Part 2
Nazarick’s fifth floor was an extremely cold area, created with a glacier as concept
Producing the illusion of a blue iceberg emitting a glow from within, there was a tombstone-like object standing amidst the endless white land. Snow fell from the self-shrouding thick layer of clouds in the sky, dancing in the freezing wind composed of icy cold water vapour. In the distance, a frozen forest completely covered in snow could be seen, like a giant hiding under a white mantle.
Ainz’ clothes were blown about, flapping violently in the chilling cold wind. Remembering what Albedo beside him was wearing, Ainz asked:
“Are you cold? If there is a need, wear your armor. We have enough time for you to change.”
Any ice attack against Ainz was completely ineffective, and he would feel no coldness no matter how freezing it was. However, it was not the same for Albedo. This degree of frostiness would not harm her if she wore her full armor, but Albedo was currently wearing a white dress. Although she was asked before the transfer as well, it could be that she was just putting on a false front.
But Albedo gave the worried Ainz a tender smile.
“Thank you for your concern, but there is no need to be worried, Ainz-sama. This chill is absolutely not a problem.”
Ainz nodded and replied: “I see.”
Originally this place would apply ice damage and movement-slowing area effect. But its activation cost money, therefore it was currently deactivated. This prior decision was a stroke of good luck. Or perhaps Albedo possessed magical items or abilities to negate ice damage?
Basically, NPCs’ equipment were all conferred by the Guild member who created them. The ones Ainz knew well were Pandora’s Actor and a few others, and after the transfer he had briefly looked over everyone’s data.
Ainz cast aside the doubts in his mind, and looked at the magnificent two-story high mansion in front of him.
In this cold world of ice and snow, only this structure exuded a strange atmosphere. Like a building from a story, it gave off a fairy-tale feeling.
However the surface was a frozen layer of ice, creating a cold, discomforting ambience. In fact, this building did not have a fairy-tale name.
It was called the Frozen Prison.
All enemies of Nazarick were locked in here.
“Let’s go.”
Ainz succinctly instructed with a short phrase, then pushed open the large, ice-coated door. Even with its surface covered by a thick layer of ice, the door still opened easily, as if it was welcoming a guest.
The moment the doors opened, a gust of cold wind rushed out. he temperature inside the prison was even lower than that of the Arctic world outside.
With the cold wind hitting her body, Albedo started to shiver. Seeing this, Ainz pulled a crimson cloak out of thin air, the hem of which had the pattern of a burning flame.
“Wear this cloak, Albedo. It might not have any particularly strong magical effect, but it should be more than enough to block the cold.”
“Something so valuable! My extreme gratitude! I will treasure this for the rest of my life.”
Although he never said that he was going to give it to her, seeing Albedo’s smiling face, he didn’t elaborate and merely looked beyond the doorway.
A silent and dark passageway extended all the way into the prison.
“Ah, yes. The remnants of the Sunlight Scripture are also locked in here.”
“Yes. It’s only proper that Neuronist Painkill guards them strictly. So warm… like being embraced in Ainz-sama’s bosom… fufufu.”
“…Is that so. Well that’s great.”
Being in my flesh- and skinless embrace should not be warm. However, Ainz wasn’t so dense that he would say this aloud.
Putting Albedo, who was squirming about fully immersed in the cloak, out of sight, Ainz slowly walked ahead.
“What are you doing. There isn’t much time left… under these special circumstances.”
“Yes, yes!”
Ainz’ passive skill 「Undead Blessing」 allowed him to observe all of the undead concealed inside the place. Feeling that this would be bothersome, Ainz disabled the skill, ignoring the undead moving along the corridor, covered in a layer of blue white ice. If he did not take prior measures to deal with the moving obstacles, perhaps he would slip on the completely frozen corridor.
“…Ainz-sama, shall I call for Neuronist Painkill? She did not show herself to guide the way, letting the Supreme Ruler of Nazarick enter without a guide…”
“No need. Although it isn’t a bad thing, that fellow talks a lot. Currently there are some emergency matters which need to be resolved, so I hope to avoid wasting time as much as possible.”
“Understood. Then after this matter is concluded, I shall tell Neuronist Painkill not to talk so much.”
“No, no, that will not be necessary. I do not find it discomforting.”
“But then…”
Seeing Albedo beside him frown, Ainz allowed a smile to surface on his unmoving face. As the master, he felt it was a good thing that his subordinates would think about what was best for him, but if it wasn’t handled well, it could result in the subordinates not daring to complain in the future.
“It’s nothing. I love all of you, regardless of your strong points or weak points, because you were all created by my past comrades. I would be in the wrong if I felt displeasure when looking upon any settings which were made with dedication.”
Correct. If Shalltear’s betrayal was due to her settings, then it was necessary to forgive her, because she would only be following the intentions of her creator Peroronchino. However, Peroronchino wasn’t the kind of person to plant a bad seed inside the Guild. This confused Ainz, since Peroronchino was the type who enjoyed joking around, but dislike damaging relations between companions.
Even so, is it really an external reason? Because that text display means mind-control… but then there is no way to confirm this. Or perhaps there were some changes in the settings after arriving in this world. I have yet to completely memorize all of the NPCs’ personality settings too. Furthermore, some parts of the NPCs’ personality settings were similar to the Guild members who created them… I think there shouldn’t be anyone who could completely export his or her personality into settings, therefore it could be due to this. Speaking of which, about Shalltear… could it be that her settings contain something akin to a timed explosive mechanism? Because her creator enjoyed H Games, and input some kind of girl game conquest event in her… woah, that’s very possible.
Ainz gave a tired sigh. At the same time he felt the woman beside him display an abnormal change.
Although she was only looking forward and walking silently, it was different from earlier, because she was not following Ainz’ pace. Furthermore although she was facing forward, she was not looking ahead, and her eyesight was fixed on a certain point.
When Ainz realized that Albedo was muttering something, he perked up his ears to listen.
“I love you… I love you… I love you…”