Chapter 8: Despair Aura

The idea was good, but could I actually pull it off?

I remembered how Ainz Papa made his grand entrance in front of the Guardians—he activated his Despair Aura to establish dominance.

If I could also activate Despair Aura, the effect would be amazing!

It would be the perfect way to make my debut!

But… reality was harsh.

Right now, I was basically a newborn, struggling just to speak.

Let alone activating Despair Aura!

Elizabeth sighed internally, pushing the thought aside.

Forget it, just let Ainz Papa do his thing.

No need to try opening a level 5 Despair Aura or anything.

"Hm? What is this?"

Ainz suddenly made a surprised sound and gently set Elizabeth down.

Once she was on the ground, Elizabeth noticed something was off.

The Guardians were still kneeling, but something seemed wrong.

Mare was trembling.

Albedo and Shalltear's lovestruck expressions had intensified.

Wait… what's going on?

Did Ainz Papa activate Despair Aura again?

That couldn't be right.

"Ho… could it be… my child?"

Ainz stared at Elizabeth.

That only confused Elizabeth more.

What's happening…?

Huh?

Wait, what's this strange feeling?

Elizabeth looked down at her own body.

That's when she noticed—

She was emitting black mist-like energy.

This… wasn't this… Despair Aura?!

I can use it?!

She was thrilled!

She had only been thinking about using Despair Aura, and somehow, she activated it?!

And judging from the Guardians' reactions, it wasn't even a weak version!

Just by thinking about it, I can use Ainz Papa's aura?

This setting is way too convenient!

Elizabeth was grinning internally.

Ainz Papa's grand entrance had been impressive—

And now, his child was displaying the exact same ability!

This debut couldn't have been more perfect!

My entrance is just like Ainz Papa's!

Now that she had used Despair Aura, she couldn't help but wonder—

Did she have access to other abilities too?

What about Grasp Heart?

Could she use Reality Slash?

And… could she unleash Ainz's ultimate move—The Goal of All Life Is Death?

Just the thought made Elizabeth's heart race with excitement!

She wanted to test everything!

She was on top of the world!

But then…

She regretted everything.

Why did I have to activate Despair Aura?!

Elizabeth groaned as she stared at the vampire maids assigned to take care of her.

Ever since her "birth," her Despair Aura had remained active.

That's right—she couldn't turn it off.

Originally, she was supposed to be taken care of by Pestonya—the kindest of the maids.

But since her Despair Aura couldn't be deactivated, Pestonya's lower-ranked maid assistants couldn't even get near her.

So, instead, Shalltear assigned her vampire brides to take care of Elizabeth.

And because of that…

Elizabeth ended up living in Shalltear's domain.

Albedo was furious about it, but since she was the Guardian Overseer, she had little free time to personally take care of Elizabeth.

Even after Ainz Papa persuaded her, she still seemed reluctant.

Elizabeth hated the past few days.

Her body was still weak and uncoordinated.

And the vampire brides?

They treated her like a dress-up doll!

Every day, they changed her outfit multiple times!

Each time, it was some elaborate dress covered in lace and frills.

Back in her previous world, Elizabeth had hated lace-covered clothing.

But fine, she could tolerate it.

What she couldn't tolerate was the way the vampire brides treated her.

Every time they dressed her up, they would… touch her all over!

Seriously, what is wrong with these perverts?!

Shalltear, I blame you!!

Now, it was happening again.

One of the vampire brides had just brought in another ridiculous dress—

A black-and-red gothic lolita dress—the same style as Shalltear's.

The moment Elizabeth saw it, she instantly felt exhausted.

She had been here for days, and her Despair Aura was still active.

Sure, it didn't have an instant-death effect on the vampire brides,

but it should have been reducing their resistance and stats.

Yet…

They looked like they were enjoying it?!

Why were they all fighting over the chance to take care of her?!

These maids are just as twisted as Shalltear!

"Fine, fine, I get it. I'll change," Elizabeth muttered to herself.

She obediently sat up on the bed, preparing for yet another outfit swap.

Since she had spent days lying down recovering, she could finally sit up on her own.

She could even stand now!

Though… walking was still a bit difficult.

Not impossible, just… awkward.

When she sat up, one of the vampire brides immediately rushed to her side, practically glowing with excitement.

She helped Elizabeth off the bed, supporting her carefully, while the others swarmed in with the new outfit.

Looking at herself in the mirror…

Elizabeth realized she had definitely inherited both Albedo's and Shalltear's looks.

Her face resembled a mix of the two.

And then there were her heterochromatic eyes—

One gold, one red—matching Albedo and Shalltear.

Her hair was black, like Albedo's, but…

Her bangs had pink streaks, and the tips of her hair also had a pinkish hue.

That must have been Shalltear's influence.

And her body…

Well, thankfully, she didn't have four arms.

She also didn't have a tail.

And no tiny angel wings, either.

Thank the divine being!!

But…

She had also inherited Shalltear's short stature.

I look like a middle schooler…

She sighed.

At least… her bust size wasn't like Shalltear's.

Her figure was more like Albedo's—voluptuous.

She looked down.

Yep. She couldn't see her own feet.

So, to summarize:

Body of a bombshell.

Height of a grade-schooler.

Basically… a legal loli.

Elizabeth sighed.

Appearance-wise, she had no complaints—except for the short height.

Honestly, she felt pretty grateful toward Demiurge.

After all, he was the one who adjusted her body.

Not long after she finished changing, there was a knock at the door.

A vampire bride whispered something to another maid, then turned to Elizabeth.

"Lady Elizabeth, Lord Cocytus has come to visit you."

"Huh… let him in," Elizabeth said.

So, Cocytus came to visit again.

He had been coming to see her regularly these past few days.

Every time, he would ask about her condition, then quietly stay for a while before leaving.

Would today be the same?

Elizabeth casually sat on the bed, waiting.

Since her body was doing well, she didn't need to lie down anymore.

Before long, Cocytus entered.

"Lady… Elizabeth… Your… condition… has improved…?"

Cocytus's voice was uncharacteristically shaky as he saw Elizabeth sitting upright.

Huh?

Should I mess with him a little?

Elizabeth smirked.

"Lord… Cocytus, may I… call you Grandpa?"

"!!"

Cocytus froze in shock…

Then suddenly…

He exhaled a freezing mist—his version of a joyful scream.