"Poor Sebas… He's such a kindhearted person and yet…" I gazed at him through my only eye as Ainz's grip on my form tightens a little. "He has to serve the most despicable being on earth…"
"It's not like that Paradox, you know I have no intention to kill Tuare,"
"Still, this test is pretty darn cruel you know?"
"Then—" Ainz snapped his bony fingers, I've changed his form back to a skeleton just for this special occasion. Pandora's Actor stood beside him as Momon the Dark Hero garbed inside his Black Armor. "A question for you, Sebas. Need I explain why I am here?"
"...No, there is no need for that."
"Then, I have a question which I would like you to answer in your own words, Sebas. While I did not receive a report from you concerning this matter, is it true that you picked up an adorable little pet recently?"
"Spoken like every video game final boss ever,"
"Shut up,"
There was a moment of silence before Sebas answered.
"Yes"
"...A little slow on the reply, Sebas. Let me ask you again — is it true that you picked up an adorable pet recently and decided to take care of it?"
"Yes! I did take in a pet!"
"Very good. Then, could you explain why you did not report the matter to me?"
"Yes…" Sebas's words faltered and he started sweating bullets.
"Was that too much Killing Intent?"
"Ya think?"
"What's the matter, Sebas? You seem to be sweating heavily. Shall I lend you a handkerchief?"
With a grand flourish, Ainz produced a pure white handkerchief from nowhere. He grasped it between his index and middle fingers and tossed it towards Sebas. The handkerchief unfolded and spread in mid-air, landing gently upon the ground.
"You are permitted to use it."
"Yes! Thank you, my Master!"
Sebas took a step towards Ainz and picked up the handkerchief. Then, he froze.
"...That handkerchief is not stained with your pet's blood. I simply felt that it was unsightly to have you covered in sweat."
"Yes… Please forgive my shameful display, Ainz-sama."
"How did he even get into that conclusion?"
"Yeah, I wonder why…" I muttered sarcastically.
"Then, let us return to the topic, Sebas. When I sent you to the Royal Capital, I believe I ordered you to record any occurrence, great or small, in exacting detail and send it to Nazarick. After all, it is difficult for one person to determine the value of information collected. Frankly speaking, I doubt you omitted a single detail when submitting your reports. Am I correct?"
"Yes. It is as you say."
"Then, Demiurge, allow me to address a question to you as confirmation. After all, you have read Sebas' reports as well. Did those reports mention this adorable little pet?"
"No, Ainz-sama. I read them several times, but I saw nothing related to that subject."
"Very good. Then, let us use that point as a premise for my next question, Sebas. Why did you not submit a report on that matter? ...I wish to ask why you disregarded an order from me. Is the word of Ainz Ooal Gown not enough to bind your actions?"
Those words shook the air in the room.
Sebas hurriedly answered:
"Certainly not! I simply believed that there was no need to trouble you with a report concerning such a small matter, Ainz-sama."
"...In other words, all this was an exercise of your foolish judgement… Is that correct?"
"Yes. It is as you say, Ainz-sama. Please forgive my foolish mistake!"
"...Hm. I see… I believe I understand now."
"Solution. Fetch Sebas' pet."
"Understood." Solution left the room without another words.
"You think he'll pass the test?" I asked.
"If he wants to give Tuare a quick, merciful, and painless death, yes."
"Oooh, how scary…"
There was knocking, and then the door opened. As expected, there were two women there.
They were Solution and Tuare.
"I have brought her."
Tuare gasped a little and I couldn't really blame her. Even if most of the people aside from Ainz in this room still resembles human, the killing intent directed at her from Demiurge is no joke. To him, this is the representation of Sebas's sin. It was surprising that Tuare had not broken down in tears by now.
Ainz slowly extended his left hand to Tuare. Then he turned his palm to the ceiling, and beckoned her over.
"Enter, oh pet human that Sebas has picked up — Tuare."
As though controlled by those words, Tuare took step after step forward on trembling legs.
"Gotta hand it to her, she's a brave one, a very brave one, I'd love to use her for 'that'"
"Don't you dare pull a Demiurge on me Paradox,"
"I'm just curious what happen if I turn her into something that's not human."
"I see…"
"That you did not choose to flee shows courage. Or did Solution tell you something? Did she say that Sebas' fate lay within your hands?" Ainz asked.
After entering the room, Tsuare walked up to Sebas' side with no hesitation whatsoever. Momon his shifted position to stand behind Tsuare, awaiting orders.
Demiurge glared coldly at Tsuare—
"[Kne-"
—And the sound of snapping fingers rang forth.
Demiurge understood the meaning behind his master's gesture, and said no more.
"—It is fine. Pay it no heed, Demiurge. As praise for the courage to face me without fleeing, I will forgive the rudeness she has shown to myself, the ruler of Nazarick."
"My sincerest apologies."
Ainz nodded magnanimously at Demiurge's apology.
"Ah, yes."
Ainz leaned back into the chair, making it creak.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ainz Ooal Gown, the master of Sebas over there."
"Ah... I, I am…"
"It is fine, Tuare. I know a little about you, and I have no interest in learning more. Stand there and remain silent. Soon you will know why you have been summoned."
"Ah… yes."
"Now then…"
"...Sebas, I have a question for you. I told you not to attract attention with your actions, did I not?"
"Yes."
"And despite my clear instructions to you, you got yourself into trouble because of this meaningless little woman — am I wrong?"
"No, you are not."
"At that time… did you not think you were ignoring the orders I had given?"
"Yes. My thoughtlessness has displeased you, Ainz-sama. I shall reflect upon my sins, be more careful in the future, and I shall not make the same mistake ag—"
"—It is fine."
"Huh?"
"I said, it is fine."
Ainz shifted, and the chair creaked once more.
"People are not perfect, and mistakes are to be expected. Sebas. I shall forgive this trifling mistake of yours."
"—Thank you, Ainz-sama."
"However, mistakes must be rectified — by death."
"Oh boy, here it is…"
"...What… do you mean…"
"Hm… what I mean is that I expect you to eliminate the source of your mistake in order to wipe the slate clean. How can you be the representative of everyone else when you leave the origin of your error untouched? You are the butler of Nazarick, and one who stands at the head of the manservants. If you do not handle the matter appropriately…"
"Sebas. Are you a loyal hound who obeys the orders of my exalted self — of the 41 Supreme Beings? Or are you a man who believes that your will alone is righteous?"
"This—"
"—I do not need your answer. Show me your conclusion."
Sebas closed his eyes, and then opened them again. He seemed to have steeled his resolve.
Tuare looked at Sebas' face. She smiled, and closed her eyes.
"She freaking smiled in the face of death. That deserves a generous amount of my respect." I told Ainz.
Sebas' hand formed into a fist, and then he struck at Tuare's head, seeking to grant her the mercy of an instant death.
And then—
—Something hard intercepted his fist.
"—What are you doing? Why are you interfering with me?"
"—!"
"..."
Something had blocked the fist which should have obliterated Tuare's skull.
Momon had reached out a hand from behind Tuare — whose eyes were still tightly shut — and stopped Sebas' fist.
"Stand down, Sebas," Ainz said.
Tuare opened her eyes and now that her life is no longer in danger, her strength faltered. Her body convulsed with shudders as the tears streamed from her eyes. She very nearly collapsed from the shaking of her legs.
Ainz paid no heed to Tsuare's fear and began addressing the Dark Hero.
"Momon. Was that blow intended to take that woman's life?"
"It was a fatal blow my lord."
"Then I declare that Sebas' loyalty is no longer in question. Thank you, Sebas."
"I would not dare!"
Sebas bowed, his face stiff.
"—Demiurge, any objections?"
"I have none."
"Momon?"
"None."
"Very well. Then, let us move on to the next item." Ainz raised his staff (me). "Paradox, I give you permission to tell Sebas our next move and how you think we should decide Tuare's fate. Meanwhile, I have business to attend to," he said before releasing me from his grip.
I transformed my form into that of Lily while at the same time enjoying the shocked look on Tuare's face. Then I turned around knelt in front of my lord and wielder, Ainz Ooal Gown. "As you wish my lord…"
"[Greater Teleportation]."
Ainz flourished his cape in a theatrical fashion as he cast the spell, as though he were an actor. Then he was engulfed by a sphere of blackness which then vanished inward, taking his body with it.
"Tch, show off," I muttered, not at all bothered that everyone just heard me say that. Then I turned towards Sebas and Tuare. "I'll leave you two love birds on your own while I talk with Demiurge about what to do with her."
Sebas bowed to me a little. "Thank you, Paradox sama," he said before taking Tuare away from the room.
I looked at Demiurge and put a hand over my temple. "Well, there's that," I muttered before sitting down on the nearest seat. "What do you think Demiurge, any ideas what to do with her? Aside from killing her of course,"
"I was thinking of making her work in the Chimera ranch," Demiurge replied with a cruel smirk on his face.
"She won't last longer than a week and we won't be using her to her fullest potential that way," I told him, before yawning a little in slight exhaustion. "You think she'll fare as a maid? I mean the homonculus maids aren't all that different with human right?"
Demiurge straightened his glasses. "That might be the case, but you know we do not welcome humans in Nazarick."
"Easily solved," I told him.
"Ahh… You think she'll do it? Will she give up on her humanity for Sebas?"
"She's fallen head over heels for him. Did you not see her smile when Sebas was about to kill her?"
Demiurge looked at me for a moment. "Yes, why did she smile?"
"Because she was relieved that Sebas will be forgiven. She loves him more than her own life," I told him.
"How interesting, to think that a simple human girl has captured the heart of the Iron Butler,"
"So, what form do you think is befitting of her?"
"A succubus perhaps?"
"How about a Dragonoid?"
"Wait, I have a better idea…" Demiurge's glasses light up and I can tell that he's already thinking up a devious plan. "An archangel, can you do that?"
Archangel… Angel, religious stuff, priest, scriptures, Theocracy, World Item, got it! "I see… Theocracy is it?" I asked him. "As expected of the second most intelligent being in Nazarick."
"Your words flatter me, Paradox san," Demiurge said.
Then, Sebas entered the room. His face is slightly red and I grinned a little. "Sebas! Congratulations, how was it?"
Even the Iron Butler cannot stand against that. "What were you implying by that question, Paradox sama?"
"Your first kiss!"
Sebas looked like he's about to leave the room in a hurry.
Demiurge chuckled a little after hearing that. He waved his hand dismissively. "It's alright Sebas, I know what you wanted to ask Ainz sama," he said. "You wish for Tuare to be taken to the Great Tomb of Nazarick didn't you?"
Sebas sighed a little before nodding a little. "Yes, Demiurge sama."
"There is no need to address me in such a formal manner, Sebas. Just as you did in front of Ainz-sama — in front of our master of incomparable worth — you may address me by my name alone."
"Oh, I almost forgot," I took out a piece of hair I plucked out of Cocco Doll's head. "Here, Demiurge, to speed up the process," I told him.
Demiurge took one look at the piece of hair. "Impatient now are we?"
"That's because I have a sneaking suspicion that the Eight Fingers are going after Tuare now," then turned to Sebas. "Sebas, would you mind if I use Tuare as a bait for the Six Arms? I promise that she won't be harmed. I am a bit… interested in the Six Arms and would like them alive if possible. For… You know… Stuff…"
"If she won't be harmed, then by all means…" Sebas said.
About five minutes later, space distorted.
By the time the distortion had faded, someone stood in its place. Naturally, that person was Ainz.
Sebas, Momon, Demiurge, Solution, and I knelt as one and bowed to him.
"Thank you for the warm welcome."
Ainz circled behind the desk and took a seat.
"You may rise."
We straightened up at once, looking at Ainz. He seemed to be in a very good mood.
"Let's get down to business. Demiurge, this just goes to show you were worrying too much. I didn't believe for a moment that Sebas had betrayed us. You are all too cautious. Besides, I verified it myself in the Throne Room."
"My deepest apologies. And I am grateful that you would accept my pointless suggestion, which contradicted your own judgement."
"That's fine. I also make mistakes from time to time. However, I can relax when I know you are paying attention and checking, Demiurge. Besides, you made that suggestion because you were worried about me. I am not so petty as to censure you for that."
Ainz shifted his gaze from Demiurge — who was bowing deeply — and towards another direction.
"Now then, Sebas. It is time to discuss how to deal with that human girl."
Sebas' body went stiff from nervousness. He forced out a "Yes", and then after inspecting Ainz's countenance, he made up his mind and asked, "How shall we we deal with Tsuare?"
"My lord, Demiurge and I have come to an agreement that we think is the best for her," I told him.
Ainz sama gestured with his skeletal hands. "What do you think is the best?"
"If she were to be willing to give up on her humanity, we can turn her into something else, an Archangel. Then we work her in Nazarick in that form as another member of the Battle Maid if you will."
Ainz sama turned towards Demiurge. "Demiurge," he said.
"By having an angel, a creature of light, in our ranks. It will open up a lot of possibilities for us to deal with the Theocracy and the Holy Kingdom in the south," Demiurge explained.
"That is a marvelous idea Demiurge," Ainz replied. "We can also use her to learn more about the nature of Angels by observing the changes she'll went through after her transformation."
Then, we all turned to Sebas, who just stood there mutely. "Well, what do you think Sebas?"
The Butler nodded a little. "I cannot find any faults in your plans, Demiurge, Paradox," he said. "But, for what it's worth, shouldn't Tuare have any chance to say about this?" he asked.
Demiurge was about to say something but Ainz beat him to it.
"Of course, if she declined then we'll simply just have to erase her memories, give her plenty of money, then dump her somewhere," Ainz said. "That said, I wish to see that girl, Tuare," he said.
"At once my lord!"
Sebas immediately left the room and fetched Tsuare.
"Ainz-sama, I have brought her here."
"Mm, bring her over—"
Ainz leaned forward from his chair. He stared at Tuare in a very strange way. "Look similar don't you think?"
"Who?"
"Her and Ninya, you know, the girl who was killed by Clementine,"
I narrowed my eyes and took a closer look at her. "Now that I think about it, she is," I looked at Ainz. "You want to try and use her for 'that'?"
"And what is 'that'?"
"Project Reincarnation, see if it's possible for us to reincarnate her long dead sister into something else, who knows, maybe we can use this method in conjunction with summoning spell,"
"I'm not going to pry even further, but do as you wish,"
"...Welcome, Tuare. Let me begin by making things clear. I do not warn people twice, because I wish to respect the choices that others make. That applies even if said choice results in disaster for the other party. With that out of the way, I wish to ask you something. If you lie, the matter will be over. The same applies if I do not receive the answer I wish to hear."
"What is your full name?"
The silence continued, and after a nerve-wracking period of time had passed, Tuare finally responded in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzzing:
"Tu-Tuare… Tuareninya."
"And your surname?"
"Tuareninya Veyron…"
"I see… I see… then, I shall ask you this, Tuareninya. Your wish is to travel to the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick — that is to say, my domain — and live there, am I correct? ...The Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick is not a world where humans can live. No, I do not mean that humans cannot survive there, but that it does not contain members of the race known as humanity."
"I, I wish to live with… Sebas-sama."
"Are you willing to forsake your humanity to be with him?"
"I will."
"Are you willing to serve under me, as your Lord and Master, Ainz Ooal Gown?"
"I will."
"Kneel,"
Tuare knelt down in front of Ainz Ooal Gown. Her form was so weak and fragile, as if Ainz's mere presence is enough to crush her like bug.
"Paradox, explain it to her," Ainz said.
I walked towards Ninya's kneeling form and gently rubbed her shoulder. "Relax Tuare chan, you're not in trouble," she looked at me, fear written all over her face. "Listen, I am about to transform you from a human to another being."
"Wh-what being?"
"It's not up for you to decide so we won't tell you," I told her softly. "Do you have any regrets? Any ties to this mortal realm?"
Tuare lowered her gaze. "If it's possible, I wish to meet my sister…"
"She was long gone, I'm sorry, she was killed by a rogue member of the Black Scripture," I told her.
Tuare's breath hitched and she nodded meekly. "Then there is nothing…"
"Give me your hand," I told her.
The girl held out her hand and I took a deep breath. Her physical body is as delicate as bubble but her spirit is extremely powerful. "This might sting a little," I muttered and she took a deep breath to prepare herself.
Then, Tuare started screaming in agony and I tightened her grip on her form. Cracks seemingly formed on her skin and bright rays of golden light pours out of it. Her voice slowly faltered and a pair of pure white wings burst out of her back.
When the light dies down, Tuare was replaced by something akin to a goddess from heaven. The wings behind her back has burst through her maid uniform, ripping it apart and revealing her beautiful cream white skin. Her once broken and violated body has turned into the perfect image of beauty and innocence.
"[Quick Change]," I said, giving her an oddly revealing priest-like attire better suited for an angel. I turned my palm into a mirror and showed it to her. "Welcome to Nazarick, Angel sama…"
The angel put mouth over her face as tears of happiness trickled down her face. "Thank you…" she whispered. "Thank you so much," she embraced me into a hug and I felt a soothing sensation all over body. I looked at my body and found that my skin is now glowing a little.
"You can stop now, Tuare san," I told her and she quickly let go of me.
"Ainz sama! I'm glowing! What is happening to me!?!?"
"That would be the effect of [Divine Blessing]. It's a passive skill for most high level angelic summon,"
I sighed a little in relief. That kinda spooked me a little. "Alright," I looked at her closely. "Now concentrate on your wings and you should somehow be able to retract them."
After a moment, Tuare's wing seemingly returned into her back. "Like this?"
"Just like that… Don't use them yet, flying lessons will be held next week in the Sixth Floor," I gently helped her up and guided her to her loved one. "Here you go Sebas, Tuare the Archangel."
Sebas took Tuare's hands and the two of them hugged each other in a warm embrace. It's quite a beautiful sight, true love prevails in the end.
I turned around and stood beside Demiurge. The arch demon is looking at the couple with a curious look on his face. "What do you think Demiurge, is it possible?" I asked him, knowing exactly what he has in mind.
"It is actually a pet project of mine," Demiurge replied.
"How's it going?"
"So far the results has been… less then satisfactory,"
"Hmm… What do you need?"
"More test subjects, but I suppose we'll have plenty of those in a few days, don't we?"
I smiled a little at the thought of the upcoming invasion. "Yes, yes we will," as I thought about Demiurge's pet project. I too am starting to wonder. What exactly is the offspring of a Dragonoid and Archangel? Angel Dragon? Divine Dragon? Dragonic Angel? Who knows?