Obsession: Albedo’s Desire

Night gave way to dawn.

Nazarick resumed preparations for Ainz-sama's expedition. The E-Rantel crew returned to Ainz's residence or Albedo's dining hall, now a maid training ground. Heteromorphs like Solution and Lupusregina could function without sleep for days, but humans weren't so resilient.

The young master, the only human among the three detained, collapsed into bed upon returning to the mansion, rising near noon. It was the same pattern as the day before, his lifestyle veering nocturnal, much to his chagrin.

After eating, he dove into reading in the study, intent on devouring Demiurge's assigned books in one go. Accounting for a day to write the report, and tomorrow's shifted Albedo dining day, he'd hit Nazarick's ancient library the day after. Flipping pages furiously, heedless of potential tendonitis, he was thrilled. If his wrist gave out, Lupusregina could heal it. Lupu's the best, love her.

The ravaged courtyard was restored before dawn, with a slight makeover. The Death Guards deserved a bonus for their fine work, but as undead, they needed no such reward.

Lupusregina stood by the young master, grinning as she watched him read. Her affection, already sky-high after declaring she'd marry him and bear his kids, hit its limit. Solution, who'd schemed with Sebas to become his bride, had broken past hers.

Last night's events were to blame.

After a spectacular sisterly brawl stopped by Ainz, the two were nearly hauled to Nazarick for questioning. The young master raised his hand, saying, "I should be there too," and, out of Ainz's sight, signaled the sisters with a finger to his lips. They understood: he'd speak for them, and they should stay silent.

They had no intention of lying to Ainz, but they trusted the young master's sharper mind and silver tongue to convey the truth clearly. As a result, Ainz pardoned them. They braced for Albedo's wrath, but her reprimand was gentle: "If you sisters fight, don't trouble that boy." Her kindness was so unnerving that Shalltear, fresh off losing a catfight to Aura, muttered, "It's creepy, isn't it?" Naturally, this sparked another Albedo-Shalltear clash.

The fight's cause aside, the young master didn't need to defend them. Albedo's cherished dining hall was a death trap for a powerless human like him—Solution counted at least five near-death incidents. Yet he risked it for them. Werewolf or slime, who wouldn't swoon?

Unbeknownst to the sisters, who were sipping tea with Yuri Alpha post-oration, the young master had needed healing magic afterward. Nazarick had areas that damaged just by being there. Cocytus and Mare, who'd dragged him around, got scolded by Pestonya for it.

Solution gazed dreamily at the young master flipping pages. She wanted his eyes on her, not books, but didn't want to disturb him—a dilemma. Duty to Ainz's orders trumped her petty conflict, though. She had to ask him something trivial—not that Ainz's orders were trivial, but why her, and why now? Still, being closest to him made her the obvious choice.

Steeling herself, she asked, "Brother, what do you think of humans?"

"I think humans are humans," he replied.

Classic Brother quality. Lupusregina's face twitched, but Solution wasn't deterred.

"Could you elaborate?"

"I think of them as another kind of creature, like cows, horses, dogs, or cats."

His hands kept flipping pages, eyes fixed on the book. Solution persisted.

"Do you feel fondness for humans?"

"Depends on the person. I'm grateful to the maids, and I respect Whitney-san, the baker who opened shop recently. Making delicious bread from low-quality flour is impressive. I'm excited to see what he'll do with the Magic Kingdom's high-quality flour."

"Oh, that baker. His bread was better than the capital's… No, that's not—ugh, how do I ask this?" Solution fumbled.

Questioning was critical—a shovel to unearth knowledge.

"What if a human was suffering?" Lupusregina chimed in.

"Depends. If it's the maids, I'd want to help. Otherwise, I don't care much."

Lupusregina took the baton, but his blunt reply didn't quite hit what they wanted. Close, but not quite.

Ainz's bothersome order stemmed from last night's grand oration. While the sisters were scolded by Yuri Alpha over tea, the young master was nearly kidnapped by Shalltear for her Vampire Brides to learn "tongue and finger techniques." Aura's "What are you doing?!" dropkick saved him, deeming it obvious a vampire would drain a human brought to their lair. Sheltered by Mare and bonding with Cocytus, he toured Nazarick. At Cocytus's fifth floor, "Glacier," he nearly froze to death, requiring Pestonya's care. He raved "Amazing!" afterward, making Cocytus and Mare smile. Mare became "Mare-kun" when the young master hoisted him onto his shoulders. Mare's "Don't treat me like a kid!" was brushed off with, "I'd do it even if you were an adult." No Nazarick law banned grown men from piggybacks.

Mare, with a near-neutral karma, enjoyed the higher view, while Cocytus, despite his Vermin Lord visage, watched warmly, his karma leaning good.

Then came the incident—not a big deal, but it started when the young master saw frozen kingdom citizens from the Gehenna operation.

"Very hygienic," he remarked, genuinely impressed, with no fear or disgust.

Cocytus and Mare thought nothing of it, but Ainz, upon hearing the report, was baffled. He's human, yet what's he thinking? Thus, he ordered Solution and Lupusregina to probe his intentions.

Sixth stared at them with a sullen glare. After days, she resumed maid instructor duties, only to find Lupusregina acting overly familiar with the young master. Unaware of last night's events, Sixth found it suspicious, not just curious. She'd helped him avoid embarrassment half for fun, half out of curiosity, but maybe she was more devoted than she thought.

Oblivious to their drama, the young master finished his book and looked up. He'd half-answered their questions but remembered them. Since he'd paused, he elaborated.

"When I was a kid, I was badly burned and locked in a cramped place. I gave up on a lot during those years, but as a child, I wanted rescue. I knew people were outside the window, beyond the wall. But no one came. Looking back, I was hidden too well, so it couldn't be helped. Still, that doesn't change how I feel. I don't expect anything from humans, nor do I care to meet their expectations. That answer work?"

Lupusregina would usually shrug it off, but hearing her future husband suffered like that was unforgivable.

"Who did it?" she demanded.

"Albedo-sama knows," he said.

Mentioning Albedo meant it was her domain. Lupusregina had no role.

"Don't you hate them?" Solution asked.

"Not really. If I took revenge, they'd probably enjoy it, so I'm not interested. Making Albedo-sama happier is far more important."

Albedo's name silenced them. Even Solution would choose Ainz's joy over personal vengeance.

"Thanks," he said, nibbling Sixth's sweet treat and reaching for another book.

"Because of that, I met Albedo-sama and learned skills to please her. Not all bad, I guess."

He didn't notice the air shift as he opened the book. Solution, who hadn't seen but could guess what "pleasing Albedo" meant, tensed.

"Was it a woman?" she asked.

"Yeah," he replied, absorbed in reading.

"…Was she beautiful?" Lupusregina pressed.

"No way. A scrawny girl compared to Albedo-sama."

Comparing her to Albedo suggested considerable beauty.

"How long were you locked up?" Solution asked.

"About ten years, I think. As a kid, I didn't track calendars, so it's not exact."

The three stepped away, whispering about his sins.

Solution had long noticed his ease with women. Lupusregina was smitten by his masterful intimacy. Sixth wasn't as affected, but after a tear during intimacy, he'd used a potion and reentered, reshaping her for him alone.

Three heads are better than one, as the saying goes. Their conclusion: this man spent years bedding a stunning beauty.

He was guilty as sin.

"Brother," Solution called.

"What?" he replied, eyes on his book.

This time, she wouldn't let him read. Grabbing his shoulder with slime strength, she pulled him from the chair. Seeing her radiant smile and her shedding her dress to stand naked, he realized her intent.

"Wait! Stop! I'm sorry! Just don't do that!" he pleaded.

"I won't listen. Albedo-sama scolded you, yet you haven't repented," Solution said.

"Damn it, Solution, you tricked me?! Lupu! Sixth! Stop her!" he begged.

Lupusregina and Sixth exchanged glances. Having felt Solution's melting pain yesterday, Lupusregina pitied him, but it was too late.

"Noooo!" he screamed.

"Ufufu… Reflect inside Solution for a while, Brother♪" she said.

The young master was swallowed whole by Solution's body.

Solution spat him out after sunset. Reduced to a head and torso, as before, Lupusregina, assisting with healing, was shaken. The shocking sight was too much for Sixth, who was excused. Healing magic restored him, but he remained curled on the floor.

Worried she'd broken him, Lupusregina panicked, but Solution was unfazed.

"Ugh… I only read one book today…" he groaned.

"That's your concern?!" Lupusregina exclaimed.

"One book a day means only a million books before I die!" he said.

"How long are you planning to live?! I'd love that, though," Lupusregina replied.

"Have you repented?" Solution asked.

"…Yes, I've repented," he said.

Deep down, he believed he was blameless, but he was learning female logic didn't bend to reason.

The day passed smoothly, and night fell. Fully healed, he prepared for peak condition: a delicious dinner, a brief nap, a cleansing bath, and a fresh nightgown, awaiting the moment.

The date changed.

It was the night Albedo-sama would arrive.

"I've been waiting," he said.

Barely ten seconds after midnight, in E-Rantel's grandest mansion's lavish dining room, a figure whose very shadow was beautiful appeared.

Haha, Pandora as Momon would've been chaos—probably a body count! Thanks for holding back!