There were hints of jealousy in Shalltear and Aura’s eyes. Demiurge, who was busy helping out the master, was the target of envy and jealousy amongst the guardians.
“Ah~ I’m so jealous. I know defending Nazarick is an important role as well, but if we don’t get any intruders, we can’t get any results either. How would we know if we’re of any use or not? I want to work hard for Ainz-sama on the outside as well.”
“I have only made mistakes so far…”
“It’s alright, Shalltear. Soon, you’ll probably be able to do— no, you’ll definitely be able to do work that will help Ainz-sama. But it might be a bit difficult until you get smarter…”
“Aura, do you not think your words are a bit… harsh?”
“My, my, it’s true that you’ve only made mistakes so far. Try to get some results befitting the title of a Guardian.”
Shalltear grinded her teeth at Albedo’s words, but soon made a bright expression like a lit lamp.
“Hohoho, why do you think I brought up a topic that was not advantageous to me? For you, who would not know anything if Demiurge was not here, I will extend my hand to help you. I shall find out for you!”
Shalltear took out a book. It was heavy and looked like it was easily over a thousand pages long. For Shalltear, who appeared to be a frail girl on the outside, but completely different on the inside, the weight was nothing.
“Huuuuh? That’s... is that..?”
“Kuuuh, it’s the gift you got from Ainz-sama!”
Aura and Albedo couldn’t help stare enviously at her.
“That is correct. This is the encyclopedia written by Peroroncino-sama! A reward for carrying out Ainz-sama’s commands!”
It was more like a participation prize than a true reward, but Shalltear still smiled because it was one of the greatest gifts she could receive. Or rather, that was how it was supposed to be. An item left behind by one’s creator was more important than any reward.
The dictionary named ‘Encyclopedia’ was given to every player at the start of the game. It was a unique item that was impossible to take by force unless the owner gave it away voluntarily.
Yggdrasil was a game that emphasized the joy of learning about the unknown. This was an item that reflected the developer’s intention of turning mysteries into exploration.
Once a player encountered a new monster, the Encyclopedia automatically recorded its basic data.
However, the detailed stats were not recorded, only the name, appearance, and if it was a mythological monster, the myth behind them. If one wanted to fully utilize the potential of this item, they needed to investigate the monster’s weaknesses or special abilities themselves and manually enter them into the book.
The Encyclopedia that Shalltear held was an item that Peroroncino used to own and which he wrote extensively on. Ainz had given it to Shalltear after remembering that Peroroncino left the book behind in the Treasure Room before he quit.
But a considerable amount of records had been erased from it. It was as if Peroroncino had been afraid of someone reading everything that was written on there.
The item did not have much use, but Shalltear did not care for any of that. For her, it was more important to have an item that her creator once used.
“B… bi… bico…”
Shalltear kept turning the pages while murmuring.
Albedo and Aura tried to peek from the side, but Shalltear stepped back with her book and glared sharply at both of them.
“Hmph. Well, it doesn’t matter. I got a bracelet from Ainz-sama anyways.”
Aura gently ran her finger along the silver band on her wrist and Albedo did the same to the ring on her left pinkie finger. But there were other people who had received the ring other than her.
I want to receive something special just for me. A special item from Ainz-sama…
Just as Albedo was gently rubbing her lower abdomen, Shalltear spoke out. It appeared that she had found the page she was looking for.
“Bicorn! Found it, now…”
Shalltear suddenly stopped moving and looked at Albedo with a surprised expression. Then she looked at the book again.
“What? What does it say?”
Albedo asked cautiously.
“…A sub-species of unicorn. Unlike unicorns which represent purity, bicorns represent impurity.
Unicorns only allow virgins to mount them, but bicorns are the opposite and virgins cannot ride them… Haa?!”
Shalltear and Aura opened their eyes so wide, it seemed like they could almost fall out of their sockets.
“That’s impossible… Albedo is?”
“What do you mean impossible? Just what do you think I am?”
“Huh? Uh, but, how should I say this, Albedo, aren’t you a succubus?!”
“S… su… succubus… succubus.”
Confused, Shalltear started searching for the page on succubi.
“Well, I am a succubus! I’m sorry for not being experienced even though I’m a succubus! But I can’t help it! I’m stuck in the Throne Hall as the Overseer of the Guardians! And Ainz-sama never calls me over to his bed… I don’t want to do it with any men besides Ainz-sama…”
Albedo suddenly raised her head after she had been murmuring while staring at the floor.
“If we consider that…”
Albedo glanced at Aura before swaying her head. If Aura was experienced, it would have been a problem.
“Shalltear, what about you?”
“…I have no experience with the opposite gender. But if you are talking about experience with the same gender…”
Aura tilted her head as if she did not understand for a second before realizing what it meant and made an ‘Uwaaaah’ sound while frowning.
“But! There are no suitable men around. I prefer the dead ones, but rotting ones are too much…
right?! Right?!”
“Even if you want our approval, it’s too much for us to accept your weird fetishes, Shalltear.”
All three lowered their gaze to the ground along with a silent agreement not to talk further on the subject.
“Well… I understand why I can’t ride the bicorn… but this is nonsense. What do I do…”
Albedo frowned in unhappiness. The bicorn shuddered as though it had been scolded as well.
“Mmm… It’s like a part of Albedo’s abilities are sealed now.”
“But it is not like mounted combat is your specialty anyway, and it is only one of your abilities that you cannot use. If you cannot ride bicorns, why not borrow other beasts from Aura? Is a unicorn not fine as well?”
“Muu… I don’t have a unicorn. Although I want to get one.”
“There’s a better way. I just need to get some help from Ainz-sama to ride the bicorn!”
Albedo smiled while exclaiming loudly as if there was no better alternative.
“That is cheating!”
“Hmph!”
Albedo snorted at Shalltear.