ALL RIGHT

No, no, of course not!"

"Then take it, Mare. After accepting this ring, continue working hard for Nazarick and myself."

Mare nervously reached out his hand and slowly accepted the ring.

Momonga felt somewhat guilty as he watched Mare. The truth was that he had an ulterior motive for giving him the ring.

That was because once Mare had the ring, it would be more difficult for people to tell that Momonga was teleporting around.

As Mare put on the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown, it immediately changed its dimensions to fit Mare's slender fingers. He could not help but stare at the ring on his finger, sighing in relief. Then he turned to Momonga and bowed deeply.

"Momonga-sama, th-thank you for this great gift... I promise that from today onward I will work harder so I do not disappoint you!"

"Then, I'll trust you with it, Mare."

"Yes!"

A determined look appeared on Mare's face as he gave his immediate answer.

Why had Bukubukuchagama-san, who had designed Mare, dressed him like this?

Was it to dress him differently from Aura, or was there another reason?

Just as Momonga was pondering this question, Mare asked a question of his own.

"Ah, excuse me, Momonga-sama… but why are you dressed like that?"

"...Ah, about that…"

Because I wanted to get away — obviously he could not say that.

Mare's eyes sparkled as he looked up to the troubled Momonga. How should he bluff his way through this? If he failed here, all the acting he had done to appear like a commanding superior would have gone to waste. No subordinate would respect a superior who was trying to flee.

Momonga desperately tried to calm himself down, and then help came from an unexpected source.

"That's simple, Mare."

Momonga looked back, and his eyes were instantly drawn to the person he was looking at.

A woman who seemed to be the embodiment of all feminine beauty stood beneath the moonlight. The bluish-white radiance played across her body, which sparkled in response. It was as though a goddess had descended from the heavens to grace the earth. Her black wings flapped, creating a gust of wind.

It was Albedo.

Although Demiurge was behind her, such was Albedo's beauty that Momonga's eyes did not even register Demiurge's form.

"Momonga-sama wore this armor and concealed his identity because he did not wish to disturb the others at work."

"When Momonga-sama approaches, it is only natural for everyone to stop whatever they are doing and bow to him. However, Momonga-sama did not wish to interrupt anyone. Thus he disguised himself as Dark Warrior-sama so the others would not cease in their labors to pay him his due respect. Am I correct, Momonga-sama?"

After hearing Albedo's question, Momonga nodded repeatedly.

"As, as expected of you Albedo, you understood my true intentions."

"It is only natural, as the Guardian Overseer. No, even if I were not the Guardian Overseer, I am confident that I could read your heart, Momonga-sama."

As Albedo smiled and bowed deeply, there was a bizarre expression of Demiurge's face as he stood behind her.

Although it weighed on his mind, he could not object to the people assisting him.

"So, so that's why…" Mare said, with a look of realization on his face.

As he looked toward Mare, Momonga saw a sight he could hardly believe was real. Albedo's eyes had suddenly gone wide open, to the point where it seemed like her eyeballs might fall out. She was pointing at Mare in a strange way.

Just as Momonga was thinking about this, Albedo's face returned to its usual beautiful state, so quickly that Momonga thought it had all been an illusion.

"...What's wrong?"

"Ah, no, nothing… all right, Mare, sorry for disturbing you. Take a break, and continue the camouflage work afterwards."

"Y-Yes! Then, Momonga-sama, I'll be on my way."

As Momonga nodded to him, Mare rubbed the ring on his finger and left.

"Speaking of which, why did you come here, Albedo?"

"I heard Demiurge say you would be here, so I wished to greet you, Momonga-sama. However, I apologize for making you see me in this filthy state."

Momonga looked at Albedo again as he heard the words "filthy." However, he did not feel that the words were fitting. Granted, there was dust on her clothes, but it did not lessen her beauty at all.

"Certainly not, Albedo. Your radiance could never be diminished by something as insignificant as dirt. That said, I feel a little uncomfortable about making a beautiful maiden like yourself run around. However, since this is an emergency, I must ask you to continue working for Nazarick for the time being. I apologize for that."

"I can endure any hardship as long as it's for your sake, Momonga-sama!"

"I am grateful for your loyalty. Ah, yes… Albedo, I have something to give you."

"...What might that something be?"

As Albedo lowered her head and calmly replied, Momonga brought out a ring. Naturally, it was a Ring of Ainz of Ooal Gown.

"You will need this item in your position as the Guardian Overseer."

"...Thank you very much."

Her reaction was so different from Mare's that Momonga was somewhat disappointed. However, he immediately realised that he was mistaken.

The corner of Albedo's mouth was twitching and she was desperately trying not to let her expression change. Her wings were shuddering because she was trying her best not to spread them. The hand which took the ring had clenched up (when had she done that?) and then it opened up, trembling mightily. Even an idiot could see her excitement.

"Continue your loyal service, As for Demiurge… some other time."

"I understand, Momonga-sama. I shall continue working hard in future to prove myself worthy of such a mighty ring."

"Is that so? Then, I have abandoned the tasks that I must take care of. I'd best return to the Ninth Floor before I get scolded."

After seeing Albedo and Demiurge lower their heads in response, Momonga activated the teleportation effect of the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown.

In the instant before the scenery changed, Momonga thought he heard a woman shouting "ALL RIGHT!" However, he felt he must have been mistaken, because there was no way Albedo could have made such a crude sound.