Ainz was on her office desk, sorting through paperwork. Reading through a tall stack on the side of the desk, one report at a time. Her face scrunched at how mentally exhausting it has been. Undead are immune to fatigue but they surely aren't immune to the mental kind is what Ainz thought since she began reading through it.
The meeting in the Throne Room went fine as she saw it. After she explained why she suddenly had a human body once again, it went along the lines of…misunderstanding, which Ainz had become used to. Seriously, her bluffing and bullshitting could be skills she didn't know and it has saved her countless times.
The meeting went somewhere along like this.
Shalltear and Albedo got sexual about it, as she expected and had to use her authority to stop them. Both apologized for their misbehavior before their mistress. And when Ainz explained how she got her body, using a white lie, through an experiment with Pandora's Actor. Both then got mad and threatened to kill Pandora's Actor for sullying her perfect form. I once again silenced them and told Pandora's Actor only provided the item needed for the experiment, the rest was her own doing. Both apologize again, still grudging at Pandora's Actor's involvement.
None must know it was an accident. What happens in the treasury, stays in the treasury. Forever locked up in a vault.
Cocytus, Aura and Mare didn't have much to say other than how beautiful the new form is and praise for it. I thank them for their kind words.
Demiurge, however, was interpreting it like it was part of her grand plan. To be honest, she has no grand plan aside from world domination. But his words did bring a good point. The demon explained to the other guardians that by changing her form to a woman, their enemies will let their guard down. This is especially the case with human men as they are weak to a woman's beauty. It would make battles and negotiations simpler and more in favor of Nazarick.
"That is true…" Ainz said to herself, "The books explained that Mamono targets men's lust and their beauty only amplifies it, making them docile and compliant."
"When I checked my skill and spell list, I now have a passive charm ability that affects men around me which is accurate to the books' description." Ainz continued, "I'll have to get to testing the spell after this. I'll have to see if my summons become mamono after the change."
"But first, paperwork…" Ainz doubled her efforts through the paper stack, "Then it's off to the Sixth Floor Colosseum! I hope Aura and Mare don't mind me barging in. And after that I'll be meeting the Baharuth Emperor in a few days. Hopefully, negotiations go well. And might as well eat something, I never had a meal since coming here."
After the Baharuth Workers' invasion of the tomb, the emperor had sent a letter to personally apologize for the hostile act of his people.
In just an hour, paperwork has been finished and set aside in the desk to be picked up later. Ainz sighed in relief, finally finishing it. Ainz stood up from her desk and, using the [Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown, teleported directly to the Grand Colosseum of the Sixth Floor.
Reappearing in a flash of light, Ainz found herself in the middle of the Colosseum's arena. Feeling the coarse ground with her feet and seeing the sculpted night sky was mesmerizing. She felt melancholic about Blue Planet's creation and wished he was here to see the clear blue night sky of the world, clear of pollution and smog of their dystopian society.
Ainz cleared her mind and focused on her task. She would continue her friends' legacies, this she swears on her name.
"Firstly, [Message]." Ainz said, "[Aura, Mare, I need your assistance on something. Come to the Colosseum in the Sixth Floor.]"
After a few moments of waiting, the Dark Elf twins arrived via teleportation using Mare's [Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown, gifted by their mistress. They were elated to see Ainz visiting their abode. They rushed to her and knelt before their mistress.
"Lady Ainz! What brings you here to our Floor?" Aura asked.
"W-We are delighted to see you here, Mistress!" Mare said in her usual stutter.
"I'm glad you two could help with this." Ainz said, "I'm here to test a new spell I've learned and how much my summons have changed since my transformation."
"Firstly, I'll need some test subjects." Ainz said, "Aura, Mare, bring me two Dragonkins in the arena. They'll be my subjects."
"At once, Mistress!" The twins set off immediately, coming back immediately with two Dragonkins.
Dragonkins are Draconian Humanoid cousins of Dragons. Standing three meters tall and on both feet, they have dark orange scales and brown skin. Their appearance is a wingless dragon with a tail thick as a tree trunk. Both wielded a cracked square greatsword.
"Here they are, Mistress!" The dark elves said in unison.
"Thank you, you two. Now stay clear." Ainz raised an open hand towards one as the twins stood back, "Let's see how you'll change."
"[Monsterization]!" A magic circle appeared before Ainz and shot a pink beam of mana towards one. As it hit the Dragonkin, it roared as it felt its body change. It was engulfed by the same light like Ainz did, only the light was dimmer.
The change was rapid and once the light died down, a humanoid took its place. It had a muscular build, medium skin, dark orange hair, and yellow slitted eyes. It wore a brown leotard with draconic scales sharing the same hair color. And it held its weapon in its right hand. Its arms, legs, and tail remained unchanged; Something Ainz noted as it was a trait most Draconic Mamono shared.
"It seems the test was a success." Ainz said as the Monsterized Dragonkin knelt before her, "Do you what you are?"
"Yes, Mistress." it replied, "I am a Dragonkin Mamono. A close relative of dragons." The twins were in awe of what the spell did.
"It seemed it also gave it the ability of speech." Ainz noted, "That's expected. But does it remember memories before Monsterization?"
"Do you remember anything before changing?" Ainz asked the Dragonkin Mamono.
"Yes." It confirmed, "I remember working here in the Amphitheater as a cleaner as the rest of my kind did. Cleaning up the bodies of those who defy the Supreme Beings. Usually by consuming them as food."
"I see." Ainz nodded, "That's accurate. And can you change back to your original form?" Draconic Mamono had the unique ability to transform back to their original forms whenever they wanted.
"Yes." The Dragonkin Mamono confirmed.
"Do you prefer your new or your original form?" Ainz asked.
"To be honest, I prefer my new form." The Dragonkin answered.
"Ho…Why?" Ainz was surprised it preferred its new form over the original.
"When I was being transformed, I realized that my new form is more beautiful than my old one." The Dragonkin answered, "It made me realize how ugly my old form is and preferred the new one for its beauty."
"I understand." Ainz said as she started to prefer her new body over her original. It made others more comfortable talking to her and it's less intimidating when talking to humans. "And you'll only revert to your original form when necessary?"
"Yes, Milady." The Dragonkin Mamono confirmed.
Ainz then asked the most crucial question about a Mamono's nature.
"Do you have a desire to find a husband?" Ainz asked as it is present in every Mamono in the encyclopedias.
"Yes. I have a carnal desire to have a mate." The Dragonkin answered, and thumped her tail, "And I'll only marry a man who can beat me in combat!"
"So my theory is correct." Ainz thought, scratching her chin, "All Monsters after Monsterization develop a desire to find a husband. And it seems only Draconic Mamono mated with men who strike their fancy or beat them in combat. After their defeat in combat, they become submissive towards their husbands and as the book put it 'being mere female lizards without a dragon's pride'."
"Good. I've asked all I could." Ainz said, "You may stand." The Dragonkin Mamono obeyed and stood on her feet, roughly the same height as the non-Monsterized Dragonkin.
"She's so cool!" Aura said as she looked at the Dragonkin Mamono with an elated mood, "I can feel her body's as tough as the original."
"S-Sis, calm down!" Mare pleaded to her sister, "I think you're creeping her out!"
"Aura, that's enough." Ainz ordered and the beast tamer obeyed, she turned to the Dragonkin Mamono, "Now, I want to test your combat capabilities."
"It's simple. You will fight the non-transformed Dragonkin to the best of your abilities." Ainz explained as the Mamono saw the other drew its blade, "I want to see the difference in how both fight. Understand?"
"Yes, Mistress." The Dragonkin Mamono understood. Her mistress and the twins flew back to watch from afar. The two Dragonkins took their places and stared down at each other, growling and baring their teeth to the other.
"BEGIN!" Ainz shouted and the two Dragonkin charged at their opponent.
The two clashed blades and blows were traded. Due to the Mamono's slim body and agility, the Dragonkin struggled fighting the Mamono as the fight progressed. Ainz saw the improvement of its combat capabilities after Monsterization. The Dragonkin Mamono was faster and more flexible while retaining the strength and durability of its original form. And the non-Monsterized Dragonkin is losing.
"STOP!" Ainz commanded as the two Dragonkin halted their spar, approaching with the twins, "I've seen enough."
"You've done well." Ainz patted the Mamono on her shoulder, "Your fight exceeded my expectations."
"I accept your praise, Supreme one." The Dragonkin Mamono bowed her head in thanks.
"Now as for this one…" Ainz turned to the kneeling Dragonkin who lost against the Mamono, "You may join your sister together as Mamono."
Ainz casted [Monsterization] on the non-transformed Dragonkin and transformed it like the other one. It knelt before her as well before she told it to stand.
"Aura, Mare, take these two and turn the rest of the Dragonkin into Mamono." Ainz ordered them, "After examining the battle, The Dragonkin are stronger as Mamono in combat. Contact Pandora's Actor for the item necessary for it."
"At once, Milady!" The twins said and before they left, Mare asked one last question, "Lady Ainz, can we name them?"
"You may, but it's best if we let the Dragonkin name themselves." Ainz said, "Off you go now."
The Dark Elf twins left the Amphitheatre with the two Dragonkin Mamono to carry out her order. With Ainz alone, she could carry on to her second experiment.
"Now let's see how my summons have changed…" Ainz said to herself as she started casting summoning spells one after another.
For a few hours, she summoned every type of monster she could in her power. She discovered almost every single Undead she summoned had changed into its Mamono counterpart. It seemed all Undead Mamono shared gray skin and hair with some exceptions.
Skeletons became gray-skinned, white haired girls wearing lingerie made of bones. Except for the skeleton centipede, which is a centipede made out of bones.
Zombies vary in appearance but all had gray hair, gray skin, and wore rags and bandages as clothing. The Zombie Dragon looked the same as a Dragon Mamono except with sickly green skin, light gray hair, white scales on her arms, legs and tail, and dark green wings.
The Elder Lich became a young girl wearing nothing but a tattered violet hooded robe and bone anklets. A large cross with four purple eyes floated behind her and she carries a leather bound grimoire with a skull on the cover.
The Wraith became a Banshee Mamono, black hair and eyes, wearing a black mandarin gown, black thigh high stockings, black arm sleeves with fur cuffs, and a large black head veil. It resembled an elf due to the pointed ears.
The Death Knight was an armored woman wearing a black leotard, an armored chest plate, armored boots, gauntlets, and a horned helmet. It wields a tower shield and a Flamberge much like the original.
The Corpse Collector became a well-toned muscled girl wearing bandages on most of her body and tattered shorts. Red pustules grow all over her body and a few screws embedded on her shoulders.
The Soul Eater has turned into a Nightmare Mamono. A timid and shy centaur wearing violet hooded robe and dress on her upper human half. The lower half shared the same color with her hair being purple. It wields a gold scythe that could possibly tear a man's soul out.
And that's just some Ainz noted to have completely changed, including the Primal Elementals via the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown when her Mana was used for summoning. Some like the Messenger, Eyeball corpses, Bone Vultures, and Undead Beasts didn't change either because they don't have a Mamono counterpart or their forms are too monstrous.
Having dismissed all of her summons, she felt herself drained of mana from the continuous casting for hours on straight. With her experiments finished, she teleported back to her personal room. Taking off her robes, she laid down on her bed. Feeling the softness of her bed and blanket, she closed her eyes and let her mind rest. Undead can't truly sleep and don't feel fatigue but laying on a bed helps her mind recover from mental fatigue.
And in a few days, she had an emperor to meet. And give the Undead a new makeover.
Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix, the Bloody Emperor and current Emperor of the Baharuth Empire, walked through the halls of the Tomb which its denizens call home. Accompanied by two of three remaining Imperial Knights, Baziwood Peshmel and Leinas Rockbruise, and Fluder Paradyne, Imperial Court Wizard of the Baharuth Empire, they followed two maids towards the throne room of their ruler.
Earlier, at their arrival in the tomb by carriage with escorts, he was awed by the Undead within Nazarick. To Jircniv and his aid's surprise, all Undead took the form of beautiful women, contrary to how undead looked like. The Death Knights who served them refreshments were no exception; Taking the appearance of armored women as opposed to their skeletal counterparts. What's more is their intelligence, all are capable of speech and conversation with each having individual names. They referred to themselves as Mamono, a monster girl. If all undead are this intelligent at the surface, the whole world may not stand a chance.
Fluder was very surprised as well, for he had never heard of Mamono. He took the liberty to ask one of the Death Knights about their forms. The old wizard learned that succubus mana had the effects of turning them beautiful. All despised their old forms for how ugly they were. A couple made advances on one of his knights, Baziwood, to become their husband. Fortunately, the knight refused their advances, much to the Death Knights' dismay.
"Tremendous Wealth, Powerful Magic, and Beautiful Women…" Jircniv thought as they approached the throne room's entrance, "There is nothing I can offer what Ainz Ooal Gown already has…"
"My existence compared to Ainz is like an ant to a God." Jircniv thought to himself as he looked at his entourage, smiling internally, "I applaud you all for resisting the urge to run. I have to return home without harm to the delegation and the Empire as a whole."
"We have arrived." One of the maids wearing glasses leading them spoke, "Our master is waiting for you inside."
"Please be on your courteous behavior." The other maid with dark skin spoke, "You will also be in the presence of our lord's guardians. One wrong move and they'll kill you without hesitation."
Despite the ominous warning, the Baharuth Delegation entered the throne room as the doors opened. Jirvinc was amazed by the throne room itself, a testament to the lord's wealth. A grand hall with 41 banners hanging from the ceiling along with a large chandelier, and a red carpet.
His eyes first laid upon the guardians who stood near the throne with two lines of women wearing lingeries of bones. A large blue insectoid, a Vampire, a sharply dressed Toadman from what he assumed was one, a beautiful horned woman with black wings he assumed is a Succubus, and the Dark Elf twins who warned him of their lord's wrath. And when he laid his eyes on the throne, his expectations were shattered like a broken mirror.
Jircniv had expected to meet a terrifying undead from what the maids had told him of their lord. Instead of a skeletal monstrosity, he was met with what could possibly be the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen in his life.
A face seemed perfectly sculpted, ruby red eyes, gray skin and neck length hair. A modest chest and a slim build. Wearing ribcage corset and purple robe that accentuates her beauty, she had an air of royalty. Upon laying his eyes upon the undead's master, only one thought echoed in his mind.
"Death is a woman…" Jircniv spoke with hormones in his mind, "...and she is drop dead gorgeous!"
The Delegate walked up to the throne. Making himself presentable as best he could, the undead woman greeted them.
"I am Ainz Ooal Gown." The woman introduced herself, speaking with a voice of royalty, "And I welcome you all to my humble abode."
"Greetings, Lady Ainz Ooal Gown." Jircniv greeted back, "My name is-"
"Hold it!" The Toadman spoke up, "You will refer to our mistress as 'Lady Ainz' for you lowlifes are not worthy of speaking her full name! For she has no equal!"
"[Prostrate]!" The Toadman spoke, Jirvinc saw his companions bow their heads. Fortunately, his magic amulet protected him from minor forms of mind control.
"Demiurge!" Ainz shouted at the Toadman who flinched at her voice, "I will not have you be rude to our guests! I invited them here personally, and you'll treat them with respect like me!"
"M-My apologies, Lady Ainz!" Demiurge apologized, bowing his head, "My temper lost control for a moment…"
"[You may stand]" Demiurge commanded, letting the delegates stand on their feet.
Ainz sighed before facing the Emperor, "Forgive me for my subordinate. They can be overzealous sometimes." She said with a soft voice with no trace of her anger.
Jircniv blushed for a moment after hearing her voice. He coughed into his fist and recomposed himself.
"I understand, Lady Ainz." Jircniv said, "I too have overzealous subjects once a while."
"As I was saying, my name is Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix." The Emperor introduced himself, "You may call me Jircniv if you prefer."
"Well, Sir Jircniv…" Ainz said, crossing her legs, letting Jircniv see how smooth they were, "I believe you came to apologize for the Baharuth Workers' transgression for the invasion of my home?"
"Uh, yes I am…" Jirvinc momentarily distracted before confirming, "I came here personally to apologize on behalf of the Baharuth Empire and its workers for trespassing on your home."
"As a token of friendship, I bring you the head of Count Femel, the noble responsible for it." Jircniv gestured at Baziwood. The knight nodded and brought out a metal pot. After opening it, it contained the decaying severed head of the aforementioned count. Baziwood brought it up to Demiurge, picked it out of the pot. Baziwood stepped back to his Emperor's side.
Demiurge presented the head to his lady. Ainz held the head by its hair. She smiled at it.
"I thank you for your token, Sir Jircniv." Ainz's red eyes glowed briefly, "But I am not one to waste resources."
The head melted into a black sludge, surprising the delegates. The sludge shaped itself into a humanoid form before becoming a Death Knight Mamono. Jircniv was surprised Ainz made a Death Knight from a severed head. The new undead knelt before her master.
"Get in line with the others." Ainz commanded.
"Yes, Milady." The Death Knight obeyed and stood behind one of the lines of women.
"Is there anything else you'd like to say, Sir Jircniv?" Ainz inquired, leaning her head on her hand on the throne's armrest.
"Um, uh…" Jircniv struggled to come up with anything else, one came to his mind, "What are your intentions on the surface?"
"My intentions?" Ainz wondered before answering, "To spread peace and love to the world, of course!"
"Peace and love?" Jircniv said in disbelief, "I was not expecting that considering you're undead… No offense."
"None taken." Ainz smiled and held her head high, "Not all undead hate the living. Do you wanna know something, Sir Jircniv?"
"What is it?" Jircniv wondered.
"We Mamono generally dislike killing." Ainz said, "Us undead Mamono don't hate the living. If we hate the living, how can we spread our love to the world?"
"I…you seem to make a good point." Jircniv found himself agreeing with Lady Ainz. Why hate when you could make love?
"I've planned to create a kingdom where Mamono and Humans can live together in harmony." Ainz said, "Yet I don't have the land to rule over…"
"I can offer the land you need!" Jircniv blurted out, surprising the delegates and Ainz herself, "I can also solidify and legitimize your rulership over it."
"Ho…You're willing to give me some of your Empire's territory for me to rule?" Ainz said, scratching her chin, "You're a generous one, Sir Jircniv."
"Not exactly the Empire's land but the land beyond it." Jircniv clarified, "The Katze Plains and the city of E-Rantel is what I offer."
"You're offering lands you don't even rule." Ainz stated, slightly frowning.
"I can if you and your forces aid us in an upcoming battle." Jircniv explained, "Every year, my Empire waged skirmishes with the armies of the Re-Estize Kingdom. My goal was to weaken their military through the years and conquer it at its weakest state."
"After hearing your intentions, I've decided it would be best given to you." Jircniv said, "To fully realize your dream. A kingdom of peace and happiness where all races could live together."
The Baharuth delegates, the guardians, and Ainz were speechless at Jircniv's speech. Surprised at the Emperor's willingness to help Ainz realize her dream. At this point, it would be mad to say the Emperor has fallen in love with Death herself.
Ainz stood up from her throne and approached the blonde emperor. Jircniv repressed a blush from his face and maintained his composure as Ainz got closer, composure slowly unraveling.
Ainz stood face-to-face with Jircniv and raised her right hand for a handshake. The Emperor recognized the gesture and shook hands with Ainz.
"I accept your offer, Sir Jircniv." Ainz said, "I will provide aid to your forces in the battle against Re-Estize."
"Thank you, Lady Ainz." Jircniv thanked her, "The battle will be on the Katze Plains next week."
"Thank you as well, Sir Jircniv." Ainz leaned closer to his face and the Emperor could no longer suppress a blush, "And one last thing, consider it a token of friendship…"
Ainz kissed Jircniv on the cheek. Feeling her soft lips, Jircniv's mind blanked out and made a thousand-mile stare as he processed what happened.
The delegates and the guardians were also surprised, except two who were glowing with rage and jealousy.
Ainz stepped back and saw Jircniv dazed. She quietly chuckled at the sight. "I believe this meeting is finished. The Emperor and I have agreed on equal terms."
"[Gate]" Ainz casted, opening a black and purple portal, "This will take you back to the surface. And I will meet you all in the Katze Plains. Farewell."
Unknown to them, Ainz smiled internally as she got everything she needed thanks to her Mamono charm.
The Baharuth Delegates thanked Ainz and stepped through the portal, finding themselves back at the Tomb's entrance. They mounted their carriage and left soon alongside their knight escorts.
Inside the carriage, Jircniv, still dazed, sat quietly next to Fluder and in front of Baziwood. Fluder waved his elderly hands in front of his majesty's face, still not responding.
"I believe the boy has never experienced a woman as beautiful and intelligent as Lady Ainz." Fluder said, talking to Baziwood, "This is the first time I've seen him like this."
"Do you think he truly meant what he said?" Baziwood asked, "Helping her realize her dream?"
"Yes, the look on his eyes and his voice never betrayed what he meant." Fluder said, "And Lady Ainz never casted a spell on him since we entered."
"What about the kiss?" Baziwood asked, "Was a spell triggered by it?"
"Like I said, magic was never casted during the talks." Fluder dismissed Baziwood's suspicions, "The kiss was a harmless gesture the Emperor didn't expect. Look at him, still red from it."
The old wizard chuckled to himself, Baziwood dismissed the thought and asked himself what his majesty was thinking.
"I'm f*cking in love with Death…" Jircniv thought to himself, "Is that a good thing?"
With a single kiss, Jircniv the Bloody Emperor was charmed. And he'll wish for more…