What's Next?
The eerie silence in the Throne Room was shattered when Albedo suddenly spoke, leaving both Dracula and Momonga frozen in shock. Neither had expected the NPCs to actually speak or show signs of consciousness. After processing this startling development for several seconds, Dracula composed himself first.
"No, everything is fine, Albedo, it's just we felt a sudden shift," Dracula said with practiced calm, his aristocratic demeanor masking his inner confusion.
Albedo's face brightened at being addressed. "Ah! If there's any problem, please let me help!" Her black feathered wings fluttered slightly, and a light pink blush spread across her cheeks.
"Of course, Albedo, I'll keep that in mind," Dracula replied smoothly.
Establishing a mental connection, Dracula and Momonga began a private conversation while maintaining outward composure.
"Thank you, Dracula. I was so confused and not ready for this," Momonga's thoughts reached Dracula with crystal clarity.
"Of course, Momonga. But there is really something wrong," Dracula responded, his mental voice carrying hints of concern.
"What should be our next move then?" Momonga asked uncertainly.
"First, we must determine if we are still in the game and the loyalty of our NPCs," Dracula suggested, thinking strategically.
"Yes, but how...?" Momonga wondered, before shifting to verbal speech. "...Sebas."
The immaculately dressed butler stepped forward instantly. "Lord."
Momonga hesitated, thinking, "Is it okay for me to give them orders...?"
"You must support Momonga," Dracula encouraged mentally.
Drawing confidence from Dracula's reassurance, Momonga straightened. "Of course. Sebas, step out of the Great Tomb and confirm the surroundings of Nazarick."
Sebas bowed deeply. "By your command, my lord. I'll return." With that, he departed to execute his mission.
Turning to the assembled maids, Momonga continued issuing orders. "Pleiades, I want you on the ninth floor. If anyone tries to trespass, deal with them."
The head maid Yuri bowed formally. "As you wish, my lord. It will be done."
Momonga's thoughts raced wildly. They even recognize, respond to commands that aren't native to the game... What in the world is going on?
"So Lord Dracula, Lord Momonga?" Albedo inquired with a pleasant smile, awaiting instruction.
"Ah, yes Albedo," Dracula acknowledged her.
"Do you have any orders for me to obey?" she asked eagerly.
Dracula considered for a moment. "Yes we do, Albedo. Momonga, if you wish, you can go on ahead to the 6th Floor Amphitheatre. While I'll finish here."
"Ah, yeah. It does give me time to test my power a bit," Momonga agreed before teleporting away, leaving Dracula and Albedo alone in the vast throne room.
Once Momonga had departed, Dracula turned his attention to Albedo. "Albedo, can you please come closer to me?"
"Sure!" she replied enthusiastically, rushing toward him with unexpected speed that momentarily surprised Dracula, though he maintained his composed demeanor.
Wow! She smells great! Wait, smell...?! There was never a function like that in Yggdrasil! Dracula thought in astonishment. Outwardly, he remained calm. "Albedo, may I touch you?"
"Yes...Ahh," she consented with a slight gasp as Dracula wrapped an arm around her waist. He carefully felt for her neck, stunned to discover a pulse beating beneath her skin.
"No way...She has a pulse," he murmured. This is crazy! She is supposed to be an NPC run by an AI program! Why does she seem so alive?!... Okay, focus. Last test! I have to confirm this no matter the cost!
Steeling himself, Dracula leaned close and whispered into Albedo's ear, causing her to quiver with excitement. "Albedo, may I touch your chest?"
"...Eh?" she responded, momentarily surprised.
"Ah, you don't mind that, right?" Dracula pressed softly.
Albedo's face flushed deeper. "Of course not! Touch me as much as you wish, Lord Dracula!"
"Cute," Dracula commented, making her blush intensify as he gently groped her breast.
"Ahh!" Albedo gasped at his touch.
While maintaining physical contact, Dracula's mind raced. Let's think this through. The fact that I can do something reserved for hentai games means this is something new. But talking to the NPCs, smelling them, and touching them...all these things have been impossible to program into games!
Lost in contemplation, Dracula suddenly realized he'd been fondling Albedo far longer than intended. ...Hey! How long have I been fondling her?! "Albedo? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."
"Ah...This is it, isn't it? You're going to take me right here?!" Albedo exclaimed, her voice trembling with anticipation.
"Eh..." Dracula was momentarily speechless.
"Oh! What shall I do about my clothes?! Should I remove them on my own? Or would you prefer to get rid of them yourself?!" she asked eagerly.
Dracula regained his composure. "Very tempting, my dear succubus. But we have other matters to deal with."
"Oh! I'm so sorry, Lord Dracula!" Albedo apologized, looking disappointed.
"It's alright, my dear Albedo. More importantly, I have an order for you," Dracula said, redirecting the conversation.
Albedo immediately straightened, the perfect image of a dutiful servant. "It will be a pleasure to serve you."
"Except for the guardians of the fourth and the eighth floors, I want everyone to meet me at the sixth floor's fighting arena. Have them gather there in one hour," Dracula instructed.
"As you wish, my lord," Albedo replied with a deep bow.
Before she could leave, Dracula gently lifted her chin, smiling down at her. "And before you go, Albedo. Do your job well, and you will be rewarded greatly."
"YES!!!" she exclaimed enthusiastically.
With their business concluded, Dracula activated his teleportation ring, instantly transporting himself to the sixth floor's Amphitheater where Momonga awaited.
"It worked! The ring's teleportation ability has no issues. I can still use items," Dracula observed as he materialized.
Momonga turned toward him. "It took you a while, Dracula, to get here. What got you held up?"
"Well, it looks like Albedo and the others are still loyal, just like they were programmed to be. But what about the other characters?" Dracula asked, deliberately keeping certain details of his interaction with Albedo private.
"Currently for the Sixth Floor, the Guardians, the Twin Dark Elves, whom I met only once until you got here," Momonga explained.
"Where are they?" Dracula inquired, looking around the vast arena.
Momonga called out, "Aura."
A bright, energetic voice rang through the amphitheater. "Ha ha! It's our honor to have you, Lord Momonga, Lord Dracula! Welcome to the Sixth Floor Amphitheater!" The young dark elf Aura bounded toward them, full of enthusiasm.
"We will only plan to intrude for a little while," Momonga said modestly.
Aura looked almost offended by the suggestion. "You must be joking, right, Lord Momonga?! Both of you are the rulers of the Great Tomb of Nazarick! My Lords' power here is absolute. There isn't a guardian that would ever consider you an intruder, at least not my brother and me!"
"Thank you for your sincere words, Aura," Dracula acknowledged with a slight nod.
Momonga looked around. "Yes, Hmm, speaking of...?"
Aura turned and shouted toward the stands. "Ah. Mare! You've been rude to Lord Momonga and Lord Dracula! Stop cowering and get down here already!"
A timid voice responded from above. "But, sis, I'm scared! Come on..."
"Mare!" Aura called more forcefully.
"Okay, okay, fine...I'm coming...Eek...!" The shy twin began making his way down slowly.
"Good grief...We'll get old here!" Aura complained impatiently.
"I'm hurrying! I apologize for making you wait, Lord Momonga, Lord Dracula," Mare said, finally reaching them and bowing apologetically.
"Be at ease, Mare. It's quite alright," Dracula assured the nervous elf.
"Yes, it's fine. Now I'd like for the two of you to help me with something," Momonga said. Dracula stepped back as Momonga proudly displayed the magnificent Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown.
"Ooh!" Aura exclaimed in wonder.
Mare's eyes widened. "Amazing! Is that the legendary item that would've only been to your whim, Lord Momonga?! The favored weapon of the Tomb?!"
"Indeed, it was created through the combined efforts of the guild's past members. A testament of our dedication, The Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown. Each stone on the mouths of the seven crowning snakes is a God level artifact," Momonga explained, pride evident in his voice.
"On top of that, the power of the staff itself transcends God level. It is truly legendary. Its base stats power rivals any world level item. The DPS, its auto-attack alone could one shot... anyways, that's how it is," Dracula added, admiring the craftsmanship that had gone into the guild's symbol.
"Incredible!" Mare gasped.
"Awesome! It's so cool!" Aura exclaimed.
"I would like you two to help me run some tests with it," Momonga requested.
Aura straightened eagerly. "Right! We won't let you down, Lord Momonga."
"Also, Aura. I've called for the other guardians to meet here. They should arrive within the hour," Dracula informed her.
Aura's expression changed subtly. "Huh? Does that mean Shalltear's coming...?"
"Of course," Dracula confirmed, noting the shift in her demeanor.
As their conversation ended, Dracula observed Momonga, who appeared deep in thought, likely contemplating the use of his magical abilities in this strange new reality.
However, if I focus hard enough, I don't need it. I can tell the attack range of my spells, their individual cooldown rates, even how much MP I have...I can do this! Momonga thought before raising his staff. "Summon, Primal Fire Elemental!"
"Ow, wow!" Mare exclaimed as a massive fiery entity materialized before them.
"Graaah!" The summoned monster roared, its form flickering with intense flames.
"The Primal Fire Elemental. Its level is in the upper eighties. So, would you like to fight it?" Momonga offered to the twins.
"Yeah! I'd love to!" Aura immediately agreed, excitement glinting in her eyes.
Mare tried backing away. "I just remembered that I have a few errands I still need to attend to. Bye..."
"Come on!" Aura grabbed her brother by the collar.
"Nah! Eww... weep," Mare protested weakly as Aura dragged him toward the summoned elemental.
"Primal Fire Elemental, attack the dark elf twins!" Momonga commanded, and the battle commenced.
The twins moved with incredible coordination against the powerful elemental, demonstrating abilities far beyond what any game AI could have managed. Aura darted around with blinding speed while Mare cast supporting spells from a distance.
"I have a feeling this will be easy for them," Momonga commented as he watched the display.
"I had the same feeling, my friend," Dracula agreed, impressed by the twins' combat prowess.
"Now, I know my other magic skills work as well. But... 'Message,'" Momonga said, testing another ability.
To his surprise, he established an immediate mental connection with Sebas, who was currently outside Nazarick's walls.
"I'm here. Is there something you need, Lord Momonga?" Sebas's voice came through clearly.
"Sebas, how do things look on the outside?" Momonga inquired.
"Well, lord, there is a slight problem," Sebas replied, causing Momonga concern.
"The Guardians are gathering on the sixth floor. Come to the amphitheater on the sixth floor immediately. You can report what you saw once you are here," Momonga instructed.
"Understood," Sebas acknowledged.
Meanwhile, the twins had dispatched the fire elemental with remarkable efficiency.
"Well done. That was impressive," Momonga praised them.
"That was fun! I haven't exercised that much in a while!" Aura said, barely breaking a sweat.
"Hmph, you two must be thirsty," Momonga observed.
"Eh?" Aura tilted her head.
"Hah...?" Mare looked equally confused.
Momonga summoned two cups and a large glass container of water, which he offered to the twins, who accepted gratefully.
After gulping down some water, Aura looked up at Momonga. "I have to admit, Lord Momonga. I thought you'd be scarier."
"Oh? Is that so? I can do that if you'd like me to," Momonga responded, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I like you this way! It's the best!" Aura quickly assured him.
"Hmm..." Momonga seemed pleased by this.
Their conversation was interrupted as a shimmering oval-like portal with red and violet hues materialized on the field. A graceful figure stepped through the magical doorway.
"My, my! It appears I'm the first to arrive..." Shalltear announced as she emerged, her crimson eyes scanning the arena and lingering appreciatively on her two lords.