Chapter 10: Bloody Tears: Part 1
Shining Golden Pavilion
"You call this a meal?! It tastes like dog food!" The shrill, high pitch voice of Solution cuts through the air, as several people turned to look at her as she kicks up a fuss.
"My apologies, madam." One of the Waiters said trying to calm her down, but his efforts were all of naught
"Enough!" She yelled before turning her attention to the old butler behind her, who throughout her rant, only wore a neutral expression. "I do not wish to stay here a moment longer, Sebas."
"Understood, my lady." Sebas said
"Hmph." She muttered before storming toward a destitute-looking man shoveling food into his mouth. "Zack!"
"Yes, Miss?"
"Stop stuffing your face and get the carriage. I want this town at my back within the hour." She said, before flouncing out of the dining room. She was still fuming as she did so.
"I apologize to everyone for the disturbance." Sebas bowed deeply to everyone in the dining room. Quite a few of them accepted the old man's immaculate apology with pitying eyes. "Please, enjoy your meal." He added, before watching the retreating form of Zack leave the hall.
Resisting the urge to sigh, Sebas couldn't help but feel disappointed in this, Zack fellow.
Unlike most of Nazarick who would derived pleasure from treating people like Zack as toys, Sebas did not share those views.
There were some shared opinions in the Great Tomb of Nazarick, such as, "Everything which does not belong to Nazarick is an inferior lifeform," and "Other than a rare few exceptions, humans and demihumans are weaklings that must be trampled." Sebas operated by his creator's credo that "those who do not save the weak cannot call themselves strong," and thus he had his doubts about those opinions.
"Good grief. Humans should be an outstanding species…" Sebas thought as he stroked his neatly-trimmed moustache, he turned his thoughts to what he should do next.
Just as Sebas was thinking about the direction in which he would proceed, he noticed a man approaching him.
"It must be quite hard on you to have to set out at this time."
The person addressing him was a clean-shaven man in his late forties. His black hair was streaked with white, and due to age and heavy meals, his pot belly was soft and rounded. He was tastefully-dressed, in clothes that both reflected his high station and his sense of style.
"Sir Bardo, I presume?" Sebas dipped his head in acknowledgement. The man extended a hand to stop him.
"Ah, no, no, there's no need for such formality."
The man called Bardo Lofley was a merchant, who controlled a large portion of the grain trade in this city. For some reason, he had come over and begun speaking to Sebas.
"Sir Sebas, that person's not a good sort."
"Is he?" Sebas's expression changed for the first time as he smiled while answering courteously. His response implied that he knew exactly who Bardo was referring to.
"He's not a trustworthy fellow. I have no idea why you would employ someone like him."
Sebas thought quickly, looking for the answer which was most appropriate to the present circumstances. "That might be correct, but nobody has sold himself the way he does. Granted, his personality is flawed, but the Young Mistress appreciates his passion."
Bardo smiled uncomfortably, and his opinion of the young mistress in question fell by another notch. "I fear I have gone too far. I hope you will remove those words from your memory; though I would still suggest that you try to persuade your mistress otherwise."
"There might be merit in your words. However, when I think of the Young Mistress's father; that is to say, the kindness that he showed me, I simply cannot…"
"Of course, loyalty is important…" Bardo's voice trailed off, and the rest was unintelligible. "In that case, would you like me to send a few reliable men along with you?"
"There is no need for you to go to such lengths for us." Sebas said.
"Is that so? I personally feel it would be better to be escorted by competent bodyguards. The way to the Royal Capital is long, and unlike the Empire, the roads of the Kingdom are not very safe. I could recommend some reliable mercenaries."
"Indeed, you might be right to say so. However, the Young Mistress does not like having people by her side, and so I am bound to comply with her requests as much as possible."
"Is that so?" Bardo was now frowning in an exaggerated manner, a troubled expression on his face. This was how an adult would react in the face of a child throwing a tantrum.
"I apologize for having to reject your kindness."
"Please don't say that. In truth, I wanted to do you a favor, with the hopes of building a stronger relationship with you."
Sebas smiled gently at this. "I will relay your kindness to the Young Mistress's father, Sir Bardo."
A faint gleam crept into Bardo's eyes, but he swiftly concealed it. Normal people would not have perceived that momentary glittering. However, that brief exposure was more than enough for Sebas to notice it.
"Then, though I apologize for my rudeness, I must make a move first, for the Young Mistress is waiting." Sebas took the initiative before Bardo could speak.
Bardo who had been seen through blinked and studied Sebas's expression briefly, before sighing. "Hm, it can't be helped, then. Sir Sebas, when you come to this city again, please look for me. I will welcome you warmly."
"Very well. When the time comes, we will be in your care."
As he watched Bardo leave, Sebas muttered to himself. "Humans really are a varied bunch."
Sebas could sense that Bardo's actions were not purely motivated by personal gain. He was genuinely concerned for the girl and her butler.
It was because of people like these, who wanted to help those in need, that he could not bring himself to hate humanity. An unforced smile bloomed on Sebas's face.
Pavilion Suite
After knocking several times, Sebas announced himself, before entering the room.
"Forgive my unsightly conduct from earlier, Master Sebas."
As Sebas closed the door after himself, the bowing form of Solution greeted him.
"There is no need to apologize. You were simply doing your job."
"Yes, that is true for this mission. However, as a member of the Pleiades, I am your subordinate first and foremost, Master Sebas." She said before raising her head
"Well, Lady Shalltear has most certainly grown anxious to play her part in all of this." Sebas nods understandable. "I will let her know the time has finally come. By the way, is Zack performing as we expected?"
"Yes, sir. As we speak, he is meeting with a filthy man in the back alley." Solution said with a smile. "They are planning to attack us somewhere outside the city. And use me for all manner of unspeakable things."
"I am happy to hear it. Everything is unfolding exactly as Lord Ainz predicted…" Sebas said as he became lost in thoughts. "...Though it pains me to know that Lord Ben was not involve in this missions plan. Perhaps if he was aware of this missions details, a senseless slaughter could have been averted…"
"One more thing, master." Solution said, ending Sebas's line of thinking. "I'd like to have that man once he's no longer useful."
"It would be best to ask Lady Shalltear first, but I'm sure it will be fine."
"Thank you very much."
"And why are you so interested in him?"
"He thinks he will get to enjoy a piece of me. So, I thought I'd let him have a taste. A little slice of heaven before he sees hell." Solution's face twisted into a sinister smile.
Nazarick
Ben drowsily blinked his eyes, as though trying to restore his vision. As he slowly sat up, his gaze swept across the familiar surroundings of his bedroom. His mind foggy, he slowly rubbed his temples, trying to massage away the lingering haze.
"How did I get here?" He asked himself as he struggled to recall how he'd ended up in his room. Not only was he in his bed, but someone had gone through the trouble of tucking him in, judging by the unfamiliar blanket he was holding to his chest.
Before he could continue his line of questioning, Ben suddenly felt a presence behind him. Slowly turning around to face the intruder, he was completely stunned as his gaze met the concerned eyes of Albedo, who protectively stood a few meters away from his bed.
On locking eyes with the Succubus, Ben was instantly assaulted with the memories of himself collapsing on the hallway of his room as he cried into her hands.
The thought that he had abruptly cried Infront of her made him cast his eyes downward in embarrassment. "I must look ridiculous to you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. As he shifted his weight to avoid her eyes, Ben suddenly felt her hand brush against his face.
"You will never look ridiculous to me." Her words carried a weight of sincerity that caused him to relax.
For a brief moment, he just sat there enjoying her company. "How long was I out?"
"Six hours seventeen minutes."
Ben slightly cringed at the accurate answer. From her words, it would seem it was now either 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning. "I should get going." He said regretfully. "I think I've kept Ainz waiting long enough."
"I don't know if my heart can bare you leaving again." She said with a hint of sadness. "Not after what just happened to you."
"You don't have to worry about me." He said before taking her hands into his own. "The individual responsible for my…condition, is currently being delt with."
"Would that be the individual you brought with you to the Frozen Prison?" Albedo asked
"How-"
"As Guardian Overseer, nothing happens in Nazarick without my knowledge…" Albedo answered his unspoken question. "...Also the NPCs who passed your room earlier were unfortunately loud gossipers."
"I see…" Ben said as his face suddenly turned serious. "Don't kill her…I have a feeling that you intend to punish her for my breakdown."
"You know me too well my Love."
"I won't stop you, but please, refrain from killing her." Ben said
"You have my word." Albedo promised.
Satisfied with her reply, Ben proceeded to stand up from his bed as he prepared to teleport to Lizzie's shop. Since he was still in his sage attire, Ben did not feel the need to change into something else. Right before he planned to leave, a stray thought suddenly crossed his mind.
Without thinking, he quickly planted a kiss on Albedo's cheek. Taken aback by his own action, Ben began blushing faintly as Albedo glowed red like a traffic light. "...I…*cough*...I promise we'll spend more time together the next time I…return." choosing not to wait for her reply, Ben swiftly Bifrosted out of the room, leaving a rather giddily Albedo in his wake.
Pauper's District
A stagecoach galloped away from the Fortress City. It was a large vehicle that could comfortably seat six people, pulled by a quartet of horses.
Within the Vehicle was Sebas, with Solution by his side. Opposite him was Shalltear, flanked by two of the Vampire Brides who were her minions-cum-concubines. Zack was obviously driving the wagon from the driver's seat.
A brief silence filled the air inside the wagon, and then at great length, Sebas spoke to break it. "There is one thing I have been meaning to ask you for a while."
"Mm? What do you have in mind?"
"I noticed that you and Lady Aura do not get along very well. Is there any particular reason for that?"
"...Actually, I feel we do get along quite well." As Shalltear answered quietly, she stared at the nail of her pinky finger, as though bored. Although she had a file in hand, the nail looked quite neatly trimmed, so there was no need to work further on it. Shalltear also felt that further action was unnecessary, so she tossed the file to one of the Vampire Brides by her side.
After that, she made to grope the breasts of the vampires beside her with her now-empty hands. However, when she noticed the expressions on the two people in front of her, she retracted her hands, a somewhat embarrassed look on her face.
"It does not seem that way," Sebas continued.
Shalltear's face wrinkled up, like she had eaten something bitter, and then she replied. "I… I think we do get along. I simply tease her a little because my creator, Lord Peroroncino, designed me to feud with her. Still, there is no real enmity there. Perhaps Lady Bukubukuchagama designed that girl to not get along with me as well."
"You see, that flat-chested insect's creator, Lady Bukubukuchagama, is actually the sister of Lord Peroroncino."
"I never knew about this!" Sebas said, genuinely surprised by this revelation
"I happened to overhear my blessed creator talking about it with Lord Ains one evening."
Flashback
Within the Third floor of Nazarick, a motionless Shalltear is seen standing Infront of Ainz(Momonga) and Peroroncino, who seems to be groaning at something.
"Is something wrong, Peroroncino?" Ainz asked his friend, who seemed to be lost in thoughts
"My sister is the lead voice in the new H-Game I just bought." Peroroncino answered before kicking a rock.
"Well, Bukubukuchagama is a popular voice actor these days. But I totally feel your pain, man."
"I was itchin' to hit it hardcore, too."
"Better save those tissues for another day." Momonga said as his avatar produced a 'Sweat Drop' emoji.
Present Time
"What is a "voice-actor"?" Sebas asked
"Apparently, voice actors have an incredibly important job. They imbue souls into beings that are otherwise soulless." Shalltear explained. "To put it plainly, they bring things to life, like any decent god should."
"I see." Sebas said. "Thank you for sharing all of that with us, Lady Shalltear. You honor us both. Learning more about the Supreme Beings is truly humbling. Especially from you, my lady."
"There's no need to take it to heart… ah, right, Sebas, since we are fellow travellers, there's no need to be so formal."
"Is that so, Lady Shalltear?"
"Don't address me as, Lady… we are all servants of the Supreme Beings. They may have handed down our positions and set some of us over others, but the truth is that we're all basically the same."
"I understand, Shalltear." Sebas said with a nod. "Then, I shall address you in this way from now on."
"That's good to hear. Come to think of it, you don't get along with Demiurge either, do you?"
Sebas remained silent. Shalltear narrowed her eyes, like a playful child, and continued asking. "The Supreme Beings did not design you that way, so why is that?"
"...I wonder. The truth is, I don't know why that is the case as well." Sebas admitted. "It must be some sort of instinct that makes me dislike him. However the same should apply to him as well."
"Hmm, it doesn't seem that way to me… still, it might be because the feelings of our creators, the Supreme Beings, were deeply engraved within our hearts."
"That is very likely to be the case."
Shalltear carefully studied Sebas, who nodded to her. Then, after considering his position, Shalltear felt that he would know the answer to the question which had long hidden in her heart. "What kind of people are found in the Eighth Floor? I know about Victim, but who else is there besides him?"
Sebas frowned at the sudden question, confused as to why it was asked.
Noticing his confused gaze, Shalltear decided to explain the reason for her question. "...In the past, besides Lord Ben's infiltration of Nazarick, there were fools who defied the Supreme Beings and invaded Nazarick, breaching the defenses of the Seventh Floor. However, they did not reach the Ninth Floor, where the Supreme Beings resided. That being the case, they must have been stopped at the Eighth Floor, right? Though I do not have any recollection of the event, the opposition must have brought fearsome fighting power with them to make it that far in, so I believe they were halted with equally extraordinary might. However, I have no idea who intercepted the intruders. No, Albedo should know. After all, she is the Guardian Overseer of Nazarick. It would be strange if she did not know that."
As though ignoring the silent Sebas, Shalltear continued asking.
"...It's kind of annoying to hear she's one step ahead of me. What sort of mysterious beings are found on the Eighth Floor? Characters personally crafted by Lord Ainz, perhaps?"
"...No, that should not be the case." Sebas answered. "This is just a rumor, but I heard that the NPC Ainz created is called Pandora's Actor, and his strength is comparable to the rest of us Guardians. Apparently, he defends the depths of the Treasury."
"Does someone like that really exist?"
"I do not know." Sebas admitted. "Still, the Eighth Floor is a mysterious place… it's kind of a shame."
"Indeed. There must be something inside. After all, it is a place that even we cannot enter…" Shalltear said as she eyed Sebas's hand. "...Or at least, one of us can't."
On realizing what she was looking at, Sebas proceeded to study the 'Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown', currently resting on his hand. "I do not know when I was given this ring, but from what I remember, it was given to me by Lord Ben."
"It would seem Lord Ben has taken a liking to you." Shalltear said with a hint of jealousy. "Could it be that it's because you're his brother's creation? Or there's something more to it?"
"If there is, then I am unaware of it."
"Okay, forget about what I just asked. Let's go back to the Eighth Floor. Could it be there's a trap in there which might even attack us?"
"Mm, that's not a bad idea, though if I had to guess… could it be a deathtrap that indiscriminately kills anyone who enters it?"
"The Great Tomb of Nazarick was hand-crafted by the Supreme Beings, and defended by us, who have pledged our lives in service. Anyone who could penetrate an impregnable fortress like that and breach the Seventh Floor would probably not be stopped by a trap like that…"
"Do you want to take a look?" Shalltear had a smile on her face, like a child up to some mischief.
Sebas's smile was the same as always, but there was a certain nuance to it now. "Do you intend to defy Lord Ainz wishes?"
"Just kidding, just kidding. It was just a joke, no need to look so scary."
"Shalltear… curiosity killed the cat. We should wait quietly until Lord Ainz tells us otherwise."
"You've got a point there… then, has our prey taken the bait?"
Sebas did not ask about the sudden change in topic. Instead he directly replied. "Yes, they've fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. All we need to do is reel them in."
Shalltear nodded slightly, and then she lightly licked her lips. Her crimson pupils blazed.
Sebas immediately realized what would put Shalltear in a mood like that. Sensing that this was the perfect time to do so, he decided to bring up Solution's request from earlier. "I have a request to make concerning this matter, Shalltear."
"...What is it?"
The reply was one of annoyance, given that Sebas had jolted Shalltear out of her delight over what was soon to unfold. As though to comfort her, Sebas continued. "Could you give the driver of our coach to this girl?"
"...Is he an underling?"
"Indeed. He seems to be a messenger of sorts."
Shalltear closed her eyes and pondered the request. After considering several possibilities, she seemed to have come to a conclusion, and she nodded. "That should be fine. Besides, he doesn't look like he'd taste good if I fed on him."
"You have my sincerest thanks for your generosity, Shalltear."
"Thank you, Lady Shalltear." Solution bowed
"Ah, you're welcome, think nothing of it." Shalltear said before facing Sebas. "Then, we're even for that little mistake of mine just now."
"I understand… In truth, I didn't expect you to do anything quite as foolish as that. It was merely a jest, was it not?"
"Indeed, you're right. If you had said such a thing, Sebas, I would have taken it as a joke as well. Then I would have my subordinates watch you in silence. At the first sight of any treachery on your part, I would remove your limbs and have your torso dragged in chains before Lord Ainz."
"I'm hardly as ruthless as you are, Shalltear."
"No? Things like that only make me doubt your loyalty more. You would do that too, wouldn't you?"
Sebas and Shalltear locked eyes, and then they both smiled.
"Anyway, I like cute girls the best. There might be a different sort of entertainment in giving him to Solution."
"Then, how do you intend to capture them? Through [Paralysis] or [Hold Person]?" Sebas asked, changing their current topic.
"Why would I go to such great lengths? Lord Ainz did say that it was all right to drain them dry and turn them into slaves. The important things was that I absolutely had to capture them. Still… investigating them all one by one would be a hassle, so I might as well just suck them all dry."
Sebas did not speak the words in his heart. Still, he had to acknowledge that he was not entirely comfortable with Shalltear's interpretation of her orders.
With that in mind, Sebas still voiced his opinion . "From that point of view, Lord Demiurge would be the most suitable for that sort of work. After all, he can control his opponent's thoughts, much like Lady Aura can with her breath."
"...Hah?" Shalltear exclaimed in an unbelievably low tone.
The mood within the coach turned grim immediately, as though a fog of bone-chilling cold hung in the air.
Even the horses pulling the coach seemed to have sensed this, because the vehicle suddenly lurched. The bloodless faces of the Vampire Brides flanking Shalltear turned even paler than usual, while Solution shuddered in her place beside Sebas. Even Sebas, whose might should have been on par with Shalltear's, could feel goosebumps breaking out on him.
As Shalltear chilled the air ever further, the color of her crimson pupils began to spill out into her sclera, dying her eyes red as though they were filling with blood.
"Sebas…could you say that again? Or are you saying that a Dragonoid like yourself, in that form, wants to…" Her eyeballs, now completely red twitched. "...Wants to start a fight with me?"
"I misspoke, please forgive me." Sebas said in a rather calm manner, despite the circumstances. "I was merely a little uneasy. It would be fine as long as your [Blood Frenzy] doesn't kick in."
Shalltear's response was silence.
Sebas could tell that the brief silence was a sign of her unease toward herself. Shalltear began taking several deep breaths. She seemed to be trying to suck her anger back up, or perhaps she was trying to quell the uneasiness in her heart.
With her last breath, Shalltear resumed her normal expression and her pupils returned to their original color. "...For the most part, they'll become my slaves after I drain their blood, which should make things simple. Besides, we don't need to bring them back alive. Lord Ainz brought it up before as well. Also, I will definitely keep my [Blood Frenzy] under control."
"Please forgive my shallow comments." Sebas's apology was sincere and came from the heart. It was not just directed to Shalltear, but to someone else. "I did not realize that my statements were a slight on Lord Ainz, who chose you for this task, and I apologize for that as well. I hope you will forgive me for displeasing you."
Just then, the coach shuddered, and they heard neighing from the horses which drew the vehicle.
"...It seems we have stopped." Shalltear said
"Indeed."
Outside the Coach
After Zack leapt off the driver's seat, he jogged over to the men who had appeared. About ten strong men had emerged from the forest, surrounding the vehicle.
"Knock-knock, girlie!" One man yelled. "Why don't you come outside? We wanna play with ya!"
"You'll let me have a go afterwards, right?" Zack asked. "I mean, I am the one who brought them here."
Suddenly, the coach doors slowly opened, revealing Shalltear as she slowly stepped out of the Coach. The gathered sellswords and bandits laughed coarsely and looked on her with lustful eyes. It was clear from their expressions that they were delighted. However, one person among them was taken aback…
"...Who is this?" Zack asked, but the bandits around him paid no attention to his question.
Shalltear smiled lewdly as she bathed in the enthralled gazes of the men. She advanced unguardedly before them. "Gentlemen, thank you for coming all this way here for me. May I know who is your leader? May I negotiate with him?"
"This ain't your lucky night, sweetheart. Just go along with it and we won't take your life, okay?" The bandit who happened to be standing in front of Shalltear reached out to grope that ample bust of hers, which did not match her age.
And then, the appendage tumbled to the ground.
"Could you not touch me with your filthy hand?"
The dumbfounded man looked at his now handless arm, and after a moment's delay, he wailed. "Ahhhhhhhh! My, my haaaaaaaand-!"
"You're making so much noise over losing a single hand. Are you even a man?" Shalltear casually flicked her hand as she muttered quietly, and the man's head fell to the earth as well.
The nightmare before them hardly seemed real. The bandits were terrified, unable to react in the wake of this tremendous shock. However, what they saw next snapped them back to their senses.
The fresh blood spurting from the severed portions of the body moved as though it had a will of its own, gathering above Shalltear's head and forming an orb of blood.
"She's a magic caster!" One Bandit managed to yell, as the others continued to panic
"How boring. Clean this mess up. Also, leave that one…understood?"
"Yes, Lady Shalltear."
The Vampire Brides waiting behind Shalltear on either side stepped forward, and one of them punched the face of a bandit trying to attack Shalltear, sending him flying.
The bandits arced through the air, accompanied by the sound of something like a filled balloon popping. All manner of bodily fluids, blood, brain matter, and more, burst forth from his skull.
More than half of the bandit's head went flying, and pinkish brains sprayed from the shattered cranium. Pulled by gravity, the bandit's corpse rolled to the ground with a great thud. That sound was a starting bell which filled the bandits with terror, and Shalltear with delight.
E Rental
"Well you sure took your sweet time." Ainz said the moment Ben appeared inside Lizzie's shop
"I…overslept." Ben said before noticing the only presence in the shop was that of Ainz, Hamsuke and the Corpses of the Sword of Darkness. "Where is Narberal? More importantly, where is Nfirea and his grandmother?"
"I sent the boy and his Grandmother to the village of Crane." Ainz answered. "Narberal is just there to make sure they arrive unharmed."
"Was that really necessary?" Ben asked
"I intend to make good use of Nfirea talent for saving him."
"We didn't save them to get anything in return."
"Correction, you didn't save them to get anything in return." Ainz said
"You know what, I don't have time for an argument right now." Ben said as he began heading for the storeroom
"What do you intend to do with their bodies?" Ainz asked
"Their families need to know of their passing."
"Do you even know where to find them? That's if they have any surviving relative at all."
"Well, part of registering in the Guild is to write down your home town…I could basically ask the guild for that info."
"I don't think we have time for that, with our coming promotion and all."
"The promotion can wait…or you could stand in for the both of us while I'm gone." Ben said
"...Fine."
Pauper's District
The moment the Carnage began, Zack hurriedly rushed into the forest in a desperate attempt to save himself.
Despite being about 100 meters away from the coach, he could still hear the screams of the bandits as those women continued to tear them to shreds.
Getting tired from all his running, Zack hugged himself, as though trying to conceal his presence.
"Sir Zack, come this way."
The gentle voice of Solution came from behind him. Zack looked fearfully behind himself, and saw his employer standing before him.
Her expression did not match the haughty and argumentative heiress that he knew her for. If he had been calm enough, he might have felt suspicious about this, but Zack, who had been driven into confusion by this bizarre world and the stink of blood had no energy left to suspect anything.
"What are those monsters!?" Zack wailed, his voice cracking, at Solution. "Why didn't you tell me there were monsters like these around!? Don't keep quiet, speak up! Let's get this straight, this is all your fault! The furious Zack could no longer bear it. He reached out to grab Solution by the collar and roughly shook her.
"...I understand. Please follow me."
"You… are you going to save me!?"
"No, I simply wish to take this last chance to enjoy you." Solution spoke softly to Zack as she reached behind her back, as though to undo her dress. As Zack saw this, he stared with his mouth open.
Solution's hands had not stopped at all during all this, and so a thoroughly confused Zack asked. "You… what are you doing?"
"Please don't be too excited. If possible… I'd like you to be gentle with me. It would make me very happy." With that, Solution easily peeled off her figure-hugging bodice.
As though waiting for that moment, her tightly-bound breasts sprang forth. They were firm, springy globes, and her skin seemed vaguely translucent under the moonlight.
Zack gulped at the sight before him.
"Please."
Solution thrust her chest out, as though inviting him to fondle her.
"What do you want me to…"
Zack had forgotten himself as he fixated on the body before him.
She was beautiful. This was the most beautiful female body Zack had ever seen in his life.
Zack could no longer hold himself back, and he seized the more shapely of Solution's breasts.
And then his entire hand sank into her.
Zack thought for a moment that her body was so soft that it felt as though his entire hand had gone into her. But as he looked at his hand, he realized that this was not the case.
Zack's hand had literally sunk into Solution's body.
"What… what the hell is this!?"
Zack screamed in surprise and tried to pull his hand back, but he could not budge it. Not only did it not move back, it was sucked further in. It seemed as though there were many writhing tentacles inside Solution which had latched onto Zack's hand and were drawing him in.
Solution's beautiful face did not change even under these strange circumstances. She simply watched Zack in silence.
"Oi, stop! Let go of me!"
Zack balled up his other hand into a fist and swung with all his strength at Solution's pretty face.
Once, twice, three times…Zack swung at full force, punching heavily and not caring if his fist was injured. That beautiful face remained unmoved despite a grown man striking it with all his might. It did not seem to hurt her at all.
Instead, Zack was frightened by what he felt when he hit her.
That sensation was like punching a soft, filled waterskin. Under normal circumstances, there should have been some resistance to his punch, but he did not feel that he had struck bone at all. This was not how punching a human being should have felt.
Zack choked back the impulse to scream. Eventually, it dawned upon him. The woman baring her chest to him before his eyes was also a monster.
"Did you finally realize it? Then, let's begin the fun part, shall we?"
"Aaaahhhhh!"
"I am now dissolving your hand."
Zack could not understand these cold words through the agony which gripped him. This was no longer in the realm of his comprehension.
"The truth is, I deeply enjoy watching things dissolve. Therefore, I felt it was a happy coincidence that you wanted to be inside me, Sir Zack."
"...You damn monster, go to hell!"
Fighting back the pain, Zack drew his shortsword as he shouted at her. Then, he forcefully stabbed at Solution's pretty face, and her body quivered.
"Take that!"
However, Zack immediately realized that he had been far too hasty. What good would stabbing the surface of a lake with a shortsword do? It would merely make more ripples, and that was what happened.
Solution turned to look at Zack, still with a short sword sticking out of her face. "I'm sorry, but I am resistant to physical attacks, so a blow like that cannot harm me. Then, I shall dissolve it."
An acrid stench seared his nose, and within seconds, the shortsword fell from Solution's face, its blade half-dissolved. Just as she had said, her beautiful, unmarred visage lay before his eyes.
"Who the hell are you!?"
"I am a predatory Slime. Since time is limited, I will need to swallow you up."
Zack's arms were pulled into Solution's body. So forceful was the suction that Zack could not resist it, even if he were capable of doing so.
"Stop stop stop stop stop! Spare me, spare me, spare me please!"
Zack cried and begged, but the force drawing him into Solution's body was still very strong. His arms, his shoulders, all of them were steadily devoured by her body.
"Lilia!"
With that last scream, Zack's face was sucked into Solution's body. And so, Zack was swallowed whole.
After a few minutes had passed, there were no longer any survivors. The place was one which reeked of a foul stench.
Shalltear turned to Solution who was rearranging her messed-up collar as she emerged from the direction of the coach. "Oh, is it over?"
"Yes, I was quite satisfied. I am profoundly grateful to you for this."
"No need to stand on ceremony. We're all servants of Nazarick, after all. Speaking of which, did that human have fun?"
"He is currently enjoying himself. Would you like to see?"
"Hm? May I? Then, let me have a quick look."
A man's arm suddenly erupted from Solution's face, accompanied by a vile stench that stung the nose. The source of the odour was that arm. Its muscles were badly dissolved after being exposed to powerful acid, and the reaction of the blood from within the muscles and the acid created gouts of thick fumes.
The arm thrashed about like it had emerged from the surface of a lake, desperately struggling to find a grip on something. Juices flowed from the exposed muscles with every twitch.
"My apologies, I did not know he was still so full of energy."
Solution was a bizarre sight as she bowed in apology, what with the arm sticking out of her face. She then shoved the arm back into her face, smiling after the flailing arm had been completely swallowed up once more.
"It's amazing how you can swallow a man whole and look as though nothing had happened."
"Thank you for your praise. It is not outwardly visible because the interior of my body was originally empty. In addition, I have always been a creature like this, so this must be the effect of some sort of specialized magic."
"Oh…Hm, this might be a bit nosy of me, but when will he die?"
"I could secrete a stronger acid to kill him immediately if you wish, but since a human who wishes to enter me is a rare occasion, I would like to let him enjoy it for an entire day."
"I didn't hear any screams, did you corrode him with acid?"
"No, I did not. If I dissolved his throat with acid, he might suffocate due to being unable to breathe. Therefore, I inserted part of my body into him to suppress his voice, and it also has the effect of preventing bad smells."
"Not bad. Do you get along with that interrogator?"
"Lady Neuronist? The Special Intelligence-Gathering Officer? Regretfully, I cannot understand that person's aesthetic sense."
Shalltear planned to continue, but she was interrupted by a voice behind her.
"Solution, I've finished up over here. We can move out any time," Sebas called out from the driver's seat, having replaced the reins.
"Understood, I'm coming. Then, Lady Shalltear, though it pains my heart to leave, allow me to bid you farewell."
Shalltear looked to Solution as she hurried back into the coach, and then to Sebas, who was seated at the driver's place.
"Then, we shall part ways for the time being, Sebas."
"Is that so… does this mean you have already discovered the bandits' hideout?"
"Indeed. We shall invade them afterwards and look for any interesting people who might know something which would please Lord Ainz. Otherwise this would have all been a waste of time."
"I see. It was a pleasure travelling with you, Lady Shalltear."
"Thank you for that. Let us meet again in Nazarick."
Bloomingdale Village
Getting the info he needed from the guild had turned out to be far easier for Ben than he earlier anticipated. The receptionist had been rather helpful once he informed her of his reason and wasted no time in handing him their Guild Registration documents.
The problem was actually the content of the files. From the documents, Peter, Lukrut and Dyne were all from E-Rental, but it turned out that none of them had any living relatives. This unfortunate info had left a bitter taste in Ben's mouth as he continued to go through their files.
At first he contemplated buring them in Nazarick, but he decided to put that thought on hold for the meantime. After going through the Ninya's filled, he found out that she had an Aunt who lived in a small village East of E-Rental. With at least one proof of a living relative, Ben conjured a protective barrier around the corpses in Lizzie's shop before teleporting a few miles away from Ninya's village.
Once there, he decided to walk the rest of the way towards the village. As the village came into view, Ben couldn't help but noticed multiple people working on a corn field. At first, he didn't put much attention to the workers, but as he got closer, he then realized that the people working on the farm were not just men and women, but also children.
To make matters worse, none of the people working on the farm looked healthy. They all looked like they had never tasted a good meal in days…weeks even.
As Ben continued to question what he was seeing, a rather plumped up man wearing expensive clothing started approaching, with two Thugs behind him.
"Ah, welcome." The man said while spreading his arms. "To think that a nobleman from the Eight Fingers would grace us with his presence. Though I was not expecting you to arrive this early."
Not bothering to correct the man for mistaking him for someone else, Ben slowly shifted his gaze to the people working on the field.
"What am I looking at?"