Embedded in the ring was the super-level magic 「Wish Upon a Star」. The number of possible wishes that appeared would be proportional to the amount of consumed experience. This meant that activating the ring/spell in exchange for ten percent of your total experience points would present a single choice, whereas consuming fifty percent would give five possible choices.
There were quite a few wishes to choose from. According to a strategy website’s statistics, there were allegedly over two hundred of them. Additionally, there were some wishes which appeared more easily, and wishes which did not appear so easily, therefore it was a horrifying magic where any carelessness could make the user waste a lot of experience.
Also, magic casters who wanted to learn this super-level magic had to reach the ninety-fifth level first. Even in YGGDRASIL where it was easy to level up, reaching this level would still require a considerable amount of experience, therefore people hesitated whether or not to gamble their experience points on such a spell.
When using this ring to activate the super-level spell 「Wish Upon a Star」, the possible wishes one could choose from would be completely randomised, just like normal. However, useful wishes had a comparatively higher chance to appear instead of joke wishes. Also, the maximum amount of wishes which would appear was ten, and the magic had zero activation time, therefore it truly was the most powerful cash item.
Using such a cash item — one which even had an element of gambling — would of course be a shame, but Shalltear was irreplaceable. But expending his own experience points here could affect the usage of his other special abilities which consumed experience points to activate, therefore the choice was still made with hesitation.
Ainz gazed at the ring.
Ainz hoped the activated wish was one which would dispel all of the effects on the target. Although there were many alternative options to choose from, what came to his mind was this most direct method.
Because it would also cancel positive effects, this wish was seldom chosen in the game, so Ainz who made this decision smiled.
“Well then, ring, I WISH!”
Of course, the magic item could also be activated without saying this. However, having to choose this strong desire most ideal for the situation from among more than two hundred wishes made Ainz shout out like this. It was the same shout as one would make while rolling the dice on a do-or-die gamble.
Because YGGDRASIL magic also had the same effect in this world, the ring-activated ability would definitely release Shalltear from the mysterious mind control effect. No, this was what he wanted to believe.
The outcome Ainz had feared the most would have been if the ring itself failed to activate, but it seemed to have been a needless worry. The ring released its magic without a problem and… The red light in Ainz’ eye sockets narrowed.
“What is…this…”
As if new information was being forced into his brain he felt… something unpleasant. Yet at the same time, and connected to it, he also felt a great sense of euphoria. A large variety of human emotions hit Ainz like a wave.
While the emotional ripples dissipated from his body, Ainz realised that this world’s 「Wish Upon a Star」 was changed from YGGDRASIL’s to the point that they were practically not the same.
When he knew about Enfrea’s innate ability, he had fantasised about the possibility of obtaining it by activating 「Wish Upon a Star」. This speculation was not wrong. In this world, 「Wish Upon a Star」 had already become a magic which made the realisation of one’s innermost desires possible. Although it would be based on the value of the consumed experience, 「Wish Upon a Star」 had become a magic which made the impossible possible. Moreover, if five levels were consumed— five-hundred percent of experience, the magic would even enable the realisation of even stronger desires.
With this, Ainz was certain it would be able to remove the magic effect on Shalltear’s body, and shouted out with a victorious spirit:
“Dispel all the effects applied on Shalltear’s body!”
After the voice sounded for a second, the light in Ainz’ eyes instantaneously flared.
“…How… How is this possible?”
Ainz’ agitated appearance made Albedo realise that the situation had changed. She asked nervously:
“W-what is it? Ainz-sama!”
Ainz did not reply to the question, but instead recalled his extensive in-game experience in YGGDRASIL, the information absorbed from strategy websites, and combined this knowledge with the variety of information gathered after arriving at this world. And most importantly the information he received from trying to use 「Wish Upon a Star」, which threatened to envelop his entire existence.
At the moment he made his conclusion, incredible anxiety and rage emerged in Ainz. However, even if his spirit was able to remain stable, there would still be one emotion left… fear.
The flustered Ainz shouted out:
“R-retreat! Albedo don’t get close! Retreat quickly!”
“Yes! Understood!”
Ainz immediately cast transfer magic. In the next moment, raised earth entered their view. Although he arrived safely at home, Ainz still frantically ordered:
“Albedo! Be careful and vigilant of anyone who follows the transfer!”
“Yes!”
Albedo took up her arms and stood beside Ainz. Ainz also held out his empty hands, ready to adapt to any changes.
Finally after some time had passed, Ainz slowly relaxed. Albedo also shifted from a lowered-waist defensive posture to a normal stance.
“Damn it!”
Even after calming down, a strong emotion of anger still appeared. After becoming an undead, Ainz’ strong emotions were automatically suppressed, but even after it was kept in check, new rage immediately resurfaced.
“Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!”
Ainz continuously forcibly kicked the ground.
Because his physical strength was extraordinary, a large amount of dirt was kicked up. Had there been no rain in the past few days, the surroundings would have raised an alarming amount of dust. Even so, it was unable to quell Ainz’ anger.
“A-Ainz-sama, p-please calm down…”
Sensing that Albedo’s voice carried fear, Ainz realised that his actions were not befitting that of the identity of a master. He rapidly regained his composure, and forcibly exhaled his non-existing breath, as if expelling the burning anger in his heart all at once.
“…Forgive me, I lost my composure. Pretend you didn’t see anything just now.”
“Please don’t say that. However, I am grateful that Ainz-sama was able to heed my advice! If Ainz-sama commands me to pretend not to have seen anything, I shall forget this incident in its entirety. However… what happened? Did I cause Ainz-sama to feel displeasure? If you are willing to tell me, I will work hard to never let this happen again!”
“…I was not directing that at you, Albedo. It was because I knew, after activating the ring’s power, that my wish did not come true.”
Seeing Albedo remain silent, Ainz knew that his explanation was not clear enough and continued to elaborate: