The Fifth Floor of the Great Tomb of Nazarick was an extremely cold region that had been modelled after a glacier.
A bluish-white iceberg stood in the middle of an endless expanse of white land, like a tombstone. It seemed to glow from within and confused the senses. Snow fell from the heavy, overcast sky above, whipped into a mad dance by the freezing wind which carried frozen vapors on its gusts. In the distance was a frozen forest covered in snow, which looked like giants clad in robes of purest white.
The bone-chilling wind ruffled Albedo's white dress, which flutters slightly in the wind. Ever since her lord and master arrived, she has been curious about the weapon in his hand. She has never seen a staff like that, it was unlike anything she has ever seen before.
Albedo couldn't tell if the staff is something powerful.
"Ainz-sama, forgive my insolence, but what is that staff in your hand?" Albedo asked.
Ainz looked Albedo and looked at the Staff in his hand. "This is a magical artifact I picked up near E-Rantel, it piqued my interest," he explained. "Its power is directly proportional with its wielder, the one who wields it was a mere insect, so it wasn't a problem to retrieve it."
Albedo nodded but she still looked at the staff in curiosity. Especially the single yellow eye that seemingly glanced at her every now and then. "Will it be your weapon of choice from now on?" she asked. She knew that the staff is nothing against the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, but she also knew that the staff is too precious to be taken out of Nazarick.
"Perhaps…" Ainz said. "This isn't just a Staff, Albedo, would you please hold it for me for a bit?" he asked her.
If Ainz were to hand over the weapon because she asked for it, she wouldn't forgive herself. But since he ordered her to just hold it for him. "If that is what you wish my lord," she said as she gingerly took the staff from his skeletal hands. She also made note which part of the staff made contact with her master.
"Greetings Lady Albedo, I am the Fragment of Paradox. It is an honor to be held by those who serves the same Lord and Master, the King of Death and the Supreme Being. Ainz Ooal Gown," a voice spoke to Albedo. It resembles that of a young girl, like Aura.
"If my lord deems you worthy, then it is also my honor," Albedo said while looking at the eye staring at her from the staff.
"I noticed that you are used to wield a Battleaxe, should I change my form to fit your need?" the staff spoke to her.
"Only Ainz sama may wield you, I am merely carrying you," Albedo said, though she could see why Ainz took an interest in this staff. It is intelligent, it can change into any form, and it is only as powerful as the wielder. So even if, Ainz forbid, a filth gets their hand on it, it won't do much harm.
Ainz looked at Albedo and saw her conversing with the Staff. He was worried that the Staff would say something to insult her, but it seems that the Staff plays her role well. Then he remembered about the shapeshifting ability he presumable have if he were to wield it.
Paradox told him that it might override his current 'emotional inhibitor' his current body has so he decided not to do it for now. The emotional inhibitor might be annoying, but it is a crucial part of making him the part of a good Overlord.
Should he try and become a human? Then he thought of Nazarick and banished the thought. Perhaps an arch demon like Demiurge? A Draconic like Sebas? Or a True Vampire like Shalltear? He can imagine Shalltear's excitement if he were to do the latter.
Those questions filled Ainz's mind as he looked at the majestic two-story mansion before him.
This building seemed strangely out of place in this frozen land. It was like a house from a storybook, and seemed to be surrounded by a fairytale atmosphere.
However, its surface was covered in a layer of ice, giving it an uncomfortably cold aura. In fact, the name of this building was about as far from a fairytale as one could get.
Its name was the Frozen Prison.
All of Nazarick's enemies were locked up here.
Ainz held out his hand and Albedo handed over the staff back to him.
"Let's go."
With those simple words, Ainz pushed open the frozen main gate. Though it was covered in a thick layer of ice, the gate still opened easily, as though it were welcoming a visitor.
A wave of cold air washed over them in the instant the gate opened. This was because the interior of the Prison was colder than even the freezing environs outside.
It was only after the chilling wind swept over her that Albedo began shivering. As Ainz saw this, he reached into his pocket dimension and withdrew a crimson cape, whose hem was decorated with flame-like patterns.
"Wear this, Albedo. It is not highly enchanted, but it should be enough to ward off the cold."
Albedo's expression brightened, like a child who just got a unicorn for her birthday. She hugged the cape close to her and rubbed her body on it. "To think you would lavish such a gift upon me! My deepest thanks! I shall treasure it all my life."
"You walk right into this Momonga," the staff spoke, the name Momonga remind him of the edit he made on Albedo's backstory.
Ainz merely sighed telepathically before continuing onwards to the dark passage before him. "You and I both know I didn't know this would happen," he replied. "Though, how does that translate to the real world? Can you pin point when and how she fell in love with me?"
"Albedo handled me like glass. She didn't pour any magic into me, your guess is as good as mine," the Staff explained. "By the way, isn't this where you're keeping the Sunlight Scripture? Did they have any new information on who might brainwash Shalltear?"
"Right, the surviving members of the Sunlight Scripture should be in here," Ainz mused out loud.
"Yes. Neuronist should be watching them closely. Ah, how warm, it feels like you're hugging me, Ainz-sama… kukuku."
"...Really now? That's wonderful."
"I can imagine all sorts of thing she would do with it once she gets back to her room," the Staff commented.
"Don't make me call Ainz for your insolence," Suzuki replied.
"Ah, forgive me my lord."
As Albedo wriggled and twisted around in the cape, wrapping it around herself so tightly she almost vanished into its folds, Ainz strode forth.
"What are you doing, we're running out of time… under these circumstances."
"Ah, ah yes!"
Ainz's passive skill [Undead Blessing] allowed him to sense all the undead lurking within the compound. Since it was annoying, Ainz disabled the skill in order to ignore the presence of the undead as he walked down the freezing, blue-white passage. People without countermeasures against movement impairment might end up tripping and falling on the completely frozen-over corridor.
"...Ainz-sama, shall I summon Neuronist? It is unthinkable that she would not come to lead the way, thus forcing the Supreme Overlord of Nazarick to advance by himself…"
"It's fine. Though it's not a bad thing, she talks too much. There is a matter we need to settle as soon as possible and I would like to avoid wasting time."
"Understood. Then, after all this is over, I will lecture Neuronist and caution her not to babble too much."
"No, no, there's no need for that. It does not displease me."
"But…"
"Albedo," Ainz put a hand on her shoulder and she let out a small eep, "Every single one of you were created by my dearest friends and family," the succubus slowly turned toward him and met his gaze. "I love every single one of you, I treasure all your flaws and merits, because in the end…"
Ainz stopped in his tracks and put his skeleton hand over her chin. "Those flaws and merits are what makes who you are and I won't have it any other way…"
Albedo's knees buckled under Ainz's gaze. Her face beet red and her eyes watery in pure gratefulness. "Ainz sama… I'm…" she then smiled, her expression a mixture of bliss and joy.
The woman squeezed her legs together and start hopping along the way. Her super human strength made it possible for her to crash into the ceiling with a resounding 'bang'.
"She's loyal to a fault," the staff commented after watching their interactions. "Not just her, everyone is, do you have any idea how to deal with that?"
"I'm still thinking about it. After I fight Shalltear, we'll discuss about this matter."
"I'll go with you, heck, why not fill me to the brim with all the Guardian's MP? You'll be able to wield the power of all five guardians of Nazarick. Plus, you can turn into something that's holy magic resistant."
"I'll keep that in mind," Ainz replied
It doesn't really take long for Ainz and Albedo to get to Albedo's big sister room."...Albedo, we're almost at your big sister's room. Are you ready?"
Albedo's flighty and overjoyed expression turned serious in an instant.
"Understood. Then, I shall retrieve the doll."
"Umu. Give it to me."
Albedo reached a hand toward the wall, and a pale-white hand reached back out, depositing a doll to her hand. It was a baby doll, which was about the same size as an actual baby.
"Oh my god, I think I'm gonna puke…" Paradox muttered to herself. "You know what? I'm out, I'm done," she shifted and turn from a pitch black demonic staff with an eye into a regular oak staff. "Heck, you know what? Why don't you notify me when something interesting happen?"