“Is that fine?”
“Not a problem. Go ahead and make your team. Perhaps in the future, this team of yours could even be used for other things.”
“My deepest gratitude, Ainz-sama.”
Albedo bowed her head deeply once more, hiding her face from view. Even though Ainz was unable to see her expressions, he imagined that she must still be making her usual, gentle smile. As he was about to turn his attention back onto the monitor, Entoma suddenly entered the throne room. With her back straight and upright, Entoma walked until she reached the throne. With one knee touching the ground, she bowed.
“Please excuse my interruption.”
“What is it, Entoma?”
In response to Albedo’s harsh tone, Entoma replied “Yes” without changing her kneeling posture.
“I am here to report that it is time for Aura-sama and Mare-sama to carry out the next part of the plan.”
“Is that so? …Raise your head.”
After replying once more with a short “Yes”, Entoma raised her head.
“There’s still a bit of time left. So let’s send them off properly. It would be inelegant to do it via telepathy, so I will have to cause some inconvenience for Entoma and have her go and inform the two in person.”
“Understood.”
Albedo quietly watched the figure of Entoma as she stood up and walked away from the throne. She then carefully observed Ainz and asked the following.
“…Ainz-sama, were you feeling unhappy? They should have arranged for a maid other than Entoma to come. I will go and reprimand them later.”
“…What for?”
“For letting Ainz-sama to hear that rude little girl’s voice once more—”
“Ah, I wasn’t bothered at all. What’s more, I was the one who called for Entoma — wait up!
Entoma!”
“Yes! Is there something I can do for you?”
Ainz made a gesture towards Entoma who was rushing back in a hurry, indicating that it was fine for her to answer from where she was.
“What happened to the other parts? Were they put to good use?”
“Yes. The head was given to a Silk Hat Demon. The arms were split between the Deadman Strugglers. Demiurge-sama took the skin. The remaining parts were given to Grant’s children to feast on. All in all, I believe that every part had been effectively utilized.”
“Is that so? In that case, it is fine. It is a hunter’s responsibility to not make waste of their prey. Any hunter would most likely have done the same. Think of this as a memorial service.”
“How…very benevolent. To be able to display such kindness to even the dirty thieves that dared to intrude, as expected of a Supreme Being. If Ainz-sama’s words were to be heard by everyone within Nazarick, they will undoubtedly be moved to tears.”
Ainz couldn’t help but feel a little distressed after hearing Albedo’s words overflowing with emotions while seeing Entoma’s eyes shining, filled with respect.
“…Umu. Well, ahem… This was just my personal view; it is not something that I had wished to force onto you guys. But from the looks of things… think of it as a form of etiquette to not waste anything.”
“Understood. In that case, we should also make better use of the others!”
Watching the two of them bow, Ainz couldn’t help but feel that somewhere, somehow, something had gone wrong, and replied with an “umu”.
The ministry of magic had several conference rooms which served as reception rooms, and Fluder was currently headed towards the one that was the most luxuriously decorated. It was the room used only when the Emperor, or those second to him, had arrived.
Before entering, Fluder checked his outfit.
The robes he wore could be considered a first grade clothing suitable even for the grand banquets hosted by the Emperor, and the perfume on his neck and sleeves had a nice fragrance as well.
Originally, Fluder did not concern himself with political or social issues. Rather, in order to concentrate on magic research, he considered everything else to be trivial in comparison. However, due to his position, he still had to maintain awareness of these things.
His own accomplishments were related to the prestige of the Empire, although this was not done intentionally.
Good, no problems.
After confirming to himself that his clothes were flawless, he knocked on the door and entered.
There were two adventurers in this luxurious room. One was a warrior clad in jet black armour, reminding him of the Death Knight he had been staring at not long ago, and at his side was a woman whose beauty caused even Fluder to be taken aback for a moment.
So this is Momon of ‘Darkness’ and the ‘Beautiful Princess’ Nabe.
“I am extremely sorry for having you wait for so long.”
Fluder gently closed the door, then felt a sense of discomfort.
…How strange…
He stood in front of the door, staring at the peerless beauty.
“…I can’t see it?”
Fluder’s eyes should have been able to see the amount of magical talent one possessed, but he accidently voiced his surprise since he was unable to do so.
Fluder had a natural talent to determine the tier of magic one was capable of, just by observing the aura given off by a magic caster.
Despite having heard that the ‘Beautiful Princess’ Nabe from ‘Darkness’ was an arcane magic caster, Fluder’s innate ability was unable to see any aura around her
An anti-detection spell?
This was the only conclusion he could draw, but that raised another question. Why would someone protect themselves from being investigated? Ordinary adventurers would not need to use this. It was difficult to discern one’s strength, and as a result, few people would bother taking precautions against such situations. Besides, it was rude to be casting this kind of defensive magic while meeting with someone.
Well, I was also quite rude myself for using a detection ability on them… But why did they try to hide their power level?
Fluder’s talent was quite well known, so was it a countermeasure against him? He couldn't reach any conclusions.
Addressing Fluder, who was still surprised, Momon spoke.
“Excuse me, is something wrong?”
“Hohoho, sorry for being rude.”
Fluder sat in front of Momon, but he could not take his eyes off Nabe who stood at Momon’s side.
“Ah I see, so this is what’s going on, well then let’s begin.”
Begin what? However, before Fluder had any chance to ask, Momon continued talking.
“…Nabe, I think it’s about time to remove the ring.”
Nabe took off her ring, and in that instant—
Fluder felt as if he had been hit by a storm.
“What!”
He exclaimed without thinking.
Nabe radiated an overwhelming power.
This overflowing storm of pressure did not really exist. Only Fluder and others with similar abilities would feel the torrent of power washing over him.
His body shook violently, as if he was exposed to the icy north wind.
“Im-Impossible…”