Brain Unglaus POV
He is exhausted, malnourished, and dehydrated, still, he can't stop for if he does, if he closes his eyes, he will see her, Shalltear Bloodfallen, a vampire, a monster unlike any other Brain has ever seen, Brain believed he was strong, that he and Gazef, the warrior captain, were at the top, but it was a lie, a horrible lie, they were pathetic creatures that only live because the strong allow it.
He wanted to continue, but his body did not allow him to, and then, in his final effort to move forward, Brain fell to the ground. He is not expecting to wake again, and if he does, it would be because that monster wanted him to see her in the eyes before giving him the sweet mercy of death.
Brain, strangely enough, did not have nightmares that night, on the contrary, he dreamed, about the stories of old, about the heroes that defeated evil. In this dream, a new hero is in it, a hero Brain has never heard of before. The hero, a male for the looks of it, has his back turned to Brain, Brain sees the hero holding a sword and shield of the likes Brain has never seen, the hero then turns his head to Brain, but the man can't see the hero's face as the sun blocks his view, but Brain could see the hero smile to him, and Brain believed that smile is genuine, that this hero was the greatest of all and not even Shalltear Bloodfallen would be able to stop him.
During his rest, Brain's nose smells a delicious aroma, it is sweet like honey but leaves a spicey taste in the mouth once it starts to get watery, opening his eyes because of the smell the warrior's vision starts to get clearer, the first thing he notices is a blanket over his body, it is blue colored and the sewing is of the finest of qualities as he notices the lines on it forming a picture of a strange bird Brain has never seen, it was amazing since despite the bird sewed on the blanket being painted red there are no outlines in it, as if the thread used in it changed colors midway in the making, that could be the only explanation since the warrior could see that the bird wasn't painted over the blue thread.
"Had a good sleep? …I hope you're hungry". A calm voice spoke.
Brain looks at the source and can't stop from opening his mouth in surprise when first seeing the speaker. It is a boy, probably between 15 and 18, he has blue eyes, blonde hair, and light fair skin, he is dressed in a green tunic over chainmail, a metal shoulder plate on his left shoulder, a green hood, a blue scarf around his neck with a same red bird that the blanket has and a golden triangle formed by three smaller ones in it, gray pants, brown leather boots and two brown armguards over two fingerless blue gloves, but what stood out the most about him was the pointy ears, telling Brain the boy is an elf. Brain knows immediately that the boy is an adventurer, if his equipment didn't tell him then the mithril plate on his neck would.
"Who are you?" Brain asks the boy, something about him feels familiar to him and makes the mercenary feel close to him, just looking at him makes his fear of the monster Shalltear disappear.
"Link-san, I've brought some… oh, it's awakened". Another voice speaks, a female one this time. Brain looks at the source and it is one of the most beautiful visions he ever had.
The woman has to be the most gorgeous person Brain has ever seen, with long jet-black hair tied in a ponytail, fair and smooth skin, narrowed eyes, and a good figure that couldn't be hidden despite the cloak she is wearing.
"Thanks Nabe". The now named Link says. Brain notices how there are no pauses in his speech when he talks to this Nabe, unlike when he did to him.
Grabbing the wood brought by the girl Link puts some of it in the fire and turns his focus back to the food he is cooking.
"Who are you two?" Brain asks, his eyes shifting between the blond boy and the black-haired girl.
"I'm Link… Mithril Ranked adventurer… this is Nabe… also Mithril Ranked". Link points at himself then Nabe who just narrows her eyes at Brain, the mercenary could see she didn't like him. "Who… are you?"
"Brain Unglaus". Brain says. His eyes focused on the meat over the fire making his stomach not growl but roar.
"Disgusting". Nabe says.
"Please Nabe, take it easy". Link says, putting his hand on Nabe's shoulder.
"As you order". Nabe says and bows her head slightly.
"It is not an order, it is a request, I will never forbid you from saying and acting the way you want. Unless you intend to commit a crime, then I would be forced to stop you". Link tells her before turning back to Brain. "Sorry… she is not a… social person… Guess me neither."
"I see". Brain says. "How did you find me?" Brain stops looking at the meal and looks at Link who smiles at him.
"Well…" Link says.
Third Person POV
After the cemetery incident, Link got promoted and given a chance to not hide his face anymore, now a Mithril Rank adventurer and with a little fame due to his adventurer status Link is able to walk around the city adorned in his green tunic instead of his old garments which covered his face, he feels free thanks to this since hiding his face felt like he was lying or that he should be ashamed for not being human, now that covering his face isn't necessary anymore he walks with his back straight and his eyes focusing ahead, there is a downside though.
"Look! It's Link, I've heard he and Momon stopped the undead from taking over the city." A female voice whispers.
"He is cute". Another female whispered back.
"Right?!"
Link frowns in annoyance, whichever path to the inn or the guild he chose he had to listen to whispers and gossip about him, they were either about his ears, or about his face, he felt flattered of course but he wanted to be treated like a normal person, no one should receive special treatment due to how they look like or their social position.
'No time to waste, need to re-stock my things and make sure Ninya has everything we need before we leave for the capital'. Link thought.
After all that business with the undead was over Link had dropped Khajit with the city guards and then he explained everything to them. Khajit was one of the leaders of a cult that worshiped Zuranon, some kind of God of death, or a very powerful undead. Khajit planned to unleash an army of the dead in the city so he could create chaos and death to become one of them himself. After defeating him Link and Momon were promoted to Mithril rank, instead of platinum due to their efficacy in stopping the problem before anyone could get hurt.
After finishing the job Link talked to Ninya and learned about her story. The hylian decided to help her find her sister and expose the noble who separated them and enslaved her sibling. Link wouldn't need much, Epona would push the kart, and given her speed they would reach the capital city in at least three days.
'For now, I'll focus on getting a new quest, Ninya and her sister will need money to build their house, to buy food, and clothes after they find a new place to live'. Link thought. 'Maybe I should take them to Carne village, after the attack there were a lot of empty houses.'
Link proceeds with his search for provisions. His current actions make the former player remember Breath of the Wild, always in search of resources, while on the surface it looks fine, the reality is that games that needed specific ingredients to craft items were really tiresome, more so when the crafted item could break or when they need rare materials that could only be found on specific places to be made or fixed, Minecraft did this well, no matter which wood type you had it in your inventory it could be used for the same things as the other types of wood, games like Breath of the Wild and Red Dead Redemption 2 were lacking in his opinion, no one wants to travel all the map and then spend hours grinding or looking for a specific ingredient just to go back there later and repeat the process so they can restore the crafted item once it is outworn, especially when you are an adult and have limited time to play.
'Or maybe I'm just whining, I guess when you have an adult life and less time to have fun you don't want to spend that little time you have grinding for items'. Link tells himself as he looks at the fruits being sold in front of him.
After last night Link for the first time thought about going back to his old world, it was nice living in a fantasy world with swords and magic, but he didn't know if, in the long run, this was a life fit for him. He felt like a hypocrite since his first thought after accepting this new reality was that returning means looking at the past, not the future.
'But those who forget the past will repeat it'. Link tells himself.
Link was brought to this world against his will, which means there is a way for whoever brought him to send him back against his will. The possibilities were too high and worrisome to dismiss, what if he stayed in this world for 50 years and 50 years have passed in his original world, how could he explain this to his family about his absence? then there was his age, what if he didn't age when he returned? Or what if he aged and no time has passed? too many variants which only gives him a headache.
Link shakes his head and starts looking at one of the fruits being sold, behind the counter there is a man, he has tan skin, a thick black mustache, brown eyes, and no hair, he is wearing a white shirt with a green apron over it, blue pants and brown boots. The man is obviously the owner of this small sales stall, he is looking at Link differently from the rest, with indifference, and that is the reason Link decided to purchase from him. The hylian looks at the price of his items, the man is selling fruits, 1 bronze coin for each, the cheap prices made Link wish he could see how much gas would cost in this world if it existed so that he could take a selfie with his Sheikah Slate and show it to people on the old world if he ever returns.
'I bet it would be the equivalent of 59 cents.' Link jokes inside his head.
The hylian grabs what he came to buy and does what people always do whenever they buy fruits, he tosses them in the air to check their weight and slightly squeezes them to see if they are firm, he always wondered why people do that, or if they actually know what does it imply.
With enough time wasted the hylian picks the fruits he wants and pays the merchant, he doesn't say a word to the hylian, which Link likes, after counting the money the merchant nods to Link who nods back at him and goes back on his way to the inn. Now that Link is a Mithril rank adventurer he starts to wonder if he should upgrade the place he stays, he didn't mind staying at the low-rank inn but it could reflect badly on his image as an adventurer, not that he cares about his image but if he wants to have his name spread so he could make contacts and gather knowledge he would need to start paying attention on what people think of him, otherwise his dream of exploring new lands in search for adventure would never be fulfilled.
'Public Relations are such a bother". Link thought.
Having finished his shopping Link grabs the bag with fruits and goes on his way, after another wave of whispers and stares the hylian just ignores it and keeps going forward. Deep in thought he doesn't notice someone approaching him until the person clears their throat, making the hylian turn his head to the side and meet a pair of dark eyes and obsidian hair tied into a ponytail by a yellow ribbon, adorned in a white shirt with a brown cloak around the neck, black leather pants and boots, sporting an expressionless face but giving an air of courtesy just by being there.
"Hello Link-san". Says none other than Nabe, a fellow Mithril-rank adventurer, and partner of the warrior Momon, a man whose skills with the sword and his shiny black armor with golden borders earn him recognition alongside Link in their quest to vanish the undead army. "Are you having a good day?"
Link nods to the fellow adventurer to answer her, despite knowing each other for a short time they had shared a few things about themselves just enough to make a healthy conversation without risking offending the other party. Nabe learned that Link wasn't a speaker and rather have conversations where a simple movement of his head could answer others. Link learned that Nabe is someone who likes formality and keeps things on a professional level.
"I see". Nabe says. A small glance at the hylian's eyes can tell her that he wants to ask her the same thing, she nods in response but adds to her answer with words. "I've been having a busy day, Momon-san has me gathering information for possible rumors that might involve future jobs now that we achieve Mithril rank."
It made sense for the hylian, with their ranks going up more people would be interested in hiring them, this means that gathering information would be necessary in case they have to travel to distant lands with different customs, coins, and languages, even culture could be an obstacle. The former player ends up remembering the days at Hyrule's court, with so many memories from games becoming real it is surprising his id, ego, and superego didn't have him suffer a psychological breakdown yet.
"Have you heard anything unusual?" Nabe asks and brings the hylian back from his thoughts.
Link pauses and thinks over her question, the rumors he heard since his last job were just what one expects regarding adventurers, a monster has been destroying crops in the south, there are bandits in the west, nobles want adventurers to protect them on the north, nothing unusual except…
"There was something…" Link says as he remembers the image of a blue-eyed redhead wearing chain mail iron-plate adventurer running over his mind. "Do you remember Brita?"
"Who?" Nabe says.
Link thinks Nabe either thought too low of the redhead to care or just never cared enough to learn the name of a fellow adventurer, then again, Link does remember how she almost engaged in combat with Brita on their first day at E-Rantel, for all he knows Nabe is just pretending not to know the girl because she is still annoyed at her rude behavior towards Momon.
'Even though it was his own fault'. Link comments inside his head before speaking again. "The redhead girl. Momon broke her potion."
"…The parasite. Now I remember". Nabe says, her voice and expression not giving any hint of emotion.
'Geez, I wonder if she's like this with everyone she doesn't like or just the ones she doesn't respect. I mean, I don't think she likes or respects me, but she remembers my name and is polite, and I doubt I did something to earn special treatment'. Link for a moment remembers how she saved Nabe from those Skeletal Dragons, he doubted she needed help but he gave her nonetheless, a part of him believes that helping her is what made her attitude towards him be of respect. "I remember she said something about a monster, a real strong one, it did a lot of damage to her mind, last night when I was coming down the stairs of the inn to eat my supper I saw Brita with some baggage, she was saying her goodbyes and retiring from adventurer work. I went to her and suggested Carne Village. She left after that."
Nabe stays quiet, it is clear to the hylian that she is thinking about his words, it makes him wonder if Momon is looking for a specific job and if the information he has might fit with the things Link had just said, if so, whatever Brita fought against might go after Momon on his future quest, or Momon is looking for it, in case Link suspicion is right.
'Would that be the reason he picked that Mithril-ranked quest on his first day?' Link didn't have much time to put into his thoughts though.
"Do you know what monster it was?" Nabe asks, her eyebrows frowning for a moment with the hylian noticing it, also, her voice tone got lower by a note and her speech speed was a little faster, had Link not been an experienced warrior it would've gone unnoticed.
"Why do you ask?" Link knows it isn't his business, but if Momon and Nabe are going after some dangerous monster he needs to make sure they are going to be fine, otherwise their blood would be in his hands for blindly giving information that would just give them the false hope and belief that defeating the monster was possible.
"Momon-san might go after this monster so we need all the information we can gather". Nabe responds.
Link feels like there is something he is missing, as if there is more to the story, but no matter what he thinks it always reaches a dead end. He couldn't ask Nabe without being intrusive, it wouldn't be fair to ask her to tell him all about her life so that he could satisfy his curiosity to understand why Nabe and Momon would want to fight against the monster in case things are more than just business.
'Maybe it's because I don't know Nabe and Momon enough. On a surface level, it is just two adventurers looking for a strong monster to fight, either for the money, to prove themselves, or it could be personal. I wonder if these thoughts would vanish if I knew them better.' Link thought for a moment and decided to give up, for now, he would share what he knew with Nabe, and if new information was acquired about the monster, he would go with them and help if things were too much for even them to handle. "It was a vampire according to Brita". Link says and notices the slight rise of an eyebrow on Nabe's face, making him believe more than ever this could be more than a simple job for Momon and Nabe.
Ainz Ooal Gown POV
The lord of the Great Tomb of Nazarick observes as a list of names is in front of him. This list shows all the beings of the tomb and their status, all but one are fine, Shalltear Bloodfallen, whose name is written in red.
"Are you sure about this Albedo?" Ainz asks the succubus at his side without moving his eyes away from the list.
"Absolutely Ainz-sama. The list is never wrong, and every time someone invades Nazarick their names are listed in red. It is safe to presume Shalltear turned against us". Albedo says firmly.
'What could have done this? Link could, but it is impossible, he was with me and Naberal the entire time.' Ainz remembers the moment he heard about Shalltear's betrayal, his first thoughts were the hylian for only he, to Ainz's knowledge, was powerful enough to commit such an act, but his emotion suppression acted and with a clear mind, he realized it would be impossible for Link to do it. "Contact Narberal, tell her to observe Link at a distance, and also, order her not to engage him unless he shows no relation to Shalltear's brainwashing or unless it is strictly necessary."
"Yes, Ainz-sama". Albedo says and bows to her master.
"When you return bring back a doll with you, time to see your sister Nigredo". Ainz tells Albedo before she takes her leave.
"This is going to be a long day". Ainz tells himself as he focuses once more on the list of names after talking to Albedo.
Later that day
Frustration is all that Ainz can feel right now.
After meeting with Nigredo and finding Shalltear's whereabouts. Ainz had gone to where Shalltear was located and tried to find out the reason for her betrayal and even used one of his most powerful items to free her, all in vain as he discovered that Shalltear had been brainwashed, something impossible to do with NPCs unless you have a very specific item.
"A world item… How could I forget about them". Ainz tells himself, scratching the bones of his head while he sits on his throne.
Something clicks in the overlord's mind, a sword, the most beautiful sword Ainz has ever seen, how it was forged by the goddess and wielded by her champion, or something like that, the details were too blurry for Ainz to remember. The real matter is that something was telling Ainz that Link's Master Sword was a world item, he has no proof and the possibility was slim, but the way Link talked about the blade, with so much pride and confidence, there had to be more to it, and the backstory he told Ainz could very well be a cover story, he already confirmed Link is level 100 so having a World Item would not be impossible.
"If the Master Sword is really a World Item, I must have it, regardless of being related to Shalltear's brainwashing such an item may be used against Nazarick in the future if I let it away from my hands". Ainz tells himself while dozens of plans to take the sword start popping up inside his head. "One problem at a time". Ainz shakes his head, letting the matter rest for now. "First I'll deal with Shalltear, then I think how to deal with Link if the Master Sword is a World Item".
Before Ainz could start thinking of a plan on how to deal with Shalltear he receives a [Message] from Narberal, interrupting his line of thought.
"What is it?" Ainz replies in anger before his emotion suppression activates. "Sorry Naberal, what do you want to tell me?"
"Ainz-sama, while performing the mission you assigned to me Link and I meet with a messenger sent by the guildmaster, it appears he wants to speak with Momon and Link about the vampire on the outskirts of E-Rantel". Narberal tells him from the other side.
"…Very well, tell him I'm on my way". Ainz says. "Did you get anything from Link, seeing as you engaged him?"
"Yes". Narberal says. "One of the vampire's victims was the girl that extorted Ainz-sama from the broken potion, Link met with her and she told him all about her encounter with the vampire."
'So, Link knows about Shalltear too… I need to act fast, if Link decides to engage against Shalltear I have no doubt he might find a way to defeat and kill her, and I don't dare take chances with that Master Sword if it is an actual World Item'. Ainz's thoughts were filling his heart with fear and despite his emotion suppression kicking in again it was not enough to erase all the worry.
Ainz gets out of his throne and casts two spells, the first turns him into the adventurer Momon, and the second is a [Gate] spell that brings him to his room at E-Rantel's inn.
Narberal immediately cuts the [Message] spell once she sees her master in front of her and kneels before him.
"Ainz-sama". Narberal says in respect.
"It's Momon when I'm in armor 'Nabe'". Momon says.
"Yes! Momon-san". Nabe says. "Link is on the lower level, he said he wanted to talk to you before talking with the guildmaster".
Momon stops and thinks about it for a second, there are many possibilities for why Link could want to talk but Momon doesn't have time to ponder like he usually does due to Nazarick being at risk of exposure for every second Shalltear is under brainwash.
"Then I better not keep him waiting". Momon says.
Getting down the stairs the black-armored adventurer sees the green-tunic wearer sitting next to the counter with a drink in their hands, Link looks pensive and Momon had only seen him like that when he was fighting, he approaches the fellow adventurer and puts a hand over his shoulder, making Link stops his thoughts and look at Momon in the eyes, or trying too since the helmet's visor is on the way.
"Are you okay?" Momon asks.
Link thinks for a few seconds before nodding to him.
"We better go. Can't let the guildmaster wait". Momon tells the hylian.
Link looks back at his drink and swallows it in one sip. He gets off his chair and follows Momon who was already by the inn's entrance.
The walk to the guild is silent, Momon is used to it when it comes to Link, he knows the adventurer would spend the rest of his life without saying a word if he could, but this time is different. Momon notices Link keeps looking at him and then away, there is something in his eyes that is begging to come out, Momon wants to pressure him into speaking but instead he waits, it is a gamble and if Link decides to speak by himself, it would be easier for Momon to get more information.
'Could it be that he actually has something to do with Shalltear's brainwashing and wants to share it with me? What if he actually found out a connection between Shalltear and me, is this why he is so gloomy? Because he feels betrayed?' Momon's thoughts are interrupted by the sound of a throat being cleared.
"Did Nabe tell you about the vampire?" Link asks. Momon sees worry in his eyes.
'Perhaps I was right, he does know about my connection with Shalltear?' Momon decides to speak so he can learn about how much Link knows. "She did!"
"Are you… going after it?" Link asks with a dry tone.
Momon only nods as an answer and sees the worry in Link's eyes turn into fear.
"Be careful". Link begs. Momon saw that tone in the past, those are not the eyes and that is not the voice of someone who is guilty or hiding something, but someone truly afraid. "I just…"
Link wants to say something but is holding himself, Momon sees this as an opportunity to press further.
"Whatever you want to tell me, you may, I won't hold it against you. I swear!" Momon says with a friendly tone, hoping to get Link to open himself to him.
"I just… I wanted to go with you, but I can't. This is your adventure, not mine… but if I don't go and something bad happens to you… I don't think I can live with the guilt of not being there and make a difference".
'Huh?" Momon let it escape his mouth, this is not what he was expecting. 'WHAT THE HELL? Where is the confession? or the backstabbing? or the plot twist? All of this and he is just worried about me?! No, there has to be something more.' Momon decides to press further, refusing to believe this is all there is to it. "Why are you saying this? Do you think something will happen to me if I go fight the vampire?"
Link shakes his head. "I'm well aware of your capabilities as a warrior, I don't doubt you, but… we don't know anything about this monster, I don't want you to go after it blindly."
"What about you, why don't you go after it?" Momon asks.
"I'd taken another job already". Link says, he looks to the side as if he is too ashamed to look Momon in the eyes, which only raises Momon's suspicion over the hylian. "After the cemetery incident, I promised Ninya I would go to the capital with her to look for her sister… so I'm doing this final job to get the money we need for the travel and our stay."
Momon then remembers the talk he had with Link after their promotion, Link told him everything he learned about Ninya and the undead couldn't stop himself from relating to the girl, he also lost his family. Link also told him he would help her find her lost sister, a compelling action but with nothing to gain Momon had refrained from offering help.
'It all comes together now. And here I thought he was involved with Shalltear's brainwashing when he was only planning to rescue Ninya's sister and worried about something happening to me because he wasn't there.' Momon feels like his non-existent heart was stabbed, he was never good at dealing with altruist and good-hearted people, Touch-Me was the sole instance, and Link is proving to be a piece of the same cloth as his old friend. "I understand."
"I'm sorry". Link says.
"Your apologies are welcome but unneeded, I don't plan to die or lose". Momon tells him and puts his hand over his shoulder. "I'll come back, and then I'll tell you firsthand how I defeated the vampire".
Link smiles at Momon's words, which in turn makes Momon smile for he feels like this is the first time since he last saw Herohero that he found a true friend.
"I'm anxious to hear it". Link says.
It doesn't take long for the two to reach the guild building. After their talk Link and Momon spend the rest of the way walking in comfortable silence, Momon has crossed out any possibility of Link being related to Shalltear's brainwashing, the only matter to settle with the hylian now was the Master Sword, luckily for the player Link was carrying it on his back, despite being sheathed Momon cast a silent [Analysis] spell over it but it showed no result, many items on YGGDRASIL were impossible to analyze with the spell unless you were holding it or equipped with it so he couldn't confirm the sword was a World Item yet, but Momon is now sure it is high-level equipment.
After entering the guild Momon and Link enter the main office of the Guild Master, there are already three other adventurers there, all Mithril-ranked, counting the warrior and the hylian E-Rantel now possesses five teams of that rank.
"Momon-san, Link-san. Thank you for coming". Ainzach, the guild master says.
"Likewise, guild master". Momon says and Link nods with him. 'Guess I'll have to speak for him again'. Monon thought as he took a seat with Link sitting next to him, due to their similar method of thinking.
With everyone present, Ainzach clears his throat and begins. His words were familiar to Momon for he had heard them before from a different mouth with a little difference in phrasing here and there. The reactions of the other adventurers were diverse, one was shocked, one was in deep thought, and the other was clearly doubting the report, only Link maintained his composure.
"Last night, in the forest next to E-Rantel, seven iron-class adventurers encountered what they believe is a vampire, five of them were killed. According to one of the survivors, there is no way to forget the monster's white hair and big mouth". Ainzach says.
'It really is Shalltear whom they saw'. Momon thinks.
"Vampires can turn their victims into servants by sucking their blood". Ainzach's tone gets more serious and so does his eyes. "It will be catastrophic if a monster like that comes to the city."
"Could it be related to the cemetery incident?" One of the adventurers asks. He has orange hair, high cheekbones, and a square jaw.
"Oh! The one that Link and Momon-san solved". Another adventurer points out, that he has long blonde hair, thick eyebrows of the same color as his hair, and a big nose.
"I envy them for becoming Mithril so easily". The third one says. He has tanned skin, dark hair, and a curved nose. Momon notices the small frown Link made at his comment, clearly seeing the tone of mockery disguised in his voice.
"Hey, don't say something like that". The orange-haired one chastised the comment.
"By what we saw from the items we recovered after the incident, even the broken ones". Ainzach spares Link a glance at the last comment. Momon can't help but give a little frown at the reminder, he wanted to study that orb Narberal told him about since it was what caused the whole incident, but he never got the chance because Link destroyed it, and for some reason [Restore Item] didn't work like other things that Momon had fixed in the past with the spell. "We supposed it was related to Zuranon, but thanks to Link, we interrogated the main instigator, Khajit, and he told us the vampire is not related to them, it could be a lie, but I think he is being honest."
"Zuranon… if that undead society isn't involved does that mean the vampire is acting alone?" The orange-haired adventurer asks no one in specific.
"Or a murmur to lure us away from the real objective". The big-nosed adventurer says. "Either way, we don't have enough information to make any plausible theory."
"Well, we can say this creature for sure is stronger than iron-class". The dark-haired one says. Momon can easily guess why Link is frowning at his words this time around, the man is simply mocking people who lost their lives and barely escaped a monster stronger than them, Momon doesn't care about the dead adventurers but he can understand Link's reaction.
"We learned there is a cave next to where the vampire was seen, first we will send a reconnaissance team there". Ainzach interrupts so they can go back on track.
"I know who that vampire is. She is not related to Zuranon". Momon says, making all eyes turn to him, he needs to act before Link decides to go after Shalltear too.
"Do you know something?" Ainzach asks.
"That vampire's name is Honyopnyot…" Momon says. He wanted to use a more common name but he couldn't risk Link recognizing the casual name in case he actually is from YGGDRASIL. "*coff* Honyopnyoko!"
"This Honyo… This vampire, why do you know its name?" Ainzach asks.
"I've been hunting it for a long time". Momon says. This is his chance to convince Link his help is unnecessary and avoid a conflict with him, if the Master Sword is an actual world item and if people who die by Link's hand can't be resurrected just like the items he breaks can't be restored, then Momon can't risk the hylian fighting Shalltear and erase her forever. "We have a history, she is strong. I'll do the reconnaissance. If she is there, I'll finish her."
"What are you saying?" The dark-haired adventurer says in disbelief.
"Are sure you can do this?" Ainzach asks.
"I have an ace". Momon says. He takes a blue crystal out of his inventory after hiding his hand under his red cape and puts it on the table in front of him. "A sealing magic crystal. It contains an 8th-tier spell inside."
The whole room except Link gasps, instead the hylian looks at the crystal and focuses on it. Momon then realizes he may have made a mistake, when Link had captured Nigun days ago, the man dropped on the ground the crystal he used to summon the angel used to fight Link, and in the heat of battle, the hylian forgot about it, leaving an opening for Ainz to take it. This crystal on the table is that same crystal and now there is a chance the hylian might recognize it. "Something wrong?" Momon whispers to Link in the hopes he hasn't figured it out.
"… bad memories". Link says vaguely.
'Damn it. Did I just give myself in? No. Maybe he just thinks Momon and Ainz know each other. That's it! if anything I can just say that Ainz gave me this crystal after putting a different spell in it. Even if he asks me to show the spell inside, I can quickly change for one of the many crystals I have in my inventory'. Momon tells himself.
"8th-tier?" Someone says making Momon regain his focus.
"This is the realm of legends". Ainzach says, surprised by the crystal possessing such a powerful spell inside.
"Blasphemy, he must be lying". The dark-haired one says.
"I don't care if you want to evaluate it". Momon says and picks up the crystal, putting it back to avoid Link finding out in case he still hasn't. "But I don't think we have time for it."
"What about the reward?" Ainzach asks.
"We can talk about this later". Momon says. "However, I want to be promoted to Orichalcum."
"Orichalcum?!" The dark-haired one says.
"Is troublesome having to prove my strength all the time". Momon says, Link nods at his words and makes the armored warrior wonder what will the hylian do to achieve Adamantite rank.
"I see". Ainzach says.
"My team will go too". The dark-haired one says. He gets off his chair, not even trying to hide his dislike for Momon and Link anymore.
"I don't need someone getting in my way". Momon says. He is annoyed as he just managed to get Link out of the equation just for this man to enter it.
"How can I trust such a mission to a rookie like you or that elf?". The dark-haired says. He points at Link who remains calm this time, seems like he doesn't care when people talk about him but dislikes when others are badmouthed for nothing, but this time is Momon who frowns since this man brought Link to the conversation despite the fact Link hasn't done or said anything.
After Link had revealed his face to the guild once the cemetery incident was over and he was promoted to Mithril, many commented behind his back and even told Momon he shouldn't partner with the hylian anymore, while he wanted to avoid contact with Link it was due to the risk of him being a player, not because of he is an 'elf' and the fact that this man called him one despite Link telling everyone he is a hylian somehow ticks Momon as he might be a victim of the same in the future should he reveal himself to the world.
"To start, we don't even know if this vampire is really strong!" The dark-haired man continues.
"Stop this, Igvarge!" The big-nosed one says.
"We don't need this attitude!" The orange-haired one says.
"I don't care". Momon says. All eyes turn back at him. "However, if you come along… you will definitely die."
The rest of the meeting was just the usual, strategies, what to do if Momon fails, weak points in case someone else had to fight the vampire. All fake information, of course, Momon wouldn't risk Shalltear's strengths and weaknesses becoming common knowledge.
Once the talks are over Momon and Link walk together back to the inn.
"You were quieter than normal back at the meeting". Momon says, making the hylian look the other way instead of his eyes. "Do you wanna talk about it?"
Link shakes his head. Momon doesn't know what to say to make the hylian talk to him, and the thoughts of him being related to Shalltear's brainwashing or realizing he is Ainz or related to him is not working for the armor-clad warrior's mental health. All in all, seems like they were once again back to step one.
"What job did you take since you are not coming with me?" Momon asks.
This time Link does look at him. The hylian puts his hand in one of his pockets and takes a paper out of it, he gives it to Momon and turns his face to the other side again, probably embarrassed.
Momon looks at the paper, feigns he's reading it, and gives it back to Link after finishing it.
"This is why you won't help me?" Momon asks. His voice was as softly as he could make it.
Link nods his head in embarrassment.
"It's okay". Momon says. 'Please take the bait, please take the bait.'
"…Really?" Link asks.
'YES!' Momon nods at Link and puts a hand on his shoulder. "You said yourself. Hunting the vampire is my adventure, this job is yours."
Link nods and manages to smile again. Momon is relieved and starts to wonder if, at this point, he is just trying to find an excuse to suspect Link of everything since he is the strongest being outside Nazarick he has met since arriving in this world.
"Thanks". Link says.
'Wait, maybe this is an opportunity for me'. Momon thinks to himself. His gambling with Link has paid off until now so maybe he should press further, in the best-case scenario nothing happens and he gains more information about the hylian, the worst-case scenario he is related to Shalltear's brainwashing and Momon could send the whole force of Nazarick against him and eliminate the threat. 'I need to be careful though, I don't want to sacrifice any of the NPCs, even the ones that are just level 1.'
"Link". Momon says, making the hylian look at him. "Could you do me a favor?"
Link nods without hesitation.
"Can you take Nabe with you?" Momon asks.
"…Why?" Link asks.
"I don't want to risk her getting hurt while I'm fighting the vampire, and your job seems safer for her. Could you do this for me?" Momon asks.
Link once more, no hesitation.
'I wish I had this confidence'. Momon thought before continuing their talk. "Thanks, I appreciate what you're doing."
Link nods and they both keep going on their way back to the inn. Momon has to prepare for his fight against Shalltear and tell Narberal about her new assignment, he may not be able to read what it is, but given the battle maid strength and Link's presence Momon doubts there will be any trouble big enough for them to handle.
Author's note: Another chapter is finished. thank you for reading. Ainz vs Shalltear will be just like canon so we won't see how that turns out, instead, the next chapters will focus on Link's task with Nabe and Brain along for the journey.
Please tell me your thoughts, feedback is always welcome.