"Demiurge is decoding the language used by the humans and says that he should be finished by tomorrow. He is requesting the opportunity to personally report this and his other findings to Ainz-sama. What do you think?" Nyx asked her, since Demiurge was technically her underling.
Albedo tilted her head, thinking about it for a moment before answering.
They were in the Throne Room on the 10th of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, waiting for their great master's return.
"This time he made great contributions, so there's no problem in letting him have the pleasure of reporting his accomplishments to Ainz-sama," Albedo replied, while hiding her anxiety behind a benevolent mask.
Demiurge was a competent colleague, maybe even too competent for her taste.
Momonga-sama called him over yesterday. Does that mean he thinks Demiurge is better than me?
Does he no longer need me?
Albedo felt a thorn in her heart as many scenarios played in her mind. But her loyalty was greater than her desires.
"Is he still on the 5th floor?"
"Yes. Also, Nethys is using some of the captured knights to research these "martial arts" that some humans seem capable of using, but there have been no results so far. She requests stronger warriors for further testing."
Albedo thought of the most militarily focused among the skeletal sisters. Nethys was someone who thought about training warriors day and night, so it was normal for her to take an interest in this new martial power.
"Yes, Sebas has informed me that Ainz-sama is interested in the powers of this world, so capturing human warriors should be put as one of the priorities. Tell her to establish her requirements and continue with her experiments."
"She'll be happy with that." Nyx smiled, thinking about her sister.
Nyx was the oldest of the 7 skeletal sisters and their leader, which meant she was something like the Overseer of the Vice-Floor Guardians of Nazarick, all of whom were her younger sisters.
Through this connection, Nyx was better informed about what was happening in the Tomb than even Albedo.
Strangely, despite knowing this, Albedo didn't feel threatened in her position, choosing instead to confide in her so they could make decisions together.
But sisters, huh? Maybe I should visit Nigredo after this.
She had two sisters, but their relationship wasn't nearly as harmonious as Nyx's with hers. At least she hadn't gone to talk with any of them since Nazarick came to this world.
Regardless of my relationship with them, the truth is that Nigredo doesn't like Rubedo, so it's impossible for our relationship to be like theirs, even if I wanted to.
How happy must they be, having been created by Momonga-sama and living with him now?
She was deeply devoted to her creator, Tabula Smaragdina, much like all her colleagues were to their creators. She yearned for his recognition and love, cherishing every moment she had with him.
But at some point, things changed. Maybe it was because she loved Momonga with all her heart, but she found it easier to accept that her creator had abandoned her and her sisters.
He left them behind. She ignored the reason, or if he was even still alive, but there was no ignoring the reality of the abandonment.
This was a reality for all beings in Nazarick, save for those created by Momonga, the lucky few who could bask in their creator's presence and hadn't lived through the trauma of being left behind.
Because of this trauma, every citizen of Nazarick had the silent agreement of doing everything in their power to satisfy their master, in the hopes that he wouldn't leave them like all the others.
And in her case, this was doubly true, since Momonga was also the man she loved.
So she could not and would not be anything less than perfect.
"Ah. Eris also requested a few prisoners. She wants to see if it's possible to convert them into loyal servants of Nazarick."
"She wants to do what!?" She felt her temper flaring.
"You know how Eris is. She likes to get into people's minds and nudge them in the direction she wants." Nyx shrugged.
"And I also think that this is an interesting proposition."
"Even you think so, Nyx? What good could come from using inferior life forms such as humans as servants of Nazarick?"
Thinking about humans walking on Nazarick's ground left her feeling repulsed.
The only humans she could stand were Aureole Omega, who was created by the Supreme Beings, and Yamaiko-sama's little sister, who was related to one, but to work alongside the lowly humans of this world was something difficult to accept.
That human girl…
She was reminded of the human girl saved by Momonga, the lowly girl whom her most beloved master had spent hours talking with, when he didn't even send her a [Message] for more than a day.
"I don't disagree that these creatures are inferior to us, who were created by the Supreme Beings, but that doesn't mean that they can't be used to increase the power of Nazarick." Nyx adopted the tone of a kind teacher, looking in the distance, as if thinking of something very enjoyable.
"Think about it, Albedo. To rule over the many territories Ainz-sama wants to conquer, we'll need a great number of servants that the current Nazarick simply can't give, so we'll convert these people into our minions, making them do our bidding as we expand Ainz-sama's reach in this world."
"Not to mention that, as Ainz-sama has discovered, there are limitations to our bodies that hinder our ability to act in this world. Bringing new people under our control is a way to address these limitations and improve our capacity to serve Ainz-sama."
"Fufufu, if Eris can successfully convert these prisoners into loyal subjects, we can even use them as our agents in the outside world, making moves without exposing or wasting our forces while quietly expanding our power. Isn't that exactly what Ainz-sama asked us to do? As his servants, I think we should try this method." Nyx then looked at her, the silver lights of her eyes shining with a childish glee, a very familiar light.
Oh. So this is why I feel drawn to her.
She is just like Momonga-sama.
No, they all are.
They all share the same gleeful excitement when the subject of strengthening Nazarick comes up, each trying to do it in their own ways.
Maybe Momonga-sama created them for this very purpose, and as such, they inherited this trait from him.
Is this the reason why I feel less lonely when I am with Nyx?
Because she reminds me of the one I wanted by my side?
Albedo felt her mask cracking under her internal turmoil.
"I understand," she looked at Nyx, her eyes misting, "and if this is what Ainz-sama wants, I can accept it, but…"
"What if by recruiting these people, Ainz-sama finds that he no longer needs us? What if he gets seduced by a human girl and finds that she is more to his liking than I, and stops talking to me?" Tears began to fall.
"What if-" She couldn't continue, because Nyx hugged her, holding her in a gentle embrace.
"You silly girl, look at what you're saying." Nyx gently wiped her tears with a finger.
"I know that you wish to be embraced by Ainz-sama, to become his lover. It's only natural that you would want that, we all do."
"But you worry too much. Ainz-sama is not someone who would abandon us. He has proved that with his actions again and again, so stop saying these silly things." Nyx then stared at her with kindness.
"I will tell you what, when Ainz-sama returns, I will let you be the one to greet him alone. No one will get in the way of you two, and you can soothe your fragile heart with his presence."
"Are you sure?" Albedo understood that Nyx also missed their master very much, so this offer couldn't have come easily.
"I wouldn't do this if it were anyone else, but since it's you, I don't mind~"
***
Thud!
Thud!
The sound of her master approaching sent a shiver of excitement through her body, but Albedo reigned in her instincts and kneeled on the ground, bowing her head in a sign of complete submission.
Thud!
Thud!
She heard as her beloved master made his way to the throne and sat.
"Raise your head, Albedo, and come closer." His powerful voice echoed in her ears, and she got up, flashing a radiant smile.
Oh, how happy she felt. Her whole body seemed to be charged with energy as she approached him, basking in his aura.
"Hum. Where's Nyx?" Not seeing her, Ainz asked.
"Nyx has gone to the 5th floor to talk with Nethys about a request of hers." She replied with a perfect smile.
"Oh. That's good. And I trust everything has been going well, even in my absence?"
"Yes, Ainz-sama. There were no issues." She maintained her perfect smile as she replied, but then silence fell on the Throne Room.
Her master turned his gaze to her, scrutinizing her face.
"Albedo."
"Yes?" She was starting to feel nervous.
"Are you okay?" She heard concern in his voice, something that made her incredibly happy, but also worried her.
Did I make a mistake? Did something I did bother him?
"What do you mean, Ainz-sama? Why wouldn't I be?" Maintaining her mask was proving difficult.
"Come here." Ainz beckoned her, and she obeyed, coming before him, her smile never leaving her face.
But then he grabbed her face, holding it in his palm as he caressed her cheeks with his fingers.
Feeling his touch, she blushed, having to use all her willpower to resist the urge to squirm in pleasure.
"Your face is probably the most beautiful thing I have ever laid my eyes on in my hundreds of years living in this universe." His words came naturally, with no embellishments, as if he were only stating a fact of life.
"Maybe that is why I can tell when you're trying really hard to put on a mask in front of me." He released her face and looked directly in her eyes.
"So tell me, Albedo, what is it that has been bothering you?"
She felt exposed, but also excited.
Thoughts of how he had been paying attention to her and how he had complimented her looks moved her to tears.
This was the man she loved, a man whom she could not resist.
And just like that, she began to tell him.
Tell him about how she felt so lonely in his absence.
How she felt unloved when he chose Sebas and not her to accompany him.
How she felt threatened when she heard that he spent hours talking with a human girl in her house.
And how she feared that he would abandon her.
Throughout that, Ainz listened patiently, not interrupting or judging her.
Once she finished, he looked up, thinking for a moment, before once again looking into her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Albedo." He spoke slowly, measuring every word.
"I didn't know that my actions would affect you to this extent."
"I didn't bring you with me, not out of disdain for you, but more because I was already feeling guilty for throwing so many responsibilities on you, and didn't want to give you even more work."
"You are an important person to me, so I didn't want to see you overworked."
"As for abandoning you? I don't know where you get the idea that I would ever do that. Albedo, I know you very well. I know all the things that Tabula Smaragdina decided when making you, for I even selfishly altered it not long ago."
"I tell you this, just so you understand that I know all about your, let's call it, unsavory sides. I know, and I appreciate them for they are part of you, so please stop trying to hide them from me. I think you're way more beautiful when you're being honest with yourself."
Hearing this, she felt emotions bursting out of control from inside of her. Her legs went weak, and she felt her body falling.
Only for Ainz to take her into his embrace.
She cried, feeling accepted, feeling loved.
They stayed like this for a good while, until she finally worked up her courage and looked up, finding his eyes on her.
"Are you feeling better now?" He asked with a benevolent smile.
Seeing him like this, and feeling his arms around her, Albedo felt all her resistance crumbling, and her instincts began to take over.
With a quick movement, she put Ainz on the ground, her wings spreading as all reason left her.
Seeing her like this, Ainz raised his hand in a sign of resistance, but stopped mid-way, hesitating for a moment, before pointing at his side.
"[Create Greater Item]"
A bed appeared in the Throne Room.
(End of Arc 1)