The Bloody Valkyrie

Part 1

“What kind of food is this!”

A hysterical, high-pitched cry, followed by the sound of cutlery clattering against the plates, rang throughout the surroundings.

Several people in the restaurant turned their gaze toward the girl that was throwing a tantrum.

The girl’s appearance was beautiful, to the point where the word ‘beautiful’ would be inadequate to describe her. Her beauty was even enough to rival the most beautiful in the kingdom, also known as the “Golden” princess. Even her anger only added to her charm.

Not only that, even though she was so noisy, her every movement was filled with grace and brimmed with elegance.

Surely, she must be the daughter of a noble from another country. Not only that, but both a highborn and wealthy noble. She impatiently lifted her long luscious hair and stared dissatisfied at the dishes in front of her.

The whole table was almost filled to the brink with plates full of food.

Inside the basket were steaming, heavenly soft, white breads fresh from the oven. On the plate, there were chunks of lightly grilled meat that was so juicy and tender it made one’s mouth water. The meats was complemented with aromatic, grilled, sweet buttered corn and creamy, scrumptious mashed potato as side dishes. The combination greatly excited one’s sense of hunger and appetite. There was also a tasty salad made with grilled marinated tenderloin on top of vegetables so fresh it was as they were right from the garden. The tantalizing and aromatic fragrance of tangerine could also be smelled from the salad dressing.

These were the best and most extravagant dishes made by the restaurant inside the most luxurious inn of the walled city Re-Lantier, the “Shining Golden Pavilion”… Their ingredients were guaranteed to be at their freshest through the use of the spell 「Preservation」. Naturally, all their cooks were first-class elite chefs.

These were cuisines only the nobles and the wealthy may savor. However, the girl was clearly not impressed by these artful and superb dishes.

“This doesn’t taste good at all!”

Not only were the people surprised hearing her complaints, but they also wondered what kind of heavenly food this beautiful girl must be having normally.

The inappropriate grumbling she muttered to herself caused everyone to show a stunned expression.

In the meantime, the old butler behind her had kept his posture and expression unchanged. Even after she turned around and stared harshly at him, he still kept firm. It was as if he had only one expression.

“I cannot continue to stay at this ramshackle town, prepare to leave immediately!”

“But ojou-sama, it is already dusk—“

“Shut up! Do as I say, is that clear!”

Faced with her childish tantrum, the butler finally changed his posture and lowered his head:

“Understood, ojou-sama. I shall make preparations for us to leave immediately.”

“Humph! If you get it then hurry and make haste, Sebas!”

The girl tossed her fork aside with a clang. Having nothing left to vent on, she stood up dissatisfied and stomped out of the restaurant.

After the commotion, a dignified voice broke through the dissipating tension in the restaurant:

“I give my sincerest apologies to everyone, for causing such a commotion.”

The butler took the chair which had nearly been knocked over when the girl stood up and returned it to its original position. Having apologized, he courteously bowed his head towards the patrons inside the restaurant. The guests graciously accepted the old butler’s perfect apology, and many even looked at him in sympathy.

“—Manager.”

“Yes.”

A man, who had been waiting nearby, quietly moved to the butler’s side.

“I sincerely apologise for the disturbance and even if it isn’t much of a compensation, allow me to cover the dinner expenses of everyone present.”

Quite a few patrons couldn’t refrain from showing a delighted expression after hearing his offer, since eating a meal in the restaurant of the city’s most luxurious inn was definitely not cheap. If the butler was willing to pay for their meals, it should be more than enough to forgive the commotion brought about by the behavior of his mistress.

On the other hand, the manager of the “Shining Golden Pavilion” kept his face firm and unfazed and courteously bowed in response to the butler’s suggestion. His unshaken expression showed that this wasn’t the first time a scene like this had happened.

Sebas directed his eyes toward a corner of the restaurant, settling his gaze onto a poor and deprived-looking man in the middle of wolfing down his food. Noticing the butler’s line of sight, the man hurriedly stood up and walked towards Sebas.

In comparison to the other guests, this man really stood out because his utter lack of ‘manners’ and ‘class’ made it impossible for him to blend into his surroundings without giving off the feeling of being totally out of place.

Though his clothes were just as good compared to the patrons here, his clothes gave the impression of wearing him and he was looking so much like a clown dressed in an elegant outfit, that he was a somewhat amusing sight.

“Master Sebas.”

“What is it, Zach-san?”

The other guests frowned when they heard the pretentious tone of the man called Zach. Hearing that kind of servile greeting coming out of his mouth, they wouldn’t have been surprised if he was rubbing his hands together.

However, Sebas’ expression did not change in the slightest.

“As a hired hand, I know I am hardly in a position to make any suggestions here, but is it possible for us to reconsider leaving immediately?”

“Are you implying you have difficulties in handling the carriage and horses at night?”

“…That’s part of the reason. And… I have some things to take care of in this city… I need a bit of time.”

Zach was constantly scratching his head. Even though his hair looked clean enough, the way he kept scratching his head made it look like dandruff would be flying around any second. Seeing this, some of the guests frowned even further but in the end it wasn’t clear whether Zach noticed or not since he just scratched his head even harder.

“Ojou-sama will probably not accept this suggestion. No, according to her temperament, she will not change her decision.”

Sebas determined with a firm and adamant expression before adding in a curt voice:

“So, we have no other choice.”

“But…”

Zach’s eyes darted around, as if trying to find an excuse, but he wasn’t able to come up with anything and a frown appeared on his face.

“Of course, we still have some time before we leave. I need some time to load all of ojou-sama’s luggage onto the carriage. You may do as you wish in the meantime and take care of whatever you need.”

Sebas didn’t miss the treacherous look in the scrubby man’s eyes, as if he was still trying to find another excuse to delay the group even further. But he pretended not to realise Zach’s foul intentions and kept his face indifferent.

He also wanted to hide the fact that Zach had fallen for his trap.

“So, when do we leave?”

“About that, it should be around two or three hours? If we leave any later than that the streets will be completely engulfed in darkness, so three hours would be the limit.”

The man’s eyes once again showed that detestable calculating look, and Sebas again tried his best pretending not to realize. Zach then licked his lips a of couple times before speaking:

“Heheh, then we shouldn’t have any problems.”

“Very well, could you please immediately start making preparations for us to leave?”

Sebas looked at Zach’s retreating back. He then waved his hand as if to disperse an unpleasant air around him, feeling as if something filthy had stuck onto him.

Without showing any visible expression on his face, Sebas suppressed his urge to sigh.

To be honest, Sebas couldn’t find it in himself to like such a base and vulgar character like Zach at all. Demiurge, Shalltear and some of the others might be able to treat someone like him like a toy for their personal amusement, but Sebas didn’t even want to get close to that kind of person.

There were some common viewpoints within the Great Tomb of Nazarick: ‘Those who don’t belong to Nazarick are inferior’ and ‘Apart from a few exceptions, humans and demi-humans should be annihilated for being an inferior race’. Sebas on the other hand shared the same opinion as his creator, ‘Those who cannot save the weak shouldn’t claim to be strong’, but after having met such a despicable human like Zach, he started to think that maybe the shared viewpoint of Nazarick wasn’t so wrong after all.

“Ahh, humans were supposed to be more splendid than this…”

Sebas lifted his hand to stroke his well-trimmed beard in order to take his mind off the matter and pondered about on how to continue their current operation.

The operation is going quite smoothly, but perhaps I should still monitor him to make sure.

While Sebas was considering how to proceed with the direction of the operation, he noticed a man walking toward him.

“Having to leave at this hour must be rather difficult for you…”

The man that spoke with Sebas was between forty and fifty years old, clean shaven and his black hair was streaked with many strands of white hair. Perhaps due to his old age and extravagant eating habits, there was a big belly on his stomach.

He was dressed tastefully, his clothes elegant enough for a man in a high position.

“If it isn’t Bardo-san?”

Sebas nodded slightly as to greet him, but the man hurriedly tries to stop such gesture:

“Ah, no need to be so courteous.”

His name was Bardo Lovely and he was a well-known food merchant controlling a considerable amount of the food trade within this city. Sebas wasn’t sure why this man had come over to talk with him.

This walled city held an important strategic importance for war. As someone controlling a considerable amount of the food trade, Bardo was one of the most influential merchants in the city.

When an army numbers in the tens of thousands of people, the logistics involved with transporting provisions and rations takes quite a lot of time and effort. The Kingdom’s strategy was to march its army there with minimum supplies and provide the army’s need in this city. Which meant this city wasn’t quite like the other commercial, cities since merchants dealing with food or weapons held quite a large amount of influence and authority inside this town.

Someone with such authority within the walled city of Re-Lantier shouldn’t be talking to Sebas just because they both happened to eat at the same restaurant. He should have an ulterior motive for trying to converse with him.

However, this was also one of Sebas’ goals.

“Sebas-san, that man is no good.”

“Is that so?”

While speaking with Bardo, Sebas changed his expression for the first time since the whole incident began. He revealed a courteous smile because he understood exactly who the merchant was speaking of.

“That guy is known as untrustworthy and dishonest, I cannot understand why Sebas-san is hiring a guy like him.”

Sebas quickly thought this over to find the best reply for this situation.

He couldn’t reveal the reason they had hired Zach to Bardo. If Sebas told him he hired Zach because he didn’t knew of his character, his evaluation might be lowered and his judgment could be questioned.

Though we’re certainly leaving this city soon, I should still avoid the possibility of Bardo lowering his evaluation of me. In the near future, there may be the possibility that we will have to use him.

“Maybe you’re right, but no one introduced himself as shamelessly as he did. Though his character might be flawed as a whole, ojou-sama quite appreciates his enthusiasm.”

Bardo showed a troubled bitter smile. His evaluation of her was probably lowered by another notch.

It was for their goal that he had asked her to play this role, so it couldn’t be helped. He felt quite bad that she had to play such a spoiled character.

“I overstepped myself, I hope you can forgive my remark. Maybe it’s better to hint and advise this to your lady?”

“Perhaps you’re right. But considering the help and support milady’s father had given me, I just cannot bring myself to…”

“Though loyalty is very important too…”

Bardo muttered a sentence, but the subsequent words could not be heard clearly.

“Would you like for me to recommend you some trustworthy men?”

“No need to be so considerate, Bardo-san.”

Though his tone was gentle, he firmly rejected of his proposal. Detecting the iron will under his statement, Bardo tried another approach.

“Is that so? I still think it would be better if proper bodyguards were to follow along. The road to capital is far. Unlike the Baharuth Empire, the Kingdom of Re-Estize's roads aren't very safe. I could help you to find some trustworthy mercenaries.”

Safety of the road is being maintained by the nobles of the area, and they charge a toll fee for people traveling their roads. It’s one of many rights of the nobles, but it’s only a means for them to collect revenue. Many parts of the roads weren’t maintained nor properly patrolled, with many gaps in security. Therefore, it was common for travelers to be assaulted by bandits or mercenaries that have turned to banditry.

In order to solve this problem, under the efforts of the “Golden Princess,” the soldiers under the king’s direct control started patrolling the roads. But due to their small numbers, there weren’t any notable differences. The number of the patrolling troops was also small due to the constant meddling of the nobles who were scared of their rights being infringed.

Since it became like this, the country itself didn’t really have the power to maintain the order and security of the roads.

Merchants who needed to travel on the roads normally hired a team of adventurers or mercenaries to protect themselves. A powerful merchant like Bardo should know some elite and trustworthy mercenary groups, but Sebas still couldn’t accept his proposal.

“Maybe you’re right again, but ojou-sama doesn’t like to be surrounded by many people. I wish to follow ojou-sama’s wish to the best of my abilities.”

“So it’s like that?”

Bardo exaggeratedly furrowed his face and showed a troubled expression. It was the face of an helpless adult confronted with a child’s tantrum.

“My sincere apologies, for us to be so inconsiderate towards your goodwill.”

“Please don’t say that. To be honest, I just wanted to sell you a favor. If it can’t be done, I at least want to improve our relationship.”

The daughter of an extremely wealthy merchant or noble from the Empire and her butler, that was the setting under which Sebas stayed in this inn. Their act was intended to show their huge wealth and to let the others know of their presence. Gaining favors from people as wealthy as Sebas’s group should be in Bardo’s interest.

Sebas smiled gently to the fish that had taken the bait:

“Of course I will let ojou-sama’s father, my master, know of Bardo-san’s hospitality and kindness.”

Bardo momentarily showed a sudden glint deep in his eyes, but he recovered instantly. Normally, most people wouldn’t have been able to detect such a swift change, but Sebas saw it clearly.

“Then, please excuse me. Ojou-sama is waiting, so I will take my leave now.”

Waiting for the exact moment Bardo was about to speak, Sebas beat him to it.

Bardo knew he had been seen through and after taking a peek at Sebas’s expression he sighed:

“—Wheew, if it’s really like that then it cannot be helped, Sebas-san. The next time you’re in this city, please do come visit me. I’ll give all of you a warm welcome.”

“Of course, the next time we meet we’ll be in your care.”

Looking at Bardo’s retreating back, Sebas muttered:

“Guess there are all kinds of people out there in this world.”

Through Bardo’s words and mannerism Sebas could feel that not all were fueled by ulterior motives. Bardo did have a genuine worry for a young lady and her old butler.

It was because of people like him, who wished to help those in need, that Sebas couldn’t bring himself to despise humans.

Sebas joyously showed a heartfelt smile.

♦ ♦ ♦

After knocking a few times and excusing himself, Sebas bowed slightly before entering the room.

“Please excuse my previous rude behavior, Sebas-sama.”

Sebas closed the door and was greeted by a deeply bowing girl. If the patrons inside the restaurant could see this scene, they would be bewildered and deeply surprised, because the bowing girl was none other than the hot-tempered girl throwing a tantrum earlier.

Her expression was well composed, it was as if her hysteria back then had been just an act and her manner was befitting of greeting someone of a higher position.

The appearance and outfit were unchanged, but she seemed like a completely different person.

Another intriguing difference was that one of her eyes was closed — her left eye. She did not do so while inside the restaurant.

“Please, there’s no need for you to apologize. You were only doing your job.”

Sebas looked around the luxuriously furnished room. Of course, if one were to compare this room to Nazarick’s 9th level, the Royal Suite, this room would hold no charm at all. Of course, that wasn’t a surprise since he simply picked the wrong object to compare it with.

He set his eyes to the corner of the room and found that the luggage was already packed and gathered. They were able to leave immediately if they wished to do so. Since they weren’t prepared by Sebas, she must have done it all by herself after she left early.

“You should’ve let me pack instead.”

“What are you saying Sebas-sama, I cannot continue to trouble Sebas-sama with such a menial task.”

The girl straightened her body and shook her head. She is one of the battle maids, Solution Epsilon(ε).

“Is that so? But right now I am your butler, you know.”

Sebas’s well wrinkled face showed an expression like of a mischievous child.

Solution noticed Sebas’s amused expression, and changed her composed face for the first time to an embarrassed smile:

“Indeed, Sebas-sama is my butler, but I am also under Sebas-sama as your subordinate.”

“…I suppose that’s true. In that case let me give you a command as your superior: You have done well so far, so let me do the rest. Please rest until it’s time for us to leave.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

“Then, I will go meet with Shalltear-sama who should already be waiting impatiently in the carriage, and inform her on the time of departure.”

Sebas easily picked up the largest luggage with a single hand, and asked her a question as if he suddenly thought of it:

“By the way, is everything proceeding according to our predictions?”

“Yes, everything is proceeding just as we had expected.”

Solution lifted her hand and pressed it against her closed eye.

“I suppose we’re fortunate. So, what’s happening currently?”

“Yes — he’s currently meeting with a shabby looking man. Would you like to hear what they’re saying?”

“No need, I am going to move the luggage onto the carriage. Let me hear of the summary later.”

“Understood.”

Solution suddenly twisted her expression.

The corners of her eyes drooped and the edge of her lips curled up. Though the expression was similar to a smile, it was twisted further than humanly possible. It was like taking a smiling face made of clay and twisting the features together.

“—Sebas-sama, please allow me to change the topic.”

“What is it, Solution?”

“…When everything is over, would you allow me to take care of that man?”

Sebas used his free hand to stroke his beard and briefly thought it over.

“—About that, as long as you have Shalltear-sama’s permission, you may do as you wish.”

Solution’s brows furrowed slightly, a face filled with disappointment could clearly be seen. Sebas saw and tried to comfort her:

“It should be fine; There shouldn’t be any problem with giving you only one guy.”

“Really? That’s wonderful! Please help me relay my wish to Shalltear-sama. If it is possible, I want to have that man.”

Solution showed a smile brimming with joy. That kind of cheerful sunny expression without a shred of gloom could charm any on looking person.

Sebas felt pity and interest in the man who made Solution to show such an expression. He asked her:

“So, what did that man say?”

“I think he said he couldn’t wait to enjoy me. It’s a rare chance, so I plan to enjoy him properly too.”

Solution showed an even brighter smile.

That smile contained a childlike innocence; like a kid looking forward to the next big event.

Part 2

A miserable life.

Zach walked quickly, thinking about how miserable his life had been.

Life in the Kingdom as a farmer couldn’t be called fortunate or easy.

Though he labored very hard in the fields every day, most of the harvest was taken by the landlord. If the yield of a full harvest had a hundred shares, it was still bearable if only sixty shares were taken away. It was still possible to survive on forty shares, even if it meant a life of poverty.

However, there would be a serious problem if eighty shares were collected. If one could barely make a living with forty shares, there was no doubt life would become hellish and unbearable with only twenty shares.

During one of the years with only twenty shares to live with, he returned home worn out after a hard day of farm work, only to discover that his little sister had disappeared without a trace.

Zach was still young when it had happened. His adored little sister went missing, but his parents wouldn’t go looking for her. He didn’t know what was going on back then, but now he clearly knew the reason: She had been sold. In this day and age, slave trade had finally been stopped due to the efforts of the “Golden” princess, but slavery had been quite common within the Kingdom back then.

For that reason, whenever he visited brothels and passed by prostitutes, he would subconsciously stare at their faces. Of course, he didn’t believe he could find his little sister like this. Even If he did find his little sister this way, he wouldn’t know what to say to her. Nonetheless, he just couldn’t stop himself from looking.

Living in such a harsh and poor environment, one also had the heavy obligation to be drafted into the army.

The Kingdom of Re-Estize periodically went to war with the Baharuth Empire, and often drafted soldiers from farming villages such as his. To lose an able worker for even a month was quite a big deal for a small village and it significantly affected the yield of a harvest. However, there were also those who felt lucky to be drafted into the army.

Since there were less people that needed to be fed, a family’s food expenditure was reduced. For those who were drafted, they’re provided with rations given by the Kingdom. For some, that was the first time they experienced how it feels like to be full.

Sadly, these were just about all the upsides.. Even if you risked your life, without achieving a major accomplishment receiving any kind of reward would be impossible. Some didn’t even get rewarded for completing great achievements, only those who were truly blessed with luck could find success within the army.

After the end of the war the soldiers went back to their villages, but they only found despair because the village’s harvest had lower than expected yield due to lack of workers.

This had happened to Zach after his first two drafts. But during his third draft, a way to change his fate occurred.

The war that time was like the others, it ended with only a small scale battle. Luckily, Zach survived the battle. As he was about to head back to his village, he stopped. He looked at the weapon in his hand and an idea popped into his head.

…Perhaps it would be better to try another kind of life than to go back to that village.

But he was just a farmer and he barely received any training for war. He didn’t have many choices for his new life.

His body was mediocre and there was no way he could compare himself to those few that were born with innate talent. All he had learned in his life is to sow seeds and farm, and when to spread which seeds. That was just about all he knew.

Zach took initiative with his one and only trump card, and that was to run away with the weapon issued to him by the Kingdom. The thought of troubling his parents never came into his mind because they had sold his little sister — even if they did it so the rest of the family could survive — and he no longer held any love for them.

He had no background and didn’t know anyone, so how was he able to escape the army easily. Luckily, he met with some people who could help him with his escape, perhaps his luck wasn’t that bad after all.

It was a mercenary group that had helped him escape.

Of course, to the mercenary group, Zach was only a farmer and wasn’t much of a use to them. But they had lost many members due to the war, and wished to quickly return to their former size.

Because of this, the mercenary group easily let Zach join. But this wasn’t really a legitimate mercenary group. During a war, they were mercenaries. During times of peace, they became bandits.

It is no wonder what sort of life he led after that point.

To have something is better than nothing. To take is better than to be taken from. Instead of crying, it is better to let the others cry.

He was living that kind of life.

He felt no wrong, and had no regrets.

Every time he heard the victims’ begging and whimpers, he further confirmed on his beliefs to be so.

Now he broke into a run in the lower city. He runs in the world that’s in even deeper shade of red than the current setting twilight.

He had been pushing himself ever since he had left the inn, so he’s already breathless with beads of sweat on his forehead. He felt exhausted and wanted to rest, wondering if he should actually do so. But since he didn’t have much time, he endured the fatigue and kept on running.

As Zach was about to make a sharp turn at the corner of the street—

“So dangerous~”

A complaint and a clattering of metal sounded as the figure quickly turned their body to avoid a collision.

The near impact startled Zach, and he looked towards the shadow that had jumped back.

In front of him was a woman with a well proportioned face. The black cape she was wearing was blending her with the shadows, but her bright purple eyes were looking at him with great curiosity.

Due to his exhaustion, Zach had lost all of his patience and barked:

“That’s my line! That was dangerous! Keep your eyes in front of you!”

The woman didn’t seem to be afraid of his threatening snarl and showed him a cold smile.

That smile made Zach want to step back and he couldn’t muster the courage to take out the knife hidden under his shirt. He was like a mouse being stared down by a lion.

The clattering sound of metals that he heard from the moment she jumped back, it’s probably from her armor.

An armor-wearing woman, perhaps she was an adventurer.

…Wrong target to pick a fight with.

Zach’s subconscious was sending out danger signals, and he realized the situation he is in.

He wouldn’t look down on this woman because of the naive thinking that females were of the weaker sex. Zach knew there was a really strong group of female only adventurers. He remembered this being casually mentioned by the strongest member of his mercenary group.

Although Zach was in the same group as that member, he was undoubtedly the weakest of them all. He was made the errand boy because he’s weak.

Drenched with sweat from all the running, Zach now regretted the threatening tone he took and his sweat slowly turned into another kind of sweat.

As Zach’s face was showing obvious fear, the woman’s smile suddenly became less frightening:

“Hmm~ whatever. I don’t have much time as well. But if I see you again, be prepared to feel some discomfort~”

The woman casually remarked and walked around him. Zach became interested in the direction this particular woman was heading, but it was just a part of the lower town where no one was living.

It was already this late, so why was a beauty like her heading towards the slums? Though he felt curious, he had more important matters to deal with. He started running again.

After a while, he reached another part of the lower city that was filled with many ramshackle houses. He briefly looked around to check if he had been followed.

The sun was gradually sinking below the horizon, and the world was slowly shrouded in darkness. Zach tried to check a second time to see if anyone had been following him by hiding in a dark corner. He had repeatedly performed this action many times already, but he wanted to check one last time just to be safe.

Nodding in satisfaction Zach tried to catch his breath while knocking the door three times. Five seconds later, he knocked another four times.

After giving the secret knock, a reaction could immediately be felt on the other side of the door, which was the sound of a wooden plate sliding against the door. The wooden plate blocking the peephole slid to the side, and a man’s eyes could be seen looking around, to confirm the identity of the intruder.

“Ah, it’s you. Wait a moment.”

He didn’t wait for Zach’s response and blocked the peephole again. The sound of a heavy lock being opened could be heard next and the door opened slightly.

“Come in.”

The rooms gave off a slightly rotten odor, it was a world of difference to compare this to the hotel he had just been in. Zach hoped his nose would get used to this smell soon, and quickly slid into the room.

The door was closed and Zach saw that the room inside is both dark and small.

This place was a dining hall with a built-in kitchen, but there was only one table. On the table stood a lone candle illuminating the dim room slightly.

A filthy man who gave off the air of someone who made a living through violence and brutality pulled out a chair by the table and sat down. The chair creaked as if it was screaming. The man had a solid frame and a broad chest. Light scars could be seen on this man’s face and arms. The chair looked as if it is about to collapse under his weight.

“So, Zach, what is it. Did something happen?”

“The situation changed… the prey is about to move.”

“Ah… so they are going now.”

Zach nodded slightly. The man complained in low voice: “Why did they choose this hour… Can’t they be more considerate of us.” At the same time he lifted his hand and scratched his messy hair.

“Is there no way to delay them a bit?”

“It’s not so easy because it’s a request by that girl.”

The man had already heard many times about how the girl was like and exaggeratedly wrinkled his face.

“That old geezer should use some of his brain and try persuading the girl to not leave at night. Traveling at night is scary and there might be bandits. Damn it, I can’t stand this… even idiots know that. Ah — how about sabotaging the wheels of the carriage to delay them until tomorrow?”

“I don’t think I can… they’re already moving the luggage onto the carriage, perhaps it would be better to just be done with this quickly?”

“Hmm, that’s not wrong…”

The man was looking up while thinking deeply.

“So, around what time will they leave?”

“In about two hours.”

“The timeframe is very tight. Hmm… what to do. If we only have two hours to prepare then we gotta contact the others quickly… Though it might be a bit difficult, but they’re preys hard to come by.”

The man counted his fingers as he thought about the amount time for the operation. Zach silently listened in on the plan and lowered his head to look at his hand.

“Rich people like them get you riled up, don’t they…”

Zach recalled the pristine and perfect hand of hers.

Those who worked on a farm would never have such beautiful hands. From handling the hoes and all the heavy farm work they did, everyone’s hands were both rough and dirty, down to their very nails.

He knew this world wasn’t fair. But…

Zach curled up the corner of his mouth, showed his teeth, and gave a lewd and lecherous smirk:

“I’ll have my turn to toy with her… right?”

“Only after I’m done with her. We also need to ask for a ransom, so don’t be too rough and hurt her too badly.”

The man also showed a lecherous smile. Perhaps stimulated by his desire, he stood up.

“Alright, it’s decided. Let me contact the leader.”

“Got it.”

“We’ll send around ten guys to the ambush spot. You should go now, make sure they’ll arrive at the spot in about four hours. If you’re delayed somehow, we’ll attack directly. Try to calm them down in order to make them drop their guard.”

Part 3

A carriage was quickly speeding away from the walled city.

Four strong horses were pulling a large carriage that was more than large enough to carry six passengers.

The surrounding area was unexpectedly bright, illuminated by a large, bright moon that hung in the sky… Even so, it was still foolish to travel hastily in a night like this. Putting up lights, making camp and setting a watch detail would’ve been a wiser choice.

Saying the night wasn’t a world controlled by humans wouldn’t be enough. To put it more clearly, places where the light didn't shine didn't belong to humans. Countless animals, demi-humans and monsters lurked in the night; many with eyes that could pierce the dark and attack humans.

In a dangerous night like this, the passengers only felt a slight vibration as the carriage moved down the road.

The trembling wasn’t weak because of excellent suspension, it was due to the fact that the carriage was moving on stone paved roads.

The construction of stone paved roads only began after a proposal from the "Golden” princess, but as of now, the only places that had paved roads were some of the territories under the king’s direct jurisdiction, and the territory of one of the six grand nobles, Lord Raven. This was due to the opposition of the aristocrats, who felt the ease of movement would make it easier for the empire to invade.

The cost of road maintenance stirred up a lot of commotion as well. Princess Renner’s suggestion of raising funds from the merchants was hampered by the nobles who feared that their authority and revenue would be diminished. This resulted in the current state of affairs looking as if it had been chewed by a dog.

This area wasn't far from the city under the direct jurisdiction of the king, and as such, the maintenance was done quite well.

However, it wasn't perfect. The carriage traveling on the road would still wobble occasionally, and the passengers would feel the vibration.

Due to the shaking, the conversation inside the carriage ended as if they had just finished a topic.

In the carriage was Sebas, Solution besides him, Shalltear seated opposite them and Shalltear's two slave concubines, Vampire Brides, on either side of her. And of course, Zach was seated on the driver's seat, driving the carriage.

After a momentary silence in the carriage, Sebas opened his mouth with a relaxed tone:

"There is a certain matter I’ve always wanted to inquire about.."

"Hmm? Question for me? What is it?"

"You and Aura-sama seem to be on bad terms, is there any reason for that?"

"… Actually, I don't think our relationship is bad."

Shalltear answered quietly, inspecting the nail on her pinky with a bored expression.

The pearly white nail was about two centimeter in length. She held a file in her other hand, but the nail was already neatly trimmed and didn't require polishing. Satisfied, Shalltear tossed the file to the vampire seated beside her.

After that, she attempted to extend her empty hands to the breasts of the vampires on both sides of her, but noting the expressions of the two people before her, Shalltear made an embarrassed face and withdrew her hands.

"It doesn't feel that way."

Sebas continued. Shalltear's face frowned as if she had eaten something bitter:

"I… Me… okay. It's because my creator Peroroncino-sama made my settings to be on bad terms with her, so I tease her a bit more. However, it's probably the same for her, maybe Simmering Teapot-sama made that kid's setting to be at odds with me."

Feeling disinterested, Shalltear waved her hand and met Sebas' eyes for the first time.

"By the way, My creator Peroroncino-sama and that kid's creator — Simmering Teapot-sama are younger brother and older sister. In a way, we could also be considered sisters.."

"Siblings- so that's how it is!"

"In the past, when Perorocino-sama and the other supreme beings — Luci★fer-sama and Nishiki Enrai-sama — came to my domain, they mentioned that.

When she recalled how she accompanied the great beings making their rounds, Shalltear's eyes were full of adoration:

“Perorocino-sama once mentioned that Simmering Teapot-sama had a job called voice acting. She was very popular and provided her voice for 'H Game', so whenever he bought a popular game he was looking forward to, the image of his sister's face came to mind, making him lose his drive."

Although I have no idea what that was supposed to mean, added Shalltear. Sebas also tilted his head in confusion:

"Voice acting… I recall that it is a job using your voice. They will even sing sometimes, so it should be similar to bards."

Hearing Sebas' reply, Shalltear let out a chiming laugh and corrected him:

"Wrong."

"Wrong? What is it then?"

"I heard this from Simmering Teapot-sama herself, a voice actress is someone who bestows a soul to a work through the use of her voice. Which means voice acting is a profession that creates life."

"Ohh! I get it now, I actually misunderstood it so badly. Thank you for enlightening me, Shalltear-sama."

Characters such as Sebas that were created by the supreme beings were given knowledge the moment they were born. However, they only had that knowledge, without actually knowing what the real thing was like, so they would create some amusing misunderstandings, just like just now when they misunderstood the profession of one of their adored creators.

Sebas felt embarrassed, and to avoid making the same mistake, he repeated the term, committing the meaning of voice acting to memory.

"Don't take it too hard. Oh right, Sebas, since we are journeying together, you don't need to be so polite."

"Really, Shalltear-sama?"

“Don't address me as — sama… We are all servants of the supreme beings. Although the supreme beings bestowed us positions and set the hierarchy among us, we are fundamentally the same."

That was correct. Solution served Sebas because she was ordered to. She and Sebas were of the same rank after all.

"I understand, Shalltear. I will address you as such."

"That is great. Speaking of which, isn't the relationship between you and Demiurge quite bad?"

Sebas didn't say a word. Shalltear who saw such a reaction squinted her eye like a mischievous child and continued asking:

“The supreme beings didn't order you to do that, so why did it turn out this way?"

"…Actually, I am not so sure myself. It's probably out of my nature, I just dislike him. However, it should be the same for him."

"Hmmm — Nobody makes me feel that way… But, maybe the feelings of the creators are embedded deeply in our heart."

"That is very possible."

Shalltear stared at Sebas who was nodding in agreement. Considering his position, Shalltear thought he might know and asked a question she had harbored for a long time:

"Who is on the 8th floor? I know Victim is there, but who else is with him?"

Sebas frowned at the sudden change in topic. To find out the true intention behind Shalltear bringing this up, he looked at Shalltear with a serious expression. Solution who was seated beside them changed her expression slightly, but the two who were conversing didn't notice as it was too minute.

"… Long ago, there were foolish people who opposed the supreme beings, attacking in huge numbers and breaking through the 7th floor. But the 9th floor of the supreme being’s base wasn't attacked. Considering this, the last place that had been attacked was the 8th floor, right? I don't remember much, but the enemy attacked with overwhelming force, so we would’ve needed a force on the same scale to match them. However, no one knew who repelled them. Albedo seemed to know, she is the supervisor of Nazarick after all, it would be strange if she didn't."

Not bothered by the silent Sebas, Shalltear continued:

"… She seems to be a step ahead, which annoys me. Who is the mysterious being on the 8th floor? Is it a character created by Ainz-sama?"

Sebas had been created by Touch Me, Demiurge by Urbet Alain Odle and Cocytus by Takemikazuchi. But even Shalltear didn't know who the highest of the 41 supreme beings, Ainz — Momonga created.

It couldn't be that he didn't make anyone.

And so, that character who was on the 8th floor, which Shalltear knew nothing about, was a logical deduction.

"… No, that should be impossible. I only heard a little about it, but the character created by Ainz-sama is called Pandora’s Actor. His ability is on the same level as me and I heard he was the guardian of the deepest part of the treasury."

"There's someone like that?"

Unlike Albedo, Shalltear wasn't given information about all the characters in Nazarick. That's why this was the first time she heard that name.

Even though the treasury was only accessible with a ring of Ainz Ooal Gown, it would be strange if there were no guards.

The deepest part of the treasury.

The high-level magic items were all stored there, maybe some world class items as well. If that was the case, then Ainz, who had the highest position of the 41 supreme beings, would be most suited to create a character for that place.

Shalltear felt her pride take a hit for not being able to guard that exalted place, but she consoled herself, thinking that it couldn't be helped. She believed that stopping the invaders from reaching the 3rd floor in the first place was also a huge responsibility, just as important as guarding the treasury.

Moreover, it was the duty that had been given to her by her own creator..

"There is, but I have never met him before, since it’s impossible to reach that area without a ring"

"Oh…"

Shalltear responded weakly, apparently having lost her interest, but Sebas didn't seem to mind.

"In the end, the 8th floor is still a mystery… what a shame."

"That's right, even we can't go in there, there must be something there."

"What is that something you speak of?"

"Maybe there is a mechanism that would even attack us?"

"Hmm, you might be correct, but my guess would be… it's a trap that kills everyone indiscriminately?"

"The Great Tomb of Nazarick was made with the delicate care of the supreme beings. With loyal servants like us giving our all to protect it, that level of trap shouldn't be able to stop them if they could make it to the 7th floor…"

"Want to sneak a peek?"

A child who thought of a naughty idea- Shalltear was smiling just like that. Sebas was smiling as usual, but it was deeper than normal.

"You want to go against Ainz-sama's wishes?"

"Kidding, just kidding. Just a joke, don't make such a scary face."

"Shalltear… Curiosity killed the cat. What we should do is wait quietly, until the moment when Ainz-sama is willing to tell us."

"You are right… Well then, did the prey take the bait?"

The sudden change in topic didn't make Sebas say anymore, and gave a direct answer:

"Yes, bait, hook and sinker. All that's left is reeling it in."

After a slight nod, Shalltear licked her lips happily, her red eyes glinting unnaturally.

Sebas who immediately understood why Shalltear was displaying such emotions, judged this to be a great chance to relay Solution's request:

"Regarding this part, there is something I want to ask of Shalltear."

"… What is it?"

While imagining what was going to happen and immersing herself in its joy, Shalltear was interrupted and said in a displeased voice. Sebas continued in a soothing manner:

"The driver of this carriage, could you give him to this girl?"

"… Is he a small fry?"

"Yes, he is just a mouth piece."

Shalltear closed her eyes and fell into deep thought when she heard this request. Considering all the possibilities, she apparently found an answer and nodded:

"In that case it's fine. He probably won't even taste good even if I sucked his blood."

"I am very grateful, thank you for your generosity, Shalltear."

"Thank you, Shalltear-sama."

"Ah, it's no big deal. Don't mention it,

Shalltear smiled affectionately at Solution, it was unexpected of her to have such a warm expression. Following that, Shalltear went back to her usual self and gazed at Sebas:

"I misspoke just now, so now we are even."

"I understand… I never thought Shalltear would ever do something so foolish. You were just joking back then, right?"

"That's it, you are right. If Sebas had said the same thing, I would’ve thought you were joking as well. I would then send my minions to spy on you without a word, chop off your limbs if you show any sign of betrayal and drag you before Ainz-sama in chains."

"I am not as vicious as you, Shalltear."

"Really? That makes me more suspicious of your loyalty — I think you would absolutely do that, right?"

Shalltear and Sebas looked at each other with heartfelt joy and smiled.

"Anyway, I adore cute girls the most. Giving him to Solution is a different joy in itself—"

"— Well then, how do you intend to capture them? With spells like 「Paralyze」 or 「Bind Person」?"

Before heading to Re-Lantier, Ainz gave Sebas the order to 'capture humans who know martial arts or magic, but do so for criminals that won't pose a problem even if they disappear.' So as part of the plan, Sebas and Solution played the role of a rich wilful daughter and the butler who had to clean up her mess, waiting patiently for a fish like Zach to bite.

Shalltear's task was to use this fish to haul in the school of fish following behind.

"That is impossible, I wouldn't put in so much effort. Ainz-sama said it would be fine to turn them into slaves after sucking them dry, but we absolutely have to catch them. But, investigating one by one would take a lot of time, so just suck them all dry.”

Sebas didn’t say ‘I see’, and just nodded. But now, he had to admit the choice of Shalltear made him uncomfortable. With this judgement, Sebas had to speak his mind:

“From this point of view, Demiurge-sama would be a better choice. Similar to Aura-sama’s breath, he can control the will of others freely.”

Demiurge had the 「Domination Curse」 special skill, which was a powerful mind control technique. In a mission that required the capture of the target, it would be exceptionally effective.

“… Huh?”

Shalltear suddenly made an unbelievably low pitch sound.

The atmosphere inside the carriage became heavy, covered by a chilling air.

Even the horses pulling the carriage felt it, and the carriage shook violently. The vampires seated on both sides of Shalltear turned even paler while Solution, who was besides Sebas, was shivering. Even Sebas who was on the same level as Shalltear felt goosebumps.

The killing intent of the most powerful Floor Guardian in Nazarick. Her hostility was telling of how her quibbles with Aura were just playful banter. If there was a misstep in dealing with this, it would definitely spark a battle to the death.

Shalltear, who brought the atmosphere within the carriage to a freezing point, had bloodshot eyes. Spreading from her red pupils, her eyes were entirely dyed in red.

“Sebas— Could you say that again? Or a dragonian like you wants to use this form—”

The completely red eyes moved:

“—And fight to the death like this?”

“I misspoke, please forgive me. I was just feeling uneasy, it would be great if your 「Blood Frenzy」 doesn’t activate.”

Shalltear answered Sebas with silence.

Sebas could tell that her momentary silence meant she was feeling uneasy about herself too.

In YGGDRASIL, powerful jobs would be given weaknesses and handicaps in order to balance the game. One of the few handicaps given to Shalltear was 「Blood Frenzy」, the more blood her body was getting covered in, the stronger her urge to slaughter would become. Although her combat strength would increase, it came at the price of losing control over her mind.

Ainz chose Shalltear, who might ignore orders or even lose control, for this mission by using the process of elimination.

Albedo had to protect the Great Tomb of Nazarick, as for the remaining two guardians — Shalltear and Cocytus — if you observe from a distance, Shalltear was more humanlike.

Following this, Shalltear took several deep breaths. She seemed to be cooling down her wrath, and at the same time suppressing the uneasiness in her heart.

After a final, deep breath, Shalltear returned to her normal expression — a seductive and lusty girl — and her eyes returned to its usual color.

“… Simply put, they would turn into slaves after we suck their blood, so that would be much simpler. There’s no need to bring them back alive, Ainz-sama brought this point up before. Also, I will definitely suppress the 「Blood Frenzy」.

By sucking all their blood, vampires could turn a target into a lower-tiered undead that was absolutely obedient towards their master. Vampires were only able to create lesser vampires with intelligence far below their own, but Shalltear could create vampires with an intelligence on the level of a human.

Although there was a limit to how many vampires she could create, if dead or alive didn’t matter, Shalltear could be considered an excellent hunter as well..

“That’s right, you need not say more, I will definitely finish Ainz-sama’s mission smoothly. I will let Ainz-sama praise me like ‘Well done Shalltear, you are my most important slave’, and then say ‘You are the one most suitable to be by my side’.”

“Please forgive my shallow thoughts.”

Those were Sebas' sincere thoughts, other than apologizing to Shalltear for his rudeness, he was expressing his apology for another person.

“I didn’t realized my words were also disrespectful towards Ainz-sama who appointed you, I am very sorry. Forgive me for displeasing you.”

Next, he lowered his head and apologized to Solution and the vampires too — at this moment, there was a violent vibration from the carriage, and a neigh from the horses pulling the carriage.

“… The carriage seems to be stopping.”

“Indeed.”

Imagining her master praising her after completing the mission, Shalltear who was immersed in happiness came to her senses. She smiled like a mischievous girl plotting a prank while Sebas smiled at her while stroking his beard.

Part 4

Coming out from the nearby forest were ten strong men. They surrounded the carriage in a semicircle. These men all carried different equipment. Though the quality of their equipment wasn’t great, one couldn’t say that it was poor either. One could tell that the weapons were chosen quite carefully.

The men were discussing about what to do with their prey, such as who would go first. The fact that they seemed completely complacent was obvious. After all, they had already done this several times before. This time shouldn’t be any different, so they had no reason to be nervous.

Zach jumped down from the carriage’s driver seat and jogged to these men.

Before he had jumped off the driver’s seat, he had cut the reins to prevent the carriage from being driven away, he also rigged the carriage door so that it could only be opened from one side, the side that was facing the men.

The men flaunted their weapons for their prey to see. It was as if they were giving a silent warning that if they didn’t come out immediately, they would be hurt badly.

As if they were reacting to the warning, the carriage door slowly opened.

A beautiful girl appeared under the moonlight. The gathered mercenaries and bandits showed lewd smiles and looked at her with gazes full of lust. Their delighted expressions could be seen clearly.

However, there was someone who was surprised: Zach.

Using one sentence to explain his surprise would be ‘Who is this?’. Zach had never seen this beauty before, despite being familiar with the carriage. The discrepancy confused him, rendering him speechless.

Then, another girl with the same outfit appeared right after her. Some of the men showed a confused smile because their target should be just one gullible, rich girl and her old butler.

Yet another seemingly young girl appeared behind the two, and the sight of her immediately made them forget all their doubts.

Her silky hair shone brilliantly under the moonlight, and her dewy, crimson eyes displayed otherworldly seductiveness.

To see such a gorgeous and beautiful girl appearing before them, the bandits could only sigh to themselves. They couldn’t even utter a word of compliment while being so dazed. This moment proved that for something truly beautiful to show up suddenly, even the desire of beasts will dwindle.

Bathed in the gaze of these charmed men, Shalltear showed an obscene and seductive smile. She then nonchalantly walked to the front of the men:

“Everyone, thank you for gathering here for me. Ah yes, who is the leader out of all of you? May I negotiate with him for a bit?”

Seeing the gazes of the bandits resting on one of their own, Shalltear obtained the information she wanted. Which meant that except for that one, the others were not needed.

“Wh….what do you want to negotiate?”

After seeing the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, the man who seemed to be their leader finally regained his composure and stepped forward.

“Aaah, forgive me. The negotiation was just a joke in order to obtain the information I wanted. Please excuse me.”

“Who the hell are you people…”

Shalltear looked to Zach as he asked the question:

“So you’re the guy named Zach? I will give you to Solution as promised, so could you please step aside?”

A few became confused, and in search for answers they started looking at each other, but among these men—

“Hmph, just a little wench. Your body is quite nice, in a bit I will make you weep.”

The bandit, who happened by chance to be in front of Shalltear, reached out to touch the full breasts that didn’t really fit a girl of such young age. But then— the hand fell to the ground.

“Could you not touch me with your dirty hand?”

The shocked man looked toward his arm that had lost its hand. After delay, he howled:

“Arrghhhh — hand, hand my hand—!”

“You only lost one hand, why are you screaming so much? Can you still call yourself a man?”

Shalltear muttered a little and waved her hand nonchalantly. Like that the man’s head fell onto the ground.

How is it possible for her to manage to cut off the man’s head, using nothing but her unarmed and delicate hand? Like a scene from a nightmare, it all felt too surreal and the bandits became terrified. The men were unable to react because of their shock. However, the oncoming horrible sight brought everyone back to reality.

The blood started gushing out from the neck just like a fountain. As if the blood had a will of its own, it gathered above Shalltear and formed a ball of blood.

Shalltear’s companions knew that this scene was caused by her special skill 「Blood Pool」. But these bandits didn’t know of such inhuman skills. The very first thought that came into their mind was:

“It’s a Magic Caster!”

If some of them understood magic properly, they might’ve been able to issue a more specific warning. ‘Magic Caster’ was just a general term, depending on the profession there were all kinds of subdivisions and the ways of dealing with each of them were different from each other. After having seen Shalltear’s dress, the first thing that should have come to their minds was sorcery based magic, followed by the ability to control minds. Since they didn't issue any specific warning, one could safely conclude that the other party was completely lacking any fundamental knowledge of magic.

In other words, whenever they saw something they failed to understand, they would believe it to be magic.

Shalltear understood that these men don't know any better, she then looked at them with disinterest. The panicking bandits hurriedly raised their weapons in defence.

“So boring, I’ll leave what’s left to you guys. Only leave this and that guy… got it?”

“Yes, Shalltear-sama.”

The vampires who followed close behind Shalltear, they walked up and bashed the face of the bandit who was swinging his sword at Shalltear, flinging him backwards.

The scene was as if someone was hitting with a metal bat using all his might.

It was like the sound made when a balloon that was filled with liquid had exploded. The bandit flew across the air with his limbs flailing, accompanied by sprays of blood and brain matter. The fluid sparkled in the moonlight, making it even more beautiful due to the element of horror

More than half of the skull had ruptured and had been knocked away flying. The brain spluttered and fell out of the cracked skull and only then did the body finally drop to the ground with a wet sound. The sound gave great horror and fright to the bandits, but it was like the first bell of battle which brought Shalltear great happiness.

Zach showed a stiff smile while looking at the scene in front of him.

Such an inhuman scene

The nauseating heavy stench of blood, which was caused by vicious killing, made him want to vomit.

Limbs of men were shredded like paper. The head that got grabbed by both hands exploded like a pomegranate being cracked open.

One bandit’s stomach was pierced by a bare hand after being forcibly stripped of his armor. The wet and glistening intestines were being pulled out for several meters. The bandit was still alive after this, which showed the tenacity of the humans.

There was one rolling and crawling in pain on the floor. Because he tried to run away, both of his legs were brutally broken. From afar one could see white spots on his leg, — the bones that had pierced through the muscle and skin. Still, he tried to crawl away using his two hands. He was trying hard to get away from the hellish scene and the origin of horror. Even if it was only for a couple more moments, he still wanted to live.

The otherworldly beautiful girl looked down at the men who were begging for their lives, and let out a shrill laugh.

How did it become like this….

Zach tried very hard on finding an answer.

No matter what kind of glorified words one chose to use, one could not disguise the fact that living beings follow the concept of ‘Survival of the Fittest’. Fundamentally, whatever growth or progression there was in living beings, they evolved and pushed through because the strong preyed on the weak; it was the natural order of things. This was the exact belief Zach had always followed. Even so, was it okay for the strong to go overboard?

Of course not, there was no way he could acknowledge such cruel and vicious killing, but what could he do? The enemy just by chance hadn’t attacked him yet. If he attempted to run away, the enemy might have done something to Zach to make him unable to escape, such as the painful and horrible torture he had just witnessed.

Zach clutched his clothes and felt the shape of the sword that was hidden inside.

Oh why did this sword have to be so small? It would be impossible to fight using this short sword against a monster able to easily dismember a man.

What should he do then? He cannot imagine himself affecting those monsters in any way.

Zach seemed to be trying to hide himself, and crouched and hugged himself with both of his arms. He thought the rhythmic chattering of his teeth was so loud, what would he do if those monsters heard this sound and came looking for him.

Though he tried his hardest on calming himself since his life was depended on not being found, he was still unable to stop his teeth from chattering.

Speaking of which, who the hell are these people? Zach didn’t recognize them at all.

As he was thinking—

“Zach-san, come here.”

— Suddenly, a mellow voice, which didn’t match the cruel scene in front of him, came from behind Zach.

He looked back in deep horror, and there he found his employer.

The expression shown by his mistress was not her usual haughty one. If he had been calm enough, he might’ve been on guard against her, but he was greatly confused by this scene of horror filled with the stench of blood, and didn’t had the presence of mind to notice her unusual behavior.

“What are those monsters?!”

Zach shrieked at the supposedly rich and gullible girl (Solution):

“If there were monsters like them, why didn’t you tell me!”

That was right, if he knew, things wouldn’t have become like this. The horrible and terrifying scene in front of him was all caused by this bitch.

“Say something, hurry and say something! Know that? This was all caused by you!”

In his great anxiety and horror, Zach felt angry and impatient. He impulsively grabbed Solution’s collar and shook her roughly.

“…I got it, please come with me.”

“You…you will you save me?”

“No, as my last chance, I want to enjoy and savor you entirely.”

A cold and pristine hand grabbed onto Zach’s hand. Like this, Solution led him away.

“Because Sebas-sama doesn’t like these kind of things very much. Though I already obtained permission, I still want us to be a bit further away.”

Zach didn't understand what she was saying, but he thought that if he was being led to another place perhaps he still had a chance at surviving.

Zach pretended not to hear the unending howls and screams coming from behind him.

This couldn’t be helped, because Zach was so weak. There was no way to save those companions who were supposedly much stronger than Zach.

“Please don’t be too rough, if it’s possible… I hope you can be gentle, then I will be very happy.”

Behind the carriage, Solution whispered to Zach in a low voice. Her hand reached towards her back, as if to take off her beautiful dress. Seeing this scene, Zach was greatly startled, what the hell was this girl doing? His eyes looked as if he was seeing an odd creature for the first time, and he couldn’t tear his gaze from Solution. Her hand didn’t seem to be stopping, and Zach, who was greatly confused, opened his mouth and asked:

“Y..you..What are you doing?”

“What does it look like?”

Like that, Solution continued to slowly strip off her corset.

As if only waiting for this exact moment, the restrained twin peaks bounced outward. The delicate and perky round shapes, with skin as white as snow, glowed under the luminescent moonlight.

The scene before Zach made him gulp.

“Please.”

As if begging to be touched tenderly, Solution pointed her bare breasts toward Zach.

“What do you want me to do…”

Zach forgot himself, only to stare intently at the naked body in front of him.

So beautiful, this girl had the most beautiful and alluring body out of all the women Zach had seen in his life.

Before, of all those embraced by Zach, the most beautiful was undoubtedly the girl assaulted by him on a carriage while they were traveling on the road. But when it was Zach’s turn, the girl was already dead tired and laid there unmoving. She only opened her legs widely like a frog. Even so, he still thought of her as beautiful and lovely.

But the girl in front of him is even more beautiful than her, and isn’t lifeless like back then.

As if being lit by the flame of desire, he started to feel warmth in his groin. He could only pant like a dog, and slid his hand toward Solution’s body.

As if touching a cloth made of silk — it was that kind of a sensation.

He could bear no longer, and grabbed her perky and well shaped bosom.

The hand sunk in just like that.

The feeling was so soft it felt as if his whole hand had sunk in, Zach thought of this initially. But after looking toward his hand, he immediately noticed it wasn’t like that.

Literally, Zach’s hand really had sunk into Solution’s body.

“Wh…What the hell is this!”

The unimaginable sight made Zach scream and he attempted to take his hand back. But no matter how hard he tried to pull, he couldn’t pull his hand back. Not only could he not pull his hand back, it was trying to pull him in. It was like there were many tentacles inside Solution’s body, and those tentacles firmly grabbed onto Zach’s hand and continued to pull him in.

Solution’s beautiful and well proportioned face remained calm during such an odd situation, only to stare at Zach silently. Like a scientist looking at a lab animal that has been injected with a deadly poison, she was looking at him with a gaze that held both cold mercilessness and great curiosity.

“Hey, st…stop! Let me go!”

Zach held a fist with his other hand, and mustered all his strength to strike at Solution’s beautiful face.

Once, twice, three times-

It’s fine even if he hurt his fist, Zach used all of his strength to strike at the head. Her face, though it was struck repeatedly by a full-grown man, she remained unconcerned and didn’t even move an inch. It’s as if she didn’t feel any pain at all.

But for Zach who was struggling for his life, the feeling was different and strange as he struck her again, and all the hair on his body stood up on its end.

The feeling was as if he was hitting a leather bag filled with water. In a normal situation, there would be a feeling of rebound from striking with your fist. But all of its force was absorbed and there was no feeling of striking any bones. This was not what hitting somebody is supposed to feel like.

He was distracted by his lust and excitement, but now he suddenly remembered the scene of the hell and abomination that was behind him.

Zach suppressed his urge to scream.

He finally understood.

This naked girl was also a monster.

“You finally noticed? Then, here’s the main act?”

Before he could reply, it felt as if hundreds of thousands of needles had stuck into his arm and the pain almost made him faint.

“AHHHHH—!”

“I am dissolving your arm.”

While in severe pain he heard her cold voice, but he was unable to understand the meaning. This was already a scenario that’s out of Zach’s understanding.

“Truthfully, I like to watch things as they dissolve. Because Zach-san said he would very much like to be in me, so our feelings were quite mutual. It made me very happy that you feel this way.”

“Ahhhh—! Fucking die, monster!”

While trying to bear with the severe pain, Zach took out his concealed short sword. Like that, with all his strength he stabbed the lovely face of Solution. As a result, Solution’s body shook a bit.

“Serves you right!”

But Zach noticed his thought to be premature.

How was this different from stabbing at a pond? At most, little ripples appeared on the surface of the water, and that was all that had happened.

Solution kept her cold and observing expression even with a sword in her. She gazed intently at Zach, and whispered in a low voice:

“So sorry, I have immunity to physical attacks, so this type of attack cannot harm me. This too shall dissolve.”

An acidic stench emitted. It was only after a couple of seconds, the handle of the sword fell from Solution’s face onto the floor. It was as she said, a beautiful unblemished face that was the same as before once again appeared in front of Zach.

“Who… what the hell are you?”

The severe pain from his arm was still not subsiding, but the horror of death in front of him was even more terrible than the pain. His terror almost made him forget the pain. With tears on his face, he asked.

But the answer was so horrible he wanted to cover his ears.

“I am a preying type ooze. Time is limited, so I must swallow you now.”

The force of suction of Solution’s body became even stronger and he was pressed into her inch by inch. It was pointless for Zach to resist.

“Stop stop stop stop pleeeassee stop—! Please forgive me, spare me please—!”

Zach screamed and cried, and continued to beg. But the force that’s pulling Zach was so strong, that a mere human had no way to resist. His arm, shoulder, and upper body continued to be swallowed inside her.

“Lilia!”

Zach cried out this name as his last word before his face and head too got swallowed into Solution. It was like a snake swallowing its prey whole, Zach’s entire body was now inside Solution—.

Only a few minutes have passed since the attack, but there were already no survivors left. The place was filled with the stench of blood that’s quite unpleasant to the nose.

No, one man was still alive. He groveled under Shalltear on both of his knees, and he was furiously moving his tongue licking. He was licking the blood and brains off Shalltear’s high heels that were dirtied when she, for fun, stepped on and crushed a bandit’s skull.

Shalltear satisfyingly looked at her now shiny and clean stiletto.

“Thanks for your hard work. As promised, I will spare your life.”

The terrified man showed an ugly grimace. While groveling he showed a thankful gaze toward Shalltear, and kept on kowtowing to thank her. Shalltear showed an affectionate expression to the dog-like man, and flicked her finger.

“Suck.”

The two vampires came to be beside him, the man finally knew what she had meant all along.

“You will still live as an undead, so you can’t say I lied to you, okay?”

Unable to hold themselves back, the vampires bit into the man. Shalltear glanced sideways as the man’s life force was taken gulp by gulp. Solution, with her disheveled collar and clothes, walked up to Shalltear from behind the carriage, who then asked:

“Hm, so it’s all done?”

“Yes, I am very satisfied. Thank you very much, Shalltear-sama.”

“Not at all, because we’re both from Nazarick as companions. Ah, so did that human have his fun?”

“He’s currently enjoying it, would you like a look?”

“Eh? Really? Then let me see a little.”

A man’s arm suddenly burst out from Solution’s face, accompanied by a pungent smell. The stench came from the arm. Because of the strong acid, the skin was gone and the muscles were already half rotted. Since blood oozed out from the muscle and reacted with the acid, acrid smoke could be seen wafting off.

It was like an arm that was reaching up from under a pond, trying to grab onto something and kept on twisting and flailing around. Every time it struggled, the exposed rotted muscle oozed out liquid and blood.

“I apologize, I didn’t know he was still so energetic.”

Solution apologized with an arm still flailing on her face. She then roughly shoved the struggling and flailing arm back inside her. After the arm was completely inside her, she again let out a smile.

“That’s impressive! Even though you swallowed a man whole, one cannot tell at all from your outside appearance.”

“Thank you for your compliment. You can’t tell from the outside because my inside is quite empty. I am that kind of being, so I guess there are special magic effects taking place.”

“Hmm, I see— I hope I am not poking my nose into your business, but when will he die?”

“Well, if I want to kill immediately I can emit a stronger acid, but it’s such a rare chance for a man wanting to enter me, so I want him to at least enjoy it for a day or two.”

“I am not hearing any screams, is it because of the acid?”

“Not at all. If I use acid to dissolve his vocal cords, he might die from suffocation, so I used a part of my body to enter his throat and suppress his screams. It also prevents foul odors from leaking.”

“You take such a good care of your plaything, I quite admire that you can play with it up to its last moment.”

“Another thing, can you choose which body-parts you want to use acid to dissolve? For example, if you only want one part of the prey to be dissolved?”

“Yes, that’s no problem and it’s actually quite easy. The proof is that there are still some potions and scrolls inside me, and they’re safe. I can move freely even if Shalltear-sama were to enter my body, of course only if you don’t move around too much.”

“Preying ooze type is quite impressive… nhh. Let’s play together next time?”

“No problem, but… where do you plan to look for the toys?”

Shalltear noticed that Solution was looking at the vampires behind her, and showed a delighted smile.

“These girls are actually quite entertaining, but I want to wait until someone invades Nazarick and is captured. I will request Ainz-sama to gift them to me.”

“Okay, please leave me a share too. Next time, I want to swallow them up to their chest area and leave the other parts out. It should be fun like that.”

“Not bad, you should get along pretty well with that inquisitor right?”

“You mean Neuronist-sama? That special information investigator? It’s regretful that I don’t quite understand too much of Neuronist-sama’s art.”

Shalltear wanted to continue her chat with Solution, but a voice came from behind her and interrupted their conversation.

“Solution, preparations are complete here. It’s about time for us to leave.”

After replacing the horses’ reins, Sebas shouted from the carriage’s driver seat.

“Okay, I will be right there. Then Shalltear-sama, though I would very much like to continue chatting with you, please excuse me for now.”

Shalltear looked toward Solution’s back as she hurried to the carriage, then to Sebas who was sitting on the driver’s seat.

“Then, Sebas, I guess we will temporarily part ways.”

“I see, so you’ve found their lair?”

“Yes, I will go there in a moment. I am going to look if there is somebody with useful information that will make Ainz-sama happy. It seems our efforts were in vain this time.”

“I see. It was a pleasure working with you, Shalltear-sama.”

“Thank you for your hard work, let’s meet up at Nazarick later.”

“Yes, take care—”