The moment I activated the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown, the world around me warped and folded upon itself. The next thing I knew, my surroundings had shifted entirely.
I appeared in a vast, dimly lit hall. Rows of narrow mortuary slabs stretched out to either side, their surfaces empty and polished to a mirror-like sheen. Once, they might have held the bodies of the loyal dead, but now they stood silent and unoccupied. The air carried the faint chill of stone long untouched by sunlight. Beneath my feet, the floor gleamed faintly—polished limestone, smooth and pale as bone.
Behind me, a wide staircase led downward, its steps descending into shadow. At the far end of the hall stood a pair of massive double doors, the gateway to the first floor of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick. The sconces lining the walls held no torches, yet the hall was not completely dark. Pale, bluish-white light filtered in from above, seeping through unseen cracks, faintly illuminating the room. It was moonlight—or at least something that resembled it.
This place was the central mausoleum—the closest location to the surface that the Ring could transport me to. From here, a few steps forward would take me outside, into the strange world beyond Nazarick's walls.
But I was not alone.
Before I could move, a faint rustle echoed across the hall. My gaze shifted—and froze. Standing before me was a group of women, all of them impossibly beautiful, with crimson eyes that glimmered faintly in the dim light. Their presence was commanding yet graceful, each of them clad in ornate dresses that shimmered faintly with enchantments.
And standing before them, as if leading the group, was a figure with pale, flawless skin—almost waxen in its perfection. Her long, silver hair framed a face that was both youthful and regal, with eyes that burned an elegant red. Even before she spoke, I recognized her instantly.
"Alastor-sama?" she asked, her voice low, reverent.
"Shalltear..." I murmured.
Within the Great Tomb of Nazarick, all its denizens carried a distinct aura—an imprint of their origin as creations of the Supreme Beings. That aura was how they identified one another, distinguishing friend from intruder. The moment she felt my presence, she must have realized who I was.
Without hesitation, Shalltear Bloodfallen knelt before me, her movements precise and fluid. Seeing their mistress kneel, the Vampire Brides behind her immediately followed, bowing deeply with heads lowered in perfect unison.
"I deeply apologize for stopping you, Alastor-sama," Shalltear said, her tone humble yet filled with devotion. "I know such an action is unforgivable, but I beg you to forgive my insolence."
I stared at her for a moment, my expression unreadable. Inside, though, I couldn't help but think, 'Do they really see me as such a terrifying being?'
"You don't need to apologize, Shalltear," I said at last, my voice calm. "You simply fulfilled your duty as a Floor Guardian. That is what you were meant to do. You may stand."
"Understood," she replied softly, rising gracefully to her feet.
Her crimson eyes glowed faintly in the moonlight as she looked up at me again. "Then, Alastor-sama, may I ask why you are here on the first floor without your escort? And… why you were suppressing your aura?"
"I was planning to inspect the surface," I answered simply, glancing toward the great double doors ahead.
"Do you know where Demiurge is?" I asked, though I already had an idea why the scene was different from what I remembered. In the original script of Overlord, this would have been Demiurge here, not her.
Shalltear nodded slightly. "Demiurge, along with Albedo, is currently outside the Tomb fulfilling your previous orders. But if Alastor-sama commands it, I will summon him immediately."
"There's no need for that," I said, shaking my head. "I'm only going to observe the surroundings."
Shalltear hesitated for a brief moment before bowing once more. "Then, please allow me to accompany you, Alastor-sama. As a Guardian, it is my duty to ensure your safety."
I let a small smile touch my lips. "Very well, Shalltear. You may accompany me."
"Understood," she said, her tone filled with satisfaction.
~~~
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