“…Oh?”
Ainz naturally let out an out-of-tune exclamation.
“Did I not mention this before? Then have you heard about Demiurge’s healing experiments?”
“Yes I have. The experiment involving chopping off the limbs, then applying experimental magic treatment to the severed areas, right?”
“Correct. Let me ask you one more question. Do you know where the resurrection magic has to be applied?”
“Not on corpses?”
“…No. Ah, it shouldn’t be?”
Both Albedo and Ainz were in deep thought when realisation dawned in Albedo’s eyes.
“Ah, I was wrong. Ainz-sama said correctly — not bodies, but on the soul!”
“Correct. In Demiurge’s experiments, the severed limbs would disappear, and then regrow from the body. Therefore in a situation where magic was cast on the soul, what would then happen to the corpse?”
In YGGDRASIL, there were four different methods of resurrection to choose from in exchange for experience points..
The first type was on-site resurrection. The second type was resurrection at the entrance of a dungeon. The third type was resurrecting at a nearby safe town. Finally, the fourth type was resurrection at a specified location, such as a guild.
So, just what sort of resurrection magic existed in this world?
Needless to say, the one Ainz wanted to avoid the most was the fourth type, which would revive them back at their respawn point. If Nigan’s respawn point was in the Slane Theocracy, then it would be tantamount to resurrecting an enemy who held information. He would have committed the folly of releasing the tiger back into the mountains.
Therefore, there was no way to conduct resurrection magic experiments. This result apparently had backfired.
“So that’s how it is. It really does require close attention. As expected of Ainz-sama. Such perception is admirable.”
Seeing Albedo lower her head and sigh, Ainz immediately shook his head and replied:
“You honestly need not mind about such matters. Still, it is necessary to find a place to carry out experiments… eh eh. Well then, let us pick up our spirits and set off again.”
Under Albedo’s guidance, Ainz proceeded to head deeper into the forest.
Within it, the two people came across a vast clearing.
In a place that could be called serene, stood a completely dissonant, scarlet-armored figure. The appearance of a fantasy-like illusion shone brilliantly in the sunlight, but the bloody stench in the air destroyed this atmosphere.
Shalltear.
Her appearance was exactly the same as it was on the 「Crystal Monitor」, even her posture looked like it had not changed. Therefore, Ainz momentarily wondered if he was still looking at a monitor.
However, there was a realistic sensation here: the bloody stench drifting along with the wind.
Ainz continuously took deep breaths, but since his body was obviously incapable of breathing, he only went through the motion, or it may have just been a reflection of how he felt emotionally.
“Shalltear.”
Ainz called out.
Ainz felt that he had issued a commanding voice full of authority, not a useless deep and hoarse voice.
However, there was no reaction.
He called out again, carefully and intently looking at Shalltear.
Shalltear was not ignoring him. Her lifeless eyes were open but devoid of spirit, empty, giving off the impression that no consciousness resided behind them.
Albedo, who was also present, flushed with anger at Shalltear’s attitude.
“Shalltear! Not only do you not offer a single word of explanation, you dare show such insolence towards Ainz-sama—”
“Albedo, you are noisy! Silence! Do not move! You are not permitted to approach Shalltear!”
With a rough tone, Ainz stopped Albedo who was about to take a step forward. Under normal circumstances Ainz would rarely display such an attitude towards his past-companion’s creations, but this time it was impossible to restrain his emotions.
He was shocked at Shalltear’s condition.
“…Could this be… Is it possible?…Unbelievable.”
Ainz felt dismay as he compared his past experiences with Shalltear’s current appearance. At the same time, he forcibly maintained his composure and made a calm judgment, knowing that the possibility was very high.
He opened his mouth to talk with Albedo, wanting to explain his train of thought to others and use this as a pretext to allow himself to get his facts in order.
“I am certain. Shalltear is currently under mind control.”
“Is this because of the reason Ainz-sama talked about in the Throne Hall?”
“We still do not know if that is the case. While prying information from the Sunlight Scripture, I have witnessed something similar. This is indeed the result of mind control. I do not know for certain why the undead Shalltear was affected by mind control, but perhaps it may have been caused by something particular to this world?”
Ainz folded his arms, staring sharply at Shalltear who was standing rigidly.
“Shalltear’s consciousness is being controlled by an unknown person, and something happened just before that person was able to give any orders. Perhaps she acted at the same time and defeated the opponent… leading her to remain alone here in an idle state. That should be pretty close to what happened. However, she may take defensive action should you attack or get too close to her, NPCs with an evil alignment have the tendency to attack, so do not go near her.”
“Understood. But then there will be no means to forcibly restrain and bring her to Nazarick. It does not matter if the person controlling Shalltear is already dead, but if that person is still alive, then leaving her like this will eventually be dangerous.”
“Your concern is correct.”
The reason why Shalltear was affected by mind control was unknown. There might be a peculiar ability in this world that was effective against the undead. If so, Ainz could also be affected by mind control if he stayed here.
“Although using this item is a bit of a waste, it is still best to release Shalltear from mind control as quickly as possible.”
Ainz spread his fingers. On one of his fingers, he wore a simple ring a simple ring that had no kinds of decorations whatsoever. It was engraved with three shooting stars that emitted a silver light, and was actually the most powerful of all the rings in Ainz’ possession.
“That is…?”
In response to Albedo’s puzzled expression, Ainz smiled proudly despite the fact that his face did not move, and revealed the ring’s name.
“This super rare item, the 「Shooting Star」 ring, enables the use of the magic 「Wish Upon a Star」 three times without consuming experience.”
This was the gacha item Ainz gambled his entire year end bonus away for.
Amongst all the guild members, only two people, Ainz and Yorumaiko, had this incredibly rare ring.
No. Rather than describing this ring as a rare item, perhaps it would be better called a symbol of stupidity, having spent so much money on the game to get it.