Chapter 55: Merciless

For two hours, the man spoke nonstop. Even when fatigue crept in, Nazarick's refreshing drink—sweet with a tangy zest—revived his stamina and quickened his tongue. Shizu, who brought it, was, as always, the best.

"That's all," he concluded.

Titus, having read the referenced text, transcribed flawlessly as the man dictated. His speed matched the man's accelerating speech, producing a perfect report—error-free, with calligraphy-like precision. Exhausted, the man made faces, stretching his jaw, while Titus reviewed the document.

The report, split into three parts, wasn't one idea divided but three distinct proposals. Rough and unrefined, they ignored externalities but sufficed for testing text comprehension, not policy-making. They'd withstand scrutiny from other librarians, ensuring the man wouldn't embarrass himself before Demiurge.

But the third proposal was troubling. The first used local tech for urban planning; the second localized Nazarick's advanced tech, far surpassing the first. The third, unpolished without Albedo's edits, was outrageously bold—even for Nazarick's nefarious standards.

Titus questioned the man's sanity. "The third report… you're submitting this to Demiurge-sama?"

"Yes. It might stray from the assignment, but I believe Demiurge-sama will appreciate the creativity."

"If Ainz-sama approves and implements it, what then?"

"An honor. I'd be thrilled to see my idea take shape."

"What if someone close to you gets caught up in it?" Titus pressed.

The man blinked, puzzled, as if the question was absurd. "I wouldn't execute it myself—others would. My feelings shouldn't sway a plan once it's started."

Titus paused. "…My apologies for the foolish question."

"No need. Only a fool stays a fool; a wise man can play one. Only you could ask this, Titus-sama."

"R-Really?" Titus stammered.

The man's blunt honesty was disarming. His intellect impressed Demiurge and baffled Solution, but a slight misstep unleashed a venomous wit that could stun even her. Luckily, Titus was wise enough to handle it.

"Anyway, I have no close ties. No need for concern. Thank you, though… Shizu-san, we're having a serious talk here," the man said.

"Done?" Shizu asked.

She'd been checking in, bringing juice, and, seeing Titus silently reviewing and the man making faces, assumed the dictation was over. Climbing onto his lap, she toyed with his flawless hands.

"It's done. No errors, but you should review it," Titus said, handing over the neatly arranged report.

The man reached for it but froze, looking suspicious. Shizu and Titus tilted their heads in unison.

"I'm at the Great Library now. Not slacking—haven't had a moment's freedom. I was just about to pick a book…" he muttered oddly.

Their heads tilted further. Staring into space, he grabbed Titus's quill and scribbled on a blank sheet Titus provided.

(Message from Narberal-sama)

His handwriting was atrocious, explaining why he relied on dictation.

"Right now?! Please, I just got here and haven't read a single book! I'm not slacking—Ainz-sama permitted me to attend the expedition ceremony. I remember every word of his," he rambled, writing while using Message magic to talk to Narberal.

(Come back to E-Rantel now, she says)

Shizu snatched the quill and wrote: (You don't need to speak for Message to work)

The man blushed, unaware his candid nature endeared him to E-Rantel's apprentice maids.

"I'm not dodging anything!" he protested.

(Got scolded—she couldn't follow my fast talking)

Message magic transmitted thoughts instantly, demanding equal speed from the recipient. Narberal wasn't slow; he was too fast.

"Isn't it non-urgent?" he asked.

(My work's piling up, she says)

(That's bad)

(But there shouldn't be urgent tasks. Ainz-sama's on the expedition)

"Ugh… you're right. My apologies. I'll thank Pandora's Actor-sama… In person? Yes, I planned to…"

(Pandora's Actor-sama's disguising as me to avoid suspicion)

His backstory—recovering in E-Rantel with Nazarick's secret medicine—mixed truth with fiction. A few days bedridden was fine, but total absence was suspicious. Pandora's Actor, a Greater Doppelgänger, covered for him.

"I must visit Carne Village. It's crucial for future visits…"

(Come straight back, no detours. She says you're being babied)

Shizu smirked, pleased. Always treated as the youngest in her rivalry with Entoma, she related to the man's plight.

"There's a woman in Carne I'd like to meet—ow! It's ringing in my head! Enri? The General? She's not a man? I thought…"

(Enri's a woman?)

(Ainz-sama's first human contact here. She commands goblins, so Lupusregina jokingly calls her General)

(Lupusregina teased me)

"I haven't read a single book! Albedo-sama said three more days… No way, it's my first time here!"

(Narberal's insistent. Solution's annoyed. What now?)

(Give up?)

(Titus-sama, that's harsh)

(Say I'm keeping you)

"Shizu-san's keeping me here—ow! No, I was just told to say that…"

(Got yelled at hard)

(You're too dumb)

"What?! Not at you, Narberal-sama! Sorry… Yuri-sama said to humor her moderately. Yes, her words…"

(Meant for Shizu, but Narberal heard)

(I'm back to work. Shall I seal and deliver this to Demiurge-sama's subordinate?)

(Yes, please)

Titus rolled the report, sealed it in a tube with wax and his librarian seal, ensuring only Ainz or Demiurge could open it. Originally, the man planned to visit the seventh floor next, but time was running out.

(Shizu-san, what are you doing?)

As Titus left, Shizu shifted, facing the man, unbuttoning his shirt, whispering in his ear, her tongue grazing his earlobe and neck.

(Wait, seriously, I'll make time before leaving, so please stop)

"Fine. Tomorrow, I leave Nazarick. Carne Village, even for a day, is necessary for the future. Back to E-Rantel the day after. Three days cut to one, right? Narberal-sama wasn't there, but you two know Ainz-sama approved this," he said, collapsing with Shizu onto the desk.

The long Message ended, as did his Nazarick stay. He teared up slightly.

"Shizu-san, get off. I settled with Narberal-sama. I leave tomorrow afternoon. I'll make time, so let me read now."

"…Okay. Promise. Will you come back to Nazarick?"

"Of course. As many times as needed. I have books to return."

Shizu hopped off, satisfied, leading him as he trudged behind, lamenting his cut-short stay. Blaming Solution, Lupusregina, and Narberal, he'd planned to read obsessively for three days. The rushed visit caused issues, but next time, with proper permission, he'd stay longer. Books could be borrowed for two weeks, extendable once, allowing at least one monthly visit. Letting this go, he looked forward to future trips.

At the library's directory sign, guided by Shizu, he met an unexpected figure.

"Rare meeting spot," said Cocytus.

"Cocytus-sama."

The 250cm metallic blue Vermin Lord easily reached the top shelves but struggled with the lowest. This encounter would slightly alter the man's fate, potentially causing suffering, though none knew it yet.

In E-Rantel's grand mansion study, the Pleiades sisters gathered. The room, second only to Albedo's dining hall in anti-espionage measures, was ideal for private talks.

"He leaves Nazarick tomorrow, back here the day after," Narberal said. "I'll fetch him."

"What's he been up to?" Lupusregina groaned.

"Ridiculous," Solution added.

"The distance requires an overnight stop. Carne Village, near Tob Forest, is safe with Aura's control, but not entirely. He can't travel alone," Narberal argued.

"No way," Solution snapped.

"Yeah, Narberal, what's that about?" Lupusregina teased.

"Why not?!"

"You're Nabe, the Black. If you go, Momon-sama must too," Solution said.

"Dragging Pandora-sama into your whims? Since when are you so important?" Lupusregina jabbed.

Narberal grimaced, outmaneuvered.

"I'll get Onii-sama!" Solution beamed, desperate to replenish her "big brother" fix.

"Nope, not you either," Lupusregina countered. "The mansion's lady can't travel alone."

"If you leave, the master's gone," Narberal added.

Solution faltered, shot down.

"So, I'll go!" Lupusregina grinned. "I know Carne Village and the route. No one's better suited. You two stay put—I'll bring him back."

Undeniably logical, but her sisters weren't so forgiving.

"No," Narberal said.

"No sneaking ahead," Solution added.

"What?! If not me, who?" Lupusregina protested.

"No means no!" Narberal barked.

"You'd detour for sure," Solution accused.

"You two are the detour queens!" Lupusregina shot back.

The sisters glared, their beautiful bond fraying over the man. A petty sibling squabble erupted, clouding his return journey.