no?"
"And waste more of our time? I'm afraid we don't have the luxury to answer any further questions until this Vampire is settled," Nadja stated,
The Mayor agrees with this by nodding his head while Ainzach stared at him for a moment. Then he turns back to Momon and Nadja as the former proposed a strategy to them, "My team will handle reconnaissance. If we find the Vampire there, we will slay it on the spot,"
"Then, ah, the other teams will-" Before that sentence could be finished, Momon interjects with the following, "Will not be needed. I do not need them to slow us down,"
The room was deathly silent after Momon declared the matter. They were all caught in their thoughts. All the while, Momon and Nadja converse with each other via [Message].
*Hope: Looks like you've surprised them with your claim, Ainz-san*
*Ainz: Well, I couldn't afford to expose Shalltear's true identity to them. If I let things be, It may complicate the plans I have for the future*
*Hope: I understand. If these adventurers were to know Shalltear's identity and they fight her. Chances are, her identity will spread throughout the world, and any player that we may not know hears of her in this world*
*Ainz: It would endanger Nazarick...*
As soon as everyone in the room was finished with their thoughts, Ainzach took a few deep breaths and spoke the following, "What about your payment?"
"I don't mind discussing that afterward," Momon replied, "However after this incident is resolved... after the discovery and destruction of the Vampire, Nadja and I would like an orichalcum rank at the very least. That would make it more convenient for us when I track that other Vampire because it is tiresome to have to keep proving our strength,"
"However, I'd like to add that after this incident is settled. I will be parting from Momon-san's party," Nadja stated,
"Parting from his party? Why would you make such a decision?" Rakheshir inquired,
"Because I plan on making my party," Nadja revealed, "Momon and I discussed this matter before this meeting. Besides, he's already strong on his own. Therefore, I wouldn't worry about him too much,"
After this was said, there was one man who refused this as his chair screeched as he stands, "I can't bring myself to believe in your strength. Be-Besides, it's still not clear if that Vampire is as strong as you say. Even animating that corpse could have been done through a magic item. We're going with you!"
"What you say contradicts the evidence I just presented," Nadja pointed out, "Even if this Vampire was brought to life with a magic item, it still possesses not just power but also experience as they live through the ages,"
Igvarge was irked at this, but pressed on due to his open hostility towards Momon and Nadja, "I'm not convinced unless I see it with my own eyes. Say what you will, my team and I will join you on this mission!"
One of the adventurers tries to disable Igvarge's tone, but Momon decided to let him, "Very well. That said, I must warn you that if you come along... It'll be certain death for you. Your entire party might be killed as well, for all I know,"
Nadja mentally sighed as she know what was to come with Igvarge and his team.
What follows in the discussion was how Momon and Nadja intend to beat the Vampire. The former reveals his trump card, and it turned out to be a sealing crystal that was said to contain an 8th Tier Spell.
Everyone except the mayor reacted in utter disbelief as 8th Tier Magic belonged to a mythical realm. They all have a turn on it like children until it reached Rakheshir's hands and proceeded to use the same spell he used on the scroll.
He was completely ecstatic by the spell contained within such an item. He went as far as to lick and mash his face against the crystal. Though Momon and Nadja don't show any sign of disgust since this is something that a Magician would react upon discovering something that outranks their own power.
Ainzach tried to calm Rakheshir but the latter still remains ecstatic since this kind of magic isn't seen around the world so often. Then the questions began...
"Sir Momon! Where, where did you find this crystal!? Tell me!" Rakheshir demanded,
"It was dug up in a certain ruin, along with many magic items," Momon revealed, "Of course, the crystal already had the spell sealed inside it by the time it was discovered. I had a powerful magic caster identify it,"
"I see! Then, then where is the site of this ruin!?" Rakheshir specified,
"Even if we tell you, you won't find anything," Nadja stated, and Rakheshir turns to her, "The ruins Momon-san mentioned are long gone by the time he told me about this crystal to me. Even if you provide a group of miners and magic casters that specializes in Earth-Spells to excavate the rocks,"
Rakheshir was soon deflated from his mood and handed the crystal back to Momon's hand as he sat down in his chair. The rest of the discussion was all about Igvarge still showing his opposition against Momon and Nadja, but that was a waste of time since he had already made up his mind.
The mission would soon be carried out under daylight due to the Vampire's penalty under the sun while the rest will stay behind and strengthen E-Rantel's defenses.
Far From E-Rantel...
Those that volunteered in the extermination quest departed from E-Rantel. Momon takes point as he sat on Hamsuke's back. Nadja was also on Hamsuke's back, but her back was against Momon's back since she wanted to take a nap.
Or that's what she said when openly told everyone about it. In truth, she had sent Huginn and Muninn to scout ahead and act as her eyes. With a magic connection between her and her ravens, she can switch her point of view to one of them and what they see.
Though this doesn't stop her from communicating with Momon since her body is still near him.
*Hope: Ainz-san, I spotted Shalltear not too far from here. But she isn't the only one I see*
*Ainz: I take it you spotted Albedo and Mare?*
*Hope: Yep, and their both in position*
*Ainz: Good. Once we've arrived at their location we'll let them deal with this rest here.*
*Hope: Understood, but do you mind if I handle Igvarge personally?*
*Ainz: Fine, but do it quick. We wouldn't want people to know who we really are*
*Hope: Sparing him never crossed my mind*
As they pushed through the forest, Hamsuke sensed something was amiss and her ears twitched continuously, as though they had heard something. Momon reassures her that it was one of his subordinates and Hamsuke complies as she calmed down.
By the time they reached a particular area in the forest, Igvarge and his group drew their weapons as they were alerted of an ominous presence. Then Igvarge shouted towards a large tree and demanded to show themselves.
That's when Albedo in her full black armor reveals herself and formally greets Momon by his real name instead of his fake name. When questions were asked, they were the last words ever said as Momon clarified what he said back in the guild after he gave Albedo her orders, "I misspoke back in the guild; when I said 'Following me is certain death,' I actually meant 'If you follow me, I will kill all of you.' I warned you, but you would not listen. These are the consequences of your choice. Accept them with dignity,"
Igvarge and his men now know they were in danger and chose to retreat. What's more troublesome for Albedo was that they split up rather than retreat as one.
(Name Change! Ainz and Hope will now be referred to by their original names)
Hope opens her eyes after giving Huginn and Muninn the order to follow the two groups that split up, then jump off Hamsuke's back.
"To think that they'd run separately rather than one group. I'll give them credit for that part," Hope remarked,
However, they would be unable to escape the forest due to Ainz's well-thought-out plan and Mare's influence within this area. In other words, Igvarge and his men weren't going to leave this forest alive.
Albedo successfully captured one of them with a capture-type skill while the rest are harder to capture due to the trees and the men's lack of armor. She lacked ranger or rogue-type classes to even know how far they went.
However, they wouldn't have much trouble finding them as Albedo issued the following command, "Mare, deal with the other two."
"Albedo, tell Mare to notify me if he finds the leader. I want to deal with him personally," Hope requested,
"Understood," Albedo replied, then continues with her command, "And capture the leader who insulted Ainz-sama,"
Meanwhile...
Igvarge ran through the forest and showed no signs of stopping as he planned to survive this whole ordeal and return to E-Rantel to spread this newfound info to the whole world.
Then, his promotion from mithril to orichalcum and possibly adamantine is guaranteed and he would become a renowned hero of E-Rantel. But his goal would not come to fruition as he finds himself lost in the forest despite his class set.
It is as if he was in a maze, and has yet to reach an exit of some sort.
That's when he soon heard quiet rustling and jerked his head back to look at the source of the sound. That was where he saw a child's head poking out from behind a tree.
A Dark Elf Child in particular...
He had heard of large settlements of Dark Elves located in the great forests to the south, and keep to themselves compared to Forest Elves who trade with humanity. In addition to that, he noticed that this Dark Elf Child is a girl due to the female attire.
He tries to talk to her in order to get her to do what he wants. His low tone voice startled Mare and seemed confident that his plan would work. But his plan backfired when something unexpected happened.
Threads of spider web appeared all around Igvarge's body, wrapped itself tightly around his body, and gets pulled into a tree. He tries to struggle, but the webbing was rather strong that it held him in place.
He also began to feel immense pain as the threads were cutting through his skin as he yelled out in pain while the Dark Elf Child brightens up to a particular individual.
"Hope-sama!" The Dark Elf Child cried out,
Igvarge straightens himself and turns his eyes to the one hiding behind the tree. The one that appeared was Hope in her Arachnoid Form and paid no attention to him as she walked towards the Dark Elf Child.
"Mare, I've told you to call me Hope, remember?" Hope reminded,
"O-Oh! I'm very sorry," Mare apologized as he nervously bowed his head to her,
"It's alright, Mare," Hope assured and gently ruffled his hair a few times, "Just try to remember it next time, alright?"
"Right!" Mare replied,
"Hey! Just the hell are you!?" Igvarge yelled,
Hope straightens herself up, turns to Igvarge, and gave him a sadistic smirk on her face, "You don't know me? Well, that's rather rude considering that we've met back at E-Rantel,"
Igvarge puts the pieces together and soon learns that Hope is actually the Mithril Adventurer Nadja. Someone who is also in league with Ainz.
"You..." Igvarge muttered,
"That's right," Hope clarified, "But other than my true identity, I'm afraid that is the only thing you'll ever know about me,"
Hope walks towards Igvarge, opened her right hand, and created what appears to be some sort of insect. Once Igvarge was within arm's reach, Hope forcibly shoved the insect into his waist and lets out a pained groan.
Once that was done, Hope returned to Mare, "After the process is done, send the corpses and our little friend back to Nazarick. I will be returning to Ainz's side to investigate the matter around Shalltear,"
"Understood!" Mare replied,
Hope smiled, then walks her way back to Ainz's side. All the while, Igvarge was forcibly fidgeting against the thread and continuously let out his dying scream as if something was tearing him up from the inside.
As he recoiled his head towards the sky, his chest burst wide open and appeared before Mare was a newly born spider and jumps right out of Igvarge's body. Once he Igvarge went limp, Mare approached the spider on the ground, picked it up with two hands, and brought it up from the ground.
The Spider cleaned itself of the blood and viscera from Igvarge's inside and leaped onto Mare's shoulder. The latter was relatively calm by this and smiled before taking care of the corpses here.
Back to Ainz
After Igvarge and his group were taken care of, Ainz and Albedo went on ahead to investigate Shalltear. Though was promptly caught up by Hope as she lands on the opposite side of Ainz.
"I take it you've finished what you wanted to do?" Ainz inquired, and Hope nods in response, "Then let us move forward,"
They push forward and soon found an open field with Shalltear in the middle. Just as [Crystal Monitor] showed to them. Ainz looked rather calm while Nadja looked somewhat concerned as she stared at the idle Shalltear.
"Shalltear," Ainz calmly called out,
Shalltear gave no response, nor did she glance at him. Though her crimson eyes remain wide open, she shows no signs of consciousness as she stood there motionlessly with Spuit Lance in hand.
"Shalltear! Not a single word of defense and now you disrespect Ainz-sama?!" Albedo yelled,
"Be quiet!" Ainz commanded as he spread his arm towards her,
This was something Ainz had never done to the NPCs of Nazarick, but it couldn't be helped due to the circumstances they were facing.
Hope surveys the area, and doesn't find anything noteworthy. All except for the ground on Shalltear's feet. This a clear sign that someone may have confronted her and somehow used mind control on her.
But what's odd was the fact that Shalltear was left behind by the caster without any orders whatsoever. They've also concluded that Shalltear may attack anyone in self-defense, and thus kept their distance away from her.
"It seems a bit of a waste to use this, but we should nullify Shalltear's mind control quickly," Ainz declared and brought his right hand up, and straighten his index finger,
"You're going to use that ring, Ainz-san?" Hope questioned as she knew what that ring is,
"I am," Ainz replied,
"What is that?" Albedo inquired,
"It's a super rare item called [Shooting Star]" Hope explained, "A Ring that allows the user to cast a Super Tier Magic, [Wish Upon a Star], up to three times. The spell itself is considered powerful but comes with a hefty price of one's experience points. However, [Shooting Star] serves a loophole as it can activate the spell three times without the cost of experience points and nullifies its long cast time,"
Albedo was astonished by Hope's explanation while Ainz was utterly surprised that he established a quick [Message] between him and Hope.
*Ainz: How do you know so much about this ring?*
*Hope: Back when the game was in service, I tried my luck on the gacha. My friends were soon jealous of me when I somehow won two [Shooting Star] rings. I still have them in the Manor*
At this point, Ainz had become envious of Hope's luck since he spent his entire summer bonus on gacha tickets to get one of these rings. So envious that it triggers his emotional suppression, though that feeling would linger in his mind for a long time.
But back to the main matter at hand, Ainz raises his hand upward, "Then, hear me, oh ring, I wish!"
At first, Hope was confused since the ring doesn't require such things. But that turned to surprise when a vast magic circle appears below their ground. This was something that she didn't expect whatsoever, then assumed that the rules in this New World is vastly different compared to Yggdrasil.
The same goes for Ainz before demanding his wish, "Dispel all effects on Shalltear!"
The ring heeds his command and began to use the spell [Wish Upon a Star] toward its assigned target...
...
...
...
Only to break much to the players' shock...
"What the?!" Ainz exclaimed,
"The spell didn't work!" Hope remarked, "But that's not even possible unless..."
The two players then came to a horrifying conclusion upon learning the spell failed to cure Shalltear's mind-controlled state. Thus, they assumed that they were in clear danger...
"Albedo! Hope! We're withdrawing, quickly!" Ainz hastily commanded,
"Yes!" Albedo responded and went to Ainz's arms,
Hope doesn't respond, but complies with his command and sticks close to Ainz. He then uses [Greater Teleportation] to withdraw from the area but Hope took a brief moment to glance at Shalltear before they disappear from their location.
Somewhere...
As they arrived somewhere far from Shalltear's location. They all seem to relax until Ainz's mind was soon filled with furious anger and began kicking the ground. Since Ainz's physical strength was far greater than normal, his kick sent forth a massive quantity of soil all over.
Hope had never seen Ainz this angry before, and couldn't watch as it passes. Not even Ainz's emotional suppression was enough to calm him as he expresses his anger against the ground.
By the time he calms down, he turns back to the two, "...Forgive me, you two. I seem to have lost my senses for a moment. Pay that unsightly scene no heed."
"No need to apologize, Ainz-san. If I were in your shoes, I would be feeling the same thing," Hope assured, "But to think that the spell failed..."
"Just what in the world happened?" Albedo inquired,
"The ring activated, but the wish was rejected," Ainz stated, "There is only one thing that super tier magic cannot beat. I didn't think of the possibility that this world had them, too..."
Albedo thinks to herself for a moment, then pieces together the deduction of Ainz's words, "You can't mean..."
"[World Items]" Ainz revealed, "Albedo, Raise the security level of Nazarick to maximum. Also, have all the guardians that out return immediately,"
"Understood," Albedo said and will go to work as soon as they arrive at Nazarick. This is truly a dire problem for their lords and their denizens.
"Hope, I think it's time I show you to a particular place that my comrades and I haven't shown you," Ainz declared, "As soon as Albedo finishes delivering the message, we shall head forth... to the Treasury,"
That is it for this chapter, everyone! As for the next chapter, don't expect it to come soon as I'll be finishing up the chapters that I need to finish in my other story.
But don't worry, When I think about the next chapter. I think about a particular NPC that resides there, and you all know who I'm referring to.
Rest assured, I will return for the next chapter and do as much as I can.
That is all I have to say for now, let me know if you have questions I will answer them as much as I can, stay safe from the virus, and I will see you all in the next chapter!