It was like an arm that was reaching up from under a pond, trying to grab onto something and kept on twisting and flailing around. Every time it struggled, the exposed rotted muscle oozed out liquid and blood.
“I apologize, I didn’t know he was still so energetic.”
Solution apologized with an arm still flailing on her face. She then roughly shoved the struggling and flailing arm back inside her. After the arm was completely inside her, she again let out a smile.
“That’s impressive! Even though you swallowed a man whole, one cannot tell at all from your outside appearance.”
“Thank you for your compliment. You can’t tell from the outside because my inside is quite empty. I am that kind of being, so I guess there are special magic effects taking place.”
“Hmm, I see— I hope I am not poking my nose into your business, but when will he die?”
“Well, if I want to kill immediately I can emit a stronger acid, but it’s such a rare chance for a man wanting to enter me, so I want him to at least enjoy it for a day or two.”
“I am not hearing any screams, is it because of the acid?”
“Not at all. If I use acid to dissolve his vocal cords, he might die from suffocation, so I used a part of my body to enter his throat and suppress his screams. It also prevents foul odors from leaking.”
“You take such a good care of your plaything, I quite admire that you can play with it up to its last moment.”
“Another thing, can you choose which body-parts you want to use acid to dissolve? For example, if you only want one part of the prey to be dissolved?”
“Yes, that’s no problem and it’s actually quite easy. The proof is that there are still some potions and scrolls inside me, and they’re safe. I can move freely even if Shalltear-sama were to enter my body, of course only if you don’t move around too much.”
“Preying ooze type is quite impressive… nhh. Let’s play together next time?”
“No problem, but… where do you plan to look for the toys?”
Shalltear noticed that Solution was looking at the vampires behind her, and showed a delighted smile.
“These girls are actually quite entertaining, but I want to wait until someone invades Nazarick and is captured. I will request Ainz-sama to gift them to me.”
“Okay, please leave me a share too. Next time, I want to swallow them up to their chest area and leave the other parts out. It should be fun like that.”
“Not bad, you should get along pretty well with that inquisitor right?”
“You mean Neuronist-sama? That special information investigator? It’s regretful that I don’t quite understand too much of Neuronist-sama’s art.”
Shalltear wanted to continue her chat with Solution, but a voice came from behind her and interrupted their conversation.
“Solution, preparations are complete here. It’s about time for us to leave.”
After replacing the horses’ reins, Sebas shouted from the carriage’s driver seat.
“Okay, I will be right there. Then Shalltear-sama, though I would very much like to continue chatting with you, please excuse me for now.”
Shalltear looked toward Solution’s back as she hurried to the carriage, then to Sebas who was sitting on the driver’s seat.
“Then, Sebas, I guess we will temporarily part ways.”
“I see, so you’ve found their lair?”
“Yes, I will go there in a moment. I am going to look if there is somebody with useful information that will make Ainz-sama happy. It seems our efforts were in vain this time.”
“I see. It was a pleasure working with you, Shalltear-sama.”
“Thank you for your hard work, let’s meet up at Nazarick later.”
“Yes, take care—”
Chapter 2 — True Vampire
Part 1
Two shadows could be seen moving full speed through the forest. They were Shalltear’s servants and concubines; the vampire brides.
They cleaved through the narrow trail laden with sharp branches. Despite this, not a single scratch or blemish could be seen on either of their dresses. Even while wearing high heels, the two vampires moved with unreal speed.
The one in front was carefully carrying Shalltear, while the one bringing up the rear was dragging what seemed to be a shriveled, old log.
Their current location wasn’t that far from where they parted with Sebas. Although they had no way of measuring the distance to their destination, they knew they still had ways to go. Suddenly, a sharp, metallic noise broke out, and the vampire in the front came to a halt.
Because the trail was so narrow, the one following from behind had no choice but to stop as well.
“Why have you suddenly stopped?”
As she was about to answer the voice behind her, a chilling gaze from her mistress she was carrying in her arms washed over the vampire that caused her body to tremble.
The sense of danger crawling up her spine was because she knew her master was neither kind nor forgiving.
Her master, Shalltear, who was now cradled in her arms like a princess, shifted her feet in displeasure.
Sensing the cue, the vampire lowered her arms.
Shalltear jumped, like a bird flying out of its cage. After a brief respite in the air, a delicate pair of legs in high heels landed on the earth. Her dress followed suit and gently flowed over her legs, hiding them from view.
Shalltear brushed aside her long silvery hair in irritation, and tilted her head. Under her icy glare, the vampire couldn’t help but gulp in fear.
“What is the problem?”
The reason Shalltear didn’t run herself was simply because it was bothersome, and because she didn’t want to get her shoes dirty. There was another reason, but no one present would even think it, much less speak it out loud. Even in Nazarick, there was only a handful who would dare say it in her presence.
As her servant, the vampire was acting as her feet, and forbidden to stop unless instructed otherwise by Shalltear herself. Feet that didn’t listen to its owner were useless.
Depending on the reason, she might receive severe punishment.
No, it would be a relief if it only went that far. The vampire could detect killing intent in her master’s question.
Excluding those created directly by the Supreme Rulers of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, the power over life and death over the other minions is held by the Floor Guardians and Area Guardians. To further incur Shalltear’s displeasure past this point would mean certain death.
Realizing that her next words might be her last, the vampire slowly opened her mouth to beg for forgiveness:
“Please forgive me. I stepped on a bear trap.”
Shalltear shifted her gaze to the vampire’s foot and saw that it was indeed caught by a reinforced steel trap.