"Um... Ladies, has Shalltear... Bloodfallen... not prepared yet...?"
The two vampire brides, who were referred to as "ladies" by the exaggerated oval - shaped head, looked at each other and helplessly shook their heads.
"Very sorry, Pandora Actor, Lady Shalltear is taking a bath, so..."
"But I've been waiting for thirty minutes already, you know?"
"Sorry, truly sorry!"
"Speaking of which... Lady Shalltear is an undead, so why does she need to take a bath～? Moreover... even if there is still time... but delaying Lord Ainz's orders for something like taking a bath... isn't that... not good?"
From the guardian who had been waiting for thirty minutes, a faint irritation could be heard. The two vampire brides who were in charge of entertaining quickly bowed their heads deeply and then said the words their master had instructed beforehand.
"Sorry, but Lady Shalltear said that first of all, this mission requires disguise, and it is also important to cleanse the body and reach the best state before carrying out Lord Ainz's orders..."
"...Huh...?"
Indeed, there were still several hours left until the scheduled time. Could it be that using the time to pamper oneself like Shalltear was the right thing to do? Pandora couldn't help but ask herself.
Then she denied it again.
No, this is the opinion of someone who just stands there foolishly when others are thinking hard, it must be wrong!
Pandora recalled the events in the throne hall a few days ago after she and Mare had returned from battle.
At that time, she, Albedo, and Demiurge were all racking their brains to figure out Lord Ainz's intentions, while only Shalltear did nothing.
And she looked very comfortable, as if she was at ease. While the three who were thinking hard felt very ashamed because they couldn't figure out the answer, she! She alone did nothing and yet was at ease!
Thinking of that moment, Pandora felt a bit dissatisfied with this colleague.
By the way, later when the three of them exchanged ideas and tried to brainstorm to discover Lord Ainz's intentions, they also talked about such a Shalltear.
Albedo's attitude towards her was disdainful, just a cold snort to show that she was just like that and couldn't change.
Demiurge expressed helplessness and didn't care much.
"Regrettably, my ladies, I think... Oh...! Shalltear Bloodfallen, you finally deigned to come out, did you..."
Just as Pandora stretched out her long hand, preparing to push aside the vampire brides to remind Shalltear herself, the door of the bath room finally opened.
Shalltear, who had dried her hair and was dressed neatly, walked out unhurriedly.
This was another side of Shalltear.
A white lace dress, with fine threads outlining her slender waist and the "impressive" hills on her chest. Wearing a wide - brimmed hat of the same tone, her long hair was dyed golden with a magical artifact.
"Really, even waiting for a lady to take a bath has to be so noisy, Alinz... Hmm? Why are you staring at me, Alinz?"
For some reason, Pandora put her hand on her own chin, tilted her oval - shaped head, and looked at Shalltear very seriously.
"Well... no, it's just... perhaps because this is the first time I've been in close contact with you..."
"What exactly is it, Alinz?"
Shalltear frowned a little, puzzled as to what place on her body Alinz's dark eyes were looking at.
"...Well, it's just... I guess it's because of the intuition of a prop manager... Miss Shalltear, I feel like you have some kind of special prop hidden in your chest～that I've never seen before～"
Without noticing that Shalltear was already burning with anger, and without noticing that the vampire brides around her had fallen into panic, Pandora was still immersed in the "joy" of discovering a new prop.
Of course, this was not the special ability of dragons for treasure, but purely the intuition honed by long - term experience.
"Wow... If I may, could I actually see it, like a prop appraisal... Whoa!?!"
Before Pandora could finish speaking excitedly, a loud noise came from Shalltear's private room in the Great Tomb of Nazarick, the Dead Wax Cavern, even making Cocytus, who rarely returned to the fifth floor, look around in confusion...
(PS: This is an exaggerated expression. In fact, it is impossible for a loud noise to penetrate the floors of the Great Tomb.)
About two hours later.
In the Baharuth Empire, in a secluded forest on the outskirts of the city of Ansul, which is on the border with the Kaz Plain and faces the former kingdom's fortress city, now the capital of the Sorcerer Kingdom, Ylan - til.
Although it does not have the triple walls like Ylan - til, as a border city, it seems not to pay much attention to defense, but that is only because it is unnecessary.
In the era of the Empire vs. the Kingdom, the kingdom's army had no chance of attacking here; in the era of the Empire vs. the Sorcerer Kingdom, it was smarter not to set up defenses.
From a pitch - black curtain that suddenly appeared out of nowhere in this forest, several people walked out.
Momon (Pandora), Nabe, Shalltear wearing an exquisite mask, and the envious demon with a head like a crow and a proud figure.
Pandora, who had her injuries treated by Pestnee earlier, deliberately kept her distance from Shalltear now.
"Well～you don't have to be so angry with me, do you? After all, it's rare for us to work together, Alinz?"
Pandora immediately shook her head, which was covered with a helmet.
"No, no, no, Shalltear, now that the mission has started, according to the script, you are my... Momon's arch - enemy. I keep my distance from you not because I'm angry, really not."
"...Really, Alinz?"
"Ah, really, really."
After saying that, Momon waved his hand and left with Nabe, who looked puzzled, heading for the predetermined location.
Shalltear looked at their backs, shrugged her shoulders a little bored, and shifted her interest to the temporary subordinates of her mission.
The envious demon suddenly felt an odd gaze and couldn't help but shiver.
"...Excuse me, what's the matter, Lady Shalltear?"
"Well～it's nothing. It's just... although you are not an undead, you are quite cute, Alinz."
"Ha... I am deeply honored to be praised by such a servant."
"No need to be so nervous. It's okay to be more intimate, Alinz?"
"No, I dare not... Please allow me to maintain the utmost respect."
"Ah, is that so... then let's go, we should start the mission now."
"Yes."
The envious demon, who was originally one of the high - ranking demons directly under Demiurge, had his command transferred to Shalltear only for this mission.
"Although considering my sake, Shalltear probably won't do anything to you, but there will definitely be verbal probing. Well, you choose to keep your distance." ——Demiurge had reminded the envious demon like this.
The demon's task this time was actually just to cast the special skill "Dimensional Lockdown" to block the teleportation magic of "Blue Rose."
The "Blue Rose Lure and Kill Plan" has two stages.
The first stage is the "Magic Sword Probe" led by Shalltear, with the goal of determining the real threat of Lakyus's Magic Sword.
Renner still maintains her opinion that "the Magic Sword is not that powerful," and Ainz himself also tends to agree with this opinion.
That Magic Sword is a weapon held by a legendary hero. If it really has that kind of power, there is no reason not to leave a trace in the legends. Moreover, the other three swords of the Black Knight seem to only have conventional effects. If only this Magic Sword stands out, isn't that too unnatural?
However, even if there is only a one - in - ten - thousand possibility, Ainz has decided to make the worst - case scenario in advance.
If the Magic Sword really has an unimaginable power, then Edoma's revenge battle must be terminated, and instead, the backup forces that have been prepared in Nazarick will be fully committed to deal with it. This has been discussed with Edoma.
Shalltear knows that her master is monitoring Momon and the others through the remote viewing mirror, and only if the first stage goes smoothly will Edoma and Grant appear with him.
That is the second stage...
Edoma's "feast."
The "Blue Rose" was in the city of Ansul from the beginning.
The old stronghold of Ijaniya where they were hiding was located in the old town of Ansul.
But they didn't tell Momon this, instead lying that their group was in the Imperial Capital and would arrive on time.
Although it was a bit cunning, it was the safest way.
The truly arriving on schedule was only "the Black," while their side had enough time to ensure the safety of the venue and eliminate the possibility of being monitored.
And when Momon appeared, it was also timely for Tia to confirm whether there was anyone following—whether their side had been betrayed.
"Even if there is, it must be the evil Sorcerer King secretly using Lord Momon!"
Iburiel exclaimed like this. She was originally very reluctant and unwilling to lie to Lord Momon.
However, Tia was even more dissatisfied.
"Why use "Message" to contact? That's the Sorcerer Kingdom... Is there no possibility that it will be intercepted by the Sorcerer King?"
"Shouldn't we send us to infiltrate instead, Lakyus...?"
Faced with the questioning of the ninja sisters, Lakyus shook her head.
"No, Tia, it's not that I don't trust you, but it won't work that way."
Lakyus believed that with Tia's skills, they would definitely be able to infiltrate the Sorcerer Kingdom smoothly, but that way was too time - consuming, and there was also an unspeakable reason—
If Momon had really defected to the Sorcerer King, the Tia who went to contact him would very likely be caught and used as bait to lure the entire "Blue Rose."
If the Sorcerer King publicly executed Tia, then even if Lakyus knew it was a trap, she would have to jump into it to save her.
It was to avoid this worst - case scenario that they chose the second - best option of using "Message" to contact.
"But, Lakyus, will Momon be willing to give up his responsibilities in Ylan - til?" Everyone looked at each other.
Indeed, this was the key to the discussion. The possibility of being betrayed was just a worst - case consideration, and in fact, Lakyus also thought it was impossible—after all, he was the great hero who single - handedly repelled Jaldabaoth and now independently protected the entire Ylan - til!
But precisely because he was such a noble person, it was also a concern whether he would refuse to abandon the people of Ylan - til out of a sense of justice and mission.
"...I think there is a good chance. Lakyus."
"Why?"
"Intuition."
Seeing Lakyus preparing to sigh helplessly, Iburiel quickly added an explanation:
"Don't get me wrong, it's not because of a romantic relationship. It's based on the intuition I got from my contact with him."
"Huh? Tell me more."
"Well, although I only heard the voice of "Beauty," the reply from Lord Momon was quick, and there was no strong reaction to my suggestive explanation, as if he had already anticipated it."
Everyone nodded.
""The Black" must have a good understanding of their own situation... and probably more deeply than we outsiders."
"I think so too. He probably has a lot of experience in this regard. Lakyus, he might be a noble from some country, just like you."
"No matter what, we must be cautious..."
"No matter what, if things go well, we may also have a chance to make a comeback..."
Iburiel did not join her companions' discussion.
Because she had another kind of feeling that could not be called intuition, and she did not mention it.
She didn't want to hide anything from her companions, but she really didn't want to talk about that "feeling." She herself couldn't say clearly what it was. It was like a thin, short thorn, stuck in the tip of her finger.
This "feeling" also came from the conversation with her "rival"...
"——Is that all you have to say, Da - Wen?"
"Ha, you're still as sharp - tongued as ever. Please pass these on to Lord Momon... and remember to mention my name, okay! It would be a sneak attack to blur me into "Blue Rose"!"
"Tsk... sneak attack...? Me...?"
"Ah, and how is Lord Momon recently? Is he eating well? I hope he doesn't ruin his health because of the Sorcerer King's atrocities..."
Such remarks touched the Nabe who wanted to hang up directly.
She wanted to scold the other party for her disrespect, but Nabe, who had seriously reflected on herself for once mentioning Albedo's name, restrained herself and did not blurt out "Lord Ainz."
——However, she still made a small mistake.
"Lord Momon...! He is fine. You don't have to worry with me taking care of him!"
The nearly angry tone made Iburiel hesitate for a moment, and then she understood that her question must have hit Nabe's sore spot...
Thinking that Lord Momon must be very worried, and as his partner, Nabe must have felt quite guilty already, and she still asked so directly, which was really stupid.
——But.
Lord Momon? Why did Nabe blurt out such a respectful title? And it sounded very different from the one she used.
Previously, she had always speculated that Lord Momon was a royal from somewhere, so maybe that was the truth? And the superior - subordinate relationship was the reality between him and Nabe?
Taking such a loyal and beautiful subordinate to adventure everywhere must be the dream of all men... Iburiel couldn't help but complain in her heart.
Then, the thorn appeared.
When Nabe was talking to Iburiel for too long, Momon came to see the situation.
At this time, seeing the person coming, Nabe said without hesitation: "Ah, Momon, I'll be done in a moment."
Iburiel, of course, heard it too.
——What was going on?
How could it reverse so quickly?
In that "Momon," Iburiel was sure that there wasn't even a hint of "respect."
Why? It was as if...
Subsequently, her thoughts were interrupted by Momon's reply after hearing the report.
Just like this , the doubt pierced into Iburiel's heart like a thorn...