Obsession: Albedo’s Desire

Vampire Brides, as their name suggests, are true vampires. Unlike most of Nazarick's monstrous denizens, they take the form of strikingly beautiful adult women. As vampires, they are subservient to Shalltear, the True Ancestor. In contrast to Shalltear's petite frame, they boast ample curves. Pointing this out risks unleashing Shalltear's wrath, so only Albedo dares mention it.

Though part of Nazarick, they weren't created by the Supreme Beings. Born naturally from the Great Tomb's mysterious power, they're treated rather harshly. Still, as Nazarick's minions, they understand true beauty. As Lord Ainz declared, Nazarick overflows with splendor.

Even to their discerning eyes, the man Shalltear brought was a sight to behold. His glossy, refined features were so captivating they could stare forever if permitted. Preserved as a taxidermy piece or ice statue, he'd elevate any room's grandeur by a hundredfold. If Shalltear offered him as a "reward blood bag," their loyalty would skyrocket threefold. His tantalizing scent alone was intoxicating—imagining sinking fangs into his vibrant skin, tasting his fresh blood, made their mouths water. He had to be delicious.

But then…

"Teach these wenches your fingering and cunnilingus skills," Shalltear ordered.

The Vampire Brides were not only Shalltear's minions but also her concubines, sharing her penchant for same-sex affection. Her command meant submitting to a human man—an unthinkable humiliation for Nazarick's proud members. Were they being punished? The six elite Vampire Brides, chosen to accompany Lord Ainz's expedition, turned their confusion into near-murderous glares at the man.

How did it come to this? Anyone would agree it's absurd.

From a mansion in E-Rantel, Shalltear's magic whisked him to Nazarick's surface, slightly northeast of Carne Village. A beautiful maid greeted them at a log cabin, exchanging brief words with Shalltear before they entered Nazarick on foot. The man, clad only in a loosely draped gown and barefoot, was carried by Shalltear. Another Gate spell landed them in her chamber on the second floor, the "Corpse Wax Chamber," a decadent space befitting a Floor Guardian, steeped in a cloying, dizzying fragrance he quickly adjusted to.

There, pale-skinned women—likely vampires, about a dozen strong—knelt in reverence to Shalltear. Six remained; the rest were dismissed. Then came the bombshell: fingering and cunnilingus lessons. Their glares sharpened. Naturally.

No matter the superior's order, no one wants a strange man teaching that. It's not something taught through words—demonstration is required, meaning one of them would be the subject. They didn't want it, and he wasn't keen either. After exhausting himself with Shalltear, even beautiful women couldn't spark his interest.

So, he tried to reason with her.

"With all due respect, I doubt my skills surpass theirs," he said. "I propose no instruction is needed."

"Huh? How would you know?" Shalltear snapped. "I'm the one who felt it!"

The kneeling Vampire Brides thought, She's been on the receiving end? but kept silent.

"It's about knowledge, not skill," he said. "From experience, I've learned what pleases you, Shalltear-sama. These women, having spent more time with you and being women themselves, likely touch you with greater finesse."

"…Then why do your fingers feel better?" Shalltear asked.

"There's one more factor: care," he said. "By earnestly considering how to please you, one's touch naturally refines. That's likely the difference."

"…So, you're saying they lack care for me?" Shalltear's voice grew icy. "They don't try to please me? They slight me? Is that it, you wretches!?"

The Vampire Brides prostrated, foreheads to the floor, trembling under Shalltear's murderous rage. They wanted to clear the misunderstanding, but her killing intent froze their tongues.

"Shalltear-sama, that's the opposite," he said. "Even I, meeting them now, can see their unwavering loyalty. It's not their hearts—it's about you."

"…Huh? What's that supposed to mean!?" Shalltear's anger dissipated, replaced by a flustered demand.

"Let's try an analogy," he said. "Imagine Lord Ainz, aged like a grandfather, asks you to massage his shoulders."

"You don't know, but Ainz-sama's bones are quite youthful!" Shalltear huffed.

As a necrophiliac, she could gauge bone density and age. Thinking Ainz's bones elderly was amateurish. (Shoulder massages, by the way, were code for "you're fired." Ainz would stare wistfully into the sky if he heard.)

"Don't ruin the analogy," he said. "Are you saying you'd forgo skinship with Ainz-sama and heal his shoulder pain with magic?"

"N-N-No way!" Shalltear stammered.

"Then hear me out," he said. "You massage Ainz-sama's shoulders, but you're too rough, and he scolds you. Next time, do you massage harder or softer?"

"Softer, obviously!" Shalltear said.

"Bzzt. Wrong," he said, shaking his head.

Shalltear, confident in her answer, bristled at being corrected.

"Why did you choose softer?" he pressed.

"Because Ainz-sama doesn't like it rough," she said. "I don't want to be scolded!"

"That's the issue!" he declared, gesturing grandly.

The Vampire Brides, caught by his theatrics, lifted their heads.

"Ainz-sama doesn't want a softer massage—he wants his shoulder pain gone," he said. "If you hold back out of fear, the pain persists. Understand? Don't fear scolding; focus on what Ainz-sama truly wants."

"But… I'd get scolded again!" Shalltear protested.

"That's what I'm saying not to fear," he said. "Repeated scolding makes anyone timid. From your earlier behavior, I suspect you discipline these women harshly often. That stifles bold action."

Ainz would likely agree: praise fosters growth.

"For my part, I've taken risks serving Albedo-sama," he continued. "Carefully considered, but mistakes could've meant death. Honestly, I leaned on Albedo-sama's kindness, knowing she'd be lenient. I could trust her because she's always been gentle."

"Mmm…" Shalltear grumbled.

Even the oft-called "foolish" Shalltear couldn't miss his point: treat your minions kinder.

Shalltear knew her temper was fierce, and since Vampire Brides respawned endlessly, she'd grown rough with them.

"If you show a touch of leniency, their touch will naturally improve," he said. "No need for my instruction."

"…Hmph," Shalltear huffed, fully persuaded.

Her self-awareness made her concede. Case closed—or so he thought, planning a library visit. Then, a Vampire Bride raised her head, eyes resolute.

"With respect," she said, "his words may hold truth. But if Shalltear-sama finds us lacking, that's valid. To hone our skills, I request his hands-on instruction—starting with me."

(What!?)

It made sense. Expecting Shalltear's wrath, they'd been spared. He'd even advocated for kinder treatment, and Shalltear was considering it. Pride couldn't let them dismiss a mere human when Shalltear deemed him superior.

He'd only meant to calm Shalltear, not win the Vampire Brides' favor. That's why he's called a clever fool.

"…Right, that makes sense!" Shalltear said. "Practice is needed regardless!"

"…Understood," he sighed.

Prompted by Shalltear, a Vampire Bride climbed onto a bed large enough for ten, followed by the man. Their sheer garments—simple yet provocative—covered little. A band hid their breasts' centers, and wide sashes hung front and back, leaving thighs and hips exposed from the side. No undergarments were visible. None worn, apparently.

"…Please," she said, lying back in an M-shape, lifting the front sash to reveal herself. Her pale skin flushed faintly, her crimson eyes averted.

He had no choice but to proceed.

"Forgive our urgent intrusion!" Solution and Lupusregina said, bursting through the window.

Nabe was stunned. Before her knelt Pleiades members Solution and Lupusregina, addressing Momon the Dark Hero and Princess Nabe—actually Pandora's Actor and Naberall.

"You're here for Pandora and Naberall, not Momon and Nabe," Pandora said. "Correct?"

"Yes!" they confirmed.

As Ainz's creation, Pandora rivaled Albedo and Demiurge in intellect and deduced the situation. Solution explained: Albedo's prized "meal" in E-Rantel was taken by Shalltear. If turned by her bite, he'd be useless as Albedo's food. They needed Mare's help to protect him.

"I haven't met him," Pandora said, "but Ainz-sama called him intriguing, and Albedo values him. If Shalltear's eyeing him, his blood must be exquisite."

"I heard he lunged at Albedo when she permitted a taste," Solution said.

"If Albedo and Shalltear clash, intervening will be a pain," Pandora said. "We need to prevent that."

As Pandora, in Momon's guise, pondered, Naberall fidgeted. She was quite fond of the man.

"I'll message Aura," Pandora said. "Naberall, go to Mare. Tell him to hide the man with Aura."

"At once!" Naberall said.

With a plan in place, Solution and Lupusregina relaxed slightly, though the situation remained precarious. Following Pandora's orders, they returned to the mansion with Naberall.

Meanwhile, the man they aimed to save was busy pleasing the fourth Vampire Bride.