“Ah, good work. Also, from now on call me Ainz; Ainz Ooal Gown.”
“Ah! Understood, my creator Ainz-sama!”
After Pandora’s Actor’s salute, Ainz, having finished speaking, turned around. At this moment, a voice spoke out from behind him.
“However, Ainz-sama, although this may be disrespectful, if a situation has arisen which merits the use of the World Class items, it would be better to allow me to leave the Treasure Hall and operate on some other floor.”
“…………”
Indeed, he had a point.
Although Pandora's actor was a treasure, it would be foolish to let him sit around doing nothing if this resulted in losing an even more valuable treasure. This situation should rightly be viewed as an emergency and make use of his abilities. And the gold coins in Treasure Hall also needed to be moved to the Throne Room.
Having decided so, Ainz turned around just in time to see Pandora’s Actor place a hand on his chest in recommendation of himself.
Ainz also heard the expressionless Shizu softly let out a ‘uwah’ sound.
This sound deeply hurt Ainz — but he pulled himself together.
Pandora’s Actor’s movements were definitely too exaggerated, from the perspective as his creator, his posture and especially his behavior, they all seemed to radiate a ‘I am cool’ feeling.
If it was from a handsome man, that kind of mannerism might fit. However, since the person was an egghead, it was simply too incompatible. Furthermore, it made the witness Ainz feel embarrassed.
Ainz silently observed Pandora's Actor for a moment before he took a ring out of his Item Box and tossed it at him.
The ring drew an arc through the air, landing neatly in Pandora’s Actor’s hand.
“This is……a ring of Ainz Ooal Gown, and the item’s ability is……”
As Pandora’s Actor was about to continue his explanation, Ainz held up his hand and brought him to a halt. Although he had a sorrowful expression, this was not the time to be concerned about that.
“This is preparation. Albedo, first inform the battlemaids of Nazarick about Pandora’s Actor’s existence. Before that, Pandora’s Actor, you may only travel between the Throne Hall and the Treasure Hall.
“I hear and obey.”
After the two spoke, Pandora’s Actor placed his legs together so forcefully that it was almost audible. His fingers were so straight and his fingernail could not be stretched any further. This earnest salute, if one were to put it in a negative way, was too showy.
Ainz gently shook his head as he watched the egghead.
He wasn’t a bad person, in fact, his ability and efficiency were impressive, but it was a shame that—
“Uwah—”
Why did he have to be set to have such a personality. The past me certainly thought this was very cool. Well, I still think at least the uniform is a bit cool……
If Ainz could blush, his face would be as red as a tomato right now.
“Hey, Pandora’s Actor. Follow me.”
Ainz grabbed Pandora’s Actor’s shoulder and pulled him to one side. Of course, he had incidentally instructed Albedo and the battlemaids to stay in their positions.
“Let me ask you an important question. I am your creator, the person you are most loyal to, right?”
“Absolutely correct, Ainz-sama. I am your creation. Even if you ordered me to battle against the other Supreme Beings, I would not hesitate to give it my all!”
“Is that so……well then, as a person.… no, as a man….. your master, whether it’s an order or a request, I don’t care. So please just stop it with the salutes. Okay?”
Pandora’s Actor’s empty eye-sockets stared straight at Ainz. His eyes spoke volumes to Ainz about his confusion.
“Ah. That, how should I put it… isn’t saluting strange? Let’s stop that. The military uniform…… looks fine so there is no need to change that, but you really don’t need to salute anymore. Seriously, stop.”
“Wenn es meines Gottes Wille ist.”
(TL-Note: German for “If that’s my God’s will.”)
“…Is that German? Stop that too. Actually, that’s fine, but please, not in front of me. Please.”
“O-okay.”
As if this was the first time he had been overpowered, Pandora’s Actor gave a faint reply. Before he knew it, the distance between their faces had become close enough to kiss. Ainz pulled his face away and pleaded weakly:
“Seriously, I’m begging you. I really didn’t think something like this would trigger my mind suppression. It’s even more embarrassing than riding a giant hamster….. what the heck. I’d like to have a more calm conversation with you, but this is an emergency situation so this will be it for now.”
“Well then, there is something that must be done before entering the Mausoleum. Albedo, leave the ring of Ainz Ooal Gown I gave you with Pandora’s Actor.
Ainz explained the reason for removing the ring to the puzzled-looking Albedo.
“This is the final trap set up there. The golems inside, the ’Avatara’, are designed to attack all who bear the rings, even we are not exempt from this.”
“So that was the reason… invaders would have used the rings to get here. Then, the final trap would absolutely have been triggered.”
“Very sinister, no?”
“No, no such thing!”
Albedo reluctantly removed the ring from her left ring finger, wrapped it in a scarf then passed it to Pandora’s Actor. Ainz who witnessed this also took off his ring, and placed it inside a ring box which had appeared from thin air.
“Oh!”
Ainz exclaimed as if he had just recalled something. He took out a different ring of Ainz Ooal Gown that he kept in that space and placed it into the ring box.
Because even if the rings were deposited into the storage space, it would still be recognised as possessing the rings. Upon entering the Mausoleum they would be attacked by the Avataras.
“Albedo-sama…… could you please let go?”
Hearing this helpless voice made Ainz turn around yet again to face Albedo and Pandora’s Actor. What he saw was two people engaged in a tug-of-war over a scarf.
“Ainz-sama has already said that entering while wearing the ring will trigger the attack. It will only be a second until you’re back here to retrieve it……”
“What are you saying! This is the ring Ainz-sama personally gave me! How could I…woooooo—!”
“……Albedo, time is tight. If you will not voluntarily deposit the ring, I will ……”
“Sorry, I’m ready!”
Albedo suddenly released her grip, making Pandora’s Actor lose his balance. He let out a surprised yell as he took a few steps backwards.
“Right… then let us head inside. Pandora’s Actor, send Yuri and Shizu to move some of the treasures to the Throne Room… Although it is a little troublesome, but considering Albedo’s mentality, don’t use her ring. Use the one I gave you just now instead.”
“I am extremely thankful to you, Ainz-sama! To think you would forbid others from using the ring that Ainz-sama have granted me. Of! Course! Since this is an emergency situation, I wasn’t truly against it. I only wished to convey to Ainz-sama how highly I value the ring which Ainz-sama gifted me, but even without me demonstrating this, Ainz-sama has already observed—”