“About this issue… there is one thing that we now understand through our healing experiments. If, before we apply healing magic, we merely allow that part to undergo a significant change in shape — for example mincing the flesh — then that fleshy body will effectively be preserved. That means to say, if magic is cast after the skin has been removed, healing magic will effectively recognise it as a foreign entity, therefore it will not disappear even when healing magic is applied. This is also the reason why they would not die starve even if they ate the meat. In addition, although this may count as outside the topic, if one aspect of healing magic is rejected by another aspect of healing magic, sometimes it is as if it cannot operate smoothly and results in a scar. Likewise, the lower the rank, the more likely it is that scars will form due to time lapse.”
“So that’s how it is… magic is powerful… very well, continue with your progress.”
“As you command. Henceforth I will proceed with conducting trials according to age and gender. With time, I feel that I will know whether or not a certain species of a certain age’s skin is the most suitable.
“Regarding this… hand the responsibility of this part over to the Chief Librarian. Victim is next.”
“snaem ti kniht uoy tahw snaem ti kniht ton od I.drow taht gnisu peek uoY.” [Yes, Ainz-sama]
“There is only one reason for summoning you here. If an inconceivable event were to occur, your special skill will be required for the protection of me and the other Guardians… sorry about that. I promise that I will immediately assist with your reincarnation, my apologies in advance.”
“siht naht reggib semit eerht …tsael ta eb ot sah gnidliub ehT?stna rof retnec A?siht si tahW” [Demiurge had already told me, please do not worry, Ainz-sama. I am also the servant of Ainz-sama. Furthermore, my death is my raison d'être. If this modest ability of mine is able to assist the Supreme Being, I would be joyful beyond compare.]
“Is that so… please forgive me.”
Seeing the Supreme Being lower his head, Victim exclaimed:
“sihT ekaT!enolA oG oT suoregnaD s'tI” [This humble one would not dare!]
“When encountering an extraordinary situation, in order to prevent the opponent from escaping we may even have to kill you. Even if you are cooperative after accepting this, we would like you to know that we won’t be killing you because of anything personal. Although you are also one of my precious children, and I wish not to cause you any harm, if we allow an enemy we do not fully comprehend to escape, we may experience a disastrous end, that is why…”
“tihs suoires emos ees annog er'uoy…ruoh rep selim 88 stih ybab siht nehw,tcerroc era snoitaluclac ym fI” [Please say no more, Ainz-sama. I fully understand your feelings]
“In Nazarick, some mechanisms are used by uttering a single phrase. Although it is borrowed from the Gospel, that phrase is [Giving up one’s life for friends is the greatest love of all]. This phrase directly refers to you; thank you for your love.”
Ainz’ gaze shifted from the Guardian who would die for his loyalty to the other Guardians.
“Next is Shalltear.”
Not expecting to be called upon, Shalltear’s shoulders gave a startled jump, and her response was in an abnormally high pitched voice.
“Yes…yes!”
“… Come over here.”
Because unlike the other Guardians, only she was called to the master’s side, Shalltear was surprised and stood up in a flurry of panic. From her back, one could see that she was evidently unsettled, similar to someone who was about to be sent up to the chopping block. However, she still stood up attentively, as if the glory she desired was over there.
After Shalltear climbed up the stairs, she immediately got down on one knee at a short distance from the throne.
“Shalltear, I wish to talk about the matter which has been disturbing you.”
Just by hearing these words, Shalltear immediately understood what the master was referring to, and her face turned into a look of shame.
“Ah! Ainz-sama! About that matter, please give me my punishment! Even if I was clearly a Guardian, I still carried out such a grave sin so stupidly, please give me the most severe punishment!”
Shalltear’s pained voice echoed around the Throne Hall, and Cocytus was exceptionally able to relate to her feelings. No, any Guardian and all fellow creations of the Supreme Beings were able to.
Even if they came under the effect of mind control, they would be unable to forgive themselves, who had turned their Supreme Being into an enemy.
“Is that so… then, Shalltear, come over here.”
Seeing the master’s hand beckoning towards her, Shalltear slowly crawled towards the throne.
To Shalltear who had hung her head upon arriving before the throne, Ainz reached out with his bony hand and warmly stroked her head.
“Ai-Ainz-sama….”
Almost frightened to pieces, Shalltear cautiously raised her head and let out a small voice.
“… The failure that time was my miscalculation, even more so because the opposition possessed a World Class item, therefore things were looking south from the very outset. Shalltear… I love all of you who are loyal to Nazarick, all of you who were created from scratch. Of course, this also includes you. You who wishes for me to impose a severe punishment for something you are not guilty of, how could I do such a thing?”
It was as if the master shifted his eyesight out of sadness. Cocytus had no means of knowing which direction the master had shifted his gaze, but it did seem like the master had slightly opened his mouth. The master’s face was completely skeletal and lacked lips, therefore it was impossible to determine this from the shape of his mouth, but the master should have spoken a name.
“Oh, Ainz-sama! You actually said that you love me!”
Shalltear’s emotion-filled voice resounded across the entire room.
Because he was behind Shalltear, Cocytus could not see her face. However, everything was evident from her reaction. Her voice was choked with tears and her shoulders were shaking.
It was possible to see the master’s other hand warmly caressing Shalltear’s face, and his hand even held a white handkerchief.
“All right, all right, Shalltear, stop crying. This would ruin your pretty face.”
Shalltear stayed silent, merely placing her face… probably her lips… upon the back of the hand that was just now stroking her hair.
Both Mare and Aura were already in tears.
Demiurge also slightly rubbed the corner of his eyes. Cocytus was a bit envious of those who were able to shed tears, and once again turned to look at the back of his companion who had pledged loyalty for life.
The thing that Shalltear was the most terrified about was probably the case where the last remaining and kind Supreme Being had given up on the useless, troublesome and disloyal her.
However, the master had shattered this source of concern.
Shattering it by using the word ‘Love’.
How much joy did Shalltear feel inside? He, Cocytus, who stood on a similar platform as her… no … he who stood on a platform that was slightly worse off than hers, could only carry unparalleled envy in his gaze as he silently looked at her figure from behind.
“Then, Shalltear, you can step…”
“—Ainz-sama.”
A cold voice interrupted the master’s speech. This disrespectful act caused Cocytus to angrily stare daggers at Albedo. Following this, he felt his feelings jump into turmoil, and an unsettling feeling arose inside of him.
“Reward and punishment is a natural part of common sense. I still feel that it is necessary to hand out some form of punishment.”
“… Albedo, about my decision, are you not…”
The master’s words stopped halfway. Cocytus had no idea why kind of reason would cause the master to halt his response. The last speech should have settled the issue with Shalltear.