"Hold this Nabe and try to communicate with it," Ainz, still in the guise of Momon, ordered Narberal once they made it to the inn.
A pair of soft feminine hands lifted me from Momon's iron clad gauntlet. "You may speak, Fragment of Paradox," the girl said, though her tone is a bit unsure. Perhaps she doesn't have that much experience with intelligent magic item.
"Yo! Nabe chan!" I exclaimed telepathically. A wave of cold sensation waft over my spherical existence and I suddenly felt like she's treating me as something lower than a pebble on the ground. "Why the cold aura? I'm just being friendly here…"
"What is your purpose?"
"To serve Ainz Ooal Gown and preserve the prosperity of the Great Tomb of Nazarick," I told her.
There was no response for a moment but I can imagine that she's nodding at me right now. "Well then, I'm glad that you are intelligent enough to know the Greatness of the Supreme Being," she spoke. "Though, your tone still spoke of your insolence."
"By the way, Bo… Ainz-sama fused a quarter of his magic to myself. If you so desire, by wielding me you might be able to wield a quarter of his power," I told her.
Nabe gasped in disbelief before speaking loudly. "Impossible! A mere stone such as yourself cannot possibly…"
"That's enough Nabe," Momon said suddenly. "Since my power might be too much for you or the orb to handle, how about we do the opposite? Try and imbue the orb with some of your magic and see if I can use your power of transformation," he said.
Without any moment of hesitation, a surge of power came from the Doppelganger. Just like that, I learned her life story, it's pretty surprising to say the least. I mean, her memory was so vivid, from the very moment she was created. It doesn't feel like a game at all, unlike what I've seen in Ainz's memory.
The Battle Maids, The Nazarick, her home that she'll protect with her life, it was all so real. I can even almost feel the crushing fear and anxiety Narberal felt when the Supreme Beings abandoned them one by one. Her already perfect dedication to serve the last, merciful one, strengthens with every Supreme Beings that abandoned the Tomb of Nazarick.
Jeez… No wonder they practically worship the ground Ainz walks on. Just the thought of their creator abandoning them must be worse than the fear of death.
After a moment, a certain iron clad hand picked me up. "Fragment of Paradox, you have permission to use the transformation power," Momon said.
Funnily enough, once I got a whiff of Nabe's magic, I also get her experience on how to do the transformation magic. I envisioned my usual appearance and power from the past worlds. I felt my very being turning into a putty and trickled off Momon's hand.
After a few minutes, I have the power to stood between them. Just a little girl with short white hair, bright yellow eyes, and… I'm naked. "Don't look! [Create Greater Item!]" I exclaimed, creating an enhanced version of my usual trench coat.
Both Narberal and Momon simply averted their gaze. I quickly put on all my clothing, using a [Create Lesser Item] to create my underwear. When I'm done, I cleared my throat and kneel in front of Momon the adventurer.
"My lord, this lowly one is grateful for the magic that was given to her. The Fragment of Paradox pledge her undying loyalty to the Supreme Being, Ainz Ooal Gown of the Great Tomb of Nazarick," I spoke to him sincerely. "Hopefully, this is enough so that Narberal won't murder me. She's a feisty one, holy hell…"
"Raise your head," Ainz said. "You think she's feisty? Wait until you meet the rest of the Floor Guardians."
I raised my head and looked at him intensely. "What is your wish my lord?" "Let's test if you can turn into something."
"You told me that I can use the power of a Doppelganger if I were to wield you," Momon held out his iron clad hand. I took his hand and willed myself to become a pitch black staff for him to wield. A good old demonic staff, complete with skeletons and the eye of solomon sticking out at the front.
Before any of us could do anything, Momon froze. His grip on me tightened and I can almost feel a wave of confusion and anxiety coming from him.
"Hah?" he spoke in the most un-overlordy manner.
[LINE BREAK]
"Shalltear betrayed Nazarick?" I said in genuine confusion. I mean, if Ainz's memory of her is anything to go by, Shalltear would destroy the entire world before even considering doing that. Mind control? She's immune to mind control. But how?
Then, a chilling thought spreads over my current form. "Oh no… Could it be that she…"
"No, it is impossible." Ainz said. "She was either dissatisfied with me or possibly a force in this world is capable of mind controlling even an undead."
I figured that Ainz's theory makes more sense. Not even my existence can prove the contrary, I'm a unique being from another world. This world can't have a power like mine.
Because if Shalltear figured out the truth, that Ainz is nothing but a salary man named Suzuki Satoru… Let's not think about that…
Ainz landed in front of the entrance of Nazarick. Albedo is waiting with an elite army composed of 80 vassals. There's even four members of the Pleiades, something that is beyond overkill in this world's standard. "Albedo, about what you said through the [message] spell," Ainz said, barely keeping his composure.
"Yes, shall we discuss this elsewhere?" Albedo asked.
Ainz nodded a little. "Indeed, shall we discuss this in the throne room, no?" he asked.
"Yuri, present Ainz-sama with his ring," Albedo said.
Yuri nodded and I can see her holding the ring like a ceremonial artifact. Ainz then put on the ring and the two us teleported into Nazarick. Judging by the fact that I was brought along with him even without me using the ring proves it.
I'm literally just a magic item.
We teleported to the large room just outside the Throne Room. Ainz walked straight into the throne room, his pace quick and slightly anxious. He sat down on top of his throne and Albedo followed shortly after.
"Then, before we start, I have some questions for you. You said that Shalltear betrayed us; then, when she betrayed us, how did Sebas, who was in the same place at her, react? Did he not betray us along with her?"
"Yes. There were no signs of his betrayal."
I can almost feel Ainz sighing in relief.
"Then, did you question Sebas about the matter?"
"I did, and he finished his report to me. According to Sebas, they encountered a group of bandits. After that, Shalltear headed toward the bandits' hideout in order to capture them. Nothing suspicious occurred during that time, and she vocally proclaimed her intent to render loyal service to you, Ainz-sama."
Ainz paused for a moment and looked down in deep thought. He then looked at the staff in his hand, me, and looked back at Albedo. "I see. In other words, something happened after that which made her decide to betray us."
"Yes… in addition, she brought two Vampire Brides with her. However, they seem to have been destroyed."
"What do you think Paradox?"
"Let's say that Shalltear's opponent is around level 40, strong enough to kill the Vampire Brides but not THAT strong as to attract attention," I said telepathically after hearing that the Vampire Brides Shalltear used were destroyed. "Now, what would happen if Shalltear were to meet level 40 character?"
I can feel Ainz pondering in deep thought. "Shalltear Bloodfallen, she's a true vampire and her blood frenzy…" he looked at me again. "I can imagine her toying with her opponent. However, a level 40 character might have a chance to escape from her and if that's her target then she might go berserk trying to get it."
"There's no denying it, this is a work of mind control, so maybe…" I browsed through all the memories of Suzuki Satoru and his experience as Momonga in Ainz Ooal Gown. "Maybe… Just maybe… World Item? "
"Impossible…"
"But even divine items can't mind control undead, there's no doubt about it, this is either a world item, some sort of magic unique to this world, or the Worst Case Scenario."
"Could it be that she's dead?""Master Source - Open," Ainz said.
With the demonic eye attached to the staff (me), I can see Ainz and Albedo shifting through invisible windows. I figured they're looking at Guild administration system.
"Her name is black," Ainz said.
"If she's dead, her name will be blank. It's not the first time," I said after finding his memory of the 1500 men invasion.
Ainz looked at Albedo who just stood there with determination visible in her eyes. Unlike Albedo in Ainz's memory, who acts more like a succubus than anything, the being standing in front of them right now is the Overseer Guardian of Nazarick.
"...Could this be the effect of some being, phenomenon, or special effect that is unique to this world?"
"That is unclear. However, Shalltear's betrayal is clear enough, so I propose that we assemble a strike force immediately." Albedo said with zero hesitation. It's a bit disturbing how easy it is for her to just kill her own comrades like that.
"I wish to nominate myself as the commander of this expedition and, if you permit it, I would like to have Cocytus as my executive officer and include Mare in our forces, Ainz-sama," Albedo said with finality.
This is logical, Shalltear is one of, if not, the strongest Guardian in Nazarick. Posting her in the third floor is to clean up those unworthy of continuing further or at the very least, gravely weaken those who is powerful enough to get through her.
At stats, skill, and strength standpoint, Ainz had no chance against Shalltear. She is his bane, the vampire was equipped with all sorts of skills, weapon, and spells that will be downright lethal to the Overlord. Albedo and Cocytus who has a much powerful defensive built would stand a much, much better chance against her. Adding Mare as support/burst is just the cherry on top.
"Do you approve?" Albedo asked once again.
"No, it's too soon to come to that conclusion. Let us verify the reasons behind Shalltear's betrayal first."
"You are indeed compassionate, Ainz-sama. However, as long as anyone faces the Supreme Beings with hostility, there is no need to show them any mercy."
"That's not correct, Albedo. It is not that I am showing mercy to Shalltear, but I simply do not understand why she would betray us. More than anything, I want to eliminate the one behind her betrayal."
Ainz gripped his staff (me) slightly. "Do you know her location," he asked her.
"I regret to inform you that we do not, Ainz sama…"
"If you're thinking of Nigredo, then I'm gonna have to beg you not to bring me along for the ride…" I said before Ainz could say a word.
"Tabula san went all out in making her, are you sure you don't want to see her yourself?" Ainz asked in amusement, as if trying to find solace in this trying times.
"Well… It's not like I've never seen worse…"