The Bloody Valkyrie

“About that vampire, has the other side mentioned anything? For example silver hair, or wearing a crimson armor and the like?”

"Nothing unfortunately. The one who came to find Ainz-sama was merely running an errand. The other side only said that other details would be explained at the Adventurer’s Guild, and hope that Ainz-sama could head there as soon as possible. I heard that several adventurer teams were already there… The Guild member is currently nearby, what should I convey to him?"

Ainz shut his eyes. Of course there were no eyeballs, only the light in his eye-sockets vanished.

“About Narberal’s 「Message」, what is your view on this Albedo?”

After the explanation, Albedo lowered her eyes, then after a few seconds looked back at Ainz.

“Under the current situation without sufficient information, regardless of whichever option is chosen, both have advantages and disadvantages. It should be decided by Ainz-sama’s personal preferences. Personally, I believe that it does not matter if we ignore those humans.”

After Ainz expressed gratitude to Albedo, he slipped into deep thought.

Taking Shalltear as the first priority, it may end up unraveling into the worst case scenario.

If the Adventurer’s Guild was taken as the first priority, what kinds of changes in development would Shalltear’s situation have?

Thinking from the worst possible outcome, he felt that no matter which decision was made, it would still evolve into the worst situation.

At this instant if he still had his companions, it would be easy to decide by majority vote. However, they were not around. As the ruler of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, and claiming such an important name for himself, he alone had to make a decision.

After a moment of hesitation, Ainz made his conclusion,

“Albedo, send people to monitor Shalltear. I will take a trip to Re-Lantier’s Adventurer Guild. After this matter is concluded, take me to Shalltear’s location.”

“As you command.”

“You heard that, Narberal?”

"Yes. Then this subordinate shall inform the messenger that you will be heading there."

“Ah yes, tell him like that. With that Albedo, sorry but I shall be heading to the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“Understood. I shall follow the instructions and send a few servants out.”

“Sorry for troubling you. And I will be giving my ring to Yuri, please keep it safe for me.”

Actually, there was something else he wished to give to the librarian, but Ainz felt there was no time left to spare and immediately activated the ring’s transfer ability.

The two sisters were left alone in the room, and the atmosphere relaxed. As if waiting for this moment, Nigredo’s lidless eyes flashed with curiosity.

“What is it? What’s going on with Shalltear?”

“Ah, she seems to have rebelled.”

“...Unbelievable... how could this be possible... really?”

“I can’t believe it either, but that’s how it is.”

“Then quickly getting rid of her would do. But looking at the way things are, it seems that Ainz-sama does not wish for that to happen?”

“Yes, because Ainz-sama is extremely compassionate… No, it should be because adjudicating her execution before investigating the reason for Shalltear’s betrayal could perhaps become a great mistake. Ainz-sama should be thinking along those lines.”

Oh——, Nigredo let out a subtle sound which could have meant agreement or could have been denial.

“I understand now. I’ll keep surveying Shalltear with magic until your servants gather and start their watch.

“Apologies for the inconvenience, older sister.”

Believing the conversation was over, just as Albedo was about to release the ring’s ability, she felt that her elder sister still had something she wished to say. Normally, the elder sister was the type to speak straightforwardly. There was only one reason which would cause her to hesitate.

Although she didn’t want to, if there was a chance that the topic was something other than what she thought it was, then it was necessary to ask her regardless.

“What is it, elder sister?”

“...Since I’m not allowed to leave this frozen prison, I’m not too clear about what’s happening outside. Is Spinel still well?”

...So it was that after all.

Albedo thought this to herself, and regretted asking. However with an unwavering tone befitting this question she asked:

“Elder sister, you still call the girl by that name…”

“I extremely despise that girl, even if we are all the creations of Tabula Smaragdina-sama… No, the way Spinel was created was different from the way we were. She is definitely not the type that others can open their hearts towards.”

“That’s not true, elder sister. She is quite adorable.”

“The way I see it, you have been deceived by her. Spinel will definitely bring a great calamity to Nazarick, I guarantee it.”

“...About this viewpoint, we shall forever share different opinions. I believe that girl would never become a scourge.”