Valkyrie's Shadow

The Tiger and the Dragon: Act 5, Chapter 3

The Tiger and the Dragon: Act 5, Chapter 3

Chapter 3

“Shalltear-sama, about the meat shipments for the Zern…”

“Handle it.”

“Shalltear-sama, the Orcs need–”

“Handle it.”

Shalltear covered her mouth and yawned. Running a transportation network was exhausting work.

Her current assignment had her standing out in the middle of an untamed wilderness, without a single comfort of home. At least in the Sorcerous Kingdom, she could enjoy the company of the beautiful local maidens in her area. In the Abelion Hills, the closest thing to a beautiful local maiden was a female Orc. Or maybe a Goblin? Either way, neither tickled her fancy.

Why aren’t there any cute Undead here? Demiurge did everything that he did, after all…

Their new world had a distinct shortage of intelligent Undead amongst its natives. Cute ones were next to nonexistent. The only one that she knew of already belonged to her, so at least she could say that she had a one hundred per cent collection rate.

Another Vampire Bride approached, clipboard in hand. She opened her mouth to speak.

“Handle it,” Shalltear told her.

The Vampire Bride shut her mouth. She didn’t leave, however, instead staring silently at Shalltear. A furrow formed on Shalltear’s brow.

“What is it–arinsu?”

“It’s time for the next cargo delivery, Shalltear-sama.”

Shalltear closed her parasol and unequipped it. She walked out into a thoroughly-trampled meadow where dozens of Death Knights quietly stood in neat ranks.

“E-Rantel again?” She asked.

“The government warehouse, yes.”

“?Gate?.”

Shalltear sized the portal for two-way traffic. The Vampire Bride went over to the Death Knights, who then formed into a column behind her. She led them into a portal and, shortly after, another set of Death Knights appeared in the opposite lane. Each set of four bore a cargo container between them, filled with supplies for the local tribes.

It had been roughly a month since Ainz-sama had subjugated the Abelion Hills. Before the Supreme One returned to the Holy Kingdom, he assigned Albedo to oversee territorial management. For the first time, the Guardian Overseer had an ‘Area’ of her own to manage.

To the NPCs, this was touching and all, but Albedo had immediately turned around and roped Shalltear into linking the Abelion Hills to the Sorcerous Kingdom’s transportation network.

One might think that it was as simple as sending Frost Dragons over to deliver things, but the fact of the matter was that there was nothing to link to. Many of the tribes in the Abelion Hills were at least semi-migratory, some were sedentary and none of them really interacted with one another except to compete over resources and territory. The closest thing to roads that they had were dirt trails and most of the rivers dried up by the height of summer. Those that flowed throughout the year were too shallow for cargo vessels.

Albedo being Albedo, she couldn’t accept her ‘Area’ being in such a ‘backwards’ state – especially with Cocytus and Shalltear advancing their own domains outside of Nazarick – and sought to bring civilisation to the wilderness. A hefty chunk of the Sorcerous Kingdom’s budget was allocated to the Department of Transportation and the Department of Transportation was tasked with building a transportation network to link to the rest of the transportation network.

The Undead performed the lion’s share of the work. No, it was more accurate to say that they did all of the work. The local Demihumans, whose livelihoods consisted of hunting, foraging and raiding, did not have the Job Classes or racial aptitudes for construction and engineering. They were inferior to the Undead for menial labour, so Shalltear decided not to waste resources employing them.

Phase one of the project, which was still ongoing, involved selecting the appropriate trails and widening them to accommodate the roads that would be laid in the future. Those who travelled them would have to settle for dusty paths of packed yellow clay until materials could be secured for the new infrastructure.

“Shalltear-sama.”

The Vampire Bride that had gone through the gate had come back again.

“Yes?”

In the Vampire Bride’s pale hand was a neatly-folded slip of paper.

“A message from Albedo-sama. Also, Pandora’s Actor-sama is waiting for you on the other side.”

Shalltear opened the letter. Within it was a single line, penned in the economical cursive of the Guardian Overseer.

The time has come to deal with Florine Gagnier. See to your responsibilities at once.

She read the missive thrice over, then closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“Is something the matter, Shalltear-sama?”

“That girl must have done something,” Shalltear sighed.

“…girl?”

“Florine,” Shalltear said absently as she examined her fingernails. “I’m off for the evening to deal with her–arinsu. Make sure this shipment gets to where it needs to go.”

“Yes, Shalltear-sama.”

The Vampire Bride bowed as Shalltear turned and entered her Gate. The cavernous underground warehouse of E-Rantel filled her vision on the other side. A long line of Death Knights with cargo containers awaited their turn to enter the gate.

“Shalltear.”

Crisp footsteps echoed off of the stone as Pandora’s Actor made his way over in his mustard-yellow uniform. To say that it was difficult to read a Doppelganger’s expression was an understatement, but Shalltear thought she could sense a hesitant edge to his usual presentation.

“Good evening,” Shalltear said.

“Good evening,” Pandora’s Actor replied. “Has Albedo already contacted you about that matter?”

She watched the procession of Death Knights in silence. When the last of them disappeared through the Gate, she closed the portal and turned to reply.

“What did she do?”

“There was a minor outburst, but it was significant enough to convince Albedo to act.”

“She was always the quiet one, too,” Shalltear murmured. “I never imagined it would happen so quickly.”

“Is that a hint of trepidation that I sense?”

Shalltear frowned up at Pandora’s Actor. The Doppelganger took a step back, raising his long-fingered hands in a disarming gesture.

“All I mean to say is that, while we are created to obey the Guardian Overseer, our purpose is to serve the Supreme Beings. While Albedo has done much to facilitate change in our Master’s realm, you were the spark for much of that change.”

“Is that so–arinsu?” Shalltear raised an eyebrow, “I seem to recall a certain someone meddling in everything behind the scenes. He still is, in fact.”

“I may have played some small part,” Pandora’s Actor chuckled, “but I would have never been able to play yours. Your results in the Sorcerous Kingdom have mostly been obtained through your unique form of management and the work of your vassals. Even Ainz-sama has recognised your efforts, and only Ainz-sama could have foreseen that you’d come so far. In the end, I believe the final call belongs to you.”

“The three great minds of Nazarick all agree that this would eventually happen, and they all agreed that this is the correct choice. Who am I to say otherwise? Besides,” she smiled slightly, “it isn’t as if I disagree – I’ll be enjoying this very much.”

Her smile grew. Pandora’s Actor raised a hand to his vacuous mouth and cleared his throat.

“Ah, before I forget, I should hand over these items. I believe you already know what to do with them…anyway, how is your work coming along with the Ai Ai Ainz-sama Highway of Love?”

Shalltear’s lip curled.

“I can’t believe you can say that with a straight face.”

“Did I?” Pandora’s Actor tilted his egg-like head, “Hm, well, the Guardian Overseer’s enthusiasm aside, I can’t imagine that the name will stay for long.”

“I can only imagine that it’s a sign of things to come,” Shalltear crossed her arms and gestured with a hand. “Did you know that she took the budget for the cancelled statues and pocketed them for her projects in the Abelion Hills?”

“Of course I know,” Pandora’s Actor replied. “I’m the Royal Treasurer, after all. Also, it was an official reallocation of the budget, so saying it was ‘pocketed’ is incorrect. We’re all grateful that Ainz-sama offered his foresight on the matter.”

“H-he did?”

“Oh yes,” the Doppelganger nodded. “He mentioned that he noted a number of flaws with the statue proposal. We all agree that this was one of them. While having statues of our Master dominating the skyline would be marvellous, investing in infrastructure is far better for the long term, no?”

Her mind raced, trying to recall what her vassals mentioned about infrastructure investment.

“I-it is? Of course it is! If we invest now, we can have many more statues of Ainz-sama in the future–arinsu!”

“Umu. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must attend to my duties in the treasury.”

Pandora’s Actor tipped his cap before spinning on his heel, vanishing partway with his coat swirling about his figure. Shalltear left the warehouse, walking out into the brisk evening air of spring. The illumination of the central district washed away the gloom of twilight and pedestrians from various households cast a myriad of shadows onto the cobbled streets.

She looked around and up at the clear skies before launching herself over the southern walls with a flap of her wings. A casual flight saw her crossing over Corelyn Harbour five minutes later. She descended in lazy circles over Castle Corelyn before alighting on the rooftop garden of the palace.

A pleasant smile crossed her face as she gazed upon the elegant, pure white structure that was her new court.

It’s much larger than I thought it would be. Well, the more, the merrier…

She took a deep breath. Could she smell them? She thought she could. Her new court was also her harem away from home: a garden of the finest flowers she could gather. Shalltear licked her lips as she thought of the pure maidens within.

They should be waiting inside…heheheheheh, whom shall I taste first? Maybe I should start with Ludmila – the reliable mainstay is always good. Or maybe Clara? It’s her place, after all. Hmm…I could have Clara and make Ludmila watch, or maybe I should enjoy them both at once? Or all four of them…no, I should have Florine before…

Shalltear raised a sleeve to wipe her mouth.

“Oi.”

“GYAHHH!”

She leapt into the air, equipping her Pipette Lance as she spun around in shock.

“What in the world are you doing?” Aura looked up at her with a frown.

“Sh-shorty?” Shalltear peered down at the Dark Elf, “That should be my line–arinsu! Where did you even come from? I didn’t see anyone on the roof just now…”

Aura gestured with her thumb towards the garden. There, Mare was taking potted plants out of his inventory and setting them down on the bare soil. One of the potted trees that he used to teleport around with was sitting nearby.

“Mare wanted to get some plants started here. We came out of the tree and you were standing there with an indecent look on your face.”

“What’s wrong with looking like that in front of my ha–I mean, there was nothing wrong with my face.”

“Well,” Aura placed a hand on her hip, “if you’re here to see those vassals of yours, make sure you tell them about that thing.”

“Thing?”

“You know. That.”

“Ah, that. O-of course I’m going to tell them – I’ve purposely timed it, you know!”

The Dark Elf Ranger cast a dubious look at her before sighing with a shrug.

“Well, whatever.” She turned to call out into the empty garden, “Oi, Mare, come with us for a minute.”

“C-coming…”

Florine lowered herself onto the comfy chaise at her desk, pressing a hand into the luxurious material of the seat. She leaned against the backrest and stretched herself out along its length, closing her eyes with a smile.

This is so nice. I could curl up and write here forever. I hope we’ll get to use this place more often.

“Are you sure ya wanna do that?” Liane asked.

“Do what?”

“Lie down like that. Lady Shall–”

“Mistress Shalltear,” Ludmila corrected Liane from across the court.

“–might jump on ya.”

Florine frowned over at Liane.

“She…she wouldn’t do that. Right, Ludmila?”

“It would depend on her mood,” Ludmila replied. “Plus some other things. You’re safe, though.”

Florine tilted her head back over the backrest, raising her arms past her head to stretch again. She let out a contented sigh: it really was a wonderful chaise.

“What things?” Liane asked.

“You know,” Ludmila answered. “Things. You get it, right, Florine?”

“Mmhm.”

“I don’t!” Liane said, “You two are really…wait – how do you think we’re doing in the Draconic Kingdom, Ludmila?”

“Given the circumstances,” Ludmila replied, “much better than expected. Queen Oriculus is an extraordinary sovereign.”

“Yeah? Why’s that?”

“She’s very progressive…no, adaptive. You can tell that she’s well-accustomed to managing things in a crisis. It only took a few days before she started making moves to restructure the framework of the Draconic Kingdom to accommodate its new relationship with us.”

Liane and Clara stared at Ludmila. Liane flopped down onto her chaise with a disgusted sound.

“Y’know what?” Liane pressed her cheek against the cushions, “I hate you. Both you and Florine! Not forever, mind you – just for the next little while.”

“You might not want to lie down like that, Liane,” Ludmila said. “Our Mistress might jump on you.”

Liane shot upright.

“Why am I in danger but Florine’s ‘safe’?”

“Because I imagine that your reaction would be very satisfying.”

“I don’t get it.”

“It’s quite simple,” Ludmila said.

“It is,” Florine agreed.

“It’s not!” Liane shouted. “Maybe you two monsters can feel out an answer for everything but us mere mortals can’t. How does this work? What are these ‘things’ you’re talking about?”

Ludmila’s dark-eyed gaze drifted over Liane’s resting form.

“Hmm…flavour, I suppose? Each of us has a ‘theme’. Our Mistress will partake of us whenever she fancies that flavour.”

“Oh yeah? Then what ‘flavour’ am I? What’s she gonna do to me?”

“You’ll find out soon enough,” Ludmila replied.

“That doesn’t help with my anxiety here…”

“I know,” Ludmila smiled slightly.

“…I hate you.”

“You already told me that,” Ludmila said. “You’ll find that Mistress Shalltear is very particular when it comes to this. You could say that it’s a sense of propriety in itself. Something about living her father’s dreams to their fullest.”

“Her father?” Liane said, “How does her father factor into this?”

“Well, His Majesty did say something about Mistress Shalltear being very much her father’s daughter. At any rate, I have no idea what you’ve all been imagining, but I assure you that it probably isn’t as terrible as you think. Well, except for Liane.”

“Y-you’re doing that on purpose, aren’t you.”

“Perhaps,” Ludmila replied, “but it doesn’t change anything. You are what you are and what happens will be what happens.”

Liane fidgeted behind her desk and squirmed in her seat. Ludmila had a sadistic side to her that she relished, but it always came out in her characteristic deadpan.

“In that case,” Liane asked, “what does La–Mistress Shalltear do with you?”

Ludmila looked down at her desk and focused on her paperwork.

“H-hey, answer me!”

Florine fussed with the loose silks of her outfit. Both going by their treatment so far and by what Ludmila had shared with them over the past few months, life as one of Lady Shalltear’s concubines was a far kinder fate than the one that awaited Florine in the past.

She was raised in a loving household, but the fact was that daughters of Noble houses were tools at best and toys at worst. Minor houses were especially powerless and possessing beauty was often a curse.

Florine was more than aware of her own appearance and constantly feared that she would catch the eye of a High Noble three times her age or more. He would ‘suggest’ to her father that she come work as a ‘Maid’ in his household and she would then be subjected to all sorts of terrible things.

To avoid this, her father sought to arrange a marriage as quickly as possible, but he wasn’t satisfied that the houses under consideration were worthy of his precious daughter. If he made a poor decision, things could end just as badly. Even if he managed to find a suitable match, all it took was for a High Noble to pressure her new house to give her up.

The best case scenario was that she would be able to seal an advantageous alliance for her house, bear three or four children and quietly live out the rest of her days in her husband’s shadow. Unless her husband died…but she would never wish for that upon anyone.

Under Lady Shalltear, Florine was genuinely recognised as a ruler in her own right and enjoyed an unprecedented degree of independence. She was valued for her contributions and she doubted that Lady Shalltear would ever let her go. Since Lady Shalltear was a woman, Florine wouldn’t have pregnancy after pregnancy forced upon her. Working in a court filled with friends was wonderful, as well.

Politically speaking, she and Liane had latched onto the then-newly-promoted Countess Corelyn for the traditional reasons that minor Nobles courted High Nobles. What they quickly found out, however, was that they no longer needed to band together for improved domestic security or protection against the machinations of other factions. The might of their sovereign and austerity of His Majesty’s administration made bandits, organised crime and foreign incursion a thing of the past. Destructive politicking was not tolerated.

Another thing that they found out was that the realities of the Sorcerous Kingdom raised the power of the nobility to levels that none could imagine previously. Life as a Noble was no longer a struggle between balancing costs for security, maintaining delicate trade balances and trying to maximise the output of their land and its tenants in an effort to facilitate a little bit of development. Security was cheap and effective, surplus revenues abounded and development was simply a matter of resource allocation. Intelligent, talented management came to the fore, no longer suffocated by the circumstances of the past.

Their little group had been gobbled up by Lady Shalltear and involved in dozens of different initiatives. They brought communities together, planned infrastructure, created new procedures for governance, organised the transportation network and helped to train the Vampire Brides. Industries and technology were developed and expanded to support their efforts. Now, their gaze turned outwards, laying the groundwork to expand the Sorcerous Kingdom’s cultural, economic and political sphere of influence.

Also – though it might have only been Florine who thought this – their faction was a fortress that gave them the confidence to conduct their dealings. Not only were they young and inexperienced, but they also resided in a region where patriarchal cultures dominated almost every aspect of society. Even Imperial Princesses like Frianne Gushmond were subjected to traditional biases and chained to its expectations. Lady Shalltear gave them a ‘base’ that they could safely sortie from and retreat to. Having a group of friends to rely on and support was something of immeasurable value.

In all, the benefits of the arrangement far outweighed the detriments, and those detriments couldn’t even be considered detriments by Nobles in the first place. Despite their liege being a Vampire, Florine felt that they were all safe under Lady Shalltear. She wouldn’t mind if their arrangement stayed as it was forever.

The doors to the court opened, revealing two Vampire Brides. Behind them came Lady Shalltear, accompanied by Lady Aura and Lord Mare. Clara, Ludmila, Liane and Florine rose to their feet, bowing from behind their desks.

“Welcome back, Mistress Shalltear,” they said in unison.

“I’m back.”

A huge smile filled Lady Shalltear’s face in response to their greeting. Lady Aura made an expression of her own.

“Geh, did you order them to do that?”

“It’s etiquette,” Lady Shalltear replied. “Et-ti-quette. They’re the finest noblewomen I could get my hands on, so of course they’d have the class to match.”

Lady Aura’s expression remained unchanged.

“I dunno…I haven’t heard any of the other Nobles refer to anyone as ‘Mistress’.”

“My Nobles are special. It’s a privilege that only they can have.”

The trio made their way across the court. When she reached the base of her dais, Lady Shalltear hopped up and settled into her throne-like armchair. She placed her elbows on the armrests of vermilion velvet and leaned forward, her crimson gaze going from Ludmila and Clara’s side to Liane and Florine’s.

“Oh, it looks like you two are really into it,” Lady Shalltear said. “You’re wearing harem pants and everything.”

“H-harem pants?” Liane swallowed.

“They’re part of the traditional fashion in the Draconic Kingdom, Mistress Shalltear,” Florine said. “The people there all wear similar outfits.”

Lady Shalltear’s hand went to her chin in a thoughtful gesture.

“Hmm…does that mean the Draconic Kingdom is one giant harem? I like this Queen already. We could use more culture like this.”

“Oi, Shalltear.”

Lady Shalltear frowned down at Lady Aura’s interruption.

“Could the children please remain silent while the adults are speaking? H-hey! Who said you could jump up here!”

“I didn’t like the way you were looking down at me,” Lady Aura told Lady Shalltear.

“How rude! Let me have my moment! Can’t you appreciate my achievement?”

The two cousins glared at one another on the dais. Below, Lord Mare was holding up his hands towards them, making an ‘awawawawa’ sound. Eventually, Lady Shalltear and Lady Aura broke eye contact, turning their heads away with a ‘hmph’. Several moments later, Lady Shalltear sighed and turned her attention back to them.

“As much as I would love to say that I’ve come for pleasure,” she said. “We have some pressing matters of business to attend to. You have your work in the Draconic Kingdom awaiting you as well, so I shan’t interfere with your duties.”

Lady Shalltear rose to her feet, clasping her hands in front of her. A solemn look accompanied her equally solemn tone.

“First of all, I have some news to share with you. With a heavy heart, I must inform you that Ainz Ooal Gown, the Sorcerer King, has…has…”

An audible swallow issued from their liege’s throat.

“…has died.”

The last part was barely a whisper. A deafening silence followed and they all stared at Lady Shalltear.

“B-but how?” Florine asked, “Where did this happen?”

If His Majesty had fought a life-and-death battle, everyone would surely have noticed.

“Far to the west,” Lady Shalltear replied, “in the Holy Kingdom of Roble. His Majesty fought valiantly, but–um, Mare? Where are you going?”

“I-I’m going to sink Roble into the ocean!”

Ludmila hopped onto the floor below.

“Ah, please take me with you, Lord Mare!”

Clara rose from her seat, lifting her long skirts as she took the stairs down.

“Me too, my lord!”

“Un!”

Clara and Ludmila fell into step with Lord Mare. Aura jumped off of Shalltear’s dais, landing behind her brother and snatching his wrist.

“Mare, wait! Shalltear, catch your vassals, they’ve gone berserk!”

“?Mass Hold Species?!”

A magic circle appeared beneath Clara and Ludmila. Clara froze in place, but Ludmila kept going. Shalltear clicked her tongue.

“Tch, she has a Freedom effect.”

“But that means…” Aura struggled to hold Mare still. “Grr, if it’s come to this…”

Ludmila spun on her heel. Her glaive appeared in her hand.

“Woah!”

Lady Aura somehow managed to bend her body – and Lord Mare’s – between all three ‘petals’ of Ludmila’s Blossoming Iris. The Dark Elf twins stared at Ludmila with wide eyes. Ludmila was plainly shocked. The glaive vanished from her hand.

“Did…did you use a taunt on me, Lady Aura?”

“Uh, it was a misdirection Skill. Have you all finally snapped out of it? Er…Mare?”

“Uehhhhhhhhh!”

Huge tears fell from Lord Mare’s eyes. Clara and Ludmila started sobbing with him. Together, the trio collapsed onto the polished limestone floor, crying into one another’s arms.

“Great,” Liane said, “you broke them.”

Lady Shalltear spluttered for a moment before she could work up a reply.

“I-I didn’t know that was going to happen!” She said, “Why didn’t you two react the same way?”

“More like why did they react like that?” Liane frowned, “Ludmila’s an unshakeable mountain most of the time, but she fell apart just like that. She’s died like seven times, right? If His Majesty – or anyone else, for that matter – dies, we can just resurrect them.”

“Actually, there was an argument between Albedo and Demiurge about that…”

“There was?”

“Er, don’t worry about it,” Lady Shalltear sighed. “I was so proud of my timing for this! I calculated everything out too.”

Liane exchanged a look with Florine. She then looked to Lady Aura, who shrugged unknowingly.

“What do you mean by ‘calculated’, my la–mistress?” Liane asked.

“Well,” Lady Shalltear retrieved a notebook and flipped it open, “This happened about a month ago. It takes overland Merchant traffic about a month to go from Roble to E-Rantel through Re-Estize if they don’t stop anywhere, so I delivered the news just before they’d arrive with the information. That way you would be ready to manage the reaction of your subjects when the rumour finally spreads here.”

“But I heard the Paladins that came here while we were away said that Roble lost the wall and got their northern half occupied.”

“They did,” their liege nodded. “But, after his ‘death’, Lord Ainz liberated the Abelion Hills and came back to defeat Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth and save the Holy Kingdom.”

“That’s wonderful!” Florine smiled, “Doesn’t that mean the Sorcerous Kingdom has new friends?”

“It does,” Lady Shalltear returned her smile and nodded.

“But wait,” Liane furrowed her brow. “Doesn’t that mean the people in the Holy Kingdom know that His Majesty isn’t dead?”

“That’s right.”

“Then that means news of the Sorcerer King’s ‘death’ would’ve never spread from the Holy Kingdom. By the time their lands were liberated and Merchant traffic could flow again, they’d already know that the Sorcerer King was alive and well.”

Lady Shalltear tilted her head with a confused look. Lady Aura snorted.

“Mooooooron.”

“Sh-shut up!”

“Still,” Florine smiled, “I’m impressed. Our mistress accurately calculated the average time it would take for travellers to go from Roble to E-Rantel – she even accounted for the weather. She’s made so much progress since back then.”

Lady Shalltear came over, wrapping her arms around Florine to hug her close.

“Ah, such a good vassal!” She rested her cheek against Florine’s breast, “Speaking of which, I have some business with Florine. Aura, Mare wanted to do something in the garden, yes? Take him and the others with you.”

“Can I stay too?” Liane asked.

“Hmm…sure?”

“C’mon, you crybabies,” Lady Aura said, “let’s go.”

The door whispered shut behind Lady Aura and the others. Lady Shalltear didn’t release Florine, instead drawing her down back onto the chaise with her. The Vampire wrapped her arm around Florine’s waist. Liane watched them from her seat with a nervous expression.

“I heard about what happened today,” Lady Shalltear said.

“I’m sorry, mistress,” Florine looked down at her lap. “I lost my composure and dishonoured you in the Royal Court.”

“You’re sorry you lost your composure, but you’re not sorry you said what you did?”

Florine swallowed, remembering her exchange with the Prime Minister.

“No, mistress, I’m not sorry for what I said.”

Several seconds passed in perfect silence.

“I see,” Lady Shalltear said. “In that case, I must deliver your punishment.”

“W-wait a minute!” Liane shot to her feet, “I–”

“Silence.” The Vampire’s crimson gaze flared as she levelled a glare at Liane, “Or would you perhaps like to add to her suffering?”

Liane sat back down. Her nails dug into the backrest of her chaise.

“Good,” Lady Shalltear turned her attention back to Florine. “Now, hold out your arm.”

Florine started to tremble. The arm around her waist pulled her closer.

“I’m waiting…” The Vampire smiled.

Squeezing her eyes shut, Florine stuck out her right arm. The point of something cold traced up her wrist and pressed into her palm.

“It has come to my attention,” Lady Shalltear said, “that there are a great number of lickspittles out there. Those who lower their heads out of fear or greed; who break from torment or cower at the sight of…monsters.”

Florine winced as the object pressed painfully into her palm.

“While they may entertain for a time,” Lady Shalltear said, “the fact of the matter is that they are expendable tools at best. They are not what I need. Those with beauty are nothing special; talent and intelligence are not rare. But you, Florine…well, I suppose you’re worth keeping around.”

Florine’s arm shifted as the pressure receded. A weighty object remained in her hand. She opened her eyes.

In her palm rested a dark box. Layers of strange patterns were etched into each of its faces. Occasionally, glints of light traced through those patterns, but they gave no hint as to what they represented.

She turned her head to look at Lady Shalltear. Her liege smiled warmly in response.

“Congratulations, Florine Kadia Dale Gagnier. Eternal service awaits.”

“You may join the others, Florine,” Shalltear said. “Liane, remain here with me.”

Florine rose from where she was sitting beside Shalltear, putting away the dark box. Shalltear watched as the voluptuous young noblewoman made her way out of the chamber. As usual, she walked in her reserved fashion, keeping her hips from swaying and gliding over the floor so her ample curves didn’t bounce as she moved.

I’m going to have to fix that…

There was much work to be done to fashion Florine into her ideal. Before that, however, the first steps needed to be made. Shalltear waited until Florine left the court before rising and walking over to Liane’s desk.

“Does that make you happy?” Shalltear asked.

“Of course, mistress,” Liane answered. “Ludmila mentioned that it might happen someday, but I guess that didn’t really sink in until just now.”

“It can still fail.”

The young noblewoman froze. Shalltear smirked.

“Well, not so much fail as she may not be able to open that box. All race change items have conditions to activate.”

“But you didn’t tell her what they were.”

“That’s right–arinsu,” Shalltear said, “I didn’t. But I will tell you.”

After evaluating her performance over the last year, it was decided that Florine Gagnier was eminently qualified to serve Nazarick for all eternity. She had many qualities that the Sorcerous Kingdom needed. Combined with her capabilities, personality and the Job Classes only available to natives of their New World, she offered a wide variety of benefits that could not be adequately replicated by any of the NPCs. All this had been discerned by Ainz-sama, who had declared that she should be rewarded nearly a year ago.

Though her fate had been decided, what form that fate might take led to divided opinions. There were some obvious choices, but Pandora’s Actor complained that they were ‘boring’. Shalltear proposed that, since Florine was her vassal, she should become something that Peroroncino-sama would have fancied. Demiurge suggested that they experiment with the karma values of the natives, turning good to evil or evil to good.

Shalltear was adamantly against that, as it would ruin her careful grooming and all of the things that she looked forward to doing with Florine Gagnier. It was then that Pandora’s Actor proposed another experiment: one that would challenge the precedents of Yggdrasil and explore what was possible in their New World.

“What does she need to do?” Liane asked.

“Once the box is primed,” Shalltear answered, “she needs to claim ten souls–arinsu.”

Liane’s mouth fell open.

“Sh-she can’t do that! She won’t do that!”

“Then I suppose that’s as far as she goes,” Shalltear told her. “Or…you could lend her a hand.”

Her vassal’s response was immediate.

“…ten souls, is it?”

“Innocent ones, preferably.”

Liane rose to her feet.

“I’ll do it,” she clenched her fists at her sides. “I mean, I’ll figure something out. Ten souls is a small price to pay for immortality.”