The sun set in the west, and the sunset glow dyed half the sky red.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
The sound of Draco rapidly flipping pages still echoed inside the library.
Everyone had gotten used to it.
As if having entered a state of self-forgetfulness, Draco didn't notice that the sky outside had gradually darkened.
"Click!"
At this moment, the library door was pushed open.
"Lord Draco, Lord Razen sent me to inform you that he wishes you to come over."
The person who arrived was Shino, dressed in a maid uniform.
Draco's status was now different; Shino began addressing him as 'Lord' and dared not call him by his full name anymore.
Draco, who had been completely absorbed in reading, was interrupted and felt slightly displeased.
The Little Fire Fox, conversely, was quite happy, finally able to take a break.
It had been utterly exhausted this afternoon.
Closing the book, Draco, despite his displeasure, followed Shino outside.
Shino led Draco toward a building in the center of the castle.
That was the heart of the castle, where Razen usually discussed matters with the ministers.
At this moment, Razen was already waiting there.
Seeing Draco arrive, Razen laughed, "Hehehe, Draco, I had an audience with His Majesty today, and His Majesty is very pleased with you."
Razen then took out several items. "These are High-Grade Magic Equipment from the Kingdom, all bestowed upon you by His Majesty."
Draco immediately grew wary; something abnormal was definitely suspicious.
Why is this Razen being so exceptionally kind to me? Something is wrong.
Showing no change in expression, Draco pretended to be overwhelmed by the favor.
"This... I truly thank Lord Razen very much."
"No need to thank me. If you must thank someone, thank His Majesty. We are merely serving the King." Razen explained with a smile.
"No, no, no, I still must thank Lord Razen for his kind patronage."
"..."
After a period of feigned civility, Razen left the room.
Draco looked at the items on the table and frowned slightly.
[Fine Magic Robe: Possesses high Magic Resistance attribute. Wearing it increases MP by 10%.]
[Fine Katana: Possesses Sharpness attribute enhancement, increasing Physical Attack Power by 10%.]
[Exquisite Magic Wand: Possesses Magic Amplification effect, increasing all attack, support, and other magic effects by 10%.]
[Holy Church Cross Necklace: Healing Magic effect increased by 20%. Comes with skill: Holy Blessing.]
(Gear includes weapons and armor; tiers are: Common, Rare, unique-grade, legend-grade, and Mythic.)
The gear before him was all unique-grade-tier—already considered top-tier in this world.
After inspecting everything and finding nothing amiss, Draco stowed the items away.
"What exactly is that old fox plotting?" Draco muttered.
He pondered for a moment but couldn't figure it out for now.
Still, he wasn't particularly worried.
Thanks to an afternoon of cultivation, his Intelligence stat had soared past ten thousand.
Each point of Intelligence equaled 30 MP.
In other words, Draco now possessed a staggering 300,000 MP.
All of his skills were unlocked.
With the four new pieces of gear equipped, his MP jumped again—to 330,000.
An ornate white robe, a pristine cross pendant at the chest, an exquisite tachi at the waist.
In his hand: a slender staff carved with intricate patterns, its tip crowned by a translucent orb.
Draco's lips curved; his entire aura shifted.
"Hmph, thought I'd have to bide my time—looks like that's unnecessary."
Cradling Little Fire Fox, he headed for his room.
As any gamer knows, without a weapon equipped most skills are unusable.
Previously, without a staff or wand, weaving Spell Circuits for his ultimates had been nearly impossible.
Then, just when he needed it most, someone delivered a perfect pillow—an absolute top-tier one at that.
He almost felt bad about killing Razen; the man had been too generous.
On the way back he mentally handed Razen 99 "good-guy" cards, then began planning the perfect kill. Night had deepened; Draco tucked Little Fire Fox into bed and cast Illusion Magic over her.
The little fox morphed into his likeness, feigning sleep.
A blue six-pointed array blossomed beneath his feet, and his body slowly vanished.
On the outskirts of the Royal Capital, amid a desolate mountain range—
a magic circle flared, and Draco reappeared.
Rubbing his hands, he chose a clearing and began sketching a summoning array.
"Let's see who my first summon will be."
Everything was ready.
Golden light shimmered in his eyes as he closed them and began to chant.
A pillar of light shot skyward, flooding the forest.
33,000 MP drained away—barely a drop in the bucket now.
The massive array pulsed black and white; a terrifying pressure swept the mountains.
"This aura… incredible."
When the light faded, a breathtaking figure emerged.
A beautiful woman in pure-white formal attire, her gentle smile goddess-like. Glossy black hair—contrasting the gown—cascaded to her waist.
Golden vertical pupils gleamed; from her temples curled two goat-like horns.
At her waist, obsidian angel wings could be seen.
A glowing, web-like necklace draped from neck to chest.
Silk-gloved hands held an odd short staff.
At its forty-five-centimeter tip, a black sphere floated unsupported.
"Albedo!!"
Smiling faintly, the girl stood while a magical contract hovered before her.
Stepping forward, Draco let a drop of his blood fall upon it.
The contract flared into light and streamed into his mind.
[Ding! Skill "Designated Summoning" succeeded. Please configure the summon's settings.]
A glowing interface appeared before him.
Albedo's character profile filled the screen.
Pages of dense text; the earlier entries were normal.
They praised her pure, angelic appearance… until the final line.
"Is a bitch"
—ahem, translated: an unchaste woman.
After all, her creator, Tabula Smaragdina, adored gap moe.
A cursor blinked on-screen beside a virtual keyboard.
"So I can edit settings like Ainz does?"
He muttered and tried deleting the words "Is a bitch".
It worked exactly as expected.
That made things simple.
"Loves…"
Albedo!